I’m a going to rant about something that annoys the heck out of me. Something I am sure annoys the heck out of everyone at one time or another.  I get frequently fed up with irresponsible dog owners. Of course I like dogs more than I like many people, so beware of my bias, grin.

General neglect and ignorance:

So many people forget that a dog is a living thing with a 10 to 15 year life span. Pooch will need water, food, medical care, and human attention. So often I see a bunch of dogs just tied outside. The weather is too hot, too cold, the water dish is empty or filthy, and the dog looks like a prison camp survivor.  Puppy looked cute in a pet store fresh from a puppy mill. Thinking it is a stuffed animal home comes the dog. The dog becomes work or inconvenient, then is not cared for or ends up in the pound.  With out interaction from family dogs act up like humans, many social creatures use acting up to get attention. The "bad dog" ends up at the pound to be destroyed.

Dog Waste:

This is a big pet peeve to a runner like me.  Running down the sidewalk at 6am and splat, I did not see a dog bomb.  I have to clean my shoe, it stinks, it is gross ect ect. I know it just happens, I grew up on a farm, but it is frequent. Also the dog waste gets washed into the rivers when it rains, making harmful bacteria multiply, and shutting down recreation, getting into irrigation, and killing fish (1). I am an aquarium hobbyist, I know what nitrites do to aquatic creatures.

Macho dogs:

I am in the “punish the deed not the breed” camp, but often the deed is people getting fighting dogs to be cool or look tough. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes are responsible for 74% of attacks (2). Often these dogs are from poor stock ran by poorly trained people.  Fighting breeds would have those traits replaced if people would select for strength and hardiness not to combine those positive traits with aggression. Poodles would become killer when treated in such a way.

The result is more government:

I would need to research to see how much is spent nationwide for local dogcatchers, and ASPCA, but it would interesting.  The few yo-yos not caring for dogs is giving government and busybodies another reason to intrude, and you are guilty until you prove your innocence. A life long dog expert can be dragged through a ringer if an uppity official gets a hair up their backside. Animal rights cannot supercede human rights, but no sane person wants animals to suffer unnecessarily.  They make computerized dogs now, get one of those if you are not truely committed to your dog owernership.

1-www.cityofboise.org/Departments/Parks/News/2006/page12687.aspx

2-http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html

Customers are to blame for high cost of healthcare according to some CEO 

Remember that classic Star Trek episode where the Enterprise is taken over by an android called #1, and taken to planet Mudd, where they encounter Harry Mudd yet again.  They find out that Mudd is not responsible for situation and he is as prisoner as much as Kirk and others are.  The con man got swindled.

They discover the androids are going to take over by "serving" others and giving everyone exactly what they want. Kirk and Spock are of course very concerned because the plan will work. Spock sees this as a very logical way to conquer people, they will be subdued before they realize what has happened.  People will be absolutely dependant on the androids for survival. People would no longer have food, freedom to travel, or even weapons. No way to assert their will.

Many people seem to think that government and leaders are responsible to hand out "stuff" for the good of all.  Many seem to want the androids in real life, then they can be fat and happy, and watch more tv. Of course we have no androids, but we have those who will pretend to serve and subdue until you no longer have the will or ability to assert your legal rights.

It often seems the trend today is to rename issues or legislation with deceitful opposite of what they really are.  Like calling opportunity a new government program that will favor the few, and handicap the rest.

When I go into a job interview the employer wants to see measurable, tangible qualifications and accomplishments. We all keep our resumes in the positive light, but fairy tale flights of fantasy will get you thrown out of an interview in disgrace. However we are allowing politicians to apply for jobs with LA LA Land resumes, and poorly hidden agendas. (If not flat out lies) Agendas that are not providing opportunity to "we the people."

Back to the Star Trek episode the Enterprise crew confused the androids with nonsense and e non sequiturs " I am a liar, everything I say is a lie!" Which is the truth, but can't be the truth because everything is a lie, but yet it is true that you lie.

With politicians it is the opposite. Politicians are throwing non sequiturs at us, and the only way to defeat them is logic. Action is the only real, measurable, and comparative truth we have. If you are measured by reality on your job, why not hold politicians to the same standard?

Government really only wants to serve to take away, more we require of government the less we can do for ourselves. Even if we only lose 1% of our freedoms per year based on the starting point, we are slaves within a century.

 

At first I was thinking 'Thanks a "heck" of a a lot CBS, as if enough people don't already have an excuse to not exercise, you come out with this!"

But it is true, many trainers are totally incompetent. One of my past supervisors was beyond incompetent, and took it to a new level.

Regulation is not the answer. Look at all the law suits filed against doctors. Clients need to follow the buyer beware rule. Know if their traienr has a degree and is certified by a real agency. No gym I know will hire someone from Expert Rating, sheez!

HUMMMM.. With all the election stuff, seems all over blog land people are asking and thinking about character, morals, & ethics. News reports of "family values" politicians playing around with call girls, and stuff. CEOs looting company assets and retirement plans to line their own pockets.  Politicians making promises we know are bogus, but yet allow them to do their plan, and somehow forget to hold them to their half.

Like with Clinton (the mister) as soon as you think of him, you then go right to the Monica thing.  Though neither he or she ( the misses) will confirm it, some folks who are personally close to the Clintons imply they have an open marriage. That changes the rules alot. Except you should not play at work, geez. 

It seems with politicians, and those who are looking to romantically date or simply befriend someone it is like you are extending "character credit."   Then with a normal marriage the wave of euphoria wears off, and you realized you married a human, who can drive you up a wall.  Then politicians to dumb human things, other do down right dirty illegal things feeling they are above the law. Reality sets in over time no matter what.

Watching westerns character was a big part of the story.  Back then people fought and died over reputation, honor, and the like. Many samurai stories adapted well as westerns because of that theme.  A John Wayne character saying "me and him go back a long ways" said a lot more than just the words. 

Seems the only real truth is action. There is truth in dishonest action. What someone does day to day is the reality of who they are. People do first what is important to them, the rest is just details. Some guy who says his wife and kids are important, but is at the bar until 11 every night, makes you wonder. Where a guy who is at home with his family never has to say anything. 

In fitness you know how much time we spend talking about fitness? HAHAHA! If people could move their bodies as much as they move their mouths we would be the healthiest nation on the planet.  We could run the Kenyans into the ground, and out lift the Eastern Europeans.

I wonder how many stupid sob stories judges get from repeat offenders? How sorry, how stupid, how it will never happen again, three arrests ago.  Maybe I could get on the pop culture bandwagon with my life coaching, and market instant character repair. Here you are now a good person on a silver platter, yippy hurray!  "Here is Betty, she used to do drugs and beat her kids, but after 30 days on my program, she is a saint."  I think part of who we are is the restitution we pay others and to our selves. Like fitness, I have no magic bullets.

As I got older, maybe not wiser, but definitely older, I find it rewarding to walk the walk.  I am so far from a saint it is ridiculous but I do believe there are certain things we must challenge ourselves to do and to become to be human beings.  Pop culture talks of building self esteem, and helping others build theirs. That comes from real accomplishments. No you can not be the best and fastest all the time, but you can get yourself to the game. If you do what it takes day in and day out the odds say you have to come out a head.  If you do what you feel passionate about you really can't lose.

 

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence.
And you cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.
William J. H. Boetcker (1873 – 1962)

As most people that know me understand that I am not religious. However I also do not smoke, do dope, and rarely drink. I say if what you do do don't do does not bother anyone else what does it matter?

Speaking as a secularist, I was actually upset over the court case and challenging God in the pledge of allegiance.  And for an atheists to challenge it?? It would make more sense of a Buddhist or the like to be upset over "God" rather than an atheists. I do not feel it is shoving God down your throat because God is a personal choice and the relationship people have with God is an individual thing. One can simply replace God with a word they feel fits better. One nation under law or something like that. Those that want God can have, one that don't, don't have to either.

I often look at religion like this. I do celebrate Christmas. When I hang up a picture of Santa Claus do I literally think a fat man in a red suit will actually fly around delivering presents? Well no, but it represents giving, family, happiness, self reflection. Same qualities people seek in their religion and relationship with God.

The taking the Ten Commandments out of the courthouse.  To an atheists would it not be the same as a picture of the Tooth Fairy in the court house?  Besides only about 40% of the commandments apply to court. Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not commit adultery, & thou shalt not bear false witness. If people did not do those things the court would not be very busy anyway, not much need of a court house to begin with.

Here in Boise we have a big light up cross over looking the city.  Some atheist from Chicago filed a suit over it. That really ticked me off.  He did not even live here, and again as an atheist why would it matter.  We all share the city, and a vast majority what the cross there. They look up on a bad day and see the light both literally and figuratively.  I am happy they found their religion. People need peace, joy, and hope, and the others of the city are entitled to it. It is not a Nazi swastika or a bird flipping finger. It far from offends me, and actually the door to door missionaries have bothered me alot More than a light up cross.

Prayer in school and Intelligent Design are separate issues from the PoA.  Others saying God in PoA is not a prayer, but an affirmation of beliefs of principles of our nation. Those who want God in it, say it as such, those that don't, don't. Neither side needs to force or make a huge deal about something simple.  Freedom of religion is freedom from it, but liek free speech, you do nto have a right to be unoffended. The fools who go looking to be offended to be on the news and make dumb drama, a different story fro a different day.

I hope our country goes back to a live and let live philosophy.

 

Bad Language Alert!

Kooks exercising free speech.

Celebrity Libertarians

warning: BAD LANGUAGE!

Ok this might qualify as a political post, but the whole issue should be a concern to everyone no matter what your issues are.  A violation of rights should be a big red flag for anyone and everyone.

Not many of you might be familiar with Liberty Dollars. They are a private coins and certificates that are backed by precious metals.  They also have E note similar to E-Gold they can be used like PayPal to other members and swap notes. Some merchants will accept them as “money” and you can shop using the Liberty Dollars.  http://www.libertydollar.org

They never claim to be “legal tender,” legal tender is money that represents the U.S. government and the public debt.  Before Thanksgiving the FBI and Secret Service raided the headquarters of Liberty Dollars, and confiscated all the records, customer lists, and worse yet, the government agents took all the gold and other precious metals in their vault. The government claims they were “issuing money” and only legal tender approved by the government can be used for exchange and thus violating the law.  Taking the assets has basically broken the business, they are begging for donations to fight the government for the return of the assets. Everyone who has note in Liberty Dollars lost the value, and now have a pretty piece of paper.

Ok so next question, is Disney going to be raided next because of Disney Dollars are used at Disney parks for ride, food, and gifts? What about hotels and casinos?  Then what about gift cards and preloaded ATM cards?  For that fact what about hand written store credits we are given at times? Finally what about chocolate coins? Playing a game of monopoly? Are kids playing store with play money going to get busted?

I know I am getting carried away with the ridiculousness, but am I? Why would the government be so worried about private exchange?  People barter all the time.  The term dollar is not patented.  The web site does promote it as ‘alternative currency” and explains how Fed Reserve Dollars are fiat money and technically worthless.  Is that the issue that Liberty Dollars were at 20 million, and growing?

This is going to be an interesting court battle. The Constitution does give money authority to the congress, but the Constitution also says money should be backed in gold or precious metals.  The Constitution says nothing of private money, and early America used a lot of private money. Mines used company script, the military used script, so what is the issue?

I find this a horrible violation of rights by the government. The government had a right to audit the books to ensure no fraud was being committed, but to simply confiscate, no way!  What is you wanted me to hold your TV for you while you were away? The receipt I give you is simply proof I am holding it, and when you want it back, present the receipt, and walk out with your property.  Banks are supposed to operate the same way.  But money is public property and drawing a mustache and fangs on George Washington is a federal crime. Drawing all over your private bank note is silly, but not illegal because it represents YOUR PROPERTY.

Side note, I noticed the US Mint has changed the term First Lady to First Spouse. Is this a hint of things yet to come?  Is “you know who” destined to return to the White House?  If it happens is it a hint that the whole election process a sham?

OK enough conspiracy theory.