The following is a conversation that may have occurred recently somewhere in Auburn:

"It's intolerable! They fly in here, make a mess out of the town and fly out of here the next day."

"Something has got to be done."

They probably all de-serve to be shot!"

For a mo-ment, there is silence.

I guess the crowd reaction would depend on if the discussion was centered on the crow problem in Auburn, or if it took place in San Diego and dealt with the destruction caused by the "Raider Nation" after their team lost the Super Bowl.

Few would even suggest shooting football fans. Yet, in the scheme of things, most earthly problems are of human origin.

I suppose that#'s what puzzles me the most about the remarkable ease in which some people suggest the use of violence as short-term solutions for what some judge to be pests.

The greatest tragedy, other than for the crows, is this propensity toward violent solutions often transcends into the field of solving interpersonal and international problems.

Being lost here is the belief all life is sacred and interwoven into the web of creation. If it weren't for crows, we'd probably be up to our necks in rotting road-kill.

Many argue crows carry disease, but once again, if that is the criteria to determine who should die, humans must again look to the mirror.

Inundated with crow droppings I'm sure it#'s quite difficult to get a clear view of the whole picture.

I have had the experience of walking through the crow#'s roosting area at night and have witnessed firsthand the sights and sounds.

It#'s not very aesthetic.

The question that comes to my mind is if they didn't always roost here, why are they here now?

I've heard that in some cultures they are symbolic of death. This has led to a theory in some circles that they are in Auburn as a spiritual protest against the death penalty.

It has also been suggested that they make the city their home because of the ample supply of easily obtained garbage.

Of course until Dr. Dolittle comes to town, we may never know the real reason.

I just hope that any extra-terrestrials traveling through our galaxy will decide not to terminate us even though we have befouled our planet with pollution and waste.

As a sentient being, I would not appreciate others playing "god" with my future.

Ron VanNostrand writes a column representing his views from the left every Monday. On Tuesday, Roger Hare reponds with a column representing his views from the right on the same topic.