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Vespa
AOL
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When I was young and foolish (I'm only one of those two things now) I befriended a 62-year-old paranoid psychotic homeless Filipina retired professor who lived in Annapolis. I abandoned that particular experiment in do-goodism when she came after me one with a pair of scissors in the Moon Cafe.
It was a terrfiying experience. The people watching were laughing so hard I was afraid someone was going to choke to death on a piece of biscotti. I wish this young man well, but I don't think it's going to work.
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Jeneen
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I can't lie and say that I am ready to make a big step like that. For one I have a small child in my home and would not feel comfortable letting strangers live with me. But I realize I can do something to help someone out just a little. Maybe I can become a '5 at 8 lady' to someone out. It's not a home but least it's a little help.
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mike-nottingham
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Prediction: Michael will be robbed by these two at some near point in the future. I would like to verify the guy's claim that he is out of work because of some injury. Bet your life it is because of alcohol or drug abuse which will manifest itself shortly when Michael is robbed for money to purchase one or the other. The idealism of youth especially when you come from privilege and never see the seedier side of life.
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Ken
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I hope you're wrong, Mike. But I think it would be a good idea for Dan to follow up on this story in 3, 6 months, whatever, to see how it's working out.
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Michael
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mike-nottingham wrote: Prediction: Michael will be robbed by these two at some near point in the future. I would like to verify the guy's claim that he is out of work because of some injury. Bet your life it is because of alcohol or drug abuse which will manifest itself shortly when Michael is robbed for money to purchase one or the other. The idealism of youth especially when you come from privilege and never see the seedier side of life. Acknowledgment:You're right, there is a history of drug abuse and alcoholism. I agree, I think being betrayed, robbed or worse is an inevitable outcome. The writing is on the wall.
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Margaret
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Michael is one of God's Angels.
We are "Blessed to be a Blessing."
He is being 'Jesus with skin on' to these people.
I will pray for Michael, and these people he has taken in.
What a great example of what we can all do; reaching out to help.
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Jesse B
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A rare example of "the life isn't greener on the other side." The affluent struggling to be humble, in a world where the poor struggle to be affluent. This nice gentleman will probably be unlucky in the fact that his offspring will be the opposite of him. I can see him setting up a charitable trust where 90% of his assets are transferred to the cause upon death while his kids cry that they are not being provided for.
I applaud him.
My goal in life is to transfer most of my assets to help those who are addicted.
As a former meth head, I was one of those who you probably thought would steal from you, even though I never would have.
Now, in the top 10% of my profession of over one million, and well into the highest income percentile, I am a person many envy. Kudos to you, Michael.
People bash you when you try to be good, but if you show any outward signs of your affluence, they will bash you for working hard for all that you have. Sadly, you will never win, but you will still be enriched.
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Cheryl
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When I read about people doing good like this, I feel a glimmer of hope. Someone read the Bible or the Torah or some book of G-D and interpreted it just right, if we all did his work in a direct hands on way like "Michael" this world would be a much better place. Let's start with controlling the amount of money professional athletes and celebrities make, bring that into proportion- make teachers salaries reflect the absolutely enormous responsibility we entrust them with, and hold ourselves accountable for our gluttony. "Michael" I doubt you will read this, and I can tell you are the sort that does not want any attention for your acts of giving, but I want to put it out there that your story has inspired me.
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Cheryl
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mike-nottingham wrote: Prediction: Michael will be robbed by these two at some near point in the future. I would like to verify the guy's claim that he is out of work because of some injury. Bet your life it is because of alcohol or drug abuse which will manifest itself shortly when Michael is robbed for money to purchase one or the other. The idealism of youth especially when you come from privilege and never see the seedier side of life. I will add you to my prayers, so that you will find a way to believe in the good in people, rather than to expect the bad. You have a long way to go in your own life before you can be someone like "Michael" for you see the glass half empty and "Michael" sees the pitcher with which to fill others glasses.
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2 Good 2B True
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Dan, please, please do a follow up on this article. This is a truly remarkable young man and a story that needs to be fully told.
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Audrey
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I applaud Michael, but please be very careful. Baltimore City is a far, far cry from Montgomery County (where I come from also.) I hope he is able to make this thing work, but he must realize that many people in Baltimore are in survival mode and will rob, cheat, steal - even kill a person if it is to their advantage. Perhaps at some point he should consider starting a non-profit.
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Towson mom
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I feel good about what michael is doing also but i think that if u follow up on him in a few months he will have a different slant on his two boarders. Desperate people do desperate things. but michael will probably understand. he's been easy so far! don't let down ur guard ever
!!!!!
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Make It Happen
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This story warms your heart on one hand but feels Unreal on the other.
The idea that ANYONE would allow virtual strangers to live with them is just mind-boggling.
However, the fact that the Homeless situation is so out of control could easily drive a person convinced- that all ANYBODY needs is a REAL chance, an opportunity to get their lives back on track to TRY.
To see if this works. Because if it does, well then 'Michael' has a tried and true method to perhaps give to City Hall or the Mayor or the Governor.
Michael hasn't given up on the human race. Have you?
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Pam
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It's hard to read this story and not want to do something to make the people in this world feel loved.
I'd say, if nothing else, we should all start carrying original flavor twizzlers around and handing them out.
Who knows who we might meet.
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JANET
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Although when I read the first few lines, I am thinking, this kid is going to get himself killed. But he is 100% right, they deserve to be treated better and it is us, we, you and I who are turning a blind eye to them and the issue. Thank you Michael. And thank you Dan for telling us about him!
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mike- nottingham
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Cheryl wrote: <quoted text>
I will add you to my prayers, so that you will find a way to believe in the good in people, rather than to expect the bad. You have a long way to go in your own life before you can be someone like "Michael" for you see the glass half empty and "Michael" sees the pitcher with which to fill others glasses. Wrong Cheryl , I see the world as it is not as how I wished it to be. This is a City with approx. 300 murders a year with about 90% of them involving the drug trade. If these two guests are into that Michael is in danger and too naive to realize it. That comes from having a privileged background and never having to deal with people like his two guests. I can assure you that if this goes bad Rodricks will never report it.
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Anne Kraft
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It does my heart good to read about the good people
in life who really do want to reach out and touch someone
not just talk about it but really walk the walk! Beautiful
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Lesa
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This is extremly Heart warming.
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Michael
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Dear Liz,
I understand you have sent in some questions to the paper. I think it's only fair that I answer those questions.
You asked the following: " 1. Weren't you nervous about strangers living with you? 2. Were you afraid they would hurt you or mistreat you? 3. How idd you over come your fears? 4. How do you find you can relate to what has happened in their lives?
My response:
1. Yes, I was extremely nervous/ terrified. I had issues sleeping the first night. I was most worried about being stabbed. I hear it's very painful.
2. Yes, of course I was afraid they would hurt me. I have had many, many night terrors showing me exactly what might happen. Especially, if drugs and alcohol were involved I consider betrayal an inevitability.(almost).
3. Well, a whole lot of prayer. Also, I started lifting weights.
4. I can't relate to what has happened to them in their lives. But even if I can't relate I refuse to believe that I still can't show them friendship and trust. I am learning that love always finds a way. It always finds a way to forgive, it always finds a way to look past the exterior of a person to see their incalculable value. And I have found that wherever love exists, fear, no matter how strong, is powerless to overcome it.
-Michael
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John David
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I was once in Michael's shoes; young and full of desire to improve the world.
I was working in a black neighborhood where survival was Darwinian. I decided to help by providing a basketball hoop that the kids could use. They were full of enthusiasm and encouraged me to put it up where they played. While I was putting the net up some of the kids cheered me on while others broke into my truck and stole my tools. Good luck to Mike.
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