Names are unknown at this time, but - besides the shooter, who later was treated for post traumatic stress syndrome - SOMEONE KNEW about the massacre of 100 sled dogs in Canada.
Outdoor Adventures Whistler acknowledges it had a financial stake in Howling Dogs at the time of the cull, but didn't take operational control of the company until May 2010.
The release says: "OAW was aware of the relocation and euthanization of dogs at Howling Dogs in April 2010, but it was our expectation that it was done in a proper, legal and humane manner."
The man who was compensated hasn't been identified. Outdoor Adventures Whistler said he is no longer managing Howling Dogs. A new manager has been hired.
His lawyer, Corey Steinberg, said the man made every effort to find adoptive homes for the dogs. Steinberg told CBC News that when he wasn't successful, a group, including executives and the man, agreed euthanasia was the only choice for the sickest and oldest dogs in the pack.
"He just wanted the greatest happiness for the greatest number of dogs. He had to choose — 'Do I keep 200 dogs and make their lives great, or do I stick here with the 300 that I have?' And I'm being told by my employer, 'You deal with it, you figure it out, there's not really much more we can do for you,'" Steinberg said.
The general manager of cruelty investigations for the provincial SPCA, Marcie Moriarty, wonders why the company had so many dogs when it couldn't keep them healthy. She said the dogs appear to have died a horrible death.
"I won't use the term euthanized, [which] implies a humane death, and I can say that based on his description, at least a number of dogs did not have a humane death. His descriptions of using a shotgun, blowing off half of the dog's head while it ran off, a dog crawling out of a mass grave, it just made me shudder," Moriarty said.
Moriarty said investigators would try to locate the burial site and perform necropsies.
Outdoors Adventures Whistler told CBC News the incident is tragic and regrettable, and a new policy has been put in place to ensure all dogs are euthanized at a veterinarian's office.
The company also said it has implemented a neutering program for all male dogs to mitigate unwanted pregnancies in the pack.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
January 28, 1986
I don't think I'll ever forget where I was 25 years ago today. I think a lot of people are like that. It's the same as when the day JFK was shot, or 9/11 or Katrina. An event like this just burns itself into your memory forever.
I work in New Orleans East at the Michoud Assembly Facility. We build the External Fuel Tank for the Space Shuttle. On January 28th, 1986 we were all standing around the television in the hallway as we did for every launch. We watched the countdown, the engines firing and the blastoff. When the capcom said "throttle up" our whole world changed. All of us standing there stood in a state of shock for at least 3-5 minutes watching the scene in silence. Eventually the capcom said "obviously a major malfunction" our hearts dropped, we grew sick to our stomachs.
Not knowing the cause of the explosion , we were frightened, wondering if our part of the Shuttle System was to blame. I can never look at the video again.
The next two plus years were very, very painful for everyone involved in the Shuttle Program. There were a lot of investigations going on and a lot of layoffs. We eventually returned to flight and everything flew normally until 2003 when we lost Columbia on February 1, 2003.
Coincidentally, an explosion on Apollo 1 on January 27, 1967 caused the death of three astronauts.
We are now close to the end of the Space Shuttle era, with only two more flights to go. It has been an exhilarating experience to take part in all of these unbelievable endeavors. I'm extremely disappointed in our leadership who seem not to care about the future of space flight, just letting 50 years of discoveries end with no certain path for our future.
Here's an excellent article about the end of the Program along with ignorant comments.
Gathering the Orphaned Anchors in the Gulf
During the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill response, thousands of 20 to 70-pound Danforth anchors were deployed to keep containment boom in place. After retrieval of the boom in areas where no containable oil posed a threat to the shoreline, it was discovered that some of the anchors were not accounted for various reasons such as storms. In addition, some anchors were solidly embedded in the sediment, and could not be recovered by teams retrieving boom.
A typical Danforth Anchor
The first phase of the program to remove these anchors will involve controlled testing by experienced underwater salvage teams. Crews will place anchors in a selected area and then search for them to find the best procedures and equipment for locating and removing the anchors. Using the best methods developed under these tests, crews will then transition into the second phase, which involves locating and removing the orphaned anchors deployed as part of the oil spill response in select areas of St. Bernard Parish.
If phase two recovery operations are successful in St. Bernard Parish, phase three of the plan will begin, which involves expanding removal operations to include all of the waters in Louisiana affected by the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill.
“The federal government team that continues to oversee this response is committed to ensuring that BP uses a safe and proven method to find and remove orphan anchors so that teams do not break submerged pipelines in the area or further harm fragile ecosystems by causing erosion,” said Capt. Lincoln Stroh, Federal On-Scene Coordinator.
“Teams cannot simply drag the waterways with a hook or trawl due to the risk of breaking a pipeline or causing massive erosion. The program requires BP to undertake careful planning to ensure there is no environmental damage or destruction to existing pipelines and infrastructure.”
When laying boom, response crews used Danforth anchors, which embed in the sediment and collapse flat when not in use. This type of anchor does not protrude above the sediment like North Hill anchors. When the boom was retrieved, every anchor that could be recovered by the boom teams was safely removed
Here's a link to the whole story
A typical Danforth Anchor
The first phase of the program to remove these anchors will involve controlled testing by experienced underwater salvage teams. Crews will place anchors in a selected area and then search for them to find the best procedures and equipment for locating and removing the anchors. Using the best methods developed under these tests, crews will then transition into the second phase, which involves locating and removing the orphaned anchors deployed as part of the oil spill response in select areas of St. Bernard Parish.
If phase two recovery operations are successful in St. Bernard Parish, phase three of the plan will begin, which involves expanding removal operations to include all of the waters in Louisiana affected by the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill.
“The federal government team that continues to oversee this response is committed to ensuring that BP uses a safe and proven method to find and remove orphan anchors so that teams do not break submerged pipelines in the area or further harm fragile ecosystems by causing erosion,” said Capt. Lincoln Stroh, Federal On-Scene Coordinator.
“Teams cannot simply drag the waterways with a hook or trawl due to the risk of breaking a pipeline or causing massive erosion. The program requires BP to undertake careful planning to ensure there is no environmental damage or destruction to existing pipelines and infrastructure.”
When laying boom, response crews used Danforth anchors, which embed in the sediment and collapse flat when not in use. This type of anchor does not protrude above the sediment like North Hill anchors. When the boom was retrieved, every anchor that could be recovered by the boom teams was safely removed
Here's a link to the whole story
Making it happen
I just discovered the Nine Lives Blog and I'd like to share it with you.
The blog covers the birth of a new musical based on New Orleans lover Dan Baum, a former
journalist for The New Yorker magazine.
I enjoyed perusing the notes from the production period and seeing pictures of the musical artists who contribute to this project.
"The premise of the musical is this: Nine Lives: Death and Life in New Orleans tells the story of New Orleans through the stories of nine people over 40 years, bracketed by two hurricanes — from 1965′s Betsy to 2005′s Katrina.
The musical is based on the book with the same name, on sale here.(which I just purchased)
If the name Dan Baum seems familiar to some New Orleanians, it's probably due to the fact that you've read his blog detailing the aftermath of Katrina. The blog entries , can be found here. The reader can also find insight into 8 of the nine lives covered in this story.
The CD preview party for Nine Lives musical is this Saturday, January 29th. See the flyer below.
The blog covers the birth of a new musical based on New Orleans lover Dan Baum, a former
journalist for The New Yorker magazine.
I enjoyed perusing the notes from the production period and seeing pictures of the musical artists who contribute to this project.
"The premise of the musical is this: Nine Lives: Death and Life in New Orleans tells the story of New Orleans through the stories of nine people over 40 years, bracketed by two hurricanes — from 1965′s Betsy to 2005′s Katrina.
The musical is based on the book with the same name, on sale here.(which I just purchased)
If the name Dan Baum seems familiar to some New Orleanians, it's probably due to the fact that you've read his blog detailing the aftermath of Katrina. The blog entries , can be found here. The reader can also find insight into 8 of the nine lives covered in this story.
The CD preview party for Nine Lives musical is this Saturday, January 29th. See the flyer below.
Blush Ball Fundraiser
Got nothing to do Saturday nite?Get out to Howlin' Wolf to the Pussyfooters' Blush Ball Fundraiser
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
On Social Media.....
Sophmom has a great post here about social media. Here's an excerpt:
When I hear my contemporaries dismiss social media, primarily as a "time suck", I hear an old fogy shouting "Get off of my lawn!" Refusing to learn for no good reason smells of fear, smells of failure to grow, and rationalizing it as somehow right to think that way smells of self-deception. Twitter gets called "narcissistic" more than other platforms, and it's a common whine, "Why would anyone want to know what you're doing/eating/seeing/etc.?" Except that's the point when "etc." includes thinking and you use Twitter not just to follow people but to follow ideas, subjects of interest, current events, other media, even television. In most areas of our lives we are bound with others by the things we have in common: our geography, our social stations, our ages, our activities or those of our children; but in each of these there are clear signals that create preconception: how we look, where we live, what we wear, what we drive. It's different when we interact on social media because there we choose connections largely, if not entirely, because of shared ideas; and on Twitter, unlike some other fora, we can follow the ideas first as a path to find the people with whom we wish to connect.
When I hear my contemporaries dismiss social media, primarily as a "time suck", I hear an old fogy shouting "Get off of my lawn!" Refusing to learn for no good reason smells of fear, smells of failure to grow, and rationalizing it as somehow right to think that way smells of self-deception. Twitter gets called "narcissistic" more than other platforms, and it's a common whine, "Why would anyone want to know what you're doing/eating/seeing/etc.?" Except that's the point when "etc." includes thinking and you use Twitter not just to follow people but to follow ideas, subjects of interest, current events, other media, even television. In most areas of our lives we are bound with others by the things we have in common: our geography, our social stations, our ages, our activities or those of our children; but in each of these there are clear signals that create preconception: how we look, where we live, what we wear, what we drive. It's different when we interact on social media because there we choose connections largely, if not entirely, because of shared ideas; and on Twitter, unlike some other fora, we can follow the ideas first as a path to find the people with whom we wish to connect.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
I love where I live
I love Louisiana, the Gulf Coast. It's one of most culturally rich, beautiful places in the world. Granted, I haven't done too much travelling in my life, but I do know I'm happy to live here, despite the known and unknown hazards.
This came to me this morning as I was driving home from Rouses, eating my Hubig's apple pie (not a healthy breakfast, that's why I go to the gym 3 x a week).
The sky was clear and blue, the temps in the mid 40's and there was no snow in sight!
While at Rouses I bought a Louisiana Festival Calendar so hubby and I can start planning our Festivals. Looking at February, while the rest of the country is shivering through their winters, we'll be going to over 20 Mardi Gras Parades .
Before the parades begin we have Superbowl Sunday. The Saints didn't "Two Dat" this year, but we still carry the sweet memories of last year. And if we want, we can buy our own license plate to commemorate it!
And we have that Sunday last January where hundreds, if not thousands of male Saints fans donned dresses to honor the late, great Buddy Diliberto because our team was going to the Superbowl!!
I mean where else would you find the 610 Stompers? "Ordinary men with extrodinary moves" :)
Three days after Mardi Gras is the St. Patricks parade in the French Quarter, followed that weekend by the Irish-Italian-Islenos Parade, the Irish Channel Parade. Later on in March are all of the St. Joseph Day Altars, which is an incredible amount of work for those who put on the Altars.
Right after the St. Jospeph Altars is the Mardi Gras Indians' Super Sunday, this year on March 20th.
I've never been to one, but the work that goes into the costumes is immense. All the sewing and feathers and the pride that these folks have for their heritage is touching.
The last week of March festivals include the Smokin' Blues Barbecue Challenge in Hammond, the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival in New Orleans, Chalmette's Crawfish Festival, the New Orleans Spring Fiesta, Oak Alley Spring Arts & Crafts Festival, a Bluegrass Festival in Oak Grove and this is just the month of March!
Yes, in Louisiana we no shortage of corrupt officials. But we are not alone in that category.
Some people view Louisiana citizens as lazy and stupid. It's too bad that these people are so closed minded. They base their opinions on what mainstream media feeds them. They're probably unaware of the hard working fishermen, of the men that are trying to save the young black boys in New Orleans thru mentoring. They are probably unaware of the myriad of intelligent bloggers right here in the New Orleans area. That's their loss, isn't it.
I can't imagine having to live in the cold and snow, as I did for the first 20 years of my life.
ugh
I know I wouldn't like the humungous interstates in California.
Granted, the scenery is second to none, but all those people. ~shudder~
I like the scenery around me right here in Louisiana, thankyouverymuch.
This came to me this morning as I was driving home from Rouses, eating my Hubig's apple pie (not a healthy breakfast, that's why I go to the gym 3 x a week).
The sky was clear and blue, the temps in the mid 40's and there was no snow in sight!
While at Rouses I bought a Louisiana Festival Calendar so hubby and I can start planning our Festivals. Looking at February, while the rest of the country is shivering through their winters, we'll be going to over 20 Mardi Gras Parades .
Before the parades begin we have Superbowl Sunday. The Saints didn't "Two Dat" this year, but we still carry the sweet memories of last year. And if we want, we can buy our own license plate to commemorate it!
And we have that Sunday last January where hundreds, if not thousands of male Saints fans donned dresses to honor the late, great Buddy Diliberto because our team was going to the Superbowl!!
I mean where else would you find the 610 Stompers? "Ordinary men with extrodinary moves" :)
Three days after Mardi Gras is the St. Patricks parade in the French Quarter, followed that weekend by the Irish-Italian-Islenos Parade, the Irish Channel Parade. Later on in March are all of the St. Joseph Day Altars, which is an incredible amount of work for those who put on the Altars.
Right after the St. Jospeph Altars is the Mardi Gras Indians' Super Sunday, this year on March 20th.
I've never been to one, but the work that goes into the costumes is immense. All the sewing and feathers and the pride that these folks have for their heritage is touching.
The last week of March festivals include the Smokin' Blues Barbecue Challenge in Hammond, the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival in New Orleans, Chalmette's Crawfish Festival, the New Orleans Spring Fiesta, Oak Alley Spring Arts & Crafts Festival, a Bluegrass Festival in Oak Grove and this is just the month of March!
Yes, in Louisiana we no shortage of corrupt officials. But we are not alone in that category.
Some people view Louisiana citizens as lazy and stupid. It's too bad that these people are so closed minded. They base their opinions on what mainstream media feeds them. They're probably unaware of the hard working fishermen, of the men that are trying to save the young black boys in New Orleans thru mentoring. They are probably unaware of the myriad of intelligent bloggers right here in the New Orleans area. That's their loss, isn't it.
I can't imagine having to live in the cold and snow, as I did for the first 20 years of my life.
ugh
I know I wouldn't like the humungous interstates in California.
Granted, the scenery is second to none, but all those people. ~shudder~
I like the scenery around me right here in Louisiana, thankyouverymuch.
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