Rocky

That, and let's not forget, CORPORATE GREED! ;) And Ron... I think the heart of the discussion had to do with more urban issues, but what I read in your post is that you put thought into what would be a humane way to deal with what you obviously HAVE TO deal with. That's far different from someone being unable to experience empathy and compassion for a pet that's subject to heat related illness or other confinement abuse and neglect. So, I can't imagine doing anything different than you in what you have with your rural environment.

Control freak lefties? Talk about an oxymoron! Who gave you the idea that rescuing an animal from an abusive/neglect situation would put you in jail? That's insane. The question regarding the issue of refusing to allow breaking of the window to rescue pets is this -- HOW LONG did you have to wait before you got a policeman to pop the lock? IF the dog was suffering heat related illness or distress ALREADY, and you prevented the rescue, and it took more than a minute or two before the cop popped the lock, then you have a SERIOUS deficiency in your capacity for empathy. And THAT is a serious marker for potential abuse in (by) a person -- lack of empathy. FWIW, my daughter (now 17), when she was 13, got suspended from school (only a day or so) for kicking a boy in the nuts. The kid had been teasing her. Needless to say, none of the boys did THAT anymore.

It looks to me like this dicotomy (either animal rights OR human rights) is a false question in this discussion. IF the question is an animal's "rights" to life without abuse/neglect vs. a human's PROPERTY rights, THAT is CRAP. IF the question is an animal's right to be guarded from or rescued from a harmful situation and in doing so a human in put at risk of ILLNESS, INJURY or DEATH, of course the person is the priority. BUT is that REALLY what is at issue in this scenario? I doubt it. IF, as it appears, this debate is over whether the human's property rights are (or are at risk of) being sacrificed to rescue an animal, then to H3LL with the right of the person to have the animal and be "free" to mistreat the animal. I do NOT believe there is anywhere (or should be anywhere) the right of anyone in the US to be free to abuse and neglect an animal, especially a pet. IF the abuse/neglect of a pet or stray animal is being done by a child/teen, then our society demands that child be evaluated for potential to commit violent crimes against other people. Why should that NOT be the case if the perp is an adult?

It seems apparent that duccy was toying with you rottiegrll... I don't know about vigilantyism, but rescuing an abused animal certainly.

I know I couldn't read about that animal abuse... and since it's in a newspaper (that is a newspaper isn't it?), IF a local prosecutor had any inkling about charging her with tresspassing or anything else, I'm confident public outcry would put a stop to it right quick. THAT doesn't mean she would necessarily be immune to a civil suit. I don't know, but a lawyer might be able to shed insight on it further. btw, I AM a dad.

Hey Excie... hope you have some good pain meds... and feel better soon! Re: Carly Simon... I thought I heard once that she said she might reveal who it was... after the person passes away (if she's still alive)... of course, maybe that was just a dream I had.

Well, I don't know WHERE you live... all I know about you is what I read here. I hope what you're trying to say is that you believe I am NOT mean... Of course I would never intentionally harm anyone... especially here. Not that there aren't a couple of folks here who like to go back and forth with me (psst, rhino, ron g... you know who you are :P )

That's what I figured also... however, because of the obvious chorus of voices, yours, but not JUST yours, Rick... I see the error I made and have no problem apologizing.

OH NO! Not THAT! ;) HOWEVER, given the cry of outrage (from not only one poster), I see the error of my ways. Well... now I know what some of the folks who make public gaffes (misspeak) might feel (not that the situation is comparable, but McCain got jumped on by the media pretty good the other day). OKAY! Even though it was right there for anyone to read, it was a mistake for me to point out that Dot had already posted the answer to a question someone asked, even though in response to the question, she declined to subsequently provide the information. She clearly has a right to decline to answer any question posed here, especially when it becomes personal. I made a mistake. I apologize. Anything else? Oh, and not that it matters for anything practical, but Ron, you all knowing sage you... I first learned of Alinski and his book from a republican activist when we were working together on a common, non-partisan cause related to education issues.... about 16-18 years ago. I learned a great deal from her, and now she is a member of one of the city councils here in the Valley of the Sun. Though Alinski was indeed a "lefty" his tactics work regardless of political leaning. And I believe you were incorrect on Hillary having worked/interned with Alinski. She interviewed him and wrote her senior thesis on the book.

Well Ron, there you go again! Hillary interned with Alinski? did you even read the article? I appreciate your kindness Ron. Really I do. My "obscene leftist views"? wow. And as much as I appreciate that you respect my views as "so vastly superior" to (well, I know you don't speak for anyone but yourself), your flattery will STILL get you no where. Tell me, where "is it written" that I am responsible for what someone else said? It really looks like you could use a good nap. :P

so..rick, who appointed you god? :P

ahhhhhh! ok...

Ykcor? What's that mean?

The following is from a sidebar to an article I just read on MSNBC (linked from the Drudge Report) at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17388372/ Alinksi's Rules for Radicals "Personalize it" Saul Alinsky's rules of power tactics, excerpted from his 1971 book "Rules for Radicals: A Practical Primer for Realistic Radicals" 1. Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have. 2. Never go outside the experience of your people. 3. Whenever possible go outside the experience of the enemy. 4. Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules. 5. Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. 6. A good tactic is one that your people enjoy. 7. A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag. 8. Keep the pressure on. 9. The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself. 10. Maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition. 11. If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through into its counterside. 12. The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative. 13. Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.

NO... NOT "just an observation." A very subjective judgement. A most inappropriate judgement at that. The reason, you ask? Because there's far more ways of looking at it than just yours.

If you read Dot's posts... it's IN one of them...

Ah... Margaritaville... don't they serve pin... oh never mind! I DID find (on Yahoo sports) that they did play Grapefruit League games today. (I guess that would now be yesterday in Florida).

Oh gawrsh... you're tooooooooo kind. AND suggesting I, as if anyone, can read your mind? Now doesn't that seem to be quite absurd? No Jood, I never claim (and do not act as if) I know everything. However, I do know how to GOOGLE. But even THAT has limitations. Oh... while I do not KNOW everything.... I MIGHT have an OPINION on (close to) everything. :P AND, I DO try to read TONE of voice in the posts people make.

Gawrsh, I musta been inspired! I had no idea... it was just the nicest looking lovely garden I could find. So glad you liked it. :wub:

and yes... those of us who had been in the 9th corpse have owned up to it. ;) yet, our fans are legion.

Hey Hey Alfakat, Your kindness knows no bounds!

NaNu NaNu! niKa I know, Rhino I know (and Simonzelotes, Fellowshipper, Excathedra, TomTuttle, etc.), BUT who are YOU?

sure... those that don't have to pay for season tickets... which will go up how much per year? btw, umpires will be yelling PLAY BALL in less than an hour on the first Cactus League 2007 games! (does the Grapefruit League start today also?)

Lyrics for: Escape (The Pina Colada Song) I was tired of my lady We'd been together too long Like a worn-out recording Of a favorite song So while she lay there sleeping I read the paper in bed And in the personal columns There was this letter I read "If you like Pina Coladas And getting caught in the rain If you're not into yoga If you have half a brain If you'd like making love at midnight In the dunes on the Cape Then I'm the love that you've looked for Write to me and escape." I didn't think about my lady I know that sounds kind of mean But me and my old lady Have fallen into the same old dull routine So I wrote to the paper Took out a personal ad And though I'm nobody's poet I thought it wasn't half bad "Yes I like Pina Coladas And getting caught in the rain I'm not much into health food I am into champagne I've got to meet you by tomorrow noon And cut through all this red-tape At a bar called O'Malley's Where we'll plan our escape." So I waited with high hopes And she walked in the place I knew her smile in an instant I knew the curve of her face It was my own lovely lady And she said, "Oh it's you." Then we laughed for a moment And I said, "I never knew." That you like Pina Coladas Getting caught in the rain And the feel of the ocean And the taste of champagne If you'd like making love at midnight In the dunes of the Cape You're the lady I've looked for Come with me and escape repeat chorus twice and fade out

don't let the bed bugs bite!