Irish Blasphemy Laws Face Protests

Charming news folks!
Starting January 1st, 2010, blasphemy becomes illegal in Ireland!
Ehem! 'Scuse me?! So what ever happened to free speech?Or fee-anything for that matter..

This new "law" is bringing sharp criticism from an Atheist group (and many, MANY other people from various religions), who published 25 quotes that can be construed as a violation of the regulation.. you will find a few-ehem- interesting- sources from which these quotes came from including Jesus himself, Mohammad, a Pope and a Cardinal, as well as famous singers, comedians etc..

See the story and the quotes here (and below) :

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/01/02/ireland.blasphemy.law/

and the 25 quotes here:


http://blasphemy.ie/2010/01/01/atheist-ireland-publishes-25-blasphemous-quotes/

Major cockfighting raid Kicks off the New Year!

This article jumped out at me this morning while drinking my triple espresso and skimming my reader. It is by Wayne Pacelle (President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States) who writes the blog "A Humane Nation", which happens to be one of my favorites.
A major cockfighting ring was carried out in Parker County, Texas on January 2nd. 176 people were arrested and 118 birds were seized.
While cockfighting is illegal in Texas, it is still legal to attend cockfights and own fighting birds and weapons! Hhmmm, make sense anybody??
And speaking of weapons, this derby featured "short-knife fights", meaning that each bird was fitted with a one- to one-and-a-half- inch blade on the left leg. HSUS staff found half a dozen birds, who probably won their fights, but were suffering from severe injuries inflicted by their opponents' knives. There was an equal number of dead birds discarded by the fence line, treated like trash, along with empty beer cans and whiskey bottles.
And as if that isn't bad enough - these bastards brought their kids to these cockfights! When this raid happened, there were 10-15 of the cockfighters' kids there. And their parents abandoned them while they fled the scene! Good thing Child Protective Services was there!
Anyways, here is the full story, and as always, thanks to Wayne and the HSUS for all that you do:))

http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2010/01/texas-cockfighting-raid.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2Fhsus%2Fwayne+(Wayne+Pacelle%3A+A+Humane+Nation)

Toronto Humane Society.."House of Horrors"..

Investigator calls Toronto shelter a 'house of horrors;'
The President of the Humane Society of Toronto (note: the local humane societies are not the same or affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States [HSUS] or Humane Society International [HSI].. ) and other lead members of his staff have been arrested and charged with cruelty to animals, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, and obstruction of a peace officer. Also, Veterinarian Steve Sheridan was charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and cruelty to animals...
I can NOT believe the aweful way that this place is ran. This is supposed to be a rescue for animals! But instead it is more like a Nazi death camp for animals..I am shocked and disgusted by this. I can't believe that these people would rather let animals suffer so badly instead of Euthanizing them. I don't think shelters should euthanise because of space issues, or anything like that, but if an animal is suffering and cannot be helped, then definitly they should be humanely euthanized. This is going to spark a huge debate on ethical standards (if it hasn't already!) for sure!
Link for the details..


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/humane-society-spokesman-handcuffed-briefly-detained/article1379941/

Update : Petland employee pleads gulity..2 charges animal cruelty

A while ago a petland employee drowned 2 rabbits and posted pictures of herself holding up the dead bunnies on her facebook page. These infamous pictures are now very well known everywhere..
Well recently the bitch, er, ehem!..girl - pleaded guilty to 2 charges of animal cruelty. I do not know what her punishment will be yet, but I have a feeling that it won't be nearly severe enough..:(

Update%3A%20Former%20Petland%20Employee%20Guilty%21

Baltimore Cart Horses Rescued : The Humane Society of the United States

19 horses and ponies were living in dilapidated tents, sandwiched between abandoned railroad cars and an abandoned building under a bridge. They were in small, dark stalls, standing on mounds of their own manure. With their dirty buckets devoid of feed or water, some horses made a futile attempt to sustain themselves by nibbling on manure-coated straw.

Several of the horses' feet were so grossly overgrown that they curled at the toes, while others bore the rubs and scars from harnesses and stocked, swollen legs from lengthy confinement.

All were hungry, thirsty and caked with dirt.

Read more and watch the video of the rescue here..

Baltimore Cart Horses Rescued : The Humane Society of the United States

First confirmed case of H1N1 in a cat

A 13 year old cat developed lethargy, decreased appetite, and trouble breathing after several human members of his family became ill with H1N1 flu. He is the first confirmed case of swine flu in a cat.
So far in the US, H1N1 has been documented in 2 ferrets, pigs and this cat. Evidence shows that all infections were spread from people to animals - not from animals to people. In fact, no people that were infected ever came into contact with swine..Here is the story:

Swine Flu in pets

Mudslide devastates El Salvador

May the Goddess and God bless all who were affected (including the animals and pets..who, of course, never get mentioned until it's too late). This is truly devastating.
Here is the link..

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/11/09/el.salvador.mudslides/index.html?eref=rss_topstories