Video: Henrietta Hughes gets rent-free home — from a Republican
posted at 1:30 pm on February 11, 2009 by Allahpundit
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First Howie Carr talks a caller out of suicide, now this. Who knew that conservatives have hearts?
I’m not sure she’s a conservative, actually, but she’s married to one and has been known to donate to others, so let’s make the leap. Sweet charity indeed, although the lesson’s bound to resonate with plenty of people down on their luck: If I can just get to the mike at an Obama town hall…
Exit question: Houses for everyone?
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Remember all the “free cars” Oprah gave away?
$7000 each in taxes was owed by the recipients.
Nothing is free in Amerika.
roninacreage on February 11, 2009 at 3:01 PM
I know. I think it is a nice gesture, but this is not a real solution. There is no long term good from it.
It is just welfare that does not instill self sufficiency, but it creates more dependency.
TheSitRep on February 11, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Heck BO gave her a card with the housing authority #. He should have said, “uhhhh, I IIIIi IIIIiIiiIii, uhhh, I have a house that I ain’t using in Chicago that is huge, hell bring your hoe family and live for 4 yrs rent free. But nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, it took a white lady to offer to give the black lady and her SON a place to stay.
What is amazing is that the lady in dire need has YET to give the !!!!!!RICH WHITE PEOPLE!!!!! an answer, what an ingrate!
Mercy4Me on February 11, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Who will mow the 3 acres of land the house sits on?
Not her lazy bum son, that’s for sure.
Any lawn guys want to step up?
Preferably a democrat. Nevermind.
roninacreage on February 11, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Maybe she could get Aunt Obama’s apartment when she gets her ass deported.
TheSitRep on February 11, 2009 at 3:06 PM
How the hell did this lady become homeless? What is her son’s issue and why isn’t he working? Do they drink beer? Drugs? Where are the other family members? I know they are on welfare or SSI. Where does that money go?
Joe the plumber treatment please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mercy4Me on February 11, 2009 at 3:06 PM
I just saw the Julio video and all I can say is… OMG! As soon as these genuises become the majority…
CCRWM on February 11, 2009 at 3:08 PM
They are, they just elected the Messiah…
Mark Garnett on February 11, 2009 at 3:09 PM
I prefer being on your side.
Esthier on February 11, 2009 at 3:12 PM
So you don’t seem to find anything a bit fishy with this “homeless black woman” just finding out about the Messiah visit, her getting tickets, then getting selected?
Mark Garnett on February 11, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Not particularly. She’s black, she’s poor, she wanted to see the first
blackbi-racial President. I saw a lot of people like her at the Inauguration.rockmom on February 11, 2009 at 2:15 PM
<
There. That’s better.
rightthinkr on February 11, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Considering many Americans are not “purely” any one race, I sincerely doubt he’s our first bi-racial. And this line about him not really being black is the lamest one we have. If his grandmother had been white instead of his mother, would you be whining that he’s only three quarters black?
Esthier on February 11, 2009 at 3:23 PM
I am so very glad that I have never been the object of pity or sorrow and that no one has ever had to help me, that I hope for the same for others.
These are two able bodied people in a country with more opportunity than any other country now or in the past.
Giving them a hammock is a disservice to them. What they need is a kick in the ass but unfortunately for them, no one has the guts to give it to them.
NoDonkey on February 11, 2009 at 3:27 PM
I to dream of a time when people are judged by the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin.
Why does the CORRECT observation that he is only part black matter? Since Race is NOT supposed to be a factor anyway?
Romeo13 on February 11, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Fair enough, Mark. But remember that for Christians (and make no mistake – this is an issue of Christianity for the Thompsons), her role in her present circumstances is almost irrelevant. This is not about her, it is about the Thompsons.
That might help explain my attitude. I know zero about Mrs. Hughes, and have no interest in knowing about her. If some here doubt her honesty or think that she’s some sort of dirty Democrat plant and her story is a lie – fine, great.
My story ends here: Thompson’s wife saw this video and said “huh, I have an empty house; I guess I should have this family live there.” Then Thompson looked at his wife and said “huh, what a great idea”. I love that.
Jaibones on February 11, 2009 at 3:39 PM
We’re becoming Venezuela…
Rockmom… may people took out loans they couldn’t afford either out of ignornace or greed and now have lost them…neither is right. I believe in personal responsibility…for everyone! Tha is what makes a country great. Now as for her circumstances I would like to know why her 37 yr old son doesn’t work…ther could be an illness or other issue so I won’t bash them…
I do believe this was a setup and am lmao that the big Zero probably never saw this coming… that a Republican would step up to do the charitble thing…hehehe
CCRWM on February 11, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Obama has officially become Jimmy Carter II.
Compare the original Obama-Henrietta Hughes video with this one:
http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi1825570841/
Boneshaker on February 11, 2009 at 3:45 PM
I’m sure he has a long, sad story for that.
Because every pathetic loser layabout has one of those tear-jerkers.
And as long as we as a society continue to take pity on pathetic losers, it will produce an incentive for other people to take the easy way out, become a pathetic loser and to take handouts from productive people.
The pathetic loser cohort better pray there is not a severe economic downturn, because at that point, there isn’t going to be any sympathy for their hard luck stories and they’re going to find themselves without a pot to piss in.
It’s a severe disservice to give a free pass from being a productive member of society, to able-bodied people. These people need a swift kick in the ass, not a handout.
NoDonkey on February 11, 2009 at 3:48 PM
You’re insincere. Firsts always count. We credit Bush with appointed the first black Secretary of State, but Powell was also Scottish and Irish, and I never hear anyone mention that.
Esthier on February 11, 2009 at 3:51 PM
“I have a lot of good memories of this home …”
And now someone who is going to get that home for nothing is going to trash it.
When will they ever learn.
pabarge on February 11, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Boneshaker on February 11, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Thanks, I needed a good laugh today!
milwife88 on February 11, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Do you know the difference between charity and welfare?
Neither does Obama.
Jim Treacher on February 11, 2009 at 4:01 PM
I don’t know why people must jump to this conclusion. Maybe the woman is lazy. I don’t know. But there’s certainly nothing to indicate that she’d harm the place.
Esthier on February 11, 2009 at 4:02 PM
I currently have a condo on the market for rent and I wouldn’t want someone who was living in their car yesterday, to rent there, even if they were good for the rent.
It’s not about trashing it, it’s about maintaining it.
If you live in a place and neglect basic housekeeping over time, ultimately the place is trashed as in paint scratched, floors/carpets dirty and kitchen scuffed up and stained.
And somehow, this family doesn’t sound like the best housekeepers.
NoDonkey on February 11, 2009 at 4:10 PM
NoDonkey…I’ll save making any judgements until I learn more about these people’s circumstances…unlike you I don’t intend to negatively prejudge her son…
CCRWM on February 11, 2009 at 4:14 PM
If this is the way you feel, then you shouldn’t be renting any place you own. At least in Texas, landlords are supposed to replace the carpet and paint every two years, meaning tenants aren’t responsible for “normal wear and tear.”
Esthier on February 11, 2009 at 4:18 PM
I will – a 37 year old, able-bodied man without a job (long-term) in America is a shiftless bum.
NoDonkey on February 11, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Ummmm..one of his grandmothers was white. He is as much white as he is black, was my point.
Yes, but tell this to the many who voted for the current president only BECAUSE of the color of his skin. Policy be damned.
rightthinkr on February 11, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Reading the comments in this thread, I recalled something written by Helen Keller:
“Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all – the apathy of human beings.”
So, it always gives me hope when I read true stories about unselfishness and generosity, as that demonstrated by Chene Thompson.
Thank you Mrs. Thompson. Bless your heart.
“As one lamp lights another, nor grows less,
So nobleness enkindleth nobleness.”
- James Russell Lowell
Loxodonta on February 11, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Two years, fine. I’m renting my place in DC, so in two years I’ll collect $41K in rent.
Not one year, six months or three months though, or whenever a crew like this decides to pack up and move onto their next wacky adventure.
NoDonkey on February 11, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Ever heard of the phrase “pride of ownership”? When someone is handed something for free and haven’t put any sweat equity or hard earned cash into a property, they don’t give a rat’s behind what they do it.
How many landlords out there that will agree with me?
Knucklehead on February 11, 2009 at 4:27 PM
The “instead of” should have been a clue. I know what you’re point is, and it’s not really a point.
I’m glad you have a place that’s worth that much. Just remember to set aside money for repairs. Most are your responsibility.
Please, speak only for yourself. Not everyone is like that. I’ve been given things in my life, and I’ve bought things. I’ve never disrespected either.
Esthier on February 11, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Then you are in a minority. I manage 540 rental units and my experience says they don’t give a rat’s behind and I’ve got the pictures to prove it.
Knucklehead on February 11, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Depends on what your property is like, but I nearly always get a full deposit back.
Esthier on February 11, 2009 at 4:40 PM
I work for a property management company..3000 units. I’ve seen some real nice pictures too…gah!!
But the majority of our tenants don’t trash the place.
Unless you call crapping in the closet trashing it…
JK…..
BigWyo on February 11, 2009 at 5:11 PM
If I were Henrietta I’d get my ass to the next Townhall meeting quick…She’s going to need furniture.
repvoter on February 11, 2009 at 5:14 PM
It looks like there are some outbuildings on the property. Perhaps the son will be able to get a meth lab going or something and start them back on the road to prosperity and the American dream.
(kidding)
(sort of)
califcon on February 11, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Whether or not Hughes and her son are lazy layabouts or regulars at the public welfare trough (and being the cynic that I am, I lean toward believing either or both to be true) is irrelevant, I think, to the Thompsons offering them a place to live. That’s more about them doing what they feel is the right thing to do, and its independent of anything else. Obviously shelter is the most pressing need they have and until that’s met, it’s difficult to tackle some of the others. I think they are doing what many Christians would do. I mean, if Jesus had been at the Obama tent revival, he probably would have done the same thing. I think the Thompsons were just following his example and trying to do a good thing for someone else in need. I think it’s a wonderful example for all Americans AND I’m tickled to pieces that a REPUBLICAN stepped up in this way — with no prior agenda, unlike the partisan hacks who stacked this “town hall” meeting with people whose personal stories would support His Excellency’s snake oil pitch — and took the wind out of Obama’s sails. I’ll bet Oprah is stamping her hooves in anger that someone beat her to the punch and she now can’t have this woman on the show and buy her a house and a car and a vacation home in Bora Bora. Hee!
Now having said all of that, it’s unfortunate that the end result will probably be that the Thompsons’ charitable nature will be grossly taken advantage of by these people. And the next step on their part ought to be to get them — at least the son — an actual PAYING JOB so they can get on their feet and support themselves instead of looking for charity wherever they can find it, whether it come from the government or from private individuals. Maybe another Republican with his/her own business and the need to hire more help will step up to offer the son a job. That would be icing. Whatever the case, the fact that some people WILL take advantage — and there will always be people like this — ought not be a reason for those of us in a position to give not to do so.
NoLeftTurn on February 11, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Is this woman paying a gift tax? Why can she transfer value to this Obama supporter, but I can’t give my wealth to my daughter?
flyoverland on February 11, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Look at my early comment in this thread.
BuckeyeSam on February 11, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Great minds. However, wouldn’t this hit the donor’s lifetime exclusion?
flyoverland on February 11, 2009 at 7:47 PM
This explains why my leasing agent almost had an on-the-spot or-asm when she came for the apartment walkthrough prior to checkout. I had been in the apartment 7 years, and the decent shape of the apartment (nothing special in my book) was virtually incomprehensible to her. (”Did you fix it up??”) (”No…”) Made me curious what they usually see :-).
RD on February 11, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Good discussion. As a retired Estate Planner Atty, I would suggest that unless Henrietta H. is a 401(c)(3) qualified recipient, then the donors of the gift will be liable either for gift tax (for any amount over (13000 X 2, for a couple) or at least the duo is legally obligated to file a Gift Tax return for 2009, to claim the gift and the exemption and their lifetime exemption will be reduced by the fair mkt. value of the house, less the $26,000 annual amount excluded in 2009.
Bet they didn’t think of that when they opened their hearts to this poor woman who wanted something free from Barry….
jsaturn on February 11, 2009 at 8:46 PM
I wish you lived in flyoverland. The advice I get here is, “just spend it”.
flyoverland on February 11, 2009 at 9:16 PM
I saw this video and I wanted to VOMIT! How sickening. This woman, who could very well have been a plant, comes up the the president and ASKS FOR A @%#^&*% HOME??? And then some MORON who is bound to find out the meaning of “No good deed goes unpunished” just lets her live in a home for free. The woman said “A vehicle and a park are not enough, we need our own kitchen and…” Did she mean that the govt has already given her and her GOD DAMNED LAZY BUM 37YR OLD COUCH POTATO a place to live before, but they didn’t feel that was enough???? Man this pisses me off. Where does this woman get off thinking that it is the job of the government to provide her with a place to live free of charge. AND OH, DON’T FORGET, If she doesn’t think it’s good enough, she should ask for more.
America is sinking to a disgusting level of people who will not provide a damn thing for themselves but seem to think that they should have everything that people who go to school to learn a skill, and go to work everyday have.
I like Sam Kinisons idea, SHOOT THE HOMELESS!! Line em up and ask the first one,”Do you have any dam pride left in your self at all. Do you have enough self respect left in your dirty lazy ass to stop drinking, take a shower, put on a clean set of clothes and get a job?? “No, I think I’m pretty much washed up, I don’t think I could really do that anymore.” BANG!!! Then you ask the next guy, what about you? Will you get off your goddam crackhead ass and clean yourself up and get a job. “ooooHHHOOHHH YEEAAAHHH, I’ll do it, I can work, I’ll get a job.” See, you don’t have to kill them all, and so what if you do?!? No more Homeless!!
Bikerken on February 11, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Did you people see the other DORK in this town meeting? This is what he asked Obambi, “I’m in college, and I’ve been working at McDonalds for 4 and a half years because I can’t find any other job. When are we going to start seeing some benefits?” WHAT A JACKASS! This dweeb is already thinking that McDonalds is a career! If we could only unionize it, we’d all be getting full benefits. Of course, hamburgers would cost 17 dollars each, but as long as I get the perks of a professional occupation while flipping burgers, I’m ok with that. This idiot was so typical of the entitlement class. He will never be worth a crap to any employer because he doesn’t know that it’s the individual trying to better themselves that actually succeed. What a loser!
Bikerken on February 11, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Visit any “free”, or heavily subsidized public housing project, and you’ll see exactly what he’s talking about.
xblade on February 12, 2009 at 4:49 AM
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