I'm sure not all, nor even most Traveler's, Gypsies, or Irish in General, are crooks or drunks. But some are, just as some Germans and English are. Does that mean that I should not admit that the Germans like a brew now and again, sometimes to excess? That the English too often quaft a few too many? Or that the German Nazi's were not a pox on the Human race? All that because of my Germana and English ancestory? I think not. Neither should the Travelers be asking for special treatment for those among them who beat their kids, or steal other peoples money or goods.
There might be a point in there about the kid being put with relatives rather than strangers, that's the way it's usually done, if cooperative and fit relatives are available, so not to do so in this case is somewhat, well racist isnt' the word, culturist perhaps?
Culturist is much more apropriate to what we are seeing in this case. Yes the nazis were a pox on humanity. But not all germans were nazis or even sympathetic. Certainly the irish and the brits have been known to lift a few in toasting the queens good health. But not all. Clearly the travellers have within their group a rather seedy element. But to tar the entire group, any group, for the actions of some of their members is beneith americans in general and FReepers in particular. Excepting of course the french.