‪GRMarsdenPhotography's Channel‬‏ - YouTube

Play the video, which features Australian actress Lara Cox portraying a homeless woman, to raise public conciousness of their plight. Lara has also done a World Wildlife Fund commercial on behalf of the wombat. You may recognize her from such roles as Finn on, "The Lost World" or as the wife of the hero in, "The Marine 2" of which trailers are on the Net. The music is the lovely, "The First Time Ever I saw Your Face." She doesn't speak here, but can fake a US accent really well. In many of her roles, she's had to. But I really like her natural accent. Some of you may have seen her in a Lunesta commercial made in the US a few years ago. She originally wanted to teach, and is taking college classes in social work, to do if she leaves acting. I suspect that she donated her time and talent for this short film.

How do you feel about the homeless?

As a part-time security officer protecting an upscale mixed retail and professional center, I sometimes see them late at night. Some appear to be genuinely dangerous, quite probably real loonies. Other evoke compassion, although the police with whom I interact universally condemn them and try to run them off, as is necessary in that area. They tell me that most WANT to be homeless, and that many can get free meds for their conditions, but refuse to take them. Others are alcoholics or drug abusers.

I know one homeless guy who just can't find a job. When he does, it doesn't last, because he has a self centered attitude (often a little gruff and abrasive) and insists on wearing a scruffy beard and never getting a haircut. He's a relative, and I've offered to take him to my barber and pay, but he refuses. His appearance is some "statement" that he insists on making. His fantasy is to be one of those eccentric looking lawyers. I guess he thinks that's the look to have, in that role.

But I'm sure that some are on the streets just because they lost a job and can't find another. Some whole families have been victims of the economy.

How do you feel about these people, and what is the right solution for them, those willing to be helped? Should shelters be built for them? Where? They'd unquestionably diminish the neighborhoods where housed. Maybe they could be accomodated in existing public housing, if more such units were available. But those are hardly wonderful places, and I'm sure the neighbors have issues with the residents. Still, they are a fact. Expanding the residents might help. I really think that screening applicants could help those willing to better themselves, if given a chance.

I hope this won't be seen as a political post. It isn't meant that way. More as a philosophical issue, I guess.

A lot of the homeless around here are mentally ill. Very obviously so. Not sure what to do about that. Lock 'em up? Force feed 'em meds? Leave them be? Offer em basic services - place to eat and shower, etc?

I was shocked to read 168 homeless died on Auston streets last year. I had no idea it was so many.

How many died who weren't on the streets?

I recall an article in the New York Times a few years ago, it was about an individual who joined the ranks of the homeless-he was living with his sister until he stole the television to buy crack.
I am always skeptical about claims of "mental illness". Ronald George, the now retired Chief Justice of California was the Superior Court judge who presided over the trial of the Hillside Stranglers. He answered those who said those two were insane and needed treatment by saying:
"Why should we label as insane someone who refuses to live by society's rules?" And what was it Oscar Wilde said ?-"Work is the curse of the drinking class."
Meanie that I am, my solution would be something on the order of "Camp for Re-education through Labor No. 7."

Hump,
I do not know the answer to your question.

Most of the homeless (I've met a few that were actually down on their luck) that I have come across in the course of my duties and personally were highly dangerous. I have had them try to get into my vehicle at intersections (I always keep my door locked) and sometime try to jump in the back bed of my pickup.

Many of these people panhandle and are aggressive and intimidating. They also have a preditory instinct seeking out the elderly or the very young. Several I have handled would not hesitate to kill you or at the very least assault you. Some of these people are under a hundred pounds and yet can throw three or four 200+ Police officers around like rag dolls...I've seen it....I've been involved in it...and probably quite a few on this board will attest to this activity from experience as well.

Are they all mentally ill? There are more than a few that are. Most I have met were strung out on whatever narcotic they could get their hands on.

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The Last Standing Knight

A bunch are alkies, too. One of the most telling scenes in that (linked) video is one where Lara is squinting down the neck of the wine bottle, hoping to see another drop for her to drink.

She means to raise consciousness to help the homeless, but you might be killed or robbed if you help! Or catch a staph infection.

I strongly suspect that most who ask for food money spend it on cheap wine or drugs. And I believe that some people disguise themselves as homeless and beg for a living.

I worked for a "community mental health provider", here in Florida for almost a dozen years. The homeless were probably 1/3 of the clientele along with the other 2/3 "chronically mentally ill" who would have been locked up before the passage of the "Community Mental Health Act" during the Kennedy administration. These folks are indistinguishable from each other and "risk assessment" is a real nightmare. I could work with a male or female over a long period of time, growing comfortable with their predictability. Sometimes, after long periods of medication compliance, they would pronounce themselves well and stop all medication. Decompensation is never pretty and sometimes dangerous. The cops do what they can but are not trained or equipped to handle a full blown "crisis." They wind up in the "justice" system and go round and round, burning any bridges along the way. Landlords don't want tenants shouting at imaginary attackers at 3 in the morning. It's a mess and will get messier as these folks are "0 sum net gain" and part of the reason Social Security is broke (almost all qualify for a lifetime check, either SSDI or SSI). Can't help from feeling sympathy but I also can't handle the burnout of working with that "population" long term. TS; be kind, be careful. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

The ones that are mentally ill, I don't know. But the ones that are just dirtbags who won't, not can't, work because of drugs, alcohol, and bad attitudes aren't diseases in my book, should just be put into work camps. Why must I put up with the hassle of locking door and rolling up windows? Why should children and elderly have to fear them? If they wanted to go be free in the wilderness then there is still a lot of untamed land out there to disappear into. But no, that isn't what they want at all. They still want civilization despite not wanting to be a contributor to it. They want to be leaches on society. There are enough programs out there for those that actually want the help to get it and get back on their feet. I just feel that we have such a mass amount of populace that is more than happy living off scraps and assistance or thievery that it is finally starting to hit home on more than ever before. Those I have no sorrow or pity for them. Leaches.

I know enough about Lara Cox that I believe that she made this short film in earnest hope that some good would come of it, and I believe that the film maker feels that way, although he may also have been striving for publicity and for some award. Don't know anything about him, except that he knows how to make a film that makes its point! But is it altogether the point that he thinks he's making?! How did this once lovely girl come to be living in that alley, dumpster diving for lunch? I keep seeing her plight beginning with drugs or alcoholism. People must avoid obviously bad life choices, or they become the source of their own ruin!

I wonder how many celebs who do such charity work have actually dealt with the hardcore homeless? A battered woman who flees a bad "home" situation has other options with womens' centers and other charity that I suspect that they are relatively few among the overall homeless population.

Some probably come from backgrounds that predestine them to dismal lives. I feel compassion for them, but don't want to turn my back on them, in the literal sense.

I just wish there was a way to sort out the truly unfortunate and help them to get back on their feet. A great many are barely a paycheck or two away from the streets.

I have dealt with the homeless and they are not as bad off as one would think.

Two were arrested in this area last year. Both did newspaper interviews after arrest. These guys were panhandling and making over a GRAND each day holding signs saying homeless & hungry. That is tax free money which is a lot more than I make.

Most of the homeless I have dealt with are that way by choice. They have relatives but family members are tired of their substance abuse, destructive tempers and such.

Virtually all homeless are that way by choice.

I used to work off duty at a homeless shelter. Worked a lot and got to be really good friends with many of the shelter employees. Also met a lot of people I ran into on the street there. A LOT of them want to blame others for their predicament, do drugs, drink, or otherwise not conform to society's rules. SOME are mentally ill....in my experience, they are the in the minority. I think it also should be said, that there are those that are used to it, and are perfectly fine with how they live.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

There but for the grace of God go I....

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always trust your cape...

This happened about 15 years ago. I worked across the hall from a small machine shop. One of the machinists, “Ron” was into gambling. He was a GS11 step 8 at the time and making pretty good money. He and his wife divorced and they had to sell their duplex. The only problem was that they had taken out home equity loans and spent it all on a time share in Tahoe, trips to Hawaii, a new car, etc. Now they owed the IRS money for capital gains and Ron did not have it. He also owed money to local loan sharks because of his gambling debt. He came to work bruised up a few times. About that time the Hatch act was changed to allowing garnishing the wages of a Federal employee and I guess the IRS started attaching his wages. This is speculation on my part but it makes sense because the lazy AH just quit coming to work. It took a year to fire him and the last time he was seen by anyone at work he was holding up a will work for food sign on a freeway onramp. He just threw his life away and gave up a very good job.

Thank you. I was starting to think I was the only one here that sees this.

I want to add to this thought. I was USN for ten years. It was a great time of my life that I will never regret. But part of why I left was I found it real hard to live the institutionalized life style of shipboard life or the year long sandbox tour. But SO MANY guys eat it up. And I don't mean the guys who retire... No, I mean the guys that will stay at E1 for the max time. Then they go ahead and take the promotion each time it was required. I met many E5's the were happy with there little check and a bunk. And I don't mean so much to belittle that as just use it as an example that some people just don't have deep aspirations of greatness. At all. So I can see how sleeping where they want, begging, rooting, the occasional theft or roughing up of someone could be an appealing lifestyle for some. And I just disagree with society being forced to put up with them. They prey on your emotions, your good will, your desire to help, and when they don't get what they want most of them get ugly and persistent. The hippie socialist pinkos will try to remind me that this is a free country. Yes it is. But that doesn't mean you are free to be a detriment to those around you. I guess being able to run some undesirable out of town no longer being an option is a sign of "progress" as some see it. I don't. I think we've slipped and let too many sink to levels they didn't know were an option. And before I go all evil tyrannical dictator, all it takes for me to ignore you is for you to not be a pestilence to society at large. If you have simple goals and pleasure in life then so be it. Rent a trailer, pay your little bit of taxes from your low level job, and be happy. But don't be a leach to everyone around you.

I didn't know that strip malls had private security.

Shrug. There's different categories and only some have been mentioned. There are entire families that live out of cars and hotel rooms. A fair number of vets from the current wars are also already finding themselves homeless. There's probably a fair amount of truth to the pop statistic that most people are only a few paychecks away from seeing themselves on the street.

There are also bums, crazies, etc. They used to break into some of our buildings, pull the asbestos down off the pipes to wrap up in and go to sleep. I guess asbestos makes a fine blankey.

I always found the retarded (or whatever the PC name for them is) that lived in the group home nearby my own personal condemned crackhouse that I called home (yes really) to be more of a problem. Several of them were quite large and always tried to rob me or shake me down as I'd pass by. I dreaded the paperwork and bad PR of having to shoot one, so I took to throwing them Canadian coins to scamper for.

[QUOTE=Maximumbob54;136034888] No, I mean the guys that will stay at E1 for the max time. Then they go ahead and take the promotion each time it was required. I met many E5's the were happy with there little check and a bunk. And I don't mean so much to belittle that as just use it as an example that some people just don't have deep aspirations of greatness. At all. [QUOTE]

My wife is a more or less permanent E-5. She actually has a Master's Degree almost completed. Staying an E-5 can have as much to do with what your job is in the Navy as anything else.

[QUOTE=GatorFarmer;136034899][QUOTE=Maximumbob54;136034888] No, I mean the guys that will stay at E1 for the max time. Then they go ahead and take the promotion each time it was required. I met many E5's the were happy with there little check and a bunk. And I don't mean so much to belittle that as just use it as an example that some people just don't have deep aspirations of greatness. At all. And clearly she is not to whom I am referring. I am curious though, what rate locks down and she has a masters but isn't applying for a LDO, CWO, or the Seaman to Admiral Program??? Seems like with a masters someone would want to scoop her up.

I try and help homeless supermodels with a place to stay whenever possible.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I have dealt with homeless people and been in some of their flop houses.

It has been my experience that most of them choose to be homeless and don't need any help.

Some of them enjoy the lifestyle believe it or not. And some enjoy commiting crimes and hiding out wherever they're hiding at the time.

[QUOTE=Maximumbob54;136034912][QUOTE=GatorFarmer;136034899]Seaman to admiral Program went away a few decades ago. Have to be at least E-6 for LDO, E-7 for Warrant. Navy has around sixty different ratings, and each one has different advancement potential. It is sometimes possible to switch from the worst to one of the needy ones, but not often easy.

I see a lot of private charities doing good work on behalf of the homeless. Sometimes I've volunteered or supported them financially. I'm skeptical when the government, at any level, takes up the cause. Lots of money gets thrown at the problem with little visible result.

Maybe it takes the care, compasion and zeal of the private citizen to really make a difference.

Out
West

I just hang out at the magazine section and wish I knew one.

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Dum vivo cano

Ditto. You have to respect the soup kitchens, some churches, the rescue missions, and the Salvation Army.

They feed and house the homeless when no one else will..................no questions asked.

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Life Member NRA Since 1985

And that my friends is the way it should work.

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Dum vivo cano

I would like to learn more about homeless vets. I left Active Duty-Army- in 1971, came home, went into the Reserves, started college the next year. About 1975 I started to hear all these stories about the "Crazed Vietnam veteran", PTSD, etc., then it came out that so many were phonies, had at best served in the rear with the gear-or hadn't served in Vietnam all-were drunks and drug users, had "bad paper" discharges, found out getting them upgraded to Honorable status was not a simple administrative matter, etc..

I think it says a lot about the media that they have given most vets a bad name by portraying these guys as the norm among those who've served. That was especially true of Vietnam vets. I suppose that those of their (media) liberal elitist mentality have been steeped in the myth that the heroes were the draft dodgers. That includes many left-leaning professors.

I've often wondered why some churches will go to great lengths to gather money to send to some far off 3rd world village instead of keeping it local.
I've often wondered if the number of churches is about equal to the number of homeless.
I've often wondered what would happen if each church took in a homeless person (or family) and let them live in said church in exchange for keeping it clean, policing the grounds, etc.
I often wonder a lot of stuff ...

[QUOTE=Model520Fan;136034951][QUOTE=Maximumbob54;136034912]Not quite...

Seaman to Admiral-21 Program - Home Page

Alive and breathing and making mustangs a reality still to this day...

It has been my experience that many churches are more interested in their social activities than in helping the homeless and others in need.

That said, some Baptist men have gone to Haiti and the like. But charity should begin at home, God loves all; they don't have to be far away and exotic to visit to merit getting aid. I am, of course, speaking of the deserving.

The man I mentioned who has had trouble finding a job asked at my church for help. He was just given the names of some social agencies, none of which had anything to offer beyond what he already knew about, and some of these programs didn't even apply to him. It would have been far more useful if some of the rich doctors there occasionally donated time for charity cases or told people in need how to get free or cheap medical care. Real, hard info is difficult for many in need to come by. And food donations would no doubt be useful.

The man with whom I discussed his needs said that one of the worst factors in his seeking help at church was the attitude of the young lady in charge of assistance. She seemed to be afraid of soiling her social image by really doing anything useful and was afraid of knowing anyone who'd need her services.

On the other hand, he rejected my offer to get him a haircut and shave so that he'd look like someone she might want to help! I simply can't get it through his head that he needs every advantage he can get, and dressing or grooming in a way that repels most people can't possibly help him. Some homeless are just too stubborn for their own good.

Which is what keeps most of us at the level we are at for as long as we want to be.

A study I read somewhere said the most frequent length of time for someone to be homeless is ONE DAY. The next most frequent is two days. For most, homelessness is a temporary condition.

What most here are talking about is the 15% or so of the homeless population that is chronically homeless. Many of these people have serious mental problems and cannot function at even the most basic levels of employment. They also consume a disproportionate amount of our Emergency Room resources because they injure themselves regularly, don't seek treatment in a timely manner, contract pneumonia much more frequently than the rest of the population, etc.

As to what to do about the filthy, crazy guy on the corner screaming obscenities at those passing by, I haven't the slightest idea.

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JR, the 500 Specialist

Her teeth are in too good a shape to be a meth head or to be opening beers with them... Homelessness is a tough issue - root causes, prevention, treatment, reintegration are all difficult.

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NICK-SWCA-NRA BENEFACTOR LIFE

Right, and blanket statements don't cut it..

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Sure you did

Yeah, I noticed that. I guess they didn't want to stain her teeth for that short film when it might interfere with her regular career.

But you gotta admit: Aussie dentists seem to be pretty capable, if her teeth look like that. Actually, Lara looks good all over under that makeup. Did you notice her sensitive face, though, and those haunting, beautiful eyes?
I've had kind of a crush on her ever since she played Finn on the 3rd Season of, The Lost World. And I gave a couple of friends DVD's of, The Marine 2 so they could see her act.

She seems a really nice person who once took a whole year off from her career to nurse a friend who was in a truly bad car wreck. I read an article about that, and the poor guy has a bunch of titanium plates in his face. I suspect that her care made a lot of the difference in his ability to recover and resume his acting career.

Offhand, I can't think of any American actresses whom I respect as much as I do Lara Cox. Most seem really vain and shallow. I truly believe that she made this video with the best of intentions, although she may not fully grasp the root causes of chronic homelessness. I do think she feels real pity for those in need. She probably isn't making such "message" films just for the publicity, as so many other actresses might. But I guess they'd be doing AIDS awareness movies, anyway: more popular a cause in Los Angeles...

EXACTLY ...............

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Sure you did

It was circa 1976 when the Supreme Court ruled that folks who were incapable of helping themselves or unwilling to do so but were not a danger to themselves or others could not be placed in mental institutions.

Thus the streets where I worked were literally flooded with "homeless" people.

I submit that the vast majority of the homeless are mentally impaired. Not trying to be funny but if you were mentally capable would you choose to be homeless in Buffalo or Miami?

There is currently one homeless female in my community who is simply a victim waiting for a perp. She is mentally challenged but is supported by family. Various efforts have been made to assist her; she refuses...her family enables.

Be safe.

That is in fact why we have such a homeless population here in the South and in Florida in general. It's decent weather darn near year round. In South Florida it's even better. So many of them come down here since there is minimal risk of injury from exposure. I do think to some extent the amount of assistance provided by the state is something of a crutch to those that will use it in a way that makes the state an "enabler"... I wouldn't want to lose the assistance for those that would actually use it to get back on their feet again, but there's the razor's edge... Who gets to be in charge of reading someone's mind to see if they are in line for help or in line for their free hand out??? Is there a dirtbag detector yet???

Back in the 60's we closed down institutions that cared for these people. I believe it was Life or Look magazines that ran articles depicting the horrible conditions. So we put them on the street and came up with "outreach" programs. Smooooth move.
For those who can work-they get hired-come up hot on a drug test-are fired-use drugs-get hired-come up hot-go to California-get into politics (just kidding).

I remember it well, it was called "de institutionalization" and it was a well meaning but naive program that put more mental health patients into the community as it was meant to BUT...when they acted out they usually ended up in jail. There they were exploited by other inmates and had a criminal record. We've always had homeless people in our society and always will. There are many responses to this problem but I don't see any answers.

I have a niece that's homeless by choice. She has a Masters, and could have had a job anywhere she wanted. A failed marriage, and she's on the street. She was welcomed at out home at first, but she stole some things on her last stopover, and cannot come back. Meth rules her day. I hope the police can pick her up on warrants so she can maybe see the light of day. Doubtful.

Amen brother. Amen.


Out
West

Wow. I'm a worse source for info than I thought. Thanks!