Frustrating Issues...
I came home after ball practice feeling quite ill. I went and laid down in bed for several hours. I feel some better now.
I have some frustrations right now other than not feeling good.
One, I was unable to post on The Turtle Speaks due to some imaging doodad called Imagemagik. I think that's what it said. "ANYWAY"... it wouldn't take my comments. I don't know what's up with that. Luke, if you're reading this please e-mail me and tell me what's wrong.
Second, Paul Wesselhoft is bound and determined to get a pit bull ban passed in this state. He thinks that it will solve our child-murdering dog problems in Oklahoma. Please read my post, A Bite of Reality, if you haven't done so already.
Mr. Wesselhoft (I really hope I am spelling his name right) needs to put his energy into something that will work. Breed specific legislation will not work and the issue is a lot bigger than just getting rid of the pit bulls around this state.
Third, does Wesselhoft know which dogs he will be banning? Take this pitbull identification test and see if you know which dogs he is talking about.
Fourth, I would like to see my state officials be more productive. They need to earn their wages that my tax dollars are paying. Wesselhoft should be working on the injuries and deaths concerning the victims of child abuse. This is a much bigger issue and a deadlier problem.
"The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) reported an estimated 1,400 child fatalities in 2002." This is a much more significant problem than the average annual 12 deaths (nationwide) due to dog bite related injuries.
Studies have recognized some of the contributing factors to child abuse. It just so happens that some of these factors can be attributed to dog bite related injuries and deaths.
Poverty is the most frequently and persistently noted risk factor for child abuse. Physical abuse and neglect are more common among the people who are the poorest.
It appears that what we really need is a people ban, not a pit bull ban.
The fact remains that each year, 160,000 children suffer severe or life-threatening injury and 1,000 to 2,000 children die as a result of abuse.
Really guys, I do not want to discount the problems due to dog related injuries because they are real. The issue isn't whether there is a problem or not but how to address the problem in the most effective and efficient manner. Eliminating a specific breed of animal will not do this.
Additionally, I want to point out to everyone how 'small' this issue is within the really big picture. We have much bigger fish to fry and much more tragic and complicated issues to deal with.
Finally, my question to Mr. Wesselhoft:
If the state can't keep kids like little two year-old Kelsey alive with our state-run Department of Human Services, how can anyone expect the state to control dogs?
later...
I have some frustrations right now other than not feeling good.
One, I was unable to post on The Turtle Speaks due to some imaging doodad called Imagemagik. I think that's what it said. "ANYWAY"... it wouldn't take my comments. I don't know what's up with that. Luke, if you're reading this please e-mail me and tell me what's wrong.
Second, Paul Wesselhoft is bound and determined to get a pit bull ban passed in this state. He thinks that it will solve our child-murdering dog problems in Oklahoma. Please read my post, A Bite of Reality, if you haven't done so already.
Mr. Wesselhoft (I really hope I am spelling his name right) needs to put his energy into something that will work. Breed specific legislation will not work and the issue is a lot bigger than just getting rid of the pit bulls around this state.
Third, does Wesselhoft know which dogs he will be banning? Take this pitbull identification test and see if you know which dogs he is talking about.
Fourth, I would like to see my state officials be more productive. They need to earn their wages that my tax dollars are paying. Wesselhoft should be working on the injuries and deaths concerning the victims of child abuse. This is a much bigger issue and a deadlier problem.
"The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) reported an estimated 1,400 child fatalities in 2002." This is a much more significant problem than the average annual 12 deaths (nationwide) due to dog bite related injuries.
Studies have recognized some of the contributing factors to child abuse. It just so happens that some of these factors can be attributed to dog bite related injuries and deaths.
Poverty is the most frequently and persistently noted risk factor for child abuse. Physical abuse and neglect are more common among the people who are the poorest.
It appears that what we really need is a people ban, not a pit bull ban.
The fact remains that each year, 160,000 children suffer severe or life-threatening injury and 1,000 to 2,000 children die as a result of abuse.
Really guys, I do not want to discount the problems due to dog related injuries because they are real. The issue isn't whether there is a problem or not but how to address the problem in the most effective and efficient manner. Eliminating a specific breed of animal will not do this.
Additionally, I want to point out to everyone how 'small' this issue is within the really big picture. We have much bigger fish to fry and much more tragic and complicated issues to deal with.
Finally, my question to Mr. Wesselhoft:
If the state can't keep kids like little two year-old Kelsey alive with our state-run Department of Human Services, how can anyone expect the state to control dogs?
later...
posted by It's me, T.J. at Thursday, November 17, 2005
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