Of Terrorists and Squirrels... lessons to be learned

The moonbat mentality of how to deal with evil, when applied in any situation, yields predictable results. Take this story, for instance, about squirrels that have been terrorizing park patrons in Mountain View, California...

Mountain View Community Services Director David Muela said that as many as six people have been bitten or scratched by squirrels since May, and that the attacks have become more ferocious in the last month.In response to attacks, the city of Mountain View has announced it plans to start trapping and killing the aggressive tree squirrels. Over the next three weeks, park workers will set tube-like traps in the trees of Cuesta Park and euthanize captured squirrels "in a humane way," said David Muela, Mountain View's community services director.

Of course, initial efforts to curb these squirrels' terrorist activities served to rile up these nasty buggers:

Ironically, efforts to curb the behavior may have exacerbated the squirrels' aggressive tendencies, Muela said. This summer, the city installed new trash receptacles featuring metal tops with a latch that makes it nearly impossible for an animal to rummage through the can in search of food. Increased park ranger patrols and flier distributions cautioning against feeding the animals might have further cut the squirrels' food supply, prompting them to act more assertively in their quest for food.

Hmmm... not giving the little terrorists what they wanted...so naturally they act out. But of course, to exacerbate the public menace posed by the rodent terrorist, here come the terrorist sympathizers--ready and willing to obstruct efforts to make the park safe...

Many have e-mailed, saying that euthanizing the squirrels is the wrong response. One viewer wrote, "I come to the parks to watch the wild animals, not the humans. I will no longer visit your parks knowing that any of them have become a killing ground for natural wildlife."

And yet more naysayers join in the fray...

Wildlife advocates also oppose the unusual measure of killing the animals and said it won't solve the problem. "The squirrels will be back," South Bay wildlife rehabilitator Norma Campbell said. "For every one you take out, two more will come in. It could be a never-ending project that isn't going to accomplish anything."

Ahh... the old "multiplying terrorist factor"...

However, the naysayers failed to see that years of appeasement only emboldened the squirrels..

Officials said the increasingly brazen behavior stems from years of being fed by park visitors.

Of course, in such a case of brazen, emboldened attacks, common sense for the common good needs to rule the day...

The state Department of Fish and Game recommends against relocating habituated squirrels, he said, because their fear of humans has diminished and the problem is likely to remain. Instead, the department recommends the animals be put to sleep, Muela said.

Finally, an appeal to stop appeasing the terrorists squirrels...

Emphasizing his concern for the welfare of park visitors, Muela said, "We will need the public's cooperation on this, because as long as they continue to feed the squirrels it will exacerbate the problem."

Not ones to pander from the cut and run crowd, these public officials know what's at stake:

Muela said the city couldn't afford to wait and see if the squirrels' aggressive behavior goes away eventually, because of the threat posed to public health and safety.

Finally, a plea for public support:

Emphasizing his concern for the welfare of park visitors, Muela said, "We will need the public's cooperation on this, because as long as they continue to feed the squirrels it will exacerbate the problem."

Unfortunately, as in our global war on terror, I am afraid that admonishment will continue to fall on deaf ears.