DB> It varies. Instead of system victimization it is more like social
 DB> victimization. Usually, these are people who spit into the wind, or
 DB> worse. They've be subjected to everything from OTJ harassment and
 DB> other forms of mental abuse... including police, school, religious or
 DB> just about any type of meanness any one group of humans can impel on
 DB> another human. Any single "camper" usually has been subject to one or
 DB> all of the above and in any combination.
I think this one paragraph summarizes many of the ills of our society. Some
problems would favor society and some problems would favor the street person.
When you talk about the person who would spit into the wind or worse, I can
only assume you are talking about folks who either don't have much sense or
are non-conformists. I know some folks who do some very bizarre things,
possibly for the shock value, like whittling on their arm with a pocket knife
while you watch. You mentioned the emptying of the mental hospitals in the
Reagan era, and I know quite a few of these folks. The mainstreaming idea
worked for some of them, but many of them simply fell through the cracks of
society and were uncared for.
 DB> I was surprised to find the great majority of the ones I got to know
 DB> rather well were Viet Vets.
I have many friends who are Vietnam Vets, and I know many who suffered for
years with various problems. I served during this time but didn't go to Nam,
so I can't say that I understand their problems. I tried to understand and
help several close friends, but they had some very difficult problems to
overcome. One of my closest friends was a tunnel rat for two years, and he
is really just now getting his life back together. This is another example of
something you would have to experience and be there to fully understand.
 DB> Substance abuse is the general underlying theme. It is_not_the_cause
 DB> but is a symptom. Many, however, are "natural" substance abusers and
 DB> their "hobby" usually begins to take hold around age 14-15, which
 DB> renders them hopelessly socially unproductive.
Don, I think that you've listed the scourge of mankind here, something that
probably causes more human misery and suffering than whole lists of other
problems. I don't know that we will ever have an answer. Many people spend
the majority of their lives trying to help or prevent drug abusers, and
others spend their lives in slavery to substance abuse. The only answer I'm
currently aware of is to keep trying.
 DB> That explain it to you Tom?
I read with interest your description of migrant workers, hobos, tramps, etc.
You do have a lot of information in this area and some very interesting
perspectives. I learn something from many of your posts, and this one is no
exception. I really appreciate you sharing this information. Perception is
truth in the eye of the beholder, and this perception is based upon
experience, what you have seen, what you have done, and what you have heard.
Different perspectives are very interesting, something we can all learn from.
Tom Rightmer - A Victims' Rights Advocate
... Error reading FAT Table.  Try Skinny one? (Y/N).
--- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
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