No matter what goes wrong in this world, there is always someone to pass the buck. Even CEOs of companies can get away with blaming their employees for bad choices and dead-wrong decisions made in the heat of expediency and time/cost effectiveness. A case in point is the recent British Petroleum disaster. It will take years before we can determine the extent of the damage already done to wildlife and habitat by an accident that potentially might have been prevented.
I notice that the news is downplaying the story of the birds and fish that have been affected. I did see one segment about out-of-work shrimpers in Louisiana, but that was about it for coverage. Of course, I do not watch much television. Good thing! It is upsetting to see birds covered in oil and barely able to stand.
On another topic regarding animals, the town of Barre, Vermont is considering legislation to require that cats be walked on a leash and not allowed free to roam. They are a threat to wild birds and other critters. Other communities already have this legislation in place from OH to CO and FL to MD and New Orleans. It is a good idea to restrain cats, although they definitely wouldn’t like the idea. See the full story here: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/weird/Time-to-Take-the-Cat-for-a-Walk-96560089.html
Part of not letting a cat roam free is taking responsibility for one’s pet. So is the idea of having the pet neutered or spayed. There are enough feral kittens around and they become feral cats that breed more feral cats. It is a sinking feeling to inadvertently run over any animal. Cats dash into the street from out of nowhere. That happened to us on one dark and very rainy night in a busy suburban neighborhood. There was no way we were going to try to go around trying to find the cat’s owner. The cat should have been inside on such a terrible night!
Responsibility extends into many areas of life. We are responsible for keeping all in our care safe, human or animal. Why do some of us not feel an obligation to the greater world to protect the environment? I am sure that the economy will not be affected by the BP oil spill. It is just a shame how we continue to pollute our oceans and poison the feeding grounds of birds and fish.
I am really tired of lackadaisical and self-serving individuals who do not put much thought when it comes to their work, or the quality thereof, but are the first in line to collect the perks and the pay. What kind of world will our grandchildren inherit?
Patricia Cummings
