Swearing off toxic places

This has been building for awhile. I'm swearing off discussion boards, at least for a long while. They're simply toxic to me. The amount of rhetoric and spin on both sides of the political aisle is ridiculous and counter productive. It is impossible to attempt to be objective without having someone accuse you of positions you haven't taken and thoughts you haven't expressed.


Life is too short.

We have fooled ourselves into believing the dialogue means something. Perhaps it does on some nebulous stage but I think, in most instances, people who have strong opinions aren't interested in the dialogue, they're interested in the noise created by the voices. It does no good, imo, to continually rehash the same issues in different modes and hope for a different outcome.

The dialogue generated by the masses, meaning us, I believe sometimes blocks out what's being said by the people who represent us. When hear say and regurgitated platforms begin to be more important that the positions actually taken by our elected officials, I think its time to speak less and listen more.

To Read Or Not To Read - That Is The Question

There's a contraversy brewing locally over a reading list for an advance course literature class. One of the title is Prince Of Tides. Now, never mind that any student can walk into Blockbusters and rent the film, some parents/community leaders have decided this is material students shouldn't read. They claim it is obscene, that the graphic violence is not suitable for "children". Oh, and did I mention one of the characters is gay?

Graphic violence: Okay. Let's do a reality check then. Shall we also ban all news broadcasts until after "children" go to bed? Should we make newspapers a restrictive item? What about video games that blow body parts off complete with spraying blood?

Have I mentioned yet that these "children" are junior and senior high school students, many who have been recruited already by armed forces representatives?

You can't have it both ways. You can't claim high school students are impressionable "children" who shouldn't be exposed to violence and gay issues because their tender brains haven't developed and THEN turn and claim they're able to realistically understand what war includes and profess they can stand up against the pressures of recruiters.

If they can't read about gays without being influenced to "turn gay", then how can they possibly in any way stand up to the influence of the US Military?

If they can't handle graphic violence how the hell do you justify sending 18 year olds to kill?

And let me be clear: I support our military. This is not a slam to them. But it is a hiddeous job and no one should enter into a contract to perform their duties without being fully informed. Evidently some people in WV can't see the contradictions in their concerns, however.

Has Don Blankenship jumped the shark?

Don Blankenship believes himself to be a political mover and shaker. Unfortunately he assumes the role of the WV version of Karl Rove. Every issue is twisted and spun. Evidently Mr Blankenship believes those of us in West Virginia are simply too...well....simple...to see through his obvious spin.

Now he's suing Joe Manchin and says if he doesn't win his lawsuit against Manchin, which claims to have violated Blankenships right to free speech, he'll quit politics.

I'd say uncork the bottles and celebrate but in reality Blankenship has had little effect on the political face of WV. The issues he spent millions championing did not turn in his favor.

Now he's sunk so low as to play a victim?

Come on, Don. Take it like a man and admit that your finger missed the political pulse of WV. Stick to what you know, and it ain't politics.

http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/wv/news1.shtml

Some things are more than just wrong...

There are few things that make me so angry I want to cry. This is one of those things. I've never been a fan of Ellen's brand of comedy but I respect her efforts to find homes for stray animals. As strongly as I feel about her actions, I feel the same level of disgust at a "rescue" who hides behind self righteous smugness and cares more about the letter of their "rules" than they do the spirit of rescue.

Mutts and Moms in Pasadena California appear to be one of those places. It's a "rescue" run from a pet boutique called Paw Boutique in Pasadena, California. Just as an aside, they have removed all their information from Petfinder and taken down their webpage, I would guess in an effort not to have to address the press or the public in regard to their actions.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071017/ap_on_en_tv/people_degeneres
Paw Boutique
523 S. Raymond Ave Pasadena, CA
(626) 396-1136

Is their contact information in case anyone wants to drop them a line.

My issue with their actions is this:
The dog had a good family. It is totally ridiculous to say that a dog shouldn't be owned by families with children under 14. I will grant you not all dogs are suitable for under 14 kids but then at the same time, dogs don't come in a one size fits all body!! It's arrogant and prejudicial to believe kids can't be good around animals.

They need to get their heads outta their butts, imo, and do a home visit then give . the . dog . back!!!

Do you realize they called the POLICE and went to get the animal? Now they absolutely REFUSE to consider giving the dog back because the girls in the family are 11 and 12. What a crock!