I agree.... but, I've met some dudes I'm in the army with, panhandlers, you know the people on the street that ask for money, make pretty good money, more than I do sometimes and I defend our country. So I'm always a little hesitant to lend a "helping hand" when there are those that take advantage of their situation.

On another note, I'm a HUGE fan (well, I shouldn't say fan, thats a bit strange), but I'm in Fort Hood up in Killeen, and often come to Austin, would totally think it cool to meet The Amazing Mantis, lol.

I can definitely be empathetic to the homeless, or anyone for that matter. Hell, members of my family have been homeless and a friend of mine was homeless with her boyfriend while living in the UK, so I do feel for them.
However, I don't typically give money to the homeless (I have though), I'd offer to buy them food or coffee instead. I've heard some horror stories about homeless people who don't want food and will only accept money, and if you offer food they get really angry. So, while I can empathize with them, if they have a drug or alcohol problem and want money for that instead of food to eat, they can look to someone else, because I'm not supporting someone else's habit.

i spent alot of time in asheville getting to know those people that were released it was so sad
they had some great stories, whether they were true or not

True enough.

If I've got food to give away I will, but I feel like I work really hard every day to have money to live on and don't want to just hand that out. The little I do make gets taxed and some of that goes to unemployment and welfare. I understand not every homeless person is entitled to those things, but I do think a lot of times giving them money makes me an enabler...

bums...fuck em.

i tried giving a full pizza to a bum. he turned it down and asked for cash instead.


bums clean house on handouts out here in california. they all end up passing out in the parks or streets with bottles in their hands.