Ken Schram: Time for the circus to give it up

In Everett through the weekend, Ringling Bros. continues to draw the ire of animal rights activists who are on the verge of taking the circus to court over charges of abusing the elephants.

Now, I don't buy into all the hyper-charged rhetoric of the animal rights crowd.

I believe the animals are as well cared for as they can be.

I believe the elephants and the tigers and lions are fed properly and treated decently.

But I don't think that's the issue.

The issue is what we've come to learn about these magnificent creatures.

That crammed into cages; stuffed into and shuffled around the country in trains; kept from even a semblance of the existence they were born to, is simply cruel.

There was a time when we didn't know any better.

There was a time when we didn't understand.

Now we do.

And it's time for Ringling to recognize that.