"[Some] people living on the streets have serious problems. These problems include substance abuse, mental illness and serious violent criminality. All of those issues need to be addressed. Letting people lie there so that their problems get worse is not the answer. It’s not compassionate, and it’s not humane. We need to reach out to these people and help them address their problems. That’s what a compassionate society does."
--Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Source: State of City Address, New York City Jan 13, 2000


Seen last night in Madison Square Park, Midtown, 11:30 pm (don't ask why I was lurking around the Park at that time):
Two city workers--one obviously keeping a lookout, the other with his back turned, the visible glow of a lighter flame on his face, and the unmistakable scent of a certain freebase substance. Nearby, a homeless man on a bench turns and looks at them, shaking his head in disdain and mumbling something to the effect of, "Damn crackies."