This world is fucked up.

I am constantly astonished at the way we, as (arguably) the dominant species on the planet, treat each other and the world around us. It's sickening the way we trivialize our decisions and rationalize ourselves out of remedying the problems we create. We are allowing this planet's resources and animals to be misused, abused, and destroyed. We should be ashamed of ourselves.

Especially Americans. This is not an anti-American sentiment; I very much love my country, even when I disagree with the decisions my government makes (which is most of the time). Still, I can't find it in myself to condemn, say, companies in Prague for polluting the air and water in nearly the same way that I can US companies. Sure, it's still wrong, but the Czech Republic is a recovering nation, one which has been capitalist for a little over a decade or so. We have been around for a while, and we have the resources and the incentives to both improve our environment and set an example for the business world.

So why don't we? Why is it that most companies clean up only when outside organizations show them the tax benefits of "going green"? Why do we still allow levels of animal abuse that would never fly if the puppy or kitten involved were a child? Why do we pollute our waters to a point where our children can't even swim in them? Is it a misdirected sense of superiority? Is it arrogance? I refuse to believe it's simply money, because I would still like to have some faith in humanity...

I'd like to see all these people who claim that we are the best nation in the world act on that claim. I would like to see those people clean a riverbank, take in a child without a home or an abused animal, talk to their bosses about the way their company does business. I know there are some that do this and more; now I want to see them all pitch in to make this country, this planet, a better place. I think we have the potential to be the greatest nation in the history of the world, but I think we have to start solving problems at home. We have to work at it; it's not a title, it's a description, and one that currently isn't accurate.

Which brings me to the reason for this sentiment. Most of us in Portland know Laurelhurst as a peaceful, slightly upscale community, with a rather dog-friendly and beautiful park. For the last couple of weeks, the park has become a ghost town. See, someone has been poisoning dogs in Laurelhurst Park.

According to CNN, eight dogs are now dead (as of 7/18) out of the so far 16 dogs poisoned, and a waitress at the Lucky Lab received a phone call alledgedly from the poisoner, saying that the poisonings would continue at Mt. Tabor park. This is a sick act from a sick person, and one we just shouldn't stand for.

I urge any and everyone in Portland to spend some time regularly at your local park, perhaps half an hour a day or so; just walk around and keep an eye out for anyone dropping meat or any kind of trash around any of the parks in town. I would ask anyone active with PETA or the ALF in Portland to also patrol your local parks (I know a few of you are already). Take a camera and, if you are worried, a friend. If people are constantly at the parks, it won't give this person a chance to strike again. Take it seriously; it's our community.

A great author once said "You can judge the level of a civilization by the state of its prisons". I think that's a good start; I just hope some day we aim a little higher than that.

-todd