I'm going to do my best to refrain from discussing politics on this blog as Lord knows we get enough of that on CNN, Fox News, etc. right now. Since the following bill really upsets me and the realization of the hypocrisy involved in Congress, I couldn't resist. Hopefully this post will stay as politically neutral as possible.
I doubt many of you know that currently in the U.S. House Judiciary Committee is H.R. 6598. Subtlety entitled "Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008," it's one of those feel good, PETA and U.S. Humane Society approved pieces of legislation. What's not mentioned is that it will make it a crime to sell horses to slaughter in Canada and Mexico due to the groups succeeding a few years ago in making it illegal to slaughter horses in this country. Or that it will really increase cruelty (as happened with the slaughter ban) because of owners not being able to provide for their horses (through costly euthanasia or costly feed). As an aside, a good number of horse shelters are filled to the gills due to persons not being able to care for their horses.
I decided I would do my civic duty and email all the representatives on the House Judiciary Committee asking them to shoot down this farcical piece of non-sense. I immediately started emailing those representatives whose email were hyperlinked at the website below. Then I started looking at the individual pages to contact all the other representatives. However, most representatives would not allow you to contact them by email if you were not from their district. Now, I could have called, but emailing is much easier and convenient for me.
What left me scratching my head was the realization that while I am barred from contacting representatives outside of my district, groups like PETA, the Humane Society, and the American Farm Bureau to name a few do not face this same problem. These groups are allowed personal meetings with elected officials to curry favor and press their agendas despite the fact that Pamela Anderson likely doesn't reside in Speaker Pelosi's district for example. Now, how exactly is that what the founding fathers intended?
I want to believe some of these groups do respect the intent and send persons from a representative's district. But in age when we have Jack Abramoff and other persons of his ilk, I feel fairly certain the groups who send a professional lobbyist are far in the majority. I know that at least two of the four universities I have been associated with over the years have hired lobbyists in D.C. trying to increase the money for that institution. And the only connection that lobbyist likely has with the school is the money (likely a 1/3 came from the taxpayer) being paid to him/her.
The names of all the reps may be found by clicking here, if you are so inclined to tell Congress to show some restraint and common sense.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
My Gustav Vacation
While I was hiding from Gustav in Cullman, Alabama, I took the following pictures. Hope you enjoy them.
This first set is from the property my aunt and uncle own in Winston County. Winston County was home to a community of Quakers during the Civil War who seceded from the CSA to form the "Free State of Winston" as they didn't support slavery.
Note the flip flops worn by my brother.
The second set is from the only covered bridge left in Cullman County and spans Crooked Creek. I believe it was initially built in 1904, but was washed away in the early 20s. The current bridge shown was constructed a year after the washout. This part of the creek also was the site of the skirmish at Crooked Creek in April/May 1863. Just a stone's throw from here was where the Battle of Hog Mountain occurred as part of General Abel Streight's raid. General Nathaniel Bedford Forrest would eventually accept General Streight's surrender as the raid proved unsuccessful. The last picture is of the modern bridge, but the whole area just has a nice, peaceful small town feel.
This first set is from the property my aunt and uncle own in Winston County. Winston County was home to a community of Quakers during the Civil War who seceded from the CSA to form the "Free State of Winston" as they didn't support slavery.
Note the flip flops worn by my brother.The second set is from the only covered bridge left in Cullman County and spans Crooked Creek. I believe it was initially built in 1904, but was washed away in the early 20s. The current bridge shown was constructed a year after the washout. This part of the creek also was the site of the skirmish at Crooked Creek in April/May 1863. Just a stone's throw from here was where the Battle of Hog Mountain occurred as part of General Abel Streight's raid. General Nathaniel Bedford Forrest would eventually accept General Streight's surrender as the raid proved unsuccessful. The last picture is of the modern bridge, but the whole area just has a nice, peaceful small town feel.
Gustav's Aftermath
I deliberately waited till after I knew for certain Ike was going to pass Baton Rouge by before posting this. And I do wish anyone in the path of Ike well. The outer bands of Ike passed through here sporadically throughout today bringing strong wind gusts and heavy downpours.
Below are two pictures of the neighborhood/rental property I took upon returning from Alabama. Unfortunately, I'm not the best photographer and lighting prevented these pictures from showing up better than what they did. More pictures may be found at the Baton Rouge The Advocate's site (http://www.2theadvocate.com/multimedia/).
Just a few thoughts from the disaster that was Gustav...
1) It's utterly disgraceful people would break into local schools to steal and vandalize. It may keep students out of school a couple of days, but it's still quite shameful.
2) Society seems to break down anytime a major hurricane hits this area of the country. See the aftermath of Katrina and Rita three years ago for more detailed examples. This time around FEMA left much needed tarps needed in Baton Rouge and other hard hit areas in Houston. While this may be forethought to Ike, I seriously doubt it. All levels of government have done a lot better job than three years ago. However, there is mismanagement and plenty of misinformation in the aftermath of a major hurricane. Maybe we will as a society will have a serious discussion that there are some storms that are too big for the government to handle because of the sheer devastation as well as that government is run by humans who make mistakes. You can everything ready to go, but Mother Nature will ruin even the best laid plans.
3) This storm has been called the 'Katrina' of Baton Rouge due to the sheer amount of damage done. I've had several friends make the comment they were glad it was not as bad as it could have been. I quickly corrected them they left off three important words "in New Orleans." I don't understand the media's obsession with working people into a lather over a looming disaster to turn its back on the story as soon as they realize it's not as bad as it could have been. As I write this, there are still sections of town without power. There are other parishes with especially difficult terrain who are projected to be without power for some time longer because of that terrain. Citizens by and large did what was asked of them by stockpiling goods needed to survive for 3 days. However, it was 5 days before some much needed relief arrived in terms of food being available through government and grocery stores.
4) Because of Katrina and Rita, the population of Baton Rouge swelled to nearly half a million souls. As things returned to 'normal' for me on Monday of this week, I dealt with a city that was not ready to be back to normal solely because of power. It's amazing to me how dependent we have become on electricity. A normally twenty to thirty minute drive suddenly took at least forty-five minutes because the stoplights weren't on. My biggest gripe was that there were no cops stationed at major intersections to help traffic flow during rush hour. I'm sure they had plenty to do, but to ask a city to go back to work with no traffic control assistance from police was a little questionable. At least they were escorting the National Guard to areas where the Guard was needed.
For the above shortcomings (not trying to be too negative), they are small compared to the selflessness I have witnessed since coming back on Sunday. First off is the dedication of the utility crews to restore power as quickly as possible. Crews are working sixteen hours days to turn the lights back on. In one day's time, the proportion of customers to have the power turned back on was reduced by a third for customers of one utility company. Astounding!
I was still east of town Sunday when I got call from a number I didn't recognize. It was a member of the Stillwater congregation wanting me to find them a place to spend the night while they minister to those without power. Fortunately, I've developed a friendship with one of the ministers at a local congregation who was able to find room for 22 'angels' on short notice. While I'm sure this is not the only bunch of volunteers to descend on the city to help, it's always reassuring to know that while the media doesn't report on these special persons, they are out there and don't go completely unnoticed.
Below are two pictures of the neighborhood/rental property I took upon returning from Alabama. Unfortunately, I'm not the best photographer and lighting prevented these pictures from showing up better than what they did. More pictures may be found at the Baton Rouge The Advocate's site (http://www.2theadvocate.com/multimedia/).
Just a few thoughts from the disaster that was Gustav...
1) It's utterly disgraceful people would break into local schools to steal and vandalize. It may keep students out of school a couple of days, but it's still quite shameful.
2) Society seems to break down anytime a major hurricane hits this area of the country. See the aftermath of Katrina and Rita three years ago for more detailed examples. This time around FEMA left much needed tarps needed in Baton Rouge and other hard hit areas in Houston. While this may be forethought to Ike, I seriously doubt it. All levels of government have done a lot better job than three years ago. However, there is mismanagement and plenty of misinformation in the aftermath of a major hurricane. Maybe we will as a society will have a serious discussion that there are some storms that are too big for the government to handle because of the sheer devastation as well as that government is run by humans who make mistakes. You can everything ready to go, but Mother Nature will ruin even the best laid plans.
3) This storm has been called the 'Katrina' of Baton Rouge due to the sheer amount of damage done. I've had several friends make the comment they were glad it was not as bad as it could have been. I quickly corrected them they left off three important words "in New Orleans." I don't understand the media's obsession with working people into a lather over a looming disaster to turn its back on the story as soon as they realize it's not as bad as it could have been. As I write this, there are still sections of town without power. There are other parishes with especially difficult terrain who are projected to be without power for some time longer because of that terrain. Citizens by and large did what was asked of them by stockpiling goods needed to survive for 3 days. However, it was 5 days before some much needed relief arrived in terms of food being available through government and grocery stores.
4) Because of Katrina and Rita, the population of Baton Rouge swelled to nearly half a million souls. As things returned to 'normal' for me on Monday of this week, I dealt with a city that was not ready to be back to normal solely because of power. It's amazing to me how dependent we have become on electricity. A normally twenty to thirty minute drive suddenly took at least forty-five minutes because the stoplights weren't on. My biggest gripe was that there were no cops stationed at major intersections to help traffic flow during rush hour. I'm sure they had plenty to do, but to ask a city to go back to work with no traffic control assistance from police was a little questionable. At least they were escorting the National Guard to areas where the Guard was needed.
For the above shortcomings (not trying to be too negative), they are small compared to the selflessness I have witnessed since coming back on Sunday. First off is the dedication of the utility crews to restore power as quickly as possible. Crews are working sixteen hours days to turn the lights back on. In one day's time, the proportion of customers to have the power turned back on was reduced by a third for customers of one utility company. Astounding!
I was still east of town Sunday when I got call from a number I didn't recognize. It was a member of the Stillwater congregation wanting me to find them a place to spend the night while they minister to those without power. Fortunately, I've developed a friendship with one of the ministers at a local congregation who was able to find room for 22 'angels' on short notice. While I'm sure this is not the only bunch of volunteers to descend on the city to help, it's always reassuring to know that while the media doesn't report on these special persons, they are out there and don't go completely unnoticed.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Pictures from the year thus far
So, I haven't seen some of you in several months, if not years. I thought I'd put together a post with some recent pictures.
This is Eva (Australian Shepherd), at 7 weeks, back in March. She lived to the ripe old age of 5 months prior to being killed by a car in Kentucky in June. Hence, the I've got to get another dog statement in the initial post.
Her head is the bottom right corner of the cage. One of my favorite pictures of her, it was taken the weekend I got her.
This one and the following two were taken in April.
That's a grape she was playing with. I never understood why she played with them and didn't eat them.
Riding around Stillwater in early June and one of the last set I took of her.
Taken graduation weekend in May.
And speaking of graduation weekend, some of me taken graduation weekend at Oklahoma State.
Taken at the Agricultural Economics departmental hooding ceremony for M.S. and Ph.D. graduates.
Waiting on my advisor to arrive. I actually was concerned he wasn't going to make it.
With my advisor, Dr. Dan Tilley and my parents after the ceremony. It's official now, Dr. J. Ross Pruitt.
This is Eva (Australian Shepherd), at 7 weeks, back in March. She lived to the ripe old age of 5 months prior to being killed by a car in Kentucky in June. Hence, the I've got to get another dog statement in the initial post.
Her head is the bottom right corner of the cage. One of my favorite pictures of her, it was taken the weekend I got her.
This one and the following two were taken in April.
That's a grape she was playing with. I never understood why she played with them and didn't eat them.
Riding around Stillwater in early June and one of the last set I took of her.
Taken graduation weekend in May.
And speaking of graduation weekend, some of me taken graduation weekend at Oklahoma State.
Taken at the Agricultural Economics departmental hooding ceremony for M.S. and Ph.D. graduates.
Waiting on my advisor to arrive. I actually was concerned he wasn't going to make it.
With my advisor, Dr. Dan Tilley and my parents after the ceremony. It's official now, Dr. J. Ross Pruitt.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
A Month and a Half In and I'm Already Out
I've been kicking around the idea of starting a blog to let folks see what's going on with me more often. To be in so many places the past 10 years makes it awfully difficult to keep in contact with everyone that God has brought into my life. Hopefully this will make it easier. Though, I live a pretty boring life, so don't expect any thing too exciting.
The question that I'm being asked repeatedly is "How are you settling in?" or some variation of it. In some ways, it's replaced "How are you doing?" I get tired of answering it, but at least it shows that people are interested and concerned about the transition because it's a big one. Additonally, it's hard to hit "play" on the standard message playback as with the latter question.
I still have the tendency to call other professors "Dr." instead of by their first names. Old habits die hard, but it's really hard to break the mindset of a student after 10 years of study at the university level.
To answer the question from the earlier in the post, I think I'm settling in quite nicely. Yes, I'm still learning my way around the biggest town I've ever lived in. Yes, I'm still learning to not honk at other cars in the afternoon commute (and other forms of road rage). Yes, I'm still adjusting to the big city (something I will never completely adjust to though). Yes, I haven't found a strong friendship network outside of work.
For all those "negatives", I'm not sure I could have been led to a better job/fit. Yes, it's difficult to settle in when you've been there for barely a 6 weeks and decide to flee from a natural disaster that weighs on your mind for 3 days as opposed to 30 minutes with a tornado (yes, I do miss tornado alley). Yes, it's difficult to keep working when campus is shut down for all week (especially given the aforementioned transition from grad student to professor). But, I LOVE my job.
It combines my love of agriculture, specifically the livestock sector, with the economics I've been trained in without all the heavy theory which puts me to sleep. I'm not exactly sure what an Extension program should be or look like given the state's unique production aspects, but the livestock sectors have plenty for me to do already. I have plenty of models to use/adapt with plenty of support to make it happen. What more could you want?
As of now, I still don't know what damage awaits me at the rent house. I know heavy damage did occur in Baton Rouge, but I may have escaped with minor damage. I'll know more tomorrow after another prof checks out the house and gives me a call. Regardless, I've been told the campus is a wreck, and the pictures from the local paper document this. Though, the national media won't let you know that this was probably the worst storm for Baton Rouge since Betsy in the '60s.
Random thoughts:
The question that I'm being asked repeatedly is "How are you settling in?" or some variation of it. In some ways, it's replaced "How are you doing?" I get tired of answering it, but at least it shows that people are interested and concerned about the transition because it's a big one. Additonally, it's hard to hit "play" on the standard message playback as with the latter question.
I still have the tendency to call other professors "Dr." instead of by their first names. Old habits die hard, but it's really hard to break the mindset of a student after 10 years of study at the university level.
To answer the question from the earlier in the post, I think I'm settling in quite nicely. Yes, I'm still learning my way around the biggest town I've ever lived in. Yes, I'm still learning to not honk at other cars in the afternoon commute (and other forms of road rage). Yes, I'm still adjusting to the big city (something I will never completely adjust to though). Yes, I haven't found a strong friendship network outside of work.
For all those "negatives", I'm not sure I could have been led to a better job/fit. Yes, it's difficult to settle in when you've been there for barely a 6 weeks and decide to flee from a natural disaster that weighs on your mind for 3 days as opposed to 30 minutes with a tornado (yes, I do miss tornado alley). Yes, it's difficult to keep working when campus is shut down for all week (especially given the aforementioned transition from grad student to professor). But, I LOVE my job.
It combines my love of agriculture, specifically the livestock sector, with the economics I've been trained in without all the heavy theory which puts me to sleep. I'm not exactly sure what an Extension program should be or look like given the state's unique production aspects, but the livestock sectors have plenty for me to do already. I have plenty of models to use/adapt with plenty of support to make it happen. What more could you want?
As of now, I still don't know what damage awaits me at the rent house. I know heavy damage did occur in Baton Rouge, but I may have escaped with minor damage. I'll know more tomorrow after another prof checks out the house and gives me a call. Regardless, I've been told the campus is a wreck, and the pictures from the local paper document this. Though, the national media won't let you know that this was probably the worst storm for Baton Rouge since Betsy in the '60s.
Random thoughts:
- The name of the blog refers to the fact I'll always be a Topper first and foremost. No matter where God leads me, some part of me will always feel misplaced from my home in western Kentucky. For all the Okies out there, I couldn't figure out a way to get 'Topper' and 'Cowboy' in the title.
- I've got to get another dog.
- If the issue regarding Sarah Palin's daughter (Bristol) really is an issue, how come we didn't have a national dialogue/debate/media overkill regarding legalization of drugs following the arrest of Al Gore III for possession of marijuana and prescription drugs (thought originally on Glenn Beck program originating September 2nd on Headline News)?
- It's good to have football (of all types) back on the airwaves starting a few weekends ago with European soccer/football, college football this past weekend, pro football Thursday, and World Cup qualifiers this coming Saturday. Though I would much rather prefer to watch meaningful college games (i.e. no more I-AA teams versus I-A teams). It's hard to find the motivation to watch a game like Ohio State/LSU versus Youngstown St/Appalachian St.
- Interested to see how the Cubans treat the U.S. Men's National Team in Havana on Saturday night given the political tensions between the two countries. I doubt any Americans will defect to Cuba, but it will be interesting to see in the match played in the States in October if anyone defects as typically the case with Cuban athletes on American soil. The only downside is that the game's on ESPN Classic and I don't have that channel while I'm visiting Alabama.
- North Alabama is beautiful this time of year and the weather ain't too shabby either.
- Come to think of it, NASCAR visits Richmond at the same time as the U.S. game against Cuba. Crap...National loyalties or southern tradition?
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