Homeless arrested as tramps in Columbus Ga

[Jack Sprat]

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2010/09/23/1278821/homeless-resent-being-jailed.html

This story is about a homeless woman arrested in the middle of the night while camping in a tent on a vacant lot not posted as private. She was charged along with 17 others with being 'tramps' and loitering.

To be fair, the article states that a rape and vandalism had been reported in the area but there was no evidence that homeless people had been involved. They were charged and jailed because they had no shelter or home, then released to the street where they would face the same charges again. What are they supposed to do? Disappear?

We have Rev Hagar Hagee, Benny Hinn, and Rev Billy Frank Birmingham among others, cojoining church and state and urging their flocks to be good Republicans because God is a Republican. The Republicans abhor the poor and resist any attempt to raise taxes on those who can easily afford it. As Olbermann reports, many of them use S-corporations and other tax havens to avoid even paying their fair portion of taxes. If you suggest to any Conservative that it should be shameful for the richest nation on earth to have citizens living on the street, they will tell you liberals and Democrats are to blame because they are evil old socialists. So where is the socialism? Why are these people sleeping outdoors? We won both houses of Congress and the Presidency and our bluedogs don't even have the courage to raise taxes on the 2% at the very top because they fear losing their seat. They need to lose their seat. If I had my way, they would sleep outdoors too.

And another thing. If churches, synagogues, and mosques want to claim tax exemption, then they should have to open their doors each evening and give the homeless a meal, a place to sleep, and a good shower. That's what I say.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

1. While gypsies and theives run free...

[Raschel]

9. While tramps go on Dancing with the Stars.

[grilled onions]

2. Just A Observation From A Non Religious Person...

The fancier the building the less likely they are willing to open the buildings for reasons other the the norm unless it's for one of their financial revivals. They fret over the possibility of dirty carpets,theft,destruction,theft, lack of help--the excuses never end. On the other hand the little store front variety churches,the ones on a shoe string are much more willing to allow the homeless to sleep indoors,have a cup of coffee,try to arrange a minimal soup kitchen for the hungry. They don't have but still they give. Those that have keep what they have--a show palace and $$$$. No one expects them not to pay their bills and surely they have to have rules as far as helping the needy but so many don't seem to shake loose with that money to help those down and outers.
Perhaps if they would get tax breaks IF they helped the hungry/the poor, and only IF their attitude might change. They still might do it because they have little choice but perhaps they would do it.

[Raschel]

10. I knew a person (actually knew him, not just heard of him) who quit his very high-paying executive

job, became a minister, and he and his wife gave away a car, spent their holidays delivering baskets to doorsteps, and would be there in a minute at the hospital or home for prayer.

He pastored a small congregation, so he wasn't propped up by a religious organization.

His congregation grew and twenty years later he's still a minister. Some people are real about what they do, large or small congregation, but I would agree that some of the larger religious organizations have too many restricting rules and have lost sight of the reason for their existence.

[craigmatic]

3. That's in my district. I can't say I'm surprised this happened. That town is run by repubs.

[bobbolink]

4. Its your district, so what are you going to do about it?

[craigmatic]

5. Nothing like I said it's run by repubs and I don't live in that particular town or know

anyone there. We got the same congressman though.

[bobbolink]

6. Great! Another "Let 'em eat cake" "progressive".

:eyes:

[craigmatic]

7. What ae you going to do about it? Since you're so willing to denounce others.

[bobbolink]

11. You don't know me, do you? I have been very active in this as long as I've been on DU.

Rather than getting all defensive, why don't you start caring about poor folk, and find out what YOU can do, right where you are?

[craigmatic]

12. I didn't hear any speciffics from you.

Besides I do do charity work. I just gave blood yesterday. I volunteer with the local children's baseball team. I give to charity. Like I said I don't live in that town as a matter of fact it's damn near 70 miles away and it's not my local community.

[superduperfarleft]

13. I see you've met bobbolink. n/t

[craigmatic]

15. Yes I'm guessing he's always this difficult, huh?

[bobbolink]

14. I'm sure you could find something helpful to do on behalf of those suffering people, if you choose.

But, of course.. that just wouldn't measure up to baseball, would it?

[EstimatedProphet]

8. After having lived there, I'm not surprised one bit.