home

Thursday Evening Open Thread: Dizz Knee Land

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 07:35:30 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

Dizz Knee Land

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and family are at Disneyland. Here's Dada, I always loved this song:

I just ran away from home
Now I'm going to dizz knee land
I just crashed my car again
Now I'm going to dizz knee land
I just robbed a grocery store
I'm going to dizz knee land
And I just flicked off President George
I'm going to dizz knee land
I'm going to dizz knee land!

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

< Former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Brother, Aides Indicted | Official Unemployment Rate Hits 8.5%, 661,000 Jobs Lost In March >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Thursday Evening Open Thread: Dizz Knee Land | 45 comments (45 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    Attacked by a pit bull today. (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by caseyOR on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 01:32:53 AM EST
    It has been a very odd day. This morning as I was walking down my sidewalk to my car a pit bull attacked me. Luckily, I came to a complete stop instead of  running. And I was wearing a very sturdy coat. And the dog owner was close at hand. So, no gaping wounds. Just abrasions and lots of bruising. Oh, and it scared the he!! out of me. I am still in shock.

    Turns out my neighbor is attempting to rehabilitate an older pit bull that was seriously abused by its previous owners. They were meth addicts, chained the dog up and beat it. So, this is a pretty damaged animal.

    Neighbor was coming out of her door, thought she had a firm grip on the leash, but lost control of the dog. The dog went nuts. Neighbor told me the dog is insanely protective of her home and of her truck. And the dog losses it whenever anyone walks by on the sidewalk or street.

    Is it really possible to rehabilitate a dog who has been so abused and is so violent? And is a very urban neighborhood in the center of the city, a neighborhood with lots of walkers and runners and bicyclists and children, the right place to try?

    I am now terrified to walk out my door. I feel badly for the dog. I think it is good that people try to rehabilitate these animals. But I am terrified.

    So sorry (5.00 / 3) (#23)
    by eric on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 02:01:25 AM EST
    and I am glad that you were not seriously hurt.  A dog like that has no place in such an environment.  I live in a similar type place.  I would demand that the dog be gone.  And, in my view, it does need to be gone because the next person may not be so lucky.  These dogs do kill people.  Sadly, the dog should probably be destroyed.  However honorable the intentions of the owner, that savage animal should not affect your life.

    BTW, many states have laws which place strict liability upon the owner for dog attacks.  If you need medical attention, get that.  The dog owner should pay.

    Parent

    Oregon is a one bite state (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by caseyOR on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 02:12:31 AM EST
    As I understand it a dog here is allowed to bite one person without consequences. Apparently, it does not much matter what kind of injuries the dog inflicts. The dog is not removed from the owner.

    Maybe this makes sense for a puppy who nips at someone, but it seems wrong when dealing with full grown dogs who attack.

    The owner of the dog who attacked me has the same landlord I do. I went back and forth all day about whether or not to tell the landlord what happened. I did finally talk to them, and they are going to insist that my neighbor get rid of the dog. I just don't know how long that will take.

    Parent

    dogs bite for various reasons (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by nycstray on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 03:02:37 AM EST
    sometimes the bite is "justified". Someone breaks in your home, dog bites. Hurt dogs bite. Scared dogs bite. Dogs bite. And there usually IS a consequence. And any actions taken against the dog are done based on bite severity, situation, evaluation etc. And owner is responsible for all fees/bills incurred etc. If she's rehabbing the dog through an org, they also carry responsibility. Many orgs will put a dog down at any sign of biting. Your LL is prob also responsible under homeowners insurance if you decided to sue (not suggesting that, just reality). Laws/procedures vary, but not too much on dog bites, especially if the dog weighs more than 35lbs ;)

    Your neighbor should have had the dog muzzled anytime she took it out since she knew it has issues. Double leashing also helps, but definitely muzzled. Unfortunately, a pit getting aggressive with a person is a bad sign. So doesn't fit the breed. The dog will prob be put down, and it may actually be best for the dog. Many dogs can be brought around, but it takes time and the right situation (set up and handler). Some are not going to be totally safe and unless there's a safe sanctuary for them and/or they aren't too messed up in the head (living in constant fear/stressed out) it's kinder.

    If you have any tea tree oil handy, massage it gently into your bruises. Cuts the pain, keeps them from getting too nasty and they heal quicker. Dog bite bruises sometimes kick up a day or so later. Sorry this happened to you. Dogs can be scary.

    Parent

    "These dogs"? (none / 0) (#27)
    by nycstray on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 03:05:00 AM EST
    You might want to make that "all dogs, especially ones over 30-35lbs" . . .  Dogs are animals.

    Parent
    Notify someone (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Cream City on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 02:10:32 AM EST
    -- call local police, local humane society, etc., to find out the law and whom to call -- and do so now.  In the neighborhood you describe, the next one attacked could be a small child or someone else not your size, strength, wearing a coat, etc.

    Pit bulls, especially these badly raised ones, have killed children and others where I live.  That's why they're not allowed.  So sorry this happened to you, and you certainly need not live in fear.

    Parent

    Wow, I'm so glad that you are alright (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 08:24:17 AM EST
    for the most part.  You are traumatized though and most people who have been through such an attack never fully get over it or feel safe again around dogs that remind them of that particular dog.  I don't like to beat up on specific breeds as it tends to lead to unproductive "stories" but a fact is a fact and a Pit is solid muscle.  An aggressive Pit attack hits a level of violence that most people can't fathom unless they've seen one.  Most of the dog people I know and hang with as well as myself are of the opinion that such a dog is not rehabable on a level that any of us would be comfortable with in neighborhood settings.  I tend to hang with folks who would put down a dog after it had attacked someone as you were.  This is a dangerous dog.  Even my vet encourages his dog owners to put down their dogs if they have ever responded this way because he says that it is never a one time occurance.  He also says that seldom do they respond positively to his first request but almost always end up back at the clinic ready to do it when the dog has attacked someone again and the attacked are threatening to sue.  Aggression isn't always about some poor animal being abused either, it has genetic components and some animals from loving environments become dangerous.

    Parent
    I think the biggest danger sign (none / 0) (#30)
    by Fabian on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 09:02:58 AM EST
    is any attack that comes without warning.

    Normal canine behavior includes a lot of nonverbal communication that's meant to tell other canines (and humans) when they should "back off".  It serves to avoid conflicts by giving dogs (and people) and opportunity to leave or give a dog more space.  It can be as subtle as lifting a lip to expose a few teeth or a quick snap or verbal signals - barking or snarling.

    It might look scary to people sometimes but it's just communication to dogs.  I've had a GSD owner warn me that his dog might give my dog a "warning" to stay away.  (Guarding his people.)  Sure enough, the GSD charged to intercept my dog when he was getting too close.  My dog took the hint and swung wide.  

    Dogs that have only one method of dealing with a perceived threat - physical attack - aren't normal.  They are dysfunctional.

    Parent

    Yes, and you can sort of tell (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 11:31:34 AM EST
    from the everyday demeanor of this poster as well as the description of the event that this isn't a person who encourages aggression.  My dogs are not permitted to display open aggression in any form unless it is to protect themselves. It is not okay and it is understood that overly aggressive acts mean you get to answer to the  Alpha...and that's me and you will not be a happy dog.  It is also why I don't raise GSD's out of  what a lot of people like to call the "working lines".  I have a dandy scar close to my underarm that helped me make that decision and my dogs do the original GSD breed work, they herd and do AKC style obedience.  My dogs bark at people though all the time when they are walking past our house.  They are just saying this is their people's house and their space.  Barking and attacking are very different things, barking is usually about establishing a boundary.  And hey, a subdivision flyer went around yesterday about organizing a neighborhood watch because we have had a lot of breakins......I guess....I wouldn't know for sure because for some reason my unalarmed and weaponless house remains completely untouched :)  And my breed is a herding dog and they use their mouths all time, some of them mouth your hand, they make snapping sounds at the air too as a form of communication.  I have had people though think that my girl who grabs hands with her mouth is trying to bite them, but that is not it at all.  It actually means that she likes them and she wants them to follow her and pay attention to her.  It never hurts, but if you don't know the dog it can freak you out.  Casey's post sounds traumatized, this was really frightening and the poster ended up scraped up.  In my online and not on the scene opinion the dog is dangerous, even though I'm sure that its people love it a lot.

    Parent
    Thanks, everyone, for the kind words (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by caseyOR on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 12:05:34 PM EST
    and the information. The dog's owner was also quite shaken up by this attack. She loves the dog.

    As terrified as I am, and as much as I do believe that a city neighborhood is not the place to have an aggressive,out of control dog, I don't want to the one responsible for having this poor dog put down.  

    I was hoping I would wake up this morning and be somehow calmer about the whole thing. I am not someone who scares easily, but I now feel unsafe in my own space. And I noticed when I was out yesterday afternoon that my anxiety level spiked whenever any dog was around.

    It's just very unsettling.  

    Parent

    Honestly, now you're making me angry. (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 12:16:23 PM EST
    You or the dog's owner must report it.

    How many other people do you want to go through your experience with this dog?

    Parent

    Please report this (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 01:02:41 PM EST
    You really need to.  You are very sweet and kind, and it is okay to report this.

    Parent
    And just reporting this is not you (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 01:06:07 PM EST
    putting this dog down.  It is just reporting it and it did happen.

    Parent
    I've been seriously bitten by dogs 3X. (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 11:50:35 AM EST
    Two were German Shepherds (sorry MT) and the other one was my ex-neighbor's Akita.

    All three attacks resulted in deep puncture wounds on my legs that bled pretty much continuously for 24 hours.

    The strength and pressure exerted by a dog's bite is really unbelievable.

    The Akita was put down - 6 months later after it bit another neighbor on the face and, then, in the hours following that attack still another neighbor told us how she was bitten by that same dog a year or so previously.

    The Akita's owners were both lawyers, go figure.

    Anyway, Casey, The dog needs to be put down. If you haven't already you need to report the attack. If the next person the dog attacks is young child or elderly...

    Why some people feel the need to "rescue" hard-case and seriously dangerous dogs while thousands of perfectly well-adjusted dogs are euthanized every year, I just don't understand.

    Full disclosure, I've had two of those perfectly well-adjusted rescue dogs and the present one is a Great Dane.

    Parent

    Hey, it's okay (none / 0) (#44)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 01:03:42 PM EST
    German Shepherds aren't always wonderful dogs just because of the breed they are.

    Parent
    Pit bulls? (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 12:27:03 PM EST
    After living in the city for 15 years, I dont trust 'em as far as I can throw them.

    Even the ones that are good with people often aren't good with other dogs, and when I say aren't good I mean they can send someones prize lab into the next world quicker than you can say Jack Robinson.

    Yes, 99% of this is the breeders and owners doing,
    but at this point, imo, the breed is so screwed up that you're better off buying a gun, if its an issue of protection.

    Sorry for your experience, Casey, Im sure wants those panic-trauma chemicals start dissipating in your nervous system things will slowley get back to "normal".

    Parent

    Btw (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 12:34:40 PM EST
    I knew a grown man who was killed by one of those dogs and a small boy nearby was killed by one fairly recently, so yeah, I have a very negative bias toward Pit Bulls.

    Parent
    I'm sorry to hear that. (none / 0) (#28)
    by Fabian on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 07:42:54 AM EST
    The owner was definitely at fault.

    1. The dog should have been muzzled.  No ifs, ands or buts - a dog with known aggression problems should be muzzled in public.

    2. A Gentle Leader or some other kind of halter lead should have been used.  My dog was a tremendous puller and could literally knock me off my feet plus yank the lead from my hand if I walked him with an ordinary collar.  Even pronged or choke collars don't work to diminish the sheer strength of a dog.

    The dog is clearly aggressive and should be reported as such.  

    Parent
    Yes, if Oregon is a one bite state (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 11:33:38 AM EST
    This dog has had its one bite.

    Parent
    Iowa Supreme Court and gay marriage ban (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by jbindc on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 09:12:44 AM EST
    Court unanimously says ban is unconstitutional.

    Vermont: Same Sex Marriage Bill Passes (none / 0) (#1)
    by dutchfox on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 08:40:27 PM EST
    I was in Montpelier all day and just got home...
    The governor plans to veto the bill; 100 needed to override.

    Rutland Herald

    MONTPELIER - The same-sex marriage bill passed the Vermont House tonight by a vote of 95 to 52.

    Debate on the same-sex marriage bill in the Vermont House began late Thursday afternoon, one day after a national traditional marriage group opposed to the change blanketed the state in automated calls.

    Rep. William Lippert, D-Hinesburg, began debate on the bill shortly before 4 p.m. by walking through the 150-member House through the details of the bill, which would make Vermont the third state in the country to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.

    "Civil unions were a bold and courageous move in 2000, but that promise has not been fulfilled," Lippert said. "We can build on what we did in 2000, now in 2009, by taking the next step for full equality for gay and lesbian Vermonters."
    Doesn't look like a veto-override (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by andgarden on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 10:13:13 PM EST
    but it's still an encouraging vote.

    Parent
    65% (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by MrConservative on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 11:08:02 PM EST
    If they can get just a few more people on board, they can override the moron Republican governor.  Why was he elected in a blue state again?  Seriously, you should never give these guys a chance, no matter how "moderate" they claim to be.  Which brings me to my other point - abolish the veto.

    Parent
    Cutler finally traded (none / 0) (#2)
    by lobary on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 08:45:40 PM EST
    To Da Bears. Chicago football fans are happy tonight, even if it took two firsts, a third, and Kyle Orton to get it done.

    Josh McDaniels is a fool, btw.

    He may be a fool... (none / 0) (#3)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 09:47:32 PM EST
    ...for starting this whole sorted affair in the the first place, but he sure pulled a fast one on the Bears.  3 early round picks and Neckbeard for an immature, whiny, pouty punk of a QB?  Sounds like a pretty sweet deal for the Bronco's to me.  

    We won't even get into a certain personal habit that doesn't exactly go well with the diabetes.

    Now, I know the Bears have been starving for a star QB since the halcion days of Jim McMahon, but who's going to catch his passes?  And does this really help a team with an aging defense and an offensive line that's less than stellar?

    On the other hand, we now have two veteran system QB's to compete for the starting job until the next "franchise" QB comes along with the draft choices to address our biggest weakness--defense.  

     

    Parent

    Well, that description of Cutler (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by nycstray on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 10:06:24 PM EST
    sure makes me extra glad he didn't end up in Jets land, lol!~ Of course, that description also says he wouldn't be able to handle the heat here  ;)

    Parent
    I couldn't disagree more (none / 0) (#11)
    by lobary on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 10:39:40 PM EST
    Fans across every major sport always overvalue draft picks. Give me the proven player every time, and if that proven player is a franchise quarterback with a sky high ceiling not quite in the prime of his career, I'll pay a steep price to get him.

    The Giants gave up two 1s, a 3, and a 5 to swap Eli Manning for Philip Rivers in the 2004 draft. Jay Cutler for two firsts, a third, and Kyle Orton is a great deal for the Bears, and I say this as a fan of neither team involved.

    Parent

    Yeah... (none / 0) (#12)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 10:54:36 PM EST
    ...those kids like Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco never seem to work out well.  And that Hershal Walker trade worked out so very well for the Vikings. Oh wait--it was Dallas that used all those draft picks to get among others, a HOF QB and a few Super Bowl rings.

    Cutler is not a leader in any sense of the word.  The bright lights of the Second City will not be kind to him.

    Parent

    Flacco and Ryan are the exception (none / 0) (#16)
    by lobary on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 11:12:35 PM EST
    How about Joey Harrington, David Carr, Vince Young, Matt Leinart, Heath Shuler, David Klingler, Andre Ware, Akili Smith, and of course, Ryan Leaf?

    The "first-round quarterback bust" list is long. I will always be more than willing to give up two first-rounders for a proven commodity at the most important position on the field (which Hershel Walker didn't play, btw).

    Parent

    Only time will tell. (5.00 / 0) (#17)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 11:24:11 PM EST
    In the meantime, I'm as glad to see him gone as some NY'ers are to see Rush move out of town.

    Parent
    17 and 20 (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by CoralGables on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 11:50:57 PM EST
    as a starter. Is he a proven commodity or is he another Jeff George with a future 46-78 career record forthcoming. It's hard to see a guy that wants to take his ball and go home as having a long term team oriented future.

    Parent
    I should mention (none / 0) (#19)
    by CoralGables on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 11:54:17 PM EST
    He struck fear into my heart when he was at Vandy against the Gators. I don't get the whining though from a guy that makes 6.5 mil a year.

    Parent
    Oh please. (none / 0) (#21)
    by lobary on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 12:50:05 AM EST
    Vince Young is 18-11 as a starting quarterback. You wouldn't seriously suggest he's even remotely comparable to Cutler because of his team's winning percentage, would you? Last year Jay Cutler played on a team with one of the worst defenses in the NFL. It is unfair to blame him for his team's record when he was by far the best player on the Broncos roster.

    Parent
    Meanwhile, I imagine there's now (none / 0) (#4)
    by Anne on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 09:49:03 PM EST
    some tension in the Redskins locker room, what with Jason Campbell now knowing that he's not, apparently, the franchise QB...

    Oh, the drama...

    Parent

    I'll bet... (none / 0) (#5)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 10:05:39 PM EST
    ...its also killing Snyder that he missed out on winning the Jay Cutler sweepstakes and the limelight that goes with it.

    Parent
    Well Vick is always available . . . (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by nycstray on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 10:11:23 PM EST
    methinks the construction job is short lived in his dreams . . .

    Parent
    If this dosnt do it for (none / 0) (#42)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 12:37:15 PM EST
    the Bears they might as well hang it up.

    Parent
    My favorite line: (none / 0) (#9)
    by eric on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 10:15:58 PM EST
    I just flipped off President George

    And I did.  When I was in college, Bush, Sr. came to visit Minnesota.  I stood along his route and flipped the bird along with a friend.  Secret service video taped it.  And yes, we were inspired by this song. Heh.

    ha (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by connecticut yankee on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 10:30:37 PM EST
    So did I.  In 88. Different state.  

    Got him from front row from 5 feet as he waved in the limo.

    Parent

    I flipped off W, not senior (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by MrConservative on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 11:09:40 PM EST
    Back in 2004, my band marched in the parade.  But I actually flipped him off in a speech, not during the  parade.  Although, that would have been awesome.

    Parent
    Actually (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by MrConservative on Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 11:10:54 PM EST
    I was inspired by the song too.  It was always one of my favorite songs, although it was old and practically never came on (I had heard it literally once, until I put it on my IPod last year).

    Parent
    I used to play it in the car (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 12:26:25 AM EST
    when driving the TL kid to school, we'd sing it really loud, it was so much fun.

    Parent
    Funny, I was in college in the early 80's. (none / 0) (#32)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 09:45:45 AM EST
    We all flipped off President Jimmy.

    Parent
    It's Fun When Politicians Reciprocate (none / 0) (#33)
    by daring grace on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 10:24:11 AM EST
    Remember this famous Nelson Rockefeller moment?

    That's sort of when I knew he had no future political ambitions any more. Although that was '76. Now he could probably get away with it.

    Parent

    And, these (none / 0) (#35)
    by Inspector Gadget on Fri Apr 03, 2009 at 11:33:07 AM EST
    the consequences when caught, and no consequences when caught.

    Parent
    Thursday Evening Open Thread: Dizz Knee Land | 45 comments (45 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment