Begging: a problem we cannot hide  By Chris Middendrop February
19, 2005  Crude zero-tolerance measures have no place on
Melbourne's streets.  Yesterday I met Kenny who was begging in
the CBD. He sat on the footpath in front of a tatty square of
cardboard on which he'd written in wonky crayon, "I am hungry.
Please help."  Kenny's a fairly typical beggar. He's 32. He
sleeps rough in a city lane. His Centrelink income has been
cancelled - he was unaware he had to attend a mutual obligation
interview. He has arthritis and takes medication for a mental
illness. He considers himself "lucky" to make $15 in a day.
"Begging up money is very embarrassing," says Kenny, "but I've
got to live too."  Yep, we've all got to live. And some of us
live much harsher, riskier and more onerous lives than others.
Next time you observe someone begging on our city streets, it's
worth bearing in mind that they are not doing it to be annoying
or to lower the tone of the neighbourhood. Most of them are
begging to survive.  Some people,