Reader comments
Quick judgments ignore the real, deeper stories

...for a touching article and a GREAT lesson!!! God bless your husband.

It's true. Many judge based on the outer appearance, without having any idea what may be going on on inside not only physically but psychologically, etc.

It's completely true that it is very hard or impossible to know anything about a stranger. You don't know if the individual is a true object of compassion or a scammer, a drug addict, rebellious runaway, widow, industrious but unemployed.

This leaves one in a predicament. Am I helping or hurting this person? Am I adding to or alleviating societal problems?

I prefer to donate to organisations that are skilled and experienced in prudently dealing with the homeless etc.

Also the experience of the Smarts show that giving a dollar or two is one thing; giving a stranger access to your home is another.

Wisdom and compassion can, and should, be combined.

I refuse to give money to people on the side of the street. More often than not they are pan-handlers and it is their profession to take your money, even though they are able to go get a real job. People in Utah are suckers and think they are providing for people in need, when really they are giving their money to con-artists.

a person that get's on a UTA bus everyday and rides close to Temple square and begs for money just outside the Visitors Center at N. Temple and Main.
Everyday this person has cigarettes and puts on a very sad, pathetic face and takes money from anyone that will give it to her. It's quite a show.
People like this make me sick and hardens my heart for those who are truly in need.

Is it because he smokes?

I think it's because he has bus fare, cigarettes, and a place he comes from every day.