A couple of weeks ago a retired Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife employee went hunting and killed a cougar. He back tracked the cougar's footprints and found three cougar kittens. It's not legal to kill a mother with kittens, but these things happen.
The State of Oregon immediately went into action to save the poor little critters. They were rescued and are being cared for at the Oregon Zoo. Eventually they will be moved to another zoo, I think in North Carolina. I don't know what it is going to cost, but it won't be cheap. Saving nice kitties makes us all feel good. That's the only rationale behind this decision.
Hunters around the State groaned. Since hunting with dogs was outlawed, our State has been overrun by cougars. Rumor is that some State employees have encouraged hunters to use the Three S method if they see a cougar: Shoot, Shovel, and Shut up.
Why would we do this - spend thousands of dollars to save an animal that we have too many of? An animal that has a population that is exploding?
Because we want to feel good about what we are doing. Never mind that the money could be spent on doing some real good. We spend to feel good, rather than to do good. The same thing happens when we have an oil spill. The news media flashes images of birds soaked in oil on our TV screens, and volunteers and various state agencies rush into action.
But is rescuing animals caught in an oil spill a good investment? Studies on survival rates suggest that each effectively saved otter from the Exxon Valdez disaster cost around $153,000. The same math applies to seagulls. Each bird effectively saved from the Exxon Valdez cost something in excess of $60,000.
What would you think if I told you that the State of Oregon was buying seagulls to populate our beaches for $60,000 each? You'd be outraged.
Is this the best that we can do? The millions of dollars spent on cleaning photogenic animals could be spent on a permanent set-aside of land for wildlife refuges. Or perhaps to feeding hungry humans.
Don't get me wrong. Wildlife is great, and oil spills are an enormous tragedy. And I hate the thought of an animal suffering. But can't we spend the money more effectively? On something of lasting value, instead of on something that temporarily makes us feel good?
It's the same with hunting cougars with dogs. Bad, right? No animal should be chased by dogs and then shot down from a tree, right? Since hunting cougars with dogs was outlawed in Oregon, the job falls to State employees. Well, guess how the State of Oregon hunts cougars? With dogs, of course. What we have accomplished is that instead of allowing private citizens to pay for the privilege of hunting cougars, we pay government employees to do the same thing. But, hey, we can at least feel good about it, right?
Anyway, think about it. Let's all stop trying to feel good, and focus a little more on doing good.
If you find my blog interesting, please enter your email (at upper right) and you will receive blog updates.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
What I learned at the Portland Comic Con Convention
I spent a few hours at Portland's Sci Fi and Fantasy convention on Sunday. I wondered whether I'd feel out of place. I mean, after all, isn't this a kid's event? For those who haven't been, there are dozens of booths with people selling art, books, comics, toys, costumes, etc., from everything from Lost in Space, to The Invaders, to Star Wars, to the Hulk. I can't name the more modern stuff, because I don't know it.
Here are the five things that I learned, in reverse order of importance.
5) Comic Con is not for teenagers. The mean age of attendees was probably 28. There were fewer teenagers by far than I thought would be there. Perhaps the cost kept them away. It's not a cheap event. The median age was probably a few years less. Demographics were skewed by old guys like me, and toddlers. There were lots of both kids and people with gray hair.
4) If you put on a costume, you don't feel self-conscious. Everyone in costume was having a blast, and posing for pictures. They were too busy to feel strange. I wish that I had had a costume, just for the grins that the little kids would pass my way.
3) Comic Con means big grins. At least, it did for me. No matter your age, it's still fun to see the stars of the movies you enjoyed years ago. Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) was there from Star Wars. He looked old, but was smiling and having fun. I remember him from the old mini-series Chiefs. I just watched that a few weeks ago. Adam West, known for Batman, was there, looking really old, but he had long lines of people waiting to see him. And not just people my age.
My favorite was Summer Glau, from Firefly, who, well, she looked terrific. She should, at 32. Can it be eleven years since Firefly went off the air? The volunteers said that she seemed to be the nicest of the stars. She had a kind word and a smile for everyone, and she seemed to genuinely be enjoying herself. Good for her! And thanks for coming to Portland.
And if you don't smile because you saw Batman, then smile for PackMan, or for giant lizards, or for Wonder Woman, or for the Hulk, or for the Mario Brothers, or for the Dark Shadows vampire. There was something for everyone.
I didn't see William Shatner. He was on break when I was there. Perhaps next year.
2) Comic Con means tights and cleavage. I hadn't realized how important skimpy clothing are to these genres. How did these people walk to the event? It was cold outside yesterday. So, gentlemen, avert your eyes. (By the way, Princess Leia, that costume probably looked amazingly cute when you were 16. And when you were 26. But you aren't 26 any more. You might want to check out Wonder woman, or Cat woman.)
By the way, there were plenty of men of various ages in tights (without the cleavage). But you won't see me in tights.
1) You can have fun at Comic Con, even if you are over fifty. The Back to the Future car was there. I saw a Lost in Space robot. R2 D2 was there, talking to the kids. At every corner there was something that made me smile. So, relax, and enjoy. You deserve it.
By the way, I'm looking for a good Malcolm Reynolds Browncoat costume. Contact me if you have any of the components.
If you like what you read, please add your address to follow my blog.
Here are the five things that I learned, in reverse order of importance.
5) Comic Con is not for teenagers. The mean age of attendees was probably 28. There were fewer teenagers by far than I thought would be there. Perhaps the cost kept them away. It's not a cheap event. The median age was probably a few years less. Demographics were skewed by old guys like me, and toddlers. There were lots of both kids and people with gray hair.
4) If you put on a costume, you don't feel self-conscious. Everyone in costume was having a blast, and posing for pictures. They were too busy to feel strange. I wish that I had had a costume, just for the grins that the little kids would pass my way.
3) Comic Con means big grins. At least, it did for me. No matter your age, it's still fun to see the stars of the movies you enjoyed years ago. Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) was there from Star Wars. He looked old, but was smiling and having fun. I remember him from the old mini-series Chiefs. I just watched that a few weeks ago. Adam West, known for Batman, was there, looking really old, but he had long lines of people waiting to see him. And not just people my age.
My favorite was Summer Glau, from Firefly, who, well, she looked terrific. She should, at 32. Can it be eleven years since Firefly went off the air? The volunteers said that she seemed to be the nicest of the stars. She had a kind word and a smile for everyone, and she seemed to genuinely be enjoying herself. Good for her! And thanks for coming to Portland.
And if you don't smile because you saw Batman, then smile for PackMan, or for giant lizards, or for Wonder Woman, or for the Hulk, or for the Mario Brothers, or for the Dark Shadows vampire. There was something for everyone.
I didn't see William Shatner. He was on break when I was there. Perhaps next year.
2) Comic Con means tights and cleavage. I hadn't realized how important skimpy clothing are to these genres. How did these people walk to the event? It was cold outside yesterday. So, gentlemen, avert your eyes. (By the way, Princess Leia, that costume probably looked amazingly cute when you were 16. And when you were 26. But you aren't 26 any more. You might want to check out Wonder woman, or Cat woman.)
By the way, there were plenty of men of various ages in tights (without the cleavage). But you won't see me in tights.
1) You can have fun at Comic Con, even if you are over fifty. The Back to the Future car was there. I saw a Lost in Space robot. R2 D2 was there, talking to the kids. At every corner there was something that made me smile. So, relax, and enjoy. You deserve it.
By the way, I'm looking for a good Malcolm Reynolds Browncoat costume. Contact me if you have any of the components.
If you like what you read, please add your address to follow my blog.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
A Flicker In Eternity: World War II Internment Camps and Japanese-Americans.
In the spring of 1942, more than 110,000 Japanese Americans began to report, as directed, to centers from which they would be taken to internment camps. Note that Hawaii, which was filled with Japanese-Americans, was ignored in this edict. Although a few German-Americans and Italian-Americans were interned, this group was largely ignored. Why? Because they looked like the rest of us, and because
Theoretically done for the sake of national security, in hindsight it is clear that the motives for the program were less than honorable. White farmers cheered as their competitors were hauled away. In some cases, infants as young as one month old were subject to relocation. It is hard to see how their forced internment could improve national security. Some Americans with as little as 1/16 Japanese blood were interned. In any event, there is not one documented case of espionage by a Japanese American. Not one, even in Japan.
A recent documentary called A Flicker in Eternity tells the tale of Stanley Hayami, a bright and talented young Nisei (second generation Japanese American) whose family was interned. When his country called for his service in the Army, he went, and he served in the famous 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which became one of the most decorated units in World War II. I recommend the film which may be difficult to find.
By the way, the U.S. government offered reparations of $20,000 to each internee. Some internees refused the payment.
I have done the math, and it appears that during my lifetime, if I am granted enough years, the last World War II veteran will pass away. Join me in thanking those you know who were part of The Greatest Generation, while you can.
Theoretically done for the sake of national security, in hindsight it is clear that the motives for the program were less than honorable. White farmers cheered as their competitors were hauled away. In some cases, infants as young as one month old were subject to relocation. It is hard to see how their forced internment could improve national security. Some Americans with as little as 1/16 Japanese blood were interned. In any event, there is not one documented case of espionage by a Japanese American. Not one, even in Japan.
A recent documentary called A Flicker in Eternity tells the tale of Stanley Hayami, a bright and talented young Nisei (second generation Japanese American) whose family was interned. When his country called for his service in the Army, he went, and he served in the famous 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which became one of the most decorated units in World War II. I recommend the film which may be difficult to find.
By the way, the U.S. government offered reparations of $20,000 to each internee. Some internees refused the payment.
I have done the math, and it appears that during my lifetime, if I am granted enough years, the last World War II veteran will pass away. Join me in thanking those you know who were part of The Greatest Generation, while you can.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Being Mean to Children is Never Funny
I stumbled over this small flurry of news about Mitt Romney and Melissa Harris-Perry. Perhaps you missed it.
The short version is that Melissa, who is apparently some sort of comedian, tried for a cheap laugh because a Romney family Christmas photo included a small adopted grandson, who happened to be black. It didn't sit well with some people, and rightfully so.
We all know who Mitt Romney is. Melissa apologized, stating:
“My intention was not malicious, but I broke the ground rule that families are off limits, and for that I am sorry,” she said:
I never heard of Ms. Harris-Perry before, so I have no particular bias against her. But the problem isn't that she broke some unwritten rule that the families of politicians are off limits. Her apology suggests that the joke would have been fine if Romney hadn't been a politician, or if the infant hadn't been part of a family. Lady, the rule you broke is that "being mean isn't funny." And it's always mean to pick on children, whether they are the kids of politicians or not.
Romney graciously accepted the apology. He's a nicer guy than I am, I think. If you want to see me being angry, pick on a kid of any color when I'm around. It brings out the worst in me.
Bad form, Melissa Harris-Perry.
So far, to the best of my knowledge, MSNBC hasn't been heard of.
Bad form, MSNBC.
Shame on both of you.
The short version is that Melissa, who is apparently some sort of comedian, tried for a cheap laugh because a Romney family Christmas photo included a small adopted grandson, who happened to be black. It didn't sit well with some people, and rightfully so.
We all know who Mitt Romney is. Melissa apologized, stating:
“My intention was not malicious, but I broke the ground rule that families are off limits, and for that I am sorry,” she said:
I never heard of Ms. Harris-Perry before, so I have no particular bias against her. But the problem isn't that she broke some unwritten rule that the families of politicians are off limits. Her apology suggests that the joke would have been fine if Romney hadn't been a politician, or if the infant hadn't been part of a family. Lady, the rule you broke is that "being mean isn't funny." And it's always mean to pick on children, whether they are the kids of politicians or not.
Romney graciously accepted the apology. He's a nicer guy than I am, I think. If you want to see me being angry, pick on a kid of any color when I'm around. It brings out the worst in me.
Bad form, Melissa Harris-Perry.
So far, to the best of my knowledge, MSNBC hasn't been heard of.
Bad form, MSNBC.
Shame on both of you.
Friday, January 3, 2014
You keep on using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means.
“You Keep Using That Word, I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means”
That's a quote from the fictional character Inigo Montoya from the 1987 romantic comedy film The Princess Bride.Funny movie, funny phrase. When you say "freedom of religion," it doesn't mean, in America today, what you think it means.
Here's another one:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
In case you didn't recognize it, that's the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I thought it meant what it said, but apparently it's okay for all of my first class mail to be imaged, for my phone bills to be compiled, and for my email to be read.
Sad times for America.
That's a quote from the fictional character Inigo Montoya from the 1987 romantic comedy film The Princess Bride.Funny movie, funny phrase. When you say "freedom of religion," it doesn't mean, in America today, what you think it means.
Here's another one:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
In case you didn't recognize it, that's the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I thought it meant what it said, but apparently it's okay for all of my first class mail to be imaged, for my phone bills to be compiled, and for my email to be read.
Sad times for America.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)