One, Two... Many Rants

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

I've been to Sea World. Tillikum is a special case, he was an adult when he was captured, kept in a small tank for a long time, and should never have been performing at Sea World. I do not like that orca's are kept in small tanks. They should have more room and IMHO they should no longer be bred for captivity. If at all possible they should all be gradually moved back to the wild. There are plenty of tours you can see orcas in the wild, especially off the coast of BC.

That said, part of me wonders if I would care this much if I had never seen one in person when I was very young. I went to Vancouver Aquarium when I was 4 and it's never left me. I wanted to be a marine biologist or a marine veterinarian when I was younger and only the cost of schooling kept me from doing it after high school.

I like going to zoos, but only certain zoos, that have large animal enclosures. Calgary Zoo isn't so bad and they're constantly improving their facilities. I was actually annoyed at how small everything was at the Denver Zoo and think that the Sacramento Zoo should be shut down.

Here's the thing that I have issues with; zoos have a integral part of helping people realize there is more than just people out there. How many children these days have no idea that the chicken they see on the TV screen or at a petting zoo, is what they eat for supper? They haven't the faintest idea how a cow becomes hamburger (or even that it does) or leather, or anything else we use domesticated animals for. They don't know what a tiger looks like and frankly without seeing one, I wonder if they'd care that it doesn't look or act like Tigger. I grew up watching nature shows and knew that animals kill their food and it was just part of life. I grew up eating deer and moose. I knew a chicken was the same bird with feathers and without. But kids and even adults these days, just don't know that. And what isn't in front of people, they don't care. Even when it is a lot of the time they still don't care. How many times do you turn the channel when the poor child in Africa with the distended stomach and flies landing on his eyes, living on a piece of plastic on a floor, comes on TV? Do you send money? Travel to help? No. 95% or more change the damn channel because it's disturbing. I'm selective about where I send money for help and most often it's to the SPCA or WWF.

So how do you get people to care? You have to give them something they can see and touch and then leave a lasting reminder of why they need to help and how. How do you do that without zoos or aquariums? How do we get people to care about something they've never seen? I don't know.

I agree that a lot of it is related to the size of the enclosure, I find it a lot more palatable when the animals have room to run and get away from people if that is what they want. I have some concerns with the Bronx Zoo and the Central Park Zoo because of the way they keep animals, especially artic animals. The enclosure are very small and the animals frankly seem depressed.

As to the children in poverty in other countries, I think for me, it bothers me that these women keep popping out children into starvation conditions and refuse sterilization or that their governments outlaw it or whatever else. Birth rate is implicitly tied into poverty. I also have a problem when we help certain refugee groups, like the Somalis, who continue to practice severe female genital mutilation even after they are relocated.

I think a lot of Americans are of that mindset, that we want to help people who help themselves. Handouts certainly don't help poor nations as they destroy local economies and that has come more to the forefront in recent years. If someone in front of you always had their hand out, you wouldn't help them indefinitely.

Animals can't really help themselves in these situations or maybe eating a trainer is their way of protesting...

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Oh and most likely not pregnant, my tests finally went negative today.

[Novembro 1,763]

Tilikum was two when he was captured in Iceland.

As for the instilling "care" into children, I guess I was raised to have a healthy respect of animals. I didn't need to go see captive whales to know that I care about them. Perhaps kids now don't get that.

[NikLR 13,227]

Likely harming a trainer is their way of protesting. Wild animals deserve to be wild, but people don't know about them unless they can see them up close. Catch 22.

As for the people statements, yes Nola I agree with you, and I agree that's how American's feel about helping.

[NikLR 13,227]

Tilikum was two when he was captured in Iceland.

As for the instilling "care" into children, I guess I was raised to have a healthy respect of animals. I didn't need to go see captive whales to know that I care about them. Perhaps kids now don't get that.

It's not captive whales, it's any animal, and no I don't think kids get it. Gone are the days of small farms. So many kids are stuck inside, against a TV or computer vs outside, learning about nature and respecting with world we live in.

Go ask average city kids if they know what happens to chickens between birth and slaughter and on their plate, chances are most don't have a gosh darn clue.

[Jacque67 7,328]

Oh and most likely not pregnant, my tests finally went negative today.

Sorry to hear that.

[Pooky 3,787]

If I'm not seen here after today, I may be in need of bail money.

I give people two chances to work with me on projects. Call it the benefit of the doubt principle. Today, the person once described to me by someone as "the best person at their job they had ever worked with" just blew shot number 2. At least this time I didn't make them cry, like the last time, just by asking them to do their job.

Tomorrow is going to suck harder than a Dyson.

Edited June 30, 2014 by Pooky

[Ontarkie 14,229]

Oh and most likely not pregnant, my tests finally went negative today.

Sorry Nola, was really hoping you would be one of the lucky one who get it the first time.

If I'm not seen here after today, I may be in need of bail money.

I give people two chances to work with me on projects. Call it the benefit of the doubt principle. Today, the person once described to me by someone as "the best person at their job they had ever worked with" just blew shot number 2. At least this time I didn't make them cry, like the last time, just by asking them to do their job.

Tomorrow is going to suck harder than a Dyson.

Seems to be a lot of ppl like that.

[Pooky 3,787]

Seems to be a lot of ppl like that.

I know. My company seems to try hiring each and every one of them. Grrrrrr.

[TBoneTX 45,324]

Sea World [...] Kind of surprised anyone in this day and age would support a place like that.

Has nothing to do with support, no ma'am. It has to do with taking a toddler to see fishies and whales and dolphins and whatever else is there, and with keeping a wife happy because she's never been to San Antonio and rejected the two other suggestions, she man. No matter the beliefs of anyone, the admission fees of SW and any other amusement park are an overpriced rip-off, and for that reason I as a cheap gringo resent supporting them, $i man.

[TBoneTX 45,324]

1. I pay $Many for a checking account in the USA

2. $Many a month for not having enough money? That's a little ridiculous.

1. $Many is too many, agree ma'am.

2. Ridiculous indeed, si ma'am.

Edited June 30, 2014 by TBoneTX

[JTB11 1,079]

before I go to bed...made some pork sausage thingies with grilled potatoes in aluminum pouches with garlic etc., corn with herb butter and mixed berry cobbler. I am making everyone fat me thinks. Apparently it was good though so yay.

night all.

Edited June 30, 2014 by JTB11

[NikLR 13,227]

Okay..

Need things to do in Ok City.

And GO!

[TBoneTX 45,324]

Oh and most likely not pregnant, my tests finally went negative today.

Sorry to hear the negative news, sigh ma'am. One day soon, you'll be able to report "the hamster died," whee ma'am.

If I'm not seen here after today, I may be in need of bail money.

I give people two chances to work with me on projects. Call it the benefit of the doubt principle. Today, the person once described to me by someone as "the best person at their job they had ever worked with" just blew shot number 2. At least this time I didn't make them cry, like the last time, just by asking them to do their job.

Tomorrow is going to suck harder than a Dyson.

Perhaps forget the reputations and instead find the hungry ones or the quickest studies, si man.

I know. My company seems to try hiring each and every one of them. Grrrrrr.

Have a serious talk with Subhuman Resources (like grab 'em by the shirt front and pin 'em against the wall), see here man.

night all.

Night, Commie-babe!

Need things to do in Ok City.

Googled "OKC Convention & Visitors Bureau," huh ma'am? Usually good direct information or links there, see ma'am.

[TBoneTX 45,324]

Thread-Laundress report, see man:

Warshed Many loads (one more than the usual Many on a non-sheet week, courtesy of blowing off the kitchen rags till today, see man). Standard volumes and achievement. Am still owed $Many + Interest by Steveklar, sigh man.