Slog - Comments on I Appreciate Those Cups http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups Homeless Santa was performing outside Pacific Place on Sunday. He could really play that sax, and his sign was funny, so we made a donation. I have to say, though, that i appreciate the cups that other homeless folks shake. I'm about 10,000,000 times more likely to give some random homeless person change if--and I know this sounds awful--I don't have to touch 'em. It's not that I think homeless people are dirty or diseased--no, wait. That's exactly what I think. They're not dirty by choice, of course, but by circumstance. I mean, they're homeless, they don't have any... Copyright 2008 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:18:15 -0800 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:33:27 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by tsm You're just scared of him because he's fat. Admit it!

]]> tsm http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870000 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870000 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:20:31 -0800 Comment by Amelia blah blah blah indeed!

]]> Amelia http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870004 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870004 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:25:29 -0800 Comment by mattymatt Why even give them change?

]]> mattymatt http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870009 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870009 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:30:03 -0800 Comment by Mr. Poe What #1 said. Bear hater.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870010 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870010 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:30:42 -0800 Comment by jimmy poor, fat, dirty santa! i wouldn't touch you even if you were a missing snowboarder.

]]> jimmy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870011 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870011 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:32:41 -0800 Comment by bma I’m about 10,000,000 times more likely to give some random homeless person change if—and I know this sounds awful—I don’t have to touch ‘em.

That doesn't just *sound* awful...

]]> bma http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870012 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870012 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:33:26 -0800 Comment by PdxRitchie I agree with Dan. I don't care much for touching strangers, especially homeless strangers.

]]> PdxRitchie http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870014 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870014 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:35:45 -0800 Comment by joey dan -- your priorities seem to be FUCKED!

god forbid you actually treat someone humanely.

there were folks similar to you in the 1980s who were afraid to touch hiv- positive folks. i'm glad they got over their fears.

you fucking suck as a human and next time i see you out in public, i'm gonna make sure to get filthy germs all over you!

]]> joey http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870018 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870018 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:38:41 -0800 Comment by The CHZA I'd give this guy money. Cup-shakers, I dunno what they want it for. Then there's those "WHY LIE I NEED A BEER" guys. Then there's this guy, who's at least working. If you put some active effort into it I'll respect you. As Santa says, even if it's for a beer, at least you're not sitting on your arse.

]]> The CHZA http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870021 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870021 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:42:35 -0800 Comment by left coast Mike Huckabee thinks that it's okay to treat AIDS patients as less than human, and that's disgusting. But it's fine to treat homeless people that way.

If you're so disgusted at their hygiene, give them $5, a toothbrush and a bar of soap.

]]> left coast http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870022 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870022 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:43:15 -0800 Comment by tsm @10 - OK, I'll bite: where did Dan exactly say he regards homeless people as less than human? There are plenty of people whose humanity I can readily acknowledge, but who I an still not necessarily aching to touch.

]]> tsm http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870024 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870024 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:45:42 -0800 Comment by Just Me Hmmm, Santa playing sax? What happened to the girl who played violin in front of Pacific Place? I always threw in a few bucks after having lunch. I always will give to musicians on the street.

]]> Just Me http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870027 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870027 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:47:30 -0800 Comment by Clint I feel the same way. There is a guy in my neighborhood I sometimes give money to and the last time I gave him a buck, he grabbed my hand and seemed to wipe his finger on the top of it. I was very grossed out because I was on my way to meeting friends for dinner and had to get all the way to the restaurant before I could wash my hands. Maybe that makes me an asshole, but I have no idea when that guy washed his hands last.

]]> Clint http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870028 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870028 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:49:10 -0800 Comment by Medina I won't even touch my wife unless she's showered. Being touched no matter your hygiene is not a human right.

]]> Medina http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870029 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870029 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:51:27 -0800 Comment by chi type Well at least this time he's baiting a group with limited computer access so we won't have the interminable blog war.

]]> chi type http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870030 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870030 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:51:33 -0800 Comment by Mr. Poe Blog wars kick ass, chi type. You know it. I know it. And fuckin' Marsellus Wallace knew it.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870033 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870033 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:55:09 -0800 Comment by genevieve I saw that guy yesterday too - he was great! Unfortunately I didn't have cash on me at the time. I'm glad he's on Slog because I wanted to take a picture of his sign.

I won't add to the melee about not touching the homeless - I'm not crazy about touching any stranger - but I do hope Dan generally washes his hands before eating his meals.

]]> genevieve http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870034 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870034 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:55:50 -0800 Comment by Joey @13 -- unless you watch someone wash their hands, you have no idea when ANYONE last washed their hands!

If you live/work in the business world -- you shake folks' hands and they haven't washed them!

]]> Joey http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870035 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870035 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:56:43 -0800 Comment by Ari Spool Want cleaner homeless?: www.urbanreststop.org

]]> Ari Spool http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870036 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870036 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:57:21 -0800 Comment by Clint You are right Joey, but when I shake hands in the business world, usually the hands at least APPEAR clean.

]]> Clint http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870043 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870043 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:01:47 -0800 Comment by left coast You can bite my ass tsm. It's not a subtle point, the whole topic is dehumanizing. The homeless, or 'bums' as Seattlites seem to prefer, are still people. In his defense, Dan notes that it's not their fault, but the whole discussion is offensive. I feel sorry for people who live on the street. The Slog's problem with touching them, pales in comparison with their problem of trying to survive in the cold and rain and get enough to eat.

]]> left coast http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870045 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870045 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:02:12 -0800 Comment by ellarosa kinda prissy sometimes, dan? and you don't know that someone didn't, at some point in its circulation, wipe his nose or ass with that dollar you contemplated giving to him. and it doesn't make you sick, and neither will he. just wash up before eating and all will be fine, i promise.

]]> ellarosa http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870050 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870050 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:09:15 -0800 Comment by left coast That's cool Ari. There you go passive agressive Seattle. Instead turning up your noses like Dan, you can actually do something for a change.

]]> left coast http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870054 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870054 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:14:07 -0800 Comment by James Folks, let's just all take a giant step back here. I don't think Dan's dehumanizing homeless people. He just doesn't like touching dirty people. Period. It's his own psychology in play there, not some backwards attempt to dehumanize homeless people. And you know what? I don't like touching dirty people, or strangers, in general. It's my own personal psychology, too!

So what do we do about it? Should Dan and I break ourselves of our psychological issues with dirty people by going around and touching every dirty person we see? I think it's a much better use of our time and efforts to try to help the homeless. Dan gave saxaphone santa some change... since I'm 10,000,000 times more likely to give a homeless person money if I'm 90% sure it won't go directly to the booze and drugs that lead some of them to break into my boyfriend's car or scream "FILTHY FAGGOT" at me on the 358, I give the money instead to homeless shelters and projects like FareStart, which do a bit more than just give homeless people a prayer and a bar of soap.

]]> James http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870058 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870058 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:15:08 -0800 Comment by urbanreststop 19
Thanks for the plug. You wouldn't happen to be one the newcomers who helped cleaning up after the vomiting incident on saturday night? We're a little lax on introductions.

]]> urbanreststop http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870059 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870059 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:15:21 -0800 Comment by naw Comment bating to the max, Savage

]]> naw http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870061 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870061 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:17:39 -0800 Comment by Just Me @25, I put my name in to volunteer at Urban Reststop but no one got back to me (This was a couple of trys back in August) What gives??

]]> Just Me http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870062 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870062 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:19:08 -0800 Comment by urbanreststop We are far from claiming to be perfect. Keep trying. The best way (at least the way I started) is to come down and hang out.

]]> urbanreststop http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870067 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870067 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:23:35 -0800 Comment by Ari Spool #25: I haven't volunteered. Right now, I have to stick to plugging you guys around the block. Soon I'll get some money to give you, and maybe after that, some time.

Keep up the great work!

]]> Ari Spool http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870071 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870071 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:26:34 -0800 Comment by chi type @ 16: You're right of course, Mr. Poe. Maybe I was just doing some wishful thinking since my place of employment is where the smelly homeless are most likely to come to participate in the flame war.

]]> chi type http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870074 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870074 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:27:31 -0800 Comment by Hal Freakazoids! Any time you touch that $$$, you are touching far more "dirt" than anything that could possibly come off of a homeless person.

]]> Hal http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870080 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870080 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:33:32 -0800 Comment by Gitai You shouldn't be giving money to homeless people anyways. You should be donating that money to charities that are dedicating to helping the homeless, or giving it to politicians who actually do something to alleviate homelessness. I ain't paying for anyone's booze but my own.

]]> Gitai http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870089 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870089 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:41:35 -0800 Comment by SDA in SEA Observing that obvious homeless people who shake cups at you are dirty and smelly and gross in no way "dehumanizes" them. It's just stating the truth. It's a fact. They usually ARE dirty, smelly, and gross. Dan specifically noted it wasn't their fault. He indicated that he even tossed money in those cups. How is that dehumanizing? Prissy maybe, and perhaps a bit of a neat freak. But dehumanizing? No.

I myself never give money to individual street people. Ever. I just hate the entire begging behavior, and by giving to them, you just encourage it. Instead, I give money to FareStart, Youthcare, Urban Rest Stop, or other organizations that actually provide useful practical assistance to homeless people. That way I know the money I'm giving is actually doing something useful.

]]> SDA in SEA http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870111 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870111 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:53:23 -0800 Comment by librarian@play Any time you give charity, it's slightly dehumanizing for the receiver, because the power dynamic implicit in the act is that the giver bestows his/her superior wealth on the receiver. But the fact is that the homeless need help. Still, I don't know if that means I need to be the recipient of his superior filth.

]]> librarian@play http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870119 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870119 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:58:52 -0800 Comment by Kip One of the secrets of good sex and lots of it - you cruise the street guys and the so called homeless.

Of course you take them to a bath house and do hot showers together before you rim them.

Good advice, hey, Dan ...

Mr Poe knows.

]]> Kip http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870147 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870147 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:23:28 -0800 Comment by Joe M This certainly explains Dan's aversion to riding the bus.

Me, I'm looking forward to riding that filthy SLUT starting Wednesday!

]]> Joe M http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870157 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870157 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:28:05 -0800 Comment by NapoleonXIV I'm not sure the homeless *want* you touching them, Dan.

]]> NapoleonXIV http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870159 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870159 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:30:26 -0800 Comment by ecce homo Dan,

Gotz to be givin you props when you deserve it.

At least you are honest about having a certain amount of revulsion at the homeless.

That is what Gods plan for them is. Keeps the rest of us going to our "jobs".

But maybe you could give them a little advice about how to have sex in shit filled dumpsters and despite open festering pressure sores on their cocks. You know, the same stuff that would benefit your other readers.

]]> ecce homo http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870176 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870176 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:47:41 -0800 Comment by jamier ecce homo: A whole lot of people are repulsed by gays. Is that god's plan to keep people from becoming like you?

]]> jamier http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870224 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870224 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:24:39 -0800 Comment by RHETT ORACLE Christ, Dan - you're beginning to sound like Howard Hughes and his germophobia. Or like the woman quoted in last week's P-I about never having ridden a bus nor intended to, but looked forward to patronizing the SLUT because it "looked fun". Lady - it's a bus running in steel ruts. And they'll stay clean, drug-and- homeless-free because Paul Allen says so. Can you say "Cashcadia"?

]]> RHETT ORACLE http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870240 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870240 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:38:29 -0800 Comment by Bitter. Then perhaps you should have Strangercrombie benefit Urban Rest Stop!

]]> Bitter. http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870244 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870244 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:48:41 -0800 Comment by BassSinger You should really give to an organization rather than the homeless people on the streets. Somebody like Volunteers of America Western Washington really does a good job at helping the less fortunate people in the community.

]]> BassSinger http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870301 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870301 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:41:11 -0800 Comment by You'd Touch A Bum If He Didn't Want To Be Touched Purelle and cocoabutter oyu fucking verminophobe!

]]> You'd Touch A Bum If He Didn't Want To Be Touched http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870351 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870351 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:10:29 -0800 Comment by Bauhaus I'll admit it. I sometimes worry about lice on the bus. I don't want some people rubbing against me for that reason. And tuberculosis...I worry about TB.

Wouldn't have to worry, of course, if these unfortunate souls had health care.

]]> Bauhaus http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870397 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870397 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:45:32 -0800 Comment by caracola I gotta say I feel the same way as Dan. And I work with homeless people. There's nothing wrong with wanting to protect your health by avoiding folks who don't have the means to maintain hygiene. It's classist to lump all homeless together and call them "dirty" (many are quite clean), but for the same reason I don't share my food with my 4-year-old niece after she's been picking her nose and eating the fruits of her labor (ahem), I don't go rubbing hands with folks who don't have regular access to hot water and soap.

]]> caracola http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870480 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870480 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:45:34 -0800 Comment by Kiru Banzai Laundromats should have showers in the lower 48, just as they do in Alaska. Write your congressperson.

]]> Kiru Banzai http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870620 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870620 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:28:02 -0800 Comment by Mr. Poe A couple questions now that I'm bored enough to care:

- Where did he get the sax?
- Where did he get the candy canes?
- Where did he get the clean Santa suit?
- Why would you have to touch him? He has a folgers can for change right there.
- Why should we care?

Please answer these, Dan. Thanks.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870627 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/12/i_actually_appreciate_those_cups#c870627 City Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:33:27 -0800