Mixed emotions...

I went to H.E.B. last night for some cake. I needed some cake. It was a long day. Cake makes the day better. So when I stroll up to my local grocer, there is an incoherent individual laying on the ground with a backpack with a sign saying "Tavelling. Very Hungry." My dog of couse goes right up to him and starts licking his face and he kinds falls back and starts making groaning noises, but while laughing. As this slightly spooked me, dog and I walked off and I tied her off and went in.

When I came out he was still there. One of the managers was asking him to move on as he was blocking the entrance laying on the ground but he really wasn't holding any faculties to be able to.

I was on my way home and I saw two police cars searching the shopping center parking lot. I asked them who they were looking for. It was the same guy, as he had been causing problems at other businesses in the area...

So he was picked up and removed. To where I have no idea.. The city of Austin recently passed a law that prevented the homeless from sleeping downtown. I live in a very established part of town and the downtown popluation has moved into our neighborhood. There are 2 small 'shanty towns' that have sprung up since the ordinance passed. I have heard sories of people finding homeless sleeping on their property from startled renters and owners.

But is it ok to brush these people off due to their circumstances? Is that what we did with Katrina? No one wants to be called cold or callous, and it is easy to point the finger at someone else to do the work. Is that what our United States of America has become? We all banded together to help the victims of 9/11. I saw an interview of one of the wives of someone whose life was cut short in the World Trade Center days after the tragedy. She was in her very large home, very upset, lost her husband, and she was very worried about losing her home and her children's lifestyle changing.

And we jumped at the chance to help her. Not everyone was set as she was that lost loved ones. We all did our duty.

But not for Katrina. We turned the other way and let the government speak for us. We just didn't like what we had to say. No we are punishing others for what most felt. Apathy.

Which brings me back to last night. Maybe it is our fear of the homeless. Of the certain individuals that we do not understand why they are in the situation they are in. Maybe we hate them for bothering us in our lives... We all hear stories of someone being mugged or attacked by someone who is homeless. But we hear those stories about every type of person out there.

Not sure where I fall into all this. All I know is last night made me laugh for a moment then I felt sick, sad, frustrated, and angry.

But does what I feel matter if I don't do anything? Maybe I am waiting for someone else to speak for me again...

Also, don't take this as my judging any person on their view on this.. I have had the same views that I expressed here. Which leaves myself with mixed emotions...