Virginia homeless man arrested for digging an underground home. – Seriously? With all that's going on in the world? They've arrested a homeless man for minding his own business, trying to educate himself, and pursuing happiness?
Virginia homeless man arrested for underground home – CNN.com
Yosue Joel Rios, 25, dug stairs that descended to two rooms, according to Fairfax Police Department's Public Information Officer Natalie Hinesley. “To the left was a small alcove that was a little smaller where we thought he was sleeping.
“The underground cave was in woods approximately 200 yards behind the Fairfax Police Department. Inside the cave was evidence that Rios not only slept there but also spent time self-teaching […] Along with sleeping gear and digging tools were educational books and writings on religion, the English language and the United States criminal justice system.” [read more]
Well good for him! He wanted to learn a thing or two, probably get a job and not be homeless anymore. Perhaps he was studying the criminal justice system so he could know his rights when Uncle Sam came knocking.
Why am I so riled by this? Mostly because I have a heart. But also, because this man wasn't bothering anyone and he was trying to build a better future for himself. I'm biased. I live in Los Angeles, Downtown Los Angeles, where shanty towns are a familiar landscape, and it's a good day if you don't rub shoulders with a panhandler. Some of these homeless folk scare the bejeezus out of me. There are certain parts of town we just know not to visit. But there are also certain homeless folk I come across who are polite, respective, even clean, but have found themselves in a poor circumstance and just want to be back on their own two feet.
I don't know Yosue Joel Rios personally, but I can probably tell you he just wanted to be warm, safe, and sound. Especially in the middle of December. Isn't that what anyone wants? …But then again, prison also provides shelter and food, even water, company, and education. Maybe he is in a better place. Who's to say?
However, Rios wasn't arrested because he was homeless, nor because he was educating himself. Rios was arrested because he had dug a 15 ft hole in the ground. We could ignore all the other factors, and he still dug a very deep hole just 200 yards from the Fairfax Police Department.
Here's the catch… I know families that have had to stall an entire renovation because a small bird made its home in a neighboring tree. The bird never asked permission to put her nest there, but she did so anyways, and it cost everyone around her money and time to wait around for her 3 cute little eggs to hatch.
Entire communities have NOT yet been constructed because people want to preserve wildlife.
Entire agricultural movements have not yet commenced because people want to conserve natural habitats.
So what happens when the tables turn?
What happens when a human without a home tries to create his own out of the surrounding environment?
Only Uncle Sam can say. The Irony? Uncle Sam is a bald eagle.
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