Her name was Christina

[wmw999 2,556]

Something you just read about, but I went to her memorial service today.

I volunteer at a service center (clothing, showers, meals, but no housing); she was a regular there. She wasn't actually homeless right now, she was always welcome at her parents', and she had recently gotten an apartment with her husband. But she was incredibly, fiercely, independent, and the lack of structure in living on the streets called her sometimes. Her mother said that she knew when Christina came back, that she'd want to go back out again soon. She just needed to.

She had her problems; was born with most of them. Her parents adopted her when she was 7. School was, I'm sure, very very difficult for her.

But along with her independence, she was fiercely happy when she was happy, and fiery when she was angry. Constantly in motion, liked pretty things, and always chatting with someone.

So when you see one of those people walking down the street, with their backpack, rolling suitcase, their head down -- they're real. And she'll be missed, by me among others.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Arvoitus 1]

I've never really understood the disdain Americans have for homeless people, especially considering the lack of any proper social security, which might render anyone as one of them very quickly.

Also I've never really understood why people should be allowed to own pit bulls as 90% of the people who own them aren't capable of shouldering the responsibility that comes with owning a dog of that breed.

Your rights end where my feelings begin.

[Andy9o8 2]

- There are neglected homeless people in every Western industrialized country, not just the US.
- This thread has absolutely nothing to do with pit bull dogs, except in the "six degrees of separation" you play in your head.
- You'd be more productive if you'd focus, instead of just opportunistically America-bashing, as your posting history suggests you're inclined to do.

[NWFlyer 2]

Sorry for your loss, Wendy. That sounds like a really awful way to die.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[format 1]

Andy9o8

- There are neglected homeless people in every Western industrialized country, not just the US.
- This thread has absolutely nothing to do with pit bull dogs, except in the "six degrees of separation" you play in your head.
- You'd be more productive if you'd focus, instead of just opportunistically America-bashing, as your posting history suggests you're inclined to do.

America is no more than 50 countries as one. I wouldn't be surprised that elsewhere homeless people get bitten to death just the same, western or eastern. Except maybe in Romania where "licensed companies" get 250 EUR/yr per dog catched and sheltered/fed (so they just kill'em instead).
As for pit bulls, article does say there was 32 dogs related deaths in U.S. 2013 and 25 of those were pit bulls

edit: arvoitus, disdain?

What goes around, comes later.

[catfishhunter 2]

Andy9o8

- There are neglected homeless people in every Western industrialized country, not just the US.
- This thread has absolutely nothing to do with pit bull dogs, except in the "six degrees of separation" you play in your head.
- You'd be more productive if you'd focus, instead of just opportunistically America-bashing, as your posting history suggests you're inclined to do.

did you read the story

MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT
Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose.

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

Arvoitus

...Also I've never really understood why people should be allowed to own pit bulls as 90% of the people who own them aren't capable of shouldering the responsibility that comes with owning a dog of that breed.

More like about 1% of the people allow their dogs to run loose and make a bad name for a very good dog breed.

They are the current "Bad Dog." It was Dobermans a while back and GSPs before that. The thugs and idiots think it's cool to have a vicious dog, and Pit Bulls are the current favorite.

I'd like to see the owners face charges of negligent homicide.

Sorry about your friend, Wendy.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[turtlespeed 226]

Arvoitus

I've never really understood the disdain Americans have for homeless people, especially considering the lack of any proper social security, which might render anyone as one of them very quickly.

Also I've never really understood why people should be allowed to own pit bulls as 90% of the people who own them aren't capable of shouldering the responsibility that comes with owning a dog of that breed.

It's not disdain for homeless, it disdain for those that abuse the system.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[LuckyMcSwervy 0]

I am so sorry for your loss. Damn. How horrible.

Always be kinder than you feel.

[turtlespeed 226]

Damn Wendy, sorry .

Life isn't so fair sometimes.

My earlier post - yeah - should have read the article first.

Sorry.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[davjohns 1]

Sorry a light has gone out in your world, Wendy.

I knew homeless people when I was a cop. They could be very helpful. I would take them to eat and sit and talk.

When I was practicing law in a downtown area, they would be in the park square often. Some of them had very interesting stories. I didn't know any that truly had no options. That was just their choice.

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[rwieder 0]

Wendy-Hard to know how to feel. Death is such a permanent end to a means. I'm very sorry that your associate passed Wendy, 4 real. Life and death are such fallible, permanent situations to temporary problems. A Yeah.....Well, you get it.....right!?

Best-
Richard

[airdvr 210]

I'm sure you made her life a bit more tolerable with your kindness.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[flygirl1220 0]

Wendy I'm sorry for your loss and for her family.

[sfzombie13 324]

my condolences. it always sucks when you lose someone. i am glad (though not surprised) that you cared enough to get to know her. it makes it harder when someone dies, but it is well worth it while they are still around.

_________________________________________
Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes

[wmw999 2,556]

There are always other options. I could have worked harder in college, gone to a different college, bought a PC earlier -- there are always other options.

100 years ago a decent number of the current homeless would have been things like cowboys and fieldhands, where you get 3 meals a day with a full day of hard work, and when the season is over you move on to the next job, or just hang out for awhile, depending on your needs/wishes. Those days are over, but the people still exist.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[sfzombie13 324]

maybe the govt should bring back the ccc. my grandpa used to talk about how much that helped him in the depression. he ended up retiring from a good job and was a very productive member of society, not to mention a true hero from ww2.

i would really support a program like that, giving something in exchange for something. if done correctly, this could actually work today. and it would help lots of people, you would just have to expect that a certain number of people would take advantage and ignore those few.

_________________________________________
Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes

[normiss 868]

I don't think there are very many homeless people abusing the system.
The ones I've seen seem to avoid the system at all costs.


Sorry for the loss Wendy.
Thanks for being a big hearted sweetie.

I'm always concerned about a homeless lady in our city. She is at her bench every day when the sun sets.
We're given her money and food a few times. Andrea gave her an umbrella once during some rain.
I think I need to look into volunteering too.
Thanks.

[wmw999 2,556]

I'd be all over something like the CCC, or requiring work for welfare (with some of the work being in childcare, to make the other work possible).

But let's not take this to SC , and lift a beer to life instead

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[normiss 868]

Just reminded me of a homeless guy that was always around the grocery store parking lot.

He loved beer and cigarettes.
I'd give him 3 or 4 beers and my buddy would give him a pack of smokes.
He sure had some interesting tales.

[LuckyMcSwervy 0]

normiss

Just reminded me of a homeless guy that was always around the grocery store parking lot.

He loved beer and cigarettes.
I'd give him 3 or 4 beers and my buddy would give him a pack of smokes.
He sure had some interesting tales.

This thread made me remember some really interesting and funny homeless guys (and a few women) who came through the court office over the years. They didn't want help from the social services agencies. Just wanted some money for booze and cigarettes and drugs. Some were veterans, some had families that couldn't or wouldn't help or were just tired of the roller coaster. Lots of people with obvious mental illnesses. I still think of two of them once in a while. One guy, Wade Harmon, every April 4 I remember it's his birthday. Another guy, Don Johnson, was an amazing artist and would carry his sketch books with him. He would come to my office window once in a while to say he couldn't pay his fines but to also tell me to look at his drawings.

A few others liked to stop by and just chat (and because the city hall lobby was warm, I think ). They liked to tell me stories of times my Dad arrested them or even helped them back in the day.

Lotssssss of stories, lots of lost souls. I wonder if some of them are still alive? I had to review unpaid fines and issue warrants for defendants on a weekly basis. I remember hoping some of these guys would come up as delinquent and were eligible for warrants when the weather was really cold or a snow storm was coming. I'd give the warrants to the cops and they'd know to try to get these guys first so they'd go to county, get warm and get fed. Some of them would ASK for warrants to be issued so they could get arrested in the winter. Ahhhh.... please don't attack me for telling that story.

Hmmm.... weird walk down memory lane this morning.

Always be kinder than you feel.

[normiss 868]

I gave my US Navy pea coat away to a homeless guy in Philly when I got discharged.
He needed it in Philly.
I was headed to FL.

[wmw999 2,556]

And based on my experience in giving away coats, it probably lasted with that guy for awhile, until it was either stolen or sold. But it kept him warm for that time, and then he had to figure out how to get another.

Long-term planning isn't everyone's forte

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[LuckyMcSwervy 0]

normiss

I gave my US Navy pea coat away to a homeless guy in Philly when I got discharged.
He needed it in Philly.
I was headed to FL.

Awwww.... that was sweet.

Always be kinder than you feel.

[Skyrad 0]

Sorry to hear about your friends passing. May she rest in peace.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca