You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

Not gonna mince words, here. When you throw 20 ideas at a guy and he immediately has a reason why none of them work, it's definitely a little sketch. At the same time, what are the chances 2 sketchy, washed up vets have hatched an elaborate plan to scam strangers out of a $1300 used van? I mean, really. I'm going to sleep in a car with another dude, take a [censored], janitor job, and be good cop to the other guy's bad cop so I can get a free ride? Nah. I gotta err on the side of faith in humanity.

If the US Government invested one-tenth as much into returning troops as they do the corporate contractors lining politicians pockets in the wholesale export of democracy these past 10+ years, we wouldn't be in this situation so much. We can forcibly take down North Korea's entire internet overnight on unsubstantiated claims they hacked a US corporation (despite the fact they completely lack the ability to do such a thing, as repeatedly stated by industry experts), but we can't get veterans basic doctor appointments in less than 3 months back home?

I hear you both. Absolutely. But sweeping generalities - true as they might be, the only thing keeping any of us from doing anything we want right now is our own vanity, fear, and apathy - and the moral high ground don't carry much weight when a guy is a step away from losing everything.

Talk is cheap. Supply. Demand.

We put our money where our mouths are and raised $1900 (net, after fees) for John in less than 24 hours. This weekend, once I'm over this damned flu bug, I'm going van hunting for John. He's getting it smogged and tagged. Insurance is on him. It's a no-strings-attached gift coming with a matter-of-fact reminder lightning seldom strikes twice, so use this opportunity to step up and out, so he can pay it forward some day.

Thanks again for the support.