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Comment by torgian | Hacker News Reader

I was homeless for a few months. It was shit, and the shelter I was able to access was just ok, but not a safe place.

This guy saw a need and did something. Whether it is legal or not, isn’t the question. Why the government isn’t working with him rather than against him is the real question.

Very few people have the balls to even try anything to help, even just giving money. The fact the government doesn’t want to tackle the homeless problem is just another version of “wait until they go away”.

This is not a new problem. Not all homeless people are druggies or crazies. And the homeless problem will only get worse, not better.

It’s too bad Toronto wants to waste time and resources on seeking legal action on the guy for trying to do the right thing.

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I am very sorry to hear about your experience I hope all is better now. My comments are by no means an attack on you.

> Whether it is legal or not, isn’t the question.

I think it's perfectly normal to discuss whether things are legal or not. IANAL but what that person did seems illegal to me.

> Very few people have the balls to even try anything to help, even just giving money.

Would you not agree anyone who pays taxes is technically speaking helping?

> Why the government isn’t working with him rather than against him is the real question.

Many organisations follow very top-down approach and it might be extremely difficult for staff "on the ground" to make big decisions.

> [...] but what that person did seems illegal to me.

Reminds me of this quote:

> “The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal their bread.”

There are many laws which are unjust, what is right and what is legal does not always align. Maybe it was illegal. But should it really be?

To me what this person did looked about as illegal as someone breaking an entry into a burning house to aid the people inside.

> There are many laws which are unjust, what is right and what is legal does not always align

What is considered right highly varies by country and culture, when you say "right" to what country/culture do you refer to?

> To me what this person did looked about as illegal as someone breaking an entry into a burning house to aid the people inside.

I am not commenting on the moral side of this persons actions, only the legal side.

> I am not commenting on the moral side of this persons actions, only the legal side.

But this is a false sense of neutrality and objectivity. Asking about the legality of aiding humans cannot be done without considering the moral side of the law and the moral side of the actions. Especially since the law itself has a moral component.

> But this is a false sense of neutrality and objectivity.

False according to what/who? For the sake of a good discussion it would be good if you gave some sources. Ie my question to you from a comment above

It is a tautology.

You are dodging questions though, it doesn't help our discussion.

sounds like a nothing argument. oh they think differently must mean were wrong.....no it's called multi faceted living and not good and bad.....

> oh they think differently must mean were wrong

At no point I said that someone was wrong because they think differently, no need to fight windmills

illegal is not the point....he did a good thing. the law is wrong. Toronto is a bureaucratic nightmare and they would help people if it doesn't align with their corruption.

> Would you not agree anyone who pays taxes is technically speaking helping?

No. Paying a tax bill doesn't get anyone any karma points for helping anything unless you also get them for every bomb dropped and person executed.

> every bomb dropped and person executed

So if you pay taxes in Switzerland you only get good karma points

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