I'm glad that you ONLY lost your specs, Cory.

I was going to write something trite about that putting up with a bit of filth and danger was the price of living in a vibrant city (and SF IS a vibrant city) but that's not true.

There's no reason or requirement, even in a hearty bohemian enclave, for city to have a proliferation of tormented beggars, thugs, junkies and crooks.

In the case of wealthy SF, they're there because they have passionate advocates who seem to consider them as a kind of wildlife, or indigenous culture, that requires protection from and the tolerance of civil society. They seem to consider insanity and substance abuse as alternative lifestyles that should be indulged until the person chooses to snap out of it.

Unfortunately, these conditions don't go away with largesse and patience.