Julie speaks on Greyhound advocacy

I've been fortunate enough to be invited to participate in the start up of a new greyhound advocacy group that we are calling Leaving Tracks. We are still in the process of filing our articles of incorporation and 501c3 but are busy getting this baby launched. I will be Treasurer and am looking forward to using some of my accounting brain cells. They've been shrinking over the past few years.

Our mission statement is:

Through education and advocacy, Leaving Tracks works to expose the senseless destruction of countless animals by the Greyhound racing industry, inform the public of the inhumane treatment of Greyhounds as both a direct and indirect result of the sport, and promote change that will ultimately end dog racing. Until such time Greyhound racing no longer exists, we believe every Greyhound born as a result of the racing industry is entitled to adoption as a loved companion. To that end, we will support Greyhound adoption efforts by assisting Greyhound rescue organizations and educating prospective adopters about the unique characteristics of the breed and the keys to a successful transition from racing life to life in a home.

The group that some of us still belong to and volunteer with, is focused on adoption only, but our goal is to eliminate the need for the countless adoption groups around the nation. As long as there are places to dump injured, sick, unprofitable greyhounds, there will be overbreeding for greed. And adoption groups are only able to rescue a modest percentage of the unwanted population.

Here is a link to an informative, non-threatening site, that provides a status on all of the dog tracks currently in operation in the U.S. and updates on current pending legislation.

http://www.greyhoundnetworknews.org/

Jeff's economic update

I usually consider rhetoric of bipartisanship as chaff and an omen of bad political tidings. Well, I was not disappointed when both candidates called for bipartisan action to address the looming economic crisis and we got a government "solution" to what was portrayed as Wall Street's mess. The ink was not dry on the "new deal" before the candidates were tripping over themselves to get in front of a camera. Obama has a tirade on capitalism and the virtues of income redistribution as the fix. Meanwhile McCain thinks he is in Vegas and ups Obama's ante at every turn. Sadly predictable and orchestrated for our easy consumption. The both deserve failing grades on leadership.

For anyone interested in understanding why the billion dollar bailout won't work need only watch John Stossel's 20/20 episode last week. Economics is about freedom and free will, not economist picking winners and losers. We are in this mess precisely because of government. Namely - cheap money and easy loans. The Fed kept interest rates too low and government backed loans from Fannie and Freddie skewed markets. Owning a home became more than our exercise of our natural right to own property, but instead became a political imperative and guaranteed investment in our financial portfolio.

There is no easy fix and finger pointing from McCain and Obama is not productive. From best I can discern, Fannie & Freddie should be shut down and Wall Street's bankers should not be allowed to pawn off their bad decisions on the taxpayers. Alternatives might include allowing HUD to make low interest loans to first time home buyers of modest means to buy modest homes. (If that is deemed a worthy activity of government - which I strong doubt.) For our banking friends, a dose of the same medicine they dished out to our neighbors in South America during their banking crisis might be more appropriate. Economics 101: No free lunch.

But, then again, this is Washington, D.C., where the lobbyists buy lunch!

A Portrait of Fall

Happy 15th Birthday, Ashley

Fifteen years ago, our lives changed forever. A beautiful 9lb 7oz girl was born. She was such a great starter baby. She ate well, she slept well, and had a lovely disposition from the very beginning. And today we have a smart, athletic, outgoing, and gorgeous young woman in our midst.

Ashley, may your future be bright and may God guide you in all of your decisions. He has big plans for you and the world will be a better place because of you.

Homecoming Dance Night

Most of the kids go to dinner and the dance in groups-no stress, no drama, just fun.