A Case for Agressive Prosecution

There are times, I suppose, for some leniency in law enforcement; times, perhaps, where forgiveness and rehabilitation is in order.

This is NOT one of those times.

LEFT FOR DEAD: "A middle-aged bay gelding, along with three other horses, were used by two Georgia men, Curtis Heyden, 37, and his father, Craig Heyden, 71, to ride and pack in the [Montana Wilderness] for two months during the summer of 2008. Obviously deprived of proper food and water and even shoes, the emaciated horses were forced to carry the men and their equipment while having large, open saddle sores that went bone-deep. Their story is heart-wrenching, in part because the owners have admitted no wrong.....[good samaritans were out on the trails and] they came upon [an] emaciated horse lying flat in the hot sun. They were both shocked at the sight and thought he was dead, until he nickered. He was still saddled, terribly thin, and had oozing sores covered by meat-eating bees and biting flies. The sores were open all the way to cartilage and bone on his withers, and his shoeless feet were too worn and painful to stand on." (You may read the whole story here - warning: graphic photos of severe abuse.)

It has come to my attention, through Fugly Horse of the Day, that the prosecutor in this case does not intend to be aggressive. In light of this, I have provided my letter to him, and his contact info, below. Please send him a note...


John Bell,
Prosecutor
Ravalli County Attorney's Office
205 Bedford Street, Ste C
Hamilton , MT 59840
email: rcao@ravallicounty.mt.gov

November 20, 2008

Dear Mr. Bell:

It has come to my attention that prosecutors in Montana are typically lenient on cases of animal abuse. It is my intention to encourage an aggressive prosecution of Curits and Craig Heyden, and I hope to provide you not only with a reason for this prosecution, but an argument for conviction.

Horses are creatures that have served humans all throughout history - they help us work, play, travel and compete internationally in equestrian sports. They are the only animal which is part of the Olympic games. They helped form the modern world, settle the Americas and they were instrumental in defining the most American of occupations: the American Cowboy. In short, Americans need to step up and protect horses from abuse, because horses helped form the United States that they enjoy today. Horses carried soldiers, cowboys, frontiersmen, travelers and the first mailmen (Pony Express!). Horses, like dogs, help humans in their work, their sport, their leisure time and even in therapy. They deserve respect, and at the very least, humane treatment and consideration.

With that being said and dually understood, I can sympathize with the difficulty that authorities might have in drawing the line between abuse and the bare minimum of adequate care. I can understand that at times, radical animal rights activists tend to act erratically and place the needs of animals above the needs of humans; these activists give ethical, humane supporters of fair treatment for all living things a bad reputation.

Taking into account the details of the Heyden case, the line has clearly been drawn for you: there can be no argument that "perhaps the horses were just a little skinny", or that "maybe the elements had just been a bit hard on them". No, in the Heyden case, you have clear evidence of gross abuse that borders on the sadistic. This is one of the worst cases of abuse that I have ever seen. Those horses were starved, dehydrated to the point of utter exhaustion, and bore saddle sores that could not have been overlooked by any decent human being. No rational person could reason that a sore measuring about 1 square foot was nothing to worry about, and not understand the pain that would be inflicted on the equine by saddling it.

Putting a saddle on a horse with a sore like that is equivalent to putting a heavy backpack on the bare skin of a human burn victim!

It is incomprehensible to me, an avid equestrian and local government official, that the good people of Montana would not support the extensive, aggressive prosecution of the Heydens. While I can sympathize with the loss of Mrs. Heyden and the men's desire to take a trip in order to heal, I cannot condone the horrendous abuse of the horses. There is no reason good enough to allow these men to escape prosecution.

In summary, I urge you to weigh the ethical implications of your actions. While prosecution of the Heydens might not alleviate the pain and terrible suffering of the equines they mistreated, their convictions and penalties will discourage this severe abuse from happening again. As the public's prosecutor, it is your duty to uphold what is in the best interest for the society that you serve. Ask yourself: Does Montana intend to be the type of society that allows horrendous acts to go unpunished? Is Montana the type of place where humans have no respect for other living things? If your answer to these questions is 'no', then you must prosecute the Heydens to the fullest extent of the law.

Thank you for your kind consideration. I wish you the best of luck and look forward to learning of a conviction and strict sentencing.

Sincerely,

[my name here]
http://www.watchingpuddles.blogspot.com/

Your Tax Dollars at Work: My Life as a Public Servant

[Watching Puddles Note to readers: I work for a very small town in southern Florida. It's a little barrier island that's just 7 miles long and less than a 1/2 mile wide. The work I do is Quality of Life stuff - parks and recreation and a mix of random tasks that don't fit in anywhere else. The people I serve here are sometimes difficult to deal with, but they are, on the whole, a fascinatingly eclectic group of salty beach folk. Some live in multi-million dollar beach homes, some are homeless; some are shrimpers, some are artists. There is no other place quite like this epiphany of Florida island culture...]

I just hung up the phone after allowing a resident to vent at me over the evils of Florida's economy. Apparently, the fact that vendors at my Farmers Market have to pay to rent their spaces each week means that I am a money-grubbing demon. Hm. Years ago, before I attained all of the "wisdom" of my 29 years [kidding], I may have argued with the man. I may have lost my temper. But - *shrug* - not today. Instead, I delicately explained that I understood his complaint, that the money I collect goes to advertise the market, and that I hoped he'd check it out next week. He hung up on me.

My little phone encounter with the angry gentleman got me thinking about the way that the public views the government and my conflicting opinions on public service. You see, I am a hard-working, optimistic government employee, but I am also a suspicious, demanding American citizen. So, sitting here with my unique perspective on how I try to serve the public, I'm going to share with you what I've learned that has shaped how I believe the government should serve me.

I am over-worked and under paid, often unappreciated and seldom recognized. But I'll tell you: I love my job. I respect and admire my boss. I see the Gulf of Mexico everyday. I learn something new with each person I meet. I have creative freedom and the confidence of my superiors. I have been entrusted by the citizens of this small town to spend their tax money, preserve their natural land, enhance their businesses and improve their quality of life. This is a position I do not take for granted; working in government is not just a job.

I believe that public service is a way of life; a mindset fine-tuned to the common good. Serving the public well is learning how to recognize the difference between personal preferences and ethical standards. It's accepting that you cannot fix everything, but trying to do it anyway. It is a humbling of yourself in recognition of the individual struggles faced by people in your charge. Becoming a steward of the land and its residents' hard-earned tax money. Public servants must realize that for comparatively little pay, they will endure the brunt of political storms, neighborhood disputes, verbal bashings and constant scrutiny. The privacy they enjoyed in the private sector will disappear with their acceptance of a government job. Their behavior outside of work will be just as important as their conduct on the job, and so will the behaviors and conduct of their families.

I wish that I had the opportunity to speak with every incoming politician and public servant to explain to them the obligations that they are about to accept. If I could impart to them the importance of our work and the implications of agreeing to work for the public, maybe the poorer attitudes in government could change, or be replaced by the positive attitudes of other people; turnover is not always a bad thing. Perhaps less of us would be considered "money-grubbing demons" by our public. I believe that those of us who live off of your tax money should be gracious for the opportunity to serve you and honor your trust by doing the best job we can for you.

I am excited by the optimism shared by the majority of Americans for our future after the election of Barack Obama. The BBC reported international joy from all over Europe and Africa. I heard a man tell one reporter "If I could ride my bicycle to America, I would go today". Regardless of who you voted for, I wonder if you are feeling what I'm feeling. I am beginning to feel as though people are daring to hope again. Change might finally be coming - accountability in government, a return to focusing on human rights and quality of life. *beaming grin* From my tiny, windowless office, I will continue to sign my emails the same way as I have for the past 2 years: POSITIVE CHANGE BEGINS WITH US. I will continue to imagine that I can influence people by example - a little positive flow going against the grain: trickle-up attitude adjustments.

In closing, I will leave you with a quote by Margaret Chase Smith that my boss hung in his office and gave me a copy of:

"My creed is that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration, that constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought, that smears are not only to be expected but fought, that honor is to be earned, not bought."

People Are Eating Our Horses!!

All of you non-horsey people are giving me the ol' "WTF?!" look right now, because you didn't know this was happening. Here's what you missed: currently, our horses here in the US are often shipped out to Canada and Mexico where they are slaughtered and eaten by humans all around the world. Besides the "ew" factor that most of us have when we think of chowing down on Mr. Ed, there are some real ethical and humane issues that need to be addressed.

Please watch this video.

Okay, so not only are our horses being eaten by people, they are starved, tortured and tormented on their trip to execution. Additionally, their deaths are painful and horrific. Would you allow this to happen to dogs? Cats? Then why is it okay for horses? These are creatures that have served humans all throughout history - they help us work, play, travel and compete internationally in equestrian sports. They are part of the Olympic games. They helped form the modern world, settle the Americas and they were instrumental in defining the most American of occupations: the American Cowboy.

As a summary, let me break down for you why Americans need to step up and protect these horses from being shipped away and eaten by people: horses helped form the United States that you enjoy today. They carried soldiers, cowboys, frontiersmen, travellers and the first mailmen (Pony Express!). Horses, like dogs, help humans in their work, their sport, their leisure time and even in therapy.

HORSES DESERVE A PEACEFUL END. They do not deserve to make the terrifying trip to Mexico or Canada while starving and shoved in trailers like random pieces of scrap metal only to be hacked unhumanely into bits to end up on some foreign dinner plate.

Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to three years for possessing, shipping, transporting, purchasing, selling, delivering, or receiving any horse, horse flesh, or carcass with the intent that it be used for human consumption. Reduces the prison term to one year if the offense involves less than five horses or less than 2,000 pounds of horse flesh or carcass and the offender has no prior conviction for this offense.

From the Animal Welfare Institute, "Despite the claims of horse slaughter supporters, horse slaughter is neither humane, nor a necessary evil. The horses — of which more than 92 percent are deemed to be healthy, adoptable and “in good condition” by the US Department of Agriculture — suffer terribly from start to finish."

Please call 202.224.3121 and tell your Representative to support H.R. 6598: Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008.

Starbucks Trash: A Letter to the Editor

I thought that I would share this with the global community that will not see it in our local paper:

Hi, [Local Editor] -

I am writing as a citizen, not as a [local government] staff member, so my opinions are my own and should in no way be construed as the official position of xxxxx.

I love coffee, and when I am not enjoying a cup from the Sole Cafe on Fort Myers Beach, I buy Starbucks - it's delicious. Although they are a huge global company, and I typically prefer to support mom-and-pops, I can at least respect the fact that Starbucks tries to be somewhat socially responsible in the global market. They claim to support artisan growers and they do a lot of charity work (Google "Starbucks charity" to get an idea). They even run a clean water campaign for African towns through sale of their 'ethos' water. I have also seen Starbucks at the Lee County Reading Festival and various local charitable functions. So, some of my guilt over patronizing a huge company is eleviated by the thought that my money is going to the greater good.

However, I have an ENORMOUS problem with Starbucks as well: they typically do not provide recycling bins for patrons. Nearly everything handed over the counter to Starbucks customers is recyclable, including paper cups, plastic cups, plastic lids of various shapes, and food containers. Now, they do make their coffee sleeves out of some post-consumer, recycled paper, but I say - NOT ENOUGH! Recently, some friends and I met up at the Starbucks on College Parkway in Fort Myers and had coffee and snacks. I asked the barista if their store had a recycling bin, and I was told that their landlord would not provide them with the service. I end up slepping all of our recyclable waste to my house to dump in my personal recycling bin!

It is my humble, yet vocal, opinion that Starbucks has a corporate, ethical and environmental responsibility to provide their patrons with recycling. I cannot imagine how many unnecessary tons of Starbucks waste go to the landfill each day. If cost is an issue, I'd be glad to pay another $0.10 for my caramel macchiato.

I tried taking this issue to the Starbucks corporate people, but got nowhere. Can you help me by printing this letter and asking other coffee drinkers to demand that SBUX recylces?

Thank you,
Watching Puddles

Know More: McCain vs Obama on Global Poverty

I am a proud member of One.org (a non-partisan group dedicated to ending global poverty) and thought that I would share something that is provided on their website. The information that follows will help you compare the candidates on the issue of global poverty and its major symptoms.

Whichever candidate you vote for, please help us to demand that they stick to their campaign promises to end malaria, seriously reduce the number of AIDS cases in Africa, help to provide better maternal medicine in poverty-stricken nations, and increase access to clean food and water. Only 1.2% of the federal budget is spent on international affairs, and only half of that money is used to fight HIV/AIDS and poverty around the world.

HERE IS THE CANDIDATE COMPARISON

Let's take a moment and talk about how bad things over in Africa really are...

• over 8,500 people die every day in Africa from HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis - three preventable and treatable diseases.
  
• 72 million children are currently out of school
  
• over one billion people across the world lack access to clean water and 2.6 billion do not have access to basic sanitation
  
• every year, over 9 million children and half a million mothers die, most of them from treatable and preventable causes.
  
• 900 million people (three times the population of the USA) live in rural area in Africa - the areas hit hardest by extreme poverty

Now let's talk about why we should care...

Okay, folks: saving lives and improving the quality of life is the right thing to do. I don't care where you sit (right, left, on the fence, or over the river and through the woods), it is unethical to allow suffering if you have the means to end it.

If you need some selfish reasons, Colin Powell provided some in his book No Country Left Behind:

• Extreme poverty and a lack of economic opportunities fuels desperation and instability (WP comment: that means more war and a shit-load of violence)
  
• Education and economic empowerment are key elements of any global strategy to eliminate terrorism (WP: Provide education and economic development, and seriously reduce the risk that some desperate folks are going to fuck up life for the rest of us - why do you think that 'ghettos' in urban America are so riddled with crime? It's poverty that causes desperation! And lack of education can often lead to poverty - name the last Harvard graduate to rob a liquor store.)
  
• Providing these opportunities strengthens America’s image in the world (WP: So that when you take that vacation overseas, you won't have to claim to be Canadian.)

So, please: I implore you to remember the issue of global poverty when you go to the polls. I'm not endorsing either candidate in this post, although I'm sure you can guess who will win my vote, but I am asking you to be prepared and to demand action from your government leaders.

Fact-checking can be done through ONE.org.

Average Joe-MAMA!!!! (Why I don't like Sarah Palin.)

I keep hearing people say that they like Sarah Palin as a VP because she's "just like" them - am I the only American that doesn't want the #2 leader of the free world to be just like me?

Is it crazy that I want someone more competent, smarter, savvier, more diplomatic and better educated than I am, and someone who's great at political strategy? Is that weird?

I am a young, petite, smart, stylish-glasses-wearing brunette who grew up in a small town and is now an administrator in local government. Although I'm not married with kids out the wahzoo and I sure as fuck don't shoot wolves, Sarah Palin and I have some things in common - the things that make her "just like" me. So...does this mean that I could be the VP? Maybe you guys could write me in on the ballot for president! I sure could use a raise!

Now, here's a list of 'no-nos' from me on Palin politics. I'm giving you these as fact and I backed it up by either making each one a link, or giving you the article so that you can verify these yourself:

1. In Novemeber, 2006, Palin, a firm pro-lifer, said that she would always choose life, even if her own daughter were raped. (Watching Puddles comment: I am personally pro-life and politically pro-choice. I believe that abortion is a personal issue. However, I am absolutely against partial-birth abortions and abortions that occur once the baby could survive on its own without being in the womb. As for Palin's comment, don't you think your daughter should decide whether or not she can go through with birthing a monster's spawn?)
   
2. Palin opposes stem cell research, physician-assisted suicide, and state health benefits for same-sex partners. (Watching Puddles comment: Stem cell research could potentially end a lot of suffering and save millions of lives, so I support it; I also support physician-assisted suicide for people with terminal illnesses who are in a lot of pain - I don't think we should punish doctors for it, but we should investigate each case to be sure the doctor didn't murder them; I am also a firm supporter of gay marriage and gay benefits even though I'm not gay.) Source: Boston Globe, "A valentine to evangelical base", p. A12 Aug 30, 2008
   
3. Palin opposes legalizing marijuana. (Watching Puddles comment: Okay, I don't smoke weed and I typically hate drugs. However, I support medical marijuana. I also think that we should treat marijuana like we do alcohol and cigarettes: regulate and tax it. Save money from cops fighting pot and let them focus on the really bad drugs. Take the revenue from license fees and taxes and use the money to fund other public programs and start chipping away at the deficit!) Source: Anchorage Daily News, "Little play," by K. Hopkins Aug 6, 2006
   
4. Palin believes in teaching both Creationalism and Evolution in public schools. She thinks this will fuel debate and provide extra information. (Watching Puddles comment: What the fuck ever happened to the seperation of church and state??!! Religions belong in World Cultures class, or a more appropriate venue. If you're going to teach Creationalism, you need to include all the religious theories on the way that the earth went from nothing to something - let's talk about reincarnation, too!) Source: Boston Globe, "A valentine to evangelical base", p. A12 Aug 30, 2008
   
5. Palin doesn't think that global warming is man-made. (Watching Puddles comment: Are you fucking serious?) Source: Q&A with Newsmax.com's Mike Coppock Aug 29, 2008
   
6. Looking at various comments Palin made listed here, I have serious problems with her environmental positions. I'm pro-environment, pro-wildlife. Looking over Palin's history, I have honest concerns that she values industry over nature at all costs. She wants Alaska's endangered species to be removed from the list. Why? Because endangered species' habitats are protected - that means no building, logging, drilling, etc. in those areas. She wants to let hunters shoot wolves from planes. She refused to protect salmon from pollution - Hey! I eat Alaskan salmon!
   
7. Opposes explicit sex education in schools (including the distribution of condoms), and only supports abstinence programs. (WP comment: She says she's pro-contraceptive, but she wants to teach abstinence in schools and not real sex-ed. Palin, you fucking idiot, you're just as bad as all of the rest of the crotchety old conservatives who think teens aren't having sex. What the fuck is wrong with you? The fact that your daughter is knocked up is a good indication that you didn't have candid conversation with her about sex. I agree with teaching abstinence, but I'm a realist when it comes to kids - they have raging hormones and will hump anything that moves. Teach them to be safe!) Source: Eagle Forum 2006 Gubernatorial Candidate Questionnaire Jul 31, 2006
   
8. I'm not going to list a source on this one, just Google "Palin" if you need to: Palin is a big supporter of guns. Okay, I'm torn on this one. I hate guns. I hate how guns help bad people be worse. I saw Bowling for Columbine and how the Canadian people live - man, I wish we could all leave our doors unlocked and never worry about guns again! But, I guess guns are a part of our society and they're not going anywhere. However, Palin's in-your-face garbage about it annoys me and makes me want to slap her while screaming "STOP ADDING TO THE PROBLEM!!"
   

So, there is just a little on the specifics on why I won't be voting for a ticket that includes Palin. I just don't like the woman - I grew up in an area that was full of women "just like" Palin, but without her voice. I worry about the infiltration of radical christian beliefs, poor environmental policy, extreme capitalism (growth at all costs), and a lack of understanding on international policy.

Let's Start Over

Hello, there.

I joined the blogging community about a month ago, and dabbled in various topics. But, you know - nothing I've tried has held my interest thus far. I mean, I think to myself "maybe people will want to read about the crazy people who live on the island where I work!" But, then I want to tell you all about my frustrating relationship...oh, but what about my career?! That's a super-boring topic you might want to delve into!

And then, on top of that crap, I want to make random comments about things likepolitics and society. So, here you go, kiddos: a blog called "Watching Puddles" that talks about whatever's on my mind. Happy reading!!