The burnt body of a homeless man found in Paso Robles

As a 35 yr service connected veteran, I’ve had my bouts with the VA…As clumsy, overburdened, and fraught with red tape as they are, some tragic events as this have nothing to do with programs and assistance (federal or local) that’s avail or not… Tatro is correct, distressed vets (as with nonvets) are sometimes just too sick to think rationally. I don’t say that lightly, but obviously something was wrong. Perhaps family and friends tried to get him some help, perhaps he had nobody. But in the past decade or two, it seems we’re being led to believe that its somehow better (or less trouble) to let people go to the bathroom on the streets, shoot up, steal without any ability to correct the situation. How many years and thru how many elections have we heard “we need to do something”and yet they just keep making it easier. Instead of spending ridiculous amounts of money on pet projects (high speed rail anyone?) for our Sacramento pin heads, why not at least try to legally get them off the streets, or out of the river, and keep them in a facility with medical and psychiatric care for 60-90 days. Maybe some them can move on to more in-depth treatment, some can possibly dry out and leave clean, and some just might get themselves turned around. Some won’t and I know it doesnt sound realistic, kinda like a pipe dream (politics, red tape and legal fights would kill it) but I’ve been around long enough to see it ain’t getting any better. We can’t and never will be able to completely solve this issue, people are complex, their struggles unique…but maybe its a good time to try.