14 Comments
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Hi Justin! Thank you. Happy 2024!

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Happy New Year, James! I really enjoyed this piece and your perspective.

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You write about a serious problem in a clear-eyed and non judgmental way. Kudos my friend.

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Hey Jim! I'd hoped it would come across that way. Thank you very much!

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What to do? You just can’t help some people. At least you didn’t use his refusal to justify not caring. That is the best part of your encounter.

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Such a sad, sad situation. Each case is different and individual homeless can't be lumped under one description. We have a huge "unhoused" population in Santa Cruz. So many services and real help are available to them, but so many do not choose to be helped. We have no answer. This story tells me the measure of the man who is James Ron. Thank you for writing it.

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Dec 30, 2023·edited Dec 30, 2023Author

Hi Sharron! Yes, it is sad. I've heard about Santa Cruz's homeless. Hope the high surf of late hasn't affected them, or you. Thank you! Here's to the New Year!👍

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Oh the weather certainly affects them, but some still prefer to stay under the bridge rather than go to the shelter. There are always "rules" to follow at the shelter that they don't like, I guess? High tide , full moon and rain combo is beating us up here in all the usual low-lying seafront places. Just like last year. A real mess. I , myself am on higher ground and a mile back from the sea. Phew!

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Happy New Year to you and yours, James. And No Name too...

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Hi, Paul! Thank you. Same to you!

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Dec 29, 2023Liked by James Ron

Loved your no name story Ron! Very REAL.

FYI the authenitification link to post comments works extremely. It took me <3seconds to be able to post a comment.

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Thank you, Ed! Glad you liked it! Happy New Year!

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Thanks for making such people real to us.

I ponder what to do with people who need help, but don't want it. I have yet to find an answer.

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Thank you, Radical! I know, it's a heck of a situation..

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