Re: Max Headroom expects a reacharound now. *sigh*

[mgraffam@idsi.net]

On Wed, 5 May 1999, fogstorm wrote:

> One of my pet peeves is the phrase "the homeless". It lumps together 
> everyone from junkies and winos to people who have suffered a temporary 
> ('though severe) economic setback to the severely mentally ill.. This 
> phrase is frequently used by activist organizations who are pursuing 
> political agendas that don't have much to do with actually helping "the 
> homeless". In SF an example is the organization "Food Not Bombs".

While this is true, for the purposes of discussion I think it may often
be irrelevent, since all these people need the same basic sort of help
(food & money). 

Of course, three of the groups above need other help too (drug/alcohol
abuse counseling, psychiatric help), but some basic programs could
help all of them in the short term, with different programs for long
term help. Obviously, a drug addict needs to clean up before getting a
job, but they still need food in the interm; while others may not have
drug/alcohol problems (yet? I suspect that being homeless long enough
will make 'ya drink a bit more -- I probably would) and be ready for
job placement. 

> SF has been run by idiots for years now. They do however provide scads of 
> entertainment for those of us who live in the rest of the Bay Area.

Heheh.. I just prefer to stay in southern New York, with an occasional
jump over to Jersey.. I was out to the West Coast a few times.. too much
sun, and too many spicy foods.. gimme a cloudy day and a reuben and
I'm happy. :)

Michael J. Graffam (mgraffam@idsi.net)