Yes, I'm a cynic, and a bit of an ***-hole.
So I'm watching the local news while eating my dinner, and there's this heart-touching story about a family who runs a restaurant in Longmont (just north of Denver). They have some relatives up from New Orleans, who obviously didn't have a place to stay so they shacked up with family. To this point, I don't have a problem.
Word of mouth begins to spread, and apparently the family who runs this restaurant is pretty well-liked in the community. People begin calling and offering help, such as spare beds, clothes, donations of food, and even money. So I'm getting all warm in fuzzy in my cockles.
As the story moves on to another topic, I begin to think. When are the con-artists coming out to play? Or, very likely, they've already begun. Most of the regulars that post here are probably just as skeptical as I am, so many of you may agree. But I think I'll be asking for an ID with an address listed as New Orleans before I start handing over money or anything else. I foresee too many scum-bags trying to take advantage of the situation by trying to pass themselves off as Hurricane Kat refugees and trying to milk the American people's generosity.
Yes, I've got an icy cold heart and I'm going to Hell, but I for one am going to be a tad leery of anyone asking for help.