tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post1842929377015643415..comments2024-03-03T17:01:57.876-05:00Comments on Montreal Simon: The Attack of the Killer PanhandlersSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-29470705859363121702008-02-02T12:45:00.000-05:002008-02-02T12:45:00.000-05:00Hey Simon,It's me again anonymous :-) I just want...Hey Simon,<BR/><BR/>It's me again anonymous :-) I just wanted you to know that I was in no way trying to take it out on you.<BR/><BR/>I thought your perspective on the matter was insightful and correct. <BR/><BR/>My initial point still remains which might be better summed up by the old adage "You can bring a horse to water but you can't make it drink" which i believe applies well to several of our societies problems (not just in regards to street people.)<BR/><BR/>You can offer them as much help as you want but if they're not prepared to accept it; how far should we go as a society?<BR/><BR/>It's like preventing suicide: No matter how many preventative resources you may have; there is always going to be an individual who wants to end their life.<BR/><BR/>Regardless I'll keep my eye on your blog in the future. I'm sure it'll contain some interesting reading!<BR/><BR/>All the best,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-41325933067746016132008-01-21T00:31:00.000-05:002008-01-21T00:31:00.000-05:00Hi anonymous!! Look I don't blame you for getting ...Hi anonymous!! Look I don't blame you for getting angry with that panhandler. I probably would be a lot ruder than you were. Nobody has the right to treat a person like that. I sometimes get angry too although I do try to talk to them and tell them gently that I'm sorry they're poor...but don't take it out on me. The way I see it it is a societal problem and we have to pressure governments to provide more housing, more drug rehabilitation programs...and of course take better care of the many mental patients who are on the street. Until we do that what you and I can do won't make any difference.<BR/>I am sorry about your experience though. It must have been very unpleasant. But if I were you I would give the guy another chance...life is probably very hard so why make it harder for him?Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-22601579301085564382008-01-18T05:16:00.000-05:002008-01-18T05:16:00.000-05:00I understand that there are many underlying proble...I understand that there are many underlying problems to people being on the street and many don't choose to be there.<BR/><BR/>However just today I had a panhandler yell at me for some change. <BR/><BR/>I find this particular individual abrasive and his panhandling aggressive so I try to ignore him. <BR/><BR/>He kept yelling louder while I was trying to look at the bus schedule. I finally yelled back that I had heard his demand for change the first time at which point he approached me aggressively and stood in my way yelling "what did you just say?!?". <BR/><BR/>This is my first visit to your blog as I was actually researching ways to lodge a complaint against the individual rather than deal with him physically.<BR/><BR/>I don't condone violence but where does one draw the line when a panhandler aggressively gets in your face? Do we still owe them a helping hand? One bad apple can easily ruin it for the rest of them but how do you tell the street person who needs and wants help from the one who just expects that you OWE him something because he's yelling "YO guy, spare change??"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-22271222188557416032007-08-16T00:22:00.000-04:002007-08-16T00:22:00.000-04:00Hi JJ! I know ALL the regulars in my neighbourhood...Hi JJ! I know ALL the regulars in my neighbourhood...the tragic cases.....and the scoundrels. When it's cold I sometimes buy them a coffee...or when it's boiling hot I take a group of 3 in a nearby park a frozen bottle of water. And yes....lucky for them I still smoke...but they never ask for money and they are all quite harmless and real characters.I quite enjoy them.<BR/>As for the political bloggers list no I didn't know it...thanks!!...and I'm surprised. Too bad something is wrong with that Alexa service....I've only checked it out once...and it told me most of my readers were in China!!! But please don't tell anyone. I'm enjoying my moment of fame!!! :)Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-30832102895517705522007-08-15T23:13:00.000-04:002007-08-15T23:13:00.000-04:00You nailed it, Simon. The homeless are stretched ...You nailed it, Simon. The homeless are stretched to the limit just keeping body & soul together every day. As you said, with the size of the problem, it's a wonder stabbings etc. don't happen more often. It's too bad that instead of screaming for blood people don't open their eyes up to the desperation of the homeless.<BR/><BR/>I hope Alvaro is OK, and stays in hiding until hopefully, his case can be appealed. That'll be a happy day.:)<BR/><BR/>BTW, in case you didn't know, you're on the list of Best Canadian Political Bloggers!!! Congrats! Linkie:<BR/>http://paulitics.wordpress.com/2007/08/15/top-100-canadian-political-blogs/#commentsJJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09458917081261136618noreply@blogger.com