Login to Change.org
Create an Account
SusanE Tisdale
Tallahassee, FL
Simply saved by Grace, passionate for hurting people regardless of why.
Recent Activity
-
SusanE commented on the article |Yes there was a time when hopping trains was overlooked, there were hobo camps near and often in train yards. An old act by Red Skelton depicted the era of hobos and tramps, along with Boxcar Willie, even Johnnie Cash, these were people that painted a picture of the era. Those "hobos, tramps" would show up at the backdoor of folks; offering work for a plate of food. All bygone days, perhaps I wish it wasn't lost, that sense of charity, trust, hope, innocence. Jowey, I was a victim of a police officer, the one that murdered my good friend. I often wonder where he is and how many more have been victims of his since he was let out of prison for a sex-offense against a child, a friend of mine, too. He as an officer falls under a law that protects good upstanding officers, it allowed him to resign/retire and to not have his data made public. I've got some of his record seeings how I was a victim of his also. Its all just come back to me like running into a brick wall full speed. I had pushed many experiences I survived far in the back of my mind and heart. They would have been too overwhelming to face all at once. It explains why I have insomnia, fear, shame, always leaving myself an escape route, assessing each person I meet, in any encounter I have. Its what has me checking and rechecking my doors all night. Why when startled I over react. He somehow still runs certain aspects of my life. It is something I will never forget, this mans fists either side of my head, telling me how he was going to make me suffer and the pleasure it would give him. My lip evidently quivered as he said to me b**** if your lip quivers again he would smash my head in right there. I was so lucky as a sheriffs car turned onto U.S.1 and he backed away. My training to be invisible as a homeless person allowed me to escape this man twice after that encounter. As far as law enforcement they trespass homeless folks from where ever they want so that allows them to arrest that individual any time they are seen where they are tresspassed from. Thus committing the crime of tresspassing. Most churches ask the police to check their property so they, homeless can be tresspassed from there. So its not only LEOs its like the preachers much of our communities do the same. They just don't want folks like me or who I was, in their backyard. Its a sad and vicious game that LEOs play the "boss, king" in.
-
SusanE commented on the article |
Good character helps one come through the hard times, it denotes how we will respond and what we're willing to do with or in adverse circumstances. I speak from what I know, my and my friends experiences. Also from still going into prisons and down in the streets to offer help and hope to those that are going through things that I did. People who steal have alternatives they may not like them or whats required of them to get food and housing, medical care. No one has to commit a crime to feed their children. I ate out of dumpsters, fishing, clamming, orange groves, leftovers in gardens and fields, while homeless, jobless. Then there was the daily soup kitchen. I will concede that I did break the law by raiding gardens and mango groves without asking first. When caught the owners would allow us to pick and glean from gardens what wasn't harvested. But no one has to rob a bank or burglar a home to feed their kids. They will actually then lose their kids and what then have they taught their kids? Does anyone here remember the time of hobos riding the rails? Many of them were men going from town to town to try and feed, provide housing for their families. I recall my Grandmother taught me about hard times through those experiences and thats probably why I think commiting crime using the economy and the need to feed our children as an excuse is wrong. Times are far different than then our capability to survive isn't as then. Its not like we can live off the land in these days, or that charity even exists in many folks hearts, I'll give you all that. But to commit crime to feed our children is not all that common, very few who give that reason really do use the bounty to feed the kids. I am not saying its easy being homeless, jobless, unable to feed ones kids. I only speak from living and having been homeless. I do also concede that we see in these times acts of desperation. My heart breaks for folks that get to that point, I've been desperate, but did not act on or out of that feeling. I've been with folks that have acted out of desperation even when I begged them to hold on for just the next day even and they didn't and went to a place that there wasn't a turning back point. It was too late to alter their destiny. I can't unfeel or not know what I do already, my mind and heart can be changed though. But my statement, knowledge, feelings are still true and reality that must be faced. Sorry if offense was taken by my comment it wasn't meant in that way, just an honest view point from lifes experiences, reality.
-
SusanE commented on the article |Don't know where this comment belongs, but people that continue to advocate that persons in prison for non-violent drug offenses are mistaken that their lives were or are non-violent. People that get to prison have been involved in violence to a degree some worse than others. Even prostititution is extremely violent, the so-called harmless, victimless crime, just like pot is the so-called harmless, victimless drug. These are misconceptions and ideals. Someone on pot would look through those rose colored glasses. I am not an advocate for or against drugs, but will share my experiences, where my opinions come from. Drugs are violent with violent life styles. If one would sit in an A.A. or N.A. room, they would hear the fantastical "war" or "top dog" stories of substance abusers. Shooting heroin is a ritual that is very much a part of the high, along with the thrill of the danger involved in getting it. People become as addicted to the life style as they do the substance. Just like drunken stories that are so much fun and funny until someone gets hurt. Prisons are full of conversations about prisoners' war stories as well. We have some really broke down systems in our society to deal with crime, they're not working, nor are our laws as they are. Neither is law enforcement any longer effective. I have ideas but who really cares? Don't we most look for words that echo or resonate with our own already.
-
SusanE commented on the article |
Character, not the economy is to blame for any crime increase in hard times, good times, any time. If a person lacking good character falls on hard times they will by their taught, ingrained nature react differently, than a person of good charater, integrity. It would be nice to blame or accept something other than reality. Often humanity is quite ugly, or the lack thereof is. If we accept it in others, then its scary, as we know we too are only human and subject to humanity in all its forms. Mostly just simple choices can make us or destroy us. They start wars, too, simple choices compounded by many that fall after the initial wrong decision made. Consequences can often be altered by taking a new vein of choices. But pride stands in the way too much of the time.
-
SusanE commented on the article |I think indifference has become like a plague in our country as the feeling of only self is important, priority. If one looks at the response to crime against street people, it is disheartening, for the murder of a homeless friend of mine that was twenty four yrs old, six months pregnant for example. The two men that murdered her, one got 5 yrs probation, not a single night in jail, the other got 5 yrs in jail, as he had a record. Another friend was murdered by another female, her throat slit ear to ear, her murderer got 5 yrs as she had a record and been to state prison, not just jail three previous times. Her murderer got ten years previously for sales charge. Rarely is there equal justice importance or significance to or for people like us. I know if I were murdered today or tomorrow my past would justify it as it does with so many. My murderer would get a few yrs. maybe, but my retired neighbor, a social worker and foster parents' murderer would be pursued and get significant time. It doesn't matter what I could or would do or how long its been since I had a past. Its reality and its not right but what it is by the majority of society. It is what it is and hopefully here through conversation, education, perhaps things will change one day. Theres hope and faith that say perhaps so in my heart. As do the countless pictures, memorials and letters in reference to so many that were part of my life, for their children and friends, family.
-
SusanE commented on the article |This made me think of my half sister the Christmas before last she bought new socks for each of her grandchildren to take to a shelter and give to staff to disperse. She wanted to teach them about the plight of many, compassion, also for gratefulness for their lives. It hit my heart when she said it, but then I recovered quickly telling her how good that was to do that, it was important and appreciated by many, I was sure. I hope folks don't judge my heart by all my thoughtless words or unthinking actions. For me first getting clean socks and underwear on a regular basis or at all was a great feeling, so good. The feelings were topped in progression, the next point of pure joy was when I became able to have a warm shower, not a cold hose behind someones garage or business, trying to bathe in the rivers, or showers on the beach, before putting on the clean socks and drawers. So many little things I try to not to ever take for granted. Empathetic, sympathetic and compassionate people will say quickly they know they can't even comprehend the plight of so many of us. I pray they never have to. Am glad for all they all do no matter how seemingly small or senseless, even useless to me. I'm quite sure most here don't enjoy or take much notice while putting on clean drawers and socks like I do. My sister, funny I wanted one so bad, then meeting mine wasn't and didn't give me one. I take responsibility for much as I don't let people in too close so just as well she didn't want or need a sister. But her heart was right in doing what she did even though it was as it was, I can't really judge. After all the simplest smile, kind word, were like the finest silks and most luxurious bath to me at one time. Charity is so crucial to good character. Love this place the stories, feelings, hope, make me feel not so alone and that I have a place I belong sort of, wierd I know.
-
SusanE commented on the article |Inacurate at best, in many places the count won't and hasn't come close to the reality. I love the information and experiences people share here. I feel like I fit or belong, wierd as I don't usually have those feelings, its me, not other people or places, but inside of me that feels like this.
-
SusanE commented on the article |
What videos? sroden@embarqmail.com Have you found a place to volunteer yet? I love it, but health keeps me from doing much, other than trying to maintain breathing, but this too shall pass.
-
SusanE commented on the article |Libraries here in Fl tresspass homeless as do stores and churches frequently. So do the street feeds and shelters, so staying out of jail and being warm isn't always that easy.
-
SusanE commented on the article |Funny while foraging through a dumpster looking for food this little, no-tailed cat peeked up and squeaked. My heart broke, I could clearly see myself, as she too was trying to forage for scraps to survive. But from that moment on she ate when I ate. She becme mine, we are still together, 14yrs later.
