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Sue adds on 13/04/07
James, do not "tar" all Big Issue sellers with the same brush.
They are not ALL as you suggest. Granted some do just sell the
magazine to fund their "habit", but not all. For many years I
worked for one of the big banks and for the last 10 years or so
in Hove. We had a big issue seller outside our branch, and yes
one Manager (a snob) thought it degrading and tried to get him
moved on. This chap always stood between the cash machine and
the door, was always polite, opened the door for both customers
and staff and we NEVER had a single complaint about him or where
he stood. As has recently been said, there for the grace of God
go I.
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| Chris comments on 18/09/06
are you being sarcastic james? you honestly believe homeless
people CHOOSE to be on the streets?
homeless people refuse help? surely them selling the big issue
(that offended that much you chose to write on here) isn't that
help? where exactly do you think the magazines come from? do you
think homeless people carry printing presses around with them or
something?
i don't see what basis a persons housing situation has on their
right to stand in our town centre? and by the way, there is no
"they" i hate to break it to you, "they're" people too. by that
logic i could tar the whole lancing population as you do for
homeless people, and assume they're all as tragic as you. which
judging by the previous responses isnt true. you're far more
damaging to society than a person selling a big issue.
the big issue in itself is a great magazine, it has lots of arts
and culture etc (which would be lost on you anyway) as well as
current affairs, celebrity interviews etc etc. it's well worth
it's money without the actual help it provides.
go back to enjoying your bus shelters.
pip pip!
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Reply to this comment |
| James comments
"On several occasions now I have been
asked for money by vagrants selling 'The Big Issue'
in Lancing Village North Street. I am not saying
that it is wrong, it is just maybe we are an easy
target for giving. We must remember that the more
money we give them in Lancing then the more we will
see vagrants in Lancing in the future. I give to
charity but not on the street like that. If you wish
to give cash on the street then maybe the collection
tin is the right idea and not to a man that may
spend your money on something you will be never
temped to buy. I believe that they choose to be on
the street and beg as there are so many
organisations out there offering help. Give the
money to the charities and not the user is what I
say" |
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Reply to this comment |
Ray replies
on 30/04/06
"James I am totally appalled at this bigotry. One
wonders what other groups of people you would like
to remove from "good old Lancing". |
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Reply to this comment |
James replies to Ray on 01/08/06
Well Ray, I would like to remove people who cause verbal wars by
shouting biggot. Also I would remove people who imagine that a
comment writer is a despot by not inviting Big Issue sellers to
Lancing. I find it strange that you assume that I wish to remove
other classes of people, who are they and how did I suggest
that in the first place? Your comment was without value or
truth. Now, you have made me respond with a comment of little
value as well. |
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Reply to this comment |
Ann replies
on 20/04/06
"James - next time you go through your front door on
a cold night, think what it might be like to sleep
rough on the streets.
There but for the Grace of God........." |
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Reply to this comment |
Heather
replies on 20/04/06
"I do not know what happened to the young Big Issue
vendor who used to be in Lancing but the present one
is also very polite and always ready to give change
when given more than the cost of the magazine. He
appears to be very clean and I have never noticed
that he smells of alcohol or any other unpleasant
odour. At least he is trying to improve his
circumstances and the Big Issue is an excellent
magazine" |
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Reply to this comment |
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Lynn replies on 17/04/06
"I was annoyed to read this
comment , Firstly Big Issue sellers are not vagrants
but people who often through no fault of their own
have fallen on hard times and are now positively
trying to help themselves to become a valued member
of society. I would suggest that the seller
would like you to purchase a copy of The Big Issue
and is not begging for money as James suggests. you
have the right to say no thank you . Do not assume
or judge" |
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Reply to this comment |
James
replies to Lynn on 20/04/06
So Lynn, how many vagrants in total do you feel is
ok to be found selling The Big Issue at any one time
in Lancing? Would fifty do? They refuse organised
help other than selling the Big Issue, they are
generally dirty, usually smelly, often drink
alcohol, have been known to take drugs and like to
form little social groups in bus shelters and other
areas that we can then no longer enjoy because of
all the urine and general body fluids left there.
People live in Lancing above the shops, how would
you like 50 vagrants sitting outside where you live?
I know that how you feel is charitable and you are
seen to be doing the right thing, I just feel that
they should be taken off the streets as a huge
charitable gesture, meanwhile please do not
feed them in good old Lancing because they will
cluster here like pigeons in Trafalgar Square,
London do. |
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