Over the past 18 months, I have been a member of what is affectionately called “The Homeless,” a group of people who sit in the parking lot of Starbucks on folding chairs, fixing the world’s problems. The moniker refers to the fact they look like squatters, which they are, in a sense. It is a mix of left and right and despite a conspiracist here and there, it is a daily town hall where issues of great importance are resolved, or at least debated.
Here, a group of seasoned veterans of not only wars but life in general (technology, business, nursing) gather to trade jokes- but more importantly insights into deep moral and political issues that put THIS New Yorker-turned-Scottsdalian on the spot and to the test.
If you ever saw ‘Guys and Dolls,’ these folks are fresh out of Damon Runyan stories, from different parts of the country with nicknames. They say if you put 10 people in a room, you’ll have 10 different opinions, and this is no exception.
But to say these views are well thought out would be an understatement. These are convictions and it’s hard to find people these days who stick to their guns. The volatile issues of Ukraine, modern-day America, the 2024 campaign, immigration, and nut cases are not off limits. If you’re going to join the party, you’d better be drinking something stronger than decaf.
From a retired sales guy from Chicago to a GenZ tech executive/ Kansas City transplant, to a pilot/tradesman from Indiana, to two nurses who have been in the toughest of circumstances, to a former Pharma exec who was a track star and may have actually run in the first Olympics, their legacy in Scottsdale ranges from 20 months to 30 years. They have seen change and been part of it. This group, ranging in age from 25-83 (I affectionately call ours the Prostate Posse, though obviously not for the women) brings opinions they may have formed from reading the Daily Worker, Wall Street Journal, or the New York Times or watching Newsmax, CNN, or Fox.
This group has become my morning coffee home away from home. Hope exercises during this time. I called my wife on my way home after I left one morning and told her I was with ‘the gang’ and she said ‘Everywhere you go, it’s like what you have when you volunteer at the airport’. I corrected her and said, ‘Actually, they are all a microcosm of America.’
And just like the rest of the country, we are solving the world’s problems, one mocha latte at a time.
I envy you your crew.
Nice that folks are getting together like that. It doesn't happen a lot these days.