The hobos recognize you.
Downtown’s homeless and vagrant population like to hit up tourists for small change. And the business crowd, and party-goers too. Sometimes, they hit up the locals. Like me!
My latest exchange with a hobo went like this:
Hobo to tourists: Hey, got any spare change?
Tourists: (No response)
Hobo to me: Hey got any-
Me: No, sorry.
Hobo: Oh hey, I know you, that’s cool… (continues muttering to himself)
Some downtown hobos don’t even ask me for change anymore. As a downtown resident, I’d like to think I’ve earned it. It took a few years, but it’s an honor nonetheless.
Thanks for yet another example of the hypocritical liberal. You walked on by without giving that poor downtrodden homelss man some money? You are an uncaring crueal heartless bastard!
Yet another example of liberal, oh sorry PROGRESSIVE “compassion”
Will,
I would not consider looking so disheveled that:
A. A homeless person will not hit you up for change.
B. Any female, let alone a non-homeless one, would consider that you have less money than a homeless person.
either of these situations would be an honor. If anything, I’d call it a wake up call.
oppps,
Will, are you mistaking Goldy for a homeless person again?
Let me guess, he had those stupid gloves, without fingers on, his kid was holding a cup in her mouth and he was seen at the Corner of 4th and Pike?
1
The liberals give to the poor like they fight in wars. The let other people do it.
I work downtown, and am often approached but never give. I do give to a downtown food and shelter program, so I know where my money goes.
This morning, Sen. Chuck Schumer was debating Newt Gingrich and he made a critically important point.
He said that the 2008 elections could be a once in a generation moment that fundamentally realigns American politics – just as the 1932 elections ushered in FDR and the New Deal and the 1980 elections brought Reaganite conservatism to the forefront.
Because of changing technology and globalization, the American middle class is undergoing a seminal transformation. Sen. Schumer believes that the party that can best address the concerns of everyday working Americans over these next two years has an opportunity to build a majority that can last for decades.
These are the stakes as Democrats work towards the 2008 elections. George Bush will be gone and we Democrats must stake out a compelling vision for the future.
Today, Sen. Schumer talked about how meeting the challenges America faces begin with restoring our people’s faith in government. Republicans – many hostile to the very idea of government – have bought us Iraq, Katrina and an unmitigated string of government failures.
With a strong, affirmative government, Sen. Schumer thinks Democrats can fix a primary education system that is churning out students who can’t compete in a global economy. We can reshape our military to fight the emerging terrorist threats and start America on a path to energy independence.
Good Afternoon folks did President Bush bring us Katrina? The worst place for a storm to hit would be in Louisiana run by nothing but Democrats. They refuse all the help we offered in the beginning and only accepted later because people were complaining they were abandon by their local governments. Yes the dikes failed not because of lack of funding, but by folks stealing the resources to built and makes repairs before the storm. Who was in charge in that state to make that happen? Social Democrats!
Three small question who struck this Nation first? President Bush? Osama Bin Laudin?
Who violated UN resolution and murdered people at will? President Bush? Saddam Hussain?
Who vote for War in Iraq and only one vote for his friend Saddam? President Bush? Congress? Bagdad Jim McDermott?
Senator Schumer would you please explain more about all those unmitigated string of government failures?
Senator Schumer would you band the teacher unions in order to fix our education problems? Those students today have teachers who are almost all Democrats churning out students who can’t compete in this world economy. Why would a system run by mostly Democrats today be failing society?
Senator Schumer what would you do to support troops today to defeat the threat of terrorist?
Senator Schumer what would you do today now that you have all the resources to make this nation energy independent?
Will, you don’t even have a dime or quarter for a poor homeless man ? Maybe it’s time to start a collection on your own ala Goldy…he’s out of town…and you have run of the site…go for it…We don’t mind, all to support the homeless…
:-)
Senator Schumer and his Friends lacks a real PLAN.,br/>
Whereas our president has a bad plan, poorly executed.
“Hobo”? I think the last time I heard that term was in the 70’s. It refers to people who “rode the rails”.
You’re right; I am a total idiot, and stoned besides.
Probably the ‘hobo’ was afraid you’d start your spiel about how ‘as a young person you’re going to have to live with the viaduct…’
Funniest thing I read in a while on ASSWipes!
Hobo was cool because he realized any further conversation with Will would be wasted breath!
@ 12
The hobo is actually for the ‘retrofit’ option.
K says:
Whereas our president has a bad plan, poorly executed.
You could be right but at least he has one thats more than the other tribe can present to it’s Indians. History will tell how well it was executed but what will they say about our Democrat friends? Will they say that the Democrats supported the enemy like Kerry supported Viet Nam in Paris France?
klake: There is no reason to be at war in Iraq. And when you say. “Oh, Yeah! Do you have a better plan?”
Well, you just sound crazy. But ,anyway, this war is becoming boring. The coming nuclear apocalypse in Iran will be much more entertaining for you.
re 15: I can’t wait until the monied elites who profit from all this misery begin to feel the hurt. You do understand that the dollar is about to collapse and America is going to fall into social and economic chaos. And it’s all because of you goddam Republicans.
May you rot in hell for eternity, klake.
That’s the plan.
And Reichert’s still a rubber-stamping, hairsprayed twerp. That one will never occupy public office again as long as he lives after this term. That’s one rat that is going down with the ship.
There’s not enough corporate money in the world to put the gleam of intelligence in those squinty little eyes of his.
The liberals give to the poor like they fight in wars. The let other people do it.
That’s right. You dingbats drooled your way into Iraq, you go and fight there. You supported “deinstitutionalizing” hundreds of thousands of mentally deranged wards of the state under Uncah Ronald, you can give them your change. We’re sick of picking up after you people.
re 19: You revisionist tool of Capitalist Pigs!
re 19: Jonah Goldberg’s little tome in the Times today employs the same type of insane twisting of reality that you are engaging in. You Wingnuts are like a school of fish that all change direction at the same time.
Democrats are in favor of “mandatory charity” to support the homeless, everybody else just calls them taxes.
delbert says:
Democrats are in favor of “mandatory charity” to support the homeless, everybody else just calls them taxes.
02/19/2007 at 8:30 am
——————–
No Delbert, Democrats support a fair system so all Americans can prosper.
Today’s system is set up to let huge corporations prosper, and the small percentage of Americans that hold most of the wealth.
Explain why someone making minimum wage should pay a larger percentage of their wages / income in taxes and fees than a retired billionaire…..
Today’s system = tax the poor, and help the rich. If you are in the middle, you get hit even harder.
I propose a flat tax.
Tax all people the same rate.
Sounds fair right?
Based on their net worth, and not their wages.
Tax Wealth Not Work.
Chew on that righties……
The only deduction is for creating living wage jobs for other Americans….
Jeez. Troll blitzkrieg this thread.
I think hobo has more dignity than ‘bum’ and ‘homeless person’ though. Those two terms are both negative and imply a lack of something, while hobo is positive or at least neutral.
Radio KBOO out of Portland is having a homeless marathon show Tuesday 4:pm til 6:am Wednesday. Not sure if KBOO website wil livestream it, but possibly.
Will, your post sounds sort of callous. When I speak to the few homeless who recognize me, mostly those who sell Street Roots or Real Change, I’m demoralized about being unable to do much. A single passerby giving quarters cannot do near as much as a proper city-run or privately-run program to help the homeless.
It’s said, “The poor will always be with us”. The conservative take on this quote is either “Nothing can be done, let them suffer”, or more charitably “Line-up for Jesus or you’ll get no food nor a place to sleep”. The former take instigates anti-social and criminal behavior. The later take is not honestly based on scripture so most often fails to produce long-lasting results and converts.
re 23 : That’s a good plan.
Will,
Something I can actually agree with a HA poster on: you know you’ve made the big time when the vagrants in downtown recognize you.
Seriously though, the Pike/Pine corridor needs some major attention. The story of the crazy guy who doused a few people with lighter fluid is just one of many — the others hardly ever get told.
Goldy,
How about an hour on your radio show devoted to strange downtown experiences? I’ve got some other show ideas too. Email me if you’d like to hear them.
@1 What a load of wingnut crap. That hobo gets subsidized housing, food stamps, Medicaid — everything he needs. Why should Will give him money for alcohol?
What this country needs is more “tough love.” No, I’m not talking about street people — I’m talking about Republicans.