"What kind of world do you want..."

Yesterday, Chef Jeff said that a common cause brings out the best in people. It certainly seems that way. Or, maybe common causes - especially those that are humanitarian in nature - are merely a uniting factor to bring good people together. I had the good fortune of meeting another one today: Arthur, the founder of another charity, Rebuild Seaside Heights. We only spoke briefly, but it seems he has a lot to offer Tent City in terms of his experience and approach. So I'm feeling optimistic...

Tonight, during a rare quiet moment, I pondered the happy ending in "Harry:" a wealthy philanthropist purchases several acres of farmland, including an old house. Generally, I don't play the lottery, but I have an urge to start. Christmas isn't far off, and a million dollar check made out to Destiny's Bridge would be the most epic stocking stuffer in history. Ah, well. I can dream.

And then, a song on the radio - performed by a group whose frontman was a notorious drug user - launched another thought entirely.

Without his adornments - his musical career, his fame, and his millions, he is simply a human being with an addiction. Countless people are affected by addiction, mental illness, relationship problems, and poor financial management. But it seems that the more someone has "contributed to society," the more forgiving others tend to be about their bad habits and shortcomings.

If a woman born into poverty turns to prostitution to make ends meet, she is criminalized and alienated and offered no protection against . But if her john is a public figure, he is forgiven. If an ordinary man beats his girlfriend to a bloody pulp, he will be arrested, perhaps reviled as an abuser. Meanwhile, Chris Brown and still has millions of fans all over the world - many of whom are female, and many of whom jump to his defense at any opportunity.

We - human beings made in the image and likeness of God - are measured by our fellow man in units of contribution. Material success is the yardstick against which our achievements are stacked, and through which we are rewarded with respect, power, and influence. We are born equal, but in the course of life, reduced to the sum of our accomplishments.

And immediately, the discrimination against the poor that Minister Steve mentioned in his sermon on Sunday became glaringly, alarmingly obvious.

How ironic that the ignorant souls who spew their vitriol about the homeless being "lazy" are probably the laziest of all. Too lazy, indeed, to educate themselves, leave their comfort zones, and get to know the people they judge so contemptuously. Too complacent, blind, and self-righteous to accept the difficult fact that not everyone is afforded the same privileges that they are.

I have three children - a thirteen-year-old daughter and twin sons who are turning nine years old tomorrow. As a parent, I've always felt one of the most important qualities I can encourage in them is empathy. So even at their young ages, they know that all human beings deserve respect. All of them. Even the people who make our lives difficult. And they know that even the most seemingly insignificant turn of events - whether through your own doing or a matter of circumstances - can define the course of one's life. Knowing that impoverished human beings are harassed, cast out, endangered, and threatened just around the corner from us is unthinkable to them. It saddens me that people with many more years of life experience than my children either do not know, or do not accept, that same principle - that all human beings deserve respect and dignity just because they're human, regardless of their path. 

My sons wonder why, with all the commercials that use sad songs to get people to feel bad for homeless pets, why there are no commercials with sad songs to help homeless people.

For now, I have no answer.