Editorial: Their stories are there

Sunday, March 25, 2007 | 7:17 a.m.

Jack Hanrahan made it big in the 1960s and '70s, writing scripts for TV shows.

His credits include "Get Smart," "Police Woman," "The Waltons," "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour," "The Mike Douglas Show," "Inspector Gadget" and "The Care Bears." He won an Emmy for his work on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." He lived in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Today he's homeless in Cleveland. But he still has his wit. When a fellow homeless person needed a light, Hanrahan quipped, "I haven't had a match since Tarzan died."

The Cleveland Plain Dealer overheard that exchange while reporting on his descent into homelessness. When the story came out, people rushed to help.

We believe all homeless people have compelling stories. They may not have once attended the best parties in Hollywood. But there was a time in their lives when there were hope and involvement. Then came trauma and they began falling.

That's why we believe the plight of the homeless should be a higher priority for our elected officials, and, frankly, for all of us. We shouldn't have to hear their life stories before wanting to be of more help. Their stories are there. We know it. Let's pitch in, as if they were all named Jack Hanrahan.