I apologize for adding to your burden. I don't consider myself an expert on this and I appreciate the time you put in posting links. It will take me some time to read. Here is where I'm coming from: especially in these last few years, I grow tired of seeing new people rummaging through my apartment's dumpster. I'm tired of homeless people loitering near my building. My girlfriend is scared to walk to work in the morning by herself.  I get downtown in the early morning hours and pass a number of homeless asleep on the sidewalk, sometimes I even have to step over them, holding my breath to keep my breakfast down. It's a sorry situation. And I do feel badly for them -- some of them.  But the old man who has turned the corner of Bishop and King Street into his personal latrine? I don't feel bad for him.

Also, for future reference, I may share the same first name as this Rick guy, but let me assure you this is my only account. Again, thanks for the links.