[Weebl]

Then they get a one way ticket to SF.

[MaximusJ]

Well I was pissed off and just slammed the sub in the garbage that was right next to me.

You're trying to help, but they dont need your help. Like they are living like that by personnal choice. That I can respect, but the guy was begging for money for food when I got in the sub place; I thought about skipping a step and giving him the food directly.

I understood that the money wasnt for food. Even his dog would had enjoyed that sub. But no; against his values.

[The1]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

Well I was pissed off and just slammed the sub in the garbage that was right next to me.

You're trying to help, but they dont need your help. Like they are living like that by personnal choice. That I can respect, but the guy was begging for money for food when I got in the sub place; I thought about skipping a step and giving him the food directly.

I understood that the money wasnt for food. Even his dog would had enjoyed that sub. But no; against his values.

Yeah, you'd be surprised how much pan handlers make as well, they aren't exactly starving in the major cities. It's the homeless who don't beg and are sick that are the ones that need the help. There was a story about some bums that were living in nice condos downtown toronto a few years back. They were doing so well they could afford nice places.

[dcstep]

Occasionally I'll give money, but I usually try to resist. Many have chosen that way of life. A couple of panhandlers in Denver that have prime spots make over $40,000 annually.

I was local chairman of a Salvation Army Advisory Board for several years and gained an in-depth knowledge of the "business" of begging. Both the providers and receivers have their roles. The providers put much effort into separating the "professional" lifers from those newly down on their luck. Being in that community, active every day is helpful in making decisions about who to help and who to pass on in the allocation of limited funds. As people not in that world, we're not equipped to distinguish one beggar from another. The pros and the truly destitute look pretty much alike to the untrained.

Generally, I'd recommend helping in a structured way, such as serving in a soup kitchen or giving money to a homeless shelter or donating to a food bank. Those organizations have feet on the ground in the homeless and financially stressed communities and can give the best assurance that you gifts are spent as wisely as possible. There are lots of ways to help, so find an organization that serves a role that's of interest to you personally.

Dave

[The1]

I went the soup kitchen route, the people that go will surprise you. As simple as an entire family who are employed but not making enough to feed the whole family every day of the week, to people off the street.

Definitely one of the best things you can do for the homeless/needy.

It's hard to tell really in this economy right now.

Another study in Toronto showed 3/4 of the panhandlers were using money for addiction. Of an avg income of about 600$ monthly, 200$ were going to drugs alcohol and tobacco.

[dcstep]

On a happier note:


Young woman on a beautiful but spirited horse by dcstep, on Flickr

[The1]

Ahh, very Colorado.

Nice shot Dave.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by dcstep

...or donating to a food bank. Those organizations have feet on the ground in the homeless and financially stressed communities and can give the best assurance that you gifts are spent as wisely as possible.

This. Local food banks make your donation go a long way. They're a great way to help out your local community and be sure your money is being well spent. A local supermarket sells $5 food bags (paper bags filled with food) for the needy every holiday season, but the local food bank would rather have your $5 in cash because they can buy in bulk and make it go further.

[Weebl]

Why trim the bushes when you can do this instead. My diversion from duties today.

[Itsed65]

Nice bug!

Carl lazing in the morning sunlight...shot inside my house with the 400 5.6. Not really optimal, but the camera was laying on the kitchen counter and I was just far enough away for minimum focus distance. Came out pretty good I think.

20130317-AQ4E2565 by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[Weebl]

"Dude, you woke me up! There was this SD90 MAC and I was driving it!"
Those guys are so pretty.

[triton3k]

80/365 BX15

365 PROJECT DAY 80 by Denn-Ice, on Flickr

[The1]

Originally Posted by Weebl

"Dude, you woke me up! There was this SD90 MAC and I was driving it!"
Those guys are so pretty.

I think you need to get yourself am electric model train set, I think you'd love it...

[panicos81]

My view on Cyprus at the moment!!

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by panicos81

My view on Cyprus at the moment!!

Great picture!

It's interesting, the problem with Cyprus is no larger than the losses that Chase had with one FX bet last year. To the Euro zone, it's a drop in the bucket and yet they, the EU, are risking the whole system by penalizing depositors as a solution for what is essentially caused by bad loans to Greece. In the US, we had a bailout of most large failed banks and systemically important financial institutions, including insurance companies and non-bank money market issuers, etc. The US bailout recognized the need for confidence in the monetary system. The bailout actually worked and most of the money has been paid back with positive returns. Even Fannie and Freddie have started paying back their debt.

Anyway, the EU seems to be thinking that just because Cyprus is small that they can treat it cavalierly. However, things don't work that way. Depositors may see the signal that it's not safe to put their cash in Greece, Spain, etc. and the downward spiral will be reinforced and even accelerated. Cyprus needs the same kind of support that Greece received.

Dave

[Weebl]

Originally Posted by The1

I think you need to get yourself am electric model train set, I think you'd love it...

You're a train nerd for knowing what that meant.

Panicos,
OOOOOH
You should have wrote a message on the duck as a secondary shot. That is a well done photo.

[panicos81]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Great picture!

It's interesting, the problem with Cyprus is no larger than the losses that Chase had with one FX bet last year. To the Euro zone, it's a drop in the bucket and yet they, the EU, are risking the whole system by penalizing depositors as a solution for what is essentially caused by bad loans to Greece. In the US, we had a bailout of most large failed banks and systemically important financial institutions, including insurance companies and non-bank money market issuers, etc. The US bailout recognized the need for confidence in the monetary system. The bailout actually worked and most of the money has been paid back with positive returns. Even Fannie and Freddie have started paying back their debt.

Anyway, the EU seems to be thinking that just because Cyprus is small that they can treat it cavalierly. However, things don't work that way. Depositors may see the signal that it's not safe to put their cash in Greece, Spain, etc. and the downward spiral will be reinforced and even accelerated. Cyprus needs the same kind of support that Greece received.

Dave

thanks dave,

you are absolutely correct. the problem is more than financial.. after we found that we are sitting on billions worth of gas and oil the fight for it has begun and we are stuck in the middle. the problem is geopolitical and not financial anymore. but if you can control the finances you can control everything and germany wont let russia be the monopoly in gas as it is now.

Originally Posted by Weebl

You're a train nerd for knowing what that meant.

Panicos,
OOOOOH
You should have wrote a message on the duck as a secondary shot. That is a well done photo.

thank you and you are right Kevin. i'll see if i can come up with a catchy line

[M_Six]

Cool picture, panicos. Well done.

I think the Germans, who have become the main source of bailout funding, are more Tea Party types who don't like the idea of bailing out banks. Even less so when those banks are filled with Russian money. For their part, the Russian gov't isn't thrilled with their wealthy citizens hiding money in Cypriot banks, so watching them fail and thus driving Russian investors to more transparent (read:taxable) options is a plus in their minds.

The whole oil\gas control thing between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots is a mess. It's easy for folks like us who aren't there to say just get along and everybody wins, but that is overlooking hundreds of years of historical baggage between the two sides.

I'm surprised that this whole thing hasn't taken more of a hit on the world markets. Maybe everyone thinks in the end the EU won't let the Cypriot banks fail, so no need to panic.

[Itsed65]

Well it's not an SD90MAC, but will an SD70ACE do?
Here is one pulling a whole bunch of shiny new cars...

20130223-AQ4E1435 by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[Weebl]

There aren't any 90's out this way are there?
I was thinking of going to Mtz marina today for that. I like the colors of UP.

[triton3k]

81/365 Mr. Cope

365 PROJECT DAY 81 by Denn-Ice, on Flickr

[The1]

Originally Posted by Weebl

You're a train nerd for knowing what that meant.

Lol, I like model trains, but really don't know that many.


Different phases of life. Once I own a house with a basement, that's when it may get interesting with train sets.