Two dead homeless men
It is bitterly cold tonight. We are in the grips of an Alberta Clipper. This weather has led to the deaths of two men in our city. They were homeless and both died waiting near a church where they had received some assistance. In a sense we could say the cold wearher wasn't the real killer of these people, but our failure to care for them as they needed. And it gets more complicated, often when homeless people are interviewed they say they have chosen to live in this rootless way. So even if shelter was provided or job training or whatever else we might think would end homelessness, there'd still be the willful type. So some people, who are colder than this weather, would say these people are getting what they deserve. I believe we are obligated to treat others as we would like to be treated, I wouldn't want to freeze to death, therefore we have an obligation to make available shelter and food and training for those who will take advantage of it. And those who have chosen this as a lifestyle can continue if they choose, and their precious lives can be preserved.
