Technosavant
Member
Biker said:No. It was stated that 99% were faking it. Are some? Sure. But if it is stated that a certain percentage are, especially 99%, I want to see some damn proof.
Biker
Every shred of information I have ever seen shows that such activity is a choice, not a life into which a person was forced. In the St. Louis area alone, there are a number of places which can and will provide housing and training for homeless people seeking to better their lot in life. Every single time I come across someone asking for cash for whatever reason, they are not interested in help to get to these places. They want cash- they say it is for food, hotel, gas, etc., but they want cash.
Maybe your area has the only truly down and out homeless veterans in the US. Maybe mine has the only guys who aren't. I don't know. But it is remarkable easy for these guys to lie to get what they want, and they do. A previous poster mentioned how some guys ask for details, which they are most often unable to provide.
If something I have said offended you, then I apologize (your tone is getting rather stern). But as I said, in my experience (and I have a decent amount), you can't trust a single word said by a transient who is begging for money. If you wish to believe them, so be it, but understand that many of the rest of us are saving our compassion for places where it will do some good.