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I'm not sure it's possible to have a civil discussion about the homeless issue in SF. Many of the 'homeless' really enjoy their lifestyle- it never gets that co

by teen 11y ago

I'm not sure it's possible to have a civil discussion about the homeless issue in SF. Many of the 'homeless' really enjoy their lifestyle- it never gets that cold, they can hang out all day and do drugs, and have lots of social services available to them if anything ever gets too bad. Mix those people in with people who are genuinely struggling to survive, and a bunch of wealthier residents, you get a perfect storm on the internet. Criticize one group, and you're instantly an asshole. Or maybe you were an asshole to begin with. The internet loves the drama though.

tptacek 11y ago
It's a storm in reality, not just on the Internet.
pmiller2 11y ago
> Many of the 'homeless' really enjoy their lifestyle- it never gets that cold, they can hang out all day and do drugs, and have lots of social services available to them if anything ever gets too bad. I don't see too much wrong with that. If someone's living on the streets because they like it, more power to 'em. As far as services go, it's almost a logical consequence of having them that a certain few are going to abuse them. I'd rather accept that than have people who truly need and want help not get it.
- kelnos 11y ago
  I've gone back and forth on this, and I'm still not sure how I feel. On one hand, I do believe we should let people live how they want, as long as that doesn't negatively impact other people (simple Golden Rule type thing). But then that's it -- out of the homeless people who genuinely prefer that lifestyle, does that negatively impact other people? And it's hard to answer that, because I think a lot of the discomfort about homeless people surrounds people defecating on the sidewalk, people asking for money, and the mentally ill yelling obscenities and freaking people out... etc. So the the question becomes: if we could help the people who do not want to be homeless, including those who have mental health issues, and get them off the streets and into places where they can heal, what would be left? If the remainder is just people who like the homeless lifestyle, would that be ok? Would non-homeless people feel comfortable with that? I don't know the answer to that, even on a personal level.

by teen 11y ago

tptacek 11y ago

It's a storm in reality, not just on the Internet.

pmiller2 11y ago

> Many of the 'homeless' really enjoy their lifestyle- it never gets that cold, they can hang out all day and do drugs, and have lots of social services available to them if anything ever gets too bad. I don't see too much wrong with that. If someone's living on the streets because they like it, more power to 'em. As far as services go, it's almost a logical consequence of having them that a certain few are going to abuse them. I'd rather accept that than have people who truly need and want help not get it.

kelnos 11y ago
I've gone back and forth on this, and I'm still not sure how I feel. On one hand, I do believe we should let people live how they want, as long as that doesn't negatively impact other people (simple Golden Rule type thing). But then that's it -- out of the homeless people who genuinely prefer that lifestyle, does that negatively impact other people? And it's hard to answer that, because I think a lot of the discomfort about homeless people surrounds people defecating on the sidewalk, people asking for money, and the mentally ill yelling obscenities and freaking people out... etc. So the the question becomes: if we could help the people who do not want to be homeless, including those who have mental health issues, and get them off the streets and into places where they can heal, what would be left? If the remainder is just people who like the homeless lifestyle, would that be ok? Would non-homeless people feel comfortable with that? I don't know the answer to that, even on a personal level.