Friday Hound Blogging

You know, despite our socialist, fascist Muslim president, this is still America and even though the overlords make Tea Baggers look like rocket scientists, they still do have the right to attempt to carry on a meaningful conversation. Or as close as they can get, being limited to words that name concrete objects in their immediate environment and grunts which may indicate emotional states, or digestive discomfort, we're not sure.

Anyway, the Constitution says they still get to talk which is why this article concerns us a little.

The Iowa greyhound racing organization is engaged in political activity and should be barred from receiving state dog racing promotion money, a national greyhound advocacy group said.

Come on now, national greyhound advocacy group. The overlords have just as much a right to try and affect the outcome of the political process as anyone else. Sure it's a bit of a difficult task to convince people with souls that mistreating, injuring and killing innocent animals so poor people can lose the rent money two dollars at a time is a worthwhile activity, but the rules say you have to let them try, right?

Under Iowa law, the commission annually awards money to a nonprofit group for research, education and marketing of dog racing in Iowa, including public relations and other promotional techniques.

See? "Public relations." That means convincing people that animal exploitation is fun for the whole family and "promotional techniques are also very important in the political arena. You know, things like making stuff up? Ignoring the facts? Lying? Everybody does it. What's your beef anyway, national greyhound advocacy group?

The law specifically says the recipient "shall not expend the funds on political activity or on any attempt to influence legislation." Christine Dorchak, president of Grey2K USA, wrote in a letter to Iowa regulators that the Iowa Greyhound Association has retained at least four lobbyists.In addition, the association has used state promotional money to publish a newsletter to promote and encourage referendum and legislative lobbying campaigns, which in turn seems to prompt campaign contributions by its members, she said.

Oh. Yeah, well listen, we're sure it's just some sort of misunderstanding. We mean, "political activity?" That can mean anything, right? Heh heh. Come on Officials with the Iowa Greyhound Association clear this up for us, will you? What do you say guys? The animals rights wackos have really gone out on a limb here, right?

Officials with the Iowa Greyhound Association didn't have an immediate comment.

Umm...All right. That's OK.  That's fine because if they did have a comment it would probably be that the animal exploitation industry spot of greyhound racing has always lived up to the highest ideals of professional  conduct. Right Amy Willis and Gerald Rhodes?

Two Jacksonville greyhound trainers are facing possible sanctions after their racing dogs tested positive for tiny amounts of cocaine early this year. The dogs were randomly selected for urine testing at separate events in January. Charges from the state’s division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering followed against trainers Amy Willis and Gerald Rhodes, who race greyhounds at Orange Park Kennel Club.

Oops. Heh heh. Hey, wait a minute. It's not their fault, right attorney, Leonard Chesler?

Chesler said it’s too soon to speak to the facts of the cases, but he believes one rule puts dog trainers at an unfair disadvantage. They’re held responsible for their animals’ welfare on race days, but the dogs are surrendered to track employees 1 1/2 hours before a race, Chesler said. “If you’re prohibited from watching and caring for an animal, it’s very difficult to protect them, if not impossible,” he said.

 Darn straight. Can Amy and Gerald be held responsible for the drug addicts, common criminals and low lifes that populate the tracks? Can you really expect the greyhounds, or anybody for that matter to be safe in an environment like that? We mean, a lot can happen in an hour and a half when the dogs are with people like that.

Wait a minute. This isn't really helping our argument is it Sentinel Editorial writer?

Throughout history people have fashioned all sorts of ways to be entertained by animals, some more awful than others. Dog racing belongs to the latter category, and to their credit the New Hampshire Legislature and Governor John Lynch have now effectively banned the practice in the state.

Aw...that's a little harsh don't you think? Isn't there anyone willing to stand up for the overlords? Oh look, commenter Dog Walker.

"I used to walk the dogs at Hinsdale and not once did a see any cruelity (sic)... If races are no longer held, will the species continue if it serves no purpose?

 Well, there you have it. If Mr. Dog Walker didn't see any cruelity then what cruelity could there have been? Plus everyone knows greyhounds are the oldest breed of dog in existence. They're found in the bible, literature and art going back thousands of years, so if they're no longer needed to help the rubes lose the rent money and keep the overlords out of the labor pool, what other use could they possibly have?

Hey Jack. Now that your life is over, what are you going to do with the rest of your life?

Jack is very friendly and outgoing. He is playful, but calms quickly and is very gentle with people. He is a bit skittish around strange new sounds. He loves to be around people. He follows his foster family all around the house. He will lean against you for attention. He loves to play with toys and he will fetch. He will pounce on the toy like a cat would. He is a big boy who doesn’t seem to understand his own size. He is a Second Chance at Life Dog from the Coldwater Prison Program.  Jack would do well in a working family home with well-mannered children, 12 and up. He would do best as the only dog in the home. For more information about this dog, and other rescued racing greyhounds looking for homes, go here. If you don't know about the plight of racing greyhounds go here.

And if you 'd like to know more about the good work the Second Chance for Life program is doing for the dogs, and the prisoners, go here.