I grew up in NYC, in the '70s. And in my little part of Queens - there were trees near the sidewalk I loved. There were trees with flowers that smelled lovely, trees that shaded me, bushes and flowers filed with life and color. And no one ever damaged them that I remember. I bet San Francisco was like that once.

Our urban areas have changed. The humanity that I always thought was universal has morphed into callousness that was rare even 10 years ago. Maybe it's the ubiquitousness of online forums, where people attack total strangers with hatred that startles me.

Where does this hatred come from? And what will become of the human race if we don't excise it?

For someone to take the anger out on an innocent tree, or the people who are cruel to helpless animals, or the handicapped or elderly... it's so evil.