Streetshots - Home is where the grate is...

@George: I photograph street musicians because I like them and their music and the shots I get. My shots of them cut it for me and at least a few other people.

Streetshots of the homeless, mentally ill, addicted, poverty stricken, abused ,etc. have been done, as you say, a million times. And the fact that the problem seems to grow worse both in your country and mine may indicate that displaying these photographs is pointless and ineffectual. I do it anyway because some time, some day, it may raise public consciousness and concern to the point where enough pressure will be applied to politicians and governments to have them stop diverting billions of dollars to war and perks for the rich and focus attention on issues of social justice for all citizens.

You mention the Iraq war - in my country we have the Afghanistan war which is diverting tax dollars in amounts commensurate, for the size of our economy, with dollars being spent on war in your economy.

One of your politicians (Hubert Humphrey?) said: "the measure of a society is what it does for those at the dawn of life, in the twilight of life, and in the shadows of life." I suggest that the US and Canada are not measuring up in any of those areas. Further, the middle class, which must be confident, burgeoning, and earning good bucks to pay the taxes to support programs which ensure that social programs are available, is literally under attack by big government and big business (see Lou Dobbs).

Please note that this photograph has allowed you and me to air some of our views - we seem to have some agreement? - and has elicited some conern from others. Maybe that's healthy.

Thanks for the NY Times article and the Garry Winogrand photo. I am an admirer of his work.

Also, I have looked at your shots of anti-war demonstrations. Nice work, George, and I hope they and the demonstrations, some time, some day, achieve some result.

Cheers for now.