To the editor:

I am a homeless woman living in the Salvation Army shelter. I am 57 years old. I attended the meeting at the Lawrence Public Library and feel that not one of my concerns was addressed. The emphasis seemed to be on male drunks who seem to garner quite a bit of sympathy from the liberal crowd. If they had to sleep with them, they might not feel that way long.

I am getting tired of people who sleep all day and then complain about what they are given. Granted, there are homeless people who simply do not have the mental capability to initiate or sustain a focused, stable life. The liberal attitude at the shelter has only brought grief to the decent people there who are attempting to get on with their lives. Of course those people don’t like the Salvation Army and will resist positive changes that require work.

Sometimes a little tough love is needed, and that is what they are going to be providing. Sometimes giving help can be a very selfish thing to do because it is an ego trip for the giver. These people are over 21, and if you are going to consider them as adults, then you must step back and let them face the consequences of their actions, whether you agree with those actions or not.

Irish Swearingen,

Lawrence