Recent Blog Comments : Tehachapi News

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

I will say that I support McCain on appointing conservative judges that follow the Constitution and not their personal views.

As for abortion, I don't support it and believe that even in rape and incest abortion should not be allowed. However, I am mixed on that part also. The reason I am mixed is because per my religious beliefs and the knowledge that many rape and incest victim if forced to keep the baby would possibly hurt or even kill themselves. So by that stance, I believe it should be up to the woman who was raped or a victim of incest to decide if they should carry the baby to term due the possible risk to the woman's life. What I am completely against is how some women use abortion as a form of birth control when simple preventive measures could prevent the whole thing. Condoms, the pill, diaphragm, etc.

Who Is Destroying Christianity In America? : "Who Is Destroying Christianity In America?"

Fire Democrat voters first. These voters bankrupt business and cause high unemployment by voting for massive taxation for freebees. Barack promotes massive taxation for freebees so he can buy millions of voters with someone else's money. Barack will try to put the blame on others.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

countygirl, I happen to agree with you about parental notification, as long as there's a provision to protect the child in cases of abuse or incest. No one would want an abuser to control the body of a teenager.

McCain would have control over appointments to the courts, not just the SCOTUS but at the federal level, too. These judges do have influence over how a law is interpreted. It's very possible for Roe v. Wade to be overturned, then the issue would revert back to the states. Secondly, McCain would have control over federal policies, and that means control over federal funding for medical services provided to government employees. That includes military personnel, and their access to birth control & abortion. Lastly, McCain doesn't even know if insurance companies should cover birth control devices, even if they do cover such drugs as Viagra. I'm sorry, but that's a scary position for him to take, from my POV.

As far as Palin goes, she is against abortions even in the cases of rape & incest. I understand that her POV follows from the idea that life begins at conception, and that life must be protected up to the point where it would cause a woman's death, but the idea of forcing a woman to carry to term a pregnancy against her will is just abhorrent to me. Especially when she can just take a pill to prevent implantation should conception occur after a rape, to which Palin obviously objects. About half of all fertilized eggs never implant in a woman's body & are flushed out without the woman even knowing fertilization has occurred. Should efforts be made to save these eggs in Palin's worldview? It would follow, based on her current positions. Sounds pretty authoritarian, to me.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "SEX...its in all our minds"

Jewels, you will never let this go, will ya? You have been hounding me for over 2 years about my Atheism. Is it a control freak thing? I am a non-believer and trust me, it PAINS me to keep having to explain myself to you. But, once again, and for the last time I will defend myself to you.

I wilI talk of your God often, the fact that so many people believe in a God makes God real to me. God does exists for me, but only through the beliefs of others. I talk about all different kinds of religions and Gods because I embrace every ones belief. Live and Let Live is my motto. I don't have to state that I am an Atheist every time I talk about God do I?

The sacred cow in India cannot be eaten, it's a sin punishable by death.

I will never eat beef in India out of respect the people who live there.

No, I don't believe that cows are sacred, but the people in India do...thus the statement above is very real to me as is your God. You have never seen me disrespect anyones belief, please try and return the favor to me Jewels.

Give me a break on this issue. OK Jewels, "my friend"? I'm really getting tired of you trying to convince me, or force me to believe in something simply because you do. Let it Go. Trying to control others isn't healthy, and my believer "friends" don't judge me, they love me for who I am. Please don't do this to me again, I had enough of this last year. I will not respond to any more of your comments about my beliefs. If you don't understand that a non-believer can talk about God with respect by now... you never will. Atheists are not anti-God, they simply don't believe in him/her/it as others do.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "SEX...its in all our minds"

SPARKS?

Now i am at work so i didnt have a chance to read your replies to this blog thoroughly. But in your first reply you talk about God creating Adam and Eve....I thought you were an Athiest? I am not trying to start any crap 1st thing in the morning, i was just trying to get my facts straight... Have a wonderful day my friend.

Movin' On Up! : "A LETTER FROM A DEAR OLD FRIEND!"

My cousin sent me this, so I thought I'd pass it on...I hope the day never comes when jets stop flying -even if it's over a football game...

Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by
civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its
planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were.

A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back.
Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the
local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her
day at the mall. When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB
officer, it must have stung quite a bit.

The complaint:

'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base:

Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely
9:11 a.m., a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over
Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500
feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need
this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at
Mervyns early bird special? Any response would be appreciated.

The response:

Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' (Letters, Thursday):

On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship flyby of
F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over
the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques.. Capt. Fresques was an Air Force
officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was
killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland
Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and
friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because
of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the
playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques
as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United
States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand
the sacrifices they have endured.

A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those
who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators
and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer
witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show?' The
56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to
the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it
was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of
their lives.

Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.

USAF

Movin' On Up! : "ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN LAPEL PINS"

You quoted some fellow named Joe Vogler. That proves nothing about Palin's views. That is just a group smear, almost certainly based on a too-literal acceptance of rhetorical excess. If you were here, you read my defense of Reverend Wright and my dismissal of the phony Obama-related "scandal" on the same grounds.

As for abortion, Sarah Palin's position is that of Susan B. Anthony and Dorothy Day. Pretty good progressive company in my opinion - hardly "agents of inolerance".

No argument about excessive flag waving, but it is a political convention - a normal place for that sort of national symbol display.

And uber alles means "above all". Use of such a phrase by the Nazis hardly requires we remove "above", "all", or even "country" from the dictionary.

Reffup - A Mirror image of me : "That Dam Liberal Media"

I watched the video and find a couple things wrong with it.

Palin's daughter verses Jamie Spears - Was Palin allowing her daughter's boyfriend to live within the house? As far as I understand no, but in Spears' case her boyfriend lived and and slept in the same room with her mother's knownledge.

The experience of Governor - Yes there is a double standard here and Karl Rove was wrong to say one thing and then another. However, I did find that the left is just as bad on this. Jimmy Carter had about the same level of executive leadership as Palin does, with Carter having the edge. http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jc39.html

The sexist measure - The difference here is that Hillary herself complained about it, Palin has not. It was Hillary that wanted to be treated different because of her gender, I haven't heard Palin say that. In any case, I don't believe races of gender should be an issue as I want a leader that will do the best for the country.

Who Is Destroying Christianity In America? : "Who Is Destroying Christianity In America?"

John McCain may cause the revolutionaries, who have been brainwashed and programmed by the Democrat (Communist) party, to see how they are being used and abused.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

whats not to like, she has that seductive secretary look....oops did i say that?????? I think last night was a big shock and awe for alot of people, she opened up to millions on national TV, and only few people read the papers. she may not have substance in her speech but she show tenacity and thats what most republicans were lacking, i think she will push them and they will like it :)

im still up in the air for who im gonna vote for thou, i still need to do more research on obama and his party. now that both have spoken, im sure the mudslinging is gonna get bad.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

I swear almost the entire hour of Showbiz Tonight was about Palin- and guess what, I actually watched it all. They were talking about her glasses and her hair and her kids- funny stuff. They also debated whether she's a bigger celeb than Omaba now.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "McSame??? more like McChange"

Well, I like what he's saying about finances and energy. We'll see if he follows through if he's elected.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

A 14 year old shouldn't tell her parents about an abortion? That's none of our business!! Tell that to parents who have lost children due to complications, infections, etc. , but didn't get their kids treatment right away because they had no clue that their child had had an operation preformed on them. Child molesters and manipulators love your kind of thinking. Why does a minor need a parents signature to get their ears pierced, take any meds at school, or ANY operation, but they can go get an abortion without their consent? Bush is more pro-life than McCain is and abortion is still legal after his 8 year run.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

Not so he is already on the record saying he will appoint conservative judges who are anti-abortion... again it is no one's business but the womans. She shoudl not have to tell her parents, or anyone. It is her body not, mine or yours or the governments.

Movin' On Up! : "ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN LAPEL PINS"

ProgressoDasani

You wish is my command.

Yes, your point was well taken about the aquisition of Alaska. So much so, that I stipulated to its accuracy by not commenting on it. Where I think you are missing the boat is in suggesting that I am "defending the policies that led to Alaska's aquisition and annexation" (your words) which I am not. I am rather pointing out the hypocrisy of one Sarah Palin who holds those views disguising them to seek higher office. If Palin is so deeply resentful of the "imperialism" (again, your word) that "delivered Alaska" to its current owner, let her say this instead of climbing the ladder to push the agenda of the religious right. These are the same folks that vote primarily on the issues of abortion, gays and teaching creation in science class who 8 years ago McCain called the"agents of intolerance". Now this "maverick" cant wait to run with the herd as long as they vote for him.

The theme of the RNC was "Country First". I believe this is the English translation of "Uber allis".

Patriotism and love of country are noble but like all things even these noble qualities can become excessive, especially when being done as a diversionary tactic to allow a politician to pick your pocket further. Nationalism and flag waving can be done to excess as it was in Germany in the 30s. If military service alone was all it took to constitute greatness, then one of our heros would have surely been Tim McVeigh!

Lets see this guy take care of today and tomorrow's veterans by demonstrating it with his votes and pick a running mate for the right reasons and not JUST to coax "the agents of intolerance" back into his corner.

Here is a little treat for those of you who want to see Carl Rove have his a** handed to

him. http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com:80/cc_insider/2008/09/jon-stewart-ann.html

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

Reffup- Tell me........What exactly do you think will change as far as abortion laws if McCain is elected president? My guess is NOTHING. It will still be legal to get an abortion if you want one and you'll still be able to get an abortion if your child isn't considered healthy enough. So there you go. Nothing will change as far as that is concerned except, just maybe doctors might have to inform YOU 48 hrs prior to your underage daughters scheduled abortion. I can see why that is a frightening thought, can't you!!??

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

sort like the party that is supposed to be for personal freedoms, and small government, until it comes to a woman's right to control her own body.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

Is it just me or do the protesters at the rep conventions always seem more violent... Firebombing plots??

THANK YOU! Many of these protesters are all for peace, and anti-war so it really makes no sense to me at all.

McCain should just forfeit! : "Zzzarah Plain.....No solutions, just accusations."

Actually, she was accused of hiding her son by a poster right here in the Tehachapi News. And "syndrome kid" - nice crack, liberal guy....I can see you really care about people....

But now she gets criticized for introducing the family.....As if it isn't Standard Operating Procedure to stand on the podium with the spouse and kids. Gimme a break.

But WHY would you want him to pick Condolezza Rice, Lo? Are you serious? Are you that anxious for more war, Lo?

You tell me - because you presumably dislike Bush because he's given you that....tell me what you are thinking...or smoking...

Movin' On Up! : "A LETTER FROM A DEAR OLD FRIEND!"

Okay, just stay off Marty, cos I've totally got dibbs.

McCain should just forfeit! : "Zzzarah Plain.....No solutions, just accusations."

Nope.

There were plenty other Republican women he could've chosen but instead he acted like a politician, not a Maverick.

I am really mad he didn't choose Condoleeza Rice. I wonder why????

McCain should just forfeit! : "Got commuting info?"

Great information....Thank you lots..............Really helped.......

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

Is it just me or do the protesters at the rep conventions always seem more violent... Firebombing plots?? Molotov cocktails?? Anarchists trashing a very nice city?? So odd! I don't mind the anarchists, but do they have to be so destructive?

I'm Still Kicking... : "Involuntary Dogslaughter"

Did any of you see the video from one of the news stations this morning regarding the dumping of animals in East Bakersfield. It showed dogs almost getting hit by cars. I guess the man that called it in has rescued around 60 animals so far and just can't take it anymore. It was terribly sad to watch.

I killeda squirrel and felt terrible. Hitting the dog must have really hurt your heart . You know it wasn't your fault. Karma will get the cruel person who dumped the dog.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

I watched the Democratic convention as well and yes they were overly enthusiastic-the crowd mentality I guess. The difference was that I knew that until very recently Guiliani & McCain had never heard of Palin and all the talk was just BS. from G. and she did not write her speech-as nice as it was. I know they all have speech writers but I just see BSBSBSBSBSBS when any of the Republicans are speaking. I have always voted Republican but I can't at this time do that.

I'm Still Kicking... : "Involuntary Dogslaughter"

Thank you, friends, for your empathy and encouragement. I was able to sleep w/o dreaming of that doggy last night, finally.

I'm Still Kicking... : "Involuntary Dogslaughter"

Wow charlie!!! I am so sorry you had to experiance this horrific incident!! May peace be with you.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

lol, all in the job of the editor, who to show and when to show it, ya some of the people were over reacting but i guess thats what happens, even at the democratic convention, people looking like they are on crack bouncing all over the place :) happens in both worlds.

We will see what Mccain says tonight

Looking to join or start a Book Club : "Book Club Forming in Cummings Valley"

storilori - Hope you are reading Three Cups of Tea. Haven't heard from you by email and I am putting together the book club list. Can you contact me so I can get your direct email info and send you directions. By the way, I never commented about the picture of you in Santa Cruz. My daughter is going into her Sr. year at UC Santa Cruz and I go up there several times a year. U really like it. I also requested you to put me as a friend. I noticed you have Larry Brown as a friend. I've known him for at least 15 years. We are from the same area of Agoura Hills. His band actually played at my birthday party almost 10 years ago. Funny how you can find so many things in common. I have a list of 6 people - with you it would be 7 and I am getting the names of 3 other ladies - so we should be 10............ I usually read fiction which I find faster moving. I think this guy is amazing but it is not as fast or as thrilling a read as usual. I am really starting to think about the next book. So....... I hope you are still planning to participate.

I'm Still Kicking... : "Involuntary Dogslaughter"

Charlee, I feel your pain and your anger, thank you for sharing your story, I know it was difficult.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

The whole convention creeped me out. The quick shots on the old Vets, smiling old ladies, Jubilant party members shaking their fists reminded me of an old movie -The Manchurian Candidate. A bit surreal.

I could see it in her eyes -the whole buying into the words that were scripted for her. Still she seemed pretty normal beyond what I was feeling. A bit paranoid sounding I know but COME ON!

I'm Still Kicking... : "Involuntary Dogslaughter"

Charlee, thank you for sharing that. I hope it has helped you somewhat by telling us about it. Without meaning to, this may sound cold, but the dog is probably better off now. He's no longer running loose or sitting in a cage at a shelter waiting for D-day not understanding why his life took such a turn. I share your anger at the asshole who dumped the dog.

I've never hit a dog or cat, just a little squirrel, but like you, I was devastated. I hope I never experience that again.

As I've said before, I'm a firm believer in Karma.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

Earlier this she year used her line-item veto to slash funding by 20% for Covenant House Alaska which has several programs and shelters for kids in trouble, including Passage House which is a place for unwed teen mothers to live. Yeah, she's tough.

And her attempts to belittle Senator Obama was shameful. I was hoping to hear something that maybe would change my opinion...nope. She's attractive and can make a public speech well, although her use of a very old joke about pitbulls and lipstick (only she changed a woman with PMS to Hockey mom) was lame.

None of my undecided female voting friends was impressed either, so I guess that's how the cookie crumbles...

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

exactly...stretched the truth... http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/04/politics/animal/main4414049.shtml

Movin' On Up! : "A LETTER FROM A DEAR OLD FRIEND!"

I kinda liked the big McFly sunglasses myself!

: "Homework Overload!!!!!"

Yes, same here rm6!!!! And I went to nursing school and did spend more study time on anatomy/physiology but not my other classes.

I just met with my daughters teachers yesterday at JMS and was pleased with their attitude. We are to do 30 min of Social Sudies HW a night (we did 1 hr 15 min the night before just in SS!) and if we don't finish, I just intial it and mark 30 min. She will grade according on what was completed with no penalty for not finishing. More important, they will not ask her to read outloud in class and agreed not to circle every error on her writing and grade it on whether she has the concept or not.

Movin' On Up! : "ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN LAPEL PINS"

Swilli - you think maybe that's why he made these statements? ;)

"We have a lot of work to do. It's a very hard struggle, particularly given the situation on the Iraq-Pakistan border." --referring to a border that does not exist, ABC News interview, July 21, 2008

"I was concerned about a couple of steps that the Russian government took in the last several days. One was reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia." --referring to a country that no longer exists, Phoenix, Arizona, July 14, 2008

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

And I get no credit for writing about the rockin' draw-string pants??

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

Joty, as for personal shortcomings, I have some, perhaps including some of the ones of which you have repeatedly informed me. But I described your remark as sexist, not you. Only after you and Lo came after me personally did I fire off my "racist agrees with the sexist" remark, which given the context, I think should be understood as a wisecrack. I don't think you are sexist. I always assumed - and said - that your opposition to Palin's politics motivated the questions.

But that reflexive reach for the handy stick, as I also said a few post back, is harmful to politics in general, and to Obama in particular. To his personal credit, he has discouraged some of them - and pointed out that he is the son of a teenage mother himself - even though many would have considered his abortion at that time to be have been the "best for all involved", and he deserves credit for that, if not for more effectively pulling his surrogates off this counter-productive line of attack, one that is both easily parried by the Republicans and which they may well turn to their advantage. I think some forget which candidate I favor!

I'll be happy for anyone to measure the responses I have provided specific points raised by another, Taking another person seriously and engaging in substantive discussion within areas of disagreement is a mark of respect in itself.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "SEX...its in all our minds"

hehehe sorry i had to post this, i played dungeons and dragons when i was a kid, makes sense now :)

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

Pros: She ignited the conservative base.

Cons: Didn't have much as far as policy is concerned. Reffup pretty much summed up what I was thinking. Oh yeah, her divisive rhetoric may have turned off the moderate independents (that McCain sorely needs) who are sick of divisive politics (me being one of them). The John McCain of 2000 is dead and gone.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "SEX...its in all our minds"

SPARKS?

McCain should just forfeit! : "Got commuting info?"

you can check the bus schedule from bakersfield to lancaster or vice versa by looking on east kern express.com my kids have nevver had a problem taking it to bakersfield college. it is only 2 bucks it maks several stops and there are others busses in bakes that you transfer to to get where you need to be. it doesnt work for everyone. i am glad it works for us. couldnt afford the gas or wear and tear on an auto plus i feel its safe. it seems to have a lot of teh people using it.

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

You're right PD. I bow to your superiority. You know all, see all. I am a sexist. I'm such a sexist that Hilliary - (omg, she was a mother as well) was my candidate of choice and I left the Democratic party when she wasn't chosen - oh, but wait, now you'll spin it to the other side that the only reason I wanted Hillary was because of her sex. When did my ONE rhetorical question become plural? Other bloggers addressed it without labeling me, but as I stated in Sam's blog, I have to consider the source because - what was the phrase you threw out at me and MrLo - oh yeah, "it's your style".

Why aren't you in politics - you can dance, spin, put words in other people's mouths, tell them what they are thinking, avoid answering questions, etc.

This will be the last time I respond to you. You once lamented about trying to have conversations. You don't want conversations, you want to sit up there on your pedestal and talk down to people. You live to argue. You obviously don't have much else to do, when there's nothing to argue about you don't join in. You may be well educated, but you failed basic humanity 101.

You're the blog equivelent of a school yard bully - and not worth my time. By the way, is the air real thin up there where you've placed yourself?

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "SEX...its in all our minds"

Riceme lol you didnt see my post on this?????

http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/Yasobich/30162

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

Found this in an AP story, many things Palin said last night "stretched the truth"

PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."

THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."

PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform _ not even in the state senate."

THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.

PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."

THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.

Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.

He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.

Facts sure are pesky things.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

I didn't care much for the speech. I want to hear solutions and policy, not attacks. There was no substence except the usual Republicans are great, democrats want to tax you and therefore are bad. What I came away with from her speech is the following. I guess it is a bad thing to work to improve the life of others as a community organizer, you can only have value if you earn a lot of money. I guess it is bad to be smart, gifted and talented. You can be dumb, inept, and untalented as long as you have "executive experience" or have been in the military or a POW. I guess it is wrong to work hard and get an Ivy League education. (I guess it is better to be given an opportunity at an education at the taxpayer's expense, and cherish it so much your finish fifth form the bottom of your class.) I get that small town people are good people, I grew up in a small town and I am awesome ;). But that automatically implies the opposite, people from big towns are bad. That is not the case, as many of us know.

I thought there were a couple stretches of the truth in her speech. She was not against the "bridge to nowhere" until it became politically unpopular, even then she did not return the money to the U.S. government, she spent it else where in her state. "If our state wanted a bridge, we'd build it ourselves. When oil and gas prices went up dramatically, and filled up the state treasury, I sent a large share of that revenue back where it belonged - directly to the people of Alaska" Alaska recieves 6.60 in return for every dollar it contributes via gas tax. Conversely callifornia gets $.91 for every dollar. http://rockproducts.com/mag/rock_donor_states_giving/ It should be the exact opposite. And yet every year each Alaskan resident gets 1200 or so from oil revenue.

At times I thought the speech sounded high schoolish ( I listened to the speech over XM radio but did not watch it).

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "SEX...its in all our minds"

She mentioned it just recently, too... I'm disappointed that there was a whole sex thread that I totally missed. Sheesh!

Am I the only one here who thinks that prostitution should not be illegal? Have we had this conversation before?? I can't recall.

Spam code: HYTHN ... seriously.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "SEX...its in all our minds"

hey sparks i now remember where you told us you read the happy hooker, here on this blog :)

Movin' On Up! : "A LETTER FROM A DEAR OLD FRIEND!"

LABrown: The hot drawstring crotch pants aside, that's the best short read I've had in a long time. I am LOVING Marty.

But I also can't get over the greatness of that photo... It's a keeper. Those pants are really quite... epic.

: "Homework Overload!!!!!"

heh...I had more homework in high school than I have in college...

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

I liked her speech. She seems very down to earth to me. I do wish she would have talked a bit more about her plans for our future instead of defending her experience. I don't really blame her for that though, she was kind of forced to do it.

McCain should just forfeit! : "Zzzarah Plain.....No solutions, just accusations."

And if she hadn't you'd be accusing her of being ashamed of them, or "hiding" them. Seriously, we get it, you can't stand her. The only thing you would have been happy with is if she would have announced she wouldn't be running as VP.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

People are always saying why cant a normal everyday person run for office. Well I think they got just that from this lady. Real life experience is needed more then foreign affairs experience in the country. I want someone that knows that a tank of gas cost, or what a tax increase would do to my household.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

I liked her speech too. The comment on the difference between Hockey Moms and Pitbulls was a good description, only it goes for Moms period...not just Hockey Moms. Moms all over can be Pitbulls when it comes to working for causes they believe in. The juggling of their time in order to get things accomplished can be amazing, and they'll fight to the finish to protect their family and homes.

Fun Stuff and Pickle Soup : "Palin is a tough cookie"

You're right! She's a tough cookie. I loved her speech! She's got it as far as I'm concerned. Even some of the news media gave her good marks, which was amazing.

As far as any misbehaving issues she has, so what. There is not one politician in my opinion that hasn't or isn't misbehaving in some manner.

I love living in Tehachapi, I ain't lion... : "A Real Debate About A Real Issue"

I wrote the below true story for the Tehachapi Humane Society Newsletter that is coming out.

About two weeks ago, the daughter of one of our long time members called me asking what she could do to help two feral cats that had started coming around her home. The story goes like this:

Last year some kittens started coming around her home. She felt certain they were from a neighbor’s cat, but when the neighbors were approached they said it wasn’t their cat…never mind the fact that they kept their garage door partially open and had cat food out. Anyway, she decided to take in two of the kittens to socialize them and then found a home for them. Something happened to where the person couldn’t keep them after all so she took them back and made her home theirs.

To get back to the ferals, she thinks these two ferals are the brother and sister to her two cats and she wanted to know if we had traps available as the male had a horrible wound on the side of his face and was limping. I took her a trap, and in the course of our conversation she mentioned she was a “dog person”, not a cat person. Didn’t see any dog, but there were cat toys, scratching posts, cat beds in various areas of her house…then she introduced me to her two cats. Real beauties! She combs them a lot, and their fur is like rabbit fur; you part it and can’t see skin it’s so thick and even though they are shorthairs their fur feels soft as silk. But she’s a dog person.

I showed her how to set up the trap as she said that she had made an appointment to have the male cat treated for his wounds and be neutered also. Then she said his sister looked pregnant and she wondered if I could tell when she would be due. I saw the sister on the breezeway and felt by her roundness she would probably have them within two weeks or less. She thought about it and wondered if she could trap her and then keep her confined until the babies were born, socialize the kittens and work to find homes for them then spay the mama when it was feasible. I told her I had a cage I could loan her if she wanted to do that and then I had another cage if she needed it for the male to be able to treat his wounds. She took me up on the offer of the cages. But she’s a dog person.

She trapped the male, had him neutered, his wounds treated, an antibiotic shot given, and then vaccinated him and even though she used our Feral Cat Voucher, it still cost her around $100 for her share of the neuter plus all the other stuff. But she’s a dog person.

Shortly after that, she called me with a dilemma…she had caught mama but was leaving on vacation to visit her son for two weeks and was afraid that if mama had her babies while she was gone it would be too much for her mother to handle. She asked if I thought she could use my cage to take mama with her on vacation. I said yes, it was ok with me. So that’s what she did. But she’s a dog person.

I received a call this past week letting me know that mama had six babies right after she got to her son’s house, and she’ll be bringing them home with her when her visit with her son is over. But she’s a dog person.

I’d say she’s a kind and loving person.

Movin' On Up! : "A LETTER FROM A DEAR OLD FRIEND!"

Sorry PD,but I like the jets,regardless of the occasion,but also on the 4th.Particularly when I'm on the east-side in the mountains or desert and they are fast and low.I've been to quite a few air-shows and love the rumble.

I love living in Tehachapi, I ain't lion... : "A Real Debate About A Real Issue"

Love your stories Sharon!

Oh-and my vote's for dogs!Cats are nice,and I've loved quite a few,but I'm a dog-person!

I love living in Tehachapi, I ain't lion... : "A Real Debate About A Real Issue"

Estaban is a GREAT name for a duck. I love to see what names people come up with for their pets. People can be so clever when naming animal family members.

I love living in Tehachapi, I ain't lion... : "A Real Debate About A Real Issue"

Awww... I don't know if I love Bertha or Esteban more! Great story-telling, Sharonc. Thank you!!

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

ummm...since the word is in quotation marks, I guess you don't 1) recognize it and/or 2) find sexism objectionable when its used against someone you don't like.

As for conversation, I'll take your response as a "No".

Have fun with your talking points, oohchild. Say HI! to Shaun for me next time you talk past him....

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

What's strange is the fact that no one here has addressed any of the truly political failings of Palin. The conversation always returns to the "objectionable" remarks made about her personal choices.

She supports earmarks for her state, against the stated policy of her running mate McCain. She was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it. She has a habit of firing people who refuse to support her causes. She's under investigation for abuse of power, and she's refusing to testify unless her demands are met.

Several posters here wrote of their support for her nomination. What's the deal with all these problems?

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

Whose "experience" would you choose from?

Obama:
B.A in political science from Columbia University, with a specialization in international relations
J.D. in Law from Harvard, graduated magna cum laude;President of the Harvard Law Review
12 years (92-04) teaching constitutional law
7 years State Senator: sponsored more than 800 bills
4 years Senator for Illinos, a state with 12.8 million people

Palin:
Bachelor's in journalism from University of Idaho
4 years Wasilla City Council (8000 people)
6 years Wasilla mayor (8000 people)
1 year "Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission"
20 months governor of a state with 660,000 people

The big difference between Obama and Palin is clear...THE PEOPLE ELECTED OBAMA to represent them as President. There are Millions of People that believe Obama has the experience necessary to be Commander and Chief. Now Palin on the other hand was picked at the last minute by a desperate candidate whose first two VP choices (Ridge, Leiberman) were rejected by the conservative right. A real "Maverick" would have stuck to his guns. Instead he bowed down to the extreme right of his party and caved in. NOW the GOP is trying to sell us on this HAND PICKED candidate as a representative of change and reform? They're trying to sell us that she has more "Experience" then both Obama and Biden? How stupid do they think we are? Now I know the GOP doesn't believe in hand outs and affirmative action, but this looks like affirmative action at it's worst! Stop insulting people's intelligence and for you republicans out there, you should demand better from your party! YOU'RE BEING HIJACKED BY THE FAR RIGHT ONCE AGAIN! THE SAME FAR RIGHT THAT PUT GEORGE W. IN OFFICE! DON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN!

Movin' On Up! : "ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN LAPEL PINS"

If I were a member of Congress, I'd vote "no" on everything until they balanced the budget and got their priorities straight. That's why I'd never win an election :)

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

Actually, oohchild, I don't know it. The questions Joty posed were grossly sexist - invited to explain how they weren't, she chose instead to make fun of my sentence-structure. If you want to try where she doesn't, fire away.

Yeah, brothers and sisters often help out with younger kids - that's usually considered a good thing. Your experience, if any, may vary. I certainly don't appreciate the whiff of jackboot in your claim of what "raises the risk", nor your claim of objectivity when you almost certainly do not have it, nor your attempt to push religion not only from the public sphere, but from the familial one as well.

If you want to talk about "abstinence-only", teen pregnancy, teen-marriage, and how the hell you would know what is "best for all involved", I addressed that in this blog, yesterday. Go back a page, read what I said, and try a conversation if you wish, instead of re-recitation of your talking ponts.

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

Of course a woman can be both a mom & president, PD, that's not the point. And you know it.

The questions come in when it seems (to an objective viewer) that her children are lacking in parental control. Her eldest girl is pregnant, which raises the risk for her other children. She has a special needs infant, who she seems to be foisting off to her other children to babysit. She obviously supports abstinence-only education, which has been proven time & again to be terribly ineffective in addressing teen pregnancy, and this casts doubt on her judgment. Her support of a teen marriage also calls into question her ability to separate her personal faith from what's best for all involved.

She talks about fiscal responsibility, yet supports earmarks when they're politically helpful to her community. She was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it. She's embroiled in an investigation considering her abuse of power, and refuses to testify about her role in it (unless her demands are met.) She habitually fires public employees when they refuse to kowtow to her wishes.

There's a place & time for everything. She young & relatively inexperienced. Perhaps this run for VP would be better persued in the future, when her children won't need her day to day input as much as they need it now.

Movin' On Up! : "ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN LAPEL PINS"

Why is this news? A successionist leader speaks in an inflammatory manner? Who would guess!

But cripes, LA - I addressed this in THE OTHER blog you launched, and posed several questions from a Progressive perspective asking why the imperial policies that resulted in the acquisition and annexation of Alaska should be defended and honored now. If you want to actually discuss this matter, as opposed to creating a blog-equivalent of a lapel pin, you could have responded - and still could - there.

Nice flag lapel you're holding in the pic, btw.

Movin' On Up! : "ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN LAPEL PINS"

In general, anyone reaching the grand old age of 72 is not going to be thinking in a clear, linear manner. We can't help it. It's just a given, a force of nature, and, in some cases, preferable to the "alternative." No matter how an individual may agree or disagree with a particular party's platform, the age thing is a pretty indisputable strike against McCain. Perhaps this played a part in his selection of Gov. Palin.

Who Is Destroying Christianity In America? : "Who Is Destroying Christianity In America?"

Democrats going berserk: They can't stand a woman with family values. Don't vote Democrat.

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

The knowness or the unknowness of the nominee have nothing to do with the italcized, and quite sexist, questions, Joty. If you think they are valid questions, how about explaning why they are not asked, and would never be asked, about a male candidate.

Why are you defending and persisting in this sexist line of questioning? I mean really - "can a woman be president when she has children to take care of" - what kind of barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen throwback line is that?!?

Moments of Madness : "Kimi Peck -"Dog Rescue" "

Kimi Peck, however, does NOT fit the description of an animal hoarder, Ms. haynes?

The Weedpatch Gazette : "The Weedpatch Gazette"

Okay, now I understand, thanks awsmom! I didn't think IVF required what Sam described, but since I've never gone through it I wasn't sure.

What you said makes perfect sense. All the stuff I was finding regarding Sam's quote kept referring to orbs & other such nonsense, so I was just getting more confused.

The Weedpatch Gazette : "The Weedpatch Gazette"

That is partially true awsmom; the electric current is found effective apart from cloning for IVF when nature doesn't seem to do the job as you described.

The Weedpatch Gazette : "The Weedpatch Gazette"

My understanding is that the electrical charge is only needed in cloning. In cloning, the nucleus (including the DNA) is removed from the egg, which now makes the egg not genetically related to the egg donor. Then a cell from the person to be "cloned" is inserted to the area where the the nucleus was, and the egg now has the DNA of the cloned person. But since there was no sperm involved, an electrical shock is applied to start the process of cell division. In nature, when the sperm penatrates an egg, there is an electrical charge across the surface, which "seals off" the egg from fertilazation from more than 1 sperm. In IVF, an electrical charge is not needed because the eggs and sperm are mixed together in a Petri dish, resulting in a situation similar to nature. After fertilization, the eggs are allowed to divide in the Petri dish until they are a 6-8 cell blastocyst, then are transfered into to moms uterus and hopefully attach to the lining and a baby (or babies!) grow.

This is a brief but hopefully simple explaination of IVF vs cloning and the need for an electrical impulse for cloning. Clear a mud?

Both my kids are from IVF....

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

Trying to turn valid questions and concerns regarding an unknown - voiced by BOTH parties - into sexism is even sillier.

lol Swilli!!!!

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

Oh gee.... so that's why I wasn't asked to be veep on anyone's ticket. When I googled my name, it came up blank. What a sorry state of affairs. After all, I am female... and very conservative when it comes to recycling and my budget. Perhaps a bit too long in the tooth, though. Can't have two senior citizens running the government. I never won any beauty contests either. That's three strikes against me. I'm out!!!

The Weedpatch Gazette : "The Weedpatch Gazette"

“During in vitro fertilization the human embryo is given an electrical jolt to spark-off cell division. The purpose of this routine electrical intervention is not known. All is known is that cell division is unlikely to occur in the absence of this electrical intervention. According to plasma metaphysics (Our Invisible Bodies, 2006), this electrical spark is necessary to generate a plasma bubble which acts as a catalyst during embryogenesis. Unlike a biomolecular environment, a plasma environment allows long-range correlations, without which a 3 dimensional structure could not be projected from a 1 dimensional gene. An embryo within a human body is protected by the plasma bubble (i.e. the physical-etheric double) of the mother and inherits a bubble within this environment. (In this process, it acquires what the Qigong literature refers to as ‘prenatal qi’.)”

Fascinating, especially “The purpose of this routine electrical intervention is not known.” Those of us who credit the Bible story of Creation being drawn from facts have no trouble with the claim that God is a spirit, that the spirit of God energizes life, is in fact the source of all life. My own thought of the soul not being formed at birth but needs to be nourished and tended like a seed has its basis in distinguishing between spirit and soul, that while the soul that sins may die the spirit does not but continues in continuity with God our Creator. That some such spirits may take the form of orbs that have been observed here on earth is still the stuff of the metaphysical and paranormal, but scientists are doing some remarkable research and making some astounding discoveries about orbs that hold some hope of bringing these studies and beliefs together.

The Weedpatch Gazette : "The Weedpatch Gazette"

"It’s almost a scene out of Frankenstein where an infinitesimal electric charge has to be induced in order for in vitro fertilization to take place and scientists do not know the reason for this."

Fascinating, Sam. I'd like some more information about this part of IVF. Is there a description somewhere about this electric charge, and some text describing the scientists' confusion about the need for it?

Has anyone here ever had IVF? Did your doctor go over this part of the process?

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

The context of that video is clear - she's saying the VP job would have to present challenges and opportunities to her greater than what she gets from her current job. As if making fun of what of the VP's job isn't a standing joke anyway. Trying to turn that into some confession of ignorance is just silly.

Google vetting process or not, I'm thinking that Obama is worried about this woman. She energizes the Republican base, and democrats are tying themselves in knots trying to attack her on the most sexist grounds (she should stay home with her kids, her daughter needs her, she won't be able to handle emergencies with a family to worry about, will she have enough time for her family) imaginable. Not the kind of attack line likely to work. It creates resentment with those with open minds, and dissonance among Obama's base, who recognize their incongruity.

A Byte Of Tehachapi : "Don't Cry"

Awsmom... you go girl! (smile)

Moments of Madness : "Kimi Peck -"Dog Rescue" "

Check out the statement by Denise Haynes (I've highlighted it) so I finally get it, because Kimi makes a failed attempt at cleaning her house and has 1 worker it makes the difference between her and the "Anita Gilberts of the world". Gosh, thanks Denise, it's all clear to me now!

Hoarders pose challenge to animal control officials; one sought simultaneously in Riverside, Kern counties

By GAIL WESSON
The Press-Enterprise
Anita Gilbert is a wanted woman. So is Barbara Ryan. Under two names, one 53-year- old woman is being sought by authorities in Kern and Riverside counties for failing to appear in court last month to face felony animal-cruelty charges. She is accused of mistreating animals in her care.
Authorities in both counties consider the woman an animal hoarder, someone who keeps more animals than she is able to care for.
In September 2006, Riverside County Department of Animal Services officials told of finding cats, dogs and mice in what they described as squalid conditions inside a home rented by Ryan in a quiet, tidy Hemet neighborhood. Neighbors described an odor of feces strong enough to induce gagging outside the house.
Inside, urine and feces saturated drywall in a pantry, causing it to disintegrate, according to an arrest warrant declaration. In another room, one animal control officer wrote, "There were two dogs fighting over a dead cat. The urine, feces and decaying-flesh stench in the room was overwhelming. The floor was covered in trash, empty animal food cans, feces, and filthy animal carriers."
Officers confiscated 15 small- to medium-size dogs and 23 cats from the home. A city code enforcement officer posted the house as unsafe to occupy due to unsanitary conditions.
The county's Animal Services Director Robert Miller described the scene as evoking the signs of animal hoarding.
In June, Kern County authorities seized 31 cats and 18 dogs from a warehouse occupied by Gilbert. She was quoted in a Bakersfield newspaper as saying, "I love the animals like they're my children."
It is a common reaction by hoarders, an expert says.
Catherine Toft, a professor in the Division of Biological Sciences and Center for Population Biology at UC Davis, has studied animal-hoarding research and was an expert witness in a 2004 hoarding case involving 81 dogs in Yolo County.
"They recognize that this is not normal and so close the blinds and find excuses for people not to visit," said Toft by e-mail. "In person, however, they will state emphatically that they love their animals and the animals are well cared for," she said by e-mail.
Toft quotes the work of the Hoarding Animals Research Consortium at Tufts University in Massachusetts, whose studies show hoarding is associated with psychological disorders. The chance of recidivism is high.
Tufts researchers recognize three types of hoarders. Two, the overwhelmed caregiver and rescuer hoarder, may be "helped with intervention by family, friends and social agencies," Toft noted, but the third, the exploiter hoarder, resists treatment. The person has to recognize there is a problem to accept treatment, "and the narcissist aspect of this behavior prevents that. This kind of hoarding is as resistant to treatment as say pedophilia and sexual predators," Toft wrote.
Court Failures
In the court system, researchers found, "the outcomes usually are poor," Toft said. "The court usually doesn't come up with a big enough stick" to prevent recidivism.
"It's very hard to stop the cycle. All of our training has shown us it's truly a psychological problem, very similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder," Rita Gutierrez, field services commander for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, said by phone.
Authorities prosecute under the state Penal Code's animal cruelty or failure to care for animals sections. They find the animals in "really bad living conditions, or the actual condition of the animals is very poor," Gutierrez said.
The animals become evidence while a court case is pending. They may be taken to a shelter or foster homes, or they sometimes are left on site and monitored by authorities.
Ryan did not show up for a 2006 hearing in the Hemet case, according to court records. Almost two years later, on June 16, Kern County officials arrested a woman named Anita Gilbert on suspicion of animal cruelty near Tehachapi. Boxes in a warehouse there linked her to the 2006 Hemet case. Riverside County animal control officials identified Gilbert as the woman they knew as Ryan and some animals as the same ones they observed in Hemet.
Gilbert failed to appear in court Aug.21 in Kern County and Aug. 25 in Riverside County, and the judge in each case issued a warrant for her arrest.
Denise Haynes, division chief for Kern County Animal Control, described hoarding as "when an individual owns more animals than they can properly care for, but at the same time, they don't get it, they don't know they have" too many.
"They think they are helping the animals, and nobody else cares," she said by phone.
Multiple Jurisdictions
Kern County also has a felony animal-cruelty case pending against another woman with Inland ties. Cynthia Lee Bemis, 59, of Mojave, faces misdemeanor charges of failure to care for animals in San Bernardino County, according to court records. In recent years, Haynes said, Bemis has kept as many as 250 animals.
Doug Smith, a San Bernardino County animal health investigator, said he could not comment on the Bemis case because it is pending in court.
He estimated he sees one or two cases a year in which hoarding parallels an animal abuse case. If there is a conviction, the county seeks probation terms, including that the person receive counseling and not own or possess any animals.
Authorities in another state, which he declined to identify, reported problems with a former San Bernardino County resident prosecuted here for failure to care for more than 100 cats.
Education, Permits
In Riverside County, Gutierrez estimated she has seen about one case of hoarding a year during the past five years. The county tries to educate people first -- about care, the number of animals allowed and the need for a kennel permit for larger populations. With a permit comes the ability to spot check for compliance.
"Where they are as bad as Barbara Ryan, we always go for criminal prosecution," Gutierrez said.
If there is a conviction, the county asks the judge to require counseling.

Information
To learn more about animal hoarding research, facts and solutions, visit:
ww.tufts.edu/vet/cfa/hoarding/
www.hsus.org -- search for "hoarding" to read the fact sheet.

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, September 1, 2008

I love living in Tehachapi, I ain't lion... : "A Real Debate About A Real Issue"

My parents seemed to be the type that truly believed in caring for the animals. We never had a lot of material things while I was growing up, but we did have animals!

When I was in high school, three of my girlfriends and I decided we wanted to get ducks. The Merced County Fair was coming up and they always had this game where you pitched nickels at plates and if they stuck you won a baby duck. So we girls decided this is what we were going to try for.

Well, my Mom overheard our plans and as we were going out the door called me back in to tell me I was NOT to bring home a duck! I thought rats! Now I wasn't going to be like the rest of my friends.

When we arrived at the Fair, I ran into my brother and a number of his friends and the light bulb came on over my head. I asked Lowell if he had talked to Mom before he left the house and he said only to say goodbye and to tell her what time he'd be home. I told him not to ask questions, but to get us a duck and not tell Mom anything...then gave him my bag of nickels. That's how Estaban came into our lives.

I don't know if you've had ducks, but when they are babies they latch onto anything or anyone as their Mama. He became Mom's shadow. She couldn't stand the thoughts of him being outside by himself so fixed a pen in the laundry area for him to stay in while he was a baby. Our dog Chibi San (Albino Peke) became his best buddy and would get in the pen with him. Mom would let him out off and on during the day to be with her when she'd go out in the yard or be working in the kitchen. When he was in the house area, she would put baggies on him like diapers so he wouldn't mess up the house.

He ate with the cats and dogs, and loved Gravy Train. He didn't seem to care for the meal food we bought specifically for him so he was raised on the Gravy Train with other stuff he found out in the yard. He got along great with the other animals, and would play with Chibi San out in the yard. People would stop their cars and bang on the door to tell us the dog was killing the duck and about that time Estaban would get ahold of Chibi's tongue or lip and you'd hear him yelping and hollering like he was being killed,

We also took Estaban with us fishing and camping once in awhile (along with the dog and cat). He traveled in the car in an old milk crate. We used "one-man" rafts to fish out of and Estaban would swim along beside us while we fished at home he had his own wading pool.

One of my cats had four kittens and the first time I allowed them outside (they were about 5 weeks old) I had to go into the house for a moment and when I came out I couldn't find the kittens! I couldn't imagine them getting too far because they were so young and not able to run and jump yet. My Mom told me to check out Estaban. He was sitting on them like a mother hen. When they tried to crawl out, he'd gently tuck them back in underneath him. As they got bigger and fiestier, he was beside himself that they didn't stay right with him like baby ducks were suppose to.

Another time Estaban was missing. Couldn't find him, and Mom walked the neighborhood calling him. Her call? "Eedah little quack quackie!" Talk about embarrassing! But that was my Mom. Anyway, after awhile, Mom got it into her head that someone thought Estaban was an escapee from the local park that was about three blocks away from our house. She talked me into going with her at midnight and climbing the fence into the duck pen to "feel" the ducks to see if any of them were Estaban. Naturally we were caught by the authorities and hauled in. When we told them what we were doing, they called my Dad (woke him up) and asked him if there would be any reason we'd be in the duck pen at Applegate Park. His answer? "They were probably looking for Estaban." So we were brought home. I'm sure they had a field day with that story.

Estaban was found the next day. He had eaten so much Gravy Train and then drank water to where he swelled up and couldn't walk so had crawled under the ivy at the back of the house. He must have been huge! When he came out, he still had difficulty walking.

Estaban was with us for about three years and truly brought some light into our lives.

A Byte Of Tehachapi : "Don't Cry"

So I'm supposed to microchip every chicken? This is progress?

Of course, the factory farms don't need to microchip every chicken - cost too much, ya know....because they practice "whole-herd" management - meaning that they bring chickens in for 10 months and then exterminate them in in mass. Meanwhile, since I let chickens get old, I'm not.

Forcing every back-yard, fresh egg operation out of business is what you call property rights, TK? Sounds like making the world safe for Foster Farms to me.

I love living in Tehachapi, I ain't lion... : "A Real Debate About A Real Issue"

I am more of a dog person, but years ago ended up with a cat, and have loved Kitty ever since. I will straight-up get in the MIDDLE of a cat-fight to pull her out and protect her from getting hurt, and I cannot sleep until she is in the house. Yes, I have been scratched pretty badly pulling her out of scrappers.

We had some pretty strange pets when I was a kid, too. I think the horny toad named Clint was the one who took the cake, though... Or maybe just who I remember the best and fondest. When he died (I'm sure we "loved" him to death), I remember all of us crying our eyes out, and giving him a complete, and official pet burial.

I love the story about Bertha the chicken.

The Weedpatch Gazette : "The Weedpatch Gazette"

Some more relevant titles for today's youth might be:

Down These Mean Streets by Pere Thomas

Knock On Any Door by Williard Motley

West Side Story (The Play)

Blood In My Eye by George Jackson

The Ecstasy of Owen Muir by Ring Lardner,Jr.

Against Nature by J.K. Huysmans

Lost Illusions by Balzac

The Razor's Edge by Somerset Maugham

The Glass Bead Game by Hesse

The Weedpatch Gazette : "The Weedpatch Gazette"

No. madkow, I'll have to look for that one. Black Like Me is a true story of a white man who took meds to turn his skin black. He then shaved his head and headed out the door as a black man. A real eye opener. He did it in the 1950's when segregation was the norm and...you will have to read it! I still find it hard to believe that I was born in 1958, the year when blacks and whites had to use separate bathrooms, restaurants etc! I was alive--OK a babe in my moms arms--when this still occured! But I do remember when they desegratgated the schools.

A Byte Of Tehachapi : "Don't Cry"

And sorry Sparks, you blog got hijacked! But all in the name of animals.

A Byte Of Tehachapi : "Don't Cry"

It would be great if animals had AIN--however, there were 3500 puppies and kittens euthanized last year by KC AC. These would not have AIN as they are not born with them. The only way to track them would be by DNA analysis. If this would be done, then ALL intact animals would have to pay a hefty fee for this cost. But they do it in registered horses, so it could be done.

These kittens/pups constitute a large number of the animals euthanized....and the only way to prevent this is to spay/neuter the adults. The county is not trying to infringe on any ones "rights", but to come up with a way to prevent having to kill all these animals. If they didn't have to spend so much on receiving, trying to adopt out, housing and ultimately euthanizing these young animals, it would free up money to offer low cost spay/neuter. The intake of animals simply out outnumbers adoptions. The best way to stop puppies/kittens from being born is birth control.

The Weedpatch Gazette : "The Weedpatch Gazette"

I've never read Black Like Me, but it sounds interesting. Have you ever read It's The Little Things by Lena Williams?

The Weedpatch Gazette : "The Weedpatch Gazette"

I too feel Palin's biggest fault is not only promoting abstinence, but she needs to promote sex ed AND birth control. I do not hold her at all for her daughter being pregnant, except she should of also had the heart to heart chat that if you are sexually active, you are either trying to get pregnant or NOT trying to get pregnant. But unfortuantly, she may STILL have gotten pregnant after the BC chat. But I'm hoping her daughter is not jumping from the frying pan into the fire by getting married. Is she really ready for a lifelong commitment such as marriage? Or is it to keep the child's "honor' intact? Seeing her divorice at a young age may be even more difficult than her not marrying at all.

Fearless Political Commentary : "I HAVE MADE A DECISION!"

Thank God someone's voting for what they really want!! More power to you :)

Movin' On Up! : "A LETTER FROM A DEAR OLD FRIEND!"

Maybe it’s just me, or maybe I’m silly, but I really don’t like F-16's flying over my football half time,

I think I've discussed this one before - except it was Warsaw Pact jets over Tehachapi City Park on the friggin' Fourth of July!! I was agin it - can I get some agreement here? Gimme an Amen...

Movin' On Up! : "A LETTER FROM A DEAR OLD FRIEND!"

Those drawstrings are rocking, fershure...nice look for a dude with the...ahem...confidence to back it up. Pretty free, back in the day. 995 prisoners at CCI about the time that photo was taken, and probably fewer than 15k in the whole California system - something like that. Jerry Brown and Linda Rondstadt hanging and in-charge, and you could even work a minimum wage job without a drug test...

I wonder how long before Jon Hammond writes about those good old days....they're looking better all the time to me....

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

Sarah Palin in Her Own Words
"As for that VP talk all the time, I'll tell you, I still can't answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day?" --Sarah Palin, in an interview with CNBC's "Kudlow & Co."

"I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq." --Palin

And the words of the man who chose her:

"The role of the vice president is to break ties in the Senate and inquire daily into the health of the president."

"Well, basically, it's a Google." --on how he's conducted his VP search, Richmond, Virginia, June 9, 2008

"I'm running for president of the United States, because I want to help with family values. And I think that family values are important, when we have two parent -- families that are of parents that are the traditional family." --interview on "This Week," July 27, 2008

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

Well Jeremy I'm glad there's about 30 million people on both sides of the political spectrum that disagree with you.

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

I agree with both swilli and Sparks here. As I have stated in past blogs I won't vote for Obama and would like a different Republican than McCain. Personal I would have rather seem Palin and Biden going against each other than Obama or McCain. I say that because I think Biden and Palin better represent their parties.

Movin' On Up! : "A LETTER FROM A DEAR OLD FRIEND!"

If I still had em I sure as hell could not close em! LMAO!

McCain should just forfeit! : "How desperate is McCain?"

Perhaps politics is too hot for a reasonable sharing of opinions (lol) on a blog. There's plenty of blame to go around. Many members of Congress, from both parties, voted to initiate a preemptive attack on Iraq. We all know the story now. We didn't back then. Plus, we were acting in the wake of the 9/11 trauma.

Yes, Saddam (spelling?) killed thousands of Iraqi. So have we. Do we dare compare the numbers? Many countries have cruel dictators who have committed genocide on their own people. North Korea is one that quickly comes to mind. I'll let you all draw your own conclusions as to why we haven't freed them from Pres. Kim. I know I have mine.

Movin' On Up! : "I think Sarah Palin is a certfied Kook!"

Sadly, it appears that the McCain camp thought it would attract the supposedly disenfranchised Hillary supporters by putting a woman in as the veep candidate. It also appears that she was not properly checked out. They saw an attractive woman who happened to be conservative and, wonder of wonders, was a gun user. That's all they needed to approve her. I have a hunch they are kicking themselves now.

The trooper-gate thing is, it seems, indefensible. Memorandums and emails have turned up which allegedly prove that Palin did indeed try to get her ex-brother-in-law fired and ended up firing his boss instead for not following those orders. I have a hunch that Palin will pull out of the nomination, announcing that it is "for the good of the party". Poor Old McCain....

I'm with Sparks. Let the issues and individual integrity of the candidate determine for whom you vote.