NewYear's Day in a Tent?

Craig Smith reports in today's International Herald Tribune (1 Jan 07)on the plight of Paris's homeless. Apparently the SDF (sans domicile fixe)are not only getting the attention of France's political hopefuls - from Sego to Sarko - but also France's middle class who have traveled from various parts of France to keep the homeless company on this New Year's Day. About 250 tents border the St. Martin canal. They aren't new. Tents were distributed back in 2005 to help shield the homeless from a particularly harsh winter. Smith points out that the statistics of homelessness in France (86,000) would equal the number of homeless in Los Angeles alone. There are pros and cons of being homeless in France as opposed to homeless in the US (I can say this from experience having been briefly homeless in the US in Florida). It's better being homeless someplace warm, for sure. For that reason, I would recommend Florida over Paris, but on the other hand, it wasn't very pleasant around Ft. Lauderdale at New Year's Eve when the police used to spray tear gas to disperse holiday revelers. Does anybody remember the 'good ole days' I wonder. Just today on Lou Dobbs, "War on the Middle Classes" someone asked how can middle class teachers, firemen, and other hard-working people afford to buy a house - soon the SDF of the world may have to start making room for the middle class to join them so it's a good idea to get the hang of camping out - St. Martin is a nice view - but still, I'd head south for the winter!