Homeless Man’s Death

Re “Troubled Man Recalled as ‘Free Spirit,’ ” Sept. 18:

Why should tears fall on my morning paper when I read how Timothy Wilson, a man I never knew, died alone in pain in his makeshift shelter? Because of being a part of a society that has tons of money for all kinds of dubious programs and pursuits but doesn’t help sick needy citizens. Because of participating in a “civilized” population that knows all about this hideous situation but thinks it has nothing to do with them.

Mental illness is nobody’s fault. It is not funny, and it is not contagious. Ill people need help from the stronger people around them. That’s what’s supposed to distinguish the human race. The danger to us is the atrophy of the part of the spirit that is not indifferent to these tragedies.

DIANE ROWE

Santa Monica