Ruminations

Remembering ... Forgotten

2012-01-26T13:23:00.000-08:00

The gentleman will please remember that when his half-civilized ancestors were hunting the wild boar in Silesia, mine were princes of the earth. Judah Benjamin, in reply to a taunt by a Senator of German descent.

None could have been more greatly taken by surprise and mortally offended than secular Jews in civilized, cultivated Germany - who considered themselves more affected and deeply steeped in modernity and creative energy and intelligence by their venerated generations of German citizenship than their Jewish heritage - to discover that they were regarded as mere Jews, fit for nothing but eradication by the Third Reich.

Their steep complacency at having attained acceptance at the highest levels of German society, academia, political life and wealth would be shattered by the reality of the military-political juggernaut that would overtake Europe and reach out to Asia, enveloping as it progressed, the near east and North America.

The intellectual vastness and social connections to the master race admitted of a moral certainty of racist exceptionalism that excluded Semites from the stellar genetic superiority of the Aryan race of supermortals.

You call me a damned Jew. My race was old when you were all savages. I am proud to be a Jew. John Galsworthy, Loyalties, Act. II.

Hungarian and Czechoslovakian Jews considering themselves culturally superior to Polish and Italian Jews never imagined their countries would accept that they were dross too, to be disposed of summarily along with their Latvian Ukrainian, Bulgarian and other European countries' Jewish counterparts.

The massive round-up, degradation, humiliation, scorning, enslavement in ghettoes and death-camps located around Europe with infamous names like Auschwitz, Sobibor, Treblinka, with their slave labour, their medical experiments, their punishments and starvation rations, their gas chambers and chimneys puking the dark detritus of burnt bodies in a ghastly parody of orderly convention, bespoke the Nazi ideal of eradicating the impediments to the attainment of human perfection.

The Jews are among the aristocracy of every land; if a literature is called rich in the possession of a few classic tragedies, what shall we say to a national tragedy lasting for fifteen hundred years, in which the poets and the actors were also the heroes. George Eliot, Daniel Deronda

The quietly determined theatre of extermination became a subterranean affair of cleansing the world of a plague, a dread scourge of those posing as human whose subhuman facade had been revealed by Nazi ideology that wallowed in the worship of pride, pursued perfection, and visualized a very exclusive and choice Utopia. The very physical characteristics of the perfect Nordic male would effectively have excluded the German chancellor.

And the Jews, en masse, no offence, merely acknowledgement of the most appalling inferiority soiled by genetic traits betraying their unworthiness of sharing the air, the water and other precious natural resources, were specifically chosen, in their totality, for annihilation, to make the world of the truly entitled by nature and inheritance, a better place.

Who hateth me but for my happiness?
Or who is honoured now but for his wealth?
Rather had I, a Jew, be hated thus,
Than pitied in a Christian poverty.
Marlowe, The Jew of Malta

One might think that a collective representing the world's religious leaders would seek to intervene. They did not, presumably on the presumption that God would look after His own. The saving grace being that a small but noted number of religious and their laity took it upon their consciences and moral certainty to act on their own to save whom they could among Jews.

Suavity toward the Jews! Although you have lived among them, it is evident that you little understand those enemies of the human race. Haughty and at the same time base, combining an invincible obstinacy with a spirit despicably mean, they weary alike your love and your hatred. Anatole France, The Procurator of Judea

As in medical science, when an anomalous, sinister, threatening bacteria or virus emerges to threaten humanity as a horrible existential pandemic, all scientific and technological means must be harnessed toward the imperative of destroying the threat to the well-being of humanity's continued existence...

And, since time immemorial Jews, with their strange religion insisting on an especial status with their Maker, and exhibiting typically hideous traits offensive to others already held a tradition of suspicion and rejection, there was little problem in reaching international consensus that Something Must Be Done.

When people talk about a wealthy man of my creed, they call him an Israelite; but if he is poor they call him a Jew. Heinrich Heine

If my theory of relativity is proven successful, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare that I am a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German and Germany will declare that I am a Jew. Albert Einstein

That 'something' emerged as an exquisitely planned and executed genocide. So expertly dedicated to its task, it succeeded in destroying resources to the military deeply engaged in challenging and overcoming resistance to German fascism's indomitable need to conquer the world and to dominate it for at least a thousand years.

And while it hampered the military, it succeeded in its exemplary mission to rid the world of a menace. The Jews sacrificed for the salvation of world civilization.

A hopeless faith, a homeless race,
Yet seeking the most holy place,
And owning the true bliss . . . .
Or like pale ghosts that darkling roam,
Hovering around their ancient home,
But find no refuge there.
John Keble, The Christian Year: Fifth Sunday in Lent

The tradition of a two-millennium-old story of sacrifice and redemption repeated. World Jewry has never recovered its numbers. The Jewish population of Israel, established post-war as the traditional homeland of the Jews, and considered by Jews to be its only safe haven on Earth, is now roughly reflective of the numbers that perished in the Holocaust.

And Israel shall be a proverb and a by-word among all people. Old Testament: 1 Kings

The invidious scourge of ethnic hatred known as anti-Semitism lives on, succeeding once again in the temporary wake of post-Holocaust remorse. The world and its affairs returned to normalcy.

Still on Israel's head forlorn,
Every nation heaps its scorn.
Emma Lazarus, The World's Justice

Breed-Specific Legislation - Ottawa Valley Dog Whisperer

2012-01-26T09:57:00.000-08:00

Guest writer - Karen Rosenfeld, Ottawa Valley Dog Whisperer

Saturday, 21 January, 2012

STOP BSL - ACTIVE PETITIONS

For those of you who would like to speak out against BSL, for those of you who understand that Pit Bulls are not bad - they are in fact sweet dogs...below are links to some of the many active petitions that you can sign to help promote and put an end to BSL and the degradation of Pit Bulls.

Breed Specific Legislation (North America) and the Dangerous Dogs Act (UK) is racism! Many dogs suffer and die because of BSL and DDA.

Repeal BSL In Ontario, Canada

Tell the US Supreme Court to Repeal BSL

Repeal BSL in Miami-Dade County Florida

Repeal BSL in Miami-Dade County, Florida this one can only be signed by residence of the USA

Repeal BSL in MI USA

Tell the US House of Representatives to Introduce a Bill to Ban BSL

Tell the US Government to Ban BSL

Tell the US Government to Repeal BSL USA

Tell Ed Knowll no More BSL in theUSA USA

Tell Kansas City Council to Stop BSL

Tell Missouri to Stop BSL

Tell Texas, Copperas Cove to Stop BSL

Tell US Senator to Stop Bill SB861 BSL

Protest YouTube Videos promoting Pit Bull Dog Fighting http://www.change.org/petitions/youtube-delete-youtube-vids-that-teach-how-to-fight-and-abuse-pitbulls

Lucy The Goose

2012-01-25T18:53:00.000-08:00

There is nothing quite like embarrassing a government department and with it, the Cabinet Minister ultimately responsible for its actions, to get attention and in the end, a sheepish response at the very highest political/governmental level, along with an apology and a righting of that wrong. In fact, you've got to hand it to the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. His own personal rectitude and empathy (which many insist does not in fact exist) extends to those whom he has selected to his Cabinet, for the most part.

And Peter Kent, the federal Environment Minister, is no exception. He has personally apologized to Diane Vander Wiel, who lives on her family farm in northern British Columbia. Who committed a dreadful sin against the Migratory Bird Convention Act when she compassionately brought an abandoned, vulnerable days-old fluffy yellow goose chick to her farm in Fort St.James two years ago. That chick was nurtured and carefully tended, and it grew and matured became a full-size goose, as nature intended it to.

Lucy became accustomed to life around the farm and was imprinted in fact, on Diane Vander Wiel whom she trusted and accepted as her human mentor. Lucy lived in one of several barns on the Vander Wiel property, along with other, domesticated birds and farm animals, finding her place comfortably among them. Ms. Vander Wiel described how she had attempted at times to introduce Lucy to other wild geese when she became mature, but Lucy expressed no interest in them whatever.

Whenever Lucy spent the night somewhere else on occasion, she always returned home to the farm. Ms. Vander Wiel described how Lucy would occasionally visit with the neighbours, then eventually return home to the place she knew best and was obviously comfortable with. During the fall migration, Lucy would see geese flying overhead heading to southern climes, but she evidently experienced no inclination, no natural urge to join them. She was content living with her mentor on the family farm.

Until one day on January 11, Conservation authorities who said they had been informed by an anonymous caller that a wild goose was being kept a 'prisoner' on the Vander Wiel farm, showed up and confiscated Lucy. They took her away in a crate, informing Ms. Vander Wiel that it was possible they would have to euthanize Lucy. Whereupon Ms. Vander Wiel posted her story on FaceBook and people were upset and rallied behind the cause to return Lucy to her home.

It seems the rallying cry and peoples' indignation helped along by the emotional distress that Ms. Vander Wiel was expressing more than adequately, reached the sympathetic ears of Member of Parliament and Environment Minister Peter Kent. Who telephoned Lucy's caregiver and assured her that the Ministry of the Environment law prohibiting people from holding migratory birds in captivity, would be eased in her case. After all, what kind of sense would it make to euthanize a goose that was happily ensconced on a farm?

"Had [the wildlife officers] come out and seen [Lucy's set-up], none of this would have transpired", Ms. Vander Wiel explained. Instead they had informed her loftily that she would be facing a fine under the Migratory Bird Convention Act - which Minister Kent waived. She will now receive an agriculture permit, allowing Lucy to return home. Wings unclipped. Free to fly off into the wide blue yonder should she opt to.

"I said it would be cruel to clip her wings and [Mr. Kent] agreed with me".

Lucy is a Canada Goose that was rescued as a "ball of fuzz" on a road near Diane Vander Wiel's farm outside of Fort St James. After nearly three years of life with Diane and her family, Lucy was plucked away because of rules barring ownership of migratory birds. Diane says Lucy's always been free to come and go as she pleases and is mounting a campaign for Lucy's return. (courtesy Diane Vander Wiel)

Congratulations, Diane Vander Wiel. Mission Accomplished!

All About Pit Bulls - Ottawa Valley Dog Whisperer

2012-01-25T09:59:00.000-08:00

Guest writer - Karen Rosenfeld, Ottawa Valley Dog Whisperer

Monday, 23 January, 2012

ALL ABOUT PIT BULLS

First, Did you Know…

A Pit Bull is not a breed of dog, instead it is a term used to generally describe three individual breeds of dog that all have similar characteristics…

One - American Pit Bull Terrier;

Two - American Staffordshire Terrier; and

Three - Staffordshire Bull Terrier, short form name - ‘Staffy’.

If you would like to further test your ability to identify a Pit Bull you can click here.

The Pit Bull breeds were originally developed during the 19^th century by crossing Bull Dogs and Terriers. Breeding focused on attaining characteristics to attain a good ‘fighting’ dog (if indeed that can be good at all - to me it is shameful that any human would want to use dogs to fight each other or another animal for human entertainment and monetary gain). To this purpose breeding was tailored to develop traits that were desirable in a fighting dog. Traits such as…

- High tolerance for pain (this just makes me very sad);

- High prey drive (like many dogs such as hounds);

- Strength and agility (like many dogs such as the German Shepherd and Boxer).

Despite the fact that many people today - upon hearing the word ‘Pit Bull’ immediately think of aggression towards humans - this was one trait that the three breeds did not have…and this still holds true for Pit Bulls of today. Back in the 19^th century Pit Bulls were family ‘pets’ and pre-fight / during the fight they required a lot of handling by their humans - so reactive-aggressive behaviour to humans was not bred into the Pit Bull.

Today, Pit Bulls are probably the most feared and legislated-against (restricted and banned) dog in the world. Yet, in locations where they are not so treated, Pit Bulls are well known and loved family pets who not only get along with children but with other animals. They also excel at Agility, Fly Ball, Soccer and other such activities. Many Pit Bulls also work as Registered Therapy Dogs and other occupations such as Search and Rescue.

So how did the Pit Bull get such a bad rap?

Well, years ago it was the Rottweiler, the Doberman, the German Shepherd, the Boxer and the list goes on. All it takes is one incident and the media’s quest to sell their copy fuels the fire. The media knows humanity’s lust for blood and sensationalism and the media will get as much mileage out of a story as it can. The end result - the populace shifts their fear from one breed to another. And the more stories that can be found the bigger the stigma grows.

It really is that simple.

The sad thing is that most people do not even know what a Pit Bull really looks like and most reported ‘Pit Bull’ attacks - at least eight out of ten, are not actually Pit Bulls!

Think about this statistic…in 2006, an estimated 72 million dogs lived in households in the U.S. (U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook (2007 Edition) How many of these dogs are purebred, pedigreed, and registered? Fewer than you might think - the very liberal estimate is maybe 25%. So 75% of the dogs in North America are not purebred. Further supporting the fact that most dog attacks reported as being perpetrated by Pit Bulls simply are not.

Overall fatal incidents from dog attacks in general are extremely rare. About 75 million dogs reside in the US today. About 32 fatal dog attacks occur each year. To better understand how out-of-kilter most people’s concept of dog attacks are, take a look at purely human attack fatalities. The human population of the US is about 300 million (4x the dog population). Humans in the US murdered 16,000 humans (500x the number of dog-related deaths).

So on the whole, not only are dogs much less dangerous to humans than humans are, but the number of actual Pit Bull related attacks are extremely low. Here is a great bit of information to put things in a little more perspective…

In 2002 the American Temperament Testing Society statistics showed that American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers (both ‘Pit Bull breeds’) and Rottweilers passed the good temperament test +80% of the time. A very high passing grade! Other common family dogs did not fare as well. For example Golden Retrievers and Bichon Frise received a 77% rating, Chihuahuas and Lhasa Apsos received 71% (you can view the test results at the American Temperament Test Society .

So, How About Taking a Look at Just How Sweet Pit Bulls Really Are…

Well, you can start with this Yes,Pit Bulls Suddenly Snap;

And then take a look at this GentlemanDuke - A bait Dog’s Salvation;

And lastly this PitBull Bigotry - Public Perception and Legislation.

For those of you who are not sure what a bait dog is - Pit Bulls are still used today in legal (in some U.S. States) and illegal (in other U.S. States and Canada) dog fights. To train the dogs to attack another dog ‘bait’ dogs are used. Dogs that are submissive, sweet natured dogs are used as bait dogs. They end up severely injured, live a short life of torture and pain and then are killed - some are lucky enough to be rescued. Duke is one such dog.

So, the next time someone says something bad about a Pit Bull, I am hoping you will stand-up and say - ‘hey wait a minute, you are wrong and here is why’.

I will be following this article up with one on Breed Specific Legislation - which sees a lot of Pit Bulls condemned to death in Canada and the USA.

One Last Thing - You Can Help Pit Bulls In Ontario

If you agree Pit Bulls are not the evil demons that the media and others have made them out to be, and would like to see them treated as they should be in Ontario - as loved and respected canine members of society - you can help make sure that the ban on Pit Bulls is repealed by signing this petition. You may not be aware but (shame) Ontario is one of those places that instituted Breed Specific Legislation against Pit Bulls.

Breed-specific legislation restricts people from having dogs based on dog breed. This requires breed identification of each and every dog. As noted above, this gets into murky water as there are far more cross-breed dogs in North America than there are pure-breed registered dogs. Most mixed-breed dogs are a genetic conglomerate resulting from more than one generation of mixed-breed-dog interbreeding. In addition, a dog that doesn’t meet any single breed standard may be categorized as a type of dog rather than a specific breed, i.e. a Shepherd, a Terrier, a Pit Bull. This means that the primary means of identification for a mixed-breed dog is a visual glance followed by a guess - very subjective. Pretty much the same way the media identifies a ‘Pit Bull’ as the guilty dog in an attack.

Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant, who pushed for this ban on Pit Bulls in Ontario, proposed this manner of identification:

“I’ve said before and I will say again, if it walks like a pit bull, if it barks and bites like a pit bull, wags its tail like a pit bull, it’s a pit bull.” (Ontario Hansard 38-1, November 4, 2004.

And so it stands. Make no mistake, BSL is racism, to make things worse it is racism born of ignorance and it is lethal. Many Pit Bulls and dogs who people think may be Pit Bulls are put to death because of this legislation. Euthanized, gassed to death, heart-sticked and so on.

So here is how you can help…

Randy Hillier, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, tabled a bill in Queen's Park to repeal the breed-specific legislation passed by the McGuinty government in 2005, commonly known as the “pit bull ban”. Subsequently Randy created a website and a petition to help support the bill to repeal the ban, just click here .

Thanks for reading this, every little bit we do to help change the perception of Pit Bulls can save a sweet misunderstood dog’s life! We can change the future and make it a better place for dogs.

References:
Stop BSL http://stopbsl.com/
KC Dog Blog http://btoellner.typepad.com/kcdogblog/
American Temperament Society http://atts.org/