"Give a hoot--don't pollute"

Anyone who grew up in the eco-friendly 70's should remember that phrase as a happy owl was seen picking up litter left behind by careless, lazy individuals. Today, year 2013, one would think that we are now living in the land of jolly...with clean, well-preserved areas free of others' flotsam /jetsam! Actually, I don't think it is any better...if anything, I think littering has become worse. Case in point: look up and down the highways/freeways. There is so much garbage blowing about, especially after the snow melts. And who gets the wonderful chance to clean it? If that stretch of highway hasn't been "adopted" by a civic organization or family, why, YOU, the taxpayer, get to fund the helpers to make it pristine once more. I live just off of 78th St E. by the Cub foods store. 78th St E. gets it's own share of litter from the many pedestrians who walk it, going to school, waiting for the busses that stop there or just from folks who are too lazy to keep their trash until they can get to a litter basket. Even in Oakwood Park, only a block away, where there are several trash bins, litter is left lying in the parking lot, under the softball bleachers and scattered about. The strip mall that houses Cub foods is also a litter spot, with receipts, used pop cans and cigarette butts lying about. People...what is wrong with you??? Clean. Up. Your. Messes!!!! This earth belongs to all of us! I applaud those who take it upon themselves to carry a bag and clean as they go on their daily walks, but those who make that mess should not be making it at all. About a month ago, there were five guys, all doing time with Dakota County and wanting that little break from their "three hots and a cot," who were walking 78th St E., cleaning up the massive amounts of garbage left from last winter from lazy people who obviously felt their pop can was doing them a disservice by residing within their grasp. One week later, yet again I saw empty plastic bottles, pop cans, wrappers from the nearby McDonald's, among other stuff scattered among the now-growing vegetation. I also saw a gal who walks that route almost daily, cleaning it up. It is like the story of the starfish in the sea. Yes, you can toss them all back, but what difference does it make, there are so many? Well, it made a difference to the one swimming away. How about it--be the difference maker...keep your trash with you until you find an approved receptacle for it. The environment thanks you. By the way, we'll talk about folks who walk dogs without plastic baggies next time. (You know who you are!)