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This is a press release from a media outfit, touting their great deed in front of their liberal clients for having rescued a homeless victim of capitalism from evil, capricious, uncaring government. Generally, the able-bodied homeless-by-choice are really the victimizers, with the taxpayers as the victims. There is no attempt to present two sides of the issue, to interview the district attorney or the neighbors or the animal control officer or the jail where he's being sedated. There's only the one side: innocent trespasser with cute puppy harassed by pigs, and look at all the FReepers' kneejerk reactions sending their unsolicited emails of outrage to our duly-elected government leaders. How much does Stephen Jaffe charge for his mass marketing services and crisis management consulting, anyways?

Three individuals are listed in Stephen Jaffe's press release, as coming to the alleged victim's defense: Sam Georges (attorney), Jennifer Lynch (attorney), and Stephen Jaffe (media).

1) Sam Georges...

A law school graduate, Sam Georges spent 20 years in active practice. He now is president and chief operating officer of the Anthony Robbins Companies, whose international headquarters are located in San Diego, CA. Sam and his wife, Lynn, who is an artist, live in Solana Beach, CA. He would love to hear from any classmates at <rrcoo@aol.com>.
Source: College of Wooster, Class of 1968 Alumni page

2). Jennifer Lynch...

Murchison & Cumming, Jennifer Lynch, ESQ. Re: Gay Yamashiro v. Security Self Storage, 619-544-6838
Source: Expert Witness Data Storage Company for lawyers

3). Stephen Jaffe ... "of Jaffe & Co. Inc., Strategic Media and Crisis Management"

Dick Gregory to Give Historic On-Line, 'State of the Union,' Web Cast To African-Americans April 21 Gregory's first ``State of the Union'' address had to be scheduled for 1:00 p.m., p.d.t, Saturday, April 21, according to Stephen Jaffe, president of Jaffe & Co. and spokesman for Dick Gregory. ``C-SPAN has also aided in spreading the news of Gregory's first 'State of the Union' address, however that exposure alone is not enough. We need your help! We know there is power in numbers, and ask that you infuse us with yours by passing along this good news!,'' Terry said.
Source: Gregory's first "State of the Union" address

The broader question would be how does a compassionate society deal with the borderline mentally ill. They're no danger to themselves or to others, but they can't function in society. There's the lawyers of the ACLU claiming that people have a "right" to live on heating grates on the sidewalks, or in the gutters, and cannot be forced to receive the medical care they really need, cannot be forced into a safe environment. As long as they can say "No" then there's nothing we can legally do to help them. It's a national disgrace that these people are allowed to be ignored, to be preyed upon by the homeless-by-choice.

Anyone who can find any more info on these individuals, please post it here.

I am so disgusted by your reponse that I am not sure I can write this in a socially acceptable manner. But let me begin by saying that you, sir...don't have a clue what you are talking about. How dare you suggest that this homeless vet is a borderline mental case! And even if he were, he is suffering from the effects of having went to war to protect your right to be an ass.

Secondly, let me tell you something about his options because it is obvious you don't have any idea what they are. I, on the other hand know them well. My brother is a disabled Vietnam Vet. My brother was lucky because he was able to have a career after Vietnam in spite of his illnesses. His heart was damaged in Vietnam and he has spent months at a time in and out of the Veterans hospital in Los Angeles. He has also spent time in the hell-hole hospital in Long Beach. Let me tell you those facilities are dark, dreary and depressing. There is nothing nice about them. And there is nothing nice about being put in the hospital and then having your paperwork lost and have to be put on hold for weeks until things are straightened out again.

I think that our military veterans, especially those who were injured in the defense of this country, deserve to have the absolute best care that is available. They should have the best facilities, but too often the facilities are like the worst public welfare clinic you can imagine. As I said, my brother was lucky because he was able to earn an income in between his many operations and critical emergencies. He had a home to go to when he left the hospital. But what about the guys like the homeless man of the story that have no place to go? What about the guy who would like to be productive in society but can't? Where do they go? Years ago we use to have veteran's homes, and maybe there are some someplace, but it is near impossible to find one in California.

Sir, I might be insensitive and ignorant about the situation if I did not have my brother's situation to learn by, so I will give you the benefit of some doubt and assume that you are coming from a place of ignorance. I agree with you about borderline mentally ill or full blown mental cases being on the streets. I agree with you that many times the reason they are there is because they have made some poor choices in life. However, we are a wealthy country in the scheme of things and it is up to you and me and every other able bodied person to see to it that our mentally ill and our veterans can live a life that is decent. If that poor fellow chose to leave the hospital and live on the streets you need to ask yourself why? Maybe he did take a bullet to the head and has some sort of brain injury. You and I and every other person in this country needs to realize that it is by the goodness of God that it wasn't one of us standing in his shoes. It is time we get our priorities in order and put our vets at the front of the list. Instead we give money to other countries and give welfare benefits to people who refuse to play be the rules in life.