While the Repugnants Stare at Shiny Objects November 2, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Politics.add a comment
While the Repugnants are busy wailing and flailing over Socialism, Government takeover of their precious health care system and other fruit loop topics, the Obama Administration is quietly passing laws. Check out this article from today’s The Wall Street Journal (yes, the WSJ) -
From the article:
- The legislation includes, ‘defense-policy legislation that included an unrelated measure widening federal hate-crimes laws to cover sexual orientation and gender identification — 12 years after it was first introduced. The same legislation also tightened the rules of admissible evidence for military commissions, an issue that consumed Congress in debate in 2007 but received almost no attention this go-round. The hate-crimes bill became law 11 years after the slayings of the men it is named after: Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay man left for dead on a split-rail fence in Wyoming, and James Byrd, a black man dragged to death behind a pickup truck in Texas’.
- ‘Other new measures signed into law since the administration took office, all of which kicked up controversy in past congresses, make it easier for women to sue for equal pay, set aside land in the West from development, give the government the power to regulate tobacco and raise tobacco taxes to expand health insurance for children. Congress and the White House, in the new defense-policy bill, also killed weapons programs that have survived earlier attempts at termination, among them, the F-22 fighter jet, the VH-71 presidential helicopter and the Army’s Future Combat System’.
- ‘ The new public-lands law signed this spring was also once hotly debated. Among other things, the new law declares 1.2 million acres of Wyoming range land off-limits to oil and natural-gas development. Regarding the new tobacco law, the Food and Drug Administration and allies in Congress have been seeking regulatory authority over tobacco since the early 1990s’.
I hope they keep staring at those shiny objects for a long, long time.
And just for fun:
Sprint or Marathon? November 1, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Dogs and cats, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: Boo at the Zoo, Central Park Zoo, gibbons, Halloween, Jon Stewart, Marathon, orangutans, Philadelphia Zoo
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Talk about strange overlaps. While walking my dog Benny (who does not yet acknowledge the fact that we turned the clock back an hour last night), I noticed the Halloween revelers were still walking home while the NYC Marathon buses filled with anxious runners, were headed to Staten Island to await the start later this morning. I guess that there are both party marathoners and running marathoners, right?
- Since people are taking part in both activities at the same time I decided I can write about the Marathon and still be celebrating Halloween. So, the above photo of Benny is my little Halloween greeting to you and yours.
- The medals featured on the left are all about my Marathon days.
- The New York Times had a front page story this rainy Marathon morning about cheating while Marathoning. I know from my five NYC Marathons that it is uber-tempting to cheat. When you enter Manhattan at mile 17 you can practically smell Central Park but you still have to lumber north on first Avenue through the Bronx, turn around and then head south to the finish line. Shame, shame, shame on the cheaters.
- My memories of those five Marathon are some of the sweetest in this addled brain. After hanging up my running shoes six years ago, I hung up my five medals and look at them almost every day (especially when these old bones begin to ache). Completing a marathon is like nothing else. It is a feeling of accomplishment and empowerment. The down side are blisters and black toes. Those things go away – but the sweet memories linger. Benny and I waved to all of those anxious Marathoners this morning and I will be watching and cheering for them both a the gym this morning and form my couch.
- To the Halloween revelers that are stumbling home, I say – do not forget to turn your clocks back an hour.
- Speaking of Marathons, the seemingly never ending November elections slog on.
- Jon Stewart joins in the chat about NYC Mayoral race. It is all about term limits. Must watch.
- Jon Stewart also looks at how the Fox opinion shows influence Fox “news” reporting. “See the Fox opinion guy’s outrage becomes the ’some say’ source for the newsside. It’s a perpetual rerevulsion machine,” explained Stewart.
- Last week’s visit to the Philadelphia provided some great images and this funny 33 second video I shot of an orangutan playing doctor with a gibbon.
-Boo at the Central Park Zoo for you:
For those Still in Search of a Religion October 25, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Dogs and cats, Photography, Politics, Religion, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: gibbon, Orangutan, Philadelphia Zoo, Religion, service dog
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I found this chart ‘How to Choose a Religion’ on Mock, Paper, Scissors who found it on The Friendly Atheist.
- We took a drive to visit the Philadelphia Zoo hoping to see the newborn orangutan. Sadly the baby was not out for the public to adore just yet, but we did encounter a wonderful meeting between a service dog and an adult male orangutan among other fabulous sights.
- I was able to video some of the encounter between the Orangutan and the very well behaved service dog seen at the Philadelphia Zoo. The orangutan was dressed as a ghost for Halloween.
To the disappointed, disenchanted and disengaged… October 6, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: David Brooks, Kinkajoo, obama, Ostrich, Wizard of Beck
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For those that are woebegone, disappointed, disenchanted and generally becoming disengaged with the ‘Yes, We Can’ gang I decided it was time to be a cheerleader and turn those frowns upside down. I too, have been a sad sack over the ‘do nothing’ crowd that has a majority in both chambers of power and occupies the big old White House. Yet suddenly, last Friday, after reading conservative New York Times columnist David Brooks‘ column – I felt better. Why you say? His column, entitled, ‘The Wizard of Beck‘ (I encourage you to read the article) postulates that the Screaming Mimi’s who occupy the Repugnant media on TV, radio and the Internet have the microphone but lack the power to get their minions to the polls. ‘It is a story of remarkable volume and utter weakness. It is the story of media mavens who claim to represent a hidden majority but who in fact represent a mere niche — even in the Republican Party. It is a story as old as “The Wizard of Oz,” of grand illusions and small men behind the curtain. Over the years, I have asked many politicians what happens when Limbaugh and his colleagues attack. The story is always the same. Hundreds of calls come in. The receptionists are miserable. But the numbers back home do not move. There is no effect on the favorability rating or the re-election prospects. In the media world, he is a giant. In the real world, he’s not. But this is not merely a story of weakness. It is a story of resilience. For no matter how often their hollowness is exposed, the jocks still reweave the myth of their own power. They still ride the airwaves claiming to speak for millions. They still confuse listeners with voters. And they are aided in this endeavor by their enablers. They are enabled by cynical Democrats, who love to claim that Rush Limbaugh controls the G.O.P. They are enabled by lazy pundits who find it easier to argue with showmen than with people whose opinions are based on knowledge. They are enabled by the slightly educated snobs who believe that Glenn Beck really is the voice of Middle America. They pre-emptively surrender to armies that don’t exist’.
- So does this mean I am happy with the Obama Administration’s handling of the larger issues that take over the headlines? Absolutely not. But it does mean I feel better about the power of the opposition. They are looking for someone or something to define themselves and win back the power in 2010. I even heard someone suggest that Glenn Beck is considering a run as a third party. One can only hope. How about a Palin/Beck campaign? Gasp.
- It is time for a reality check on Obama’s campaign promises. I took a look at Politifact this morning and they claim he has kept 47 promises, Compromised on 12 things, Broken seven promises, Stalled on 12 items, 107 items are in the works and a whopping 330 items that have NO ACTION attached.
- The larger picture shows that there are other issues being dealt with by the two houses of Congress, but unless you are a policy wonk nerd, you are only going to listen to the screamers and read the headlines. I guarantee that you will feel better if you lower the volume and read between the lines.
- Try to remember that just last year at this time the campaign was in full swing. We have only just begun. Keep the faith.
- For some needed laughs, check out our encounter with an ostrich last week. That is me, giggling in the car.
Monsters, Madness and the Public Option September 13, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: Anthony Weiner, Bill Maher, Edinburgh Zoo, Highland Wildlife Park, Loch Ness Monster, March of the Penguins, Penguins, Public Option, Robert Reich, Scotland
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The debate rages on. While I am still confident some form of reform will get through Congress this year I get enraged by the distractions that the Repugnants excel at creating. The ‘birthers’, ‘deathers’, Fox Noise and now the ‘tenthers’ are fine fodder for the non-stop chatter of the talking heads shows. Aurgh.
The above photo is ‘Nessie’ the Loch Ness Monster that I was lucky enough to see on last week’s trip to Scotland. Check out more photos below. By the way, everything I knew about Scottish history I learned from the movies. And guess what? It is all wrong. Double aurgh.
- Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich explains what a public option for health care coverage really means for working people. Pass it on to everyone you know. We can’t let the insurance companies decide who gets care and who doesn’t.
- Well spoken Congressman Anthony Weiner (I wanted him to run for NYC Mayor or NY Senator) was on Bill Maher’s show Friday night. Here is his simple take on the single payer debate (or non-debate).
- New Rules from Bill Maher.
- Here’s a little ditty called We’re # 37:
- Our recent visit to Scotland was terrific. Along with all of the beautiful castles, breathtaking landscape and rich artistic heritage we included visits to two Royal Zoological Society of Scotland venues.
- The first is the all inclusive Edinburgh Zoo.
- The second is located in the Highlands and is both a drive thru and walk thru venue. The cat that looks like a house cat is actually one of only 400 pure-bred Scottish wildcats.
- A bonus montage includes wildlife that we saw as we toured the countryside. And yes, that is the Loch Ness monster, lovingly referred to as ‘Nessie.’
- A visit to the Edinburgh Zoo is not complete without watching the daily (2:15) March of the Penguins. The zoo has about 200 penguins in three connected pool areas. The keepers open the gate at 2:15 and whichever penguins choose to take a stroll leave voluntarily and march around a large oval surrounded by adoring zoo visitors. The day we visited just three Kings and one Gentoo took advantage of the march. Check out my short video for the results. I left the sound intact so you can hear the narrator and the clicking of penguin feet on the ground.
Here’s To Our Health September 10, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Links, Photo Archives, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: Gail Collins, Healthcare, Joe Wilson, Supreme Court
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I am back, rested and refreshed. (The photo above was taken this morning. Oh what a beautiful morning). I have rebooted my entire system and am ready to take on the Repugnants. Last night’s Presidential address to a joint session of Congress was all I needed to kick in my new outlook. I thought Obama was… well – Presidential. He found his summer silenced voice and explained his plan, which appears to be organic, and most likely stirred the Democratic base while at the same time alienated the Repugnant base (if they were watching). Fox was the only major network that chose NOT to air the speech. They went for ‘So you Think You Can Dance.’ South Carolina Congressman, Joe Wilson, in a wacky outburst, calling President Obama a ‘liar,’ stood in for all of the crazy ‘birthers’ and deathers’ that we have watched all summer at these town hall scream-a-thons. He later apologized for his outburst, but the damage was done. When I heard him scream, something deep inside of me wanted him taken out to the public square and be drawn and quartered (Okay, I overreacted, a bit) Did you see Nancy Pelosi’s reaction? I think she wanted to do to he same thing to him too.
Here is the outburst:
So what’s going to happen? As I said way back in early summer, the Democrats will pass some major health care reform. Will it be what we all imagine it to be? No. But it will be a start. Will there be any Repugnant support? Highly doubtful. But there will be a handful of Repugnants who will step up to the plate and do the right thing. There is lots to be done as the NY Times states today in it’s editorial.
- Gail Collins joins in on the subject.
- Click on this link and you can actually see a photo of Congressman Joe Wilson. He is the one pointing his finger.
- Crooks and Liars has a link to the guy who is challenging Joe Wilson for his Congressional seat. Check it out if you wold like to donate to his opponent’s campaign. (Ya gotta love democracy, right?)
- If you missed the full speech last night, click on this link for the text and the video.
- If you feel the need to contact Congressman Joe Wilson to express your thoughts, here is his contact information.
Address in DC:
The Honorable Joe Wilson
United States House of Representatives
212 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4002
DC Phone: 202-225-2452
DC Fax: 202-225-2455
Email Address: http://www.house.gov/formwilson/IMA/issue.htm
District Offices:
903 Port Republic Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
Voice: 843-521-2530
FAX: 843-521-2535
1700 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1
West Columbia, SC 29169
Voice: 803-939-0041
FAX: 803-939-0078
- Meanwhile, down the street, the Supremes are about to knock holes in our already wobbly campaign financing system. Aurgh.
- A salute to our two year old walrus, Akituusaq, (check out my photos here) who lived at the New York Aquarium and died this week. The walrus died due to complications from pneumonia. During the past few days, Akituusaq had been under special care by Wildlife Conservation Society veterinarians and received round-the-clock attention. Working tirelessly, WCS staff closely monitored his status and provided dedicated medical care’. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved walrus Akituusaq and are proud of the exemplary care that our entire staff provided during this critical time,” said Jon Forrest Dohlin, New York Aquarium Director. “We know Brooklyn was proud of Akituusaq and many loved him. This is a loss to the whole community.”
Akituusaq was the first Pacific walrus baby born in the Aquarium’s 113 year history. This past spring he celebrated his second birthday. He was born June 12, 2007. Walrus births in aquariums are very rare with only 5 surviving to one year of age.
I took this video in September of 2007.
Sunday Fun August 16, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Photography, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: Central Park Zoo, Columbus Zoo
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Taking a break from politics today to enjoy some fabulous faces from the Central Park Zoo.
- So what kind of toy do you give a 600 pound baby elephant? How about a 2-foot round blue plastic ball? Enrichment items such as Boomer balls are commonplace in zoos today. These toys and activities add variety and exercise to the animals lives and help to encourage their natural behaviors. As for Beco and his Boomer Ball that enrichment has double benefits it also helps mom Phoebe get a break from looking after 600 pounds of bouncing baby elephant energy.
Twist and Shout August 13, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Dogs and cats, Photography, Politics, Videos, wildlife.add a comment
Whoa! What’s the shouting all about? Health care does not seem like it should be such a volatile issue. I mean, who doesn’t want their neighbor to be healthy? So tell me, what’s the fuss all about? Is it money? Are the shouters worried that the greedy corporate health care industry and the pharmaceutical giants are not going to make as enormous a profit? Are the shouters worried that their Congressperson will not receive enormous donations towards their reelection campaigns from these same corporations? Does anyone really know what they are shouting about? Let’s face it – there is no bill to pick apart. As far as I can tell there are five bills, many thousands of pages of detail and no consensus. How do I think it is all going to end? I think we will get a very watered down health care bill with NO Repugnant support.
The Dreadfulcrats have once again allowed an issue to be hijacked by the bloviated Repugnants (reemeber the shouting at Bush V Gore in Florida? We all know how that turned out, don’t we.). Thanks to the moronic statements of Sarah Palin and the noise coming out of the wing-nut conservative airwaves we have frightened ‘Grannies’ (isn’t anyone worried about little old Grandpa?) worried that some death panel is going to come along and pull the plug. This issue was laughable at the beginning but now it has taken over these confrontational Town Hall meetings across the land. The ‘other side’ has managed, with much success, to twist the issues and shout down the opposition.
Shame on the Democrats for allowing this to happen. It is ugly, will end badly for some poor fool who gets shot, and then those new headlines will supersede the ones that we are now having to digest. Gail Collins has a great column in today’s New York Times about those guns that are appearing in public.
Are all of these screamers being paid by someone to come out and shout down any and all sane comments? Probably not. I am sure there are some who are paid organizers, but not all. Some are simply, how can I say this kindly – simple. They do not understand anything. I doubt that many of the shouters even understand that Medicare is a Government program that works really well. By the way – have you noticed how many of the shouters are Seniors? Perhaps they should spend more time playing with their grand kids and less time toting crazy signs.
- Massive misinformation is out there and now is being promoted by US Senators. Shame on you, Senator Grassley.
- Listen to this Clip from 8/11/09 Rachel Maddow show where she exposes the politics and money behind the “non-partisan” right wing Republican health care (health care) reform lies.
- Are they all racists? Probably not. But a whole lot of them are really nervous and ‘want their country back.’ Hmmm – as Larry Gilmore said on Jon Stewart the other night ‘back from whom? the Indians?’ Check out Jon Stewarts’ take on this issue. It is very funny.
- Nate Silver (538.com) has put together some numbers and thoughts on this issue.
- A summary of yesterday’s twisting and shouting:
- In the always try to leave ‘em smiling mode:
Movie Review: The Cove August 10, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Politics, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: dolphins, Richard O'Barry, Joe Chisholm, Mandy-Rae Cruikshank, Charles Hambleton, Kirk Krack, Isabel Lucas, Roger Payne, Hayden Panettiere, Louie Psihoyos, Paul Watson
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Movie Review: The Cove
Alternate Title: A Town Without Pity
Story: Before you step foot in another Sea World or spend hundreds of dollars to swim with a dolphin you should go to see this amazing and heart breaking documentary film by director Louie Psihoyos (prior Executive Director of the Oceanic Preservation Society and photographer for National Geographic) and writer Mark Monroe.
It is a first rate eco-thriller that will have you biting your nails, squirming in your seat and rethinking everything you know about sea mammal entertainment.
A hi-tech group of dedicated and brave people vow to expose the secret slaughter of over 23,000 dolphins each year in Taijo, Japan. They were all inspired by Richard O’Barry, who 45 years ago was the star and trainer of the vastly popular TV series ‘Flipper.’ In the last 35 years O’Barry is the ‘go to’ guy for any story about dolphin slaughter or abuse. He has spent the last 35 years atoning for his sin of popularizing these wonderful sea mammals. His dedication will inspire you and bring tears to your eyes.
The 23,000 dolphins are herded into a secret cove where the lucrative bottlenose female dolphin (Flipper) is captured and sold for $150,000 to aquariums and places where you can swim with them for a fee. The rest are brutally slaughtered. The meat is then sold as whale meat and is extremely toxic. The level of mercury in a dolphin is over the top.
Make no mistake, the bad guy in this film is the Japanese Government who has begun to hi-jack the International Whaling Commission (an ineffective International agency who successfully banned the hunting of whales in 1986 but has no power to keep the Japanese from their continued slaughter of whales claiming it is for scientific study). Smaller cetaceans like dolphins and porpoises are not protected at all.
After I saw the movie Flow last year I vowed to never buy another bottled water to bring into my house and I have stuck with that promise. After seeing this film, I doubt that I will ever go to another aquarium that has captive, performing dolphins or whales (sorry, Mary).
As they say in the film, you are either an activist or an inactivist. Public opinion is an effective weapon. It can embarrass and shame Governments to change their policies. The final scene shows you Ric O’Barry infiltrating an IWC meeting. It will make you want to stand up and cheer. Get on board.
Acting: A fine brave group of people including, Richard O’Barry, Joe Chisholm, Mandy-Rae Cruikshank, Charles Hambleton, Kirk Krack, Isabel Lucas, Roger Payne, Hayden Panettiere, Louie Psihoyos, Paul Watson
Trivia: Louis Psihoyos is a photographer for National Geographic as well as a new documentary film maker Check out his work here. Want to do something about this nightmare? Go to this site.
Hayden Panettiere has become a young spokesperson for this issue.
Predilection: I am a confessed animal lover and a documentary film aficionado. This film had it all.
Critters: The footage of the dolphins is amazing.
Theater Audience: Five other weeping dolphin lovers.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 9
Drift Factor: I was rapt.
Predictability Level: Sadly, high.
Tissue Usage: Two
Oscar Worthy: The film has already won these awards and I would not be surprised if it got an Oscar Best Documentary nod. Sundance, Audience Award, 2009, Hot Docs/Toronto, Audience Award, 2009, Newport Beach Film Film Festival, Audience Award, 2009
Big Screen or Rental: Go support this film. It is important.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 9
Cat Days of August August 9, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Dogs and cats, Politics, Videos, Zoos.Tags: Al Franken, Carolyn Maloney, Eliot Spitzer, John Hughes, Kirsten Gillibrand, Sonia Sotomayor, Tatiana the tiger
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August is notorious for nutty, under-reported and or just eye popping stories. Here are some that caught my attention this week.
- Did you hear about the Florida man who blamed his cat’s paws for child porn downloads? From the AP – Florida investigators say a man accused of downloading child pornography is blaming his cat. Keith Griffin of Jensen Beach is charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography after detectives found more than 1,000 images on his home computer. According to a sheriff’s report Friday, Griffin told investigators that his cat jumped on the computer keyboard while he was downloading music. He said he had left the room and found “strange things” on his computer when he returned. Griffin is being held on $250,000 bond in the Martin County jail. It is unclear if he has an attorney. This is not the first time someone has blamed their cat for a dirty deed.
- In the most aggravating story of the week, the one challenger for the New York Democratic Senatorial Primary has dropped out. My Congresswoman, Carolyn Maloney has dropped her Senate bid. I am appalled and disappointed that the thugs in the New York Democratic power halls have used their shameful arm twisting to cause her to drop out of the race. Now Kirsten Gillibrand has no opponent.
In the what would have happened if mode of thinking — If Eliot Spitzer had not been such a damn fool none of this wold have happened in the first place. We would never have gotten the miserable David Paterson as Governor, nor when Hillary left for the State Department, Spitzer would have chosen someone with better credentials than Gillibrand and we all would have been better off. Oh, Eliot.
- Those two brothers that survived the Tatiana the Tiger incident at the San Francisco Zoo, who sued the City and settled for $900,000 have been arrested yet again. Shame on them.
- Al Franken has hit the ground running. He is having a fine first month as Senator.
Week One: Swearing in, moving in and making appearances.
Week Two: Jumping headlong into Sonia Sotomayor’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings.
Week Three: Offering his first bill, which passed in just 24 hours.
Week Four: Moving into his new home on Capitol Hill.
Week Five: Scrambling to keep up as the Senate roars through its work before recess.
- Oh yes, and then there is this. I am hoping that she turns out to be the liberal everyone is accsuing her of being. But, as they say ‘the jury is still out’ on this one, for me.
- Another Repugnant is quitting early. Florida Senator Mel Martinez is quitting at the end of the month. Hmm
- We will miss you John Hughes:
