President Obama's Florida Town Hall Meeting: Homeless Henrietta

[HammockTimeNow]

Gee, I wonder where this woman is now? Read that she is "taking a class" in comuters along with her son who was a computer programmer...hmmmAlso-why didn't she sell her property in Lehigh Acres if she was so destitute.

[lovejangie1]

President Obama's staff did contact several people to help Ms. Hughes. A good sumaritian came forward and offered temporary housing until more permanent arrangements could be made. I also heard other people called to offer money to her after seeing the news reports.

[jmspflw]

Obama has a house with 7 bathrooms and 4 fireplaces in Chicago that he's not using. Why not let Henrietta and her friends stay for 4 years?

[GottaLaff]

The answer is a little obvious, there, jmspflw: He and his family still go there often, just did in fact.

Then there's that little issue of security. No president, nor his Secret Service, would allow anyone to live in his/her home for that reason alone.

Are you even aware of what you just said?

[jmspflw]

Yes, Gottalaff,

I'm very aware of what I said. Did I stammer?

Have you ever heard of illustrating the absurd by being absurd?

[GottaLaff]

Speaking of absurd, that was nearly as cogent as your first comment.

You really must start to read and then maybe you'll begin to understand how truly nonsensical that first remark was in light of obvious protocol when it comes to the president of the United States' living arrangements.

[RoyalDemonforChrist]

why dosent he just buy her a house? hes rich as hell

[md4bush]

well then the recent unemployed need to gt taken care of before this lazy slug and her son. Heartwarming story? These pathetic excuses for human beings haven't worked in their lifetimes as most of us have done in a year.

[GottaLaff]

So much for compassionate conservatism. Apparently, the Republican Rep. disagrees with you.

[njpat65]

Do these idiots at MSNBC have access to public records? Henrietta's story isn't like she tells it. She owned 3 lots in Lee Cty Fla. Sold one and made 46K, and deeded one to her son, probably to get around public assistance requirements.

[GottaLaff]

Here's the rest of that story, via MSNBC (this will take a couple of posts, hang on): Hughes owes money on a loan, has her car insurance payment, a monthly storage bill and says she couldn't afford the rent.

"Where was I going to get $400 a month to give her if I got these expenses," Hughes told WINK News.

WINK News Reporter Nick Spinetto went back to talk to Tanya Johnson.

She stands by her story.

[GottaLaff]

Henrietta Hughes says she's never taken advantage of the system and doesn't choose to be homeless. Like other programs she's tried to get help from,she says We Care couldn't meet her needs.

State Representative Nick Thompson and his wife Chene are standing by the Henrietta and her son, Corey. They spoke out against the allegations Henrietta is milking the system, even when confronted with the fact WINK News found out the Hughes' sold property, back in 2005.

[GottaLaff]

This is after Henrietta and her son lost thier home in 2003 and started living in their car. Henrietta and her son sold the land for $47,000 dollars. But Chene Thompson says that was all the money they had for several years and it's gone.

"They have nothing today. They need help today. They didn't need help in 2005. They need help today. So whether they had $47,000 or $147,000 in 2005, it doesn't matter. They don't have any money today," she said.

[GottaLaff]

It's important to note, Rep. Thompson and his wife are Republicans, and they didn't give Henrietta the house, they "loaned" it to her.

They stand by her, and for good reason.

[Alexn1067]

this whole display was fucking embarassing.

I am truely embarassed as an American. This whole obama shit has made a mockery out of the presidency and the country but I don't blame obama we always knew what he was all about

nonono, I blame his mindless zealots for assasinating their brains, not thinking for themselves, and parroting a fucking punch-line from a politician.

Change, lol not quite what we wanted afterall huh?

[thall53]

Remember, Henrietta, smooth talking Barack had his staff give you a business card. Those dirty, nasty Republicans gave you temporary living quarters! Maintain the house as if YOU are paying the notes, taxes, uitility bills, etc. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders and with additional job training YOU CAN DO THIS ON YOUR OWN. Put forth the effort, youve made into getting freebies, toward a intense job search!!

[pandabead]

Guess what! Obama helped her buy giving her a business card to social services and a rebulican woman spoke with her husband and they came up to henrietta, offered for her to live in one of the homes they owned to help her. US evil republican people. How could we do that?

[didntdrinkthekoolaid]

This clip shows in a nutshell what is wrong with our country. People are always looking for a handout instead of getting off their (usually) fat rear ends to get a job. It may not be the job of your dreams but at least you'll be contributing something back to society instead of being a drain on it. Last time I checked the classifieds, there were pages of jobs and many of them were non skilled labor.  Take the energy you use in begging for help and go out and take care of yourself!

[WinterJack12]

In this country there are a lot of things have to be done. But now we have Historic economic crisis. We need strong economy for future by uniting Americans.

President obama he listen very well. He listen not only democrat also republican.

[Lanny1966]

For a Communications student, he sure sucks a communicating.

[retired77070]

Breaking News! 02/11/09 They've reached an agreement and taxpayers get screwed royally. I can't believe we are going in deep debt over a small check. We pay, they play.

Obama's "Making Work Pay" tax credit would be reduced from $500 per worker to $400, with couples eligible for an $800 credit, instead of $1,000, said a Democratic aide close to the talks. This aide spoke on condition of anonymity because the negotiations are private.

[GottaLaff]

Um, I don't work for MSNBC. And I didn't edit this video. This was all I could find when it first came out.

I'd have loved to have gotten the entire clip.

[ohh2clever]

why did you cut the good stuff from this clip where she is asking him for a car and stuff??

[GottaLaff]

I didn't cut anything. MSNBC may have, or the site from which I got this clip. I'd have loved to post the entire thing, but I had to take what I got, when the news was breaking.

By the time I posted this, more clips must have finally come out.

[azbdby]

Yep we spent a lot in Iraq and freed the people there and they are grateful so give it up. I feel sorry for this woman, but It is pathetic that so many think the government owest them something.

[spock8585]

I love watching the republicans spread their hate and lies. They have no clue about this poor woman but they attack her in hopes of making Obama look bad. The republican party has become the party of no, we will not help Americans, but we will spend over a trillion dollars in Iraq.

[spock8585]

It is true, and it so much better than the hate the republicans have for the poor.

[familyforfreedom]

Republicans don't hate the poor. Studies have shown that Republicans give more to charity on average than Democrats. And, when Republicans give to charity, it is charities that actually benefit the poor. Democrats tend to give to "charities" that benefit artists, animals, prep schools, etc. The idea that Democrats care about the poor should be disproven by now -- look at the cities run by Dems -- they steal from the poor to feather their own nests while the neighborhoods and schools crumble.

[familyforfreedom]

Why don't you look at the party of the person who gave her a house --- was it a Democrat or a Republican. The Dem said he cared, but who gave her a house?

[lrich65184]

who gives a shit about a party. Geez, enough of that shit already. look a the whole system for once. you guys sound like your cheering for your favorite football team. learn what really goes on. ..

[SilentiumWoodFilms]

More than our own vehicle? She thinks the stimulus plan that gives "tax" credit for the purchace of a "new" car is going to get her a car? Wow.. People will believe anything. Sad.. Really.. Oh, by the way.. Dear Obama, my friend got a new 09 HUMMER... It's not fair... So can you get me one too? Thanks oh beloved giver of all things.. I didn't think I'd really have to work for it now that you're the Prez.

[dgrkid23]

Someone please buy this women a house, doesn't everyone have the RIGHT to a house???....What the hell, let's buy everyone in the US a house who doesn't have one.

[spock8585]

That's right only rich bankers, who get bailed out should still bonus over 100 thousand. Bush build a 700 million dollar embassy in Iraq but no way would Bush spend money on Americans.

[spock8585]

That is why I love Obama. He cares about the people, and he takes time to let them know he cares.

[SilentiumWoodFilms]

Haaaa. You really believe that?

[familyforfreedom]

Obama doesn't care about people. Otherwise, he would have actually DONE something by now. His time in the State Senate was unremarkable - he spent his time working the political machine. His time on the Annenberg project showed that instead of improving education, he ve the money to community organizers to radicalize the youth. He's so dedicated to Planned Parenthood, that he's the lone guy to objected to giving aborted babies medical care when they're mistakenly born alive.

[spock8585]

We have seen how the republicans spent trillions in Iraq and not a dime on the American people. Obama has given people hope and the republicans offer nothing but hate and lies. No republican minded any of bush's many lies and yet they want to attack this homeless woman and say Obama does not care. The video speaks for it self and we see a caring Obama, while bush and McCain would not have gave this woman the time of day. What hope do the republicans offer people like this lady ?

[CircusMaximus09]

She should take care of herself! That's what everyone else does. Or is she too lazy

[AutopsyReport22]

Circus: she probably had a job at one point. Maybe she lost it to a young blonde.

[spock8585]

Do you know her ? Do you know why she is homeless ? Are you just assuming because she is black, she must be lazy ? Where is the great economy Bush and McCain said we had ? over 2 million jobs have been lost because Bush was spending trillions in Iraq and ignoring our own economy. That is the republican way, we rebuild Iraq  for free, but no way will we invest in the American people. Bush gave billions to pakistan, but no way should we help Americans get health care.

[mrsnet]

fyi, this wonderful lady had a job as a secretary for years. But even if she had never worked, Black people toiled in this country for 300 years without pay and made White people rich (Her ancestors free labor made your LAZY ancestors wealthy). Then Blacks were underpaid another hundred & fifty. So giving her support would simply be paying a debt. And btw, what kind of work do you do? You sound like an uneducated hillbilly.

[HammockTimeNow]

We don't owe her jackshit...She alone is responsible for herself! Her son is 40 yrs old....why isn't he working? Why isn't she working? My "ancestors" were NOT here even 100 years ago. BTW-you don't know where her "ancestors" came from anyway! Stop the nonsense already

[GottaLaff]

He was laid off, like most of the workers in this country.

[HammockTimeNow]

Sorry, but there are over 300million people in this country. Counting adults, MOST workers are NOT laid off. No one I know has been laid off

[GottaLaff]

So the unemployment numbers are wrong?

And if you took me literally, then fine. I was making a point.

And your personal experience is irrelevant. Unemployment numbers are unprecedented. Do you read? Or watch the news? As we speak, I'm hearing on the news that tens of thousands are losing their jobs every day.

Are you disputing that??

[HammockTimeNow]

You are 24 ...did you experience the double-digit unemployment, the double-digit mortgage rates or the high interest rates of the Carter years? Doubtful...The numbers are NOT unprecedented...READ the stats from the 70s. The stuff you are spouting is media hype. It IS tough out there, BUT....over-reacting will paralyze people instead of preparing for the future.

[GottaLaff]

Actually, I'm a little older. My son originally set the site up for me, and I never changed the age. Anyway, yes, I'm very aware of all of that, and did experience much of that.

I listen to Krugman, the Nobel prize winner? That Krugman.

I'm also not overreacting. I am, however, reacting.

It isn't media hype. I detest media hype. I believe what you are saying may be, though. I guess it depends on who you believe. No more time to talk, but thanks for the comments.

[GottaLaff]

I'd link, but YouTube won't let me:It is predicted that the U.S. Retail Industry will cut jobs and layoff employees in unprecedented numbers in 2009. In 2008, retailers eliminated more than 500,000 jobs, which is a notable 20% of the 2.6 million layoffs that occurred in the U.S. overall. Plus this: Highlighting an intensifying downturn, the Labor Department's Friday report indicated an unprecedented acceleration in the US unemployment figures -

[GottaLaff]

Found one more: Electronic unemployment filing systems have crashed in at least three states in recent days amid an unprecedented crush of thousands of newly jobless Americans seeking benefits, and other states were adjusting their systems to avoid being next.

[kemios]

Very well said.

[freakincampers]

Fun fact: some slave owners were black.

[pandabead]

Don't judge someone else. That is what democrats do. you don't know her circumstances so please have a heart

[pandabead]

I guess you did not see the news report that a Republican woman has come up to her after Obama's men gave her a card to social services and the republican woman spoke with henrietta and her and her husband offered henrietta to take one of the homes they owned. yes us evil heartless republicans

[freakincampers]

Who was majority in Congress since 2006? Oh yeah, Democrats. All the Democrats thought Saddam had weapons.

Democrats were so pissed off that Bush won, they would do anything to destroy him.

[AutopsyReport22]

familyforfreedom: What could he have done by now? Be specific. Do you think things can get done overnight? Besides, you have too many run-on sentences in your comment.

[familyforfreedom]

Umm, sunshine, it's about his record in the senate of his state and the US senate, and his record as a community organizer and the doler of millions at the Annenberg Project. He spends a lot of time posturing, and not much time DOING anything. Name the legislation that he AUTHORED (not signed on to) that has changed anything. The Global Poverty Act is his - why don't you look that up -- & it promises to redistribute the wealth of the US to the rest of the world. Point to something positive.