[Fwd: Iraq Dispatches: Inside Abu Hanifa mosque during attack

[James E. Henderson]

Lan Barnes wrote:

>On Wed, Dec 08, 2004 at 09:18:02PM -0800, James E. Henderson wrote:
>  
>
>>On the other hand, I have on three different occasions, at two different 
>>locations, observed the panhandlers with their cardboard signs walk away 
>>from their begging location, go around a corner or another short 
>>distance to get out of sight, enter a limousine and drive off. This took 
>>place over a period of about eight years here in San Diego.
>>    
>>
>If anyone else but you, James, had reported that, I would have dismissed
>it out of hand. As it is, I will file it under the same tab where I keep
>UFO sightings by otherwise reliable observers.
>
>  
>
Two of the sightings took place at what is now Marketplace at the Grove, 
about a mile from my home, and the limo made the pickup in the parking 
area behind what is now Coco's (the restaurant has changed ownership 
many times over the years). The third time was at a strip mall but I no 
longer remember which one; it wasn't one I visit regularly.

In addition, I once read a report from a woman who escaped from the 
control of a cult and who claimed that the cult leaders had sent her and 
other recruited members out to panhandle. She claimed that her part-time 
begging, something like fifteen hours per week, was bringing in about 
$45,000 per year, all of which went to the cult. She said they would 
drop her off and pick her up in good, new cars and sometimes in 
limousines, which could carry more members per trip.


James