Live data from Hacker News

A homeless man built a life underground Hampstead Heath (2020)

theguardian.com

61–68 of 68 posts

Re: A homeless man built a life underground Hampstead Heath (2020)

#61
post #32

I love seeing this creativity, but I hate the system that causes people to have to live this way. I was homeless off and on for years, blending in. Crashing in college campus common areas, or living in my car. Bumming showers from friends once in a while or paper towel baths in gas station bathrooms. Would sometimes sleep in the trunk when it got cold enough. I was normally employed, had friends, and most knew nothin…

But sending billions of dollars to fund wars overseas is done because it’s humanitarian and the “right thing to do”. How the homeless are treated tells me all I need to know about the people in power.

The reason is not “humanitarian and the right thing to do” it’s to send tax payer dollars to the enormous war companies in the US. There’s even leaked voice memos of these CEOs assuring investors “there is still plenty of instability” to prop up profits. It’s a disgrace.

Re: A homeless man built a life underground Hampstead Heath (2020)

#63
post #32

I love seeing this creativity, but I hate the system that causes people to have to live this way. I was homeless off and on for years, blending in. Crashing in college campus common areas, or living in my car. Bumming showers from friends once in a while or paper towel baths in gas station bathrooms. Would sometimes sleep in the trunk when it got cold enough. I was normally employed, had friends, and most knew nothin…

[dead]

Re: A homeless man built a life underground Hampstead Heath (2020)

#64
Sadly this is the state of capitalism, we are currently in. Not everything should be done for profitability in the name of capitalism. There should be some legal guarantees to a citizen by the state and not leaving them homeless, hungry, uneducated, ill are quite basic.

Re: A homeless man built a life underground Hampstead Heath (2020)

#65
post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But sending billions of dollars to fund wars overseas is done because it’s humanitarian and the “right thing to do”. How the homeless are treated tells me all I need to know about the people in power.

The reason is not “humanitarian and the right thing to do” it’s to send tax payer dollars to the enormous war companies in the US. There’s even leaked voice memos of these CEOs assuring investors “there is still plenty of instability” to prop up profits. It’s a disgrace.

[dead]

Re: A homeless man built a life underground Hampstead Heath (2020)

#66

> Van Allen had budgeted £100 for the job, and come in under. I have a question to people in charge of politics everywhere: Given how much money governments spend on nonsense, why can't we take some money, and build simple, but quality and stable shelter for people? If there are 100.000 homeless in a community, and 2 people manage to build that sort of shelter, with what they could get in tools and materials for 1,00…

[dead]

Re: A homeless man built a life underground Hampstead Heath (2020)

#67
post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t think words can state how angry this makes me. Wtf is wrong with those police and judge. How can this be socially acceptable? Those people should be behind bars for cruelty against humanity. Couldn’t imagine something like this in Europe. Certainly we have our systematic problems towards homelessness but what’s going on in the states is intensionaly beating down.

Maybe instead of going full-feels, you should pause and contemplate why those sorts of regulations and laws exist. I would imagine it relates to the premise that public spaces are supposed to be a benefit to all, which doesn't happen if they mostly serve as an encampment for a minority of a population. Well-intentioned actions like the ones in the parent post can actually come with negative externalities that entirel…

The society is (arguably?) working for the benefit of all its citizens. So no user of a public space should be prioritized over another. If the homeless takes a dump in the park it's because he doesn't have a better place to do it, so dear society please go fix that. PS: leftists are often called "snowflakes" but I see the others whining waaaay more.
Post reply on HN