Funding cuts leave many without home heating assistance in Macon

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

^^ No one is talking like that Drolefille, but if that's what you are getting out of my posts...well, than my message is coming out wrong.

There's nothing wrong with cooking your food from scratch, I prepare 90% of my meals from scratch and I wouldn't have it any other way. There is a difference between nice things and excess, if you make $20,000 a year your ass shouldn't be sporting a $500+ purse and $300 sunglasses. You can get a nice purse and sunglasses at Target for about $50. It sounds to me like you want people who live in poverty to live like people who are middle to upper middle class. Very noble of you but unrealistic.

Hyperbole for the sake of the point.

No shit there isn't anything wrong with cooking meals from scratch, I said "all" for a reason. And people who have always had homes with stoves and kitchens with space to store food in a bug-free environment seem to think that everyone has access to those same facilities. Not to mention the knowledge that does not always exist because it wasn't passed down.

If you think I want people buying $500 purses, then you're not listening. The point is you don't know what the fuck is going on in that woman's life, but you have decided you know better than her what is good for her and how exactly she's fucked up based on a photograph.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

...but you have decided you know better than her what is good for her and how exactly she's fucked up based on a photograph.

As long as you know that not everyone has interpreted the discussion in this thread the same way that you and perhaps AOIIAngel have.

Moreover, you seemed defensive and that you had your mind made up about this subject to the point where it did not matter what PiKA said in his very first post. You were quick to assume that he (and anyone else who shared a sentiment about that photo) had his head up his ass and was being judgmental. That's presumptuous and judgmental on your part because you do not know PiKA and what he may have had to deal with all of his life (beyond what he has shared) that provides the context for his posts.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

As long as you know that not everyone has interpreted the discussion in this thread the same way that you and perhaps AOIIAngel have.

Moreover, you seemed defensive and that you had your mind made up about this subject to the point where it did not matter what PiKA said in his very first post. You were quick to assume that he (and anyone else who shared a sentiment about that photo) had his head up his ass and was being judgmental. That's presumptuous and judgmental on your part because you do not know PiKA and what he may have had to deal with all of his life (beyond what he has shared) that provides the context for his posts.

I'm judgmental based on what people say, absolutely. And I work very hard not to make assumptions about them in the process, I operate based on the words that people write, the things they take responsibility for. If he included himself in the group of people with heads up anuses then that is his prerogative. And I would still extend that sentiment to anyone who made judgments and assumptions about the subject of the picture who doesn't actually know her full situation. There is a distinction between pointing out irony and judging as well. Had PIKA's posts not trailed down into making those assumptions about the subject, I wouldn't personally have categorized him in the judgmental asshat category, but they did, so I did.

And yeah, I'm defensive. I've worked with a range of people in poverty from those with mental illness who make bad choices and can't help it, to those who stubbornly make bad choices over and over again with full foreknowledge to those who are absolutely trying the best they can. Knowing that has only highlighted exactly how big of an asshole people can be to people in poverty purely because they're poor. I've also BEEN poor, although relatively privileged in it and am still working on not being poor any more. I didn't access foodstamps because I was too ashamed to, despite the fact I've paid taxes, I qualified, I met the need. Instead I borrowed more from Student Loans.

The idea that people who receive state assistance should bow to the whims of the taxpayers - and the people who think this usually want them to bow to THEIR whims and live to THEIR standards, not the standards of anyone who disagrees - is offensive.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I'm judgmental based on what people say, absolutely. And I work very hard not to make assumptions about them in the process, I operate based on the words that people write, the things they take responsibility for. If he included himself in the group of people with heads up anuses then that is his prerogative. And I would still extend that sentiment to anyone who made judgments and assumptions about the subject of the picture who doesn't actually know her full situation. There is a distinction between pointing out irony and judging as well. Had PIKA's posts not trailed down into making those assumptions about the subject, I wouldn't personally have categorized him in the judgmental asshat category, but they did, so I did.

I don't see a substantive distinction between pointing out irony and making, what you perceive to be, a judgment. It's really the same thing. Then again, I try to avoid getting lost in people's tone, and whether they come across as an asshat, and focus on what's embedded in what people say.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

And yeah, I'm defensive. I've worked with a range of people in poverty from those with mental illness who make bad choices and can't help it, to those who stubbornly make bad choices over and over again with full foreknowledge to those who are absolutely trying the best they can. Knowing that has only highlighted exactly how big of an asshole people can be to people in poverty purely because they're poor. I've also BEEN poor, although relatively privileged in it and am still working on not being poor any more. I didn't access foodstamps because I was too ashamed to, despite the fact I've paid taxes, I qualified, I met the need. Instead I borrowed more from Student Loans.

You are not the only person in this thread who has professional and/or personal experience with poverty. That does not mean that everyone with professional and personal experience with poverty will interpret and respond to this topic in the same manner.