One of the most depressing things I`ve ever seen

[rhino47]

I got up early to get some fishing in before the kids woke up.
I went to my favorite fishing hole .When I got there I noticed a man ,woman and two kids already there .No problem I just moved down a bit further.I wasnt really paying attention to them but when I caught a nice bass the younger kid shyly came up to me and asked me if I was going to keep it.I always release so I said no.Here they were not fishing for fun .They were fishing for food.I gave the kid the fish.Its so sad.The father is locked out of his job .He cant get unemployment.His wife makes mim wage working in housekeeping in a nursing home.They cant get food stamps because the father was caught selling a bag of weed when he was 18.I have a feeling this isnt that uncommon.I was very grateful that the fish were biting this morning.I slipped 86.00 in their car on the way home.I feel bad but that was all the cash I had on me.

[JSJ]

1. what's really depressing...

...is that a family could gain sustinance from the land around him. Corporate encroachment on green areas has turned this once guaranteed means of survival to shit.

[rhino47]

3. I live in western Pa

Ridge did a good job of trying to screw up the enviroment here.
Believe me when I say we were glad to be rid of him.But ashamed to unleash him on the entire country.
Ridge couldnt even carry his own county for *.

[izzie]

17. Wait to we get all the 'junk' science in and see what your state is like.

They are really pushing the flat world into all the science places now. You know do you like Bush? OK you can work at the NIH. God help us all as these people take over the rest of the science stuff.

[tom_paine]

38. Nazi/Soviet Science. Yes, that is one of the MANY dangers the Imperials

prsdent.

Every hear of Lomarckism? Lysenko-ism?

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=13567

http://skepdic.com/lysenko.html

That is a prime example of where Bushevik "Science" is taking us.

Straight to the Dark Ages.

Straight to the same fucking hell the witch-burners, Nazis and Soviets created using the same tenets.

[HootieMcBoob]

41. What part of western PA?

Just curious. That's where I grew up. I'm from Washington, PA about 25 miles or so SW of Pittsburgh. It's a very depressed area yet there are still a lot of conservatives there. Washington country did however go for Gore in 2000. The local newspaper is to the right of Fox News which helps to keep them ignorant.

[rhino47]

68. I live on pymatuning lake

Its about 2 hours north of washington pa.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. You did the right thing

When Kerry is president, I hope that folks like this will have a chance at life once again.

[Devils Advocate NZ]

4. Thank you.

Your act of kindness makes all humanity just a little bit better. Hopefully one day they will be able to pass on the kindness.

[demnan]

5. How lucky they were to encounter you

How many people did they meet today would have given them fresh caught fish and every dollar in his pocket.

[Voice_of_Europe]

6. 3 good deeds

Congratulations...
I personally disapprove hooking fish only for fun, so I'm glad you gave them away to actually be eaten.

- Not cruel to animal
- Giving away food
- Giving away a nice share of money

You have a good heart.

[murielm99]

7. If you sell a bag of weed at 18, you aren't allowed to

feed yourself or your family forever after?

I know our drug laws are too punitive and stupid, but what is this?

Everyone else seems to be taking this for granted, but this is the first time I have ever heard of such a thing.

Where is this a law? What state? Everywhere?

[rhino47]

9. He was from ohio

If you have a drug offense you are not allowed public assistance.This is what I gather from what he said.I think its also the law here in PA.Anyone know if its every state or not?

[soup]

12. Yes. It appears to be Federal law.

Federal welfare law includes a lifetime ban on TANF and Food Stamps for individuals convicted of drug felonies.
http://www.fcnetwork.org/fatherhood/mukamal.html

The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) is located in the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families and oversees the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program which was created by the Welfare Reform Law of 1996. TANF became effective July 1, 1997, and replaced what was then commonly known as welfare: Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) programs.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides assistance and work opportunities to needy families by granting states the federal funds and wide flexibility to develop and implement their own welfare programs.
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ofa/


Post-release barriers

Participants noted that many former prisoners face a number of practical barriers to securing employment, including limited education, alcohol and/or other drug dependency, poor information on what services are available to them and what they are precluded from accessing, and, additionally, a very high rate of employer discrimination. As one participant noted, employer discrimination is quite high, with as many as two-thirds of employers asked in the context of one study stating that they would not knowingly hire someone who has a criminal record.

In addition to these issues, numerous policy and legal changes over the past years have made it increasingly difficult for individuals with criminal records to secure employment. Individuals who have certain convictions can face restrictions on, or be fully denied access to, numerous support services, including TANF, food stamps, housing, and housing assistance. To the extent that individuals are involved in state-sanctioned programs, these are frequently programs required as a condition of their release and may conflict with one another in terms of both time
and financial obligation. These requirements can be overwhelming for individuals who are recently released from prison to manage, as they try to find employment that is sufficiently stable and well paying to meet these myriad obligations. In addition, individuals may be legally denied access to various kinds of occupational and other licenses and specific areas of employment. Finally, participants emphasized the increasing ease with which a person’s criminal record can be accessed by employers and by the general public, both through credit reports and through state-based public listings (e.g., Internet registries of individuals with particular kinds of conviction records and/or broader listings of current and former prisoners).
http://www.cffpp.org/publications/incarceration_barriers.html

[GOPisEvil]

35. Yes, this is true, but only for the individual involved.

His family should still be elligible, if they meet all other criteria.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

13. "If you sell a bag of weed at 18, you aren't allowed to"

feed yourself or your family forever after?<<

How about a DUI? AWOL, Selling your shares in your own company and then watch the other investors take it up the backside?? Can you still run for office?? Yeah.. there is something terribly wrong and it needs fixing.

[lastliberalintexas]

49. Yep, and it also applies

to people who apply for student loans/financial aid for schools.

[booksenkatz]

8. Even sadder

My husband never keeps what he catches, either, because we'd be afraid to eat any fish caught from around here. The mercury levels are ungodly. So these unfortunate folks have to resort to poisoning themselves just to stay alive... depressing.

[teryang]

10. It rained real hard yesterday

So on the way home from work, I got a new insight into the number of homeless in my area. It is about four or five times greater than what I thought it was. Because of the poor drainage in the area, all the homeless came out into the sidewalks and streets, crowding into doorways and under the eaves of stores and abandoned buildings. I don't know the numbers but it was pretty distressing. Most of them wore garbarge bags in a futile attempt to stay dry.

If one is convicted of misdemeamor cannibis possession in Florida, you lose your drivers license for two years. That really helps someone to earn a living and stay out of trouble. (sarcasm)

[rhino47]

14. Yet repigs wonder why there are so many repeat offenders

If you take away a persons support system after they paid their debt what choice do they have but to turn back to crime?
grrrr this makes me soooo mad.Such stupidity hurts not only the offender but his family.If a bag of weed is worth a persons entire life then what is ken lay up for?
I wonder what the number on homelessness is since * stole the election.Time to google for me.

[merh]

56. I've worked in the system ...

Not only do they resort to the only thing they know to make a living, there are hundreds that commit petty crimes to be picked up during the extremely hot times in summers and in the winter during cold snaps. 3 meals and a cot is not really what they are after, it is a place to survive.

Then you have those with illnesses and no insurance and the hassle of medicaid (prescription costs to high) - they commit crimes to get their meds.

We live in a truly cheney up'd society. Just as the land fills are filling and growing, so too are the prisons and the nursing homes. Disposable society, toss it away and don't worry about it. Out of sight out of mind.
:cry:

[lastliberalintexas]

48. Unless one is named

Noelle Bush.

[laylah]

11. Bless your heart...

what a kind thing to do...:hug:

Jenn

[rhino47]

15. Thanks Jenn

To be honest though this family haunts me.I cried the whole way home.This has disturbed me greatly.I feel enough hasnt been done.

[jukes]

27. rhino47

i understand your pain. how sad for these people.

you did good. sometimes a small act of kindness is all we can give, but those kids ate that night!

[3trievers]

16. kudos

Your act of kindness leaves me with a warm feeling as I leave the comfort of my home.You have rekindled my sense of compassion and I thankyou.

[Justice]

18. Depressing But Your Actions Were Inspiring

By paying attention to those around you, you reached out and made a difference.

[dumpster_baby]

19. They couldn't happen in most European countries

They take care of their own.....

[NC_Nurse]

20. This story is depressing on so many levels...

the one bright spot is you! Bless you for your compassion and generosity!

I had no idea about that drug law - Jeebus, what a scary country this has turned out to be!

I'm so glad we're supporting the extrememly rich instead of these obviously evil drug criminals.:eyes:

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[soup]

22. cue the music?

Sounds like you're telling him to 'hit the road, Jack.'

Yeah, that'll help.

[Flubadubya]

24. Oh yes! Praise be to Bush...

All hope resides in Bush. This poor man can expect a rosey future compliments of Bush. The "weed man" needn't worry about a thing, his boat will surely be lifted because of the tax breaks given to mega-millionaires by our wise and compassionate leader, Bush. Just tell him to hang in there; jobs just abound profusely because of the sagacious leadership of Bush. All hail Bush! (sarcasm off)

In light of the REAL compassion shown by the author of this thread, Bush really shines, doesn't he jackmercer? :puke:

[Kathy in Cambridge]

25. Bullshit

Only 112,000 jobs were created last month, and there are far more unemployed people who have dropped off the unemployment rolls that we don't hear about. We need to create 350,000 per month to keep up with those entering the work force.

Instead of just spewing your RW talking points, why don't you respond to DUers who question your bullshit?

[Az]

31. There should be a Walmart opening in his neck of the woods any time now

Yeeha....

[calico1]

23. Very good of you

Unfortunately a lot of people in these circumstances don't vote.

[NJCher]

26. So glad you told me about this!!

Now when I purchase a bag of pot, I'll stop myself and say, "Hey, you never know when you might need food stamps. Better not buy that bag!!"

You see, I'm a criminal who thinks and plans in advance!!

Thank you, rhino47, for being a good person and doing what you did.


Cher

[Guaranteed]

29. Yeah, maybe the guy should go back to selling pot. nt

[MarianJack]

28. But Wait!

The economy is getting better isn't it?

[against all enemies]

30. Of course they can't eat more than one fish a month...

due to mercury contamination, thanks Georgie and your power company friends.

[JayS]

61. If you don't eat the meat from the ribcage and the...

...backbone area and you let the juices drip away from the fish, then you will most likely be okay.

[LunaC]

32. You're a very kind soul!

You have my respect and admiration for being so aware of their plight and unhesitatingly generous. If only there were more of you in the world.....<sigh>

[rhino47]

33. GOOD NEWS !

My neighbor is a member of the local Lions club.He told me that
the Lions will pay their rent .The locals also did a mini food drive for them.Does that rock or what?

[Lavender Brown]

34. That's wonderful

and that was good of you to help them out too. :hug:

[LynzM]

40. That's cool

Glad you could find some help for them. I hope the kindness comes back around to you!

[Red State Rebel]

42. Ya done good! :) n/m

[Red State Rebel]

43. Ya done good! :) n/m

[PopSixSquish]

44. Bless You!

I have goosebumps reading this thread. You've done a wonderful thing.

[Unperson 309]

54. GOD BLESS THE LIONS!!!

Lions Clubs International! GOD BLESS THEM!

The Lions have come through time after time after time!

Folks, if you aren't members, go check them out! These groups are WONDERFUL! They step in and help not only in America, but in other countries with eyeglasses and donated eye care. They save peoples' eyesight and give new vision to those who have never seen clearly.

DONATE your old eyeglasses to the Lions and support their hard work!

309

[kimchi]

57. You are a kind soul.

Bless you for helping others. The world would be a better place if we each practiced such random kindness.

[wtmusic]

75. awesome

sometimes you can make a difference. Good work :thumbsup:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

36. God Bless you rhino47...you gave my heart a needed boost this AM

:hug:

[Buns_of_Fire]

37. Just when I'm about *this* far from giving up on humanity...

someone like you comes along and screws up all my plans to move to a nice cave in the woods and be a misanthropic hermit. So okay, humanity -- I'm gonna give you ONE MORE CHANCE (paid for by rhino47 and the local Lion's club). Don't blow it.

You did good. From this one small insignificant hillbilly in Appalachia, I thank you. And as a believer in Karma, I believe your kindness will be rewarded tenfold.

:yourock:

[redqueen]

39. God bless you and your local Lion's Club

Sad that there isn't more of a social safety net, but it seems true Christian values aren't very important to the GOP.

So glad they just happened to be near your spot. (I can't help but think it's providence.)

:yourock:

[3rdParty]

45. How much weed can you buy for $86?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

52. Your words puzzle me. Please clarify. (nt)

[chiburb]

59. It appears it hasn't been out from under the bridge...

in over 6 months. Funny how this is the thread it chooses to surface in?

[Beearewhyain]

46. You exemplify why Liberal doesn't need the qualifying term...

"compassionate" in front. It was a very good thing you did and is worthy of emulation and praise.

:yourock:

[UdoKier]

47. Wow that's sad. I couldn't afford to give $8.60 much less $86.00...

You have nothing to be ashamed of - you're truly blessed.

We struggle to get by in an apartment here in overpriced California, but we have enough food at least.

Sad.

[Unperson 309]

50. Thank you and BLESS you!

It's this sort of "rubber meets the road" grassroots giving that keeps people afloat.

We NEED to get these assholes OUT of power before thousands MORE families fall through the ice. It sucks MAJORLY that such things have to happen.

309

"In giving alms, let your left hand know not what your right hand is doing." -- Jesus of Nazareth

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

51. Can't get food stamps coz father caught selling bag of weed when he was 18

JUST. PLAIN. EVIL. :mad:

[JayS]

62. At least the War On Drugs keeps us safe! :) n/t

:)

[Solly Mack]

53. You did a good thing.

Thank you. I really believe that a good done for one is a good done for all. Every good action matters and makes the world better for everyone. You've touched my life today and I thank you.

[Longhorn]

55. You're inspiring!

Thanks for sharing your incredible morning with us!

[Skittles]

58. *sniff*

this should not happen, not in America, not anywhere.

[BigMcLargehuge]

60. It's a kind act like yours Rhino, that gives me strength

[Blue-Jay]

63. It may have been depressing to YOU,

but this is one of the most inspirational things I've ever read. MOre people should be like you. Thank you for making my otherwise shitty day a whole lot better, Rhino.

I hope they get the help they need.

[patdem]

64. The poor can't AFFORD to be poor!!!!

In countries with poverty levels that are starting to be created in this country you can pop up some lean to and farm the land around you if you can...here they have housing codes and zones and all things geared to keep the most poverty stricken out of being able to fend for themselves...I agree this is truly dispicable and GOOD for you for what you did!!!! :grr: but :bounce: for you!

[Gregorian]

65. Yes, but where is the depression and discussion

regarding the MILLIONS who are DYING of STARVATION, around the world. America is not even worth talking about. I continue to feel hopeless that we talk about Bush, and war, and jobs, while these people are suffering intensely.
I hear you. And it IS sad. But why does it seem to only make the radar screen when it's about America?

[soup]

66. Giving this a kick

Not because it's depressing, but to share the goodness in the heart of rhino47 and the local Lions Club.

The difference made in the life of one family today, through a chance encounter with one kind and caring soul, is just an incredible story.

thank you, rhino47.

:kick:

[rhino47]

67. The last good news update.

The Good Shepard Center has insured that this family will have school supplies and clothing.They will also insure future food and medical care until they get on their feet.Good Shepard is a co-op of local churches that give without preaching.They run a free medical clinic,food bank , and small used clothing,household goods shop.
The local dr that volunteers for good shepard gave the father a job in the medical clinic in the maintenance department.He starts next week.I am so glad things worked out ok for this family.But how many more are there that are worse off ?
This totally haunts me.

[vetwife]

71. Oh Goodness..Working with three families ..all vets all elderly !

2 homeless.....You have no idea ! Its all over !
Thats why I push so very hard..And the Faith Based junk is a joke !
I am a preachers kid..I know how it is supposed to work......But we are living with churches who worship Bush instead of God.
Hunger, homeless, out of work, out of luck and many I deal with are VERY SUICIDAL !

[rhino47]

73. Kick

:kick: for your thoughtfulness and work with the vets ! These people served our country and this is the treatment they get back? Homeless without the meds they need the food they deserve.The companionship they seek.This is an outrage.
I know what you mean about faith based orgs.The price for a free cup of soup is a fire and brimstone sermon.On top of that a few kicks and judgment for the person for letting themselves get into their current situation.This one in greenville though does not judge in order to help.In fact the times I`ve been there I havent heard one single word about religion.Jewish to Catholics and one atheist volunteer there so it would get ugly if allot of religion would be discussed.I wish there was more that I personally could do to help.My husband and I talked about putting up a trailer in the back acres to give to a person that is homeless until they are on their feet.Im having problems with the zoning though.The trailer would have to be 70 feet according to the zoning and the roads will not take one that long.
I have long thought about this.My children just because of where they were born have a much better chance in life then others.It is so unjust.Last summer I had a fresh air child from nyc that begged me to stay.It was the hardest thing to put her back on the bus.I just wasnt able to let her stay.Her mother was against it.I sent her back to streets she cant walk down,to driveby shootings and a sense of hopelessness.The hopelessness I think was the greatest crime.
sorry for the rant .

[vetwife]

69. Thank you and Bless you..They will never forget !

This is happening everywhere ! Only we on the left care though, for the most part.

[knitter4democracy]

70. Another thought

Do you have a local yarn shop in your town? They would know if you have a local TKGA (The Knitting Guild Association) guild chapter in your area. You can also check www.tkga.com, but it's not always up-to-date. Shoot, the yarn shop owner might do something to help out anyway. Anyway, the local knitters and crocheters often want to help out the homeless and poor with handmade warm items (socks, sweaters, hats, mittens, afghans, that kind of thing) but don't know where to donate. I would start talking with the local yarn shop(s) to see if you can get them to help out.

Another place to check out would be Warm Up America, a great group that puts together afghans for anyone who needs them. A family with young children needs them.

[rhino47]

72. Hi Knitter Welcome to DU

:hi: :hi: :hi:
you know that is a really good idea!
Thanks for the link.I will check into it.I knit some.Not well but I can do the basics.

[PA Democrat]

74. The right wing is all about punishment rather than solutions

Building more prisons hasn't reduced crime.
Executing more prisoners hasn't reduced murder.
Mandatory sentences for drug offenses hasn't reduced illegal drug use.

So how will forcing that guys kid to go to bed hungry solve any of this country's problems?

Bless you rhino. It gives me faith in humanity to see people who do more than just talk about compassion.