Dogs, Humane Treatment & Humanity

In light of all the uproar over Pres. Obama making a positive comment about Michael Vick (who was convicted of charges relating to dog-fighting) being given a second chance (or redemption as I'd like to call it) -- I have learned one thing:

Dogs would show more humanity towards human beings long before Humans would show human-ness towards each other.

These past few days, I've read countless comments about the Michael Vick story.  Never mind that the fellow served a 2 year sentence and paid for his crime ... or that I do not know of any other case where someone went to Federal Prison for 2 years over a first-time, dog-fighting conviction.  Some called for Vick's career to end, while others said the vilest and the most racist things.  Then, there were the extremist who tried to convince us that they are such great lovers of humanity -- they advocated for the death of Vick!

I don't know if people who take a position for the sake of taking a position ... where they forget to respect and value each other as human beings first and imperfect beings second.   Don't we all fall from grace?  

But we live at a time where it is "me" first ... "my opinion" first ... "mine" first --  so many who will scream at the top of their lungs about the sanctity of human life have so little respect for living beings.

People do make mistakes ... and if we do not offer grace and believe in redemption -- I am afraid this world will not be a place worthy of any form of life.

To me ... life is something that happens from the inside out.

In relation to Michael Vick and the story ... this is a bigger story about the culture of animal fighting and those who do it for money ... and those who engage in it for sport because it is something that has happened for generation­s.

I've often thought that Michael Vick (with his athletic talents and rising stardom at that stage in his new NFL career) could have made money 100-fold through endorsemen­ts alone than dog-fighti­ng.

People make decisions based on so many factors (social, cultural, economic, familial, etc.).

The greater lesson is for us to discuss this and teach our children not just about the sacredness of all living things .... but also about the importance of discernmen­t and making wise choices.

Talent does not mean discernmen­t.  

Yes ... you are right... there's a disconnect between valuing life (animals and people) and everything living.  I imagine that you know someone who shows more love & respect to their dogs than they do to their spouse, children or neighbors?

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

President Obama's comments to the Philadelphia Eagles Owner creates hyperbolic national uproar!

Here's the story (for context): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/27/obama-michael-vick_n_801736.html


This story -- that had more to do about an sports-tea­m owner being recognized for his efforts to create a "more green" stadium  and a simple comment about giving someone a second chance -- seems to have turned into a story that reflects the true state of our Society's tenor.

The comments I've read here have been anything but human -- even though, folks claim to care about animals.  How can you claim to care about an animal while you wish the vilest things for a human being?  

Many comments I've read on other blogs are no different ... they are hateful, disrespect­ful of the President & completely unwilling to even consider the true nature of the call.

1.  This is a season of forgiveness­s, grace, hope and redemption­.  

2.  The President is also the cheerleader in Chief.  There's nothing wrong with him saying something positive about someone being given a second chance -- if they have served their time.  We all fail at some point or another ... and the degree of our sin will be judged by society based on their own biases.  

3.  I would like to know why a man deserves to lose his career for animal cruelty anymore than a man deserves to lose his career for spousal or child cruelty?  I love animals ... own rescue dogs.  

4.  How many other Americans have received 2 yrs imprisonme­nt for animal cruelty-re­lated offenses?

5.  Has this stopped animal cruelty?  Isn't hunting for sport (in the wild and contained areas .. and even from air) still legal?  

6.  Why is it necessary to include racial undertones (some folks) in a story that is supposed to be about caring for the life of an animal?  

The Sparrow

The Sparrow

by

Me

The sparrow is hurting
It is tired and weary
It's wings are leathery
From flying in the winds

The gust, gale and storm
How far must it go on
The wings, they are an aching
The heart, it's a breaking

The sparrow is hurting
The bright sun is beating
Soaring as high as it could
So many woulds and shoulds

Stop little sparrow
There's still a tomorrow
Sit and relax a lined brow
You can rest for a while now

The Sparrow glides down
Glad for the little town
Trees, nests, and wonderful shade
This branch seems tailor-made

Today was a tough day
The rest would be my way
Of letting the heart ache
Be gone with the sunset

Even sparrows dream of flying like Eagles

Mitch McConnell Fights Back Tears On Senate Floor (VIDEO)

And another epiphany ...

In the wake of John Boehner's (incoming Speaking of the House) cry-me-a-river dances and Mitch McConnell's (Senate minority Leader) handkerchief melodrama ...  I have had an epiphany.

The Republican­s are to cry on cue .... because they know that they are about the screw the Middle Class and help out their country-cl­ub buddies.  

These Republican­s aren't crying for the Middle Class ... This is the "we care and we get your pain" message.   All the while hoping that the American people who have been shafted by the Republican­s for so long will focus on the tears of clowns instead of the truth behind Republican policies.

(sorry, Smokey Robinoson)

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Who's That Girl In Your Bed

Who’s That Girl In Your Bed?

Who’s that girl in your bed?

Are feelings so hard

They’re tough as lead

The big bold pathos

Is it all being fed

Who’s that girl in your bed?

Is this going way into your head?

Stoking images of old Ulysses

Hoping you would catch the sting

With such casual promises

Of what she’ll bring to The Wing

Who’s that girl in your bed?

Is your heart already dead?

She says you are a star

Poses with talk so steep 

That she reaches so far

It makes you wanna weep

Who’s that girl in your bed?  

                                   

Is she making you see red?

Does she think she is a Royal

The girl feigns such confusion

You know she cannot be loyal

Your ethos left in contusion

So …

Who’s that girl in your bed?

Does she call you Henry, John, or Ted?

(written about a person I know - after much observation ... but I am sure many women have felt this way at some point in their life).