FILE – In this Sept. 25, 2013, file photo, a grizzly bear cub forages for food a few miles from the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, Mont. American Indians across the Western US have stepped into the debate over plans to remove federal protections for grizzly bears in the Northern Rockies, saying they oppose trophy hunting of an animal that many tribes consider sacred. (Alan Rogers/The Casper Star-Tribune via AP, File) MANDATORY CREDIT Is there any hope for us? Guess I better let you know right from the start that I have been a little down about my fellow man lately. I mean, folks, it’s Christmas time, the time of year I personally think should be one of the most joyous. But I look around and see how we treat each other. Hardly a week goes by without some new atrocity, some new outrage of man’s inhumanity to man all over the news.
Even if we don’t dwell on the massive evil displayed around the world, there seems to be plenty of minor league discontent right in our own back yard. If you tarry for five seconds in a lane at Wally World, you may find yourself trampled by another shopper not exactly filled with a Christmas spirit.
Is there any hope for us? I don’t know.
In the midst of all my cheerfulness the other day I got an invitation to join a bear hunt in Monroe County, W.Va. The hunt was sponsored and organized by the United Special Sportsman’s Alliance (www.childswish.org). The USSA is a nonprofit “dream-wish” granting charity that specializes in sending children and veterans with life-threatening illnesses and disabilities on the outdoor adventures of their dreams.
“USSA is composed of a 100 percent volunteer staff from all walks of life, bonded together by a common love for our fellow man and a deep respect and appreciation of our world’s natural resources,” Brigid O’Donoghue, founder and CEO of USSA, told me.