[Peace-discuss] [Peace] Fwd: "Panhandling"

[Karen Medina]

Mort wrote many things, including >> people were alarmed/frightened by
behaviors they encountered, and [the city council] responded with an
ordinance

Mort,

Last night I was on the city bus (not in Illinois). Many people were
on the bus and many got on after I did. One passenger was a woman. The
bus was nearly full when she got on, so she ended up sitting across
from me. She began talking to herself -- okay, silently talking --
mouthing words and gesturing. Was I uncomfortable? Perhaps. Should she
be arrested for my discomfort? No.

During the winter months, my father lets his facial hair grow. With a
beard, he looks very scraggly and has often been mistaken for a
homeless man. He often offers to help people by opening doors or
picking up dropped keys for people. His appearance and forwardness
makes people uncomfortable. Should he be arrested for their
discomfort?
---
Mort wrote >> Poverty is a major cause of unpleasantness and criminal behavior

If given a choice, most people would choose not to sleep under a
bridge or to beg in the street.

-karen medina