Telethon for homeless people

[bobm]

Channel 2 news had a telethon for Portland, Ore. homeless folks. They showed 10 people manning the phones but only 3 had their phones to their ears. They were asking for a $9 per month donation to provide shelter, beds , clothes, daily showers, and 2 meals per day per person. Next came on a commercial from a national dog rescue showing a heart jerking chained dog in distress and asking for a donation for $19 per month. Why does a dog need $10 more for feed and shelter than a homeless person ? Priorities ?

 

[Smart Red]

Spent Sunday night at a church sleep-over with two homeless families and, again, much of Monday evening with the intention of providing activities for the children while parents did whatever needed doing.

You are right about priorities, bobm. It would seem to me that people are more important -- and more expensive to feed and care for.

Still, it is easier for many to 'feel' for helpless dumb animals on the theory the people are responsible for their own situation. Whatever did the 5 babies at my sleep-over ever do that deserved being homeless?

While we have several places for men and a couple for women, but homeless families have no suitable places to stay other than the group of churches who share their food and shelter while giving them the tools to help themselves.

 

[seedcorn]

I'm heartless, so I'll stay out of this conversation.

I turn the dog commercials off as I have more pressing good deeds to do over that.

You just can't fix stupid and heartless.

 

[Carol Dee]

Spent Sunday night at a church sleep-over with two homeless families and, again, much of Monday evening with the intention of providing activities for the children while parents did whatever needed doing.

You are right about priorities, bobm. It would seem to me that people are more important -- and more expensive to feed and care for.

Still, it is easier for many to 'feel' for helpless dumb animals on the theory the people are responsible for their own situation. Whatever did the 5 babies at my sleep-over ever do that deserved being homeless?

While we have several places for men and a couple for women, but homeless families have no suitable places to stay other than the group of churches who share their food and shelter while giving them the tools to help themselves.

What a wonderful outreach program. I am so proud of you for taking part in it. You are a kind hearted lady. Proud to call you friend.

 

[canesisters]

agree!!!

 

[Smart Red]

 

[Nyboy]

This summer I was stopped at a light when I looked over, a young man had a sign hungry. I called him over and gave him a few singles I had in my pocket . I then went on to meet my friends feeling good I helped someone. When I mention to my friends there was a man with a hunger sign ,they said I hope you didn't give him money. I was told the guy had a wife and child and used the hungry money for drugs. When it comes to animals you know the need is real.

 

[Beekissed]

Or not. Just as with the commercials of the hungry children they used to air many years ago, the organizations raking in all those donations don't always use them for the animals, but do exploit the videos of shivering puppies all the same.

I don't think a homeless animal is even in the same realm of need than homeless children...not even in the same universe. We've become a society that has grown numb to human suffering and very attuned to animal suffering...like the story of the little boy that fell in with the gorilla and people were up in arms when the gorilla was shot. No one crying for the little boy and possible injury and the danger he was in, just the stupid gorilla.

 

[Nyboy]

Bee my mouth would hang open when clients would say the gorilla should not have been shot.

 

[bobm]

On yesterday's noon news they showed a young pup with a birth defect where it's lower jaw was about 2" to the right. It was in a Cal. shelter and rescued hours from being put down. ( sob , sob ) The the Portland, Ore. rescue group transported it to Portland along with it's brother. They were pleading for someone to adopt it together with the brother. Oh, yea... the surgery would cost over $2,000 to correct the lower jaw. Please donate !!! Later, on the evening news, they showed this dog with the bleeding heart need for surgery at 5:00 then 3 more times between 6 and 7 , then once again at the 11 nightly news. Then 2 more times this morning at 5 am and after 6 am news. All asking for donations for the needed surgery. NOT A WORD on the results about the HOMELESS PEOPLE TELATHON !!! How cute ...