Thursday, August 30, 2012
[Open-your-mind] Retired Military Dogs
OFF THE WIRE
Philip,I thought you might find this interesting. Maybe you know a few people who are looking for companions.Theresa
Many people were outraged at the prospect that Rocky would be put down: a 9-1/2 year old, disabled retired MWD and three tour Iraq war veteran. Most thought it callous that the military would simply end his life after he had given his in service, but that’s simply not the case.
Like many working canines, during his last few years of service Rocky had many different handlers. While the vast majority of war dogs are adopted by their handlers - more than 90% – Rocky no longer had a steady handler, no special bond with any one person. And while he was eligible to be adopted by other military personnel that might have wanted him, the unique challenges of his disability meant that Rocky couldn’t just go to any home – he needed someone who had ample time and patience to care for him. Since no suitable adopter was found and the kennels on base were ill equipped to address his specific disabilities, the military felt it had no choice but to slate him for euthanasia.
By chance, Pets for Patriots was contacted by a concerned animal lover. After verifying the story and basic facts, we posted Rocky’s plight and – well, the rest is history. A flood of applicants hit Lackland and Rocky was saved. We’re grateful that the veterinary team at Camp Pendleton shared Rocky’s story and gave us the opportunity to change his fate for the better.
Rocky, a retired, disabled military working dog who was saved by our appeal, exposed a lot of misconceptions about the fate of military working dogs once they’re retired from service. Most of these animals are eligible for adoption and are placed into appropriate and loving homes.
Until recently, it was legal and common practice to abandon or put down military working dogs, known as MWDs, at the end of their useful service. Historically viewed as “surplus equipment,” they weren’t seen as having value beyond the military purpose for which they were trained. That mindset has changed dramatically, due in no small part to the public’s growing awareness of how these animals were treated after years of dutiful service. But it was one military war dog in particular – a dog named Robby – whose own fate changed that of other MWDs to come. Robby’s Law (H.R.5314) was signed by President Bill Clinton in November 2000 and required that all MWDs suitable for adoption be available for placement after their service. Unfortunately it was too late to save Robby, whose former handler fought valiantly to adopt him, to no avail.
Like many working canines, during his last few years of service Rocky had many different handlers. While the vast majority of war dogs are adopted by their handlers - more than 90% – Rocky no longer had a steady handler, no special bond with any one person. And while he was eligible to be adopted by other military personnel that might have wanted him, the unique challenges of his disability meant that Rocky couldn’t just go to any home – he needed someone who had ample time and patience to care for him. Since no suitable adopter was found and the kennels on base were ill equipped to address his specific disabilities, the military felt it had no choice but to slate him for euthanasia.
By chance, Pets for Patriots was contacted by a concerned animal lover. After verifying the story and basic facts, we posted Rocky’s plight and – well, the rest is history. A flood of applicants hit Lackland and Rocky was saved. We’re grateful that the veterinary team at Camp Pendleton shared Rocky’s story and gave us the opportunity to change his fate for the better.
Rocky, a retired, disabled military working dog who was saved by our appeal, exposed a lot of misconceptions about the fate of military working dogs once they’re retired from service. Most of these animals are eligible for adoption and are placed into appropriate and loving homes.
Until recently, it was legal and common practice to abandon or put down military working dogs, known as MWDs, at the end of their useful service. Historically viewed as “surplus equipment,” they weren’t seen as having value beyond the military purpose for which they were trained. That mindset has changed dramatically, due in no small part to the public’s growing awareness of how these animals were treated after years of dutiful service. But it was one military war dog in particular – a dog named Robby – whose own fate changed that of other MWDs to come. Robby’s Law (H.R.5314) was signed by President Bill Clinton in November 2000 and required that all MWDs suitable for adoption be available for placement after their service. Unfortunately it was too late to save Robby, whose former handler fought valiantly to adopt him, to no avail.
Diane
CA - Stockton police working to improve MC Safety
OFF THE WIRE
http://centralstockton.news10.
Stockton Police Department Working To Improve Motorcycle Safety
by Linda Park,
Police to increase enforcement aimed at dangerous riders and careless motorists
The Stockton Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on Saturday, August 25th, in an effort to continue lowering deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur. Officers will be looking for drivers and riders who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and cracking down on traffic violations made by regular vehicle drivers as well as motorcyclists that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities.
After ten years of steadily increasing motorcycle fatalities in California, increasing 175 percent from 204 killed in 1998 to 560 killed in 2008, the trend has changed. Two consecutive years of fewer motorcycle fatalities – 394 in 2009 and 352 in 2010 – have resulted in a 37 percent decrease since the 2008 peak. This is positive trend that we want to see continue.
There have been 9 motorcycle fatalities and 247 persons injured in motorcycle crashes over the past 5 years in Stockton. “Like the rest of the state, Stockton has seen a decrease in persons injured in accidents over the past 3 years but we are still seeing several fatal collisions a year” said Sergeant Lance Baur, Stockton Police Traffic Sergeant. “Motorcyclist and drivers both need to pay more attention, the margin for error is so small”.
California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning, and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs. The Stockton Police Department is also reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.
Some of the reduction in riders killed can be attributed to fewer improperly licensed riders. In 2008, 62.7 percent of motorcycle operators killed under age 25 were not properly licensed. In 2009, that statistic fell to only 45.5 percent. Riders, young and old, are encouraged to be properly licensed and to seek training and safety information.
“The terrible trend of rising motorcyclist fatalities has been reversed, though there is more that everyone can do to save more lives. Riders and drivers need to respect each other and share the road,” said California Office of Traffic Safety Director, Christopher J. Murphy.
Riders can get training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at www.CA-msp.org or 1-877 RIDE 411 or 1-877-743-3411.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
http://centralstockton.news10.
Stockton Police Department Working To Improve Motorcycle Safety
by Linda Park,
Police to increase enforcement aimed at dangerous riders and careless motorists
The Stockton Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on Saturday, August 25th, in an effort to continue lowering deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur. Officers will be looking for drivers and riders who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and cracking down on traffic violations made by regular vehicle drivers as well as motorcyclists that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities.
After ten years of steadily increasing motorcycle fatalities in California, increasing 175 percent from 204 killed in 1998 to 560 killed in 2008, the trend has changed. Two consecutive years of fewer motorcycle fatalities – 394 in 2009 and 352 in 2010 – have resulted in a 37 percent decrease since the 2008 peak. This is positive trend that we want to see continue.
There have been 9 motorcycle fatalities and 247 persons injured in motorcycle crashes over the past 5 years in Stockton. “Like the rest of the state, Stockton has seen a decrease in persons injured in accidents over the past 3 years but we are still seeing several fatal collisions a year” said Sergeant Lance Baur, Stockton Police Traffic Sergeant. “Motorcyclist and drivers both need to pay more attention, the margin for error is so small”.
California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning, and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs. The Stockton Police Department is also reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.
Some of the reduction in riders killed can be attributed to fewer improperly licensed riders. In 2008, 62.7 percent of motorcycle operators killed under age 25 were not properly licensed. In 2009, that statistic fell to only 45.5 percent. Riders, young and old, are encouraged to be properly licensed and to seek training and safety information.
“The terrible trend of rising motorcyclist fatalities has been reversed, though there is more that everyone can do to save more lives. Riders and drivers need to respect each other and share the road,” said California Office of Traffic Safety Director, Christopher J. Murphy.
Riders can get training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at www.CA-msp.org or 1-877 RIDE 411 or 1-877-743-3411.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
USA - How Long Are We Going to Wait?
OFF THE WIRE
In 1937, Adolph Hitler enacted the following:
German Firearms Act of 1937:
“No civilian is to have a firearm without a permit and permits will not be issued to [persons] suspected of acting against the state. For Jews this permission will not be granted. Those people who do not require permission to purchase or carry weapons [include] the whole SS and SA, including the Death’s Head group and officers of the Hitler Youth.”
After just 4 years, “The Final Solution” was started and the Holocaust began.
Imagine…4 years. It took 4 years for Hitler to disarm the general population and proceed in killing millions. One of his head officers supported his decision, stating: ”Germans who wish to use firearms should join the SS or the SA– ordinary citizens don’t need guns, as their having guns doesn’t serve the State.”
Think about that if you will: A government removing their citizens rights. Its not so hard to imagine anymore.
Our government continues to systematically erase our rights one at a time. From bans on “assault rifles”, to the simple “requirement” to get a permit to carry a firearm. The NDAA allows Military Court to deem anyone a terrorist, and detain indefinately without due process, as we saw in the Brandon Raub incident. The police are becoming more violent on a daily basis. To me, the full reason remains unclear. Maybe its due to being overworked and underpaid, or, more realistically, they have forgotten their primary role as police officers.
My question to you is this. How long are we going to wait? The Germans waited 4 years to find out why the government disarmed them. Unfortunately, they waited too long and found out the hard way.
Australians allowed their government to disarm the citizens through a national, mandatory, gun buy back program. Failure to comply with the program would land a normally law abiding citizen in prison. Since then, the crime rate throughout the country has skyrocketed. Who knows what is to come of Australia. That is still yet to see – but if history shows us anything, it wont be good.
We have known for some time that something is not right in this country. And it appears to be coming to light. There is corruption and tyranny at nearly every level of government, from our local police departments all the way up to the our president.
We can see it. We know it’s there. We are aware of what the problem is. The question is, again, how long are we going to wait?
Are we going to wait and see how this next election plays out? Are we going to wait for the Sheriff to come knocking on our door to take our guns?
My name is Scott. I am a Husband, father, and brother. I love this country. Lets not wait and see whats going to happen.
I would like to thank Ademo, Pete, and the entire crew of Copblock.org for providing the inspiration I needed to fight for our rights. Yes, it all started with police, but it has opened my eyes to so much more. Thanks again. Be Free.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
NAVY SEAL DOGS...This is just amazing.
OFF THE WIRE
Terrific piece.
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