[Grovenet] mean people suck

[Walt Wentz]

On Mar 11, 2009, at 3:22 PM, Jeff Howden wrote:

>> Perhaps only one mistake,  mental illness, physical accident
>> or loss of a job separates them everyone elses.
>
> For some, perhaps.  Many are there by choice because in their mind  
> it frees
> them from the constraints of society.  All the free handouts from  
> those that
> mean well just make that sort of avoidance doable rather than dubious.

Um... I find that just a little unlikely. Who would choose to live in  
wretched poverty, discomfort, insecurity and public disdain? Only  
those too mentally disturbed to conform to the constraints of  
society, or those who are there through no choice of their own.  
Vietnam vets who lived in the woods might have been patriots or even  
heroes, but that didn't mean they could hold down a job or keep their  
inner demons under control. With the winding down of the Iraq war, I  
think we shall see more veterans shunted outside the constraints of  
society.  "Support our troops" should be more than a cheerleader's  
slogan.
>
>> If they remain homeless, unmedicated or addicted, the more
>> shame to the rest of us.
>
> I respectfully disagree.  Each person is individually responsible  
> for their
> own destiny.

True-- within the limits of his own abilities and situation. If he is  
mentally disturbed, does that mean we can cut him off from treatment  
because he has no money? If  (through peer pressure or stupid teen  
bravado), he has become addicted, shall we toss him out with the  
garbage? If, through no fault of his own, a family man's lifelong  
vocation has been "outsourced" to East Rattbaggistan, shall we  
sneeringly tell him to "get a job" where there are no jobs?
In short, are adult humans "disposable," while "pre-born"  humans are  
not?

> Someone else's life is not my responsibility.  I already have
> enough to concern myself with just keeping my own on track.  I'm most
> definitely not going to take on an shame for someone else not  
> making better
> for themselves.

"Send not not to know for whom the bell tolls..."
As this current recession continues, i think we shall see more and  
more people-- even educated, mentally healthy and conscientious  
people-- in desperate straits.
Are we comfortable folk of a different species?