It's been awhile since I have blogged and I probably should have been saying things about Wisconsin's Nazi Governor all along, but this morning he really hit home. Channel 3 News is reporting that Governor Douchebag's now famous Budget Repair Bill repeals the law passed during the tenure of Governor Jim Doyle (Oh how I miss him!) that requires insurance companies to pay for birth control. This idiot has GOT to be stopped. Has he considered the ramifications here?
Not all birth control for women is used to do as the name implies and prevent pregnancy. Many women take it for the hormonal benefits in fighting acne and for helping with painful conditions such as endometriosis. Endometriosis, according to a women's health website, affects 70 million people worldwide. Does Douchebag think none of them live in Wisconsin? Or does he think that women can just suffer the pain? After all, it's not as painful as childbirth. It's also not as intermittent as labor pains and does not go away when the baby comes out. I think God knew what he was doing when he didn't allow men to get pregnant. Candy asses like Walker would likely kill themselves. (Hmmmm...maybe we are onto something there!)
If that isn't argument enough, what about women that are raped or are being continually sexually abused throughout their lives? Yes, ideally, we would prevent these situations, but wouldn't you AT LEAST be glad that the young lady is on birth control and not having children by her uncle or father? Yeah, that's a good idea, Douchebag! Let's take away the ONLY saving grace these young girls have to not be COMPLETELY scarred for life. It's not bad enough that they are enduring the worst kind of abuse. Let's let them get PREGNANT. Good move, Asshole.
Ok, so let's say that we repeal this very necessary law. According to the Milwaukee Sentinel, Governor Douchebag said during the campaign that he is against abortion, even in cases of rape. (Here is where I really get on my soapbox so watch out!) I am sick and tired, fed up and completely disgusted with people who want to preach about abortion being against their religion, immoral, unethical and blah, blah, blah. NONE OF THAT MATTERS!! What these people fail to realize is that none of these factors have any place in law. The laws are created to protect the masses. Remember when Spock was dying in the chamber in Star Trek 2, The Wrath of Khan? His dying words were, "The good of the many outweighs the good of the few or the one." AMEN! (Flashing the Vulcan finger symbol!)
Let's address religion. Religion is the LAST thing our laws should consider. This country's existence is based on the desires of our Founding Fathers to separate church and state. If not for the disgruntlements with the Church of England, who knows what would have happened. We would all likely be Native American, hunting and gathering and carrying water jugs on our heads from the nearest river. Or we would be European and "North America" would seem as backwards and aboriginal as some African countries do to us today. The First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." It's right there in black and white, ratified in 1791, some 220 years ago. That means that the United States is a virtual bowl of Fruit Loops with each color representing a different religion, all of which are existing together in the same bowl. There are plenty of green Catholics, orange Lutherans, red Jews, yellow athiests and pink Baptists, just to name a few. Each has their own beliefs to form their circle and display their color and perhaps they bump up against the other religions, but their integrity remains and they do not change shape or color and conform to the other religions in the bowl. That is how it is meant to be. Each is entitled to their own beliefs and existence within the bowl. Therefore, no single religion's beliefs should have absolute influence on the laws that govern the entire bowl.
Now let's address morals and ethics. They are a little bit different. As religious beliefs should never be considered in the making of laws, morals and ethics should, but their consideration should be severely limited. I say this only because each and every person in America has their own set of morals and their own idea of ethics. Again, laws should be made for the masses, not the few. If that is done correctly, morals and ethics are not an issue. Only when we have Douchebags like Scott Walker trying to make laws, do they come into question. I can't believe that he thinks that taking birth control away from a woman who has been raped is moral or ethical. Sure, he will argue that he is not "taking away" birth control. He is simply not forcing insurance companies to pay for it. So the 16 year old runaway on the streets in Milwaukee who is still, thankfully, covered by her parents' insurance just has to pray she doesn't get pregnant when she is out turning tricks as a matter of survival. It's ugly, yes, but if Douchebag thinks it doesn't happen in Wisconsin, I have news for him.
The ONLY thing that has a place in our laws is LOGIC. We MUST employ the use of logic in order to make sure the laws are best for the masses and do not cater to the few or the one. Will every law please everyone? Certainly not. I'm not happy that I can't drive more than 65 mph on the interstate. But does it keep me and other drivers safer? Sure it does. And that is why it is the law. It's LOGICAL that slower speeds cause less horrific crashes and enable the driver to better keep the vehicle under control, especially in the event of a blown tire, etc.
Now let's talk about Roe vs. Wade. In 1973, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that, as part of the right to privacy, women had the right to abortion. This was to be regulated by each state under strict guidelines regarding the age of the fetus (the trimester of pregnancy) and risks to the mother. So what was going on prior to 1973? According to the website http://www.physiciansforlife.org/, 17 states had legalized abortion in 1972, the year before Roe v Wade was ruled upon. In those 17 states, 587,000 women got abortions. That averages out to 34,529 abortions per state. I am sure there was some cross-over (ie. people traveling from other states where abortion was illegal to states where it was legal.) In 1973, when Roe v Wade was ruled upon and abortion became legal in all states, that number jumped to 744,600. So, for the sake of argument, let's say that the numbers of women needing abortions were the same in 1972 and in 1973. That means that 176,600 women, in 1974, got their abortions illegally. What does that mean? That means they had three options. The first was a physician in the United States was willing to do it illegally, probably after hours without assistance and not under the most sterile conditions. This option was the best if the woman was lucky enough to find such a physician. Or it meant traveling to other countries, most likely Mexico, where conditions were not sterile and methods were not medically advanced and, therefore, safe. The person performing the abortion may have been a doctor or he may have been a drunk from the local taberna just looking to make some cash. Or, third, it meant doing it themselves with items such as wire coat hangers. Sometimes women took drastic measures such as drinking poisons or throwing themselves down a flight of stairs in an effort to dislodge the fetus. Is this really what Douchebag is suggesting we return to? I submit that it is.
The bottom line, and my well-thought-out-but-rambling point here is simple: In the year 2011 in the United States of America, the most technologically advanced nation in the world, WE CANNOT SEND WOMEN BACK TO ALLEYS WITH COAT HANGERS!! Forget about religion, ethics and morals. It is ILLOGICAL that we would allow this to happen. If a woman desperately wants or needs an abortion, it is clear that she will find a way to get one. Shouldn't we protect her so that it is at least safe? In 1983, just 10 years after Roe v Wade, 1,575,000 women got legal abortions. How many of them would have gone to the drastic measures I mentioned above if not for Roe v Wade? Regardless of whether or not we think abortion is right in the eyes of God...whheter or not we think it is moral...whether or not we think it is ethical...it IS going to happen. Did we learn nothing in this country from the 18th Amendment (ratified in 1919) that outlawed the use of "intoxicating liquors" and established an era in our history known as "Prohibition?" Well, in case you have forgotten your history lessons...IT DIDN'T WORK! It was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933, but not until we saw a HUGE boom in violent and organized crime. We repealed it because we realized it was causing more problems than it solved. People who wanted to drink were going to do it, regardless of the law. John D. Rockefeller (Recognize that name?) wrote the following words to the Supreme Court:
"When Prohibition was introduced, I hoped that it would be widely supported by public opinion and the day would soon come that the evil affects of alcohol would be recognized. I have slowly and reluctantly come to believe that this has not been the result. Instead, drinking has generally increased; the speakeasy has replaced the saloon; a vast army of lawbreakers has appeared; many of our best citizens have openly ignored Prohibition; respect for the law has been greatly lessened; and crime has increased to a level never seen before."
Abortion is no different. So save your religious arguments. Save your ethical ramblings. Save your moral high horse. Abortion MUST remain legal to keep those who will do it anyway, safe. It's the logical thing to do. And it starts with not taking away the only ability some women have to obtain birth control. Scott Walker is a dictator and a dangerously misguided politician with unfortunate power. But, as Abe Lincoln said in the Gettysburg Address in 1863, "...this nation under God shall have a birth of new freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth." Scott Walker must go.
(Getting down off my soapbox...)
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Inner Strength
It's that power that comes from within you. It's that ability to pick up your head and hold it high, even in the face of the most difficult adversity. It's the strength to say, "This is who I am. This is what I believe in. And it is not up to you to approve." The last 24 hours have been an amazing personal journey for me and I woke up this morning with a kind of inner strength I didn't know existed. In my greatest defeat, I have found the ability to declare victory. You see, I have never been a quitter. I have never been one to be passive when I feel like things are not just. I have never been able to keep my mouth shut when someone is picking on the underdog. And I have always been one to believe in hope with every fiber of my being to the very bitter end. After 7 years of fighting with members of my family, I decided yesterday to just be done with it. I felt defeated. I felt like I had lost. It was a kind of mourning that I am all too familiar with after the loss of my brother in October. But this morning when I woke up after a restless night, I was reminded of something my former sister said to me once. There is a certain irony to the fact that she is the one who said it, but it has been something I have always carried with me. In the late 1990s I was struggling with my decision to leave EMS, a career that I absolutely loved. Thairn left a message on my answering machine in which she said, "Today is a new day. The sun is shining and everything is going to be just fine." It was simple, but to the point and it has remained my mantra all of these years. So, today I greet the day with a renewed inner strength, given to me not only by the words of my former sister so long ago, but also by the support and encouragement of some of the most outstanding people on the planet...my friends. Rodney told me last night (in between trying to lecture me) that I don't have a choice when it comes to family. He said I am a member of the Shields family and I can't change that. To that I say, HA! WATCH ME! I choose my friends to become my family. In my loss, I have gained more brothers and sisters than I ever had before. And those members of the Shields family who feel they can see through the lies and not sit in judgement of me, have reached out to me and I have accepted that they will remain family. But they understand that they are my family without the involvement of the others who have chosen to force this separation. Letting go is difficult for me because I am a fighter. I am a Leo, the king of the jungle, the toughest of the tough. Walking away is not in my nature and the realization that, in this case, walking away is victory has been very difficult. It is a thought process that is foreign to me on every level. But, ironically, it was again my former sister Thairn who brought me to this realization. You see, when Christmas was appraoching, she sent me a text message stating that she was having a family dinner on the 25th and that I was invited. When I didn't respond, she followed with a message that said, "Let's clear this up...inviting u the 25th - is not an apology - its an invitation to be civil." When I respectfully declined and said that I preferred to spend Christmas with people who love me I was told that she would rather spend Christmas with people who don't use others. So I planned my own dinner on the 26th and, not surprisingly, did not invite Thairn. I was told yesterday that Thairn was quite upset, even crying, that I did not invite her. Initially I was confused as to why she ever thought I would invite her after he less-than-welcoming invitation to me. Then I realized that this is all part of the game. For whatever reason, certain members of my former family feel the need to treat me like crap and then expect me to respond lovingly. That makes sense because they know that my love for them has always been and will always be unconditional. So why wouldn't I do the right thing and invite her even though she was a total bitch to me? Well, sorry, but not this time. There is a new sheriff in town and this sheriff doesn't want to ride this emotional rollercoaster anymore. I am off and I am not buying any more tickets. I have come to the realization that all hope of a relationship with them is lost and I am learning to be ok with it. Every day, my inner strength will grow and eventually, they will not be able to ever hurt me again. Someday they will find themselves wondering whatever happened to me, as we have lost contact over the years. I won't be available to answer that question for them.
So, today is, in fact, a new day. The sun is, in fact, shining and everything will, in fact, be just fine. God bless.
So, today is, in fact, a new day. The sun is, in fact, shining and everything will, in fact, be just fine. God bless.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Time Stamps
Today is the first day of the new year and I find myself thinking about the events of my last 39. It is interesting to me how everything in life seems to be related to time stamps, those moments in time when the world stopped turning and lives changed, whether it was for the better or the worse and whether it was personal or not. We all remember where we were on September 11, 2001. Those of you who are my age remember where you were when President Reagan was shot or when either of the space shuttles blew up. We remember the assassination of John Lennon and the election of each president. And then there are personal time stamps. We remember the exact moments that our children are born and where we were when we heard of the passing of a loved one. I think that is what has me thinking about this. It is now 2011, the first year we will experience without Roy. It is a moment in time that will forever burn in my memory and I will forever refer to life events as "before Roy died" or "after Roy died." It is now a reference point in memory. When I try to recall an event in the years to come, I will know how old I was when it occurred based on whether or not my brother was still alive. "I must have been in my thirties when that happened, because Roy was still alive." It is so strange to me that we use these reference points when we have the year itself as a reference point. "That happened in 2009" will become "That happened the year before Roy died."
I'm not sure I have a point to this blog, other than the fact that I am thinking about the past as much as the future as we enter the new year. Maybe I am a little freaked out about turning 40 this year. I mentioned it the other day and my former sister-in-law said, "You can't be 40. You are still 13." which is how she remembers me because that was the age I was when she and my brother divorced. It just proves my point about time stamps. Maybe the answer here is that we need fewer negative time stamps in our lives and more positive ones. As I look back at my life, the time stamps are largely negative. I need to refocus. I need to change those timestamps. Maybe Ray and Kim divorced in 1984, but their daughter was born in 1981 and their son in 1982. Those should be my time stamps. So, in 2011, I resolve to change my time stamps in my mind to positive ones. 2010 will always be "the year we lost Roy" but 2011 doesn't have to be "the year I turned 40." Instead it can be "the year I lost all that weight and regained my health." How is THAT for a New Years resolution?
I'm not sure I have a point to this blog, other than the fact that I am thinking about the past as much as the future as we enter the new year. Maybe I am a little freaked out about turning 40 this year. I mentioned it the other day and my former sister-in-law said, "You can't be 40. You are still 13." which is how she remembers me because that was the age I was when she and my brother divorced. It just proves my point about time stamps. Maybe the answer here is that we need fewer negative time stamps in our lives and more positive ones. As I look back at my life, the time stamps are largely negative. I need to refocus. I need to change those timestamps. Maybe Ray and Kim divorced in 1984, but their daughter was born in 1981 and their son in 1982. Those should be my time stamps. So, in 2011, I resolve to change my time stamps in my mind to positive ones. 2010 will always be "the year we lost Roy" but 2011 doesn't have to be "the year I turned 40." Instead it can be "the year I lost all that weight and regained my health." How is THAT for a New Years resolution?
Friday, December 31, 2010
A Letter to 2011
Dear 2011,
Your much anticipated arrival will occur tonight, promptly at the stroke of midnight. I will be there to meet you, as I have been for the last 40 years. Now, I want you to know that, this time, I have certain expectations. You see, 2010 was the bad tenant that every landlord wants to kick out. He sucked big green lugies on many levels and I am just not willing to let you get away with the same crap. 2010 took my uncle, my favorite cousin and my brother away from me. 2010 took three of my babies, Ozzie, Tucker and Ace away from me. And 2010 took my sanctuary away from me. So, here is the thing. Behavior such as that will not be tolerated. Here is a list of things I expect from you, 2011. These points are not negotiable and you shouldn't bother showing up tonight if you cannot comply.
First, I expect kindness. Someone told me once that you should reap what you sow. Well, I am not perfect, but I try to be nice to my fellow man. How about some of that reaping? And, I would appreciate it if you would be kind to my friends as well. Take Barb for instance. No one has a kinder heart, for animals and for humans. How about being nice to her for a change and giving her the self-esteem and drive she needs to find someone in her life who will treat her the way she deserves to be treated?
Secondly, I expect health. Again, this applies to me and to those I care about. Let's start with Lisa. On February 3rd, she will receive her kidney transplant. That is a good start, but I really don't think she deserves to go through rejection or any other complications. And in regard to my mother: She will be 76 in January and she just can't tolerate illness. 2010 caused her a lot of stress, especially when her son died. So, I am here to say that she better stay healthy or you and I are going to rumble. Furthermore, I have been working hard on a healthier lifestyle and I would appreciate it if you would just allow me to continue on that path and not give me any stupid illnesses like pneumonia or the flu.
Thirdly, I expect peace. 2010 was nothing but drama and I am completely fed up with it. From you, I expect serenity and inner peace. I will do my part to achieve this, but if you would kindly keep the drama to a minimum, I would be thrilled.
Fourth, I expect resolution. I will need a place to live where I can keep my dogs and some of the cats. It is a tall order but there is no way I am parting with them. If that is not possible, you might as well get ugly and take me out, because my life will not be worth living. I have major obstacles in my path to achieving this goal, so I am counting on you to resolve the problem. Somewhere out there is someone who is willing to let me rent-to-own their farm because they love animals and can see that I do too. Bring me that person! And while you are at it, resolve the issues that plague my friend Stacy and her family. She is a good soul with a kind heart and she doesn't deserve all the stress.
Finally, I expect renewed strength. 2010 nearly defeated me and I am tired. I need renewed strength to build the wall that will stop my family members from hurting me. I need strength to rehome 100 cats and send them off into the virtual unknown. And I need strength to get through the daily grind of life.
I hope you understand my demands and will comply accordingly. Again, these conditions are not negotiable. I do hope to see you tonight at midnight. I'll be the one in the pointed hat with the kazoo in my mouth.
Your much anticipated arrival will occur tonight, promptly at the stroke of midnight. I will be there to meet you, as I have been for the last 40 years. Now, I want you to know that, this time, I have certain expectations. You see, 2010 was the bad tenant that every landlord wants to kick out. He sucked big green lugies on many levels and I am just not willing to let you get away with the same crap. 2010 took my uncle, my favorite cousin and my brother away from me. 2010 took three of my babies, Ozzie, Tucker and Ace away from me. And 2010 took my sanctuary away from me. So, here is the thing. Behavior such as that will not be tolerated. Here is a list of things I expect from you, 2011. These points are not negotiable and you shouldn't bother showing up tonight if you cannot comply.
First, I expect kindness. Someone told me once that you should reap what you sow. Well, I am not perfect, but I try to be nice to my fellow man. How about some of that reaping? And, I would appreciate it if you would be kind to my friends as well. Take Barb for instance. No one has a kinder heart, for animals and for humans. How about being nice to her for a change and giving her the self-esteem and drive she needs to find someone in her life who will treat her the way she deserves to be treated?
Secondly, I expect health. Again, this applies to me and to those I care about. Let's start with Lisa. On February 3rd, she will receive her kidney transplant. That is a good start, but I really don't think she deserves to go through rejection or any other complications. And in regard to my mother: She will be 76 in January and she just can't tolerate illness. 2010 caused her a lot of stress, especially when her son died. So, I am here to say that she better stay healthy or you and I are going to rumble. Furthermore, I have been working hard on a healthier lifestyle and I would appreciate it if you would just allow me to continue on that path and not give me any stupid illnesses like pneumonia or the flu.
Thirdly, I expect peace. 2010 was nothing but drama and I am completely fed up with it. From you, I expect serenity and inner peace. I will do my part to achieve this, but if you would kindly keep the drama to a minimum, I would be thrilled.
Fourth, I expect resolution. I will need a place to live where I can keep my dogs and some of the cats. It is a tall order but there is no way I am parting with them. If that is not possible, you might as well get ugly and take me out, because my life will not be worth living. I have major obstacles in my path to achieving this goal, so I am counting on you to resolve the problem. Somewhere out there is someone who is willing to let me rent-to-own their farm because they love animals and can see that I do too. Bring me that person! And while you are at it, resolve the issues that plague my friend Stacy and her family. She is a good soul with a kind heart and she doesn't deserve all the stress.
Finally, I expect renewed strength. 2010 nearly defeated me and I am tired. I need renewed strength to build the wall that will stop my family members from hurting me. I need strength to rehome 100 cats and send them off into the virtual unknown. And I need strength to get through the daily grind of life.
I hope you understand my demands and will comply accordingly. Again, these conditions are not negotiable. I do hope to see you tonight at midnight. I'll be the one in the pointed hat with the kazoo in my mouth.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Halo
Today is one of the toughest days I have ever faced in animal rescue. Four days ago, I was fortunate to aid in the rescue of a year old female kitten who had allegedly been thrown from a moving vehicle on Schwantz Road. And as if the events leading to this rescue were not atrocious enough, the events that followed were unfathomable.
The beautiful kitten, named Halo by the angel that witnessed the event, came into my custody and it wasn't long before I learned what a sweet soul she was. It was all the more heartbreaking that she was so sweet because it made the abuse of her that much more painful. I brought her home and she made herself comfortable, purred easily and ate everything in sight. In an effort to bring some light to the circumstances under which I had acquired Halo, I contacted a friend at the Portage Daily Register and asked if she would be interested in an article that may help bring this person to justice. She readily agreed and the article about Halo hit the paper on Wednesday, December 22.
Before 7am on Wednesday, I received a call from the man who was driving the truck from which the cat was allegedly thrown. Let me be clear here...HE CALLED ME AND TOLD ME IT WAS HIM. This is not my suspicion and this is not a blind accusation. His name is Phil Kamrath and he is a teacher at Pardeeville High School, where, incidentally, his wife is the Principal.
Phil explained that the cats (Halo and her sister) routinely climb into the engines of the family vehicles for warmth. On Monday, as Phil was leaving his house, he heard a thump in the engine and saw, in his rearview mirror, the sister cat tumbling in the driveway, having fallen out of the engine. He assumed that Halo (who they call Nala) was also in the engine so he pulled over and fished her out. Then, he says, he placed her in the open bed of the truck and continued down the road. Now, I ask you...ON WHAT PLANET DOES THAT MAKE SENSE????? He was at the end of his driveway and fished the cat out of the engine. Why not just leave her there so she could return to the house? Why put her in the OPEN BED of the truck and drive her further away from the house? Then, when she allegedly jumped out, why did he not stop and check on her? He just kept driving. Not only does this story not make sense, it is the opposite of what the eyewitness saw. The witness said the cat had been "tossed from the passenger window."
The witness had gotten a description of the truck and a partial plate number and called the Columbia County Sheriff's Department. The responding officer was Deputy Alex Agnew. I was not present when Deputy Agnew arrived on the scene but the witness tells me that he immediately appeared very put off by the situation, as if he was being bothered with the complaint. Since I had met the witness and was there when he found Halo, I took her into my care and left, concentrating on getting her taken care of and checked for injuries. In retrospect, I should have stayed at the scene because, after all, I had the evidence. So I returned to the area and flagged down Deputy Agnew to show him Halo and give him my information. He asked several times if she was injured and she was not. He appeared bothered by this "cat nonsense" and left quickly...I'm sure after he ran my license plates to make sure there was nothing he could arrest me for as a bonus to his day.
Fastforward back to Wednesday after we had confirmation that the driver of the truck was Phil Kamrath. I tried repeatedly to contact Deputy Agnew to ask him where his investigstion was leading him. He couldn't be bothered to call me back. I spoke with Phil Kamrath and explained that I was waiting for a call from Deputy Agnew. So Phil Kamrath called Deputy Agnew and, of course, got through to him right away. (I know this because, initially, Kamrath his redial accidentally and got me. He told me he meant to dial the sheriff's department.) Kamrath told him the story (which, as I pointed out, makes no sense at all) and somehow convinced Deputy Agnew that it was all a misunderstanding. Deputy Agnew called me (finally) and told me that he had spoken to Kamrath and that it was all a misunderstanding and that I had to return Halo. When I pointed out to Deputy Agnew that Kamrath's story didn't add up and didn't jive with the eyewitness account, Deputy Agnew said, "What are you fishing for? He's a teacher and it's his cat so give her back. You are reading too much into this." I was not allowed to say anything further, except to agree that I would contact Phil Kamrath in regard to returning Halo.
Now, I do want to be perfectly clear on one thing. I am not, have not and will not say that Phil Kamrath is an animal abuser. I will not say that he is guilty of this accusation. All I am saying is that the Columbia County Sheriff's Department FAILED to conduct a proper and thorough investigation into this matter, even when Kamrath's story did not make sense or match the eyewitness account. Furthermore, Deputy Agnew NEVER MET WITH KAMRATH IN PERSON. He NEVER checked to make sure that Halo and her sister are provided (as required by law) adequate food, water and shelter. He simply took what Kamrath said and used it as an excuse to wash his hands of the whole cat business, regardless of the fact that there are huge, glaring holes in Kamrath's story.
At noon today, I returned Halo (aka Nala) to the Kamrath home and was met by Phil's children. Phil was not home and the kids told me that Halo never gets let in the house.
Another important point is this...in my discussions with Phil Kamrath, I asked him if he would please allow me to get Halo and her sister spayed and vaccinated at no cost to them. His response was to decline, saying that "it doesn't matter how many cats are out here" and "my daughters are looking forward to having kittens around." I have a few things to say about that. First of all, Mr. Kamrath, you are inside the limits of the Village of Pardeeville and, according to their ordinances, it DOES matter how many cats are out there. Secondly, the cats you have are not licensed by the village, as required by law. Thirdly, let me introduce you to a little thing I like to call CAT MATH.
Halo and her sister, if left unspayed, are destined to have 2 litters of kittens each per year for an average of 10 reproductive years. Statistically, four kittens from each litter will live to adulthood (8 kittens each per year). So, in a single year, that is 16 new kittens. When those 16 come to maturity and begin having kittens (again, each having 2 litters with 4 survivors annually, so multiplying this number by 8), we are up to 128 more kittens. Those 128 will have 1024. Those 1024 will produce 8192. The 8192 will produce 65,536. Those 65,536 will produce 524,288. In the 8th year after the initial 16 kittens were born to Halo and her sister, that 524,288 will become 4,194,304. In year 9, we will be up to 33,554,432. And finally in year 10, we will be up to 268,435,456. Stop for a moment and digest that number and then realize that you have to take into account that each one of these cats has an average reproductive lifespan of 10 years. So that original 16 will not only produce 128 kittens...they will produce 128 of them EACH YEAR for 10 years. That's 1280 new kittens, meaning that the grand total of 268,435,456 new cats is the total for a SINGLE YEAR. So if we cut off each number at a grand total of 10 years, meaning that the first group is considered for 10 years, the second group for 9 years, the third group for 8 years and so on, we can arrive at a grand total as follows:
First, Halo and her sister will have 16 kittens each year for 10 years. That's 160.
The 16 offspring of Halo and her sister will produce 8 kittens each for 9 years in our study:
16 x 8 x 9 = 1,152
The 128 annual offspring of the aforemention 16 will produce 8 kittens each year for 8 years in our study:
128 x 8 x 8 = 8,192
The 1,024 annual offspring of the aforementioned 128 will produce 8 kittens each year for 7 years in our study:
1,024 x 8 x 7 = 57,344
The 8,192 annual offspring of the aforementioned 1,024 will produce 8 kittens each year for 6 years in our study:
8,192 x 8 x 6 = 393,216
The 65,536 annual offspring of the aforementioned 8,192 will produce 8 kittens each year for 5 years in our study:
65,536 x 8 x 5 = 2,621,440
The 524,288 annual offspring of the aforementioned 65,536 will produce 8 kittens each year for 4 years in our study:
524,288 x 8 x 4 = 17,417,216
The 4,194,304 annual offspring of the aforementioned 524,288 will produce 8 kittens each year for 3 years in our study:
4,194,304 x 8 x 3 = 100,663,296
The 33,554,432 annual offspring of the aforementioned 4,194,304 will produce 8 kittens each year for 2 years of our study:
33,554,432 x 8 x 2 = 536,870,912
The 268,435,456 annual offspring of the aforementioned 33,554,432 will produce 8 kittens each in the final year of our 10 year study:
268,435,456 x 8 x 1 = 2,147,483,648
Now, to get our ten year total, we have to add all those totals together:
2 (Halo and her sister) + 160 + 1,152 + 8,192 + 57,344 + 393,216 + 2,621,440 + 17,417,216 + 100,663,296 + 536,870,912 + 2,147,483,648 = 2,805,516,578. Let me read that number for you while it sinks in... that's TWO BILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED FIVE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY-EIGHT CATS BORN IN A TEN YEAR SPAN BECAUSE MR. KAMRATH FELT IT UNIMPORTANT TO HAVE HALO AND HER SISTER SPAYED.
What will the outcome of this insanity? The cats will starve. The cats will freeze to death. The cats will suffer from distemper and other diseases. The cats will become prey to raccoons and coyotes. Those that survive will inundate the neighborhood and colonize...a practice that is not tolerated by most people with their pristine lawns and perfect gardens. And because all of the legal resources to help get the cat population under control are already overtaxed with other people's idiocy, the people who are bothered by the colony will set out poison and kill traps, often drowning the cats or burning them alive once they have caught them or they will pull out their shotguns and laugh as they take taget practice. I wonder if, when Phil Kamrath said that his daughters were looking forward to kittens, he thought at all about the kittens. And how are his daughters going to feel when one of their favorite kittens is snatched by a coyote right in front of their eyes? I suppose their answer will be to shoot the coyotes. How will his kids feel when they go out to see the new kittens and two of them are missing their heads because a raccoon got into their shelter?
The frustration that I feel with this entire situation is overwhelming. And the sadness is unbearable. You see, I learn something from every cat that comes into my care. Alecs has taught me how to be strong. Sarge has taught me devotion. Chance has taught me passion. Augustus has taught me to ignore the odds and fight. Maxie has taught me that life is worth living. And in four short days, Halo taught me that, when life is cruel, you carry on and love like everything is going to be ok. I promised that little girl that no one would ever hurt her again. Deputy Alex Agnew made me break that promise because he wasn't willing to do his job...a job for which I help to pay his salary as a taxpayer of this county. He forced me into a position where I had to choose between returning Halo to a situation I believe is not good for her and risking my entire sanctuary population. I just want to say, I'm so sorry Halo. I know I have let you down and my heart is breaking. Please stay strong. I will pray for your safety and I will pray that the Village of Pardeeville will not be as ignorant and complacent as the Columbia County Sheriff's Department and will force the Kamraths to spay you and take care of you. I pray they will not force you to live your life as a kitten factory. I pray you will forgive me for letting you down. I wish I could explain humans to you...but I'm afraid I don't understand them myself. I love you, Halo. Godspeed little one...
The beautiful kitten, named Halo by the angel that witnessed the event, came into my custody and it wasn't long before I learned what a sweet soul she was. It was all the more heartbreaking that she was so sweet because it made the abuse of her that much more painful. I brought her home and she made herself comfortable, purred easily and ate everything in sight. In an effort to bring some light to the circumstances under which I had acquired Halo, I contacted a friend at the Portage Daily Register and asked if she would be interested in an article that may help bring this person to justice. She readily agreed and the article about Halo hit the paper on Wednesday, December 22.
Before 7am on Wednesday, I received a call from the man who was driving the truck from which the cat was allegedly thrown. Let me be clear here...HE CALLED ME AND TOLD ME IT WAS HIM. This is not my suspicion and this is not a blind accusation. His name is Phil Kamrath and he is a teacher at Pardeeville High School, where, incidentally, his wife is the Principal.
Phil explained that the cats (Halo and her sister) routinely climb into the engines of the family vehicles for warmth. On Monday, as Phil was leaving his house, he heard a thump in the engine and saw, in his rearview mirror, the sister cat tumbling in the driveway, having fallen out of the engine. He assumed that Halo (who they call Nala) was also in the engine so he pulled over and fished her out. Then, he says, he placed her in the open bed of the truck and continued down the road. Now, I ask you...ON WHAT PLANET DOES THAT MAKE SENSE????? He was at the end of his driveway and fished the cat out of the engine. Why not just leave her there so she could return to the house? Why put her in the OPEN BED of the truck and drive her further away from the house? Then, when she allegedly jumped out, why did he not stop and check on her? He just kept driving. Not only does this story not make sense, it is the opposite of what the eyewitness saw. The witness said the cat had been "tossed from the passenger window."
The witness had gotten a description of the truck and a partial plate number and called the Columbia County Sheriff's Department. The responding officer was Deputy Alex Agnew. I was not present when Deputy Agnew arrived on the scene but the witness tells me that he immediately appeared very put off by the situation, as if he was being bothered with the complaint. Since I had met the witness and was there when he found Halo, I took her into my care and left, concentrating on getting her taken care of and checked for injuries. In retrospect, I should have stayed at the scene because, after all, I had the evidence. So I returned to the area and flagged down Deputy Agnew to show him Halo and give him my information. He asked several times if she was injured and she was not. He appeared bothered by this "cat nonsense" and left quickly...I'm sure after he ran my license plates to make sure there was nothing he could arrest me for as a bonus to his day.
Fastforward back to Wednesday after we had confirmation that the driver of the truck was Phil Kamrath. I tried repeatedly to contact Deputy Agnew to ask him where his investigstion was leading him. He couldn't be bothered to call me back. I spoke with Phil Kamrath and explained that I was waiting for a call from Deputy Agnew. So Phil Kamrath called Deputy Agnew and, of course, got through to him right away. (I know this because, initially, Kamrath his redial accidentally and got me. He told me he meant to dial the sheriff's department.) Kamrath told him the story (which, as I pointed out, makes no sense at all) and somehow convinced Deputy Agnew that it was all a misunderstanding. Deputy Agnew called me (finally) and told me that he had spoken to Kamrath and that it was all a misunderstanding and that I had to return Halo. When I pointed out to Deputy Agnew that Kamrath's story didn't add up and didn't jive with the eyewitness account, Deputy Agnew said, "What are you fishing for? He's a teacher and it's his cat so give her back. You are reading too much into this." I was not allowed to say anything further, except to agree that I would contact Phil Kamrath in regard to returning Halo.
Now, I do want to be perfectly clear on one thing. I am not, have not and will not say that Phil Kamrath is an animal abuser. I will not say that he is guilty of this accusation. All I am saying is that the Columbia County Sheriff's Department FAILED to conduct a proper and thorough investigation into this matter, even when Kamrath's story did not make sense or match the eyewitness account. Furthermore, Deputy Agnew NEVER MET WITH KAMRATH IN PERSON. He NEVER checked to make sure that Halo and her sister are provided (as required by law) adequate food, water and shelter. He simply took what Kamrath said and used it as an excuse to wash his hands of the whole cat business, regardless of the fact that there are huge, glaring holes in Kamrath's story.
At noon today, I returned Halo (aka Nala) to the Kamrath home and was met by Phil's children. Phil was not home and the kids told me that Halo never gets let in the house.
Another important point is this...in my discussions with Phil Kamrath, I asked him if he would please allow me to get Halo and her sister spayed and vaccinated at no cost to them. His response was to decline, saying that "it doesn't matter how many cats are out here" and "my daughters are looking forward to having kittens around." I have a few things to say about that. First of all, Mr. Kamrath, you are inside the limits of the Village of Pardeeville and, according to their ordinances, it DOES matter how many cats are out there. Secondly, the cats you have are not licensed by the village, as required by law. Thirdly, let me introduce you to a little thing I like to call CAT MATH.
Halo and her sister, if left unspayed, are destined to have 2 litters of kittens each per year for an average of 10 reproductive years. Statistically, four kittens from each litter will live to adulthood (8 kittens each per year). So, in a single year, that is 16 new kittens. When those 16 come to maturity and begin having kittens (again, each having 2 litters with 4 survivors annually, so multiplying this number by 8), we are up to 128 more kittens. Those 128 will have 1024. Those 1024 will produce 8192. The 8192 will produce 65,536. Those 65,536 will produce 524,288. In the 8th year after the initial 16 kittens were born to Halo and her sister, that 524,288 will become 4,194,304. In year 9, we will be up to 33,554,432. And finally in year 10, we will be up to 268,435,456. Stop for a moment and digest that number and then realize that you have to take into account that each one of these cats has an average reproductive lifespan of 10 years. So that original 16 will not only produce 128 kittens...they will produce 128 of them EACH YEAR for 10 years. That's 1280 new kittens, meaning that the grand total of 268,435,456 new cats is the total for a SINGLE YEAR. So if we cut off each number at a grand total of 10 years, meaning that the first group is considered for 10 years, the second group for 9 years, the third group for 8 years and so on, we can arrive at a grand total as follows:
First, Halo and her sister will have 16 kittens each year for 10 years. That's 160.
The 16 offspring of Halo and her sister will produce 8 kittens each for 9 years in our study:
16 x 8 x 9 = 1,152
The 128 annual offspring of the aforemention 16 will produce 8 kittens each year for 8 years in our study:
128 x 8 x 8 = 8,192
The 1,024 annual offspring of the aforementioned 128 will produce 8 kittens each year for 7 years in our study:
1,024 x 8 x 7 = 57,344
The 8,192 annual offspring of the aforementioned 1,024 will produce 8 kittens each year for 6 years in our study:
8,192 x 8 x 6 = 393,216
The 65,536 annual offspring of the aforementioned 8,192 will produce 8 kittens each year for 5 years in our study:
65,536 x 8 x 5 = 2,621,440
The 524,288 annual offspring of the aforementioned 65,536 will produce 8 kittens each year for 4 years in our study:
524,288 x 8 x 4 = 17,417,216
The 4,194,304 annual offspring of the aforementioned 524,288 will produce 8 kittens each year for 3 years in our study:
4,194,304 x 8 x 3 = 100,663,296
The 33,554,432 annual offspring of the aforementioned 4,194,304 will produce 8 kittens each year for 2 years of our study:
33,554,432 x 8 x 2 = 536,870,912
The 268,435,456 annual offspring of the aforementioned 33,554,432 will produce 8 kittens each in the final year of our 10 year study:
268,435,456 x 8 x 1 = 2,147,483,648
Now, to get our ten year total, we have to add all those totals together:
2 (Halo and her sister) + 160 + 1,152 + 8,192 + 57,344 + 393,216 + 2,621,440 + 17,417,216 + 100,663,296 + 536,870,912 + 2,147,483,648 = 2,805,516,578. Let me read that number for you while it sinks in... that's TWO BILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED FIVE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY-EIGHT CATS BORN IN A TEN YEAR SPAN BECAUSE MR. KAMRATH FELT IT UNIMPORTANT TO HAVE HALO AND HER SISTER SPAYED.
What will the outcome of this insanity? The cats will starve. The cats will freeze to death. The cats will suffer from distemper and other diseases. The cats will become prey to raccoons and coyotes. Those that survive will inundate the neighborhood and colonize...a practice that is not tolerated by most people with their pristine lawns and perfect gardens. And because all of the legal resources to help get the cat population under control are already overtaxed with other people's idiocy, the people who are bothered by the colony will set out poison and kill traps, often drowning the cats or burning them alive once they have caught them or they will pull out their shotguns and laugh as they take taget practice. I wonder if, when Phil Kamrath said that his daughters were looking forward to kittens, he thought at all about the kittens. And how are his daughters going to feel when one of their favorite kittens is snatched by a coyote right in front of their eyes? I suppose their answer will be to shoot the coyotes. How will his kids feel when they go out to see the new kittens and two of them are missing their heads because a raccoon got into their shelter?
The frustration that I feel with this entire situation is overwhelming. And the sadness is unbearable. You see, I learn something from every cat that comes into my care. Alecs has taught me how to be strong. Sarge has taught me devotion. Chance has taught me passion. Augustus has taught me to ignore the odds and fight. Maxie has taught me that life is worth living. And in four short days, Halo taught me that, when life is cruel, you carry on and love like everything is going to be ok. I promised that little girl that no one would ever hurt her again. Deputy Alex Agnew made me break that promise because he wasn't willing to do his job...a job for which I help to pay his salary as a taxpayer of this county. He forced me into a position where I had to choose between returning Halo to a situation I believe is not good for her and risking my entire sanctuary population. I just want to say, I'm so sorry Halo. I know I have let you down and my heart is breaking. Please stay strong. I will pray for your safety and I will pray that the Village of Pardeeville will not be as ignorant and complacent as the Columbia County Sheriff's Department and will force the Kamraths to spay you and take care of you. I pray they will not force you to live your life as a kitten factory. I pray you will forgive me for letting you down. I wish I could explain humans to you...but I'm afraid I don't understand them myself. I love you, Halo. Godspeed little one...
Friday, December 3, 2010
Reflections on 2010
Lately I find myself reflecting on the last year and I am trying to figure out how to put a positive spin on things. But the truth is, all and all, 2010 left a little to be desired. January started with bogus charges by the Columbia County Sheriff's Department that are still unresolved at the expense of the taxpayers. Those same charges may well start 2011 off on the wrong foot.
In February, my uncle Fritz (mom's brother) passed away in Germany from complications of a blood clot.
In June, Jennifer moved out and informed me that she intends to allow foreclosure of the house and, therefore, the sanctuary. All of my kids need to be rehomed and I have no idea where I am going to live with 20+ cats (if I get the number down to that) and 7 dogs.
In July I began working as a Veterinary Assistant at B & R Veterinary Clinic in DeForest. That turned out to be one of the biggest mistakes of my life. The woman should not be allowed to call herself a vet. So, here I am unemployed again. Also in July, my beloved Ozzie lost his 7 year battle with diabetes and died in my arms.
August didn't get any better. My cousin Gerhard passed away at age 61 from lung cancer and my cherished 12 year old persian, Tucker, died of kidney failure.
In September, my sweet Ace man died at the foot of my bed without any warning. I guess God just thought his time had come.
And then came October 31 when, in the cruelest twist of fate of all, my oldest brother, Roy, died at the age of 55 of a sudden heart attack.
Many lessons were learned from Roy's death and I cautiously believe that my brothers and I listened to those lessons. We seem to have abandoned the idea that we should hate each other. However, my sister Gabby continues to be a lost cause that I have no desire to pursue. My sister, Thairn, and I came together for Roy but, as soon as everyone left and she had the opportunity to attack, she came at me with both barrels. The difference was that, this time, I expected it and I didn't let her hurt me. It's just sad that she felt the need to try.
In November, the world lost one of the funniest men to ever live. Leslie Nielsen died on November 28. And now, 3 days into December, one of the most beloved men ever to wear a Chicago Cubs uniform died of bladder cancer at age 70. Rest in peace Ron Santo.
I know this blog is a bit depressing but I am sure you agree that it would be hard to find the positive in all of these events of a single year. That's not to say that 2010 hasn't had SOME bright points. My great-nephews Collin and Bryce were born and we learned that Baby Fisher and Baby Yakey are forthcoming. And I did get to see Roy only 11 days before his death...a visit for which I will always be thankful. But I think it is safe to say that I am ready for 2010 to end. 2010, according to the Chinese, was the year of the tiger. I have always loved tigers. I had one tattooed on my ankle 17 years ago. But apparently they don't like me. 2011 is the year of the rabbit. Maybe I will have better luck with bunnies...
In February, my uncle Fritz (mom's brother) passed away in Germany from complications of a blood clot.
In June, Jennifer moved out and informed me that she intends to allow foreclosure of the house and, therefore, the sanctuary. All of my kids need to be rehomed and I have no idea where I am going to live with 20+ cats (if I get the number down to that) and 7 dogs.
In July I began working as a Veterinary Assistant at B & R Veterinary Clinic in DeForest. That turned out to be one of the biggest mistakes of my life. The woman should not be allowed to call herself a vet. So, here I am unemployed again. Also in July, my beloved Ozzie lost his 7 year battle with diabetes and died in my arms.
August didn't get any better. My cousin Gerhard passed away at age 61 from lung cancer and my cherished 12 year old persian, Tucker, died of kidney failure.
In September, my sweet Ace man died at the foot of my bed without any warning. I guess God just thought his time had come.
And then came October 31 when, in the cruelest twist of fate of all, my oldest brother, Roy, died at the age of 55 of a sudden heart attack.
Many lessons were learned from Roy's death and I cautiously believe that my brothers and I listened to those lessons. We seem to have abandoned the idea that we should hate each other. However, my sister Gabby continues to be a lost cause that I have no desire to pursue. My sister, Thairn, and I came together for Roy but, as soon as everyone left and she had the opportunity to attack, she came at me with both barrels. The difference was that, this time, I expected it and I didn't let her hurt me. It's just sad that she felt the need to try.
In November, the world lost one of the funniest men to ever live. Leslie Nielsen died on November 28. And now, 3 days into December, one of the most beloved men ever to wear a Chicago Cubs uniform died of bladder cancer at age 70. Rest in peace Ron Santo.
I know this blog is a bit depressing but I am sure you agree that it would be hard to find the positive in all of these events of a single year. That's not to say that 2010 hasn't had SOME bright points. My great-nephews Collin and Bryce were born and we learned that Baby Fisher and Baby Yakey are forthcoming. And I did get to see Roy only 11 days before his death...a visit for which I will always be thankful. But I think it is safe to say that I am ready for 2010 to end. 2010, according to the Chinese, was the year of the tiger. I have always loved tigers. I had one tattooed on my ankle 17 years ago. But apparently they don't like me. 2011 is the year of the rabbit. Maybe I will have better luck with bunnies...
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Top Ten Things I Have Learned on My Diet So Far
Well, it has been 2 weeks since I started this journey. I am down 10 pounds, which is just amazing to me. Here are the top 10 things I have learned so far...
10. Salad doesn't have to be gross. Iceberg lettuce is so...yesterday's news. Spinach makes all the difference.
9. Mountain Dew isn't worth dying for. Diet Cherry Pepsi is the bomb.
8. Pizza once in awhile is not a bad thing. Satisfying a craving is important to stopping the desire to go overboard. Just make healthier choices...veggies instead of pepperoni, whole wheat crust, etc.
7. Whole wheat tortillas aren't bad for tacos.
6. Working out on a regular basis is crucial. If too much time passes between workouts, you are starting over at square one on difficulty.
5. Eat until you are satisfied, not until you are stuffed.
4. Boredom is the enemy...then you eat for no reason.
3. Fat free sour cream is edible if you don't think about it.
2. I don't have to be in a hurry to get the weight off. I will be healthier if I take my time. It will happen.
1. I have the best friends and support system in the world.
10. Salad doesn't have to be gross. Iceberg lettuce is so...yesterday's news. Spinach makes all the difference.
9. Mountain Dew isn't worth dying for. Diet Cherry Pepsi is the bomb.
8. Pizza once in awhile is not a bad thing. Satisfying a craving is important to stopping the desire to go overboard. Just make healthier choices...veggies instead of pepperoni, whole wheat crust, etc.
7. Whole wheat tortillas aren't bad for tacos.
6. Working out on a regular basis is crucial. If too much time passes between workouts, you are starting over at square one on difficulty.
5. Eat until you are satisfied, not until you are stuffed.
4. Boredom is the enemy...then you eat for no reason.
3. Fat free sour cream is edible if you don't think about it.
2. I don't have to be in a hurry to get the weight off. I will be healthier if I take my time. It will happen.
1. I have the best friends and support system in the world.
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