New Crime in Columbia SC. Being Homeless

[TheTman]

The City Council last week passed an ordinance making being homeless a crime. They've even set up hotlines where you can report a homeless person. I guess they've got to do something with the FEMA camps, fill them with the homeless. The plan is to put them in a homeless shelter that can house 230 people, with about 3-4 times that many homeless in Columbia that need homes. With guards posted so they are unable to leave the premises.
Obama's policies are causing more people to lose jobs, lose their homes, and get tossed out into the streets, and now that will be illegal in Columbia to not have a home. Many of the homeless are Veterans.
What a bunch of bull manure.
http://freakoutnation.com/2013/08/20...eless-illegal/

[Longitude Zero]

I don't believe homelessness should be a crime. However they should not be excused from criminal culpability just because they are homeless. A recent Pell study showed that many who are homeless are homeless by CHOICE and not by circumstances. Those who are homeless by choice are part of the garbage of society.

[TheTman]

Why would someone choose to be homeless by choice unless they were mentally challenged? I suppose many don't want to live by the rules of various homeless shelters, and choose to live life "free" of the rules imposed on them by shelters. That probably includes the ability to get stinkin drunk or drugged out whenever they please. Not the most upstanding people in the community for sure. But should it be a crime? If they aren't bothering anyone?

[Bawanna]

I think each councilman (I'm sure they got councilwoman too) should take 5 homeless people home with them and take care of them.

It's the right thing to do.

[Bawanna]

I think since Ovomit has that big ole house he should take in all his son's and let them live there too. They could put beds in the bowling alley, buck beds in all the many rooms.

Maybe turn the Senate and Congressional buildings into flop houses too. They aren't being used for much good anyhow.

Just don't allow them to leave the premises. Since the joint will be trashed, we'll just build a new nations capital maybe someplace sensible like Kansas or Nebraska. Sorry to the folks that live there, might be a nice thing once we get a real president some day.

[Longitude Zero]

Why would someone choose to be homeless by choice unless they were mentally challenged?

Many if not most are perfectly sane. Multiple reasons, choice, attitude, laziness, shiftless etc. Most railroad riding hobo's live that life by choice as they claim to love the freedom of not being bound up with material possessions.

[jlottmc]

I agree LZ, and around here homelessness plays no part in the culpability of a criminal. Here we look at the culpable mental state involved in an offense.

There was a man around the San Antonio area that lived for many many years homeless by choice. He cleaned up his act for a few years, wrote a book about his experiences, then went back to it. Book was a good read, I just can't remember what his name was.

[Longitude Zero]

jlottmc if you recall the title of the author please let me know. It sounds like it might be an interesting read.

[burdicda]

This One ???

http://www.dallasnews.com/obituary-h...dies-at-75.ece

[muggsy]

Anyone can fall on hard times by various means, but those who are worth their salt don't stay homeless for very long.

[knkali]

Questions for LZ:

Since you cite there are many reasons sane people choose to be homeless, yet you call them the "garbage of society". If someone chooses to be homeless and are not culpable of any crimes, would they cease being garbage in your eyes? Many would call them free.......free to choose how they want to live.
Finally, what do you mean by garbage? My first reaction to your use of that word was one of being uncomfortable, but after more thought, I am not sure if that is warranted here.

[berettabone]

Why would someone choose to be homeless by choice unless they were mentally challenged? I suppose many don't want to live by the rules of various homeless shelters, and choose to live life "free" of the rules imposed on them by shelters. That probably includes the ability to get stinkin drunk or drugged out whenever they please. Not the most upstanding people in the community for sure. But should it be a crime? If they aren't bothering anyone?

In my area, they DO bother people.....they panhandle for money................they leave their garbage laying around............they camp out by the river, underneath the bridge, and turn it into a scumhole. Empty booze bottles laying all over the place. Being or wanting to be free is one thing...................being a scummy ******* is another.

[Longitude Zero]

Questions for LZ:

Since you cite there are many reasons sane people choose to be homeless, yet you call them the "garbage of society". If someone chooses to be homeless and are not culpable of any crimes, would they cease being garbage in your eyes? Many would call them free.......free to choose how they want to live.
Finally, what do you mean by garbage? My first reaction to your use of that word was one of being uncomfortable, but after more thought, I am not sure if that is warranted here.

I refer to them as garbage if they meet the following criteria:

1. They are able bodied and willfully choose to be bums and hobos.
2. They are receiving public assistance.

If they want the bum/hobo life then let them do it bare w/o my tax money feeding and perpetuating a cancer upon society. The fact is in my city the bums/hobos commit voluminous crimes and are frequent guests of the gray bar hotel. They are leaching off society by choice. That makes them garbage in my eyes and not worth sustaining them anymore.

To be off the garbage list is simple. Take NO public tax money assistance including social security/medicare/veterans benefits etc. Also you may not receive ANY extraordinary medical care at any ER, only basic life support and live an honest life and not be a leach by slurping up the benefits of being in jail.

knkali I know it is hard for most people who are not experienced in dealing with street people to comprehend but in the last 30+ years there is a growing menace on the streets. It is called the professional bum/hobo aka street criminal. The facts bear out that over 99% commit petty crimes virtually everyday.

If you are abled bodied and can work but choose to not work you are a leach/garbage upon society. Thus you have lost the privilege of eating and the end result of that is assuming room temperature. It is a harsh but very realistic point of view I will never vary from or apologize for.

[knkali]

when I said, "I am not sure if that is warranted here", I meant my feeling uncomfortable not your vernacular. Just to be clear.
I generally agree with you on this and always appreciate your straight forwardness and consistency in views.

The only thing I do not agree with you on is if they served our country they do deserve veteran benefits if eligible.
I also do not agree with the newest rage in youth activity which is beat the homeless(sometimes to death) and or light them on fire for entertainment.

[muggsy]

Liberals are major contributors to homelessness. They took the mentally ill out of asylums and have cost millions of people their jobs by voting for Obama. Their policy of if it feels good do it is ruining the country.