Tears in my eyes

[SummerLite]

I'd like to add something to that last comment. I hope I'm not being noisy or rude. It's like the few bad apples are focused on and then its suggested the whole orchard is rotten.

Loreta, you just happened to provide a example of something I see often. No offense meant.

Hi Buddy,you posted as I wrote.

I can relate to those feelings and I suggest: not all right or all wrong, certainly! Unfortunately, there's good reason for that view though, as well as for the existence of the "ugly American" slur that goes back to the days before the Vietnam war. During that same war, however, adaptable American soldiers also communicated their understanding that the Vietnamese villagers hurt just like Americans do and the Vietnamese wanted for their children just like Americans do. Seems like culture shock is always an issue involved with this meme, but those who were most willing to fully adapt themselves to their situation and circumstances were the most victorious and with the fewest number of fighters, according to the record. I think this is a case where every way to tell the story is valid, but there is no single story about Americans that represents "the truth." At least not as I understand it.

Yes there are Ugly Americans! Of course ( those wormy apples again). I dont want to give the impression, I dont see that as part of the reality. You could say the truthful story about Americans is we are varied, not all right or all wrong... Thats why this negative, stereotype is bothersome to me. Everyone just lumped together in one, big, wormy, American apple pie (my attempt at humor). of course thats all one hears in the media so its promoted.

 

[Buddy]

Everyone just lumped together in one, big, wormy American apple pie (my attempt at humor). of course thats all one hears in the media so its promoted.

Oh, I agree. :D I could tell you are American just from the reply!

True, stereotypes are everywhere in people's thinking. There can even be stereotypical thinking about thinking in stereotypes, but that's not what I was meaning to convey, if I did at all, so no clarification was needed for my benefit. Just wanted to add my 2 cents of support and elaboration, if possible. I always support any attempt to raise awareness on this or any important issue, so thanks for responding at all! We all learn from each other in every way!

 

[loreta]

I'd like to add something to that last comment. I hope I'm not being noisy or rude. It's like the few bad apples are focused on and then its suggested the whole orchard is rotten.

Loreta, you just happened to provide a example of something I see often. No offense meant.

Hi Buddy,you posted as I wrote.

I can relate to those feelings and I suggest: not all right or all wrong, certainly! Unfortunately, there's good reason for that view though, as well as for the existence of the "ugly American" slur that goes back to the days before the Vietnam war. During that same war, however, adaptable American soldiers also communicated their understanding that the Vietnamese villagers hurt just like Americans do and the Vietnamese wanted for their children just like Americans do. Seems like culture shock is always an issue involved with this meme, but those who were most willing to fully adapt themselves to their situation and circumstances were the most victorious and with the fewest number of fighters, according to the record. I think this is a case where every way to tell the story is valid, but there is no single story about Americans that represents "the truth." At least not as I understand it.

Yes there are Ugly Americans! Of course ( those wormy apples again). I dont want to give the impression, I dont see that as part of the reality. You could say the truthful story about Americans is we are varied, not all right or all wrong... Thats why this negative, stereotype is bothersome to me. Everyone just lumped together in one, big, wormy, American apple pie (my attempt at humor). of course thats all one hears in the media so its promoted.

Summerlite no offense at all. I am sorry if I offended by my words. I was thinking about the tragedy of vets in general, forgot by the politicians. I was not thinking about Americans in general even if many Americans are not aware of how bad they are treated. I think Americans in general are good people, like everybody in every country.

Concerning this video I agree also that it can be a fake. Not everything we see is real, we know this for a fact. But the subject of people asking for money on the streets is, for me, a very interesting subject because when I see them on the streets I feel shame, and anger not of them but of this system that does not take care of them. And yes, we can be one day in their situation. That's why also they make me feel uneasy.

 

[SummerLite]

Hello Loreta, I am so relieved to read your reply. Thank goodness, this is your view and my faith is restored.

The extremely rotten apples in the USA have risen to the very top of the world barrel as we know, the evil cabal. To so often hear their deeds being transferred to the entire population of this country as being condoned is disturbing (to say the least) and its a lie. Its true and also unfortunate that so many people in the usa, have been so successfully fooled for so long that the government has actually been doing good deeds around the world. But this doesn't make them "bad people". I guess the "lie" had to be really big for people to believe it, worked very well. My brother is a good example of this. He is a simple man, that means well and is basically a "good person". But he doesn't or cant look beneath the surface or think outside the box, his world view has been shaped by the big lie and he continues to be fooled but I love him anyway. Sometimes I'm able to tell him whats really going on and I'm kinda surprised he listens. He is shocked! And so thats a good sign. The very crafty lies of psychopaths have been hypnotizing a entire nation of people. If a meteor hits let it hit Washington and leave the rest of us to live in peace.

I'm not sure either how much of this video is ligitament. The homeless/vet man may not be real either.

Yes, the over all system we live in stinks. All people "should" have what they need for a descent life. I read the books Ectopia and Walden Two, somewhere in the early 80's (I believe) and some of the concepts I still think of. One was free housing for all people another was shared work in the community which provided for the necessities of life but cut down on the hours spent to obtain that, so there was lots of free time for other creative pursuits.

Thanks Loreta, have a good day.

 

[Daf]

Yes, the over all system we live in stinks. All people "should" have what they need for a descent life. I read the books Ectopia and Walden Two, somewhere in the early 80's (I believe) and some of the concepts I still think of. One was free housing for all people another was shared work in the community which provided for the necessities of life but cut down on the hours spent to obtain that, so there was lots of free time for other creative pursuits.

Thanks Loreta, have a good day.

Just barging in,

Good initiatives are made in that matter, like the Housing first program.

http://www.sott.net/article/308402-Utah-reduced-chronic-homelessness-by-91-percent-and-heres-how

(This model is exported and now tried in Canada. )

Read it as it is common sense and is taylored toward chronic homelessness, (the ones so miserables that they do not bother to even ask for money). Not only it is a descent choice, it saves the society a lot of money.
You may say that it only target a very small % of homeless but I am going to tell you bluntly, there is already a lot of help for the others through the shelter and regular social services. The chronic homeless are the one that really need it.
The principle is simple, the homeless is provided a home but he has to agreed on being followed and have treatment for the issues that makes him homeless.

Oh and just for the comparaison, 10 bomb = $300,000
Its the equivalent of 3-4 months of operation for a small shelter of 20 beds.
The war spreading of democraty cost the US 8 million every day.

Also do some volunteering to have a clear understanding of the matter. It is more complex than it looks.

 

[Solie123]

@Daf

Well, having been homeless myself for a short while and having friends who are homeless, I don't think the help that's given is enough in a sense. Addiction is just a symptom of an underlying problem, so simply requiring someone to stop taking drugs isn't a viable solution. A lot of the time homeless people suffer from physiological problems like ptsd, schizophrenia etc. that inhibit their capacity to integrate into society.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Thank you all for your response. My view:

At the end of the video the homeless man went to buy food,and when he came back, he has wanted to share the food with the homeless boy.Because of this gesture of humanity I have had tears in my eyes.

I hope that we have not lost the sense of humanity.

 

[Marina9]

Concerning this video I agree also that it can be a fake. Not everything we see is real, we know this for a fact. But the subject of people asking for money on the streets is, for me, a very interesting subject because when I see them on the streets I feel shame, and anger not of them but of this system that does not take care of them. And yes, we can be one day in their situation. That's why also they make me feel uneasy.

I was thinking about this too, cause after looking at it I went through youtube and found lots of similar videos about social experiments of this type. It got me thinking: do this guys do it cause they REALLY want to help? or is it just another social media trend?

What got me sad was the Veteran who having nothing wanted to share the food with the kid, away from the social experiment per se, I think this was a true gesture, giving without expecting anything. And that I also agree society pushes addicts and homeless people away, instead of helping and including them, which IMO is what we are missing in this days.

 

[Daf]

@Daf

Well, having been homeless myself for a short while and having friends who are homeless, I don't think the help that's given is enough in a sense. Addiction is just a symptom of an underlying problem, so simply requiring someone to stop taking drugs isn't a viable solution. A lot of the time homeless people suffer from physiological problems like ptsd, schizophrenia etc. that inhibit their capacity to integrate into society.

It might have been a very tough time for you Solie. :( I an glad that you have been strong enough to get back on your feet.

Now, I do agree with you, it is not easy and we simply cannot force a treatment on someone. (we also both know that it is STS in the fullest.) But we have to be there when the person is ready. The helping hand of (anyone able and willing) has to be available to those folks who are the most in need.

There is no perfect solutions and no, not enough money is allocated to this problem. (I know a bit about it since I am a shelter manager...)

I encourage folks to volunteer at their local shelter. Make your own opinion and be open minded.

NB: Hum forget my recommendation about the open mindedness, I forgot that it is a prerequisite for this forum! ;)