After 90 minutes on the phone, at least half of that time on hold, four transfers, two unsuccessful attempts to speak to a supervisor, and several rude comments from snotty, condescending customer "service" representatives, I am once again thoroughly dissatisfied and disgusted with Time Warner Cable. Times are pretty tough right now, and it can be a real pain to switch, but as soon as we are able, I think it is time to look into Dish Network. They can't be any worse than this.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
More on the Penn State Scandal
What is puzzling me right now is why Mike McQueary, the then-graduate assistant and now assistant coach who walked in on Sandusky raping a child in 2002, is being held blameless? While the others involved in the cover-up, including Joe Paterno, have been fired or resigned, McQueary is still employed and will be on the sidelines this Saturday at PSU's game against Nebraska.
Keep in mind, this is a man who, witnessing another grown man having forcible anal sex with a boy of around ten years old, did not intervene to stop the rape, did not call the police, but instead slunk away to his office, called his father, and then waited until the next day to tell coach Paterno.
Like everybody involved in the chain of command at Penn State, like Paterno himself, McQueary was clearly more concerned about the reputation of Paterno and Penn State's football program, than about the welfare of the children being raped by Jerry Sandusky.
Here is an outstanding editorial in Al Jezeera about Penn State, college football, and the role that big money plays in twisting the priorities of college sports programs.
Keep in mind, this is a man who, witnessing another grown man having forcible anal sex with a boy of around ten years old, did not intervene to stop the rape, did not call the police, but instead slunk away to his office, called his father, and then waited until the next day to tell coach Paterno.
Like everybody involved in the chain of command at Penn State, like Paterno himself, McQueary was clearly more concerned about the reputation of Paterno and Penn State's football program, than about the welfare of the children being raped by Jerry Sandusky.
Here is an outstanding editorial in Al Jezeera about Penn State, college football, and the role that big money plays in twisting the priorities of college sports programs.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Joe Paterno Should Leave Immediately
I am, without question, a college football fan. I have never particularly been a fan of, or closely followed, Penn State, and I am not among those who have until recently idolized Penn State coach Joe Paterno. I am most definitely among those who are now horrified by the revelations about child sex abuse within the Penn State football program by former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
Paterno has announced that he will retire at the end of the current season. The coach has said that he is "devastated," that the case is a "tragedy" and that he wants to finish this season with "dignity and determination." He also stated that he wishes that he had done more in 2002 when he found out about Sandusky's behavior.
Paterno's regret and remorse is understandable, but it is not enough. I read a portion of the text of the Grand Jury indictment of Sandusky. You can read it here. I want to be clear: this is an excruciating, disturbing document that describes in graphic detail Sandusky's sexual assaults of eight young victims, all boys under the age of 15.
What is clear to me is that the whole chain of command at Penn State, from the graduate assistant who witnessed Sandusky's rape of a boy in a locker room shower on campus, to athletic director Tim Curley, to university Vice President Gary Schultz, and, yes, Joe Paterno, failed in their moral obligations to make sure that Sandusky not have the opportunity to assault any more young boys.
It has been pointed out that Joe Paterno followed the letter of the law by informing his superior, Mr. Curley, when the 2002 rape was brought to his attention. But it is clear that Paterno failed to follow up on the incident. Any reasonable person, informed of such a monstrous act going on almost right under his nose, being committed by a person who he interacts with on a daily basis, would not only report the act, but would take upon himself or herself the responsibility to make sure that such a thing never happened again.
Joe Paterno did not accept this responsibility.
He should never coach another college football game. The powers that be at Penn State should see to it that the coach is given a choice: resign immediately, or be fired.
Furthermore, if Coach Paterno is allowed to finish the season, then the schools on the remainder of Penn State's schedule should take a courageous step: refuse to play the Nittany Lions if Paterno is present as head coach. If the authorities at Penn State refuse to make clear that there is no tolerance at their institution for anyone who helps, in even the smallest way, to cover up child rape, then the rest of the schools that make up the NCAA should do the right thing, even if it means taking a forfeit.
Paterno has announced that he will retire at the end of the current season. The coach has said that he is "devastated," that the case is a "tragedy" and that he wants to finish this season with "dignity and determination." He also stated that he wishes that he had done more in 2002 when he found out about Sandusky's behavior.
Paterno's regret and remorse is understandable, but it is not enough. I read a portion of the text of the Grand Jury indictment of Sandusky. You can read it here. I want to be clear: this is an excruciating, disturbing document that describes in graphic detail Sandusky's sexual assaults of eight young victims, all boys under the age of 15.
What is clear to me is that the whole chain of command at Penn State, from the graduate assistant who witnessed Sandusky's rape of a boy in a locker room shower on campus, to athletic director Tim Curley, to university Vice President Gary Schultz, and, yes, Joe Paterno, failed in their moral obligations to make sure that Sandusky not have the opportunity to assault any more young boys.
It has been pointed out that Joe Paterno followed the letter of the law by informing his superior, Mr. Curley, when the 2002 rape was brought to his attention. But it is clear that Paterno failed to follow up on the incident. Any reasonable person, informed of such a monstrous act going on almost right under his nose, being committed by a person who he interacts with on a daily basis, would not only report the act, but would take upon himself or herself the responsibility to make sure that such a thing never happened again.
Joe Paterno did not accept this responsibility.
He should never coach another college football game. The powers that be at Penn State should see to it that the coach is given a choice: resign immediately, or be fired.
Furthermore, if Coach Paterno is allowed to finish the season, then the schools on the remainder of Penn State's schedule should take a courageous step: refuse to play the Nittany Lions if Paterno is present as head coach. If the authorities at Penn State refuse to make clear that there is no tolerance at their institution for anyone who helps, in even the smallest way, to cover up child rape, then the rest of the schools that make up the NCAA should do the right thing, even if it means taking a forfeit.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Letter to Etsy.com re: Squirrel Paw Necklace
The following is the letter that I sent to Etsy.com regarding the squirrel paw necklace that I wrote about in my last post:
I am writing to ask you to take action on listing #81478746 which is described as a "Lucky" squirrel paw necklace. I and many others find such a product made from a body part of a beautiful living creature to be deeply offensive. It is one thing to hunt or raise animals for use as food or clothing, and many people understandably oppose even this use. But to use the paws of an intelligent, sentient living creature for mere ornamentation, with no practical benefit whatsoever, is absolutely unacceptable, especially by a self-described "community of artists, creators, collectors, thinkers and doers."
Please take a close look at this listing and consider doing the right thing by removing it, and prohibit future such listings.If you want to write to Etsy.com, again, the address is community@etsy.com.
Sick Squirrel Paw Necklace For Sale On Etsy
I hate to post a revolting picture like this, but I think this needs to be seen:
This is a necklace currently being sold on the website Etsy.com, cynically described as a "Lucky Squirrel Paw Necklace." It is just as described, the actual paw of a real (formerly) live squirrel which, obviously, was not very lucky at all, mounted on a cord to be displayed around the neck of some lame artsy hipster wannabe.
I know we can argue day and night over the right or wrong of using animals for food or functional clothing, but I hope we can agree that killing intelligent, sentient animals for such a pointless, superficial display as this is not only unnecessary but flat out cruel. I am pretty sure that the squirrels that gave their lives for these ugly pieces of jewelry were not eaten--if I'm wrong then the seller should put a disclaimer on the listing that says so. In fact, there is not a word on how these paws were obtained.
If you want to take a look at the listing yourself, here it is.
Please sign a petition asking Etsy.com to remove this listing.
You can also write directly to Etsy.com at community@etsy.com.
This is a necklace currently being sold on the website Etsy.com, cynically described as a "Lucky Squirrel Paw Necklace." It is just as described, the actual paw of a real (formerly) live squirrel which, obviously, was not very lucky at all, mounted on a cord to be displayed around the neck of some lame artsy hipster wannabe.
I know we can argue day and night over the right or wrong of using animals for food or functional clothing, but I hope we can agree that killing intelligent, sentient animals for such a pointless, superficial display as this is not only unnecessary but flat out cruel. I am pretty sure that the squirrels that gave their lives for these ugly pieces of jewelry were not eaten--if I'm wrong then the seller should put a disclaimer on the listing that says so. In fact, there is not a word on how these paws were obtained.
If you want to take a look at the listing yourself, here it is.
Please sign a petition asking Etsy.com to remove this listing.
You can also write directly to Etsy.com at community@etsy.com.
Squirrel Facts: Ancient Saber-Toothed Squirrel Found
This is an artist's rendition of a saber-toothed squirrel that lived alongside dinosaurs during the late Cretaceous period:
This find is scientifically significant because this creature closely resembles a prehistoric squirrel character from the Ice Age films. At least that's the impression I get, as every article I have read about this discovery has emphasized this point. Perhaps more importantly, this is the first discovery of a mammalian species in South America that lived during this long-ago time.
The creature is called cronopio dentiacutus. It was less than six inches long and probably ate insects. It likely survived by staying out of sight of the dinosaurs, keeping under cover and venturing out at night.
The comparison to squirrels is, actually, purely superficial. Cronopio was not even related to modern squirrels. At least that's what the scientists say. But I still think there is a certain unmistakable family resemblance.
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| We're in a bad mood because acorns haven't evolved yet! |
The creature is called cronopio dentiacutus. It was less than six inches long and probably ate insects. It likely survived by staying out of sight of the dinosaurs, keeping under cover and venturing out at night.
The comparison to squirrels is, actually, purely superficial. Cronopio was not even related to modern squirrels. At least that's what the scientists say. But I still think there is a certain unmistakable family resemblance.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Boycott The Universoul Circus
This traveling circus will be in Charlotte later this month, from November 15-20. Like many other circuses, including Ringling Brothers, the Universoul Circus has a long history of abuse of the animals that are used in its acts.
As I have said before in this blog, I have mixed feelings about the work and philosophies of PETA. However, on the issues surrounding exploitation of animals in circuses and other entertainment businesses, I am in full, 100 percent agreement with them. Here is PETA's fact sheet concerning the Universoul Circus, which details a troubling record of abuse and terrible living conditions.
The video below, shot earlier this year, shows a tiger at the Universoul Circus with its paw caught under the door of its cage. You can see that not only is the tiger in terrible distress, but that the tigers at this circus live in terrible, cramped cages.
Please, if this circus or any other circus that uses animals comes to your town, do not patronize it. The animals in these shows live under terrible, abusive conditions that no creature should be forced to endure in the name of "entertainment."
As I have said before in this blog, I have mixed feelings about the work and philosophies of PETA. However, on the issues surrounding exploitation of animals in circuses and other entertainment businesses, I am in full, 100 percent agreement with them. Here is PETA's fact sheet concerning the Universoul Circus, which details a troubling record of abuse and terrible living conditions.
The video below, shot earlier this year, shows a tiger at the Universoul Circus with its paw caught under the door of its cage. You can see that not only is the tiger in terrible distress, but that the tigers at this circus live in terrible, cramped cages.
Please, if this circus or any other circus that uses animals comes to your town, do not patronize it. The animals in these shows live under terrible, abusive conditions that no creature should be forced to endure in the name of "entertainment."
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