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SAVE SPORK: 17 Pound Dog May be Killed by City of Lafayette, Colorado

Rapists go free. Child abusers get suspended sentences.  Judges refuse restraining orders to protect women.  However, we must protect society from a 17 pound dog.

Spork is a miniature dachshund who could potentially get kenneled for the rest of his life or killed just for being scared at the vet. The little guy can’t defend himself, so it is going to take a national effort to come together and protect an innocent miniature dachshund from the horrific animal laws currently found in the City of Lafayette, Colorado.

Last August this 10-year-old miniature dachshund, Spork, snapped at and bit a veterinarian technician at Jasper Animal Hospital as he was being held by his owner. He has been at the vet on numerous occasions over the years and had been there just the week before, without ever having any issues except that he is usually very scared and shaking, sometimes defecating (which some dogs do if they are scared at the vet). In fact, he had been there just the week before when he got his shots and examination for oral surgery.

Spork's owner was doing exactly what she was told and was holding the 17-pound dachshund firmly in her arms when the vet tech suddenly, and without warning, put her face in his, which resulted in the bite. He was shaking badly before this happened which was noticed by the entire staff, and had pooped on his owner just before the accident. Clearly the little guy was just scared to be at the vet and that was obvious.

Where is Common Sense? The Lafayette Animal Control has charged Spork’s owners with having a vicious dog in the City of Lafayette.  Please contact the city of Lafayette (303) 665-5588 and let them know they should focus on more legitimate threats to public safety – not a 17 pound dog.

Are Out of Work Men More Abusive?

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Monday that unemployed men are more likely to abuse their wives.

“Men when they're out of work tend to become abusive,” Reid said as he argued in favor of a cloture vote on the jobs bill. “I met with some people while I was home dealing with domestic abuse. It has gotten out of hand. Why? Men don't have jobs. Women don't have jobs either, but women aren’t abusive, most of the time. Men, when they're out of work, tend to become abusive. Our domestic crisis shelters in Nevada are jammed.”  Continue reading

End Goat Rodeos

Rodeos, like all forms of animal cruelty, child abuse, and domestic violence, should be viewed as evil – pure and simple.  Like all forms of violence, rodeos are based on control and domination.  For those who call rodeos a sport – nothing could be more ridiculous, unless you consider a grown man or women inflicting pain and suffering on an innocent, terrified animal.  Think about it.  Ask any cop about child abuse and domestic violence.  The abuser gets a thrill out of torturing his victim. 

Case in point:  At the National High School Finals Rodeo, terrified baby goats are chased down by contestants on horseback as an appalling excuse for "sport" and "family entertainment".
A goat that is already tethered to a rope is approached by a high school student on a galloping horse. Terror-stricken, the goat frantically tries to escape the oncoming horse and abuser. The roper jumps off the horse, slams the tethered goat down and ties its legs. It's a little like tackling someone who is already in handcuffs.

The video below describes the constant violence that our children are being exposed to in our high schools.  Making matters worse, this violence is being portrayed as a sport. No wonder, our schools are becoming more violent.  No wonder, child abuse and domestic violence are on the increase.   It’s time for our elected officials to end rodeos and recognize that animal cruelty should never be described as sport.

Haiti and the Voodoo Curse

Haiti has received billions of dollars in foreign aid over the last 50 years, and yet it remains the least developed country in the Western Hemisphere. Its indicators of progress are closer to Africa's than to those of Latin America. It has defied all development prescriptions.

Why? Because Haiti's culture is powerfully influenced by its religion, voodoo. Voodoo is one of numerous spirit-based religions common to Africa. It is without ethical content. Its followers believe that their destinies are controlled by hundreds of capricious spirits who must be propitiated through voodoo ceremonies. It is a species of the sorcery religions that Cameroonian development expert Daniel Etounga-Manguelle identifies as one of the principal obstacles to progress in Africa.  Continue Reading.

February Book of the Month – “Central Liberal Truth: How Politics Can Change a Culture and Save it From Itself” by Larry Harrison

Each month SWIVL showcases a book that exemplifies the spirit of ViolenceFree.  For the month of February 2010 is a serious book about the role culture plays in producing economic progress, democratic governance, and social justice: factors that help create violenefree.  The Central Liberal Truth: How Politics Can Change a Culture and Save it From Itself, by Larry Harrison points out in  dramatic way why culture is an important reason why some groups prosper while others seem to remain perpetually behind.  According to Harrison, certain cultural factors accelerate political, economic, and social development in poor countries and among underachieving groups in the advanced democracies.