Amy Winehouse

Back to the subject of accountability: From last Thursday to this Wednesday, I was hit up no less than 6 times by the "needy." In Dodge City, KS, one guy was watching through the windows. As the truckers were signing their fuel tickets, some of them (myself included) got cash. As wecame out, he hit us up for money. "It's just a dollar," he insisted; I was hit up for some diesel fuel by a band of traveling musicians in Tucumcari, NM; In Winslow, AZ, it was a husband and wife team. "We are on our way back from a relative's funeral and our car broke down and was towed. We need moneyso my wife can get something to eat. She's diabetic;" In Bakersfield, CA, a man was standing in front of his 1980s Chevy full-sized conversion van, parked conveniently at the corner by the truck stop. The hood wasup. "Need Gas," read his sign. I didn't make eye contact, but glanced over out of the corner of my eye as I went past. He was telling me I wasnumber 1; Back to Albuquerque, NM, I was hit up by a young vagrant with a backpack. "I'm hungry. Can you give me some food off the truck?" And about an hour later, here came another husband and wife team. "Our car broke down and I sold our luggage (WTF???). I don't care about anything butgetting my pregnant wife some food. We'd like to get a motel room for the night, but I know that's a lot to ask." Six stories, one answer. No. If I give "just a dollar" to every panhandler who asks, I'm going to be standing on beggars row myself. "Hey, buddy, it's just adollar...." If I give food out my window to one vagrant, how many more will be beating on my truck door the remainder of the night? I'm sorry if those of you on this board think I'm a cruel, heartless bastard. The fact is, you can't save 'em all. And you won't save just one. There's a reason that zoos and national parks have signs that say "Don't feed the bears." If you do, they'll just keep looking forhandouts instead of fending for themselves. Now, if someone is stranded alongside the road and they need help, I'll stop if it's safe to do so. Or I'll call the highway patrol to go help themout if I can't. But the constant barrage of begging.... You know, maybe I'm cynical now because I see it so much. Just about every day. Every time I pull in a truck stop Isee the "beggars row" outside the driver entrance. Everyone's got a story. And I've got an answer: Can't help you. Sorry. Imagine if every day you went out your door to work and there was a bum standing on the corner of your drive. "Hey, buddy, got a dollar? It's just adollar." Day one would you give him a dollar? How about day two? Ten? How about when he tells his chums at the shelter where the soft-hearted mark lives? You invite 'em in for dinner? As a truck driver, that's what I put up with every day. You get fed so much bull that when someone really is in a temporary crisis and needs help, youdon't know. In Bakersfield, CA, I saw the same van with Ohio plates parked on that truck stop corner three weeks in a row. "Stranded. Need Gas. Need Food. God BlessYou," read the cardboard signs. The family was a dad, mom, and girl. The dad was dressed every detail a Menanite or Quaker. Then one week the van wasgone. But a few weeks later, it was back. Most truck drivers don't run a regular route. They didn't know it's just a scam. They gladly roll downtheir windows and hand out their money. In Albuquerque, the middle of the street in front of the truck stop. Same young guy. Same sign. "Hungry. Anything helps." You see him all hours ofthe day or night. Sometimes he's not there. But then next time you go through, he's back. It's his career. There is a cure for hunger, homelessness, and poverty. It's called work.

I think if you give them that buck, you're an enabler. "Just say NO"... You can teach a man to fish... <img src="http://www.ezboard.com/image/posticons/pi_freak.gif" alt="image">

Jeff your little popcorn eating icon made me lmao since thats how i feel on this thread. Mark<img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h10/bigdaddykarz/Gifs%202/bevis.gif" alt="image">

I did she her sing on the HDMTV channel and i must say she is as good as any MoTown singer i have ever heard before .. but her crack smoking is ashame..<img src="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/pimp.gif" alt="image">

Amy Winehouse - WTF!