HELPING HANDOUTS?
So, we have homeless dying in the snow and frozen masses of people huddled in doorways. Shades of Dickens! Our government has the solution; housing, right? But not for these poor folk. Rather, free mortgages for those with money and jobs. Guess the homeless don’t vote Liberal!
Merry Christmas, Mrs. Scrooge. –mallydee
TAKING CARE
I work in smack-central downtown two days a week now, so I see lots of homeless people on the regular, much more than in my Cambie Village home neighbourhood. Lately I’ve been trying to see homeless people more, in a way I never have in my life.
The other day, I gave change and crouched down to speak to three of them; just check in and ask them how they’re doing and where they’re sleeping in this cold snap. One of them opened up to me about losing his job in Fort Mac and his daughter being sick. He started crying.
After this, I was walking down Granville, asking how did humanity get so F****D that we don’t do EVERYTHING we can for each other? Imagining, as I have many times before, about inviting a homeless person to spend a night at my place; but, of course, worrying about them maybe stealing from me or my building freaking the fuck out.
I then fantasized about demanding a meeting with some provincial minister to tell them how ANGRY I am as a taxpayer that we aren’t doing more.
Then I started crying as I walked down Granville Street. I have NEVER cried walking down a busy street, just by thinking of the suffering of others.
It is absolutely heartbreaking for all of us, but we stuff our feelings down and ignore them, and walk by without even looking at these people.
Don’t applaud me for donating pocket change and talking to homeless people. That’s not why I’m writing this. Don’t let my “ego” think it’s hot shit for doing what a NORMAL human should do.
Just try to DO something to make it better. The guy who started crying told me that just the act of me stopping and talking to him, seeing him, as he put it, warmed his heart.
I cried again while writing this tonight. For the love of whatever, let’s try to vote for politicians who don’t entice us with piddly tax cuts and then cut funding or freeze welfare rates for years and years so they fall way behind inflation and the cost of living. Let’s all try to donate monthly to a local organization that focuses on poverty; let’s give some more change; let’s stop and talk to people. Myself included. –Anonymous
TRASH CLASH
I would like to know what’s with all the garbage lying around all over the streets and sidewalks. Is this the result of the fact that it is impossible to find a garbage receptacle anywhere on the streets anymore? Is this because the city workers complain that we dog owners throw our dog-poop bags in the garbage cans and they don’t like it? So, the city’s answer to that is to remove all garbage receptacles. Has anyone else noticed how dirty our city looks lately? It’s disgusting. –West End Resident
3D DISTRACTION
Saw your rant section in the paper in the lobby at Fifth Ave and was inspired to write in. To the drunk, hipster POS couple at Rogue One last night: Just because you have a couple of beers in you doesn’t mean you can treat the movie theatre like your living room. Why pay $30 to talk through the ENTIRE movie? Literally. The entire movie.
Acoustics being what they are, your shrill, shitty voice and your boyfriend’s obnoxious “whispers” had a direct line to my ear holes. It was hard enough to stay in the moment, what with the stupid 3D “experience” forced upon us.
So, thank you and happy holidays, assholes. I was tempted to hit you with a snowball as we all walked out. –JS
• All rants and raves are the opinion of the individual and do not reflect the opinions of Westender. The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity and brevity, so please keep it short and (bitter)sweet. Email your rant or rave to [email protected]
