The Maverick Tribe

Before I left for Brazil, I happened to read an article in the San Francisco Chronicle describing proposed legislation that would require require all cats and dogs to be spayed and neutered, except in special circumstances such as for licensed breeders.  Explains Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys: 

We simply have a huge problem in the state with pet overpopulation.  I can't tell you how many people have complained to me about cats defecating in their yards, flowerbeds ... and in sandboxes where kids play. It's a huge public safety and public health issue.

 

Meanwhile, down here in South America, Chris and I just had our yellow fever vaccinations, which will probably be required before we enter Venezuela next week.  Reading up on all the tropical ailments in and around the Amazon rainforest can be sobering.  In addition to concerns about yellow fever, one needs to be wary of Brucellosis, Cholera, Dengue Fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Leishmaniasis, Malaria, Measles, Rabies, Schistosmiasis, Tick-borne Relapsing Fever, Typhoid Fever, and, my personal favorite, Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis.

So let´s see. 

Venezuela´s public health concerns:  13 potentially life-threatening infectious diseases.

California´s public health concerns:  cat shit.