RANT: Beggars at stoplights in major intsections

[blainehamilton]

I've noticed over the last 3 to 6 months that beggars with a cardboard sign at major intersections saying 'hungry, no money' or some drivel to that effect.

Am I the only person who finds this absolute BS in our ecomony, where you can make $10+ an hour for fast food jobs.

I just yell the standard 'get a job you friggin bum' as I drive by, but someone should call the cops on these guys and keep them away from the stoplights like this. They are just asking to cause an accident.

[goneinsixtyseconds]

I've noticed over the last 3 to 6 months that beggars with a cardboard sign at major intersections saying 'hungry, no money' or some drivel to that effect.

Am I the only person who finds this absolute BS in our ecomony, where you can make $10+ an hour for fast food jobs.

I just yell the standard 'get a job you friggin bum' as I drive by, but someone should call the cops on these guys and keep them away from the stoplights like this. They are just asking to cause an accident.

riiiiight .. because it's THAT easy to get a job when you submit a job application with no permanent address and walk in with tattered clothes. i dislike being harrassed by panhandlers as well when i'm walking to work downtown, but the solution to homelessness and unemployment isn't as cut and dry as "oh, why don't you go get a job?" especially for a large portion of these individuals who have little to no training or education.

[astraea]

Be nice. Not everyone is as fortunate as you :)
First of all, no employer would hire a 'bum'.
Yeah, part of the problem may be their unwillingness to work-- but then again, there are some that are mentally/physically incapable of working or getting an education.

This is kind of off-topic and I bet the guy isn't even a 'bum' but there's this guy called the 'Chalkmaster' who draws beautiful portraits on sidewalks in front of the Eatons Centre and asks for donations. They're quite brilliant. I gave him $3-- which isn't much, I know :P But its something. At least he's being productive, right?

Contrastingly, during my trip to San Francisco there was this 'bum' holding up a piece of cardboard that read "Please donate money for alcohol research". :arrowl: THAT'S not being productive at all & he definitely deserves to be in his position.

[UrbanPoet]

Be nice. Not everyone is as fortunate as you :)
First of all, no employer would hire a 'bum'.
Yeah, part of the problem may be their unwillingness to work-- but then again, there are some that are mentally/physically incapable of working or getting an education.

This is kind of off-topic and I bet the guy isn't even a 'bum' but there's this guy called the 'Chalkmaster' who draws beautiful portraits on sidewalks in front of the Eatons Centre and asks for donations. They're quite brilliant. I gave him $3-- which isn't much, I know :P But its something. At least he's being productive, right?

Contrastingly, during my trip to San Francisco there was this 'bum' holding up a piece of cardboard that read "Please donate money for alcohol research". :arrowl: THAT'S not being productive at all & he definitely deserves to be in his position.

chalkmaster is no bum. Just an Artist trying to make a buck... artist are typically pretty damn poor.
Ever see a job listing for 'artist'? not really... Yes they are out there, but for the typical fine artist there isnt =)

[astraea]

chalkmaster is no bum. Just an Artist trying to make a buck... artist are typically pretty damn poor.
Ever see a job listing for 'artist'? not really... Yes they are out there, but for the typical fine artist there isnt =)

Hence why I said "I bet the guy isn't even a 'bum'" =)
But thanks for the clarification.

[ElChico]

This is kind of off-topic and I bet the guy isn't even a 'bum' but there's this guy called the 'Chalkmaster' who draws beautiful portraits on sidewalks in front of the Eatons Centre and asks for donations. They're quite brilliant. I gave him $3-- which isn't much, I know :P But its something. At least he's being productive, right?



That guy is a master.

http://www.journalism.ryerson.ca/online/krazy/sous/chalkmaster.htm

This is on the sidewalk!
http://www.journalism.ryerson.ca/online/krazy/sous/spider.htm

[JAGpilot]

Instead of pissing money into all kinds of other useless **** in the city like new signs that say "Beach" instead of "The Beaches" spend it on opening employment awareness centers. Give the people clothes and help them with a resume. Thats for the mentally sound ones. If I ever saw you yelling that to a homeless person I would punch you in the face. Thats disgusting way to talk to a person. Most of these people are either mentally ill or victims of abuse. I will never give money to homeless people. Instead I will offer to buy them something to eat or drink and if they refuse then they get nothing. That just shows they are going to spend the money on smokes, drugs or booze.

As for this "Chalkmaster" I saw what I think was him outside the Eaton Center. He had an iPod (which was nearly black from the dirt on his fingers) and I threw him $3. At least hes doing something.

[direct-x]

I just yell the standard 'get a job you friggin bum' as I drive by,

Classy.

[hightechfan]

Instead of pissing money into all kinds of other useless **** in the city like new signs that say "Beach" instead of "The Beaches" spend it on opening employment awareness centers. Give the people clothes and help them with a resume. Thats for the mentally sound ones. If I ever saw you yelling that to a homeless person I would punch you in the face. Thats disgusting way to talk to a person. Most of these people are either mentally ill or victims of abuse.

As for this "Chalkmaster" I saw what I think was him outside the Eaton Center. He had an iPod (which was nearly black from the dirt on his fingers) and I threw him $3. At least hes doing something.

The fact is yes some of them are ill or vics of abuse but alot are not.To say most of them are ill is crap.In ottawa they have done everything to help the homeless most don't want help.Some homeless are very aggresive somethign needs to be done about them asap.

[gorf]

Hey Blaine, where are you seeing the signs? I used to see a bum 97th and 137th all the time in the summer, but he's gone now.

There is no excuse for not having a job in Edmonton. Everywhere you go, signs looking for people to work. The paper has never been so full for job opportunites in my lifetime.

I'm not going to defend these guys bumming on the streets. There's more than enough agencies to provide clothing to people who want a job, there's agencies for councelling, food banks and other food handout programs, a program for people with disabilities, there's social assistance to help people get their feet off the ground. IMO, they just prefer to be bums and want to beg. I refuse to support them and encourage that type of behaviour.

http://www.donatearide.ab.ca/who_does_donate_a_ride_support.html

[eelfliw]

You think you've bums in Edmonton? Come to Toronto! We have more bums here than the population of Edmonton!

The Ontario MPPs just voted themselves a 25% raise. They now earn $110K a year with cabinet ministers collecting over $153K a year.

Yet the number of bums do not decrease each year.

I think we should make politician's pay tied to the number of bums on the street harassing people. If 100% of the bums found jobs, then they get full pay. If the number of bums don't change year to year, politicians get no pay.

[3weddings]

Instead of pissing money into all kinds of other useless **** in the city like new signs that say "Beach" instead of "The Beaches" spend it on opening employment awareness centers. Give the people clothes and help them with a resume. Thats for the mentally sound ones. If I ever saw you yelling that to a homeless person I would punch you in the face. Thats disgusting way to talk to a person. Most of these people are either mentally ill or victims of abuse. I will never give money to homeless people. Instead I will offer to buy them something to eat or drink and if they refuse then they get nothing. That just shows they are going to spend the money on smokes, drugs or booze.


Thank you for you post!!!! ITA!!!!!!!!!

[15-20_God]

I've noticed over the last 3 to 6 months that beggars with a cardboard sign at major intersections saying 'hungry, no money' or some drivel to that effect.

I just yell the standard 'get a job you friggin bum' as I drive by, but someone should call the cops on these guys and keep them away from the stoplights like this.

i agree, all poor ppl should be arrested and thrown in jail somewhere. how dare they be poor and hungry in an area that I drive in. they should be huddled in a corner somewhere out of sight. better yet, they should feed poor ppl to less poor ppl.

[BlueMax]

"Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses??"
"...but many would rather die than go there!"
"Then they should do so and decrease the surplus population!"


...that said, I've actually known people quite capable of working but considered it far easier to just sit on the streets of downtown Calgary and beg instead. She had it down to a fair science, too. :mad: :mad:

I don't give money to beggars - too many are either abusing themselves, or us.


I'm happy to say there are some free unemployment places all over Alberta, and great churches that help get people a shower, shave, clean clothes and a hot meal. Some places might be willing to help the "bum" who's willing to help himself.

Squeegee kids just bug me.... but not near as much as the beggar out there for several weeks with a sign saying "just passing through, etc." LIAR! :|

[Twitch1977]

spend it on opening employment awareness centers. Give the people clothes and help them with a resume.


Those centers already exist, they'll provide computers, fax machines, classes on how to do your resume, covering letter, videos you can watch on different job seeking topics, books you can read, resume building software packages to use, subscriptions to all the papers, classes that can help you develop skills, help arranging financial assistance if you are unemployed and want to go back to school, help finding day care for kids and pretty much anything else you need to help you find a job.

In Saskatchewan they are ran by the provincial gov't under the dept. of learning, I'd assume they're ran similarly outside Sask.

But the only times I've seen a 'bum' in one of these offices is when they wanted some place to sleep, sit down, or warm up.

T

[bionicbadger]

Those people dont want to work. And before you say its not easy to get a job, there are several places that help people that want to get off the street and into the workforce, providing clothes and an address to pick up mail, a phone they can use, a fax and computer they can come in and use, etc. Those people still there begging for money want to be there.

You guys in toronto have no idea how easy it is to get a job here. Almost every company is looking for people, even 7-11 has big signs in front of their stores offering $700 hiring bonuses. If you are a trades person you can get a 5 figure signing bonus for signing a 2 year contract. Safeway has signing bonuses too and all you have to do there is bag groceries and stock shelves. They have to fly people in from overseas to work since there aren't enough people here to fill all the jobs. If the bums wanted to get off the street they could.

[kingfencer]

your lucky, i got jumped by squigy kids, f***ing loser. At their height and size, they could easily get a job.

[Chuck Garabedian]

Dude, I cannot describe what an a$$ you are.

Many people on the street (not all) are mentally ill and probably could not hold a job even if they tried or were offered one. This illness may be genetic or have come about from some trauma (sexual abuse, combat ect.) or perhaps they are alchoholics or drug addicts (and hence have a mental illness due to that).

Being mentally ill is just like a physical illness except it's a lot harder to see and evidently less accepted by people such as yourself. I don't think you would be yelling at a guy who's in a wheelchair out on the street to get a job (or would you)?

The police should remove these people if they are a hazard to themselves or others but yelling at them to get a job just makes you look like a fool.

[Becks]

If you're angry at these bums, you should ask yourself why they provoke such strong emotions in you. It sounds like you have some issues that you need to explore for yourself.

[15-20_God]

Dude, I cannot describe what an a$$ you are.

Many people on the street (not all) are mentally ill and probably could not hold a job even if they tried or were offered one.

at least the bum on the street has an excuse. what's the op's for being a douche?

[BlueMax]

at least the bum on the street has an excuse. what's the op's for being a douche?

Like I said, there's plenty of street people very capable of holding a job - they just choose NOT to for whatever reason. Wish it were easy to just say all bums are moochers, or all are poor, poor people with obstables too difficult to overcome.

[gorf]

Yeah, I got stung once by a douche, I was in my early 20's. Taken for 600.00 and haven't seen a penny of it back. I don't remember exactly what happened but they got sent to the Remand and I paid the bail to get them out. Yah, I'll pay you back. Sure they did. Why was I such a stupid douche to give support to someone who had just been punted from their house out on the street? I should have said, get a #$%$# job and get your own ass out of the Remand. :rolleyes:

No one here is making fun of the homeless, poor or disabled. I don't think anyone here has a problem helping the poor, homeless or disabled get their feet on the ground. What I have a problem with is the way that some people choose to make money. Begging in the middle of a busy intersection is a nuisance and people should be focused on the road, not some guy with a sign looking for a handout.

[suelee3]

Homeless and poverty stricken people have as much right as you do to walk the streets of the city. They have every right to be part of our society, just as you do.

Why are you so upset by seeing them? Is it because they remind you of how you may not be part of the bigger solution to such a huge problem? Would you rather we simply make them vanish off the streets? Would that not require some TRUE solution to the problem?

Several years ago, Conservative Premier Mike Harris passed a law to outlaw pan handling and street kids. He figured the way to get rid of poverty and street people was to :arrow:jail:arrowl: them. :rolleyes:

The law went over well with people who believed such "undesirables" should be swept under a rug...

Clearly that solution worked out really well... :rolleyes:

[gorf]

Homeless and poverty stricken people have as much right as you do to walk the streets of the city. They have every right to be part of our society, just as you do.

Not sure if you're addressing me, but yes they do have a right to walk the streets of the city and be part of society. Who said they didn't?

Why are you so upset by seeing them?

We have laws that say there are to be no signs on medians. Its distracting when you have someone leaning on a traffic sign post, holding a huge sign and begging on a 2-3 ft. median in the middle of a major intersection.

Is it because they remind you of how you may not be part of the bigger solution to such a huge problem? Huh?? What is the bigger solution? What do you do with people who choose to make their living begging? There are many agencies to help people get their feet back on the ground, a person has to make a personal effort also to succeed and get themselves out of the situation they are currently in. Many have done it with hard work.

Would you rather we simply make them vanish off the streets?

Who said that? Who wants homeless and poverty stricken eliminated?



Would that not require some TRUE solution to the problem?

What do you suggest is the TRUE solution to the homeless and poverty stricken? What's your plan?

Several years ago, Conservative Premier Mike Harris passed a law to outlaw pan handling and street kids. He figured the way to get rid of poverty and street people was to :arrow:jail:arrowl: them. :rolleyes:

The law went over well with people who believed such "undesirables" should be swept under a rug...

Clearly that solution worked out really well... :rolleyes:

What do you suggest? What if they were infront of your business harassing customers as they came in the door? What if they were in your face while driving/walking home from work? What if they don't take "no thanks" for an answer?

There's broad assumptions that beggars are poor, beggars are homeless, beggars are disabled and life has continually dealt them bad cards. For all we know, the beggar may have driven up to his chosen site and parked his Escalade. lol! I never give to beggars on the street but I do support food banks and donate clothing all the time. I do know that people who are truly in need do need those services and even though I can't solve their problem for them, maybe I can put a little food in their belly and a coat on their back.

[suelee3]

Not sure if you're addressing me, but yes they do have a right to walk the streets of the city and be part of society. Who said they didn't?

Well now that you asked, uh.. no I wasn't addressing you. If I was, I would have quoted you. 2nd question: I was talking in general, so please don't ask silly questions that don't have answers.

We have laws that say there are to be no signs on medians. Its distracting when you have someone leaning on a traffic sign post, holding a huge sign and begging on a 2-3 ft. median in the middle of a major intersection.
:confused:
Who talked about signage? Certainly I didn't.
I'm talking about the problem of dealing with the poor in general, and the attitude certain people have towards them.. AHEM.:rolleyes:


Huh?? What is the bigger solution? What do you do with people who choose to make their living begging? What do you suggest is the TRUE solution?

Are you asking me the solution to the homeless situation that is in Canada and worse in metropolitan cities such as Toronto?
LOL. Now if I knew that question, wouldn't I be running for political office. ;)

But thank you for acknowledging and agreeing that the homeless situation is a big problem, and needs a bigger solution then stupid petty laws (i.e. jailing).
And thank you for asking me my opinion on what the "bigger solution" might be. Now that is the type of collaboration that will actually help society. ;)

What do you suggest? What if they were infront of your business harassing customers as they came in the door?

uhh... see :arrowu: for the answer to your repeated question.

Well clearly the law and judicial system doesn't solve the issue of poverty and homelessness in society now, does it? Thank you for your prime example of what happens (i.e. nothing) when we rely on the law instead of compassion and proper solutions.


There's broad assumptions that beggars are poor, beggars are homeless, beggars are disabled and life has continually dealt them bad cards. For all we know, the beggar may have driven up to his chosen site and parked his Escalade. lol! I never give to beggars on the street but I do support food banks and donate clothing all the time.

Well... we commend you on your noble and compassionate actions and your very astute decision making. ;)

We would not have known that homelessness arises from lazy good-for-nothing-bums who actually aspired to a life of poverty, despair, worthlessness, and hatred.

Before we know it, they'll be thanking us for putting them in jail to provide them warmth, clothing, and food. ;)

[gorf]

Why are [/b]you[/b] so upset by seeing them?



I made an assumption as your post followed mine that you may have been addressing me. My mistake. :D

Then lets backtrack a bit and maybe you should clarify who you is so you can respond accordingly. ;) ;)

[gorf]

Well now that you asked, uh.. no I wasn't addressing you. If I was, I would have quoted you. 2nd question: I was talking in general, so please don't ask silly questions that don't have answers.

Then why bring it up if you have no solutions? That wasn't even part of the discussion prior to your post.



Who talked about signage? Certainly I didn't.
I'm talking about the problem of dealing with the poor in general, and the attitude certain people have towards them.. AHEM.

AHEM. I was talking about signage and so did the original post. ;)



Are you asking me the solution to the homeless situation that is in Canada and worse in metropolitan cities such as Toronto?
LOL. Now if I knew that question, wouldn't I be running for political office. ;)

But thank you for acknowledging and agreeing that the homeless situation is a big problem, and needs a bigger solution then stupid petty laws (i.e. jailing).
And thank you for asking me my opinion on what the "bigger solution" might be. Now that is the type of collaboration that will actually help society. ;)

Okay, you're welcome. Always looking for solutions that will help society. lol!

uhh... see :arrowu: for the answer to your repeated question.

Well clearly the law and judicial system doesn't solve the issue of poverty and homelessness in society now, does it? Thank you for your prime example of what happens (i.e. nothing) when we rely on the law instead of compassion and proper solutions.



Well... we commend you on your noble and compassionate actions and your very astute decision making. ;)

We would not have known that homelessness arises from lazy good-for-nothing-bums who actually aspired to a life of poverty, despair, worthlessness, and hatred.

Before we know it, they'll be thanking us for putting them in jail to provide them warmth, clothing, and food.

What was your reason for posting in this thread again?:D

[blainehamilton]

Some of you guys are totally missing my point.

The issue I have is these guys are at MAJOR intersections, in some cases on the median at Stoplights on sub-freeway roads or entrances. This is a major distraction for drivers, and puts EVERYONE travelling thru the intersection at risk.

There have been times when they will leave the median and walk among the cars waiting at a light to look for handouts from the drivers. I have seen them hold up traffic because they aren't out of the way when the light turns green. I have seen a couple of near accidents when the light was green because a car would slam on its brakes because the beggar looked like he was going to jaywalk accross the intersection.


For those who know Edmonton, I have seen them at the following corners:

23 Ave and Gateway Blvd (Already the top accident intersection in the city)
137 Ave and Manning Freeway (Yes, a freeway intersection)
137 Ave and 97 Street
87 Ave and 170 Street (Busy intersection by West Edmonton Mall)
87 Ave and 178 Street (Another busy one at the other end of the mall)
All 4 corners at 100/101 Ave and 170 Street (4 seperate intersections)
118 Ave and St Albert Trail
Jasper Ave and 101 Street Downtown
102 Ave and 101 Street Downtown
Jasper Ave and 109 Street Downtown
Whyte Ave and 99/103/104/109 Street

I drive an average of 5000km a month, mostly in the city, so I've seen my fair share of these intersections, and seen people begging at them all the time. Most recent was last week by west edmonton mall, and whyte ave as well.


And as for the reasons they aren't working? Beats me. All of the guys I have seen around edmonton begging at the intersectons (seems about 10 or so, see the same guys all the time) are under 40, and albeit unshaven (stubbly but not grizzly adams bearded) and dirty, they should be capable of holding a job if they can hold a sign and beg all day.

Another reason I have such an issue with this is I've seen when the economy isn't great here and I've scaped by in the past. (riding the bus for 2 hours to work for 25 cents above minimum wage for 12 to 14 hours, or working 2 8 hour jobs just to pay $300 rent on an apartment) Gorf is not kidding on how easy it is to get a job here right now. 20 minutes worth of grooming at the local shelter and you can get a job just about anywhere for at least $8 to $10 bucks an hour. I donate to the youth emergency shelter and the food bank (had to use the food bank once before, so they get pretty sizable donations from me!) There is plenty of support for these people if they want it.

I realize there are people out there without a full bag or marbles and there are people who are incapable of working. If they are going to be bums, and going to beg, they need to do it where they won't endanger the lives of motorists.

15-20_Knob, if you read my response, we have a pretty good idea who the douche is here. Run along if you don't have anything constructive to contribute little troll.

direct-x, should I keep a copy of the job ads in my front seat for the guy with all the potentially best jobs for him circled? I don't think what I say is classy, but maybe get the f**k off the street might be more appropriate?(These guys are quite often in non-pedestrian areas, at lights marked with no pedestrian access signs)

JAGpilot, good to see your response of punching someone in the face as a suitable reaction for them telling the person blocking traffic while begging to 'get a job'. That would put you below someone who is down on their luck or lazy, namely a criminal.

[blainehamilton]

Oh, and the chalkmaster would be getting a 5 spot if he's ever in edmonton for the street performer's festival or the fringe...

[Bullseye]

Some of you guys are totally missing my point.

The issue I have is these guys are at MAJOR intersections, in some cases on the median at Stoplights on sub-freeway roads or entrances. This is a major distraction for drivers, and puts EVERYONE travelling thru the intersection at risk.


If that's really your issue, then why did you yell 'Get a job', when 'Get out of the intersection, you're going to cause an accident' would have been more approriate?

You're saying one thing, but your actions indicate your issue is actually that you're offended by the sight of poor people.

[GangStarr]

Squeegee-kid ban upheld

LANA SLEZIC FOR THE TORONTO STAR
Paul Batuszkin, 36, is one of the people who challenged provincial legislation that banned solicitation of money on roadways. Eleven, convicted under the law in 2001, failed to get their convictions reversed. Email story


Speak Out: Panhandling banYour view on the banBegging ban sought in tourist districts

City councillor Case Ootes wants Toronto to prohibit panhandling in officially designated tourist areas like Yonge and Dundas Sts.

Ootes (Ward 29, Toronto-Danforth) has asked staff to report on the issue at the Feb. 21 meeting of the economic development committee, on which he sits. He wants to know how the city could work with police to implement and enforce such a bylaw.

During last fall's municipal election campaign, losing mayoral candidate Jane Pitfield's platform included an anti-panhandling bylaw and a call for heavier enforcement of Ontario's Safe Streets Act.

Any anti-panhandling bylaw would have little chance of passing at city council.
Judges say crackdown on road panhandling violates Charter but upholds law because it reduces dangers on the street

January 17, 2007
Tracey Tyler
LEGAL AFFAIRS REPORTER



Banning squeegee people from begging on public roadways violates their freedom of expression. But regulating pedestrians and traffic and reducing dangers on the streets is important enough to override that constitutional right, the Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled.

In a unanimous decision yesterday, the court dismissed appeals from 11 homeless men who were convicted of provincial offences in 2001 for washing windshields or asking Toronto drivers for money.

They argued that provisions in the Safe Streets Act and Highway Traffic Act that ban solicitation on roadways infringe their rights to freedom of expression and security of the person under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

They also argued the legislation violates the Charter's equality provisions, aimed at preventing violation of human dignity.

Writing for the three-judge panel, Justice Russell Juriansz said the appellants' dignity was not infringed by legislative provisions that stop them from stepping onto a street or approaching a vehicle to solicit.

He also said that lawyers for the 11 men had not made their case that the Charter specifically prohibits discrimination against "the poor who beg."

"While the appellants' conditions of economic disadvantage may be deserving of sympathy, they have not established they are entitled to a response that is constitutional in nature," Juriansz said, writing for the panel that included Justices Karen Weiler and Robert Armstrong.

"I'm very disappointed in the decision and I'm going to be investigating the possibility of seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada," Peter Rosenthal, a lawyer for the appellants, said in an interview yesterday.

"Perhaps I didn't explain it properly to the Court of Appeal, but the people we're talking about are people so poor they have to beg ... who in our view are deserving of protection and should be considered among the groups of people against whom one can't discriminate," he said.

But Charter protection is extended to those groups on the basis of personal characteristics, such as race, sex, ethnic origin, or age, Juriansz said. The poor who beg are not defined by personal characteristics, per se, but the activity in which they are engaged. While they "undoubtedly suffer from disadvantage," they're not easily defined, he added.

"While it is common to speak of the `poor' collectively, the group is, in actuality, the statistical aggregation of all individuals who are economically disadvantaged ... for any reason."

While the judgment found that the provisions infringed on the appellants' freedom of expression, it found those restrictions were justified.

"The limits achieve the objective of promoting public safety, efficient circulation, and public enjoyment of public thoroughfares. The impairment of the appellant's rights is minimal."

The court said the appellants had alternative means of expression, such as conveying their message from the sidewalk. "While the legislation does effectively ban squeegeeing on roadways, it does not prohibit the appelant from expressing their message that they are in need of help.

"They cannot squeegee car windows, but to the extent that they may wish to provide a service in exchange for donation, there are other alternatives available."



I agree, they are a safety hazard and an eye sore. I always look away when I see these kids but one had the nerve to tap my window. Squeegee kids are the worst, especially when they clean your window without consent and only clean half.

Next comes the ban on panhandeling on the yonge st BIA.

[BlueMax]

*munch*munch* Soylent Green anyone? *munch*munch*munch*

[Bullseye]

*munch*munch* Soylent Green anyone? *munch*munch*munch*

I'm guessing there are few in this thread old enough to get that! Seems like it's mostly immature kiddies posting here, people who've been sheltered in suburbia their whole lives.

[Chuck Garabedian]

If that's really your issue, then why did you yell 'Get a job', when 'Get out of the intersection, you're going to cause an accident' would have been more approriate?

You're saying one thing, but your actions indicate your issue is actually that you're offended by the sight of poor people.

Exactly, he's just trying to backpeddle and cover himself.

I don't the the OP would of made the statement "am I the only person who finds this absolute BS in our ecomony, where you can make $10+ an hour for fast food jobs."

I'm not sure how that comments on traffic safety like he said the post was really about.

[kitbor]

I've noticed over the last 3 to 6 months that beggars with a cardboard sign at major intersections saying 'hungry, no money' or some drivel to that effect.

Am I the only person who finds this absolute BS in our ecomony, where you can make $10+ an hour for fast food jobs.

I just yell the standard 'get a job you friggin bum' as I drive by, but someone should call the cops on these guys and keep them away from the stoplights like this. They are just asking to cause an accident.

Why don't YOU hire him?

[bionicbadger]

Just run the bastards over. Problem solved.

[Montague]

I'm guessing there are few in this thread old enough to get that!
I resent that - I am immature and I know what movie that is from:

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7724/sgkt7.jpg

(great movie btw)