Web Search powered by Yahoo! SEARCH
And somewhere in the Bible - Leviticus, I think - God makes it clear that he who selleth the pigburger shall be, lo!, twice blessed.(Good luck to the man, seriously. But one chuckles when commercial enterprises are given a spiritual veneer.)
You answer your own questions, Mr. Cagle, albeit in far too gentle a fashion. The college athlete has been for decades an absurdly pampered darling. If he can play, classes are unimportant and license is happily given to ignore them (I worked with enough UT students to know this is true). The entitlement bestowed upon these people is shameful, and it's something of a joke that we be stunned when they...well, do whatever the hell they want. Why shouldn't they? They've been given absolutely no reason to believe that there are expectations applied to them beyond throwing the damn ball well. Here's a thought: make participation in sports contingent on grades and behavior. I think that used to be done, in fact. Long, long ago.
Novi - get me not wrong. I stopped handing out dollar bills and change long ago too, usually saying a variation on the comment you use. My main thing is the root of the prob and I think that root is nestled under the stained floor of the Greyhound depot. It's the portal for fresh homeless to try their luck in downtown Knox, and the article's plan can't succeed with such an ever-shifting crowd. Hell, yeah, say 'no'. Just don't expect the open hands to stop. They just rolled into town and don't know how savvy we are.
This is a good column and a very nice plan indeed. I've read of this proposal before, in fact, somewhere here in the MP. And, like then, it strikes me as naive. I left Knox last year but my memories of the homeless/panhandlers remain vivid. Mostly I recall the constant influx of new blood on the 100 block, so near to the Greyhound drop-off point. The suggested strategy might have a chance were the begging populace fairly native. But it ain't, and the tide of transient homeless hitting Gay daily isn't slowing down, or at least wasn't during my time. From my experience this tide is out for a buck, and not awfully interested in joining up with a helpful organization that would require commitment. Also: how many in need, do you think, are actually unaware that services exist to help them? Many do know, you know. They just want no part of it. A lot of homeless seek specialized help, to be sure. Just as many, if not more, don't. They're OK with asking for cash because it's a way of life for them, they are disinclined to give it up because a few lucky hits buy a bottle, and they will get increasingly aggressive when turned down. As for the remarks recommended to be uttered when approached - go for it. But don't be stunned when the importuning soul shuffles away before you get to, "...nor qualified..."
