The Klingons have a saying: “Today is a good day to die.” Pep talk in the face of danger kind of thing. Like that week when Dan Rather said “Courage!” at the end of every broadcast. I think he should have said it at the beginning of the broadcast, myself.

Do Californians need to be telling themselves such things just to walk around? If not “Today is a good day to die,” something more laid-back, like “Today’s as good a day as any,” maybe? I’m not thinking of earthquakes, fires, mud slides and riots. I’m thinking of all that plus the mountain lions. Thanks to folks who care more about large snarling carnivores than people, the carnivores are yet another disaster waiting to happen in the golden state.

It used to be nothing to worry about. Between 1909 and 1986, there were no human beings killed by mountain lions. There was even a bounty on mountain lions. But in 1972 they were declared an endangered species, and now you can kill a lion only if you have a special permit. So in the last 10 years there have been several reported attacks by mountain lions and two deaths. Not to worry, though.

The papers are full of advice on how to deal with the situation peaceably. According to the Orange County Register , for example, readers should “Clear low, scrubby vegetation on your property to remove hiding places” for such creatures, “especially around children’s play areas.” Hey, thanks for the advice. Now, go out and play, kids. Courage.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.