Boston Globe profiles lovable crack-addicted panhandler
Your sob story of the day comes from the Boston Globe, which profiles a neighborhood panhandler who begs in the middle of traffic to earn money for his next crack cocaine fix.
The Globe calls him “colorful.” The newspaper spends nearly 1,000 words on him in its front-page story — plus a special video.
Is it any wonder newspapers are dying?
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Comments from the Globe website:
Oh, how cute and homey – a polite, delightful, neighborhood crack addict endangering himself and others while begging for money in traffic so he can get more crack. This story should be on the evening news with Katie. I’m so moved. Jimmie Stewart would be perfect in the movie version.
The way the Globe is idolizing this guy, they should support more aimlessly wandering crack addidcts in our streets.
by rick1954
What does putting a crack addicted beggar on the front page of the leading Boston news website say about our city? Considering all the talent, successes, achievements, and genius in this citym who could have graced the pages of the first thing most of us read in the morning, you chose a loser. I’d rather not be associated with losers. I’ll not be associated with this paper or website anymore.
by weenote
It’s unfortunate that we see sympathetic stories about panhandlers. This story could have been written about the man on just about all the major interesctions on city streets. The guy that works Stuart street has been there for at least 15 years, though he moved a block when the Jury’s Hotel opened. And for good reason it’s always men- there’s an intimidation factor- As they approch your car you have to wonder- ‘Is the guy crazy? Will he go ballistic if I don’t give him money? Does he have a weapon?’ It’s disturbing to me that these man are glamorized and glorified as Boston icons. Giving someone a dollar so they can spend more time on the street is not sympathetic- it’s placating your own guilt. The potential of these men is squandered by empowering them to beg. Just one more way a misguided liberal society perpetuates homelessness and poverty…
by mynameisbob
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Trackbacks
- Boston Globe: Profile of a Bostonite - Robbie the Crack Addict « Jane Q. Republican
- Jules Crittenden » Panhandler Accepted
- Jules Crittenden » Not To Be Outdone
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I guess every major metropolitan area in the country has its own version of the “fishwrap of record”
Yes, crackheads are adored by the media. Parasites with their hands grasping at government handouts are praised as heroes. Hard-working, religious Americans who look after their own needs are demeaned as freaks.
When did I wake up in the evil Spock-has-a-goatee universe?
No, it takes discipline to make good life choices, keep a steady job, and maintain a respectable lifestyle. Begging for crack money just requires shamelessness.
No way I would give this person one penny. When I give money, I give to projects that send packages to our military. They deserve my support for choosing to defend our Republic. Not that looser.
L
I’d love to see this guy try and panhandle in front of the Glob(e) offices. Or, better yet, at Obama’s inauguration.
Maybe he should just die and decrease the surplus population.
Boston Globe in a death spiral.
Next, they’ll be inviting him into the Globe building, to give seminars to those employees who will be joining him in the next few months.
Socky (#2) siad:
Ha, ha! That was a good episode.
And your’s is a good observation.
Hitting a dog turd with a weed-whacker………..Now that’s colorful!
Just for everyone’s info this guy’s making a sarcastic Scrooge reference and how heartless we are.
These kinds of things are attractive, interesting, or colorful to those who have no base of reference. Everything is OK. They mentally float around in the nebulous, non-existent world of “Hey, they have a “right””. Nothing is immoral or unacceptable anymore and everything is “cute or sweet or colorful”.
When someone asks you “…what should I do” and you tell them to “…just do the right thing” they don’t have a clue what your talking about. They don’t know what real right is. This has become a society of cowards that has lost its way and doesn’t want to come back because “it might mean I have to take a stand on something and that might upset someone”.
Like it or not this country was set up to work on Biblical principals. Throw God and His laws out and you can see one of the things you’ll end up with.
I couldn’t have said it better.
Front page????
Please, no bailout for the print media.
I guess the Boston Globe couldn’t find a Katrina refugee with BDS begging on the street for their front page.
GSP
“This is Sparta!”
“…they glory in their shame…”
That little snippet from Philippians 3 just popped into my head. I heard it read yesterday and it’s amazing how applicable it is in our culture today — namely with the press who glorify things that are truly shameful.
Maybe the guy can take Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat when he retires. He already has experience at taking other peoples money without giving anything back. /sarc
Another sign of the coming failure of the great American experiment, the “Free Press” idolizing pan handlers and describing hard working self sufficient citizens as selfish.
1st rule of supply and demand; When you patronize an action, you get more of the same. Give generously, but only to deserving charities- and do your homework first.
Our messages are so basic. Perhaps this is why we are so agitated – basic messages are ignored.
If you want to sell papers: shut up and report the news, accurately.
If you want to lend money successfully: shut up and lend money to people who can and will pay it back.
If you want to sell music: shut up and sing.
If you want to sell cars: shut up and build cars that people want to buy, at the price you’re selling them.
If you want to sell movies: shut up and produce movies that people want to see.
Etc.
It’s the death of common sense like this that is driving us crazy.
And never, ever forget that George Bush took a front-seat in this spiral from sanity. What he and Paulson have done – providing a “safety net” has done nothing but open Pandora’s Box. When you reinforce madness, you get more madness…
Oh yeah…TA:LKING about being a crack addict is the thing that is like wearing a sign. Forget the clothes and the fact he is a bum who would rather smoke crack and be a leech on the fabric of society than actually make something out of his life and self.
This is the type of person that completely destroys chances and donations for people who legitimately become homeless and I have NO sympathy. I dealt with more than my share working the streets. I refuse to glorify his life or lifestyle.
In 1993, the New York Times bought the Boston Globe for 1.1 billion dollars.
Today the failing paper is estimated to be worth 20 million.
Pinch Sulzberger’s really a genius, ain’t he?
On December 8th, 2008 at 4:15 pm, rowsdower said:
Just for everyone’s info this guy’s making a sarcastic Scrooge reference and how heartless we are.
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Actually he’s just reworking Pelousy’s comments justifying government-paid abortions.
Abortion for surplus “costly” children; early death or euthanasia for surplus “costly” homeless people.
What’s the difference?
Right,
eagletitmouse??