Aggressive charity ads

[Gavin Scott]

I was never a fan of the Big Issue as a publication, but bought it often enough when approached to do so.

But everyone I see selling it these days (perhaps just on my particular routes) seems to be of eastern European origin, so I'm afraid I have stopped purchasing it.

I know that if you're hungry, you're hungry - whoever you are; but I can't get my head around people who have migrated to another country to be "homeless".

As one specific example (and I'm making no suggestion that this person represents all), there's a big fat Polish lady who sits outside the supermarket selling Big Issue, and has done for years now. Years. She doesn't look like she's ever missed a meal. She doesn't speak English, other than "Beeeeg Eeeesue?".

Why the heck should I support her, when there are neds and jaykies who are running low on crack?

[Nick Harvey]

Great Scott!

There were undertones in that post that I'd be proud of!

[Gavin Scott]

Ooh, well, I, er, um - yes.

[Ronnie Rowlands]

I know that if you're hungry, you're hungry - whoever you are; but I can't get my head around people who have migrated to another country to be "homeless".

I hardly think her mentality when migrating was "Right, I'm off to Scotland to be homeless". I rather think that the more obvious outcome of her migration was that she screwed it up a bit, can't afford to go home and isn't savvy enough to really make it as a citizen. What's the alternative? Live homeless and rely on the paltry funds made from selling the big issue.

As one specific example (and I'm making no suggestion that this person represents all), there's a big fat Polish lady who sits outside the supermarket selling Big Issue, and has done for years now. Years. She doesn't look like she's ever missed a meal. She doesn't speak English, other than "Beeeeg Eeeesue?".

What's the point you're trying to make? There's a local tramp in this town called Huwie West, who is very fat. But there is no denying that he his homeless and hopeless and lives an unenviable life. But please, elaborate on the point you're attempt to get across by mentioning her weight, because I don't see it. At this level, it reads as something very unpleasant indeed, and I'm particularly jarred by it because I didn't expect to read something like that from you at all, Gavin. Not at all.

Also, most bar staff I've encountered say nothing more than "£2.99 please" (or £3.10 if you're in the Cross Keys pub - That's what they charge for a pint of Magner's, the bastards), I don't presume that this is the only sentence they are capable of uttering.

[Gavin Scott]

I know that if you're hungry, you're hungry - whoever you are; but I can't get my head around people who have migrated to another country to be "homeless".

I hardly think her mentality when migrating was "Right, I'm off to Scotland to be homeless". I rather think that the more obvious outcome of her migration was that she screwed it up a bit, can't afford to go home and isn't savvy enough to really make it as a citizen. What's the alternative? Live homeless and rely on the paltry funds made from selling the big issue.

Well perhaps she thought she was coming to Scotland to enjoy a higher standard of living. Perhaps begging on the streets here gains more income than begging in Kraków? The truth is neither of us know; but I do know that there's already hundreds if not thousands of Scots who are on the streets. I feel a civic responsibility to dig deep for those people; but I don't feel the same way about people who travel hundreds, thousands of miles to arrive in Scotland and ask for my help. I'm sorry if that's unpalatable. You know me quite well, so you know that I'm neither racist or a bigot, but this doesn't make sense to me, and if I have to choose who to help (and believe me, my funds are not unlimited), then I'll choose someone local.

What's the point you're trying to make? There's a local tramp in this town called Huwie West, who is very fat. But there is no denying that he his homeless and hopeless and lives an unenviable life. But please, elaborate on the point you're attempt to get across by mentioning her weight, because I don't see it.

Well I don't know if she's homeless. That's my point, really. Big Issue used to be only sold by genuinely homeless people, but the rule was relaxed and now those in council accommodation (or any other) can sell it. I'm not to know if she has furnished accommodation that I pay for, and has an income stream from selling the BI.

I made the point about her weight, because she looks excessively "healthy", and not someone who appears to need charity - in the true sense that I think of it.

At this level, it reads as something very unpleasant indeed, and I'm particularly jarred by it because I didn't expect to read something like that from you at all, Gavin. Not at all.

Do you know what? I'm sorry about that, but I won't lie -that's just how I feel and that's that.

I care about people - a great deal. I want to do the right thing, but something about this jars with me (just like what I'm saying may jar with you), but its an honest reaction.

I simply said I won't give money to migrants who sell the Big Issue. If they can beg on the street here, they could beg on the street at home.

[Chie]

Being an EUSSR citizen the Pole is entitled to claim benefits. What's she selling the Big Issue for??

[Sput]

EUSSR

Oh stop being a douche.

[Ronnie Rowlands]

Being an EUSSR citizen the Pole is entitled to claim benefits. What's she selling the Big Issue for??

Being British, most British homeless people are entitled to claim benefits as well. Some people, unfortunately, lack even the savvy required to get round that because they're in a ditch. Think about it you daft fool.

EUSSR

The PC Brigade! Broken Britain! PC Gone Mad! Hell in a Handcart! You Couldn't Make It Up!

Do you realize that everything you write reads like the sort of hot air Littlejohn churns out from his gated mansion in Florida? You can deny reading the publication all you like, but absolutely everything you stand for adheres with his viewpoints. You are absolutely infuriating, and I think, to date, you've been proved ignorant and wrong in every debate you've entered on this site.

[Chie]

Being British, most British homeless people are entitled to claim benefits as well. Some people, unfortunately, lack even the savvy required to get round that because they're in a ditch. Think about it you daft fool.

Yet she had the savvy to seek out the Big Issue. It doesn't add up.

EUSSR

The PC Brigade! Broken Britain! PC Gone Mad! Hell in a Handcart! You Couldn't Make It Up!

Do you realize that everything you write reads like the sort of shit Littlejohn churns out from his gated mansion in Florida? You can deny reading the publication all you like, but absolutely everything you stand for adheres with his viewpoints. You are absolutely infuriating, and I think, to date, you've been proved ignorant and wrong in every debate you've entered on this site.

Oh take a fucking chill pill.

[Gavin Scott]

No, he's really got your number.

[Ronnie Rowlands]

Oh take a fucking chill pill.

I'm perfectly calm.

But please, sort your twisted hypocritical and wrong viewpoints out you silly arse.

It'll only be a matter of time before you're putting your hands on your ears and screaming "LALALALAA" when Littlejohn and Hitchens and the Mail start banging on even harder about unemployment. Have you found a job yet or are you still content with making up lame excuses? I'm not one to berate the unemployed but when it's aimed at someone who won't even bother, despite his right-leaning 'GERRONYABIKENSENDEMHOME' views, well you deserve everything you get.