Russell Brand Weighs In on Fort Lauderdale Homeless Feeding Restrictions | Clean Plate Charlie | South Florida | Broward Palm Beach New Times | The Leading Independent News Source in Broward-Palm Beach, Florida

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Russell Brand Weighs In on Fort Lauderdale Homeless Feeding Restrictions

The story of Arnold Abbott, the 90-year old World War II veteran and civil rights advocate known as "Chef Arnold" has turned into a global phenomenon.

Abbott, who was cited numerous times by the City of Fort Lauderdale for feeding homeless people at outdoor sites, has caught the attention on a certain savvy actor across the pond.

Russell Brand devoted an entire segment of his online commentary show, The Trews, to the matter. In the eight-minute video, Brand talks about how Abbott, a "lovely old man," was cited for feeding the homeless.

See also: Arnold Abbott and Mayor Jack Seiler Face Off in Televised Debate

The comedian then asks a very serious question, "How do you arrange your moral universe so that this is criminal?

"He couldn't look more like an adorable old man, could he, as he is ushered away by the police?" Brand notes while watching news footage of the incident.

Brand also quips that while most people think that helping those who are less fortunate is a basic principle of Christianity, maybe "Jesus was too busy thinking of guns, no abortions, and no one should be gay" first.

The actor also cites some interesting statistics, like the fact that homelessness could be wiped out with the money spent in the United States to purchase Christmas decorations. With the holidays coming up, this video is sure to make you rethink how we celebrate the season.

Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.



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Laine Doss is the food and spirits editor for Miami New Times, covering the restaurant and bar scene in South Florida. She has been featured on Cooking Channel’s Eat Street and Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race. Doss won an Alternative Weekly award for her feature on what it’s like to wait tables. In a previous life, she appeared off-Broadway and shook many a cocktail as a bartender at venues in South Florida and New York City. When she’s not writing, you can find Doss running some marathon then celebrating at the nearest watering hole.
Contact: Laine Doss

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