A Serious Post About the Homeless

Sad but true: The homeless are four times more likely to die early than those of us who lead sheltered lives.

I ask: why?

Is it frostbite? booze? Steam grate burns?

No, No, and sadly no. Instead, the blame must rest on the iPod, the portable media player designed by Apple, a company cruelly named after a fruit that many homeless will never enjoy - because they are dead.

Since it launched in 2001, millions now wear iPod on their way to work, charity auctions and Moveon.org meetings. Resting snugly in their ears? Those hip white "earbuds." They bring the joy of music to so many people. While, killing so many others.

Because of those earbuds, cries for money are obscured by music, and now the homeless are dying in numbers so vast they mock the very idea of mathematics. Instead of hearing, "Spare any change," you hear "My Humps" by Fergie.

Meanwhile, homeless income has dropped over 84 percent. Many are forced to get second jobs. Like banging on empty paint cans.

Still, no one listens. Worse, those who normally give money to the homeless -- grad students, activists and vegetarians - seem to listen to their iPod the most. Every time they hit Shuffle, another cry goes unheard.

Isn't it time Apple does something to stop this war on the homeless? After all, we are just weeks away from the release of the iPhone, which includes a camera phone, a multimedia player, and Internet services like e-mail, text messaging and Visual Voicemail. it will cost roughly $500.

Will I buy one? Sure. But I won't be happy about it.

Your friend,
Greg

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