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Recursion

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67. Kids from poorer neighborhoods routinely come up to my building

Thu Oct 23, 2014, 02:09 PM

Oct 2014

The NGO's say about 3/4ths of them are trafficked, so we can't give them money. If you have a bottle of safe water it's OK to give those to one of the "poor neighborhood" kids, or a pack of cookies. Those are fine, because they can drink them or eat them right there. If you give them money, though, it goes to their trafficker. I try to keep a dozen or so bottles of water with me plus two or three sleeves of oreos, but I never have enough at the right time. I cry at night about that. Those kids really just want some help, and I didn't have it.

If you want to get really depressed: read on. If not, just hit "back". You'll be happier that way. I'm not judging.

In addition to the kids there are also mother-child teams who wait at the intersections near my apartment block. Most of you have probably seen how infants in real life behave. But these babies are always incredibly well-behaved, sleeping peacefully on the woman's arm.

The traffickers pass out a baby in the morning (that's not her mother) along with a small dose of heroin, to keep the baby quiet. If the mother brings back enough money she gets the rest of the heroin.

I fucking hate this world and everything about it.

Sorry, I just had to get that out there. I'm sure your Halloween was quite emotionally disturbing too, lady...

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Kids from poorer neighborhoods keep coming to trick-or-treat in mine. Do I have to give them candy? [View all] KamaAina Oct 2014 OP

Teabagger Feral Child Oct 2014 #1

Who can't afford a gated community. n/t Orsino Oct 2014 #12

But, thinks she's Feral Child Oct 2014 #129

That's what I wondered. Upper-middle class professionals might live in maddiemom Oct 2014 #186

Meant response to Orsino (gated communities?) maddiemom Oct 2014 #187

Living "modestly." Fantastic Anarchist Oct 2014 #95

I wish we got trick or treat visitors fasttense Oct 2014 #133

we always buy a lot of candy... awoke_in_2003 Oct 2014 #158

Me too. I hate having candy around because I don't want to be tempted, but always buy hlthe2b Oct 2014 #201

We get no one in our neighborhood, which is rural, so phylny Oct 2014 #173

Yeah, and what selfish a hole. nt brush Oct 2014 #181

Oh, probably generous enough Feral Child Oct 2014 #217

Unbelievable. theHandpuppet Oct 2014 #2

That seems to be happening pscot Oct 2014 #28

Geeze. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #3

I think we're being too harsh on her, and we LOVED the traffic coming to the densely packed Hortensis Oct 2014 #134

We had a very active 'churchy' couple a few doors down Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #136

Wow. We need more of this. Very nice. kysrsoze Oct 2014 #215

Some parents do encourage their children in greed--even for candy Wella Oct 2014 #159

Hogwash. Tommymac Oct 2014 #190

We have more barns than houses. We always drive in to town. tecelote Oct 2014 #193

That's such hogwash Dorian Gray Oct 2014 #197

WTF??!! This is a free country and those babies and bigger kids should be welcome Ecumenist Oct 2014 #200

What if the kids lives out in the country? IrishEyes Oct 2014 #206

"A local walk around"??? Where I grew up, the nearest neighbor was a mile away. I"m sure 1monster Oct 2014 #208

There are seven houses in my subdivision Papagoose Oct 2014 #213

+ 45 billion Caretha Oct 2014 #169

You wonder about the sort of person who would write that e-mail el_bryanto Oct 2014 #4

The kind of person who thinks living in a high income area frees them from seeing *those people* Gormy Cuss Oct 2014 #10

There's the rub .... Fantastic Anarchist Oct 2014 #97

No one wrote the email. former9thward Oct 2014 #11

Lol. Never met an Ayn Rand fan? Hassin Bin Sober Oct 2014 #18

What You Say?? Sparhawk60 Oct 2014 #49

That's what it looked like to me too. Although I assumed it was written to seem ironic. eom Blanks Oct 2014 #52

Bingo. REP Oct 2014 #69

I've heard lots of people say it creeksneakers2 Oct 2014 #75

Can't speak for this particular email, but Tree-Hugger Oct 2014 #94

What is your evidence for that assertion? nt el_bryanto Oct 2014 #111

Knowledge and common sense. former9thward Oct 2014 #123

Ah - so no actual evidence? el_bryanto Oct 2014 #127

I did not know this was a court of law. former9thward Oct 2014 #135

I simply asked for your evidence - and you said you didn't need any. nt el_bryanto Oct 2014 #157

Post removed Post removed Oct 2014 #152

I've heard people say the exact same thing gollygee Oct 2014 #163

I know people say those things. former9thward Oct 2014 #171

And on cue.... ProudToBeBlueInRhody Oct 2014 #176

The majority of posters on this thread agree with me. former9thward Oct 2014 #191

I think you're right, actually. Warren DeMontague Oct 2014 #180

yeah like this never happens. I hope kids miss your house roguevalley Oct 2014 #212

I'm not saying it never happens. Warren DeMontague Oct 2014 #218

I suspect the person that wrote the email is the same person that answered it. n/t A Simple Game Oct 2014 #118

On what do you base that suspicion? nt el_bryanto Oct 2014 #120

Just a hunch. I have a hard time thinking that anyone would look to an outsider A Simple Game Oct 2014 #130

Sounds like a fake letter REP Oct 2014 #5

sounds like? heaven05 Oct 2014 #34

The latter. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #104

It may be faked. But I heard a sister-in-law say almost exactly the same thing. tclambert Oct 2014 #59

The concept of property has brought out the worst in the human race. CrispyQ Oct 2014 #82

So does greed: even for candy. Wella Oct 2014 #160

+1 nt MADem Oct 2014 #63

it sure does Liberal_in_LA Oct 2014 #96

No, they don't. gollygee Oct 2014 #164

It could be fake Shankapotomus Oct 2014 #198

We get kids brought in from poorer neighborhoods, and I give them MORE candy. djean111 Oct 2014 #6

You exemplify the generosity of our dying middle class SleeplessinSoCal Oct 2014 #21

We get a lot of migrant worker families - lots of tomato and strawberry farms around here. djean111 Oct 2014 #54

Thank you. Rozlee Oct 2014 #110

I always thought kids were shuffled around to AtomicKitten Oct 2014 #7

happens to me every year. i did a spit take the first time kids came up to the door and the parents dionysus Oct 2014 #27

I have the older ones sing me a song. They are usually in a group so I pick something like shraby Oct 2014 #48

This is a great idea! AllyCat Oct 2014 #210

We've had some good older ones come by over the years. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #138

sweet. dionysus Oct 2014 #146

Has always bugged me, too. Laffy Kat Oct 2014 #153

one little kid came as a fork.. tin foil from head to toe. dionysus Oct 2014 #155

Really? All kids coming to our door hopefully go away with nice memories and some good treats. Hortensis Oct 2014 #203

You're obviously a nicer person than I am. nt Laffy Kat Oct 2014 #205

I really enjoy the crowds of kids n2doc Oct 2014 #8

I do, too. Halloween used to be big business in this neighborhood. TONS of kids calimary Oct 2014 #55

prolly a lie, to boot. mopinko Oct 2014 #9

right heaven05 Oct 2014 #36

I suspect the first letter is made-up. MineralMan Oct 2014 #13

I agree it's fake. The tagline gives it away. (nt) enough Oct 2014 #16

The writer signed a real name and the columnist changed it to "Halloween for the 99 percent" NT Eric J in MN Oct 2014 #60

I agree, it sounds like a setup. hughee99 Oct 2014 #17

I also agree. People who really feel that way spooky3 Oct 2014 #56

I dunno, I've seen a lot of letters that were outrageous to Miss Manners.... moriah Oct 2014 #81

Miss Manners is my hero. Truly. MineralMan Oct 2014 #83

Nope. HERVEPA Oct 2014 #89

Maybe you're right. MineralMan Oct 2014 #92

She is kind of fun to read. HERVEPA Oct 2014 #93

Prudence's mother was Ann Landers, so Prudence is NOT in any danger of tblue37 Oct 2014 #149

Definitely fake. How the hell do you know which neighborhood trick-or-treaters are from? Nye Bevan Oct 2014 #14

I was wondering the same thing ... knightmaar Oct 2014 #15

Beyond fake. dilby Oct 2014 #23

Yes, every last kid loves to dress in a head-to-toe burqa. bullwinkle428 Oct 2014 #25

Probably car loads of kids showing up. Hassin Bin Sober Oct 2014 #33

But how do you know whether they came by car or walked? Nye Bevan Oct 2014 #44

How do I know the "car loads of kids showing up" came by car? Hassin Bin Sober Oct 2014 #88

Well, around here Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #140

It's a dog whistle demwing Oct 2014 #46

Oh no you di'int! KamaAina Oct 2014 #100

That's not me talking demwing Oct 2014 #115

Oh, I know KamaAina Oct 2014 #117

The sick thing demwing Oct 2014 #121

Well, when your neighborhood is lily-white for miles around and some face or hands reaching out No Vested Interest Oct 2014 #72

Well, if you're a rich, white racist snob theHandpuppet Oct 2014 #124

If you live in an all white neighborhood gollygee Oct 2014 #165

Fake letter linuxman Oct 2014 #19

Damn abelenkpe Oct 2014 #20

There are a LOT of people out there who don't care for Halloween, Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #141

For those insisting that this is a complete fabrication, I can personally attest bullwinkle428 Oct 2014 #22

Yes, whether this particular letter is real or not ohnoyoudidnt Oct 2014 #37

I guess these DUers never met an Ayn Rand fan. Hassin Bin Sober Oct 2014 #38

I appreciate where you are coming from but don't think an Ayn Rand would even give out candy. rhett o rick Oct 2014 #150

bingo- said or un-said... it is the attitude and has been whispered behind the scenes of fortunates tomm2thumbs Oct 2014 #86

I've heard people both complain gollygee Oct 2014 #166

I hope you banter with them, tease them a little, and give them oldandhappy Oct 2014 #24

Great post!!!!! I second this. onecent Oct 2014 #137

"Social service, charity" heaven05 Oct 2014 #26

This sort of reminds me of my sister-in-law, murielm99 Oct 2014 #29

Is this a joke? nt ladjf Oct 2014 #30

I've never heard of anyone referring to themselves as the 1% JohnnyRingo Oct 2014 #51

The letter-writer signed real name and the columnist changed it to "Halloween for the 99 percent" NT Eric J in MN Oct 2014 #61

here should be a ashling Oct 2014 #31

I'll chip in to send the Jesse White tumblers to perform. Hassin Bin Sober Oct 2014 #41

We hand out full-sized candy bars for Hallowe'en. MineralMan Oct 2014 #32

If I were nine years old again... JohnnyRingo Oct 2014 #45

We really don't get a lot of double-dippers, really. MineralMan Oct 2014 #50

Hmm I usually get the bite sized for 2 reasons - cost is one, I just assumed it was less expensive seaglass Oct 2014 #71

I ran a spreadsheet after the last time we gave out the little stuff. MineralMan Oct 2014 #73

So do we. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #142

Same here. 30 full size bars @ $18 is a good deal and the kids are thrilled. n/t MerryBlooms Oct 2014 #154

I like the way Prudie plays! Tuesday Afternoon Oct 2014 #35

No one has to hand out treats at all. JohnnyRingo Oct 2014 #39

with all the 'enablers' heaven05 Oct 2014 #40

About as authentic as "Dear Penthouse". VScott Oct 2014 #42

I doubt that many readers think her questions are legitimate. MineralMan Oct 2014 #53

Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses? My taxes pay for these useful institutions. tclambert Oct 2014 #43

I actually know people like that procon Oct 2014 #47

Great response.Can you imagine being so selfish to deny a candy bar to a poor kid that gets to judesedit Oct 2014 #57

I can't JustAnotherGen Oct 2014 #62

dEAR 99 pERCENT, Turbineguy Oct 2014 #58

Whether or not the letter is real, the sentiment does exists. madamesilverspurs Oct 2014 #64

You can always turn off your front light, to indicate you're not No Vested Interest Oct 2014 #65

I did that, too. Thought everyone did Uben Oct 2014 #66

Now you're talkin! BobbyBoring Oct 2014 #87

Never did that, but... Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #144

If you want to send your Dentist's kid to Yale lancer78 Oct 2014 #183

My friend Lois-Ann Yamanaka writes of this in her "Heads By Harry" KamaAina Oct 2014 #103

Full Bars! progressoid Oct 2014 #112

Kids from poorer neighborhoods routinely come up to my building Recursion Oct 2014 #67

Wow... druidity33 Oct 2014 #175

this is an expressed fear of the S.O.s neighbors HereSince1628 Oct 2014 #68

Sounds fake, but ABSOLUTELY represents the thoughts of tens of millions of Americans randys1 Oct 2014 #70

see, 99--otherwise you get tricks. librechik Oct 2014 #74

75 percent of the trick-or-treaters are clearly not from this neighborhood? SmittynMo Oct 2014 #76

Dog whistle demwing Oct 2014 #119

Are you kidding me Docross Oct 2014 #77

When our son was five d_r Oct 2014 #78

I just moved to a nice neighborhood, though nothing like what the OP describes. Maedhros Oct 2014 #79

No, you stingey, mean-spirited, resentful tight-wad vlyons Oct 2014 #80

It probably is a made up letter, but the sentiments probably are not. logosoco Oct 2014 #84

Solution: All the doctors and lawyers can send their kids a few blocks over to the billionaires cemaphonic Oct 2014 #85

Sad and Crazy erpowers Oct 2014 #90

It makes you FEEL like a terrible person, because you ARE a terrible person. n/t Fantastic Anarchist Oct 2014 #91

The 'Gated Community' Mentality RadicalGeek Oct 2014 #98

People do think this way Tree-Hugger Oct 2014 #99

WTF indeed! elleng Oct 2014 #101

We live in a very neat, lower-middle-class neighborhood. LOTS of families drive here for TOT. riqster Oct 2014 #102

The more the merrier at our house! woodsprite Oct 2014 #105

We get around 200 trick-or-treaters every Halloween. Jokerman Oct 2014 #106

'show me your papers before the snickers.' pansypoo53219 Oct 2014 #107

What a silly question. When trick or treaters come from poorer neighborhoods it is a good idea Louisiana1976 Oct 2014 #108

I live in a old 1960s subdivision surrounded by rural roads and farms in all directions. NutmegYankee Oct 2014 #109

that sounds awesome nt d_r Oct 2014 #116

That's the way it's gotten to be where I live. The rural/suburban mixture means that enough Oct 2014 #162

that is the difference between me and a repuke Skittles Oct 2014 #113

You should find out where this is KamaAina Oct 2014 #114

I know plenty of people like her Skittles Oct 2014 #122

Candy ? NM_Birder Oct 2014 #125

I have seen kids come home with a wide variety of item on Holloween. Pencils for school, apples, jwirr Oct 2014 #126

I posted a reply with the following points... brooklynite Oct 2014 #128

I live in Brooklyn too Dorian Gray Oct 2014 #199

I can sympathize with the letter and understand her frustration scarystuffyo Oct 2014 #131

We do have a sarcasm thingie KamaAina Oct 2014 #145

I don't sympathize with that whiny twerp. They have no business giving out candy. rhett o rick Oct 2014 #148

Halloween visits fell off in recent years, and I missed it. But our neighbor started doing a haunted Hekate Oct 2014 #132

a perfect example of the uselessness of guilt noiretextatique Oct 2014 #139

Face palm... blackspade Oct 2014 #143

My only expectation of the kids who ring our bell... 3catwoman3 Oct 2014 #147

They come in vans in our neighborhood packman Oct 2014 #151

while it's possible that the specific letter in the OP could be fake there really ARE JI7 Oct 2014 #156

sounds like my street ibegurpard Oct 2014 #161

Anyone here from Dallas? Y'all haven't experienced Halloween until you have seen a Swiss Hestia Oct 2014 #167

Locally LWolf Oct 2014 #168

Gawd, don't remind me of those people... ReRe Oct 2014 #170

I am kind of annoyed by the adults though... fbc Oct 2014 #172

What? NaturalHigh Oct 2014 #174

We will be shutting our door / turning our light off once it gets completely dark out. X_Digger Oct 2014 #177

Oh, me too. We welcome all the littler kids but the teens are annoying... CTyankee Oct 2014 #209

Oh the humanity! Whiniest Whine Eva'! Where's my damn Cha Oct 2014 #178

How else am I gonna get rid of all this candy? Retrograde Oct 2014 #179

People that are pretty well off are possibly the real culprits. How does she know where they are brewens Oct 2014 #182

The poor kids should be coming to your neighborhood . . . OldRedneck Oct 2014 #184

Better give 'em something - ever hear of the "flaming bag of dog poo" trick? tularetom Oct 2014 #185

Now ya done it.... Spitfire of ATJ Oct 2014 #192

Has anyone here heard a RW conservative ask for approval of their beliefs ever? IronLionZion Oct 2014 #188

Dear 99, toddwv Oct 2014 #189

I was joking with my wife that I want to pass out the candy I got as a kid Revanchist Oct 2014 #194

We tend to get a lot of kids from poorer neighborhoods.... Adrahil Oct 2014 #195

Someone threw out troll bait and caught a Purdie... ileus Oct 2014 #196

JUST PUT A SIGN IN THE YARD TNNurse Oct 2014 #202

You forgot, lonestarnot Oct 2014 #204

I don't mind it, with one caveat joeglow3 Oct 2014 #207

I bought extra candy from Walmart itsrobert Oct 2014 #211

Agree with those who think this is a fake letter oberliner Oct 2014 #214

We don't do T or T VA_Jill Oct 2014 #216