You called 9-1-1 for what?

Don't let this happen to YOUR dog!

Would you call 911 if your puppy had it's head stuck in a pail?

That's exactly what one woman did in Massachusetts the other day.  The 911 call was answered by the Police Department then transferred to the Fire Department.  Normally, Animal Control officers would be the obvious choice to handle this call.  Why the PD chose to give it to the FD remains a mystery. (We have our suspicions - we could have sworn we heard someone chuckle on the other end of the phone).  Yet, even though the FD is not required to respond to this type of call, they did. The Big Red Fire Truck and 4 brave firemen went out the door, to see if they could help.  I suppose it was a bit like the "cat stuck in a tree" call - an opportunity for good PR, a feel good, be the hero on a slow day type of call.  The puppy was saved from a life of bucket head and the owners were relieved that no huge Vet bill would be in their immediate future. It's understandable that in the throes of a panicked moment, one would reach for the phone and dial 9-1-1. But a puppy with it's head stuck in a pail? Really?

I don't make them up folks.  Stay safe out there.

IS ANYONE IN THE WHITE HOUSE PAYING ATTENTION?

I've been following the Senate vote regarding the UN Arms Treaty - something I believe has a worthy intent, but not specific enough language to prevent a 2nd Amendment right infringement. Senator Bob Corker went so far as to warn President Obama,  you can read about it here.    Then, yesterday our fears were realized, when this went down ~ Kerry signed the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty! Is no one in the Obama Administration listening to us? It blows my mind that they still went ahead and signed this treaty without the support of the country.  What will this look like to the rest of the world? We sign the treaty but don't ratify it?  Hmmmm sounds familiar.... oh yes, remember this? We signed but never ratified the Kyoto Protocol.  This is just plain embarrassing.  Please excuse me while I go bang my head on the wall.

Syria a Bipartisan Autopsy Report and other stuff

For those of you who care... A statement of truth in the mess we have created in Syria. God help us. For those of you who have chosen to look the other way... You may want to read this.
http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/michael-j-totten/bipartisan-autopsy-report

There was a huge implosion with Niall Ferguson's Newsweek article: Obama's Gotta Go.  Check out the Media's reaction!  http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/08/20/media-reactions-to-newsweek-s-niall-ferguson-obama-cover-story.html They couldn't get over it fast enough! 

The 42nd attempt to repeal Obamacare funding is no surprise, however if we do manage to stop the trillions of dollars needed to make this crazy health care bill work, will it stop a government shut-down? Who the heck stole John McCain and replaced him with this guy? http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/09/19/mccain-republicans-thinking-they-can-repeal-obamacare-is-not-rational/Even if the funding is repealed, we still face staggering debt. What's the plan to balance our budget? Will we cut down on government spending? Or just raise the debt ceiling again?

These and many other questions remain unanswered. Stay tuned. Stay informed.

Syria

A friend of mine posted this today and it provoked me into posting a reply... something that I normally don't do when it comes to friends and politics. I had to agree with his statement about not siding with Assad, but I wanted to offer him a way to understand why some folks are choosing Assad over the Rebels in this conflict/war.  Sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don't.  What do you think?



From my friend:

Now I'm sure everyone knows that I haven't been a big fan of this president and very torn over the situation in Syria, but it's sickening seeing people who side with Assad's mindset and/or feel he is more believable. Doesn't take much reasearch to see how much sick stuff has happened over there by his regime. If you just don't like the idea of us intervening, that's a different story, but to defend the actions of the Syrian government is very ill minded.

Here is what I posted in response:

Mr. X, there is a much deeper situation at hand in Syria. There are many, many other countries and places in the world where the criminal actions of their leaders are similar if not worse than what Assad is doing/has done. We chose not to intervene in those places... so the question is why do we need/want to intervene in Syria? Because Syria is an immensely important,strategic country. Russia, Iran, Lebanon, Libya. U.S. Iraq, Israel. All of these and more stand to gain or lose if Assad stays in power, or loses the war to the Rebels. Look into the Benghazi incident - check out the information on why Israel has been bombing Syria for the past six months. Look at why Saudi Arabia has interests in Syria and what that means to the Russians. Look into the different sects of the Rebels and where they come from. It's mind blowing, once you get the whole picture, and scary in regards to the future of the region. The outcome of that country's war will trigger explosions of change throughout the middle east. It doesn't seem to matter which regime runs the show - things are going to get even uglier there. If we can forestall an intervention/war through diplomatic means..... I'm all for it. Assad is an evil man, but he is only one among many in that country. Our intervention of bombs and airstrikes will do little in helping the citizens of Syria.

We Remember

 

 

Today I participated in the Mashpee Fire Department 9/11 Memorial Service.  At 8:46 I announced over the Fire Alarm Radio:

 

"Mashpee Fire Alarm sounding Box 5 – 5 – 5 – 5 in memory of the lives lost and injured on September 11, 2001. "

 

I then chimed the special 5 alert tones four times over the air.

(5-5-5-5 Is the bell signal for a fallen firefighter and officially means to lower flags to half mast.)

It was a priveledge and honor to be a part of the ceremony.

 

I pray for Peace, Comfort, Hope and Faith for all those who were affected by the tragic event of September 11, 2001.

                                 Firefighters Prayer

When I am called to duty, wherever flames may rage, give me the strength to save a life, whatever be its age.  Help me embrace a little child before it is too late, or save an older person from the horror of that fate.  Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout, and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.  I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me, to guard my every neighbor and protect his property.  And if according to God’s will, I must answer death’s call, bless with your protecting hand, my family, one and all.   AMEN.

 

We will never forget.

 

 

 

 

 

Just something fun to play with!

Courtesy of my Uncle Earl who lives in Florida.