Unless you know the life story and/or have experienced the life of every panhandler who’s asked for what you so obviously don’t want to give them, you have no right to judge them.

Unless you know they AREN’T liars and professional street con-artists you’re just guessing.  Right?

I have every right to judge whomever I do.  Just as you’re judging me.  Right?

You’re getting tangled up in your own web of righteousness.

Today’s mitzvah: consider organzinging your small change and other miscellaneous income into a “charity piggy bank”.  When it’s full make a donation to a reputable charity that helps the homeless and feeds the hungry.

Lee_USA - 22 August 2008 11:48 PM

Unless you know the life story and/or have experienced the life of every panhandler who’s asked for what you so obviously don’t want to give them, you have no right to judge them.

Unless you know they AREN’T liars and professional street con-artists you’re just guessing.  Right?

I have every right to judge whomever I do.  Just as you’re judging me.  Right?

You’re getting tangled up in your own web of righteousness.

I’m not judging you on anything other than what you are saying here.  By your own admission, you’re judging those you see asking for money without knowing anything about them, based on something *one person* told you.  Personally, I find it a much healthier attitude to believe the best about people first rather than expecting the worst.  If the person I choose to give money or food to ends up being someone who isn’t the person they portrayed themselves to be, what have I lost?  Nothing.  I did what was right, they did what was wrong.  If I pass someone by who really does need help and say in my heart “well, there’s another liar and professional street con-artist”, then both of us lost out.  Here’s another example of the same concept:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ (Matthew 25:34-43)

In the end, it’s your choice and yes, you certainly do have the right to judge whomever you choose.

Lee_USA - 22 August 2008 11:55 PM

Today’s mitzvah: consider organzinging your small change and other miscellaneous income into a “charity piggy bank”.  When it’s full make a donation to a reputable charity that helps the homeless and feeds the hungry.

Great idea.  That kind of mitzvah is also known as “Tzedakah”.

By your own admission, you’re judging those you see asking for money without knowing anything about them, based on something *one person* told you

You’re forgetting the study which came to the same conclusion.

The reason you don’t want to invest any time educating yourself about the facts when it comes to the lucrative career of panhandling is your own business.  Just don’t parade yourself as knowledgeble.

Word of the Day -

Tzedakah (Hebrew: צדקה) is a Hebrew word commonly mistranslated as charity, rather since it is based on a root meaning justice (צדק, tzedek). In Judaism, tzedakah refers to the religious obligation to perform charity, and philanthropic acts, which Judaism emphasises are important parts of living a spiritual life; Jewish tradition argues that the second highest form of tzedakah is to anonymously give donations to unknown recipients.

Unlike philanthropy, which is completely voluntary, tzedakah is seen as a religious obligation, which must be performed regardless of financial standing, and must even be performed by poor people; tzedakah is considered to be one of the three main acts that can annul a less than favorable heavenly bad decree.

Lee_USA - 23 August 2008 02:35 AM

Word of the Day -

Tzedakah (Hebrew: צדקה) is a Hebrew word commonly mistranslated as charity, rather since it is based on a root meaning justice (צדק, tzedek). In Judaism, tzedakah refers to the religious obligation to perform charity, and philanthropic acts, which Judaism emphasises are important parts of living a spiritual life; Jewish tradition argues that the second highest form of tzedakah is to anonymously give donations to unknown recipients.

Unlike philanthropy, which is completely voluntary, tzedakah is seen as a religious obligation, which must be performed regardless of financial standing, and must even be performed by poor people; tzedakah is considered to be one of the three main acts that can annul a less than favorable heavenly bad decree.

Probably better to get your definitions of transliterated Hebrew from Jewish websites, rather than the less-than-reliable Wikipedia where anyone can contribute and change the text at will.

From Judaism 101:  “Tzedakah” is the Hebrew word for the acts that we call “charity” in English: giving aid, assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However, the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity” suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and powerful for the benefit of the poor and needy. The word “tzedakah” is derived from the Hebrew root Tzadei-Dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism, giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act; it is simply an act of justice and righteousness, the performance of a duty, giving the poor their due.

Personally, I find it a much healthier attitude to believe the best about people first rather than expecting the worst.

Yet you consistently expect the worse from anyone who doesn’t share your opinion.  (re: smug, close-minded, judgmental, selfish, distrustful, angry and ugly inside, etc)

I find it healthier to accept the fact that the majority of pan-handlers are lying con-artists and give my charity dollars to reputable groups who work with the homeless and hungry.  Kinda a win-win scenario.

Lee_USA - 23 August 2008 02:48 AM

Personally, I find it a much healthier attitude to believe the best about people first rather than expecting the worst.

Yet you consistently expect the worse from anyone who doesn’t share your opinion.  (re: smug, close-minded, judgmental, selfish, distrustful, angry and ugly inside, etc)

I find it healthier to accept the fact that the majority of pan-handlers are lying con-artists and give my charity dollars to reputable groups who work with the homeless and hungry.  Kinda a win-win scenario.

Hey, knock yourself out.

Pick-nitting to the bitter end…

Probably better to get your definitions of transliterated Hebrew from Jewish websites, rather than the less-than-reliable Wikipedia where anyone can contribute and change the text at will.

The word “tzedakah” is derived from the Hebrew root Tzadei-Dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness.

Tzedakah (Hebrew: צדקה) is a Hebrew word commonly mistranslated as charity, rather since it is based on a root meaning justice (צדק, tzedek).

Lee_USA - 23 August 2008 02:51 AM

Pick-nitting to the bitter end…

Probably better to get your definitions of transliterated Hebrew from Jewish websites, rather than the less-than-reliable Wikipedia where anyone can contribute and change the text at will.

The word “tzedakah” is derived from the Hebrew root Tzadei-Dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness.

Tzedakah (Hebrew: צדקה) is a Hebrew word commonly mistranslated as charity, rather since it is based on a root meaning justice (צדק, tzedek).

Showing you a better source for Hebrew and Jewish subjects is “pick-nitting”?  I was merely trying to be helpful.

Showing you a better source for Hebrew and Jewish subjects is “pick-nitting”?  I was merely trying to be helpful.

You may believe that if you wish.  Better manners would have been to accept without yet another jab at trying to correct people to the nth degree. 

Enjoy your day.  It’s lovely outside.

Lee_USA - 23 August 2008 03:11 PM

You may believe that if you wish.

Gee, thanks...(?)

Lee_USA - 23 August 2008 03:11 PM

Better manners would have been to accept without yet another jab at trying to correct people to the nth degree.

“Better manners”...oh, okay. <shakes head at the irony>

There, LUR, you can have the last word....since you so obviously need it.

Meanwhile....the aggressive panhandlers ordinance will help keep those who beg for a living from becoming too in-your-face about it.  It doesn’t—and can’t—address those con-artists who make a good living ripping other people off and subverting a well-meaning donation that could actually help out a homeless or hungry person.

Maybe “Up” is concerned about the impact this ordinance will have on her/his annual income.

Irtnog - 24 August 2008 02:22 AM

Maybe “Up” is concerned about the impact this ordinance will have on her/his annual income.

You know, disagreeing and debating with someone is one thing and certainly should be expected in a forum such as this, but you are regularily rude and insulting just for the sport of it.  Do you feel more empowered when you do so?

“...regularily...”

Weren’t you the one telling Sarge to get a dictionary?

Irtnog - 24 August 2008 04:11 PM

“...regularily...”

Weren’t you the one telling Sarge to get a dictionary?

You seem to have a knack for repeatedly proving yourself as the guy who eschews the proverbial high-road…

What does that have to do with you not being able to spell?

LUR....Why converse with someone who only comes to these forums to belittle or annoy others?

That iggy button could be your best friend. 

This thread’s issue isn’t about poor spelling or a personal grudge-fest.