April 30, 2007

Dog... friend or foe

Got into a heated debate tonight with mother and a friend of the family concerning a dog that had bitten this friend's granddaughter, but had not broken the skin - dragged her to the ground though. Ever since Ian's dog bite to the face so many years ago I have had a distinct and nonpermissive slant concerning dogs out of control. I don't believe there is any circumstance (aside from cruelty based attacks prompted from the animal) when a dog ever should be permitted to attack anything. I blame the owner that lets the critter run loose in the neighborhood, believing that his dog won't hurt anyone because it never has before, and they have had it forever so they should know. Its lazy pet ownership and irresponsible, these are animals.

My whole point of view was that the owner was 100% responsible for anything the dog did and should take care of it so it doesnt happen again (ie securing the animal so it doesnt run loose).

I am biased concerning all dogs. I see ALL dogs as a potential threat after what happened to Ian. Seeing your brother almost lose his eye, nearly losing part of his lip, dislocating his jaw... something about that just brings out either fear or anger about the whole thing... mine being the latter. Any dog out of control gets me immediately pissed off, all I see is what happened to him and I won't have it again. I chase dogs out of our yard all the time, nearly having lost our dachsund to a wandering shepherd that some asshole neighborhor allowed to run amok has only reinforced it. I have had to confront a pitbull in the yard with a broomstick and the certainty that I would kill the bastard if it even tried to come any further in or wouldnt leave... just because it was aggressive, snarling, etc. I take it all seriously, I see the potential... I act to block and stop. I refuse to allow the animal to be out of control around me. Even if it means me getting hurt, I would rather remove the threat of the animal with me. Thats what kind of an impression my brother's attack had upon me.

So yes, I am heated on the subject. I am jaded, I may overreact. But I prefer my vigilant, nonaccepting of these potential threats to ever again seeing someone mauled before me. Having the dog disappear and seeing the person suffer through the treatments. Its not going to happen again if I can control it.

Its not that I don't enjoy or like dogs... I do. I believe that they have the capacity to do great harm if not held in check at all times.

Posted by Ravennacht at 11:25 PM

January 10, 2007

My List

- Attend a Winter Olympics for the duration of the events, either in country or out.
- Finish my Bachelor's Degree. Possibly continue on to a Master's Degree in Geology/Paleo
- Drive through the New England States during Autumn
- See/Hear/Taste/Feel something that brings me to tears for the shear beauty of the enjoyment of it
- Make an impression/touch someone's life in such a way that it lives beyond me
- Learn to play the piano or the accoustic guitar
- Write or draw to the level that my own mind sees/hears it
- Walk the beach during a full moon, with the waves crashing and a nice salty breeze blowing
- Feel the confidence in myself that others seem to see but I don't feel. Banish the perpetual fear.
- Learn sign language/braille writing
- Get a pair of doberman pinschers, one red and one black, and name them Rayne and Fayhte
- Live in Baltimore or Denver or Maine for a period of time
- Commune with a California Redwood
- Spend a day not having my own thoughts having a party in my head without me
- Become an EMT-Basic
- Experience the perfect Winter - sledding, snowmobiling, brisk walks with the wind chafing the cheeks and snowflakes falling all around, trees blanketed in white, roads covered to impassablility, the quiet perfection of ivory
- Sing til my voice cracks and gives out
- Be part of or start something that makes a true difference
- Find every song that I ever heard that I never wanted to forget

Posted by Ravennacht at 08:12 PM

November 06, 2006

Right to Life

Being a male, I place myself squarely within the realm of the Right to Choice camp in most measures concerning the abortion topic. I am not comfortable legislating what a woman will or won't do with their body AS I am male. I do not pretend to understand the emotions that are involved with the process of pregnancy, for I shall never carry a child (nor father one), though I do understand the biology of it. I do not agree with abortion personally, however, I do understand the necessity of it in some circumstances.

I choose not to view this topic in the vein of theological interest. I see the whole Right to Life movement as nothing more than a religious hypocrisy from top to bottom. Logic must come in somewhere.

I see Right to Life more as a Right to Birth. The movement is more interested in ensuring that all children, under all circumstances, are born. Peaked interest seems to lie only from the moment of conception to the second of birth and first breath... after that, the fervor of caring for this child that was such a vehement topic completely dies off.

Where is Right to Life when it comes to ensuring that unwanted pregnancy does not occur. Abstinancy is not a complete viable option. Yes it is favorable, but REALISTICALLY, how many young adults has it dissuaded from early sexual practices versus those that just do it anyway. You have to make a net of options, so that when one option fails, another takes its place. Where abstinancy fails, sex education must step in. Don't want a sexually transmitted disease or an unwanted pregnancy, use a condom, get on birth control, use other options. You aren't promoting sexual behavior by making sure your people know about sexual education, you are promoting safety, responsibility. Wake up.

Where is Right to Life after a child is born. Adoption laws in the United States are largely a bundle of snares and hurdles the likes of which are so disheartening that a good many couples try to go elsewhere to adopt children. Where is Right to Life when a gay couple tries to adopt a child into their family? How about cross-racial adoption roadblocks? A stable family is preferable to State wardship being shuttled from foster to foster. Yet again, other issues encroach upon the possible stable raising of a child. Why is there a stigma against adoption as an option, why must everyone HAVE a child of their own flesh and blood... because we are bombarded with it nonstop.

Where is the restructuring of the foster system to ensure that families stay together... that SIBLINGS stay together when moved out of a bad situation with their birth family... that fosters are correctly trained and motivated to do the right thing for their charges rather than just taking a State check every month. Where is the vehement and righteous indignation for the children then?

Why isn't there a federal sanctuary law for unwanted children (ie. baby's may be surrendered at a police station, fire station, hospital by a mother with no questions asked).

Where is Right to Life when so many children live in poverty without proper healthcare.

I do not condone abortion. I do however, dislike the zealous tunnel vision of religion constricting this topic down to such a seemingly 'easy' moral decision. This isn't about religion. Responsibility for life doesn't end at birth, it continues throughout the child's life. Should these parents be unable to provide for the child and the child enters the 'system', it is all of our responsibilities to ensure that the child is properly provided for and taught... not mangled in a system like a piece of meat until the age of majority.

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:28 PM

November 04, 2006

Representative Reform

I believe in term limits for all politicians. The days of gilding the party lilly with life-time politicians should end. For too long we have suffered from lifers in office that have become so acclimated to the atmosphere in Washington and the state capitols that they lose their connection to their constituency... saying what the people want to hear only when election time rolls around. It is phenomenal just how many answers these people have for life's problems while election time is in full swing, yet when they return to office, they cannot get anything meaningful accomplished.

Need another reason? How about the propensity of Congress to grant itself pay raises (see my previous post concerning minimum wage) while a goodly amount of their constituency suffer at a sub-par federal minimum pay wage. There is something inherently illogical with having a branch of government that can willy-nilly grant itself a pay raise whenever it wishes. Set a term limit, set a salary and be done with it. No more games.

I am a vociferous opponent of party replacement laws (happens a lot on county levels), wherein a candidate is elected to office, must leave early for some reason and the party of whom he is a part automatically selects his replacement. When we vote for a candidate... we vote for the individual (ideally that is) not the party. Should this person leave office, die, or whatever before office, there should be a replacement vote for candidates from his constituency. This isn't to be confused with an accepted chain of command situation which exists at the federal level, where we at least select the individual and the running mate on the ballot for the office with the understanding that #2 could become #1... or even that members of his Cabinet may become the President at some point.

Commit a crime in office? Automatic out of office. Do not pass go, do not collect pension. Do not collect perks. Do I feel this is overboard. Not at all. How much more graft, misrepresentation and shady dealings can we have lurking in the dark corridors of power. It continues because they all protect each other FROM US. There are repercussions for the every-day citizen that breaks a law. Should a representative do so knowingly and willingly... this person who is of such great moral standing and trust to the public to be selected from millions to represent the one and many... is beyond excuse and calls for immediate and resounding punishment.

I believe in severely restricting politicians from getting jobs with lobbying firms immediately following the end of their terms. I believe there should be a number of years... at least 5... where these people are blocked from such work (I believe the time limit may currently be 2). Is there a connection between lobbying and politicians seeking to secure future wealth for favors now... undoubtedly. Stamp down on it better, I say, it just feeds into the continuing issue where we are ill represented by these people.

I believe in disallowing one politician from stumping for another that is running for (re)election. How many times have we watched a President, Governor, Senator (from another state even), etc... stumping about for some party lap dog that they want in office just to make their life easier? This isn't representation, this is party politics. If a person running for office cannot stand on their own merit... if they must rely upon the coat-tails of some power-symbol in office currently... then they really don't belong in office to begin with. Do you hear their message... or do you see only the glamour and bells and whistles of the show dog paraded about for stray peanuts. I only think to myself, each time I watch some fool already in office campaigning for some other fool running for office, just HOW MUCH are you representing your own people... just HOW MUCH time are you spending on YOUR constituency projects... just HOW MUCH time are you spending on YOUR job when you are busy working for your party trying to get numbers in the House. I understand the whys of it. I will never agree to it. Do your own work already.

Posted by Ravennacht at 12:26 AM

November 01, 2006

Dissent to full...

We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it. Edward R. Murrow

Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels - men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate. Hubert H. Humphrey

Those who begin coercive elimination of dissent soon find themselves exterminating dissenters. Compulsory unification of opinion achieves only the unanimity of the graveyard. Robert Jackson

I grow weary of being painted as disloyal. Accused of being unpatriotic. I live in a country built upon dissent. I exercise the right to disagree and still be loyal. I practice the responsibility of observation of my government and my representatives, as all should.

For years I have dealt with this. Living in a small community in a largely republican area was difficult at best for someone that sees things alternatively to the consensus. I have been labled a communist for my views about Reagan. Marxist, Socialist, Liberal, Peacenik, Leftist, Radical. I have heard it all. I have been threatened for my opinions concerning Bush. I have been named a coward for my thoughts concerning recent wars.

Now, more than ever, I have come to the realization that I must speak more. Take a stand on your beliefs... make your beliefs known. Let us see which yoke I can be saddled in name to if I am clear what I believe in. Label on.

Posted by Ravennacht at 11:38 PM

October 08, 2006

Vote "None of the Above"

From Brewster's Millions (1985):

Monty Brewster: What are you gonna vote?
Crowd: None of the above!

How many times have you been faced with a ballot and you just wished that "NONE OF THE ABOVE" was an option. Not only to indicate your dissatisfaction with the candidates listed, but also to make it possible for them to NOT receive a majority of votes and hence not gain election.

I can't count how many times I have even met the dreaded "Vote for only one" and there is ONLY one candidate to begin with, ensuring victory to this unchallenged soul. That always makes me shudder internally... and I oft leave it blank if I dislike the candidate.

I can live with a run-off election with different candidates. We waste plenty of public money on more trivial drivel than this. I would be willing to pay for the opportunity to run out lifer, corrupt politicians and mud-slinging, PAC pandering, sharks. I would pay happily for the opportunity to vote for a real, genuine option.

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:07 AM

October 04, 2006

Congressional Pay Raises and Minimum Wage

From Congressional Research Service Report through Library of Congress (4/18/2006):

Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. Prior to 1969, Congress did so by enacting stand-alone legislation. From 1789 through 1968, Congress raised its pay 22 times using this procedure. Congressional salaries initially were $1,500. By 1968, they had risen to $30,000. Stand-alone legislation may still be used to raise Member pay, as it was most recently in 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1991, but two other methods are now also available, an automatic annual adjustment procedure and a commission process.

In January 2006, Members received a 1.9% increase under the annual adjustment procedure, increasing their salary to $165,200. They are scheduled to receive a 2.0% increase under the procedure in January 2007, to $168,500.

Granted... individual members of the Congress may refuse a salary pay increase, and some do.

Compared to the minimum wage facts for those states not with a higher minimum wage standard than the fed:

From Think Progress:

$5.15: Federal minimum wage

26%: How much the inflation-adjusted value of the minimum wage has eroded since 1979

0: Number of times minimum wage has increased since 1997

7: Number of times Congress has increased its own pay since 1997

$0: How much more a year people earning minimum wage earn today compared to 1997

$28,500: How much more a year members of Congress make today compared to 1997

$10,700: Amount a person making minimum wage will earn in a year

$5,000: Amount below the poverty level working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year at minimum wage will leave a family of three

Who is serving whom?

How about a few years of allowing congressional raises to be voted on by the general public in contrast to self raise voting and annual automatic increases (which occur unless they are specifically voted against). Naturally this won't be looked favorably upon. Or return to the days where they were paid for actually working, rather than salary... let them feel the bite of merit income over an easy paycheck that they set the terms of payment not counting their other benefits (public and private).

Isn't it just a bit hard to swallow to have a public servant... capable of setting their own salary... ignoring the income malady of the poor and lower middle class?

Then again, business as usual.

Posted by Ravennacht at 02:05 PM

October 03, 2006

Pedophiles

Forget three strikes and you are out with Pedophiles. I am so sick and tired of repeated second chances for diddlers in this world. I don't care if you are a Bishop, Priest, Rabbi, Fireman, Policeman, or even a Senator or Representative (how ironic... Representative Foley after available teen pages... he should be so fried)... you have no business breathing another breath of prison-free, fresh air if you even touch, attack, molest, or approach a child with sexual intention.

I am tired of listening to people defend the behaviour. I am tired of the double standard for women that do it to boys (heck, don't all boys want sex anyway? Its just indoctrinating him to sex early. What a pile of rubbish). I am tired of hearing perverts claimed they were seduced by a child. I am sick of hearing the child asked for it. Your past history doesn't give you any right to expect mercy or a brush-off from your first crime.

The judicial system is a joke in these cases. Time served... probation... a few years. This is a pattern crime. These people are sick, sick, sick.

I don't give a rat's ass about medical treatment. I don't prescribe to the belief that there is even a for treatment of pedophiles... it's not worth the risk... they aren't sorry for what they do... they are sorry that they are CAUGHT. I want them gone from society. I am with Webkittyn, Ship them to some remote desert island where they can be airlifted meager supplies from time to time. Let them prey upon each other for all I care, because I don't. Better yet, use the Lost in Space scenario and launch them into the sun.

What about using alcohol addiction or drug dependency as a reason for your behaviour? I don't think so buddy. You think a stint in alcohol rehab will get us to forget what you were doing? You think alcohol was the reason you were doing what you were doing? Get real.

You want me to cry and boo-hoo for you, the identified sex offender that has to identify himself to neighbors and community... isnt allowed to live near bus-stops or schools. Um... no. Fry in your discomfort, sicko. You gave up the right to any personal comfort when you took away the same thing from the child you messed with. Trust you? Trust is the greatest weapon these creatures use to get at children to begin with, they use it like a new appendage... find single mother... acclimate yourself as the helper to get in... befriend the kids... watch them alone... yada yada yada. Forget trust. How long should you be identified and pay... FOREVER! You made the choice to do what you did, don't babble to me about mistakes... in what universe is it even remotely okay to do what got you there to begin with. Pay for it forever.

This world needs to worry more about the rights of the victims and the price that society has to pay dealing with the scars that these children carry and deal with later in life... rather than worrying about these maggots that don't deserve the respect that they seem to think they deserve in the high life positions they seem to place themselves in to get away with this crap. Enough already.

Posted by Ravennacht at 03:16 PM

October 02, 2006

Incumbent Stumping for Candidates

How refreshing it would be to actually have a politician spend the time in which they are in office ACTUALLY working and not using that time running for re-election or, especially, buffing the coffers of his party or extending his coat-tails to make appearances at underling events.

How many times have we watched the President or even a governor going to closed party events with paid plate dinners for the benefit of the party. Or speaking at some representative/senatorial candidate conference to amp the voters into thinking that such and such person is the ONE and only option to come to work with him.

I want people that work. I reward and vote for people on the merits of the work they do as MY representative, not the party's and not the President's/Governor's.

These people are elected to serve US while they are in office... not the party mechanations. They seem to lose sight of the fact that WE vote in everyone... not for the benefit of making their job easier, to get their policies passed more easily, to make redistricting pass smoothly, etc... we elect these people to serve.

Stop spending your time trying to brainwash us into thinking that as a leader you know what is right for us by leading us to the candidate that will make your life easier. Get back to work already. I don't respect this crap. In fact, how about you pay back the government (state or fed, whichever be the case) for the time you wasted by working for your party's benefit and not the public's like you are elected to do.

Better yet... how about we bill the party and/or the candidate for your time each time you pull one of these stunts.

Posted by Ravennacht at 12:00 AM