Quoth the Raven

Quote for today

This is the highest wisdom that I own; freedom and life are earned by those alone who conquer them each day anew.

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. German Playwright, Poet, Novelist and Dramatist. 1749-1832

Have Southpark reached the epitome of political incorrectness?

AN EPISODE of cartoon program South Park that features the Pope has been pulled from Australian television.

The final episode of the current series of the long-running US animated series — which had been scheduled for Monday — has been "deferred", according to an SBS spokesman.

Because of sensitivities about religious cartoons in the wake of the Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad, SBS would have to give "some more thought" to the scheduling of the Bloody Mary episode.

"Given the current worldwide controversy over cartoons of religious figures, we've decided to defer this program," he said in a statement yesterday.

The episode shows a statue of the Virgin Mary spurting menstrual blood on the Pope.

It was shown in New Zealand on Wednesday night, prompting a vigil by hundreds of Catholics outside broadcaster TV Works. Despite the protest, 200,000 New Zealanders watched the program, six times the usual audience.

Religion has been a comedic target on the show, which has skewered the Mormon faith, had characters making derogatory remarks about Jews and shown Jesus hosting a TV show and fighting Satan in a boxing ring.

An episode recently screened in Australia featured Muhammad as part of a superhero group. Together with Jesus, Buddha, Krishna and others, Muhammad helps character Kyle defeat an evil cult.

As reported in the Age newspaper

Quote for today

Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it... that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear. - Dale Carnegie American lecturer, author, 1888-1955

Rufus gets the thumbs up!

2006 BEST IN SHOW

The 2006 Best In Show Trophy was awarded to "Ch Rocky Top's Sundance Kid," a.k.a. "Rufus," a Bull Terrier (Colored).

While Rufus was busy taking home the trophy for Best in Show for 2006, numerous other bully breeds around the country were being euthanized.

I cannot understand the panic that seems to be spreading faster than the bubonic plague in this country. I do understand people getting upset about vicious dogs roaming the streets causing havoc, but not every dog attack is instigated by a dog from the family of pit bulls, and that is what gets me infuriated.

I met many dogs like Rufus growing up in Australia and I adored them. With there loyal temperment and muscular form they seemed the ideal family dog. At the age of 15 I recall a friend telling me how his bull terrier saved a friend's child from drowning. The dog had never been in the water before, but when the dog noticed the boy was in trouble, he jumped into the water and dragged the boy to safety. Now how many dogs are that loyal - probably alot?

Of coures,  I would like to note that a bull terrier is different from an american pit bull terrier. But when I was growing up as a teenager in Australia we didn't have american pit bulls to blame for all the ills of society, so bull terriers were the feared breed. Little has changed since then. Fear and ignorance still run rampant throughout the world, and people still have to blame something rather than someone for the attacks that take place.

Well the years went by and I never was in a position to get my bull terrier. It didn't help that we already had two dogs in the family; a German Shepherd named Rajah and an Australian silky terrier named Trixy. (Yes, I know Trixy sounds like the name of a prostitute but that is beside the point) By the time I reached my 20's I loved a few different breeds; American pit bulls, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Basenji's, and even the odd Schnauzer. Actually, I will fall in love with any dog that has personality, but these are some of my favorites. Of course, I was still unable to own a dog because I lived in an apartment and I just didn't have enough time to commit to a dog.

So we now arrive in 2005 and it is time to get a dog. My husband and I moved from Sydney, Australia to Seattle, USA exactly 5 yrs ago, and it is now or never. So we now have an American Pit bull named Zoe, who also shares a name with our ferret named Zoe - but they are both ok with that? Actually, we have a thing for Z's...Zoe the dog, Zoe the ferret, and a few more ferrets, Ziggy, Zed, Zahn & Zeke. I imagine we will one day have a baby or two, and also give them names beginning with the wonderful letter Z.

So getting back to the point of this post, apart from telling you a little bit about my love for pit bulls, and numerous other animals. I also wanted to share my disappointment with this country, and my own country that will no longer accept me because of the dog that I choose to adore. Call it discrimination if you wish, but all I know is that Australia will not let me return until I am dog free. Or, until the dog I choose to bring to Australia is something other than a pit bull breed. While America will allow me to live freely with the dog I choose to own, I can do so as long as I don't choose to live in those counties/states that have incorporated breed specific legislation into their ordinances.

The whole concept of BSL reminds me of the issues that faced the civil rights movement all those years ago. Yes, I know that I am talking about dogs, whereas the civil rights movement dealt with the issues affecting African Americans. I am in no way saying that dogs are more important than people. Though, in some cases maybe there are as dogs would not treat people the way the whites attacked and brutalized African Americans all those years ago.  I also know that there are still issues of segregation and racism running rampant in this country. Maybe, what I am saying is that the same hatred, fear and lunacy that ignited and enforced the idea of segregation is also what is fueling BSL. People fear what they do not know, and all that most people know about pits is what the media reports.

Get educated people! Don't look at pit bulls raised by dog fighters, or ignorant thugs as a good example of the breed. Admittedly, for some dogs rescued from such people they are still capable of expressing love and affection when properly cared for. Rather look to the responsible owners all around this country, people like myself, who properly train and socialize our dogs. Dogs that are well cared for, and never free to roam the streets - not so much for your safety (as my dog would likely lick you to death) but for the safety of my dog.

Well I have ranted enough already, and this post could have been split into 4 posts but what can you do?

Congratulations Rufus!

What the hell is going on downunder?

It appears that someone has contaminated the drinking water in Australia. This is a warning to all overseas visitors - DO NOT DRINK THE TAP WATER IN AUSTRALIA - buy spring water instead. There are serious side effects if you ignore this warning:

* Side effect 1:

** Side effect 2:

Two babies from two different friends in one week! It must be the water?

*This is Yakira Bo

**This is Max Nicholas

Who were you in high school?

All American Kid

Popular but not plastic. Athletic but not a jock. Smart but not a brain. You were well rounded and well liked in high school. Can you believe that they actually got this right? Except for the All American, which should read All Australian.

Who Were You In High School?