Pro sports and government

Well, I got on my soap box today and sent the following email letter to my state politicians. I figured I'd just post it here as well. If I get a worthwhile response I'll let you know...

To Whom It May Concern-

I have heard news reports in the last few days that Either Senator Feinstein or State Senator Migden would be proposing legislation regarding the SF 49ers potential move from SF to another Bay Area location, and imposing restrictions, etc. on such dealings. I am writing to convey my total disgust over the amount of effort being expended by state government regarding this issue. I am not a huge sports fan but I do understand the impact a move would have on local economies. Still, the team is a private business with as much right to seek a better deal as any other business. Unless and until the City and County of SF wants to buy the team outright, the best they can do is try to negotiate the better deal. The fact that I live in Santa Clara county is also not a factor, as I would be equally upset with the State involvement if they were speaking with L.A., CA or N.Y., NY. Evidently that would not be an issue though. The only issue is a local move - which would at least keep the revenue semi-local and keep the team near it's original fan base. Kind of splitting hairs even more on the issue that shouldn't be a government issue to begin with, isn't it.

It is not, in my opinion, the place of our state elected officials to try to legislate where private business can relocate. I am very disappointed that with serious state and federal issues out there I am hearing about this so much. I think your close ties to the bay area, and your sense of responsibility to SF, is clouding your view of the bigger picture. As a lifelong California resident, I am ashamed of the shift in priorities that seem to have taken place in the minds and actions of our elected officials. I come from a time when California was the top in education, transportation, and standard of living. I grew up passionate about and proud of our state. Now, as I drive along pot holed roads, looking at vacant buildings and seeing youth struggling for a quality and competitive education I am reading about legislation to block a neighboring county from making a competing bid for a sports team. Shame on you. As I hear about members of our National Guard deployed in Iraq not getting their paychecks, their families trying to make ends meet, their credit getting trashed. Shame on you. As I myself pay higher energy bills, higher fuel prices, higher taxes, more for higher education fees, see state parks closed for budget reasons, county services at a bare minimum - such as animal control, city parks closed for contamination with no proposed reopening. Shame on you. As I see the ultra conservative right still dictating what we can and can't do with our bodies and minds. Steam rolling over the rights of the majority of moderates (on both sides of the isle) as gay bashing again increases, Roe v. Wade is precariously perched, normal citizens are profiled and labeled based on where they sit on the plane or how they pay for a ticket, illegal immigrants (not those here legally) are in the mean time trying to get the right to VOTE - in our elections on issues that affect the CITIZENS of these cities and counties of the state of California. And this is, by the way, a slap in the face for all those that went through the hard work of gaining their citizenship legally - of which my friends number many. Shame on you.

I urge you to get back to the business of bringing back what California once was, and stop wasting tax payers money on private business issues. Once the city, county or state owns a team, then they can waste our tax dollars fighting about where they can cannot locate. In the mean time, please focus you attention and our resources on what needs to be fixed within the state of California.

Skidboot the Dog

A heart-warming segment from Texas Country Reporter, with Bob Phillips. For more information visit www.TexasCountryReporter.com or www.skidboot.com

rode the motorcycle to work

Well, today was a big day for me so far. I bought a kawasaki ninja 250 a month or so ago and today was the first day I rode it to work and went over 40mph. I have been practicing in the neighborhood so it's all 25-35mph. I took the MC safety course and it was great, but again, you only get up to about 35mph tops. I took it to my girlfriends softball practice once and got up to 40mph but that was it. Today, when I finally got on the expressway, I got up to 65mph. But the speed limit is 45-50 depending on the area so I quickly took it down to that. And I had to go through town for a bit before I got the feel for it all and then crossed over to the expressway. Since I'm still green I worry about my reaction times so I want to make sure I don't jump in to anything too soon. It may be over cautious, but even though I am a very observant driver I don't want to have my ability to handle the bike be behind my ability to see a problem. So, just taking it slow. But the whole reason I bought it was to save on gas so it is important to get in there and start riding it for the bog stuff.

embryo=life but human=collateral?

isn't it interesting how when it is just a mass of cells multiplying it is morally reprehensible to use it to save countless thousands of people - referred to by Bush himself as murder; yet when it becomes a fully functioning human being it is perfectly ok to send them off to war to die, or drop bombs on them as civilians and they are then referred to as collateral damage. How exactld oes that make sense again? Cells have more basic human rights than...humans?

moving up to big kid school

Well, I am finally done with my return to community college and get to return to San Jose State. It's a long trip going part time. The next "2 years" will take me more like 4. But it will all be worth it! In the fall I will be a Behavioral Sciences/Psychology double major. I can't find the words to express how excited I am about this. I joined the American Psychological Association as a student affiliate. I will be able to tap in to vast resources on Comparative Psychology in my pursuit of harmony between human and dog. Real harmony, not the "do as I say" harmony most people think of when they think of dogs and people. I mean the kind where we get to UNDERSTAND the dogs in our lives and appreciate how they are different from us and how better to communicate. Can't wait.

The proper order of things:

On Wednesday, March 1, 2006, in Annapolis, at a hearing on the proposed Constitutional Amendment to prohibit gay marriage, Jamie Raskin, professor of law at American University, testified as requested.

At the end of his testimony, Republican Senator Nancy Jacobs said: "Mr. Raskin, my Bible says marriage is only between a man and a woman. What do you have to say about that?"

Raskin replied: "Senator, when you took your oath of office, you placed your hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution. You did not place your hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible."

The room erupted with applause.

Interesting Personality Test

Well, as is usually the case, my friend Julie posted an online test on her blog and I had to run off and try it.

I actually really enjoyed the test, all 10 pages of it. This is the little color bar of my results:

Reserved Analyst

There are definitely some aspects of this that were right on. It helps to read the Glossary of Traits so you are on the same page as the test when interpreting the graph. It's easy to fall back on preconceived definitions. In particular here is the definition for the Trait Authoritarianism - Your adherence to the social order and how much you favor obedience. This is not the same as an Authoritarianism in the political sense: describes a form of government characterized by strict obedience to the authority of the state, which often maintains and enforces social control through the use of oppressive measures.

You can read the full breakdown here.

And if you're interested, you can take the test yourself here.

My friends Waffle House news!

My friend Julie posted Waffle House news on her blog and it reminded me of the one time I had been to a Waffle House. I commented on her blog, and she reminded me I should write about it on MY blog. Hah, someday I'll get the hang of all of this...

So, Julie, myself and a third friend were back in Atlanta many moons ago on a kind of business trip. There isn't much I remember about the trip, besides standing right next to Amy Ray, or seeing Michelle Malone for the first time. But I remember the Waffle House. Julie was the only Waffle House veteran out of the 3 of us and I think even she was caught off guard. The first thing that should have been a clue was when the waitress asked if we wanted separate checks - Oh No we said. Being from California we knew better than to ask for those! So we placed our order and had a rather enjoyable meal - minus the people smoking at their tables which was also alien to us.

When we went up to pay the check things kind of fell apart. It was under $20 for all three of us. We were really impressed. Good enough food, low cost. But things got dicey when the cash register couldn't go past $9.99. They were having a hell of a time ringing up that one big check with three people on it. Who knew we would be throwing them such a curve ball by NOT getting our own checks!

So the article mentions how WH is now taking credit cards...and I have to wonder how that's going to go.

Bad Dog Wins Westminster

Just a quick note, late, to say that the winner of this years Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was none other than the "breed" banned in cities within 27 states of these United states - Rufus, the Bull Terrier. Go Rufus, you handsome dog you! His owner said there are cities they simply avoid so as not to land in jail. How sad is that when a good dog is banned for what he is, not who he is - sound familiar!? There's a nice story about it at happynews.

Really good article on Breed Bans

I can't possibly even try to paraphrase what the New Yorker said in this article on dog breed bans. This is a long, but VERY accurate and logical article about the flaws of breed ban laws and where the real issues lie.

I Am An Animal Rescuer

This was sent to me by a fellow rescuer. I thought it really hit the mark so I wanted to post it here so people could maybe find it. I've found this site about the work the author does: wildheartranch

I Am An Animal Rescuer (by Annette King Tucker)


My job is to assist God's creatures
I was born with the need to fulfill their needs
I take in new family members without plan, thought, or selection
I have bought dog food with my last dime
I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand
I have hugged someone vicious and afraid
I have fallen in love a thousand times
and I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body
I have Animal Friends and friends who have Animal Friends
I don't often use the word "pet"
I notice those lost at the road side
and my heart aches
I will hand-raise a field mouse
and make friends with a vulture
I know of no creature unworthy of my time
I want to live forever if there aren't animals in Heaven
But I believe there are!
Why would God make something so perfect and leave it behind?
We may be master of the animals,
but the animals have mastered themselves --
something people still haven't learned
War and abuse make me hurt for the world
But a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for humankind
We are a quiet but determined army
and making a difference every day
There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan,
nothing more rewarding than saving a life,
no higher recognition than watching them thrive
There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play
who, only days ago, was too weak to eat
I am an Animal Rescuer
My work is never done
My home is never quiet
My wallet is always empty
But my heart is always full
In the game of life, I have already won!

Zombie Survival Test

Creeped Out Slayer You scored 61 combatpoints, 72 survivalpoints, 41 guts, and 60 attitudepoints!

These undead types just give you the creeps. You have a ruthless attitude and the know-how to survive, but you're a little on the yellow side.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 16% on combatpoints You scored higher than 16% on survivalpoints You scored higher than 0% on guts You scored higher than 0% on attitudepoints

Link: The Comprehensive Zombie Combat Test written by martue on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Wringing in the New Year

Yes, I know it is supposed to be "ringing" but it already feels as though I am being wrung out. The rescue I work with is neck deep in work, and ankle deep in help. And I am not one to talk because I am not able to help them again until the end of Feb sometime.

I am trying to get things ready for the next bout of classes. Granted I'm only taking 2 - 1 online and 1 via TV, but then I also start my dog training classes on Jan 21 so the schedule is looming.

I am trying to move my girlfriend in with me, but post surgery am not allowed to lift things, push things, pull things, or open the sliding glass door. So not much is getting done in that realm.

I am seriously bad at keeping my blog up to date, despit e a real desire to do so. Add that to the list.

I need to set up some forms for when I do dog training so that I've covered my bases as far as liability, responsibility, etc. which means I need to spend some time at the computer for that as well.

Then I also have about 30 books to read, some I've started, none I've finished, mostly about dog training/behavior but there is also the latest Harry Potter that I haven't gotten back to in over 6 months.

Arrrrgggggggg. 2006 is looking hectic!