saw something really sad while i was in Portland today

[pulpp]

i was in Protland this afternoon picking up a friend at Portland Intl. Airport PDX coming back from newyork, while i was there i saw this pretty young girl, probably 17-19 range, standing on the side of a highway offramp with sign that says "pregnant and hungry, please help" i really wanted to stop and did hit the brakes as soon as i saw her, but then i remembered i gotta get to the airport, so i kept driving and didnt stop...

well since getting back home a couple of hours ago, i cant stop thinking about it, really feel guilty for not stopping, i mean geez i could have gave her some money, or drove her to a friend house to stay there if she has any in portland, or got her into one of those motels by for a week, took her to a shelter or even just took her somewhere to eat...

 

[RossMAN]

We had beautiful weather here today didn't we?

 

[1967mustangman]

Yeah Portland Is like that. We are known for our runnaway teens and teens in trouble.

 

[67gt500]

yeah we did
i was at pdx as well today, didn't see that girl though.

everytime I leave portland the return makes me more appreciative of how great the city is... as far as weather is concerned that is.

CA is just.. barf.

 

[pulpp]

yeah, the weather was nice today, clear and sunny but not too hot, was alittle cloudy earlier in the day though

 

[Russ]

pulpp,

Before you start feeling too guilty, don't assume she was legitimate. Many of them are just fronting for a loser boyfriend.

Russ, NCNE

 

[RossMAN]

everytime I leave portland the return makes me more appreciative of how great the city is... as far as weather is concerned that is.

I've noticed the same thing, whether I visit CA, TX or NY I'm always thankful to return to Portland.

 

[shiner]

Bah!!! Let her get a job like the rest of us. I get so damn sick of seeing those people on the side of the road begging for $ when they could get a job and earn a living like the rest of us. I was at an intersection one day and a guy was holding a sign that said "I can't find a job and my kids are starving please help." Right behind him was a Burger King with a help wanted sign hanging across the front. I rolled down my window and told him to go in there and get a job.

One of the TV stations did a hidden camera story on these people last year and 9 out of 10 of them are were pulling a scam. I have no pity for people that stand on the roadside with these signs because they are too lazy to work.

 

[bozo1]

Yea and she probably made a couple of hundred dollars that day. There is help available for people in those situations, especially if they are pregnant or teens.



<< One of the TV stations did a hidden camera story on these people last year and 9 out of 10 of them are were pulling a scam >>



Ditto - same thing here in Minneapolis. These people can make a couple hundred a day at the right intersection.

 

[67gt500]

particularly in portland, one of hte most liberal cities in the world.

If she could find her way to burnside she could have free meals, perhaps some work training, shelter, and a variety of other things.

 

[pulpp]

yea i know, i did think it could be just a scam, but she just looked so sadddd.....

 

[Aenygma]

You saw RossMan????



<< I've noticed the same thing, whether I visit CA, TX or NY I'm always thankful to return to Portland. >>





Yea, we're always thankful too Ross

 

[67gt500]

pulpp venture over to the i5 rose garden exit between 9-5. they work regular business hours and position themselves on multiple corners of the intersection using a schematic rotation.

the city of portland has allowed it to continue and because of the tolerance they continue to work the intersections. if someone would just put their foot down and say 'no we aren't going to let you pander here' they wouldn't have much of a choice. And just think of all that beer and heroin they could buy if they were employed.

 

[monto]

the pessismist in me says she prolly woulda taken the money for drugs

 

[1967mustangman]

Portland is a beautiful city, and there are alot of nice people in it. Giving the the girl money would not have been in her best interest, in a situation like that you should take her to the UGM or the Portland Resuce Misson on the Salvaton army lighthouse. I work on Burnside and it is amazing the number of down-trodden people who are so close to help, but will not go down there.

 

[johnjohn320]

In a perfect world, we could help them all.











This is not a perfect world.

 

[pulpp]

yeah thats what i was thinking, take her to shelter or something, i am not that familiar with Portland really, i live in Lebanon pretty close to corvallis, and i just moved to Oregon last october/september

 

[bozo1]

Hehe, a few years ago Minneapolis started giving downtown businesses these orange cards so customers could hand out to panhandlers instead of money. Had the addresses and numbers of all the help agencies, shelters, counciling, etc.... Most of the panhandlers moved to St. Paul!

 

[TranceNation]

does she take $20 off $100 buy.com coupons? hehe
just kidding