View from the North 40: An ongoing battle, no one is winning

Straight up front I have to say that I do not believe in the use of torture. Torture is inhumane. Torture is an ineffective tool in bringing about true change. And I believe that the pain inflicted with torture actually scars the spirit of the torturer.

On the other hand I do believe in justice and the righteousness of an eye for an eye — so I bought a hand-held, battery operated bug zapper to wreak vengeance on every fly, wasp, gnat, spider or box elder bug that invades my home.

That ping pong paddle-shaped electrocution device doesn’t always kill bugs instantly, but when it does I don’t let...