In response to Shelley William’s letter “Downtown”:

Which would the tourists find uglier? Homeless and the charitable services helping them, or an uncompassionate, stuck up, snobby, “not in my backyard” attitude like yours. I know which I find uglier. They aren’t crazies and drunks; they are people. They need help.

Anyone can complain, but if you don’t offer a solution then you’re just blowing smoke. I pray that you never find yourself homeless and confronted with the selfish attitude you have; there will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:11.

ROBERT ARTIS

Coeur d’Alene