Shoeless man not satisfied

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   Barefootfaeposted 11 years ago

   http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/03/nyreg … ?_r=1&
   
   Who says there is not an entitlement mentality?

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      Jackwmsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The homeless man has a point. I'm sure he was very appreciative of the boots and the officer's kindness. I also not that the boots are now priced at $100 instead of the $74 posted on the original article. The officer is a wonderful man with a good heart, but maybe doesn't understand some of the mentality of street people. There are actually people out there that would kill him to get his boots, probably not to wear themselves, but to sell for a few bucks. He wasn't safe keeping them.
      
      So, what's the point here?  I don't know. Right now, I have nothing but praise for this fine officer. It's hard to see people suffer and not want to help. Possibly an old discarded pair of boots would hav done as well.

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         Barefootfaeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Oh I praise the officer.
         I am just hoping there will be people who will read this article and see just how far the gratitude really went.
         Not being satisfied there the homeless man wants royalties from youTube.

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   Uninvited Writerposted 11 years ago

   It sounds like he might also be mentally ill. And, it is a real danger that he will be robbed or attacked especially since it's been publicized so much. I don't think it's the case of a man feeling entitled.
   
   But this doesn't want me to stop helping people and shouldn't cause others to. Although, helping social programs that will get the homeless off the street and the like are better than just giving to individuals.

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   1. 59

      Barefootfaeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      His own words suggest he does not feel he got enough or is owed more.
      Maybe he could have sold the shoes and bought a less expensive pair.

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         Uninvited Writerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Yeah, a guy living on the street feels he is owed something... go figure...

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         1. 59

            Repairguy47posted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I'm trying to figure that out, what do you think a guy living on the streets is owed? What do you think he thinks he is owed?

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         Jackwmsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         The idea that the poor feel entitled, are living that life by choice, or that they don't deserve help from the rest of us, really raises my hackles. This man served honorably for 5 years in the military and certainly does not deserve to live like this. Whether it's drugs, alcohol, or a mental condition, I'm sure he doesn't live this life by choice. Many, or even, most of us, could be in this situation were it not for the society supports of family, friends, church, and government.

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            Barefootfaeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            No he doesn't deserve to live like that. No one does.
            And yes I am sorry but drugs and alcohol are a choice.

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               Jackwmsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               You commented at one point that no one deserves to live like this. Then, you seem to contradict this by saying drugs and alcohol are a choice. First, you don't know that this person uses drugs or alcohol. But, then you seem to be saying the homeless deserve their status if they are addicted to drugs and alcohol? If so, be assured that addiction is absolutely not a choice. Many well educated and influential people became addicted and had to go through treatment ( Remember Betty Ford?)  Now, let's look at the fact that this homeless person was a 5 year military veteran. Some of the horrors these people have gone through lead to addiction.
               
               This statement about a person life situation being a choice is been used with poor people, gay and lesbian people, mentally disabled, and those with alcohol and drug dependencies. Helping these people is not a gift to them, but to society.
               
               This is my last post as these back and forth comments go nowhere. But, you did post this to get comments. You got mine.

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                  Repairguy47posted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  "be assured that addiction is absolutely not a choice."
                  
                  Yes it is, just the same as rehabilitation is a choice.

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                  Barefootfaeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Those horrors don't lead to addiction anymore than a gun makes a person kill.

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         Altariposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I'm not getting the "owed more" vibe from that article. All I'm seeing is a man saying that he never asked for any of this attention that other people are profiting from. And, honestly, I think that's fair. How much profit has the media made from this? If someone wanted to 'help' perhaps they should give him the cut of the profits reaped because of his story and situation. Instead, he got a pair of boots that could cost him his life.

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         rebekahELLEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I actually feel a twinge of pity for you.

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   adjkp25posted 11 years ago

   He has family nearby in Pennsylvania and (it sounds) like they have tried to help him in the past but he is OK with how he is living his life.
   
   "We love our brother very much," Kirk Hillman told the Daily News. "Our door is always open to him, but this is a lifestyle he's chosen."
   
   Full article:
   http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/nyp … 58145.html

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   Sarra Garrettposted 11 years ago

   I only ask that no one judges all homeless people by the actions of one.

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   PrettyPantherposted 11 years ago

   It is not logical to take this one situation and conflate it like you are here.  Of course, you probably know that and don't care as long as you get to make your "point," and I use that word loosely.

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