I want to make a shirt - "don't feed the homeless" on the front and " they will be back tomorrow for more"

You are right. I remember Oscar goodman, mayor of Las Vegas, wanted to let the moocher homeless stay in an underutilized jail just out of town (to keep them from annoying the tourists). He got terrible criticism- how could he treat homeless that way... I thought it was a good idea actually

Oh, Heinlein books are super. I have loved his stories since a youngling. Lots of straight up character and honesty.The later books kinda got a lot of people in an uproar, as he portrayed his perceptions on sex and family in ways a lot of people did not approve of, especially with Lazarus Long. But he had many good stories, including The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (which I would love to see as a movie or mini series) and Starship Troopers (abused by Hollywood into trash movies).

Thanks, Dob.

Thanks Nickursis for your post.
To be a whole person ,a person whom hungers for all that life has to offer , the person who uses his mind and his heart who acts in his own self interest also who has compassion and empathy and is a person of honor and integrity. That person is an asset to humanity. Having Compassion and empathy for ,and differentiating between a mooch and a Struggling being makes me feel happy and alive. We all know that we didn't get here alone and we are a species that has benefited from cooperation and relationships. No one should be forced to do anything for any one else's behalf except their juvenile offspring. There are many facets and emotions to experience on this river of life and kindness has its benefits to the giver as well as the recipient. I believe it is one aspect that differentiates man from animals.
With respect to you,
DOB

Must be one of those minute details you just can't look up with a PC search engine.
As many times as I've seen Heinlein's name when I've looked in on the Gulch, maybe I should look for him in the science fiction section during my next Barnes & Noble visit.
Come to think of it, I DID read Starship Troopers after I saw the movie.

Birds of a feather flock together.

It's like feeding stray cats. I am amazed at how many people all over are saying they have these huge numbers of street beggars, are they in a union or something? Used to be one in a blue moon, now I see them all the time on offramps, streetcorners. I just thought it was the free state of Oregon calling to the best of us..guess not.

Same here. I'll give to the local food bank, but I won't give to beggars because it creates an incentive to beg -- and my city already has far too many of them. That goes double for the guys on street corners who come up to you when the light is red.

And most of all, I'm POed at the idiots who do give them money. They're causing the problem. Any ideas on how to discourage the practice without making it a crime?

I am not arguing the points. I do see that there are fine lines that are very hard to decide, as well as very bad people using everyone else. If the story was 100% straight, and the woman was a co-dependent who thought spawning like a salmon would keep her man, she was obviously wrong, and is in dire need of some basic life counseling. Like any report I see today about most anything, certain aspects get emphasized. "needy" is one of the trademark tools used by those who would manipulate others. I can't say what went on here beyond what was told, but I do see a connection with what government does (see City of Portland and homeless shelter for 100million) and use of the "they are needy" descriptor. Manipulation is rampant, and I can't say she is not one, but I do feel bad for the kids, another generation being bred to hope someone will "help them" rather than help themselves.

Nice.

Indeed Herb, indeed.

Indeed, that is true. I get frustrated as Government (read: City of Portland) decide they can fix the problem by spending 100 million on a shelter for 600, just to draw 600 more in from Washington and California. There is a fine line between helping and enabling. Government is all about enabling, with someone elses money, that THEY had to work to earn.

In "Have Space Suit, Will Travel" the boys dad did not believe in Banks or checks. He had a jar, where he put wads of money. Anyone could use it, and when it was empty, he figured he had to go work to get some more. If people who had the "moocher" case, ever thought that way, they would get Temp work to fill the jar, vice begging. But then, they must be allergic to work or something...

The Beast will probably find her, she attracts those types. Look at DWS, who she hired after she got caught doing her dirty work.

And that is indeed, how to treat a moocher. However, in this case, I see that the old man rose above the issue of "is she a moocher" and gave her help when needed. Of his own free will. I never know if the moochers on the side of the road are real or not, and it does detract from people truly in need, and makes it unnecessarily hard to find the difference.

Thank you, sir, for your reply. "An act of goodwill" is what I saw here, and I thought it was a clear case of when someone can do something because they know it is the right thing to do.

Agreed, Doc.

I agree, this is what is needed, certain issues aside. Something like not letting children kill themselves with guns because daddy is a moron and left it out. Irregardless of the background, there were 3 children involved. The mother and father have issues, the father especially,it is a product of our current cultural structure (or lack thereof). Doesn't mean it isn't something to do.

You misunderstand. The old man's benevolence was fine. What was not was the story, the way that her need was blown up to be the story. People help each other all the time. It does not need to be a saccharine substitute.

I would have helped without question. I am, after all, a volunteer responder. I chose that and do it easily.

My point was only that the story was that her deep and many needs validated his helping. The needier the better.

Government aid versus private action is not the issue here. We do not have government emergency repair vehicles touring the roads.

This developments in this culture make me feel like a billiard ball on a table being pushed about from every side. Makes me want to just go somewhere else, maybe a south sea island

thats funny. the ultimate in entitled behavior !

A pretty girl with an evil brain and a sob story can be disarming.
Bet Shillary would like to hire her , though that succubus moocher may resent being paid less than a man

Makes me want to punch them in the face for lying and trying to use my benevolence to rip me off.

It's not mystical hogwash...it's a natural mutuality expressed in rational self interest...you yourself might find yourself in that same position. It is not a sacrifice and one gives up nothing in helping someone.