Read John M. Glionna’s story: For 16 years, Dane Johnsten has been a pain-in-the-neck panhandler in this city’s Castro district.
On some days, the gangly 39-year-old in the filthy Army fatigues and torn motorcycle jacket can make people smile with his reality-of-the-streets comedy rap.
“Having a bad day?” he asks. “Well, I’m having a worse one.”
But his mood can change, almost between breaths.
“One misplaced word will trigger him,” said Ray Powers, owner of the Welcome Home restaurant. “He’ll go bananas and haunt you for a week. He’ll walk by and stare at you.”
Johnsten has been booted from churches for being too loud. He’s unloaded on people for taking up too much sidewalk, tying up the pay phone or suggesting there might be medications for his brand of in-your-face anger.
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