I basically agree with everything you've said here, but one nitpick: >In the Bay Area, they at one time had "Sit/Lie" laws prohibiting loitering -- but the loc

I basically agree with everything you've said here, but one nitpick: >In the Bay Area, they at one time had "Sit/Lie" laws prohibiting loitering -- but the locals condemned them as cruel and inhumane. Instead, they advocate that it's ones right to camp in the public park. The larger issue is that US courts have repeatedly struck down loitering laws, which makes their enforcement impossible. Cities now can't legally restrict people hanging out on their sidewalks, public spaces etc.