These letters are the result of the continuing interest in the Arnold Abbott and "Out of site, out of luck" articles written by Jane Musgrave on February 10 and February 24 respectively, and the letters to the editor that followed on the weeks of February 17,February 24,and March 3.
We cannot believe this whole thing about 74-years-young Arnold Abbott and his charitable organization not being allowed to Feed Fort Lauderdale's homeless on a public beach ["Out of site,out of luck," February 24 and various letters to the editor in February]. I keep expecting your mayor (he seems like a joker, if not a joke) and the city and county officials (certainly they are jokesters) to all stand up and say it is just an early April Fool's Day joke.
Just in case this isn't a joke, and after reading about his longtime civil rights work, we wonder. Why doesn't he organize all those people who are clearly being discriminated against - well over 6,000, you have reported - and plan a public demonstration. (We would even march in support of his cause. A lot of nonhomeless would, too. Why doesn't yourpaper stand behind him and do the organizing?)
Back in Chicago, television stations ran stories about the way the homeless were being treated down here. We almost didn't come down this year. And believe me, next year we won't. My family lived under Nazi domination during World War II, and Fort Lauderdale's handling of the homeless is a little too reminiscent of that. (Police checks, special homeless ID cards, not being able to publicly gather and all the rest is a little too close for comfort.)
Instead of the homeless scaring us tourists away, the officials are!
Goodbye, South Florida. We hope you elect some people with compassion in your next election.
James and Janet O'Connell
Chicago
I have never met Arnold Abbott. I have never been at one of his feedings. He does not know me personally. Yet, he has fed me and clothed me and given me the moral support I needed to stop worrying about the past - which all the worrying in the world cannot change - and to start living for the future, which I can affect.
I have lived on the streets for far too long. But Arnold's Love Thy Neighbor volunteers found me living inside a no-longer-used Dumpster behind a 7-Eleven. They regularly bring me food, bring me conversation and concern. (Unlike some self-righteous groups who help the homeless, they never slapped me in the face with their religious agenda. They never told me that God was punishing me for my sins and that unless I join a certain church I would burn in hell. They told me that my salvation was my job, while keeping me fed and clothed and healthy was their job.)
I am finally getting my life back together. I woun't be out here much longer, now. And I am not alone. Arnold and his people have helped thousands.
Kenny "Cowboy Joe" Joseph
Fort Lauderdale