THE LONG WALK

This time yesterday, I was trudging, tired and hungry and hungover and away from the mall through southwest federal Washington, behind the Jefferson Memorial through East Potomac Park, around the tidal basin and then back to the mall. Why? To help the homeless, and in fact for Help The Homeless! Saturday was the 17th annual walkathon (my 2nd), sponsored by Fannie Mae and every business with a presence in the area and the semblance of a corporate conscience.

Basically, we sign up to walk and sign up others if we wish (I didn't bother) to participate, and for every walker, the company they walk for pays another few thousand dollars or so. Frankly, I'm surprised a fleet of peripatetic Robin Hoods didn't sign up a fleet of fake walkers, and just say they showed up. Then again, I don't know that they didn't.

At least in my group, one young lady from the office didn't show, and as far as I know, her name was unchecked and the evil corporate masters on the top floor (actually, I have nothing bad to say about the guy who cuts my paycheck) kept another few pennies while the city's homeless wander around in a cracked-out haze, asking me for money.

Last week, when I claimed not to have any change (not true) one woman asked me for a sip of my Mt. Dew. I demurred. Not two blocks up I was once again approached by another woman (this one with teeth) who wanted some cash. Despite the fact that she "ain't a bum," I declined again. "Give me something good!" she yelled. But I still didn't.

So: Was it morally wrong for our group leader to not check her off as present anyway? Was it morally wrong for her not to show up in the first place? Was I wrong to keep my precious change to myself? Is this all just fatuous hand-wringing? Tis the season.

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posted by WWB at 10:34 AM |