Homeless

[howdy ya'll]

Big Country Gets Grant to Help Fight Homelessness>>>>>>

This is one of the headlines this morning. I have a friend from Seattle Wash and this friend told me how they handle the homeless there. They have a 'tent city' in which a different church is asked to bring some sort of meal for 1 week to help feed and other items that might be in need. So, if Abilene's churches were to do something like this, they would only have to sponsor meals for a 'tent city' once every 2 years because there are so many churches here. lol

I thought that the 'tent city' concept was pretty interesting.

[sparky-4]

The homeless situation is just like many other social problems

no amount of money will fix it.

when you spend more money to help those people, the problem just grows

I like the tent city idea and the help coming from churches

They need a help up not a hand out.

Remember what Jesus Christ said about the poor..

Matt 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you...

He knew.

[TheTechGuru]

Problem is, one can't work when they have to spend all day finding food for the day instead of having the money for food, eat something then look for work.

Basic needs need to be met first,

Shelter, Food, Decent Job Presentable Clothing, Clean.

Even then, it's hard to find work with a shelter as your address on your application, believe it or not, employers do discriminate.

What I think is there needs to be a homeless assistance program to give out or loan out $2,000-$4,000 per homeless person (drug test required of course), one time only, one time chance (take down their SSN number and finger print and picture and everything just like food stamps) for use on the first and second months rent at a home rental and pay deposits needed on the home and utilities.

Problem is, we only spend maybe $100 or less on them, and that's just a hand out, because it's not enough to do get a life started with. What they need is a "jump-start", which I think is a perfect title for a program.

Texas Homeless Jump-Start Program, has a nice ring to it. Or Federal Homeless Jump-Start Program.


I speak from experience, several years ago I was homeless and vehicleless. Even though I had a college degree no job would give a vehicleless, homeless, smelly person a 2nd look (sometimes not even a first look, they think you're there to rob them and run you off before you can submit a resume).

After several months I met someone that was willing to give me a loan of $2,000.

I used it to to buy a cheap vehicle, get into a cheap rental house, get the utilities on and buy basic necessities to be clean and a haircut. Within 2-3 weeks I got a $3000/mo job and made $250/mo payments to the person that loaned me the money.

This is why I think we need a government program like this.

Of course there need to be some provisions like...
1. No criminal background
2. drug test (hair & urine) (alcohol use testing too if possible)
3. Some kind of workforce test if they don't have a college degree.

[bigfatfurrytexan]

drug testing is a waste of time and an infringement on privacy.

if they could drug test to see if you are under the influence at that moment (like for alchohol) i would have no issue with it. But testing people to see what they do with their own time (and how they manage/mismanage their own lives) should be a no-no.

[Texas Streak]

Well BFFT, this is where we disagree. After being in the transportation industry for 35 years, I have seen me share of people that are "pilled up" or "snorted up". So let me get this straight, you think it's ok for someone to do drugs BEFORE they go to work, get in a 40 ton rocket on wheels and go down the interstate while your wife and children are driving in a car right beside them?? Or for another instance, I take it that you work in an office environment, from what I have read in your other posts, how about if the guy in the cubicle next to you is high on meth and starts the paranoid thing going. He has a gun and guess who he thinks is out to harm him? YOU!

Now do you see where drug testing comes in?? My wife works at a place that tests fro drugs using the hair method. They can tell if she has taken anything in the last 6 months or so. This is a good thing as she works with very sensitive situations. My sister works at the Johnson Spacecraft center for NASA, not a contractor. She has to take drug tests occasionally also. Part of the job. They can test to see if you are under the influence at the moment, ever heard of a breathalyzer or blood tests??

Yes BFFT, in your opinion it is an invasion of privacy but in my view of things, if the companies don't do it, it would be an invasion of MY privacy and right to live and work in a safe place.

I'm off my soapbox now......

[TheTechGuru]

drug testing is a waste of time and an infringement on privacy.

if they could drug test to see if you are under the influence at that moment (like for alcohol) i would have no issue with it. But testing people to see what they do with their own time (and how they manage/mismanage their own lives) should be a no-no.

I don't see how it's a waste of time, I don't believe in helping druggies. I feel they should have no right to occupy space on this planet and be put to death.

I also don't see how it's a invasion of privacy when it's optional, if you want help get tested, otherwise find another source of help.

[howdy ya'll]

I disagree with BFFT on this as well.....we have had a very long discussion on this subject.

[Dudette]

I don't see how it's a waste of time, I don't believe in helping druggies. I feel they should have no right to occupy space on this planet and be put to death.

I also don't see how it's a invasion of privacy when it's optional, if you want help get tested, otherwise find another source of help.

Wow...that is a pretty strong statement there. I don't drink, I don't do drugs, but I have lived long enough to know that some people have emotional and mental problems that go untreated and lead to self medicating. There but for the Grace of God go I.
I am thankful that someone helped you, very thankful. However what helped you may not work for another person. The truth is, there are some people that choose to live that life style and do not want to change. Each person is an individual and should be evaluated as such, then be free to live their life as they wish as long as it does not harm others.

[TheTechGuru]

Wow...that is a pretty strong statement there. I don't drink, I don't do drugs, but I have lived long enough to know that some people have emotional and mental problems that go untreated and lead to self medicating. There but for the Grace of God go I.

They still have a choice. If they choose to seek out drugs, then it's their problem.

[Dudette]

It is their problem, but it is also everyone elses problem too in one way or another. Some can be helped, others won't for whatever reason. I am suprised how you view people after telling us that someone helped you.

[TheTechGuru]

It is their problem, but it is also everyone elses problem too in one way or another. Some can be helped, others won't for whatever reason. I am suprised how you view people after telling us that someone helped you.

That's how I view druggies, not people in general.

Someone that "chooses" to do drugs does not deserve help.

I also think these people that "choose" to have kids just to get government benefits should not get it.

I once over heard a woman in the store saying "My son better go to college or not graduate high school because if he graduate's and does nothing I won't get child support anymore".

[bigfatfurrytexan]

As i said, if they could test for it actively in the bloodstream, that would be great. That would prevent people from working while under the influence.

Honestly, if many drugs are illegal so should alchohol be. Some people like one kind of tea, some like another. I would have no issue with ALL of it being illegal....but that won't happen.

So we make imaginary lines in the sand. As a culture, we lie to ourselves and make believe that the one that is legal is a lesser evil, when it is in fact just as evil if not greater. I say this from the perspective of a son of an alchoholic (that died in a booze caused auto accident), and from the perspective of the nephew of a man who died because of his booze addiction.

No, i don't want a truck driver hopped up on drugs. But i also don't want to infringe on his privacy. What he does when he is off duty is not my concern.

I no longer work in an office environment....but when i did i was in charge of about 300 people. Yes, we had some drug users. But as long as they were not under the influence while at work, i could care less about what they did at home.

I don't expect anyone to agree with me. :) And that is ok.

remember, my faith leads me to believe that substance abuse is here as a challenge that we are in this life to face. Each of us has our own path to walk.

Techguru...you would do well to learn tolerance. :) It is a mantle that, when worn properly, can make you look VERY regal.

[Dudette]

Can I present a hypothetical scenario to you TechGuru? Let's say a person who you believe to be a good and moral citizen is out delievering meals to families who will have no Holiday meal. As they step from their car a drunk driver hits them. They spend weeks in the hospital where they are given all kinds of drugs...legal right? In the accident they injured their back and require more pain meds as they heal...still legal right? As their body heals and the pain lessens they discover that they are now addicted to the pain killers. Their Doctor recognizes this and tells them that they can no longer give them a perscription for the pain meds. They are still trying to recover from the financial bind the accident put them in and life begins to spiral out of control. They find themselves addicted to pain killers through no fault of their own, in fact they were just doing humanitarian work when they were injured terribly....but here they are about to loose everything they own because of it. This person would be judged and convicted by you? All I am saying is each person has their own story and life circumstances. If you have never had to crawl out of an addiction or depression, then Praise God! However, I do not believe that we should pass judgement on any other person based simply on what we see they are today.

[TheTechGuru]

They find themselves addicted to pain killers through no fault of their own

That makes it not their choice.

This person would be judged and convicted by you?

No, they would not.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm talking about the people that have every opportunity to have a good decent life that go hit the streets with a wad of cash looking to buy drugs for the first time out of stupidity or to support a addiction they got when a dealer offered them a free sample and they chose to accept it.

Now if someone was forced and got hooked, then I'm all for rapid detox and whatever it takes to get them off of it.

Something else I can stand is some college students with rich parents getting every opportunity paid for them (speaking more of College Station than Abilene) and everything and all they do is go to drinking and sex party's when someone like me is having a hard time obtaining funding for college.

[Dudette]

Thank you for explaining your views. I am glad to see that it is not an all black or white issue with you and you acknowledge there are some gray areas.
Getting funding for college is difficult for many. I hope that you will find the funding you need to continue your education. It sounds like you have the determination to accomplish whatever you set your mind to.

[bigfatfurrytexan]

That makes it not their choice.

Something else I can stand is some college students with rich parents getting every opportunity paid for them (speaking more of College Station than Abilene) and everything and all they do is go to drinking and sex party's when someone like me is having a hard time obtaining funding for college.

It is not something i am a fan of, either.


but i also know that this movie has many parts, each with its own script. I cannot hold it against someone for being what they were sent here to be.

[SLAPSH0T]

someone like me is having a hard time obtaining funding for college.

The Air Force can help you out with that. Ever considered the military?


No, I'm not a recruiter! :D

[TheTechGuru]

The Air Force can help you out with that. Ever considered the military?


No, I'm not a recruiter! :D

Hell no, I'm very anti-military.

[howdy ya'll]

Hell no, I'm very anti-military.

Are you serious? How can anyone be against our military who protects the nuts who protest them, but yet cry to them when we are attacked?

Who protect the nuts who protest against them against the ones who want to cut out our tongues and burn our babies and want to destroy everything and everyone just because we are Christians. And it does not matter to them if you are Christian or not, they want to destroy all Americans.

but that is your right. And I do not hold that against you.

[TheTechGuru]

Are you serious? How can anyone be against our military who protects the nuts who protest them, but yet cry to them when we are attacked?

Who protect the nuts who protest against them against the ones who want to cut out our tongues and burn our babies and want to destroy everything and everyone just because we are Christians. And it does not matter to them if you are Christian or not, they want to destroy all Americans.

but that is your right. And I do not hold that against you.

Let me put it in a different way, I'm anti what we are using our military for.

We don't need to be overseas to protect America, just put all our military on the boarders and invest in a really good satellite based missile defense system. (like we don't have one already :p )

If I could join in as a Officer and go straight into working on classified electronics making $5,000+ a month I would go for that.

[howdy ya'll]

ok, I am not in total disagreement with your comment. But something I did not know until recently, is that after what Hitler did to the Jews and many others, our nation, along with many other nations vowed that they would defend against that type of murder. You may not be aware, but that is exactly what Hussien(however it is spelled) was doing with his people, cutting the tongues out of his peoples babies, going from house to house torturing and killing at will. Not to mention mass killings and public beatings.

But if you or any body else feels that is the business of them, that is fine, I feel differently.

'Except for Ending Slavery, Fascism, Nazism and Communism, War Has Never Solved Anything.'