Is It Right To "Pimp This Bum?"

Until several weeks ago, Tim Edwards was only an additional certainly 1 of the particular menbegging pertaining to change in a busy Houston underpass, ignored through nearly all drivers whichsped about past without a new glance.

Now, thanks for an Internet advertising marketing campaign and unlikely allies, Edwards hasbecome the human deal with associated with homelessness in order to thousands of on-line viewersdrawn to become able to his Internet website through its deliberately controversial identify - PimpThis kind of Bum.

During normal Webcasts, dozens of visitors to www.pimpthisbum.com seek advice with regards toEdwards' life and the slow fall via workplace manager using a home, a new car, and a future for anoutcast brief of hope along with using small prospect of help.

The Net site furthermore is a venue exactly where visitors could donate money, solutions and alsoitems to aid Edwards yank himself out of homelessness.

Some homeless advocates say it makes Edwards a new victim of exploitation, nevertheless theorganizers state that edgy tone is what makes the project succeed.

"We wished to insult people's sensitivities so that that they would go for the site and find out Tim,the ones manage to have got fallen in adore with him. He's funny along with doesn't blame the entireworld for his situation," stated Kevin Dolan, 55, a marketing specialist from the Houston suburb ofKaty whom started the particular Internet site together along with his 24-year-old son, Sean.

If the web site had been known as "Help the particular Homeless," many Internet surfers might justhave clicked on past, says Sean.

The Dolans had initially put down in order to test an advertising campaign and also producepublicity for his or her new World wide web marketing business. They Will planned to advertise anymom-and-pop business, until Sean suggested using your Web web site to do several good.

Now visitors to the Net web site are generally observing Edwards past the label associated with ananonymous team labeled "The Homeless."

"I'm the world's initial on the particular internet bum," jokes Edwards, any lanky, bearded 37-yea--old which covers life around the streets having a mix regarding dark humor as well as unvarnishedhonesty. "The entire idea of this project is actually to obtain individuals off the street. I'm yourpioneer, nevertheless I've got pals powering me. if I do certainly not get this right, it ain't gonnafunction regarding them."

The Net website features videos regarding Edwards and a photograph showing him having a hand-drawn, cardboard sign.

There's a "Donate" button exactly where viewers can charge donations to their credit score card.And Also many people have dropped by simply Edwards' normal panhandling destination to drop offfood and fast-food gift cards - or even just to shout hello.

This coming week, Edwards can be scheduled to get into an alcohol detox program at the Seattle-based Sunray treatment and Recovery, which is supplying the $13,800, 35-day program free fromcharge. You can easily find promises to air Webcasts as Edwards experiences the program

Some homeless advocates repeat the Internet web site can small to offer with the particularunderlying issues of homelessness. Also the particular title tends for you to make Anthony lovebristle.

"He is really a person. His name will be Tim. As Well As to pimp anyone just isn't something I wouldendorse," mentioned Love, president of the Coalition for the Homeless involving Houston/HarrisCounty.

The Internet web site additionally stirred up an Web debate more than the merits of the Dolans'approach. 1 blogger named KatDish commented: "Your impassioned pleas for helping Tim acquireoff the road don't maintain a lot excess weight when you question to carry up a signal that says"Pimp this Bum" and also allow people realize he requirements any Sharpie along using acheeseburger."

But Edwards says he roared using laughter when Sean Dolan nervously approached him with theconcept of your Internet web site as well as the proposed name. It was obviously a night throughoutearly February when he as well as several various other homeless men had been gathered beneathan underpass, "getting drunk just like we usually do."

(AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

At first, he wasn't certain if the Dolans (seen at still having Edwards) had been any threat or perhapsjust do-gooders bringing food. Today he considers them a solution to some prayer.

"I asked God to produce it rain and also here occur these guys. And In Which I believed this actuallyis just crazy sufficient for you to work," he said.

Edwards have been mired in homelessness since Aug. 19, 2004 (he remembers the precise date),struggling to shake severe alcoholism.

He is now skilled within the art involving survival on the street: Preserve for you to your personalterritory. Beg enough for that bare requirements - food, cigarettes, consume - then get off yourcorner. Discover that in order to believe in along with which to step away from.

He offers seen buddies die from years of addiction, from infections as well as through simple,intractable hopelessness. and he had come to the edge many occasions himself, once yearning to beable to lay down and die.

Edwards says he offers attempted programs directed at having the homeless off your streets, yet

none been employed regarding him.

"Those programs work regarding several people, however for some, they don't. We're not 'TheHomeless.' Not Really a few monolithic group regarding people," stated Edwards, as he nursed thecigarette and a beer swathed in the brown paper bag. "But this has had me and my buddies the largequantity of hope. I can't express inside phrases how much hope it's brought us."

Edwards, that says his descent in to homelessness began when he "turned his back in God" followingyour deaths regarding his mother and grandmother, says he is finally ready to start detox in order inorder to find the path again for you to normalcy. not just for himself, but for other people living onthe street.

On Monday, inside preparation with regard to his vacation to Seattle and his awesome entry directlyinto rehab from Sunray, Edwards promises to shave his beard along with trim his curly hair - asymbolic nod for the commence of your new life.

It will possibly be broadcast reside on the Web site.

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