[Dasbanter] bumflights

[Not Erik]

On Tue, Jun 15, 2004 at 04:03:22PM -0400, Brer Terry wrote:
> out of sight, out of mind, sure.

I'm not sure that's what I meant, though.  The problem is that I want
to be able to do something and not simply ignore them,, but I don't,
for example, want one of them sleeping on my couch.

> the guy looked at me as the cops pushed him out. a look, not a
> glare, like a kid gives his parent as he's going out the door to an
> early morning school bus.  angry but resigned.  I tried to help the
> guy with his stuff, but the cops wouldn't let me.
> 
> I watched Dark Days not so long ago, which provides insight to
> homelessness that I don't think many people are exposed to.
> usually, it's not their choice.  or, if it is, they don't feel it
> is.  not like i can speak for them, though.

That's just it.  It's not "These bums should just go get a job," as
much as it's throwing my hands up in despair.  I'm just as incompetent
at dealing with homelessness as the government is.

There are plenty of people who annoy me and therefore I wish to avoid,
though, and I'm not willing to draw the line at homeless people just
because their situation sucks.  I've known plenty of people (for
example, at Thoma Haus), who are pathetic and annoying, and I avoid
them too.  No special treatment.

> what he was speaking wasn't english to our ears.  it was mishmashed,
> garbled.  like a zombie except real and human and sad.

It's the heartbreaking part.

We are talking about real human beings who deserve compassion.

The real pain about it is that there are certain levels of compassion
that I know I'm not willing or able to give.  I can look that fact in
the eye and accept it on some level, but it's deeply saddening.

-- 
not erik - squinky at dasbistro.com - http://www.dasbistro.com/~erik/

  "OK, I'm serious this time.  No more dead baby jokes."
    -- Sara, immediately after telling one doozy of a dead baby joke.