Christine, maybe you would be willing to examine my conscience for me, with respect to beggars. I don't know what it's like in SF, in DC (NOT Northern Virginia, but DC proper) there are cadres of people begging on the streets who are well dressed, clean, with clean shoes, not encumbered by shopping carts or garbage bags full of possessions. In fact, many of them look quite slick. I always pass them by without giving them anything. I NEVER pass by someone who, in my opinion, looks down-and-out. But, today as I passed a man by, I wondered, should I just take him at face value? If he says he needs money, should I just give him some, as it may be that he actually is homeless and hungry, even though he looks well-fed, well-kempt, and well-clothed? You have a kinder heart than I do, what would you do?
They really bother me when they congregate around the museums, and at night, I feel threatened when they come up to me.
(The reason we don't have beggars in Northern Virginia is that the police stop them and either make them go to a shelter, or if they won't, make them move on, or arrest them.) |
