This isn't Oly specific, so its relevance to OlyBlog might be kind of reduced, but it's an interesting piece to give some insight onto how conservatives think about the homeless.

It's from "Townhall.com", which is a conservative news, discussion, and editorial site run by the Heritage Foundation

I should say that this is essentially a random columnist from North Carolina, so doesn't have any Washington links, but it's valuable to know just what kind of stuff is out there.

"How to Manhandle those who Panhandle" by Mike Adams

I just don’t get it. Many city governments have had a chance to do something about serious panhandling problems but have been reluctant because of the First Amendment. For example, one of the local “leaders” in my hometown once refused to support an anti-panhandling ordinance because of free speech.

Sadly, the aforementioned politician had previously refused to support a local school teacher who used the word “niggardly” simply because it sounded like a word he didn’t like. In other words, he isn’t a defender of free speech. He just a) assumes that all panhandlers are black, and b) always sides with black people to get re-elected.

 It goes to show that many self-proclaimed defenders of free speech are really just self-interested whores – present company excluded.

But now that I have realized most panhandlers use a word that “sounds like” a word I don’t like – most ask for a “buck” though they seldom discuss “angina” – I’ve decided to fight back. In fact, I’ve been waging my own personal war on panhandlers for months now. Since I’ve gotten pretty good at it, I’ve decided to share a dozen or so of my best responses to panhandlers. Hopefully, they will help you to avoid unpleasant encounters. So, without any further delay, I sincerely hope you enjoy the following:

Crack Head (hereafter “CH”): “Excuse me brother, but could you spare some change?”

Major Smart Aleck (hereafter “MSA”): “No, but if you would like I’ll go straight to the projects to buy you some crack rock. I like to know for certain how people are spending my money.”

CH: “Excuse me brother but …”

MSA: “You already asked me that once. Don’t you recognize me? Oh, I get it – you think all white people look alike. You’re a (rhymes with “bucking”) racist!”

******

CH: “Hey buddy, you got a dollar I could …”

MSA: “No sir. All I have is a bunch of 100 dollar bills and a gun.”

******

CH: “Hey brother, don’t I know you?”

MSA: “Yes. Yes, I believe you do. We met in jail after I pistol whipped that guy who tried to panhandle me after starting a fake conversation.”
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