Proud Daddy

[Superman]

My two girls seem to be good clear thinkers and compassionate people. I could go on and on. They're really cool young ladies.

Anyway, sometimes I play a little coy in our conversations just to get a closer glimpse at their thinking patterns. Recently my 20 year-old and I were stopped at a light where there was a young woman with a sign saying something aboot being homeless, etc. A beggar. She said she likes to give them a buck so when she has it. I commented that you never know what's behind these folks, and begging at lights seems to be a career for some. Maybe a scam.

She said "Well maybe so, but when someone stands on a street corner begging for money, something is wrong."

I'm proud of her.

[rcecale]

Supe,

I really can appreciate her compassion for her fellow man, but perhaps a few more of life's lessons will get her to point her "donations" in a better direction.

Randy

[Moses]

Originally posted by Superman
...when someone stands on a street corner begging for money, something is wrong."

Why? Sometimes being homeless is a choice. A celebration of liberty. To quote Kristofferson; "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose."

On the other hand, I applaud your daughters humanity. Her gut instinct is compassion and empathy. Very good stuff.

[MikeCT]

Well I hope for her sake she isn't going to be living in a large city anytime soon, she will go broke real quickly. But it's good to see that people still have compassion.

[gaijindabe]

Something is wrong. But it aint getting better giving them money..

But she does sound like a sweet kid.

[928ram]

Since the majority of these folks are cheating or scamming something (SS, WorkComp, welfare) to start with, you are already giving them dollars by being a productive member of society, I don't understand why you'd give them more of your hard earned, hard taxed dollars. Heck, cut a check to the IRS every month for a few bucks if you just want to toss money away.

Since leaving WA some 3 yrs ago, I'm happy to report that the rest of country doesn't have "free spirits" on ever street corner; I've not seen 1.

[id10t]

I used to work in a parking lot (near a big college campus) on weekends and the bums would always ask for money (I'm guessing for alchohol or drugs mostly). Never gave 'em any, but the first to show up and sweep the parking lot for me got a bagel and cup of coffee.

Now when I see a bum on a corner, wtih the typical "need help god bless" sign, I'll occasionally (time and $ permitting) swing by the nearest drive thru and buy a burger for them. I figure if they are hurting, some food is probably one of the best things you can do for them.

[juanbenae]

i knew so guys about 10 12 years ago that did that as a job. left the comfort of their parents homes, put on the shabbiest clothes they had and would at time make more in a day then i did building homes.

those guys still live at home, and have not really done much since. go figure.

your girl sounds very sweet sup.

[Oh Haha]

I agree with the other comments but overall, Mr. Superman, I think you SHOULD be proud of her for having compassion for her fellow man/woman. I don't have nearly enough sometimes

[island911]

Originally posted by Superman
. . .
She said "Well maybe so, but when someone stands on a street corner begging for money, something is wrong."

. .. and simply throwing money at the problem is the fix?

. . oh, right . . democrat . .. .I see why you're proud of her.

[MikeCT]

I forgot to ask...so when can I start to date her? She's 20, I'm 22. She likes to give money to bums, I'm a bum with no money. It'd probably workout well.

[island911]

LOL

GOod one MCT

that ought to teach super not to 'play a little coy in our conversations' here.

[Superman]

Yep, she's a good kid. And yeah, she'll learn stuff as she gets older. Some of the naivete will wear off but if she's like her father (and indeed it seems as though she is), she'll keep as much of it for as long as possible.

Moses, you're a pretty sharp cookie so I'll hazard an interpretation of her remark. I think she's looking more broadly, and beyond, the question of whether someone feels as though they have made a choice, or whether you or I say they made a choice. Behind our choices is a set of experiences and perceptions, as well as genetics. Sometimes that combination results in unfortunate choices. I'm not making excuses for folks who choose badly, just an observation. For example, we can say that a heroin addict makes a choice to "use" each day. But that's not really a choice, really. Not everyone understands this but I'd guess you do. My church also considers whether the sinner's choice was truly free, or constrained. So, I think the daughter would respond to your comment by looking you up and down and remaining silent with the hope you would continue until you've made a point. Something's wrong, she notices. And there is a beggar on the street, she also notices. Clearly there has been some decision-making. And still she concludes that something is wrong. She's not as quick to write people off.

Yeah, I've raised a couple of liberals. Proudly. And BTW, FWIW, the younger one (now 12) clearly, CLEARLY has a strong entrepeneurial spirit. This is going to be interesting.

[Superman]

Oh and, as I say, she is strikingly attractive and has been since she was a toddler (mother is spanish and philipina), and now that she's had a few years of experience with males, I'd have to think, Mike, that you might be the bull, but she'd probably be the Matador. Still, your reasoning is clearly sound. I'll tell her you might become available.

Funny exchange: Once, when she had recently broken up with a boyfriend, I was asking her questions out of concern that she was lonely or embarrassed or something. When she realized why I was asking the questions I was, she instantly sought to eliminate my confusion. She said "Oh, boys are everywhere. They're easy to get, if I wanted one. I could go down to the grocery store and be back with a new one in five minutes." It was very funny.

I think Isabo would be able to relate to that.

[Neilk]

Where are those little icons that spell out

"This thread is worthless without pictures!"

[Moses]

Originally posted by Superman
And still she concludes that something is wrong. She's not as quick to write people off.

I was homeless for a while. For me it was a choice forged out of bad decisions and stubborness. Poverty and homelessness themselves do not define a persons life. To look at a panhandler and assume something must be wrong implies that one must have money, a job and a home in order to have a meaningful life. We do not all share the same dreams. The white picket fence that comforts us may look like prison bars to someone else.

Yes there is suffering and loss and tragedy in the world, but the panhandler may not be the one who really needs our help. When I think of charity, my mind turns to children's hospitals, battered womens shelters, the Second Harvest food bank, scholarships for the needy, etc.

[Superman]

Touche', Moses. I'm humbled. Your remarks betray unusual wisdom.

[Moses]

Supe, of all the qualities we hope to see in our children as they grow, kindness is at the top of the list. Congratulations.

[Jamie79SC]

"Since the majority of these folks are cheating or scamming something (SS, WorkComp, welfare) to start with, you are already giving them dollars by being a productive member of society..."

I hear this kind of thing all the time. Where does that come from? Does anyone have any actual stat's or is this just off the cuff?

[stomachmonkey]

Sup,

Congratulations on what sounds like a wonderful young woman.

I hope I do as good a job raising my children to be as kind and compassionate and not to have a cynical outlook on the world.