Arrested for feeding Homeless?!

Unfortunately far too many people feel that those who are homeless are here because of a moral or spiritual failing of their own fault. But the horrible fact is that there are millions of veterans of all ages who are homeless, many millions more are homeless due to a string of unlucky circumstances (tens of millions of Americans are one or two paychecks away from being homeless) and there are untold numbers who are homeless due to mental disease. We need to stop thinking of homeless as just nothing but a bunch of drunks or druggies who deserve what they get and really look deeply into the problem instead of passing laws that are meant to only make sure that the homeless are forced to go elsewhere. Politically there is a penchant for local officials to keep their own homeless population hidden from view by making it unlawful to sleep in public areas and also to make it unlawful to do what this kind man was doing by providing them with food or comfort. This helps to keep the illusion that their policies are great for the community when they aren't if you really look at what those policies do to the working poor and lower middle-class of our nation. Sadly, too many in power have convinced many that the unfettered search of profits is more patriotic than taking care of our fellow citizens. Yes, we have homeless and those on welfare who are lazy and who are gaming the system, but that number is hugely less than what many would lead you to believe. The other remarkable think to me is that many that push this view and who profess to be so dang patriotic did all they could to avoid serving in the Armed Forces and amazingly also profess to a Christian viewpoint. We have lost our way and there is a huge lack of any type of empathy what-so-ever in this society.

There is a statute on the books that says they can not feed the homeless in the park. Our good brother just keeps on doing it because he feels, like most of us, that the statute is a turd.

Near Duke University is a Barnes and Noble. There are also panhandlers who do not make a lot of money getting arrested because city of Durham officials are pricks. The subtext is that they do not want the area around Duke University to have poor people.

The truth is, most who donate are more than happy to. A Mexican family who begs for money for a hotel during the cold weather. It is like the Gestapo chasing off villains and they have to keep an eye out. Secondly, the city stalls and Duke University students hate the ordinances and so do many professors.

In a land of plenty we get brown-nosing bureaucrats in their expensive homes and their Mercedes while young people live in tents in the woods behind some retail outlets. Granted some use drugs but then again, it is that life. It is a vicious cycle and the very vulnerable feel miserable and need mental help many times.

The Open Table Ministries in Durham has a get together and serves food behind some bushes and a dilapidated road not too far from the Barnes and Noble. I have met people who needed help and got them to where they can help them, but many are housed in austere digs with onerous rules and the feeling that they will be back again.

I have seen so much in that 9 month period. I had promises by 9 to 5ers at the VA and then I see veterans who act judgmental like they could never be poor or even a criminal. I am careful not to do that. Afterall we are not like the terrorists but rather a chance for a life that includes the welfare of all our people.