Do you ever give to panhandlers?

[masterfins]

Honestly ... I don't have time these days. I pop in for a few minutes here and there but there is no way I can keep up with you guys so most times I don't even try.

I agree.  Sometimes I'd like to comment on something off the cuff, but I just know there are one or two people that will parse every word or half sentence, until it doesn't resemble the context in which it was meant.

Regarding the original topic, I occasionally will give money to panhandlers depending on time, location, and whether I think the person is in dire need.  However, I don't give to people who setup shop on a corner daily, or go from person to person with some lame story.  I do regularly give money to our local food bank, that way there is some hope that it is going to someone in true need.

[Dave Gray]

^ I get that, but at the same time, if you turn a thread political, you have to be prepared to defend your stance.

You can't really change the tone of a thread and then run off when you're challenged on it.  That's the whole point of a message board.  Be prepared to defend your ideas.

[Spider-Dan]

A: "You guys wouldn't be so generous with social programs without conservatives' money paying for it."
B: "Actually liberals subsidize conservative lifestyles, not the other way around, and here's proof."
A: "That's just more liberal fake news."
B: "OK, where is your evidence that disproves the stuff I just cited?"
A: "no time for that bro but trust me"

I humbly suggest that you can save even more time by not popping in just to say "liberal media fake news" when you have no intention of providing a better source.