Mark Sharpe: The Panhandler's Grinch

When I first heard of Sharpe's suggestion to ticket the motorists who give to panhandlers on our city's intersections, I thought that was truly a dumb idea. That seemed like a dumb idea anyway until my working spouse related a tale of utter stupidity that she witnessed on the way to work the other day during morning rush hour.

Picture this: You are north bound on Dale Mabry, and are stopped at the light at the Gandy intersection. You are third in line in the far left turn lane. The light changes, you have the green turn arrow, and all cars that can move quickly begin to move. Just as the black Lexus in the lead makes the turn, this ball-busting idiot slams on her brakes, sticks her arm out the window to give a loaf of bread to the "professional" panhandler standing on the median. Tires squeal, and horns blow at this "Good Samaritan" who came close to causing a multi-car pile up. All of this for a loaf of bread to a person who is probably neither hungry nor homeless. That is a family business at that intersection!

If this is the lame brain motorist Sharpe is looking to ticket, I say "more power to you." If this brand of stupidity isn't fined then at least the perp should be severely whacked about the head and shoulders with a stale loaf of bread.