New bans on panhandling in medians spark debate over free speech rights.

MediaBiasFactChecker Bot , 1 month ago

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dan1101 , 1 month ago

“People think homeless people are lazy, and they are not lazy. This is hard work.”

It probably is hard being out there in all sorts of weather. But it’s not a productive endeavor, it contributes nothing to society. I can also see it is dangerous and distracting to have people hanging out and moving around so close to traffic. Cars and pedestrians don’t mix well.

ShepherdPie , 1 month ago

“Not a productive endeavor” could be a classification for thousands of businesses that exist and make money. That just seems like a weak justification for attacking a marginalized group.

Safety issues are a concern but for example in my city, firefighters often have a “fill the boot” fundraiser where they run around cars at stoplights trying to get people to put money into a boot that they’re carrying around. This is no different than pan handling, except one group is viewed more favorably than the other and safety doesn’t seem to be such an issue with the favored group.

anon6789 , 1 month ago

But it’s not a productive endeavor, it contributes nothing to society.

What is it that the homeless owe to society?

VirtualOdour , 1 month ago

There needs to be some useful and productive way for homeless to make money, ideally open schemes in which anyone regardless of status can participate without restrictive conditions and expectations.

FlyingSquid , 1 month ago

But it’s not a productive endeavor, it contributes nothing to society.

Damn right. What do they think they’re doing while I’m on the way to Hooters to drink a giant pitcher of beer?!

Bgugi , 1 month ago

this is hard work

Cool, so it is commerce, then? Subject to laws and regulations?

VirtualOdour , 1 month ago

Seeing them walking in the road at traffic lights takes me so long to get used to when visiting the US, they’re less intense than the people who hang around outside shops begging though.

I don’t think shuffling them around and making everyone find new places to beg will help anything, the solution is two things. For those fhat need it mental health help plus education and tools to enable simple living, then material helps to get into a dwelling and develop a meaningful and sustainable lifestyle.

FlyingSquid , 1 month ago

They aren’t shuffling them around. They are arresting them and putting them in private prisons, because slavery is still legal in the U.S. if you’re a prisoner and private prisons have quotas.

None of that is sarcasm.

some_guy , 1 month ago

This isn’t about speech. This is about location. I can see why this would be considered a safety issue. Medians weren’t designed for people to stand in them. They’re designed to separate traffic and facilitate signage, light poles, etc.

I’m against the criminalization of homelessness, but this isn’t that.

callouscomic , 1 month ago

You don’t have a right to be in dangerous public places, and you don’t have a right to solicit and harass.

Also rich countries should have no issue reducing income inequality but I guess we’re too stupid.

Wilzax , 1 month ago

Just ban begging and institute proper Universal housing and Universal basic income.

I’d rather give money to the poor through taxes than directly.

dwemthy , 1 month ago

Yes UBI, no ban

HubertManne , 1 month ago

its great to hear someone else say this. I feel exactly the same. Taxes don't bother me as long as they are used to make a society Im happy to live in.