Racist dogs?

Slate: Can a dog be a racist?

Interesting article on dog behavior.

A lone incident would have been dismissed, but Percy targeted my then-boyfriend—also Hispanic—for similar treatment. And he was prone to lashing out at black men, too. Teased for taking in a racist dog, my friends—who are white—initially objected. He was a good dog, a sweet dog, people are already biased against pit bulls, don't call him a racist. Not all men of color were targeted, they pointed out. And indeed, the odds seemed to increase if the man was carrying bags or luggage, or if his clothes were particularly baggy. But as Percy now resided just off a main shopping district, and in the heart of hip-hopping Fort Greene, these distinctions provided little solace.

My bigger dog hates men wearing brown uniforms who drive big brown trucks. I think it has something to do with a UPS driver who used to deliver to me up in North Georgia. I used to wonder how he got the package to my door, when my dog ran the front and rear yard on an invisible fence. The dog isn't too fond of FedEx guys either. Pretty much any guy in a uniform is not well accepted at my house by the dogs.

I am still trying to figure out where the dog's fierce hatred of golf carts came from. If a UPS man ever drives a golf cart down my street, the dog may actually go ballistic.

      

Keeps running through my mind.

The Atlantic: Caring for your introvert.

I was read this article yesterday, after being pointed its way by detache.org. A good article, and one on which I saw some tendencies of mine. Two gags keep running through my head.

#1 Picture: Guy sitting in a room full of folding chairs, and maybe a half dozen people scattered about the room. Sign on wall reads "Introverts Annonymous." Caption: "My name is George and I am an introvert and I hate coming to these damn meetings."

#2 Picture: Two guys sitting in a room full of empty folding chairs. Caption: "I can't understand why our Introverts Annonymous Meetings aren't getting bigger crowds."

Callahan I'm not.

      

Senator John Kerry on Estrada.

I received an email from Senator John Kerry, mass email I am quite sure, in response to emails I sent out regarding the fillibuster. I received responses from other Senators, but this is on the specific topic I wrote about, and states a very good position. I will share it.

Thank you for contacting me regarding the nomination of Miguel Estrada to the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. I appreciate hearing from you.

Under the "advise and consent" clause of the Constitution, the Senate is responsible for confirming judicial candidates nominated by the President. All nominations are referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and, if approved, are sent to the full Senate for consideration. Given the importance of filling vacant seats on the federal courts, it is imperative that nominees be given fair and expeditious consideration. At the same time, the Senate has a responsibility to diligently review a nominee's record, qualifications and views on legal issues before confirming him or her for a lifetime appointment to the federal judiciary.

As you know, the President has nominated former Assistant Solicitor General Miguel Estrada for a seat on the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Mr. Estrada=s nomination was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a single vote and is now being debated by the full Senate. Unfortunately, Mr. Estrada refused to divulge his views on important constitutional and judicial matters during the hearing process and the Bush Administration has refused to release his record as Assistant Solicitor General. That has dramatically undermined the nominating process by making it impossible for the Senate to discern what kind of temperament he would bring to the federal bench. The administration has been asked to work with the Senate in resolving this matter but has so far declined. In addition, Mr. Estrada is a member of several organizations that espouse views far outside the mainstream of legal precedent and has been criticized for failing to objectively interpret the law. Given these concerns, I cannot support his nomination.

Thank you for sharing your views with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me again on this or any other issue.

Please write your Senator about sticking with the filibuster. The Democrats are starting to show a little spine, and we need to support them. Contact info for Senators is here.

      

Something different.

The Sunday Mail : A cheeky skirt?