Help get ‘Justice for Cisco’, a dog wrongly killed in Austin

It seems there was an incident in Austin, Texas on Saturday where police responded to a domestic disturbance call but went to the wrong house.  While at the wrong house, the police allegedly killed Cisco, a man’s dog, for barking.

Please help get  ”Justice For Cisco” by joining the Facebook fan page.  You can also contact the Austin Police Department and let them know what happened to Cisco was wrong.  As pet owners, we have a responsibility to care for our animals as they cannot understand many human situations.  This police officer should have known better than to shot a poor, barking dog.

The contact number for the Austin Police Department is  (512) 974-2000 or (512) 974-5000

A Facebook photo is currently being passed around that explains exactly what happened to poor Cisco. Candace Michele writes the following:

I am usually not one to get into the politics of people’s opinions of law enforcement. I know there are good and bad people in every walk of life, but I always try to give the benefit of the doubt to those that are in a position to “protect and serve”. But yesterday, a harsh reality was “served” when I received a phone call from a very near and dear person to me. The words I heard coming through my phone were nothing I would have expected in a million years—a very distraught voice saying, “The cops just shot and killed Cisco! They killed my best friend!” In shock, I asked what had happened. At the time, I only got a very brief description, as Michael Paxton was in shock and traumatized over the horrific loss of his dog. I immediately drove to his place (which is about 30 minutes away). When I arrived, I found him clutching Cisco’s body, crying and trying to understand what had just transpired.

Apparently, unbeknown to Mike, there was a domestic disturbance between a male and a female in his neighborhood, and the Austin Police Dept was called in. Unfortunately (seems like such an understatement), Mike found out quickly about the call when he walked into his driveway from his back yard where he and Cisco, his Australian Sheppard, had been playing frisbee. Police officer T. Griffin, Badge #6778, was standing behind Mike’s vehicle, in his driveway. Before Mike even realized Officer Griffin was there, the officer had pulled his gun on Mike, yelling at him to freeze and put his hands up. In a panic, Mike stated to the officer that he lives there, and asked what and why this was happening.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Help get ‘Justice for Cisco’, a dog wrongly killed in Austin – Wilmington Civil Rights | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/civil-rights-in-wilmington/help-get-justice-for-cisco-a-dog-wrongly-killed-austin?cid=db_articles#ixzz1sE926upc

“Read Ayn Rand” is world’s biggest message

Ever wanted to tell the world something?  It seems there’s now an interesting way to do so.  Ever heard of GPS writing?

GPS writing is when you turn your GPD device on and off (like a pen) as you are travelling.  While driving you may create lines by turning your GPS logger on and in between letters, you can just turn the GPS logger off.  These travel records are then displayed as lines on a Google Earth map.

Nick Newcomen has written the words largest message in this way, telling people to “Read Ayn Rand”. As Atlas Shrugged the movie part 2 is about to hit the theaters this is relevant yet again.

Ayn Rand was an author and philosopher whose books “Atlas Shrugged” and “The Fountainhead” and well read (to say the least).  In fact, Atlas Shrugged was considered the “second most influential book for Americans today” right behind the bible by a survey conducted in part by the Library of Congress.

Nick Newcomen’s journey took 30 days and was funded by no one other than himself he told Wired.com:

“The main reason I did it is because I am an Ayn Rand fan,” he says. “In my opinion if more people would read her books and take her ideas seriously, the country and world would be a better place — freer, more prosperous and we would have a more optimistic view of the future.”

“The first word I wrote actually was the word ‘Rand’, then I went up North to do the word ‘Read’ and finished it with ‘Ayn,’” says Newcomen.

Nick spent 30 days writing his message while driving 12,238 miles across 30 states.

Australia is banning all logos on cigarette packs

Starting in January, Australia will make it illegal for cigarette companies to display logos on their products. Instead, cigs will just be sold in generic packages with …photos of rotten teeth and lungs

(I know this tale is a few months old, but word from Australia travels slowly)

The only way this should be allowed is if all fast food logos are covered with pictures of fat and blocked arteries and all alcohol bottles have their logos replaces with images of shriveled livers.

Everyone complains about the side effects of smoking but they certainly love what they get from the taxes on cigarettes…

In the midst of a State of Emergency and Mandatory Evacuations – they tow cars in Rehoboth Beach during Hurricane Irene

According to Alan Henney:

Not even a state of emergency could stop Coastal Towing! A police officer came across this red Dodge Durango with Florida tags just before 2 p.m. Saturday. It was parked up on the sidewalk in front of Jewels by the Sea in the ocean block of Rehoboth Avenue. The officer said the shop was boarded and nobody appeared to be around. So they called Coastal Towing for removal.

I understand that everyone needs revenue, and most businesses were forced to close during Hurricane Irene, but is it truly necessary that the one downtown business that still operates is the towing company?

It’s a “mandatory evacuation” and they have left a person, and possibly a family stranded while the buses are closed down.

Maybe the vehicle owner was checking on their property, maybe not.

Do you think it defeats the purpose of a “mandatory evacuation” and a “state of emergency” to leave people stranded by towing their vehicles?

 

DNREC to hold public meetings on Universal Recycling throughout the state on March 22, 23, 28 and 29

I was sent this email from DNREC (ok, well, I was sent this email from Jud Bennett who was sent this email from DNREC) – thought I would share the word:

 

DNREC to hold public meetings on Universal Recycling throughout the state on March 22, 23, 28 and 29

DOVER (March 7, 2011) – DNREC’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Branch will hold four public meetings this month to provide information and answer questions on the new Universal Recycling Law (Senate Bill 234) signed by Governor Markell on June 8, 2010.

 

The new law establishes a comprehensive statewide system of recycling that with full implementation will include effective and convenient recycling programs for every Delaware residence and business. The law is structured to maximize recycling rates and diversion of waste and is expected to support and stimulate job growth and new businesses.

 

By Sept. 15, 2011, waste haulers will provide single stream (all recyclables mixed in one container) recycling collection services to every single family residential customer and to bars and restaurants that provide on-premise sales. Some waste haulers will provide this service beginning in April.

 

Single stream recycling collection services will be provided by waste haulers to multi-family residential customers by Jan. 1, 2013; and by Jan. 1, 2014, all commercial businesses will participate in a comprehensive recycling program.

 

The meeting locations, dates and times are:

Tuesday, March 22

(6:30 – 7:30 p.m.)

Lewes Public Library

Railroad Avenue & Adams St.

Lewes, DE 19958

 

Wednesday, March 23

(6:30 – 7:30 p.m.)

DNREC Auditorium

89 Kings Highway

Dover, DE 19901

Monday, March 28

(6:30 – 7:30 p.m.)
Bear Library

101 Governor’s Place

Bear, DE 19701

 

 

Tuesday, March 29

(6:30 – 7:30 p.m.)

Western Sussex Boys & Girls Club

310 Virginia Avenue

Seaford, DE 19973

A disclaimer for my regular readers:

A disclaimer for my regular readers:

Many have commented to me recently regarding typos.  I am sure you have noticed the random irregularities in my writing in the past few weeks.  Naturally, there is an excuse, which I will now share.

My computer has been restored to the “factory default” settings.

I am still working out the kinks in the spell checking aspects of my newly restored Microsoft Word.

I apologize for any aggravation this may cause.

Should newspapers print out the N-word? One local paper certainly thinks so!

As a child, my parents took a vested interest in my education.  My father still quaintly gets the newspaper delivered to his house every day (fun side fact, he always checks the obituaries first, and has done so for as long as I can remember).  Once I reached middle school, my father and I would share the newspaper every day.  I would read a section and later he would read the same section and question me on what I remembered.  This was an easy way to work on comprehension as well as to maintain an interest in current events.  If my father and I were still reading the newspaper together, he would be making phone calls and writing letters today.  Why? A Sussex County newspaper, the Cape Gazette, printed out a derogatory word in their Tuesday, January 11, 2011 edition.

The Cape Gazette, in an article written by Henry J. Evans Jr., printed out the N-word.  We all know what the N-word is without my spelling it out, yet for some reason the Cape Gazette felt it was necessary to print out the full word not once, but twice.  Perhaps the writer felt he was being cutting edge, or he deemed it appropriate as it was a quote, but one wonders if the point could not have been made without printing out a graphic, derogatory word.  Some children may read the newspaper so perhaps an advisory may have been welcome.

When reading a local newspaper such words are not common and not always appreciated (regardless of context).

The image below is the pretext in which the N-word was written.  Instead of saying more, this writer will leave you to your own decisions as to whether this an appropriate usage of such a negative word or is, perhaps, another avenue may have been taken by Henry J. Evans Jr. and by default the Cape Gazette.  This writer, however, will never publish that word, so image has been edited.

Please note – the lack of links to the newspaper’s website is intentional.

A reflection on the politics and the past… (how to respond to “I don’t DO politics”)

Today I ran into someone who knew me from high school.  When I say that she knew me, I mean just that.  Sadly, I had no recollection of who she was, whether we had classes together, or anything along those lines.  She started talking to me about what she had done in the last 15 years (I was only at her school for a year) and was practically crowing her achievements to me.

It seems my old classmate has moved to California and directs/produces (in her own words) TV commercials.  She had a picture of her with Mike Rowe to prove this to me.  When I asked her who Mike Rowe was she looked at me with shock and horror.

As many of you probably know, Mike Rowe is the host of the Discovery Channel show “Dirty Jobs”    I will add that Mike Rowe does a great job doing some of the nastiest things you could ever imagine.

She asked me what I have been “up to” and I gave the easy answer.  ”Life, family, politics, school” in that order.  Naturally, “life” is the fact that I wake up every morning. “Family” consists of my husband, my cat, and my biological family. “Politics” requires more attention.  My old high school friend (whom I didn’t remember) proceeded to tell me that she “didn’t do politics”.

I can honestly say that I laughed out loud.

“You may not do politics, but they certainly do you”.

 

I had this same conversation with a local talk radio host.  We were discussing my possibilities of hosting my own radio show when I mentioned that everything was tied into politics.  He laughed at me and said “so you would consider my own show political?”

Although people may attempt to ignore politics they are forced to deal with politics constantly throughout their lives.  If the people chose not to acknowledge this fact, it simply gives the politician more power.

Taxes? Can any person claim that the amount of taxes we pay have nothing to do with politics?

Speed limits? That’s right, when you are simply driving down the street that speed you must obey is due to politics.  Mass minds came together and decided what the proper speed was on that road.

Smoking? Yes, any public place in Delaware (and many other states) is “smoke-free” because a politician decided a bar owner could not make the decision regarding their own property without input from the government.

Money in your wallet? TOTALLY! Politicians decided to take the United States currency off the gold standard.   How much “bang” you get for your buck, or vice versa, is thanks to our elected officials.

 

I could go on and on.

 

Instead of explaining this to my high school friend (who was not really a friend), I just smiled.  I like knowing that what I do touches lives all over our great state and country (and although that talk radio host may think he is politics free, we all know this to be otherwise) and my opinions matter.  My reflections today made me think of a particular symbol.

(I added this picture because I googled “reflection” images and thought it was pretty).

 

Have any of you heard of “ouroboros”? I first heard of this concept in a TV show I grew up watching (Red Dwarf) which is decidedly strange yet full of giggles.  ”Ouroboros” is, it turns out, the ancient symbol of infinity.

What am I implying here?

Anywhere you go, anything you do, it has all been touch upon by politics.  Politics is infinity.  The future will always be affected by the past, just as the past will always be affected by hopes for the future.

My friend may be pleased with having met Mike Rowe.  I would much rather meet Ron Paul.

 

On the bright side, my computer is expected back within the next few days.  It has been restored to the factory default and much of the hardware has been replaced, but she will be home (hopefully for good).  You will then hear much more from me.  This may anger some of you, delight others, and some of you will not care.  Either way, I am like the symbol I reflected upon earlier.  Although I may cause myself pain, I will continue to bite.

 

Activism 101 – (Thanks FreedomWorks!) An intro to a new series

It seems every election is the “most important election of your life”; at least, that is what you are most likely told.  The statements may be considered correct at the time they are made; how may anyone be aware of what the political climate will be during future elections?   One may assume, however, that if citizens remain on their current path every election will be “the most important election” while the off years are simply stacked full of inaction and disaffected behavior.  While American citizens are more concerned with the latest reality show than the latest legislation our rights will continue to be voted away.

Why does this need to be explained? Because right now many people are interested in what will happen on November 2nd when another major focus needs to be what will happen on November 3rd.  People have put a large emphasis on getting the “right candidate” into office yet those same candidates are given a relatively free-reign when in office.  Delaware’s own Republican Mike Castle, during his Senate campaign this year, discussed an apology because he voted for Cap and Trade.  Many were pleased to hear him talk in this way, yet few paid attention to the fact that he should not have voted against his constituents wishes in the first place.
What can the average person do about holding their representatives in check?  Despite the mantra now being echoed “Remember in November” there are eleven other months in the year.  There are basic and easy ways for the average citizen to help their representative remember to vote appropriately; that’s where this series comes into play.

Activism 101 will be tips and advice to help ensure your representative remembers your existence no matter how close they are to their re-election.  Some of the information shared may be new, some may be old, and some may be of no interest to you personally.  Regardless, hopefully you will appreciate some of the information shared.

Freedom Works will Give Us Liberty

There are moments in your life when you know you are about to do something extremely embarrassing yet you can’t stop yourself. You know people will laugh when they hear your name, smirk when they see you, and probably give you a horrible nickname but you do it anyway. I am about to have one of those moments. Yes, that’s right; I’m going to make a gushing sports metaphor.

“He could go all the way!” We’ve all heard that phrase in football again and again and again (well, I’m an Eagles fan so I probably hear it less than most) and we know what that means. Someone has that football and they are sprinting towards the end zone. It looks like no one will be able to catch them; he’s going to score and no one will be able to take that accomplishment away. Even more importantly, the excitement builds, the momentum builds, and everyone else is inspired into stepping up their game. I just heard that announcer in my head this weekend at a Freedom Works Activist Boot Camp in DC.

I was surrounded by about 30 people who champion the cause of Liberty on a daily basis. These people sacrifice their time, their money and their personal relationships to be vocal and active regarding individual rights, limited government, sound economic strategy and so much more. These activists are on the front line for the battle for our civil rights every day. In the spotlight, publicly defending Liberty, Deneen Borelli is a household name to the Tea Party movement. She is the perfect example of the sacrifice being made by these individuals. Instead of writing about her actions, I would urge you to watch the video.

In order to preserve brevity, more will be forthcoming regarding the actual lessons learned and advice given, as well as the book “Give Us Liberty” which chronicles the Tea Party movement, history, and includes a Grass Roots Activism Toolkit (the toolkit is available for free download here). I will instead get to the point of my sports metaphor.

These people will not rest, will not stop, and will continue to champion the cause of Liberty in America. With the upcoming election in November there is a touchdown on the way. There have already been several points scored, the game is in the final quarter, and while everyone in the stadium enjoys their hotdogs and beer, some are on the field. They may be covered in sweat, dirt, and in some cases blood, but that momentum has built to the point where it is buzzing in the air.

We will score and Liberty will prevail. We must, therefore we will.