Panhandling just a con
Published on Wed, Aug 26, 2009 by Gary ClarkRead More Voices
Editor,
I read your article about "Signs of Desperate Times" and panhandling. It reminded me of an incident about two years ago. On my way to Wal-Mart, I was waiting for the light to change at the intersection of 88th and the northbound entrance to Hwy. 5.
The sign said "VETERAN - Homeless, please help."
In the time that it took the light to change, a few people heading north gave this guy some green.
I had to go to Wal-Mart for an item, and decided to get a snack at the McDonald's inside Wal-Mart.
As I brought my order to a small table, the guy who had been begging money sat at the next table, with a cup of coffee. He did not know that I recognized him. I observed as he pulled out a "horse choker" wad of cash - a large roll.
Discreetly, I watched as he counted and sorted the money - $153. There was one $20, several $10s and some $5s, and the rest was $1 bills.
Hmmm... Not bad for a morning's work, I thought. $153 for maybe three or four hours of standing there with his sign. Tax free, too.
In my experience, he more than likely was not a veteran. People have learned that the public is more sympathetic, and generous, toward veterans.
Gary Clark
Marysville
I read your article about "Signs of Desperate Times" and panhandling. It reminded me of an incident about two years ago. On my way to Wal-Mart, I was waiting for the light to change at the intersection of 88th and the northbound entrance to Hwy. 5.
The sign said "VETERAN - Homeless, please help."
In the time that it took the light to change, a few people heading north gave this guy some green.
I had to go to Wal-Mart for an item, and decided to get a snack at the McDonald's inside Wal-Mart.
As I brought my order to a small table, the guy who had been begging money sat at the next table, with a cup of coffee. He did not know that I recognized him. I observed as he pulled out a "horse choker" wad of cash - a large roll.
Discreetly, I watched as he counted and sorted the money - $153. There was one $20, several $10s and some $5s, and the rest was $1 bills.
Hmmm... Not bad for a morning's work, I thought. $153 for maybe three or four hours of standing there with his sign. Tax free, too.
In my experience, he more than likely was not a veteran. People have learned that the public is more sympathetic, and generous, toward veterans.
Gary Clark
Marysville
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