Excellent writing!
The truth hurts. Nevada County has the same problem: people coming from all over the world for trimming jobs, then wanting to camp out for free somewhere afterwards, living off the public trough.
West of L.A.? I thought that was the Pacific Ocean. Silly me.
What an awesome story. Don't let the state labor people know though. 12 and 14 yr olds working? Using knives? Not allowed!! Well, 14 yr olds can work, but not on fishing boats or with knives or machinery. I hope the bureaucrats leave these boys alone and let them grow up and excel.
I strongly disagree that " fear of death is one of the major compulsions underpinning religion". For Christians, a desire to to live in harmony with God's will, being the best person you can be should be the reason for belief. Being at peace regardless of your health or circumstances is the major benefit of following the Christian path. I watched my mother deteriorate from Parkinsons for years, and she enjoyed the company of her husband, her kids, her grandkids and her great-grandkids. She had peace about her life, but she also chose to have no life-saving measures, including CPR, after a certain point. Everyone has to make their own choices about these issues, but Larry chooses to dismiss those who have chosen a religious lifestyle as "superstitious", and to hold up assisted suicide as the obvious logical choice for right-thinking people.
Re: “Welcome to the Stone Cleanse®”
Got any takers? Sounds very natural albeit deadly. Well written.