In these days and ages, disturbing events became a way of life.
A few weeks ago, a backyard zoo keeper committed suicide on his farm in Zanesville, Ohio.
It appears the deceased fancied wildcats, particularly the exotic ones. At the time of his death, there were 56 wild animals, 18 of them belong to an endangerd species, were kept on the farm. Since there are no laws in the State of Ohio ban ownership of exotic pets, this lush and seemingly peaceful pasture became homes to Bengal tigers, lions, leopards, both black and grizzly bears and monkeys.
For whatever the reason that prompted this one of a kind cat fancier to release these foreign animals before he shot and killed himself to unfamiliar grounds, the consequence of letting unpredictable animals, wild or tamed, loose into populated area is not hard to predict. But it is difficult to understand why anyone would put these innocent animals at great risks. Now fifty of these beautiful creatures met their untimely death. One monkey is still at large. And only five of the fifty-six are in the care of a local zoo.
Unfortunately, no one would ever know if the horrific outcome of this preventable tragedy will lessen our desires of owning a wild animal as a pet. While more government interventions on protecting animals, both local and not local ones, may hinder this cruel and objectionable incident to repeat, we, the people, holders of the highest rung on the evolution ladder, must think of the pain and suffering these wild creatures have to endure when they are being uprooted from their native habitat.
Perhaps to love them is to leave them at where they are. - Ayee
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Cost cutting is the key.
It looks like Greece is not the only government in dire fiscal strait. The financial downturn in 2008 continues to erode the economic condition in the United States. At present, America, once the greatest nation on earth, is under tremendous pressure of high unemployment and low consumer confidence. Evidently, the effects of the overly stretched economy have now trickled down onto the municipal level.
After Jefferson County in Alabama averted its bankruptcy, a week so ago, Harrisbury, Pennsylvania, where the capital of the State of Pennsylvania is, had earned itself another distinguished honor of being the first American city ever filed for bankruptcy.
Because this historical city of 50,000 residents was not able to find funds to make a scheduled repayment on nearly $300 millions of the money borrowed to refurbish a couple of moth-balled incinerators, its civic leaders decided bankruptcy was the way to sort out the city's imminent financial troubles. It does seem ominous to me that a city of this size would burn that much cash just to reignite a couple of old furnaces. Obviously, the City of Harrisbury has got itself into something which has become too “big” for it to manage.
In the past, I often thought municipalities must live within their receipts from property taxes. But from what has transpired in Harrisbury, Pennsylvania, it looks like this local government has been endowed with borrowing power that is beyond its tax bases.
From the saga of the Harrisbury's bankruptcy, I noticed there is another worrisome trend in government finances. On money matters, governments today do not operate like their constituents. Taxpayers cut their expenses when their purse strings are tight. But whenever our governments face a budget shortfall, invariably they seek out new avenues to raise taxes. Somehow they never think of looking for ways to cut their operating costs. - Ayee
After Jefferson County in Alabama averted its bankruptcy, a week so ago, Harrisbury, Pennsylvania, where the capital of the State of Pennsylvania is, had earned itself another distinguished honor of being the first American city ever filed for bankruptcy.
Because this historical city of 50,000 residents was not able to find funds to make a scheduled repayment on nearly $300 millions of the money borrowed to refurbish a couple of moth-balled incinerators, its civic leaders decided bankruptcy was the way to sort out the city's imminent financial troubles. It does seem ominous to me that a city of this size would burn that much cash just to reignite a couple of old furnaces. Obviously, the City of Harrisbury has got itself into something which has become too “big” for it to manage.
In the past, I often thought municipalities must live within their receipts from property taxes. But from what has transpired in Harrisbury, Pennsylvania, it looks like this local government has been endowed with borrowing power that is beyond its tax bases.
From the saga of the Harrisbury's bankruptcy, I noticed there is another worrisome trend in government finances. On money matters, governments today do not operate like their constituents. Taxpayers cut their expenses when their purse strings are tight. But whenever our governments face a budget shortfall, invariably they seek out new avenues to raise taxes. Somehow they never think of looking for ways to cut their operating costs. - Ayee
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A Sizzling Hot Blooded Dog
Amid the chaotic riot scenes over the last few days in Greece, a stray dog had unexpectedly captured the hearts and minds of many around the world. Now pictures of Loukanikos, also known as Sausage in English, barking at the riot police are all over the cyberspace and newspapers.
About stray dogs, they are common sights in Greece. Because it is against their culture, Greek people do not believe in euthanasia. Greece’s wayward canine population became the ward of its altruistic government sometimes before the 2004 Olympics. Unlike animal shelters in other countries, Greece’s stray dogs programs do not corral homeless dogs in the kennels. Instead, after being tagged and altered, they are set to roam freely in public places. While they are lounging around at city squares, these nomadic pooches have eventually become everyone’s best friends.
Today in Athens there are about 2,000 dogs under the City’s care. Sausage is one of them. After the riots against the government’s austerity programs broke out in Athens, this lovable mongrel at the riot zones became a four-legged symbol of freedom for his highly charged countrymen.
Despite being a bit hot blooded, Sausage is a favor of his care giver. He has been a staunch participant of the recent demonstrations against the government. Interestingly to note, this brave doggie is always taking the sides of the protesters. Not surprisingly, Sausage’s constant appearance in the standoff sites woofing furiously at the law enforcement has earned him a nickname: Riot Dog.
Riot Dog did what many other dogs do for us, their two-legged pals. They lick our wounds and get rid of our woes. By showing his unwavering supports to the protesters, Sausage had brought much needed respites to both the rioters and their baton-wielding enforcers.
Loukanikos, you are priceless. - Ayee
About stray dogs, they are common sights in Greece. Because it is against their culture, Greek people do not believe in euthanasia. Greece’s wayward canine population became the ward of its altruistic government sometimes before the 2004 Olympics. Unlike animal shelters in other countries, Greece’s stray dogs programs do not corral homeless dogs in the kennels. Instead, after being tagged and altered, they are set to roam freely in public places. While they are lounging around at city squares, these nomadic pooches have eventually become everyone’s best friends.
Today in Athens there are about 2,000 dogs under the City’s care. Sausage is one of them. After the riots against the government’s austerity programs broke out in Athens, this lovable mongrel at the riot zones became a four-legged symbol of freedom for his highly charged countrymen.
Despite being a bit hot blooded, Sausage is a favor of his care giver. He has been a staunch participant of the recent demonstrations against the government. Interestingly to note, this brave doggie is always taking the sides of the protesters. Not surprisingly, Sausage’s constant appearance in the standoff sites woofing furiously at the law enforcement has earned him a nickname: Riot Dog.
Riot Dog did what many other dogs do for us, their two-legged pals. They lick our wounds and get rid of our woes. By showing his unwavering supports to the protesters, Sausage had brought much needed respites to both the rioters and their baton-wielding enforcers.
Loukanikos, you are priceless. - Ayee
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Ole! The bulls are coming.
It looks like the European Union(EU) member countries are not only very protective to their human constituents through generous social and welfare programs. By enacting various laws, the EU communities have also helped out many other creatures.
Some of us may have heard that last Sunday the City of Barcelona had just hosted its last bullfighting event in Europe. A EU law will take effect in the next year that rids of a 600-year-old senseless tradition for good. The law makes the bullfighting an illegal activity in all EU countries.
But stopping the bullfights is not the only measure that EU takes to protect other animals.
Not until recently, I have no idea that Russia and her neighboring countries export tortoises*. My ignorance led me to believe all turtles burrow themselves under the hot sandy beach not frigid Siberian plain. So it was an eye-opener when I read of the pet turtles we got from the pet stores might be from Russia and many of her neighbors. Because these poor creatures were handled badly in transit, many died on routes, the EU has the wisdom to ban imports of all turtles.
The EU communities also ban the imports of all seal products. I am sure all of us have seen how these helpless baby seals were harvested on floating ices.
Now I can see the Pomploma bull run will also become a thing of the past soon. - Ayee
*The Last Chance Dog, 2003, Donna Kelleher, D.V.M.
Some of us may have heard that last Sunday the City of Barcelona had just hosted its last bullfighting event in Europe. A EU law will take effect in the next year that rids of a 600-year-old senseless tradition for good. The law makes the bullfighting an illegal activity in all EU countries.
But stopping the bullfights is not the only measure that EU takes to protect other animals.
Not until recently, I have no idea that Russia and her neighboring countries export tortoises*. My ignorance led me to believe all turtles burrow themselves under the hot sandy beach not frigid Siberian plain. So it was an eye-opener when I read of the pet turtles we got from the pet stores might be from Russia and many of her neighbors. Because these poor creatures were handled badly in transit, many died on routes, the EU has the wisdom to ban imports of all turtles.
The EU communities also ban the imports of all seal products. I am sure all of us have seen how these helpless baby seals were harvested on floating ices.
Now I can see the Pomploma bull run will also become a thing of the past soon. - Ayee
*The Last Chance Dog, 2003, Donna Kelleher, D.V.M.
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