Pentimento

Will Killing Two Cougars Make Any Difference?

National Parks Have Wild Animals In Them

Almost all week we've been watching the documentary by Ken Burns about The National Parks. For all the years since their inception, the men and women who have tried to preserve them this has included the wildlife within the parks. During all those years they fought special interests who were more intent on squeezing the last sheckle out of those pristine areas as well as killing off all the wild animals that got "in their way". 

Let's Kill Two Cougars As A Solution!

Today, in our local paper the Kitsap Sun I noticed there was an article entitled Selective Cougar Hunt OK'd in Jefferson County. For those who don't know, Jefferson county cuts right through the heart of Olympic National Park. You know, a park where animals are protected. Stray outside its boundaries though and you are dead meat, literally. The article goes on to say "Such small-scale hunts occur annually around Washington state in places where cougars have posed problems, killing domestic animals or livestock. This is the first allowed in the Port Townsend area since 2003." 

Did They Decimate Any Herds?

First of all, I would like to see some report as proof of how much livestock has been killed [three goats and two alpacas it seems]. Is it a significant amount?  Are they decimating herds? And, as far as domestic animals, I have no sympathy for the people who live in Washington that don't understand they coexist with wild animals. They have been told since this area was settled that they need to keep their pets indoors, no pet food outdoors and/or keep their pets in protected enclosures. 

We Live In A Natural World, Deal With It

We live with large predators who have a natural instinct to kill. Humans have no business "baiting" them with their pets!! We need to learn to live within our environment, not try to re-educate the natural instincts of wild animals. You want to have livestock when you live next to a National Park? Then expect to lose some to predators. And, I really hate the term "selective harvest" as a description of killing cougars to placate ranchers and pet owners. Humans need to stop trying to remake the natural world.

Rescind Church Tax Exemptions When They Preach Politics

Some of the most insidious rumors about health care reform have been coming right directly from the pulpit for many years now. They don't even try to hide it. They scare their parishioners with out and out lies, and those who are gullible enough don't even question it. What could their agenda be? I mean, if they are wrong and the health care reform could actually save their flock money, wouldn't the people then have more money they could tithe to their church? Maybe we need to "police" our churches a bit more and if they are preaching politics take their tax exemptions away.

Of course, The Church of the Holier Than Thou Republicans don't want the status quo to be disrupted because they will then lose some of their pork too. (Both parties get pork, so that's not the point). For too many years now we spent too much time on hedonistic pursuits while the Republicans grabbed every buck they could. And, most of them got away with it.

I would hope that instead of just swallowing that big red herring about how the government is going to "euthenize" you or your parents, you can find out information on your own through reputable sources. This isn't about Democrats and Republicans. You should be fighting for your very right to health care as dictated by your doctor, not your insurance company! Churches should not be preaching lies and disinformation. The louder the radicals in any quarter squawk, the more we know we're on the right track.

White House Reality Check

Here's What I'd Do With The Aliens

Oh, I'd probably take them to my antiquated computer and show them Google Earth. No, really, if they actually came here, I would tell them to lay low and not show themselves because my fellow humans would probably try to kill them. That's what we do here on Earth, right? Haven't you read, "Stranger in a Strange Land"?  I'd plead with them to take me with them ala Close Encounters of the Third Kind. There's no intelligent life here anyway. [Can I take my tongue out of my cheek now?]

If aliens beamed into your house from deep space and asked for a 24-hour tour of Earth, what would you show them?
Submitted by Writer's Notebook.

Convicted of sexual assault Jacopchek still on LinkedIn

Months ago I sent by snail mail a letter to the LinkedIn offices telling them that one of their members was in jail and that they needed to be aware that he was charged with sexual assault. Of course, I got no reply whatsoever from LinkedIn and in the mean time this man's profile is still in their list of members. I understand "innocent until proven guilty" but I wonder if LinkedIn will ever remove his profile now that he's been convicted?

I know someone who was involved in this conviction, and it has been a long, painful process to get this man arrested and ultimately convicted.  He is a predator and I hope that this conviction will keep him away from vulnerable women for a long time. Not long enough, in my opinion, but I have no pity for men like him. I don't think they can be changed or rehabilitated. Once a pervert, always a pervert.

If his profile is still on LinkedIn, where else might it be? I haven't been looking everywhere online, but if nothing else, this should alert us all to be very, very leery of seeking alternative medicine "professionals" through a site such as LinkedIn.

Clueless Joe Jackson: Abusive Father of Michael

I saw this interview a few days ago, where Joe Jackson, father of Michael, says he believes there was "foul play" involved in Michael's death. Gee Joe, how far back do we go to find the foul play in Michael's life that led up to his death? Did you exploit him and his siblings to the point that they never had a childhood and instead spent years making billions for you and your wife? Did you ever beat Michael?

And, you and your family have the audacity to let the city of Los Angeles pay for the funeral?  What nerve! Joe, you are definitely the most clueless man. Always the "showman" ready to make a buck, you said that you could already see that Michael's children were 'star material'. Oh. My. God. You know, I watched you standing in the driveway as everything unfolded and you were laughing and joking around with whomever you were talking to. Does a truly sincere grieving father do that? If your son was addicted to pain killers, you were the original reason he probably needed them. May you rot in hell when your time comes Joe. You will never get the Father of the Year award, that's for sure.

Have You Sent Your Teabag Yet?

I happen to agree with this video's message. We are a nation of self serving, lazy, hedonistic cowards who have abdicated our job as good stewards of our country. You need to watch this video and ask yourself if you could be doing more. Will you do more?

Grammar: I Advise You To Use Advice

I see this happen all the time, and for some reason it irks me to the point of screaming. Well, not really screaming out loud (unless I'm home and it's something I see on TV), but close. I will be the first to admit that I don't always have a clear grasp of spelling and grammar, but I must have learned a lot more of it than the twits I encounter on a daily basis.

For instance, today there was a local news broadcast about one of our Seattle schools that will close for a week because of the Swine Flu outbreak in our area. While I was listening to the reporter at the school I caught a glimpse of the sign on the door of the school. Now, keep in mind this was not a hand written piece of paper stuck to the window of the door to the school. It was something typewritten in large bold font. I only caught a bit of it, but enough to see that per "health department advise" they had chosen to close the school for the time being.

Are there grammar and spelling faux pas that drive you crazy?

Advice is a 'thing' which makes it a noun. Advise is an action, which makes it a verb.

Let's just get this straight. Here is how you use the two words:

Advice

noun

1.	an opinion or recommendation offered as a guide to action, conduct, etc.: I shall act on your advice.

2.	a communication, esp. from a distance, containing information: Advice from abroad informs us that the government has fallen. Recent diplomatic advices have been ominous.

3.	an official notification, esp. one pertaining to a business agreement: an overdue advice.

American Psychological Association (APA):

advice. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved April 30, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/advice

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Advise

verb

Ad*vise"\, v. t. 1. To consider; to deliberate. [Obs.] Advise if this be worth attempting. --Milton. 2. To take counsel; to consult; -- followed by with; as, to advise with friends.

American Psychological Association (APA):

advise. (n.d.). WordNet® 3.0. Retrieved April 30, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/advise

Meteor Or Space Junk Sighted Near Olympia

Meteor or Space Junk?  

We were on our way home about 10:30 tonight on I-5 near Cabela's in Olympia when we both noticed a bright light in the sky to our left. We were going about 60 mph and it flashed by us on a low path that lasted maybe 5 seconds. I have never seen a meteor last that long. I suppose it could have been space junk too. Maybe  parts of those satellites that collided are still coming down? Just guessing, but going by its direction (south to north) and the length of time we could see it, it may have burned up before hitting the ground, or it could have gone into the Sound.

Is Cher Japanese? 

We celebrated our nephew Eric's 40th birthday (I'm still trying to wrap my brain around that reality) tonight with a dinner at Fujiyama's in Olympia. The food was very good, and Patrick the chef was entertaining. We even had a visit to our table by the manager near the end to see if we enjoyed ourselves. No complaints from any of us, although on the way home Jim and I did agree that it was a little weird to hear 'modern' music playing in the background instead of something asian inspired.  Even some instrumental music would have been better, in our opinion.

Liars, Politicians and Jocks - Oh My!

Morons Among Us Who Procreate

I caught a snippet of an interview Dr. Phil was doing with the octuplet mom (Suleman) and she was trying to tell him that she was on welfare and that she was going to avail herself of it for her new 8 children, as well as the other 6. In my opinion, she is in serious need of either a swift kick in the butt, sterilization, or a frontal lobotomy. Maybe all three. And my feelings about the doctor that she had do the fertilization? Yup, HE can pay for those children's needs for the next 18 years. 

President Obama, Your Constituents Are Hopeful But Cautious

For the past 8 years I hadn't been able to listen to any speech made by our President because I vehemently dislike George Bush so much. It was a pleasant experience to watch President Obama's State of the Nation address last night, not only because it filled me with some (cautious) hope, but also because he is an exemplary speaker. 

It occurred to me as he was listing all of the things his administration is going to try to do in the next four years that it is almost like a lawsuit for damages. I mean, he is/was an attorney, and don't they always ask for the highest sum the suit will allow, knowing that most likely they won't get anywhere near that, but a goodly sum all the same. Who knows what they can get done? I have a feeling the American public is in a wait-and-see mode though, clutching their wallets and holding on for the bumpy ride ahead. 

I still think they should sell some sort of "Recovery Bonds" like they did in WWII for War Bonds. I thought I heard him say something like that last night, but he didn't elaborate. 

Maybe some of you are like me. I feel like an abused child who has no trust in anyone and so I remain cautiously optimistic. My government has crapped on me more that it's ever helped me. I just feel like if you get that many bureaucrats and politicians together with trillions of dollars it is such a temptation to "misdirect" some of it. 

The Return of Ken "Arrogant" Griffey To the Mariners Frees Up My Summer

As much as I like to watch baseball in the summer, I have a feeling my summer won't be spent watching the Mariners now that they have Griffey back in the lineup. After reading the sports section this week and some of his quoted comments, it's obvious he is still a conceited jock and he is going to go out on the field with his cockiness and I just can't stand to see the fans eat that up. I think he's arrogant and a poor example to kids. Yeah, yeah, he has lots of home runs, but when he starts posing up there at the plate for the PR shots when he gets a home run, that's when I will call it quits.  

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Stay tuned! I'm sure one of these days I'll find something positive to write about! Actually, if you want that, you should visit my genealogy blog iPentimento. Here's some of my latest posts:

How To Share A Small Family Group In Family Tree Maker

The Home Friend 1909 - Ohio Carriage Mfg Company

Dual Citizenship Through DNA Results?

Washing Machines For Cats

The title of this post might be a little misleading. I would never put a cat in a washer or anything. :::Rocky breathes a sigh of relief:::: What I really meant was that they should make front loading washers with cats in mind. I suppose you know that many people have trouble with that nasty sour and musty smell in them because they close the door when the machine is not in use. Mildew and mold build up and create the odor.

Now, the simple solution would be to just leave the door open and let it air out. I even read that the appliance store sales people assure their customers that there are now chemicals (oh boy, just what we need, more chemicals!) in the rubber gasket to eliminate this problem. Sorry, that wouldn't do it for me, and I don't buy it. Literally. But, what if you have a nosy cat who likes to investigate everything? I suppose if you started throwing clothes in the washer the cat would leap out, but who would want to take the chance?

Here's what I think some enterprising inventor should do: Make a universal front loading washer guard that would let the air in while keeping the cat out. How hard could that be, really?