In 2006 

106 homeless people were attacked

20 more were killed

 6 more were set on fire.these numbers are from a report by National Coalition for the Homeless.

To me, this signifies a Hate Crime. I understand that homelessness is a possibility for all of us and we have great fear that given a fire, flood, corrupt banker, physical or mental illness - we could fall to this level of need and dependence on other people.
Frankly, it scares me too and keeps me trudging to work day after day. Inheritance aside - I don't want to depend on anyone to make my life possible.

I think it is this fear that sparks hate - as if we could vilify those who remind us of out fear by embodying it - and living our nightmare right in front of us. If we could kill them or scare them off, we could calm our own nerves.

Alarming me most in the report is the favt that the haters, beaters, and fire starters are mostly teenagers. I think I was more comfortable with the 2 little biddies running over people for the insurance policy - Greed I get - Fear and teenagers? I hope I never understand.