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Tuesday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 09:59:31 AM EST
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Open Thread.

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    Prince Harry on killing people in Afghanistan: (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by shoephone on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 12:45:06 PM EST
    As co-pilot in the Apache, Harry was in charge of the weapons systems in the two-man cockpit, firing Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, rockets and a 30-millimetre gun.

    "It's a joy for me because I'm one of those people who loves playing PlayStation and Xbox, so with my thumbs I like to think I'm probably quite useful," he said.

    What a d*ck.

    The opponents of gay marriage filed (5.00 / 2) (#109)
    by Peter G on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 09:18:06 PM EST
    their principal briefs in the Supreme Court today.  You can download them from SCOTUSBlog here (DOMA) and here (Prop 8).  Or read excellent summaries of the briefs here (DOMA) and here (Prop 8).

    Who are you? n/t (none / 0) (#1)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 10:14:09 AM EST


    A sports investor (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 10:30:49 AM EST


    Parent
    Tails is a lock... (none / 0) (#4)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 10:35:56 AM EST
    this year...also like Ed Reed for the first score at a price! ;)

    Parent
    Is there a line on... (none / 0) (#9)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 11:13:07 AM EST
    first one to get fooled on a Kaepernick option run?  I'd be torn on putting my money on Reed or Stabby.  

    Parent
    Stabby? (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 11:18:25 AM EST
    Who are you, Mrs. Welker?  ;)

    If the Pats players were as feisty as their wives they might have won something recently;)

    Parent

    I would expect nothing less... (none / 0) (#11)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 11:26:32 AM EST
    from a former Miss Hooters!  

    I could channeled my inner Greggggg and said the preening, self-promoting glory boy felon.  

    One of the DB's for the Pats lives here and there was an armed invasion of his house while he was playing.  Talk about injury to insult.  

    Parent

    Harsh... (none / 0) (#13)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 11:43:07 AM EST
    wouldn't even wish that on a Patriot...at least no one got shot, which is saying something in this armed to the teeth climate.

    Parent
    I think the Ravens... (none / 0) (#12)
    by Dadler on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 11:28:57 AM EST
    ...will do much of the same thing Atlanta did. They'll take away the Kaepernick runs as much as they can and take their chances on making CK again rely on the more traditional offensive stuff. To me this game is about San Francisco's defense more than anything. It came back hard in the second half against the Falcons. I don't think it can afford to spot the Ravens 14 points in the Super Bowl tho, so the Niners D better batten it down from the opening kick.

    Parent
    You'll enoy (none / 0) (#75)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:13:26 PM EST
    my Exotic Super Bowl betting extravaganza.

    Parent
    I love to watch football, ... (none / 0) (#90)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:57:47 PM EST
    ... not bet on it. Were I to do so, I think I'd be so concerned about my "investments" that I'd probably no longer enjoy the game. If you can do both, then more power to you. I've just never enjoyed gambling, but to each his or her own.

    When I was tending bar for a living at a popular local watering hole, I regularly observed a lot of people who placed bets on games. and quite honestly, they were fairly easy to identify, if only because we had a popular Chinatown bookie who'd regularly make the rounds to downtown establishments like ours. Those who wagered the heaviest tended to be everybody's pal if they won, but could be insufferably obnoxious if they lost.

    Parent

    Rick Scott... (none / 0) (#3)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 10:35:44 AM EST
    ...adopted a dog before the election, Reagan, then a year later some reporters noticed the dog hadn't been seen for over a year.

    Scott & staff refused to answer questions about the missing dog and the appearance of a new one, Tallee.  After some hounding Scott said the dog "barked a lot and frightened mansion staffers, including photographer Eric Tournay. He said the dog never bit anyone."

    Scott spokeswoman Melissa Sellers said, "Scott was out of town and did not recall the incident when he talked to reporters."

    Photographer Eric Tournay has since denied being frightened by Reagan, noting that he has owned several pit bulls.

    Now Scott is saying "Reagan scared the living daylights out of everyone." and that he bit a staffer, but it didn't require medical care.

    I get it, you adopt a dog, it's not working out and you can't keep it.  But the dog was plastered all over before the election and then basically disappeared for a year after.  The answers don't jive, at first he didn't bite anyone, then he did ?  How does he not know, and why did they stone wall reports for several days.

    Why do politicians go out of their way to make themselves look suspicious.  I really hope they can track down Reagan, who is supposedly know as Pluto and residing on a horse farm.

    I also noticed that Scott returned the dog on his private jet.  Rick Scott owns his own jet, I guess that is a much better alternative to strapping him to the luggage rack.

    LINK LINK

    Reagan was a prop (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 02:08:57 PM EST
    Jerk got rid of the dog.  The dog probably barked a lot because it was not getting much attention.  Dogs are not usually all that hard to handle.

    This is worse than Seamus....

    Scott is done, done, done.  

    Parent

    Some of my favorite (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 02:31:00 PM EST
    photos are of Bobby with his dog Freckles:

    Here

    Here

    Here

    Here

    Here

    My favorite--Bobby and Freckles asleep on campaign plane.

    You can tell the content of someone's character by how they are with their dog.

    Parent

    Should put a Tear-Jerking Warning on those. (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by ruffian on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:50:10 PM EST
    I'm a mess.

    Parent
    Those are seriously (none / 0) (#40)
    by sj on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:03:43 PM EST
    wonderful pictures.

    Parent
    I figured that the dog was only a prop ... (none / 0) (#29)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 02:28:20 PM EST
    ... when I saw that the poor thing's name was "Reagan."

    Parent
    I was suspicious of that Medicare (none / 0) (#26)
    by Amiss on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 02:02:08 PM EST
    defrauder waaaaay before the Reagan incident.  How anyone could have ever voted for him is beyond me.  
    Just shows how little common sense is left in Florida these days.
    Not the state I grew up in at all.

    Parent
    Reagan, the now famous dog (none / 0) (#30)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 02:30:57 PM EST
    TALLAHASSEE -- Reagan, the now famous dog that once belonged to Gov. Rick Scott, was banished from the Governor's Mansion after biting an employee who moved his water bowl.

    "The governor and first lady love dogs and they had to make a hard decision when it was clear that Reagan was very anxious around lots of different people,'' Scott spokeswoman Melissa Sellers said.

    The dog bite occurred while the governor was in Orlando on Jan 7, 2011, just three days after Scott took office, according to an incident report released by Scott's office late last week. Mansion grounds employee Jennifer Kinsey was arranging flowers in the mansion when Reagan bit her on the right hand, according to an incident report made by her supervisor for the Department of Management Services. The report noted that the injury was not serious and required no medical treatment.

    [...]

    After the bite report, Sellers said Scott flew Reagan back to Naples on his private jet and returned the dog to All Pets Grooming and Boarding, a Collier County groomer. Owner Kelly Normand has refused to comment. Last week WTSP-Channel 10 said she told them that Reagan's name has now been changed to Pluto and he lives on a horse ranch in Collier County, but no one at the grooming business would confirm the report.

    [...]

    The Scotts have since adopted Tallee, a calmer, gentler 7-year-old yellow Lab.

    [...]

    A Times story about the dog sparked an outcry from animal lovers, who were critical of Scott for promoting the adoption during the campaign and getting rid of Reagan as soon as he was elected



    Parent
    "Bad" dogs are usually the result (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 02:40:27 PM EST
    of bad owners....

    Parent
    Maybe so. Wasn't this dog from a rescue? (none / 0) (#35)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 02:43:22 PM EST


    Parent
    So what? (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 02:51:01 PM EST
    If you take a rescue dog, you should committ yourself to the added attention it might require.    

    We have a rescue dog that was found as a puppy under a freeway overpass in a box with her mother and dead siblings.   This little critter was barely alive when she was rescued and was listless.  The vet was concerned she would not bounce back.

    She sleeps on my feet now and races everywhere.

    Look at how Bobby was with Freckles.....Tells you about him.

    Rick Scott just showed the world he has no soul.  

    Parent

    It the bite occurred when someone was moving (5.00 / 2) (#112)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 10:23:42 AM EST
    one of his bowls, that indicates food aggression and those dogs cannot be trusted around children.  There is an almost unanimous agreement from animal behavorists on that, and all those dogs are put down.

    There are few problems with Governors story though.  The most significant being that as far as I know all rescues are testing for that aggression before any animal is even considered a rescue replacement.  And dog either has it or doesn't, they don't have good days or bad days, they are always food aggressive.

    Secondly, Labs are notoriously good natured.  They have not been bred for aggression, they have been bred to assist master in hunting and release the "food" for the day at masters feet.  They have been bred to be very submissive to humans as well as other dogs so that dogs can hunt together and not challenge each other and fight..  Not all Labs fit this category though, there are always a few that don't fit perfectly.

    But I'm supposed to believe that a rescue allowed a food aggressive dog to be adopted by such a public figure?  I ain't buying it.

    I'm betting the dog was very energetic and hyper like some Labs are, he needed a job....he needed to go hunting or go for a run.  A bored Lab will try to bark his tail off and he will act pretty crazy sometimes jumping on people trying to get them to play with him..

    Want to know what happened to the dog?  Walk into any Vets office and tell them that this dog is food aggressive and poof, no more questions and no more dog.  

    Parent

    I agree with every word (none / 0) (#118)
    by sj on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 09:29:57 AM EST
    Moreover, if a dog is food aggressive/protective the resultant bite would absolutely need medical attention.  

    Parent
    For cripes sake, (2.00 / 1) (#119)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 11:48:52 AM EST
    if a dog is food aggressive/protective the resultant bite would absolutely need medical attention.
    Really?

    So many definitive posts on this subject from people who have nothing more than their own wild a$$ guesses.

    fwiw, Scott and one of his cabinet members have been finding rescued dogs homes with other members of his cabinet. They've been bringing rescue dogs to his cabinet meetings and I think I read they've brought 5 dogs so far and all 5 have been adopted.

    I know, I know, this is also baaaaaddddd.

    Parent

    Have you ever seen a dog who is (none / 0) (#120)
    by sj on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 12:32:51 PM EST
    food aggressive?  There is a reason why even shelters consider them unadoptable.  I will say I disagree with Tracy this much:  I have a dog that is food possessive with other dogs.  She also protects her food from strange humans.  I, however, can rearrange or remove her food all day without her even blinking -- which wasn't really true when I first brought her inside.  I think it is a trait that can be socialized/trained out of some dogs.

    I submit that your own wild a$$ guesses and assumptions are clearly in evidence in this comment.

    As for your claim that Scott has been finding homes for rescued dogs:  why, then, so cagey about the fate of one particular dog?  Why the changing stories?  My BS alarm is still ringing.

    In any case, show me where such an effort has been made.  My google search shows nothing of the kind.

    So -- for cripes sake -- show your work.  Validate your claim or stop making it.  

    Actually, your "baaaaaddddd" bull$hit had that sentence originally reading "Validate your claim or STFU" but then I remembered that you're often deliberately obtuse and provocative and I should just consider the source.  Moreover, I don't really believe in STFU.  So I changed the sentence.

    Parent

    Good lord, it's a dog bite. How stupid is this. (1.00 / 1) (#123)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 01:22:21 PM EST
    Some require medical attention, some do not. Do you not understand that?

    No ridiculous comments and wild a$$ guesses required...unless you have an agenda you wish to promote.

    Here: Almost 800,000 bites per year -- one out of every 6 -- are serious enough to require medical attention. (Weiss HB, Friedman D, Coben JH. Incidence of dog bite injuries treated in emergency departments. JAMA 1998;279:51-53.)

    And here: Bondi, Scott want you to adopt shelter dog Molly

    Parent

    I didn't realize that Scott's (none / 0) (#131)
    by sj on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 01:49:09 PM EST
    other name was Pam Bondi.  Oh wait.  It isn't.  Pam Bondi who -- has this particular pet project -- is a completely different person!  But Scott is hanging on to any coattails he can find that he thinks can get him out if this PR disaster.

    Don't feel bad.  Cos I'm sure if he knew about your coat he would attach to your coattails as well.

    And apparently the answer is "no".  You've never seen a dog with food aggression since all you've got are generic stats.  From a personal injury lawyer's website.  uh-huh.  

    Go ahead. Post another know-nothing BS diatribe and continue promoting whatever BS agenda it is you're trying to promote.  Your wilda$$ non-sequitur comments aren't going to take up any more of my time.

    When you return to sanity we'll probably talk again.

    Parent

    When did this (none / 0) (#121)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 01:12:45 PM EST
    rehoming good hearted mania set it?  Was it around the same time that someone asked "Where's Reagan?" By the way, where is Reagan?

    Parent
    Don't believe it, MT (5.00 / 1) (#132)
    by sj on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 01:58:20 PM EST
    The Sun Sentinal blog post in question clearly shows that the efforts are Pam Bondi's.  Scott is just trying to conflate her efforts with his image and SUO is trying to help him do so.
    Attorney General Pam Bondi and Gov. Rick Scott want you to adopt a black and white pit mix named Molly.

    Molly is a resident of the Tallahassee animal shelter, Bondi's pet project. During every Cabinet meeting, she asks the shelter to bring a dog as a way to encourage adoption.

    She's 4-0 so far.

    Funny timing for the governor? A bit.


    And where is Reagan?

    Parent
    I went in search of Reagan (none / 0) (#138)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 02:32:29 PM EST
    He was returned to a pet grooming shop in Naples which was where Scott I guess "acquired" him from..  Not exactly a professional rescue.  They claim that Reagan lives on a horse ranch and has returned to using his original name of Pluto.  No other info provided though because Reagan has a new life now they say.

    Parent
    Yeah, I saw that (none / 0) (#139)
    by sj on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 02:54:05 PM EST
    ... but this part did nothing to cause my BS detector to stand down:
    after the bite report, Sellers said, Scott flew Reagan back to Naples on his private jet and returned the dog to All Pets Grooming and Boarding, a Collier County groomer. Owner Kelly Normand has refused to comment. Last week WTSP-Ch. 10 said she told the station that Reagan's name has been changed to Pluto and he lives on a horse ranch in Collier County, but no one at the grooming business would confirm the report.

    Do you have more current information than that?

    Parent
    Here's the phone number (1.00 / 1) (#140)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 02:56:45 PM EST
    for All Pets Grooming & Boarding: (239) 649-7387

    Give em a call and tell us what you find out!

    Parent

    Reagan was returned to the folks at All Pets (none / 0) (#141)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 03:16:36 PM EST
    Yes, Reagan was returned to the folks at All Pets Grooming in Naples, which was where the Scott's daughter first found the now-former first pet.

    "Sometimes dogs don't fit right. I mean, they did try," said All Pets' owner Kelly Norman.

    Norman thinks the Scotts did the right thing. They even hired a professional trainer, she says, but it just didn't work out.

    Reagan, who's gone back to his original name of Pluto, was quickly re-adopted, she says, and is again living a dog's life on a horse ranch.



    Parent
    I want the name of that professional (5.00 / 1) (#142)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 05:21:01 PM EST
    trainer by the way.  Anybody got that?

    Parent
    When I was asked by a court reporter (5.00 / 1) (#147)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 25, 2013 at 12:58:18 AM EST
    in a pet-centered case, do you have any pets?  So I told her about out Aust. Shepherd.  Long story condensed. She bit me. Ex took but couldn't keep her due to HOA. He placed an ad. 1$ to good home. Dog to country estate which already had a younger male. F/u phone call. All is excellent. Ct. Reporter: your dog went to lab. Hope that wasn't accurate.

    Parent
    Beautiful dogs (none / 0) (#149)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 25, 2013 at 07:47:18 AM EST
    They can be nippy though and tend to get attached to one person.  Because they herd by nipping at heels it does seem like a few of them translate that into other self expression :)  Did she really end up going to a Lab?  There used to be so much of that.  Now if you are rehoming you have to be careful that your dog isn't going to be used as a bait dog.  That is a problem down here, there is a lot of illegal dog fighting here.

    Parent
    I hope not. My ex spoke to the new (none / 0) (#150)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 25, 2013 at 12:50:26 PM EST
    "Guardian" several times. I had spent two semesters in dog training.

    Parent
    Cesar Millan. (none / 0) (#143)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 05:55:33 PM EST
    I'll have him post the credit card receipt for you.

    Parent
    Heh . . . (5.00 / 1) (#144)
    by nycstray on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 06:46:04 PM EST
    wouldn't CM and his 'methods' 'fixed' the dog?  :)

    Parent
    Ceasar failed? (5.00 / 1) (#145)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 07:25:11 PM EST


    Parent
    Okay, that's the first comment (none / 0) (#146)
    by sj on Fri Jan 25, 2013 at 12:27:56 AM EST
    I've seen from the groomer, so that's fine.  And while a groomer isn't in the business of dog placement, I have seen flyers and the like at groomers and at pet supply stores.  Usually from owners who are looking for a home for their own pet or that of a family member.  So okay.

    Also, Labs, with their sweet nature are fairly "easy" to place, so I can see him being quickly re-adopted.  So okay there, too.

    But with all the attention focused on this dog, I am still left wondering why it is so hard to get a picture of him, or word from his new owners.

    Parent

    Dunno, the article didn't answer that particular (none / 0) (#124)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 01:23:48 PM EST
    question...

    Parent
    Ah, actually, according to the article, (none / 0) (#126)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 01:25:38 PM EST
    the first 4 dogs were rehomed before the Reagan questions were being asked, the 5th was quite recent.

    Parent
    If Scott adopts dogs (none / 0) (#129)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 01:42:02 PM EST
    I think that's great.  But his Reagan story has stinky parts to it, very stinky parts.  He says the dog bit someone moving his bowl, but then he says that he barked and was nervous.  What about the bite story? And you can't rehome a food aggressive dog....that's a lawsuit looking for a place to happen.  I think the guy is completely full of shit.  He made the dog a super star, then he didn't like the dog and wanted out, then he made up a story that sounded like a good reason to dump Reagan, then he had to walk it back or is trying to avoid talking about the biting part because Reagan needs to be put down and people are asking hard questions.  Dumping Reagan after starifying him because he barks when people carry things makes Scott look sort of like a petty impatient dick, which he is :)  If those were really Reagan's problems, he could have been worked with.

    Parent
    Should he have waited (none / 0) (#37)
    by jbindc on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 02:57:08 PM EST
    To see if the dog bit someone else?

    Parent
    No. You call a professional (5.00 / 3) (#44)
    by nycstray on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:25:35 PM EST
    aka as an animal behaviorist/trainer to help you acclimate and train the dog. At the VERY least, to evaluate the dog.

    Adopting a dog and then throwing it in as a campaign prop is pretty d@mn unfair to the dog to start with. You need to spend time with the dog and get to know it (also let it settle into it's new family) before tossing it out there like that.

    Parent

    I don't disagree (none / 0) (#46)
    by jbindc on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:27:36 PM EST
    They should have done that and not used the dog as a prop.  But since they didn't, and the dog bit an employee (serious or not), isn't it better that the dog goes somewhere where it appears that it is doing better and getting the attention it needs?

    Parent
    also, the farm or wherever (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by nycstray on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:37:54 PM EST
    they supposedly sent the dog may actually be a sanctuary. Hard to say. Or perhaps he's at that big farm in the sky . . .

    Parent
    Changing story (none / 0) (#59)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:48:11 PM EST
    It was barking, now it was a bite after all...with no evidence of said bite....and no photo of of Pluto at nice farm....

    The dog went to the big farm in the sky....Maybe he can commisserate with Seamus...

    That's the reason for the evasiveness and contradictions....

    Parent

    Well, seeing as they seem to have time (none / 0) (#48)
    by nycstray on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:36:05 PM EST
    for a new dog, they perhaps should have tried a bit harder with the first one. The dog does not have to be front and center and interact with everyone at the Gov's place. Bo doesn't (although he seems to enjoy it). The dog could have been more in the background, aka family pet. An evaluation could have provided some answers as to whether it was a good fit or not with the right adjustment by the humans.

    People tend to forget dogs are dogs . . .

    Parent

    Well, there is as much proof (none / 0) (#58)
    by sj on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:47:15 PM EST
    that the dog is somewhere that he is doing better as there is that someone was bitten.

    Ugly story all around.

    Parent

    If the dog is food aggressive (none / 0) (#122)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 01:20:21 PM EST
    A behavorist would have easily assessed that.  A dog that bites out of fear can often be found a less fearful environment, a dog that is food aggressive though most vets will want to put down.  Every vet that I have ever known wants food aggressive dogs put down because they have seen what happens to someone unaware of the animal's uncontrollable behavorial ordeal and it is usually small children that that happens to.

    Has anybody found Reagan though?  And where did Scott adopt Reagan from?  If it was an established rescue it is really hard for me to believe that Reagan was not assessed for all forms of aggression and food aggression is NO ADOPT.

    If you want to get rid of a dog quickly and easily though, tell a vet he bit someone who was moving his dish.

    Parent

    You mean the bite (none / 0) (#39)
    by sj on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:03:23 PM EST
    that was so severe no medical attention was required?  For a lot of reasons, I'm not convinced it was a dog bite.  I'm not saying a incident report wasn't created, I believe it was.  I'm just not convinced it was a dog bite.

    Parent
    Doesn't really matter (none / 0) (#41)
    by jbindc on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:19:59 PM EST
    Depending on state law (and I don't have time to look up Florida's), besides the fact that liability can attach to an owner of a dog that bites someone, in many cases, the second dog bite requires that the dog be put down.

    So, the question remains - should they have waited to see if the dog bit someone else?

    Parent

    I guess I'd have to see what (none / 0) (#51)
    by sj on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:40:37 PM EST
    Florida's laws are.

    Parent
    The Bite Scott Said Never Happened... (none / 0) (#43)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:22:04 PM EST
    ...when first questioned.  

    Which was the point, not that what he did was bad, but why can't a GD politician answer truthfully and not look like they are covering something up 24/7 ?

    'Did the dog bite someone' is about the easiest question a pol can get, and Scott managed to get it wrong, and I refuse to believe he forgot his dog bit a staffer since that is the reason he says they got rid of it.

    If a dog isn't a good fit, your not going to keep it, or you shouldn't, especially if it's nervous/anxious around strangers and you have many strangers coming and going.  And sj, these are damaged animals and it's not really fair to anyone or the animal to keep in in an environment that is not stressing out for the sake of keeping it.  

    But why hide it and duck questions ?

    Parent

    Not true. (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by nycstray on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:31:06 PM EST
    these are damaged animals . . .

    Some animals in rescues and shelters could be classified as "damaged", but certainly not all. Many do suffer from a lack of proper training/socialization, but that also doesn't mean they are "damaged". They do generally have a hurdle of fitting into/getting used to a new lifestyle though. That's why it's best to sign up for a training class when you adopt a new dog. Good opportunity to build a good relationship and help with the adjustment.

    Parent

    Even many of (5.00 / 1) (#97)
    by Zorba on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:10:59 PM EST
    Michael Vick's dogs were able to be rehabilitated.
    Link.  Link.  
    And these dogs had been raised in horrific conditions, and taught to fight and kill other dogs.

    Parent
    Dogs will adapt to kindness (none / 0) (#99)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:14:34 PM EST
    and love and patience.

    No bad dogs, just bad owners...

    Parent

    Exactly so, MKS (none / 0) (#100)
    by Zorba on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:15:42 PM EST
    Exactly so.

    Parent
    Agreed... (2.00 / 1) (#114)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 01:17:46 PM EST
    ...but this isn't your home or mine, it's a place of business essentially, with limitless people coming and going and I think it's ridiculous to suggest keeping a dog that is anxious or scared around strange people is somehow good for the dog, and that it should be worked through by what did you mention, specialists.

    Every dog I have owned came from a shelter, so spare me the lecture about how to take care of a dog, it's condescending gibberish.  I get the dog I think no one else will take, the real ugly or troubled dog because I love animals.  These aren't petsmart bonding class type dogs, they are damaged.  Not homeless, not neglected, not puppy mill squalor, real damaged dogs for the most part.  

    I am I bit insulted that you think all dogs fit your model, or that facing their fears is some kind of great way top treat an animal who's history you don't know and who is showing sign of anxiousness and fear.  It's a good way to get bitten or have a dog turn on someone.  No animal should be in an environment they are uncomfortable with, and suggesting you have the magic beans is non-sense.

    I am no fan of Scott, but insistingly that your method is all they need to keep a shelter dog in the Governors Mansion is foolish beyond belief. The fact that you seem to not get this, but feel the need to lecture me about out, really ticks me off.  It's this kind of buffoonery that has people getting dogs because of how they look and not matching their environment to the dogs wants/needs.  And they can't figure out why it's just not working.

    I can't even believe I someone ended up defending the worse governor in the nation, sans Brewer.  My problem was with the secrecy, not removing a dog that didn't fit their environment as I mentioned.

    Parent

    wow, you sure read a lot of crap (none / 0) (#115)
    by nycstray on Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 02:06:58 PM EST
    into what I wrote. Talk about being a bit insulted :)

    BTW, I would never recommend a Petsmart "bonding" class. . . .

    Parent

    I have seen dogs walk out of a rescue (none / 0) (#125)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 01:24:34 PM EST
    and right into blissful pet/owner situations.  We have adopted several dogs all with great outcomes except once.  I suppose I am specifically looking for dogs though that I feel easily bonded with.  

    Parent
    I just look for 'spots' ;) (5.00 / 1) (#134)
    by nycstray on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 02:17:41 PM EST
    I've also seen many happy dogs walk out of shelters and rescues into blissful lives (heck, I wanted to go with several!!!!)

    BUT, if you want a dog bouncing around the Gov's mansion, you need to do extra due diligence when selecting the dog, and then do some basic training. IMO :) Adopting a prop isn't really a good idea . . .

    Parent

    When was the last time (none / 0) (#45)
    by jbindc on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:25:41 PM EST
    you saw an honest politician?

    They will lie if you asked them if the sky is blue on a sunny day.

    Parent

    You get no argument from me (none / 0) (#54)
    by sj on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:43:38 PM EST
    And sj, these are damaged animals and it's not really fair to anyone or the animal to keep in in an environment that is not stressing out for the sake of keeping it.  
    And I have compassion for any dog this fool owns.  Having said that, I'm still not convinced there was a dog bite.  Nor am I convinced there wasn't.

    Parent
    "So what?" Um, so, as you said: (none / 0) (#38)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:03:18 PM EST
    "Bad" dogs are usually the result
    of bad owners....
    This particular dog had at least one owner before the Scotts. Now you get it, right?

    I'm glad you found the right dog for you. We have adopted two rescue dogs as well and they have been fantastic.

    Parent

    Scott was having someone else (5.00 / 3) (#50)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:38:23 PM EST
    feed his dog....that one that got allegedly bit....

    He didn't care two figs for the dog....It was just a prop that became inconvenient.

    And dogs that are "trouble" get euthanized a lot.

    Show me the dog.....Where is he?  Show me the photo.  No photo, I assume Scott had the dog euthanized

    Parent

    Or the rescue did (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by nycstray on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:42:20 PM EST
    since after being a campaign prop, the dog may have been deemed unadoptable.

    Parent
    Joe Biden is like a Golden Retriever (5.00 / 1) (#82)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:25:20 PM EST
    Since we are talking about dogs and politicians, and this is an open thread, I thought I'd just throw that out there.

    Biden's irrepressible desire to run up and greet the parade watchers....just like a Golden Retriever.

    Parent

    Joe Biden is a traitor (none / 0) (#127)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 01:28:25 PM EST
    When the Obama's got Bo, Joe decided he wanted a German Shepherd and he went and got a dog from German lines, not American.  He is a traitor.

    Parent
    Fair enough. They need to prove to MKS (2.00 / 1) (#52)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:42:09 PM EST
    that the dog has not been killed. Seems like a reasonable demand.

    Parent
    I think if you bothered to look around (5.00 / 2) (#55)
    by nycstray on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:44:12 PM EST
    a tad more folks than just MKS are asking to see proof the dog is alive . . .

    Parent
    Guys, I don't want to interrupt (5.00 / 3) (#91)
    by christinep on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:58:59 PM EST
    Yet...my best friend, bestest buddy, wonderful Valery died 2 weeks ago today. She was a wonderful American Eskimo...spirited, buoyant all her life almost, went with us almost everywhere.... Valerie was almost 15.  Damn, I can't even see to write this; it just keeps hurting.

    Thank you for caring about dogs. To h*#! with Florida's excuse-ridden governor.  nyshooter said it well: If Reagan was his companion animal, the governor would & should have taken steps--like training and evaluation--to help. He is full of it.

    Thanks again. And, love to my bestest Valery.

    Parent

    I'm so sorry for your loss, christine... (5.00 / 2) (#93)
    by Anne on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:06:52 PM EST
    all our pets ever do is love us, which makes the loss so much harder to bear; I doubt there are many dog owners/lovers out there who don't wonder at the end if they were as good at loving their pet as their pet was at loving them, and hope their pet knew how very much they were loved.

    I know you have many happy, funny memories of your dear friend, and as the days pass, they will once again give you more comfort than sadness.

    Hugs.

    Parent

    Ouch, sorry to hear about Valerie. (5.00 / 3) (#94)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:06:58 PM EST
    It sounds like she had a great life with you. We lost our Dane about 5 years ago now, it still hurts to think about her.

    Parent
    So Sorry (5.00 / 2) (#96)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:10:16 PM EST
    It is a terrible thing....

    It is one of the unfair things in life that our dogs aren't with us for very long.

    Rainbow Bridge....

    Parent

    Oh, Christine (5.00 / 2) (#106)
    by sj on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 06:24:25 PM EST
    I'm so very, very sorry for the loss of your darling.  I offer a song for her heart.  I found it when I lost my darling, and I still go there sometimes when I need to know that there are sounds for what I'm feeling.

    Peace to you.

    Parent

    Beautiful words, so tender song (5.00 / 2) (#108)
    by christinep on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 09:04:10 PM EST
    Thank you.

    And, thank all of you.  I have to believe Valery soars with the angels...while I am still earthbound.

    Parent

    Oh so sorry Christine (5.00 / 2) (#107)
    by ruffian on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 07:23:51 PM EST
    It is so hard. Best to you and the spirit of Valery.

    And bless Reagan the dog if he is the means by which we get rid of Scott in FL. Lots of dog lovers here.

    Parent

    I'm so very sorry (5.00 / 2) (#111)
    by nycstray on Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 12:25:46 AM EST
    having a best friend go to the bridge can pretty much wreck your heart.  You'd think that the heavens above would make them outlive us  . . . they are so special.

    My heart weeps with yours. Hopefully, Valery has met The Dot and they re having a bit of a good time up there.

    Just remember, she'll always be in your heart.

    Parent

    If Pluto was at a farm (none / 0) (#62)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:50:55 PM EST
    Scott would simply say the dog is at a luxury farm.  Not all these "explanations."

    Or what may be just as bad, Scott does not know what happened to his dog and is scrambling to find out.....

    Parent

    Didn't Scott (or his aid) say that the dog (none / 0) (#65)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:54:42 PM EST
    was returned to who the dog groomer/boarder that Scott got the dog from?

    Parent
    And never followed up to see what happened (none / 0) (#73)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:07:25 PM EST
    to his dog?  

    Parent
    So if he didn't follow up, that means what? (none / 0) (#78)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:18:18 PM EST


    Parent
    His dog was just a prop (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:26:45 PM EST


    Parent
    Maybe so. You know they've gotten another (none / 0) (#88)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:41:03 PM EST
    dog now, right?

    Parent
    Makes it worse (none / 0) (#92)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:06:49 PM EST
    ASPCA should follow up with inpsections....and ideally find a better home for the dog....

    Parent
    Oy. (none / 0) (#95)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:08:05 PM EST


    Parent
    Scott should have to answer (none / 0) (#98)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:13:21 PM EST
    an OSC why he should not be barred form ever having a pet again....

    Parent
    Oy. (none / 0) (#101)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:18:18 PM EST


    Parent
    And sit for a deposition (none / 0) (#104)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:26:31 PM EST
    where he would have to answer questions about abuse of animals, past and present.

    Or, made to investigate where Seamus ended up.

    Or, made to pick up litter on the highways under the supervision of Michael Vick.

    Or, to take an ethics class from Bernie Madoff (circling back to his fraudster ways.)   Heh, if you are mean to your dog, not surprising you would rip off Medicare.

    But, if you have a moment, do take a look at the photos of Bobby and Freckles.  They tell you a lot...and tell you more about Bobby perhaps better than a lot of other things.

    Parent

    So, someone is rehoming (none / 0) (#128)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 01:35:00 PM EST
    A food aggressive dog now?  Kind of dangerous

    Parent
    Dunno, isn't it a WAG that the dog was (none / 0) (#130)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 01:48:22 PM EST
    food-aggressive? So much assumption and so little actual facts. I'm not going to be sucked in any further! :-)

    Parent
    This "WAG" came from the governor's (none / 0) (#133)
    by sj on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 02:02:42 PM EST
    office when they said that he bit someone who was moving his water bowl.  Lordy, talk about no-nothings and assumptions.  It's good that you're going to stop digging that hole so deep.

    Parent
    Logic is not your strong suit. I'll leave it (1.00 / 1) (#135)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 02:20:00 PM EST
    to you to figure out where it's failed you so many times in this thread.

    Parent
    Logic isn't your strong suit (none / 0) (#136)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 02:25:16 PM EST
    If a dog bites any animal or person pertaining to food or dishes or proximity to dishes that is food aggression.  Scott claims Reagan bit someone moving his water dish.

    Parent
    Or does he? (none / 0) (#137)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 02:25:33 PM EST


    Parent
    Wrong (none / 0) (#56)
    by jbindc on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:44:36 PM EST
    The lady that got bit was arranging flowers in the mansion.

    Parent
    I thought she moved the water bowl? (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by nycstray on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:46:05 PM EST


    Parent
    Yep (none / 0) (#60)
    by sj on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:48:31 PM EST
    varying stories.  

    Parent
    No (none / 0) (#64)
    by jbindc on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:53:00 PM EST
    She was arranging flowers and moved his water bowl.  She was not the lady who fed him.

    And  I don't know if she was bitten, but there was an official incident report from the mansion records of the biting released last week.  I guess they could have also made that up, but this is such a non-story, I don't know why they would.

    Parent

    I think that YOU are (none / 0) (#66)
    by sj on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:56:34 PM EST
    conflating the stories.  The stories themselves don't put it that way.

    Parent
    You may want to read the link again (none / 0) (#70)
    by jbindc on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:06:07 PM EST
    TALLAHASSEE -- Reagan, the now famous dog that once belonged to Gov. Rick Scott, was banished from the Governor's Mansion after biting an employee who moved his water bowl.

    "The governor and first lady love dogs, and they had to make a hard decision when it was clear that Reagan was very anxious around lots of different people,'' Scott spokeswoman Melissa Sellers said.

    The dog bite occurred while the governor was in Orlando on Jan. 7, 2011, just three days after Scott took office, according to an incident report released by Scott's office late last week. Mansion grounds employee Jennifer Kinsey was arranging flowers in the mansion when Reagan bit her on the right hand, according to the incident report made by her supervisor for the Department of Management Services. The report noted that the injury was not serious and required no medical treatment.



    Parent
    Sorry, I was distracted (none / 0) (#72)
    by sj on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:07:10 PM EST
    Anyway, the story says that the employee moved the water bowl.  Later on the story says that the employee was arranging flowers.

    I don't know about you, but I'm fairly good at multi-tasking and those are two things I can't do at the same time.  Unless I moved the water bowl with my foot.  Which would have kept the hands out of range.

    The story smells a lot like rotten fish.

    Parent

    Maybe (none / 0) (#77)
    by jbindc on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:16:56 PM EST
    Her job was to arrange flowers, but in trying to get to the sink to get water, she had to stop doing her job and move the water bowl, and then got bit, and then filed an incident report with her supervisor. It didn't have to be simultaneous.

    I can't see anything nefarious here, but apparently some people want this to be the scandal of the year.

    Parent

    ummm... (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by sj on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:21:45 PM EST
    ... so you're writing the story now?  First you wonder if they should wait until the dog bit someone else.  And now you're glossing over and/or trying to reconcile the inconsistencies?

    I'm kind of surprised.  You don't usually try to make excuses for the accused.

    Parent

    I just think (none / 0) (#84)
    by jbindc on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:27:01 PM EST
    People are getting their panties in a wad over a non-story.

    Who cares?  The dog didn't seriously hurt anyone, and they decided it wasn't a good fit and gave it back.

    So.What?

    Parent

    Speaking of wadded underwear (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by sj on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:41:25 PM EST
    You brought up the danger of a bite to someone else.  Not even Scott mentioned that.  If you think it's a non-story I wonder why are you defending the dog's supposed treatment so strenuously?  

    I'm commenting repeatedly because to me the human's behavior post real-or-imagined bite is setting off my BS alert.  And I don't like the suspicion I have that the dog was euthanized because Scott was too lazy to actually work with his campaign prop.

    Parent

    Did you think putting Seamus (none / 0) (#80)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:21:27 PM EST
    on the roof was no big deal?

    Parent
    Apples and oranges and hyperbole (none / 0) (#85)
    by jbindc on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:27:22 PM EST
    Your speciality.

    Parent
    Care to answer? (none / 0) (#86)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:28:00 PM EST


    Parent
    Maybe she put the flowers ... (none / 0) (#71)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:06:54 PM EST
    ... in the water bowl, and he got pi$$ed.
    ;-D

    Parent
    BTW nycstray (none / 0) (#76)
    by sj on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:15:17 PM EST
    I've known food-possessive dogs, but have you ever encountered a dog that was water-possessive?  I haven't.  

    And I won't even talk about the sweet nature that seems to be a genetic trait in Labs.

    Parent

    The Dot was in the beginning . . . . :) (none / 0) (#103)
    by nycstray on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:24:12 PM EST
    easy to work with. She soon was sharing with the kitties.

    I have to wonder if the woman wasn't doing something unintentionally that made the dog on edge before she moved the water dish (and perhaps the food bowl was next to it?). If she was carrying large buckets of flowers etc. that the dog wasn't used to. Also, if the dog had too much freedom (who was supervising the dog?) to make his own decisions . . . It's sometimes more than just one thing if the dog is stressed.

    Parent

    My daughter has a Lab that plays and sleeps (5.00 / 2) (#113)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 10:30:36 AM EST
    with the cat.  Never saw anything like their relationship.  Trouble is I think the cat thinks he is a dog now.  He was a stray kitten she found, I would guess he was about 6 weeks when he ran into her brother-in-laws house one night out in the country.  Cat does not act like a cat though and now plays with a squirrel in the front yard.  WTF?  They play together now, but the first time cat played with squirrel squirrel out of fear bit cat on the head.  But now they play, at least for now, and Muffin is an adult now.  Weirdest household in the world over there.  Obviously nobody knows what the rules are :)

    Parent
    We've had a rescue cat for a while now. (none / 0) (#68)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:01:57 PM EST
    She's was an abandoned animal when my daughters found her huddling beneath the picnic table on our back porch to keep out of the rain, and she's been with us ever since. Strictly an indoor cat (declawed by a previous owner), her biggest daily concern nowadays is whether to sleep on the ottoman downstairs in the living room or on Younger Daughter's bed upstairs -- as it should be.

    She's not one for sitting on laps and really doesn't care much to be picked up, but in the evening, she does like to snuggle up right next to us if we're sitting on the couch watching television. If one of us is working in our home office, she'll keep us company in there.

    She's also a true creature of the night and only races around once it's dark, and I'll sometimes hear her playing with her toys. Once she's done with all that in the early morning hours, she'll come quietly into the bedroom and sleep at the foot of our bed. She's also our four-legged alarm clock, and will see that we're up by 6:30 a.m. so we can feed her.

    I had dogs when I was growing up, but you really have to spend a lot of time with a dog in order to properly condition him or her socially to your respective home environment, and they usually require much more attention than I could possibly offer them. Cats are generally more mellow and often content to simply hang out with you, and are thus pretty low maintenance in that regard.

    Parent

    Sh*t... (5.00 / 3) (#63)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:51:28 PM EST
    name me Reagan I'll go rabid and start biting people too...shoulda named the pooch Carter;)

    Parent
    Nixon is rolling over in his grave (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:20:31 PM EST
    Scott is a two-bit crook, a big disappointment....not even in Nixon's category.

    If you are a pol, you should at least get the dog owner part down.  Good grief, if you are going to be a first-class crook, you should know better.   Nixon with all his faults had Checkers.

    Parent

    Show me the dog (none / 0) (#32)
    by MKS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 02:34:58 PM EST
    Just b.s. from another hollow pol.

    Parent
    Reclassification of "marihuana" rejected (none / 0) (#5)
    by Peter G on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 10:55:29 AM EST
    The U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. has rejected the appeal of medical marijuana advocates from the refusal of DEA to acknowledge any proven medical benefit from cannabis use, and on that basis its refusal to reclassify "marihuana" (as it's referred to in the law) from Schedule I to Schedule III or lower. The legal standard to win such an appeal is incredibly high, and the court ruled that the challengers didn't meet it.

    In related news... (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 10:59:35 AM EST
    the DEA refuses to acknowledge the existence of the sun and the moon.  

    Parent
    It's Amazing... (none / 0) (#14)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 11:45:10 AM EST
    ...how many untested proto-prescriptions get pushed out on the human population in America, all with the FDA's blessing ?  F the DEA, why aren't they running this through the FDA or does the classification make that impossible.

    Who can forget this fine moment from the DEA head.

    Parent

    I don't have the stomach... (none / 0) (#16)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 11:49:15 AM EST
    to be a lawyer, but yes, I think the classification is the hang up.  As far as our willfully ignorant government is concerned, the sacrament is neither a food or a drug, even though it has been eaten and used medicinally since we started standing upright.

    Parent
    Did the court acknowledge ... (none / 0) (#21)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 01:03:24 PM EST
    ... the validity of that stance, too?
    ;-D

    Parent
    I'm sure... (none / 0) (#22)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 01:23:32 PM EST
    the law leaves enough foggy wiggle room for the sun and moon to be argued out of existence, sure;)

    Parent
    Pure corruption (none / 0) (#7)
    by Dadler on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 11:01:51 AM EST
    I'd guess every one of those judges holds stock in a pharmaceutical company. They simply cannot say they argued on logic or legal merit. This is raw prejudice making law, over and over. And that they aren't big enough human beings to simply stand up and say they are voting for their prejudices over rationality, then fine. But they claim legal logic, which is a crock of sh*t that should be dropped on their heads. Science is all they had to look at to determine this case, and they decided willful mental retardation instead.

    What an absurd and wholly corrupt nation. But we have neat trinkets, so it's a wash I guess. Sigh.

    Parent

    "Legal Logic"... (none / 0) (#8)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 11:11:26 AM EST
    that might be an oxymoron Dadler, oh how they can get it twisted in dem law books.

    Our # 1 killer may be stress...and what herbal remedy eases stress?  The defense rests your honor;)

    Parent

    A Good Woman... (none / 0) (#15)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 11:47:38 AM EST
    ....or man, depending on you preference, beats any drug available, legal or not.  

    Next question sir.

    Parent

    I'll grant you... (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 11:52:26 AM EST
    the orgasm as one of the highest highs known to humankind, but it lasts about as long as a hit of nitrous oxide.

    Love can take you to the highest high too, but often comes with a side effect of stress at some point, which brings us back to reefer as a viable treatment for love's side effects;)

    Parent

    You Are preaching to the Choir (none / 0) (#18)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 12:10:37 PM EST
    I say it all the time to my friends, if it weren't for women I'd be rich and stress free, but not happy.  Of everyone I know, I easily find the the most awesome GFs, but they always come with a huge side of stress.  Or maybe that is what attracts me to them, who knows.

    I was just messing with you above because you were in court room mode with the defense rests line.  But I would add that weed can add as much stress as it takes away, and if you end up in the back of a cop car, probably considerably more.  Something I am sure you stress out about every time you reload.

    Then what, Zanax to remove the stress of getting busted with weed that was suppose to relive the stress of a woman ?  See it is a gateway drug...

    Parent

    That's not... (none / 0) (#20)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 12:49:20 PM EST
    reefer induced stress, that is police state induced stress...and don't get me started on that public health crisis!

    And yes, women are a gateway drug, no two ways about it;)

    Parent

    Reminds Me... (none / 0) (#28)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 02:23:07 PM EST
    ...of a comedian who he went to the doctor in California to get MM and the doc asked him why he needed it and he said because the thought of getting busted was stressing him out.

    Parent
    Too Funny!! (none / 0) (#110)
    by Amiss on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 11:23:26 PM EST


    Parent
    I really hope your special (none / 0) (#148)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 25, 2013 at 01:07:32 AM EST
    Lady doesn't read TL.

    Parent
    Too bad (none / 0) (#117)
    by BackFromOhio on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 01:29:35 AM EST
    case had to be brought in D.C.  

    Parent
    Question (none / 0) (#23)
    by BarnBabe on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 01:26:25 PM EST
    I am ashamed to admit it, but I have not been paying enough attention to the political media as of late. Health problems. I do read here and check Internet news, but apparently I think I might have missed the details of one story. In watching the enjoyable celebration of yesterday, I kept hearing on MSNBC the mention of the 15 Republicans who met at a restaurant 4 years ago. I am aware of Mitch's stand, but unaware of the others. I really would like to know the names of these useless politicians who need to be put out of office. I would appreciate it if one of you could supply those names. Thanks.

    Here you go (none / 0) (#25)
    by Zorba on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 01:56:20 PM EST
    According to Draper, the guest list that night (which was just over 15 people in total) included Republican Reps. Eric Cantor (Va.), Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), Paul Ryan (Wis.), Pete Sessions (Texas), Jeb Hensarling (Texas), Pete Hoekstra (Mich.) and Dan Lungren (Calif.), along with Republican Sens. Jim DeMint (S.C.), Jon Kyl (Ariz.), Tom Coburn (Okla.), John Ensign (Nev.) and Bob Corker (Tenn.). The non-lawmakers present included Newt Gingrich, several years removed from his presidential campaign, and Frank Luntz, the long-time Republican wordsmith. Notably absent were Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) -- who, Draper writes, had an acrimonious relationship with Luntz.

    For several hours in the Caucus Room (a high-end D.C. establishment), the book says they plotted out ways to not just win back political power, but to also put the brakes on Obama's legislative platform.

    "If you act like you're the minority, you're going to stay in the minority," Draper quotes McCarthy as saying. "We've gotta challenge them on every single bill and challenge them on every single campaign."

    Read the rest here.

    Parent

    Thank you very much (none / 0) (#69)
    by BarnBabe on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:03:23 PM EST
    Thanks a lot for answering and the information. I appreciate it very much. We should have been talking about the little dinner for years. Makes a difference when all the people realize they have been hoodwinked for a very long time. One thing to know about a few but all these guys. I wish Biden had asked Ryan about it during the debate.

    Parent
    You're very welcome, BarnBabe (none / 0) (#102)
    by Zorba on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:18:55 PM EST
    And, yes, that would have been a great question for Biden to ask Ryan during the debate, given that Paul Ryan was at that meeting.

    Parent
    From our "Opus Oy Vey" file: (none / 0) (#24)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 01:53:27 PM EST
    Cardinal Roger Mahoney, retired prelate of the Los Angeles archdiocese, says he's very sorry. I guess the statute of limitations must have expired:

    Los Angeles Times | January 22, 2013
    L.A. church leaders sought to hide sex abuse cases from authorities - "Fifteen years before the clergy sex abuse scandal came to light, Archbishop Roger M. Mahony and a top advisor plotted to conceal child molestation by priests from law enforcement, including keeping them out of California to avoid prosecution, according to internal Catholic church records released Monday. The archdiocese's failure to purge pedophile clergy and reluctance to cooperate with law enforcement has previously been known. But the memos written in 1986 and 1987 by Mahony and Msgr. Thomas J. Curry, then the archdiocese's chief advisor on sex abuse cases, offer the strongest evidence yet of a concerted effort by officials in the nation's largest Catholic diocese to shield abusers from police. The newly released records, which the archdiocese fought for years to keep secret, reveal in church leaders' own words a desire to keep authorities from discovering that children were being molested."

    His Excellency belongs in prison.

    Geez, Donald, all the guys were doing it. (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by caseyOR on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 02:35:01 PM EST
    What was Mahoney supposed to do? All his friends were shielding pedophile priests. It was their thing.

    Surely, you do not expect that a Prince of the Church would place the welfare of children above the public image of the Church. And let's not even go into the need to preserve and protect Church assets.

    Priorities, Donald, priorities.

    Parent

    I'm so glad that my grandmother ... (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:21:44 PM EST
    ... is not alive to see this. She was a very devout Catholic and even more devout FDR liberal Democrat, and a story like this -- with the Cardinal basically admitting to felony obstruction of justice -- would've broken her heart.

    My cousin is a Jesuit priest who ministers to incarcerated youth held by the CA Dept. of Corrections (and also their families), and he's often stated his impatience and frustration with the men in the gold robes and ruby slippers. He's one of those who actually strives to walk the walk, instead of just talking the talk, and is fond of quoting the late Harvey Milk, who once said "You've got to give people hope."

    Every time I see stories like this in the media, I try to instead think of my cousin and other working priests and nuns like Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries (the largest anti-gang interdiction program in the country), and remember that they -- not the cardinals and bishops -- are the true heart and soul of the Roman Catholic Church.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I Wish All the Devout Catholics... (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 03:58:22 PM EST
    ...would stop funding that criminal organization.

    The largest land owner in the world who doesn't pay taxes, doesn't need any more cash even without the realization that the most upper levels not only covered up sexual brutality against kids, they almost ensured it by refusing to get rid of the felons in their ranks.

    But they can't help themselves, the criminals have convinced them they god wants them to send more money and they buy it hook, line, and sinker.  

    After this business, I realized there is no crime too horrific or too systemic for the catholic flock to wake-up and realize what their church really represents and what they really support and it ain't got nothing to do with the G.O.D.

    When you think about it, that church was literally a pedophiles wet dream.  The notion that they help people is preposterous at any level, their MO is shame, and that isn't how you help human being become better.
    ---------------------

    I checked out the Homeboy industries page, while I find the name fairly lame, it's clear they are helping kids.  I just noticed Walmart gave the $75k, it on the right on the home page.  Off topic, but what is up lately with Walmart, they have been making donations to everyone, big ones too.  They best watch it, their imagine might change if they keep this up.  

    I just Googled this:

    In 2011, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave $958.9 million in cash and in-kind contributions around the world. This includes $872.7 million in cash and in-kind gifts in the United States and $86.2 million in cash and in-kind gifts in international markets. In addition, Walmart associates volunteered more than 1 million hours that resulted in more than $13 million in grants to local nonprofits.  
     LINK

    That's almost a billion dollars, before I don't think the Walton family gave over $100k, most of it for political non-sense.  I am stunned.

    Sorry Donald, I didn't mean to get off topic so far.

    Parent

    Homeboy Industries does a lot of ... (none / 0) (#87)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:35:15 PM EST
    ... good work in the L.A. communities it serves. They've founded community-run businesses which provide residents with gainful employment, and work to keep kids in school. For gangmembers who want out of that life, they even provide free tattoo removal to get rid of gang emblems, etc. They're worthy of our praise and support.

    The Roman Catholic Church as an institution is often corrupt and in my opinion has an awful lot to answer for, especially now. But the majority of the rank-and-file clergy are actually good and decent people, and my cousin's ministry is literally on the front lines on the hard streets of L.A. and in SoCal jails and prisons.

    My cousin often finds himself in some pretty harsh situations and gnarly environments, ministering to people on the lowest end of our socio-economic totem pole, whom most of us would prefer to pretend don't otherwise exist. He's had to bear witness to some things that would make most people's hair stand up on end, were they to ever do the same. He deals daily with the real world as it is, and not as the bishops or even the rest of us would wish it to be.

    I don't give to the Church directly, preferring instead to direct my donations and assistance to those Catholic service organizations whose members toil in the trenches and try to make life a little more bearable for those people who otherwise have little or nothing.

    Parent

    Rickles roasts Sinatra (none / 0) (#74)
    by Dadler on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 04:11:59 PM EST
    This old clip made me chuckle today. I think Don's the only one still kicking today. (link)

    And what the hell, one more: Rickles roasts Dean Martin. (link)

    Back when Republicans (none / 0) (#105)
    by brodie on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 05:28:12 PM EST
    could be funny ...  One of my guilty pleasures in comedy.  Never fails to make me laugh.

    Even on overproduced, juiced and canned shows like that Dean Martin Roast show from the 70s.

    He's even funnier live, as with his appearances in recent years on Letterman, and back in the day on The Johnny Carson.

    Parent

    Miami beats Duke!!! (none / 0) (#116)
    by indy in sc on Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 08:58:35 PM EST
    So excited for my 'Canes!!  Still undefeated in the ACC.

    Tuesday Morning Open Thread | 150 comments (150 topical)

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