Kudos to Richard Kukler for highlighting the problem of harassment by the homeless by sharing two specific incidents. Kudos also to Lori Emerson and her husband for their similar letter. So far the only exceptions to the Emersons’ position seems to have come from a homeless person, Viper Meade, who amidst all too typical woe-is-me outcries declares: “... everyone is a paycheck away from becoming homeless.” I think not. Many of us worked long and hard all our lives and despite having to raise children as well as support ourselves and despite having contributed to church and/or charities to aid people such as yourself, managed the discipline to save money against a possible financial reversal such as job loss, etc. and also for retirement. So, no, Ms. Meade, not everyone is a paycheck away from being homeless.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 9, 2004. Read the original PDF.