Why?
Because it's not yours!
We were robbed the other night. Wednesday night, to be exact. It wasn't a giant robbery and we aren't out thousands, but we feel violated nonetheless.
Byron's tarp for his motorcycle was stolen. His bike is in our parking lot, under an eave, formerly under a tarp to protect it. But on Thursday morning, I noticed it was missing. I searched our lot, thinking the wind may have snapped it off, but no. Someone stole it. And he is mighty pissed about it.
The homeless are a problem here in Victoria. Amongst the BMWs, Jaguars and endless Starbucks shops, there are a lot of hobos and homeless. Some I have pity for, but many I do not. Just this week, the Supreme Court of BC made it legal for homeless in Victoria to tent in city parks. That's not going over so well. Proper thing! Those are public city parks that taxpayers pay for. We pay for city parks so we can walk in them, play in them, bring our dogs for walks and let our children play in them. They are not campgrounds. By having the homeless set up tent cities in our parks, it defeats the entire purpose of a public city park. It's no longer a public park but someone's home. Which begs the question, why are taxpaying citizens paying for something we can no longer use?
I am opening myself up here for some serious criticism over my lack of compassion for the homeless. I have some, for those who are mentally ill or addicted. There are programs out there to help them. I used to work at one of those agencies who did just that! But it's those who are homeless by choice, who think they are "sticking it to the man" but staying out of society, they are the ones who bug me. Because they are not staying out of society, they are expecting society to carry their asses. I work hard to pay for my own way and the way of my family. I should not have to pick up your tab, too, Hobo.
Which brings me back to why Byron and I are so pissed about the tarp. And yes, I realize it's just a tarp. But to us, it signifies a larger problem. It angers us that people will take whatever they want just because they see it. Someone saw the tarp, thought they could use that for the winter as shelter, and snitched it without thinking about the person who worked hard to own it. Can you imagine how we would feel if something significant like the actual bike or our car was stolen? Hell, we might start a riot and burn the city down!
Possessively Yours,
xoxoSallyS
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2 comments:
Have you seen the editorial in the Paper of Record?
and snitched it without thinking about the person who worked hard to own it.
For some reason, I'm reminded of when I passed a homeless man, said, "Sorry" when he asked if I had spare change and heard him snarl in return, "Not as sorry as *I* am."
I feel a lot of sympathy for the homeless people who have no way to make do. I'm thinking of people like this other homeless man I encountered who was clearly...oh, what's the politically correct term? People get so mad when I say retarded, even if I mean that in the textbook sense.
He obviously wasn't in any condition to help himself. I encountered people in Toronto, however, who would boast on the bus about all the parties they were going to and how they had found the best shelter in the city.
I think BC needs to put away the crunch and find a better solution.
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