The average adult cat weighs between eight and 10 pounds.
This is slightly heavier than a newborn child. Despite this slight difference in size, felines and newborns possess very similar physiological traits. 
Both have small, frail bones, relative to a human adult. Both are less intelligent than most adult humans — and I stress most. 
Perhaps the most glaring similarity is that both house cats and newborns are unable to fend for themselves. Both rely on an adult for food, shelter and protection. 
At least that is what we’re supposed to do. 
Recently, a family’s cat was murdered. And like a baby, this cat was unable to defend itself from the very thing tasked with safeguarding it. 
A person.
The murdered cat belonged to Arkansas resident Jake Burris, a Democratic campaign manager for Congressional candidate Ken Aden. Aden is the challenger to Republican Congressman Steve Womack.
Burris, who was returning home with his four children, found the family’s mixed-breed Siamese cat beaten to death on their doorstep with the word “Liberal” spray-painted on its carcass. 
No arrests have been made. 
This crime is particularly horrid to me, as I imagine it is to many of you. An individual — who I pray is insane — beat the life out of a small animal in cold blood.
And for what? To send a message that liberals aren’t tolerated in Arkansas? I’m sure Burris was well aware, as Congressman Womack’s seat has been held by a Republican since 1966. 
A human being took this animal, small and innocent as a newborn baby, and literally beat it until its eyes fell out of its sockets. 
The word you’re looking for is “evil.”
If, in 1941, Adolf Hilter’s cat somehow crossed paths with yours truly, I would love all over it. You know why?
Because animals are removed from politics — removed, but sadly not immune. 
Crimes against animals are nothing new. Most major cities have crime fighting task forces to deal specifically with animal abuse or neglect. 
Television programs such as “Animal Cops: Houston” show individuals who have dedicated their careers to protecting those who cannot protect themselves — newborns not included.
The actions of these individuals should be emulated in our everyday lives. At some point in our lives, we have all seen an animal abused, either by their owner or a stranger. 
I encourage you to intervene. 
I advise each and every one of you, especially the fanatics, to keep yourselves in check this upcoming election season. 
There will be times when politicians, both local and national, will anger you. People with differing opinions will anger you. Life in general will piss you off. 
These are certainties. And while eventual frustration is set in stone, your reaction is not. 
Keep your cool, don’t let differing opinions make you do something stupid to an animal or another person.  Catharsis should not come at the expense of another life.
Parker Cramer is a 20-year-old political science junior from Houston. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_pcramer.
 
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Contact Parker Cramer at [email protected]