From the Mar 22 – Mar 28, 2001 issue

Columns

I, Anonymous

As I walked behind you into the QFC on 15th Avenue late in the evening, an older homeless man asked you for some change. I cannot believe that your response to that request was, "Are you going to buy alcohol with it?" And when he said no, you asked him if he were "bullshitting you."

Jesus, lady. What's wrong with you? Who gives the wrong end of a rat's ass what he does with that money?! He's a grown man and can do whatever the hell he wants with whatever money he has. Once you give it to him, it's his. Don't want him to buy booze? Then don't give him any of your damn money. Just because you have the thing he wants and needs doesn't mean you can treat him like a child. If I were homeless, I'd drink all the time. Especially if I had to deal with your condescending "I know what's best for you" crap. What makes you think that it was okay to talk to him that way? Because he's on the street and you're in a Lexus? Because he's black and you are Wonder-bread white?

That was one of the most disgusting displays of power I've ever witnessed. Did you even realize you were humiliating him? If you were so worried about it, you could have gone in and bought him a sandwich. Since I was so blown away by your arrogance, there was no way I could recover in time to punch you in the face. So the only regret I do have is that I didn't go into the store and buy him a case of beer. We could have downed it together and pissed all over your SUV.

--Anonymous