What can we DU now to help TTW and Yoshi ?

[daredtowork]

295. The TTW Subtext (Sorry if this is "calling you out")

The lengths of these threads aren't really about TTW.

They are about how people responded to TTW and may still respond to TTW if she asks for help again or if someone else asks for help.

Among the issues:

1) How to be careful about Internet scammers without creating permanent patrols of people who always try to discourage donation to people who actually need help. The TTW case became really fraught because these "skeptics" were still on "patrol" and (of course a few here needed to post their aversion to "Internet Panhandlers" in general) long after TTW's situation had been verified. Perhaps there needs to be a rule against first person testimony as that is always perceived as subjective.

2) How DU can assist in human aid vs. animal rescue. Again TTW's case is fraught because there are people who are more focused on the fate of TTW and people more focused on the fate of her dog and varying opinions - many conflicting opinions - on what was best for the dog. This has reached the ad absurdum point of people who have promoted relinquishing the dog having to suppress the fact they promoted relinquishing the dog so they can argue that TTW is "crazy" for thinking people wanted her to relinquish the dog, and that's part of the proof she's in no condition to care for the dog.

3) Donations vs. real world intervention. A lot of people would prefer to give real world assistance rather than money - especially when its clear that person needs a lot of support in general. It would seems like it would be great to use DU as an organizing tool to find people int he area who might facilitate that intervention or at least help find the right local services. In this case someone from DU went way above the call of duty, and a family member tried to take in a dog they couldn't handle. Various people who are against real world interventions (as well as donations) are using this as an example to discourage ALL such real world interventions. For TTW's case alone there is a lot of, "SEE, she won't accept ANY help." People are eager to prove their case studies.

Regarding your own post: you could easily ignore this thread all together - yet you chose to post an opinion that is really not about TTW, but is about whether people were putting their safety and well-being at risk by helping her. The answer might be yes if they tried to take care of her dog. If you are saying "move on" for donating money to TTW, then this is a stealth "don't panhandle" thread. I have to disagree with "silencing" all together: people who are able to contact TTW can always offer her the contact information of a great resource they found in her area. That might genuinely help her. Why put the kabosh on that?