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| Aurora Katrina likes her beverages on tap! |
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Our momma cried in happiness - H.R. 5566 HAS PASSED THE HOUSE!
Mimi's note: No cute photos. No funny words. An issue as important as this one stands on its own.
WASHINGTON — The House on Monday voted to ban so-called crush videos that depict the abuse and killing of animals.
The measure would revive, with some modifications, a 1999 law that was struck down by the Supreme Court last April on the grounds it was too broadly written and violated First Amendment free speech protections.
Congress has been trying since then to come up with a more narrowly crafted law, and the measure the House passed still differs slightly from a version approved by the Senate in September. It now goes back to the Senate.
"We need a law that stays on the books," House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., said in explaining the decision to tinker with the Senate language.
The bill was the first to be taken up in the lame-duck session of Congress that opened Monday.
The legislation, which the House originally passed in July, would make it a crime to sell or distribute videos that violate bans on animal cruelty by showing animals being burned, drowned, suffocated or impaled.
Such videos appeal to a sexual fetish by showing women, often barefoot or wearing high heels, stomping small animals to death.
Every state bans animal cruelty, but it has been difficult to apply those laws to crush videos because they often do not show faces, dates or locations. The legislation makes interstate sale of such videos a crime subject to fines and imprisonment.
Conyers said the House took out a Senate provision that made punishments for attempting or conspiring to make the videos equal to punishments for a completed product. He said that could cause constitutional issues.
Betsy Dribben, vice president for government relations at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, expressed frustration at the delay. "We're concerned about the animals being killed and we're also concerned about the social ramifications," she said, citing opinions that cruelty to animals can be a catalyst to violence against humans.
Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., a sponsor of the original bill in 1999, said in a previous statement that famed killers such as Ted Bundy and Ted Kaczynski tortured or killed animals before killing people.
The legislation makes exceptions for films depicting hunting, trapping and fishing.
__
The bill is H.R. 5566
WASHINGTON — The House on Monday voted to ban so-called crush videos that depict the abuse and killing of animals.
The measure would revive, with some modifications, a 1999 law that was struck down by the Supreme Court last April on the grounds it was too broadly written and violated First Amendment free speech protections.
Congress has been trying since then to come up with a more narrowly crafted law, and the measure the House passed still differs slightly from a version approved by the Senate in September. It now goes back to the Senate.
"We need a law that stays on the books," House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., said in explaining the decision to tinker with the Senate language.
The bill was the first to be taken up in the lame-duck session of Congress that opened Monday.
The legislation, which the House originally passed in July, would make it a crime to sell or distribute videos that violate bans on animal cruelty by showing animals being burned, drowned, suffocated or impaled.
Such videos appeal to a sexual fetish by showing women, often barefoot or wearing high heels, stomping small animals to death.
Every state bans animal cruelty, but it has been difficult to apply those laws to crush videos because they often do not show faces, dates or locations. The legislation makes interstate sale of such videos a crime subject to fines and imprisonment.
Conyers said the House took out a Senate provision that made punishments for attempting or conspiring to make the videos equal to punishments for a completed product. He said that could cause constitutional issues.
Betsy Dribben, vice president for government relations at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, expressed frustration at the delay. "We're concerned about the animals being killed and we're also concerned about the social ramifications," she said, citing opinions that cruelty to animals can be a catalyst to violence against humans.
Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., a sponsor of the original bill in 1999, said in a previous statement that famed killers such as Ted Bundy and Ted Kaczynski tortured or killed animals before killing people.
The legislation makes exceptions for films depicting hunting, trapping and fishing.
__
The bill is H.R. 5566
Monday, November 8, 2010
Be there or be square - the Second Annual Worldwide Moment
So, please, mark this special day on your calendar and PURRmote it on your bloggy. We can't imagine a more special event for PURRticipation.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
♥Get in touch with your 'inner kitten' for a good cause♥
So, grab your favorite blankie an' head on over to your favorite snoozin' spot to help fight the good fight against a disease that needs to go to h*ll because it has to stop sending our l♥ved ones to Heaven.
PeeEss: don't FURget to 'click to sign the pledge'.
Monday, October 18, 2010
CALLING ALL CATS! Power of the Paw needed ASAP over at 'the LUKE's' place!
Golden Boy, Golden Retriever, Golden Boy the Luke needs the Power of the Paw ASAP now and for as many days as he says. Luke has had surgery on his throat and the dog-tor said the C-word to the mom. They have decided to fight that old C-thing like crazy and to only think PAWsitive thoughts so no sad stories or downers when you go to hold out your paw in friendship. If you know a good story, tell it. If you know a joke, share it. But no sobbing and no dark thoughts.
They want to see the sun and hear the birdies and listen to the river as it flows over the rocks gurgling away. They need to get good karma so the Luke can fight the good fight and WIN! And, if I know alla' us dogs - we will be right by his side all the way to the victory line and into the winner's circle!
So get on your collar, grab your leash and tell your momma or dadda to get out of the Bark-o-lounger and take you over to Golden Boy Luke's place to leave encouragement and the Power of the Paw in heaping spoonfuls! We ARE a community and as a community we hold paws and support each other FURever and FURever.
And don't FURget to travel on over to Wilf's place while you're at it. He's experiencing some good days with his dadda playing up a storm and eating French food to his ♥s content. We need to continue to lay our paws on Wilf and his fambly, too.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Animal Abuse Registry: Suffolk County, NY Creating Nation's First Public Database Tracking Animal Cruelty Offenders
Mimi's note: Each and every state in the Union needs to have a law like the one below. It won't happen if we just sit around waiting for someone else to do the job! We need to be active and to place the idea for legislation of this type into the hands of our state Senators and Representatives. I know that I will after the November elections. If each of us does our part we could have a Nationwide registry. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
FRANK ELTMAN
FARMINGVILLE, N.Y. — You've heard of Megan's Laws, designed to keep sex offenders from striking again. Now there's a law created in the hope of preventing animal abusers from inflicting more cruelty – or moving on to human victims.
Suffolk County, on the eastern half of Long Island, moved to create the nation's first animal abuse registry this week, requiring people convicted of cruelty to animals to register or face jail time and fines.
"We know there is a very strong correlation between animal abuse and domestic violence," said Suffolk County legislator Jon Cooper, the bill's sponsor. "Almost every serial killer starts out by torturing animals, so in a strange sense we could end up protecting the lives of people."
The online list will be open to the public, so that pet owners or the merely curious can find out whether someone living near them is on it. Some animal abusers have been known to steal their neighbors' pets.
Cooper is also pushing legislation that would bar anyone on the registry from buying or adopting a pet from a shelter, pet shop or breeder.
The law was prompted by a number of animal abuse cases in recent months, including that of a Selden woman accused of forcing her children to watch her torture and kill kittens and dozens of dogs, then burying the pets in her backyard.
Animal welfare activists hope the law, passed unanimously Tuesday in the suburban New York City county of 1.5 million people, will inspire governments nationwide in the same way Megan's Law registries for child molesters have proliferated in the past decade.
A spokesman for county Executive Steve Levy said he intends to sign the legislation. It then requires a six-month review by state officials before it goes on the books, said the spokesman, Dan Aug.
As Fred Surbito took his Yorkshire terrier, Sasha, in for grooming at a Farmingville pet store this week, he applauded the legislation.
More than a dozen states have introduced legislation to establish similar registries, but Suffolk County is the first government entity to pass such a law, said Stephan Otto, director of legislative affairs for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
The Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will administer the database, to be funded by a $50 fee paid by convicted abusers. All abusers 18 or older must supply authorities with their address, a head-and-shoulders photograph and any aliases. Convicted abusers will remain on the registry for five years. Those failing to register face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
After the 2009 arrest of Sharon McDonough, accused of burying kittens and as many as 42 dogs in her yard, neighbors whose pets had disappeared feared the worst. But authorities later concluded that McDonough – who is expected in court this month and could get up to two years in prison if convicted – bought the animals or adopted them through shelters or other traditional outlets.
While some abuse is motivated purely by cruelty, Suffolk SPCA Chief Roy Gross said, some recent cases are linked to the poor economy.
For instance, an emaciated Doberman mix was recently found near death inside a foreclosed-on home, he said. And sometimes, pet rescuer Cathy Mulnard said, elderly people on fixed incomes must decide between eating, or feeding their pets.
"They don't mean to be bad to the animal, but they get overwhelmed and don't know how to ask for help. They may be innocent abusers," said Mulnard, a founder and co-director of Second Chance Rescue, a Suffolk animal shelter that works closely with the SPCA.
Mulnard called the legislation "a godsend for the animals."
"We take care of our animals and love our animals the way you do your children," she said. "We need to protect every animal that's out there because they don't make the decisions in their life; human beings do."
___
Associated Press researcher Monika Mathur in New York contributed to this report.
FRANK ELTMAN
FARMINGVILLE, N.Y. — You've heard of Megan's Laws, designed to keep sex offenders from striking again. Now there's a law created in the hope of preventing animal abusers from inflicting more cruelty – or moving on to human victims. Suffolk County, on the eastern half of Long Island, moved to create the nation's first animal abuse registry this week, requiring people convicted of cruelty to animals to register or face jail time and fines.
"We know there is a very strong correlation between animal abuse and domestic violence," said Suffolk County legislator Jon Cooper, the bill's sponsor. "Almost every serial killer starts out by torturing animals, so in a strange sense we could end up protecting the lives of people."
The online list will be open to the public, so that pet owners or the merely curious can find out whether someone living near them is on it. Some animal abusers have been known to steal their neighbors' pets.
Cooper is also pushing legislation that would bar anyone on the registry from buying or adopting a pet from a shelter, pet shop or breeder.
 |
| Camille Suzanne snoozin' in her basket that is tied to a simmerin' radiator |
Animal welfare activists hope the law, passed unanimously Tuesday in the suburban New York City county of 1.5 million people, will inspire governments nationwide in the same way Megan's Law registries for child molesters have proliferated in the past decade.
A spokesman for county Executive Steve Levy said he intends to sign the legislation. It then requires a six-month review by state officials before it goes on the books, said the spokesman, Dan Aug.
As Fred Surbito took his Yorkshire terrier, Sasha, in for grooming at a Farmingville pet store this week, he applauded the legislation.
 |
| Mr. Scout and his favorite nappin' spot |
"It's very, very important," he said. "If you don't love an animal, you should not have an animal. An animal is part of your family. Like your children, they should never be neglected or harmed. Anybody that does should never own a pet again."
More than a dozen states have introduced legislation to establish similar registries, but Suffolk County is the first government entity to pass such a law, said Stephan Otto, director of legislative affairs for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
The Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will administer the database, to be funded by a $50 fee paid by convicted abusers. All abusers 18 or older must supply authorities with their address, a head-and-shoulders photograph and any aliases. Convicted abusers will remain on the registry for five years. Those failing to register face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
 |
| Grand-dogs Cody 'n Suzie as babies two years ago |
While some abuse is motivated purely by cruelty, Suffolk SPCA Chief Roy Gross said, some recent cases are linked to the poor economy.
For instance, an emaciated Doberman mix was recently found near death inside a foreclosed-on home, he said. And sometimes, pet rescuer Cathy Mulnard said, elderly people on fixed incomes must decide between eating, or feeding their pets.
"They don't mean to be bad to the animal, but they get overwhelmed and don't know how to ask for help. They may be innocent abusers," said Mulnard, a founder and co-director of Second Chance Rescue, a Suffolk animal shelter that works closely with the SPCA.
Mulnard called the legislation "a godsend for the animals."
"We take care of our animals and love our animals the way you do your children," she said. "We need to protect every animal that's out there because they don't make the decisions in their life; human beings do."
___
Associated Press researcher Monika Mathur in New York contributed to this report.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sometimes the good guys win! Senate passes bill to ban Crush Videos!
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a bill that would ban the creation, sale and distribution of so-called "crush videos" -- sexual fetish films in which small animals are maimed or killed.
The legislation goes to the House, which passed its own version of the bill in July.
The Senate version goes further than the House legislation in that it specifically prohibits the creation of animal crush videos, not just their sale.
Nancy Perry, vice president for governmental affairs at the Humane Society of the United States, told the Senate Judiciary Committee this month there had been a resurgence in the number of crush videos available on the Web after the court move.
"Congress has a longstanding and compelling government interest in preventing cruelty to animals," Perry said. "Having a law on the books can make a real and immediate difference in preventing extreme animal cruelty."
The crush videos show women stomping small animals (kittens, rabbits) with spiked heels. How sick: it's a turn on for some people.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, said "Videos depicting extreme animal cruelty have no place in our society."
This bill is a response to the Supreme Court ruling against a broader animal cruelty bill in April.
The legislation goes to the House, which passed its own version of the bill in July.
The Senate version goes further than the House legislation in that it specifically prohibits the creation of animal crush videos, not just their sale.
My grandson, Joe, with Aurora Katrina (2000)
It also prohibits such videos from being distributed for free, a common practice on the Internet via file-sharing per-to-peer networks.Nancy Perry, vice president for governmental affairs at the Humane Society of the United States, told the Senate Judiciary Committee this month there had been a resurgence in the number of crush videos available on the Web after the court move.
"Congress has a longstanding and compelling government interest in preventing cruelty to animals," Perry said. "Having a law on the books can make a real and immediate difference in preventing extreme animal cruelty."
The crush videos show women stomping small animals (kittens, rabbits) with spiked heels. How sick: it's a turn on for some people.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, said "Videos depicting extreme animal cruelty have no place in our society."
This bill is a response to the Supreme Court ruling against a broader animal cruelty bill in April.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
LiveSTRONG today in honor of l♥ve lost yesterday...
Do you know why today is LiveSTRONG day? Because October 2nd was the day that Lance Armstrong received the devastating news that he had testicular cancer. That was a life-altering diagnosis for a man who was young and healthy and vital. Lance took that diagnosis and he LivedSTRONG to the best of his ability and knocked his disease to its knees on more than one occasion. Never once did he give in to defeat. He'd get shoved down and would get right back up again - an example to all of us.
I'm sure that all of us know someone who faced the demon named cancer and came out on top. I'm sure that all of us know someone who fought the good fight and lost the battle even though they faced each day with courage and strength. Every day when we close the door to our home behind us we are surrounded by valiant warriors who are unknown to us. They go about their day without making us aware of their struggle - their battles - and their fears and sorrows.
My mother and I. She fought the good fight against breast cancer and lost - but fight she did and with a passion.
We are also surrounded by family heroes who go by the name of mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter and friend - people who support those they love dearly who have been informed they have cancer or that their cancer has returned.
Last, but certainly not least, we are surrounded by those warriors who fought the good fight and won! They took on a foe that makes most of us cringe and shudder in our boots. They had the mastectomy or prostate surgery or amputation or lumpectomy and then they endured weeks and months of toxic chemicals being poured into their bodies. Medications that made them so sick they wanted to just lay down and die. But, they didn't - they kept on and they came out the other side triumphant holding the banner of remission or complete cure!
Whether you live with cancer or died with cancer YOU are my hero. If you love someone or help to care for someone with cancer YOU are my hero. If you have stood by a grave (as I have) and mourned for love lost too soon, YOU are my hero. The fight against cancer is filled with heroes and heroines - those we know about and those we have never heard mentioned. Those people are all icons of beauty and strength and courage and triumph. I stand before them humbled because no matter what I have endured in my lifetime, I yield to their impeccable example of character in the face of a foe that has the capability of taking a 200 pound man and dropping him to his knees in fear when he hears that he must don his emotional armour and fight the good fight for his life.
My h♥art-dog, Tony, who died in my arms in 1987, killed by hemangiosarcoma. No heart has beat with more courage or love or devotion.
Did you know that LiveSTRONG has a web site with literally volumes of information and assistance and links that guide and instruct US and those we love about what we need to do to stand up and take that first step to live the remainder of our lives strong and healthy? Take a look, you'll get lost reading its volumes of fantastic information about a myriad of healthy topics. You will be able to participate in support groups to help you as you diet or stop smoking or begin to exercise or get into your kitchen to learn how to cook healthy. It's all there. It's all FREE. What are you waiting for? Let's all LiveSTRONG today and tomorrow and all of our tomorrows - for us and for those who are fighting the good fight and for those who fought the most difficult battle of their lives and lost.
Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Good, sound advice.
And, last but not least: October is National Breast Cancer Month. Wear a pink ribbon on your blog in support of all the courageous women who have faced down this demon and told it to 'go to h*ll'.
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