Fishgirl Speaks

Don't Be Fooled, People.

I'm excited that Mr. Obama will be our next president.

I'm dismayed at what's been happening with Prop 8. While it's not final yet, it just doesn't look good for equal and basic human rights. Personally, I don't think any government should have a say in marriage, which, I think for most people, is of a more spiritual a nature. If any two people want to enter into some sort of legal situation, then let 'em. It probably means more revenue for the state anyway. Gah.

But what I really want to write about is Prop 2. I'm seeing some quasi-humorous comments about how we'll give animals rights, but not gays. I realize there's no real comparison there. But please, please don't be fooled into thinking that we've actually made any progress in animal rights.

• Prop 2 only addresses three types of confinement: veal crates, battery cages, and sow gestation crates. Given the mass consumption of chicken and beef, this is barely a nod.
• The penalty for violation is a whopping $1,000. There is no mention of per animal, or per day until the situation is rectified. Yeah, there's a real deterrent for you.
• There are no provisions in the proposition for enforcement.
• Proposition 2 will not become operative until 2015.

Please also note the following regarding an already existing code (emphasis mine):

California Penal Code section 597t is a California State criminal law which requires that animals confined in enclosed areas be provided with an adequate exercise area. Even though this law does not define “adequate exercise area”, it would seem to prohibit the confinement of calves in veal crates, as well as the confinement of hens in battery cages and the confinement of sows in gestation crates. However, this law seems to have never been enforced. There is not a single court case in California where a defendant was found guilty of or even prosecuted for violating 597t. Due to the fact that this law has never been applied in a court case, there is no precedential standard according to which animal confinement may be judged. Since 597t is a criminal law, it may not be enforced by private entities through civil action, and may only be enforced by a public prosecutor filing a criminal action, or by corporations formed for the prevention of cruelty to animals under Corporations Code section 10400.

Here is the actual language of Prop 2 (third page).

The only way to really make changes is to vote with your dollars. Take personal responsibility for your actions and don't wait for the government to do it for you. If you choose to eat meat, learn where your meat comes from and how it was raised. We have so many options in the Bay Area - USE them.

With Tragedy Comes Comedy

First of all, Tatiana the tiger is female.
Second of all, most headlines omit the obvious verbs in favor of punch and brevity. The only reason this verb can be here is to see who's paying attention.

If you still don't get it, take out the space between "pen" and "is."

Select a Candidate

I'm not very good at keeping up with news or politics. Usually, I'm just overwhelmed by despair. However, I do intend to vote in the upcoming elections and should start looking more closely at who is saying what. I heard about this handy quiz on the KFOG morning show. It provides a very helpful look at whose views are most closely aligned with yours. Check it out.

Jose Fernando and Clara

The City of San José has its own pair of peregrine falcons living atop City Hall. Catch the latest, reality show-style, via the falcom cam. I believe their three, speckled, salmon-colored eggs turned into fuzzy little falcons over the weekend. Last I checked, Clara was keeping the wee ones warm, and alas, unviewable. Try your luck!