[i]I think it's much more interesting to look at how a community helps somebody who has been outside of the community for whatever reason come back.[/i]

Yes, and to me it's interesting why a community would help someone who leaves (voluntarily or not) and then comes back. What feelings get engendered as a result of "sharing a community with someone" that might lead to such help? Would those be feelings of the community, or strictly feelings of individuals within the community?

You mention the people rioting in Seattle -- how does that compare to soldiers who've gone to war together?