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Today's Letters: Be judicious with aid

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published April 8, 2007

Homeless myths diminish them, and us March 28, opinion by Richard T. Shireman

Even if we all agreed with the writer that 2 percent or less of the homeless live that way by choice (I for one question that small percentage), can we all at least agree on three things first?

1. That we must begin to look at whether these homeless people indeed come from our community before accepting responsibility for them. Let's help the truly needy from our community, but first let's establish where they have come from.

2. We should not automatically be responsible for transients coming to our community from places up north to live on our streets simply because we have a more livable climate.

3. If we get the reputation for giving free or subsidized housing to anyone, that will more than likely exacerbate our problem.

If we can all agree on these three points, the dialogue will be heading in the proper direction, and solutions will be found.

James A. Nannen, St. Petersburg

Early help is lifelong help 

Homeless myths diminish them, and us March 28, opinion by Richard T. Shireman

This article rang with reality. I agree with Richard Shireman that many homeless are not irresponsible and lazy, but in fact are suffering from mental illnesses that relate to abuse, trauma, etc., in their past. Much homelessness can trace back to home life as kids. We are all what happens to us and what we bump into in life. If you receive unacceptable treatment, you behave in an unacceptable manner. A dysfunctional home life in your youth, with toxic relationships, neglect, abuse, debasements and a household replete with negative attitudes, colors attitudes in adult life. Hardship cases that emanate from early environments with little education and bad treatment make it hard to soar above a bad attitude in adult life. It's difficult to detach your fate from your past experiences. Lost lives and directionless derelicts usually come from broken and wicked homes.

Social justice rendered in time could have prevented them from ending up as broken beings. It's mandatory that society better the foundations for individual development in early life, which includes pulling children out of hellish and mean-spirited homes. Preventing the degeneration of people will greatly prevent homelessness in later life. A functional, stable family life prevents damaged, neurotic and maladjusted individuals who become prone to criminality and chronic homelessness.

Robert B. Fleming, St. Petersburg

Homeless need our love

The St. Petersburg Times has recently published several articles about the homeless. My reaction is probably similar to that of many readers. Here are some thoughts:

Some people help the homeless. How wonderful! I greatly respect all individuals, churches, organizations - everyone who helps. I also respect those who write about the homeless and their difficult lives, and editors who publish these stories.

Some people ill-treat the homeless. How horrible! Why are we sometimes merciless? Don't we understand that nothing in the world is more valuable than love?

Why are people homeless? Poverty is one reason; also, the accumulation of unbearable problems. Many children are homeless and on the streets with their parents.

Sometimes illness or addiction plays a role. A lack of will to fight for success in life sometimes makes a contribution, too. We cannot blame people for that but should try to help. The difference between being a failure or a success in life may be only a small step.

For many years I taught at a university. I saw how some average students - or even better-than-average students - after one or two bad grades on exams just disappeared from classes and laboratories. Other students, perhaps not much better, continued to take exams with persistence and graduated successfully. I blame myself for not being helpful to those who failed. I should have tried.

It is true I did not know how to help someone without a strong will to succeed. How in the labyrinth of psychology could I have helped him or her open the door to success? I am convinced, however, that to help a homeless person, it is necessary to have much love.

I conclude with two ideas from the Bible. According to the first letter of John, God is love; and according to the Gospel of Matthew, where he writes about the final judgment, anyone who helps those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick or in prison is really helping God.

Vladimir Vukanovic, Dunedin and Rochester, N.Y.

Hats off to caring police

I saw two of St. Petersburg's finest do something truly special on a recent weekend. They were in line to make a left turn at the light from U.S. 19 onto 54th Avenue S, when an elderly woman on a motorized scooter approached from the far side of the intersection, moving very slowly. She became trapped at the median by fast-moving traffic turning north onto U.S. 19 from the Bayway.

As she started across, apparently determined to dodge the cars, the officers put on their flashing lights, pulled across the roadway and blocked all northbound traffic until she got safely to the sidewalk. Our police are the best!

Judy Ellis, St. Petersburg

Thanks for swell story 

Back with the band March 28, story

This was a great article about the Second Time Arounders.

I play bass drum in the band. It was so nice to get the coverage. I was beginning to think no one cared. We have a lot of fun, and if the word could get out, we might have more people having fun with us.

Thanks again for a well-written article.

Martin Heuer, St. Petersburg

Smokers aren't polluters 

The butt stops here March 11, letter

Not one of my fellow puffers litters. All of us carefully extinguish and pocket the filter. Does the writer drive a car?

Genevieve Lear, Tarpon Springs

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[Last modified April 7, 2007, 22:09:11]