Over the edgy.
On the thorns of confusion. He loves me. He loves me knot.(National Lib. NZ/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Anyone can do it. Wit.
Cleverness trumps all…Uh, sort of. Sometimes sly simply trips.
“Give roses. Say you are sorry without admitting guilt!” encourages a local florist’s sign.
Sneaky! Not really an apology, is it. If you aren’t guilty, why the “Sorry“? Offering a bribe rather than remorse.
Pretty wink-wink to me, but admitting guilt is so out of style. Self esteem blooms with thorns.
Actually, your great great grandparents settled waaaay over there. Not here. Sorry. The exit is on the right.(Mascot pict/CBS/Wikimedia.com)
No guilty conscience from those who created one commercial hoping gain company wampum.
The perky lady on the TV screen said she knew a little about her ancestors, but was curious about what countries really made up her heritage.
A little spit, mailing to Ancestory.com, and a % pie chart of country heritage appears.
She was totally stunned to find out she was 25% Native American. WOW! Thrilled, she could hardly wait to “explore my Native American heritage”.
Oh, great. No doubt all the tribes have by now posted her picture at entrances with persona non grata. Next to Elizabeth Warren’s.
Seriously, Native American heritage is sacred. It shouldn’t be a marketing gimmick.
- “Indianness” (First Nations News and Views. Box checking and cultural hybrids)
- “The Politics of Spiritual Genocide” (Cole R. Delaune.ICTMN). “
The rule always was this in the neighborhood: “If you aren’t living on the reservation or getting oil money, you don’t have enough to count.” It’s rude and disrespectful to barge in on others’ lives and traditions – especially for the purpose of gaining something for yourself.
Just celebrate the heritage you’ve lived, OK? Like it makes any difference anyway. Mutts. All of us mutts. If it matters. And it shouldn’t. You are who you are.
Mama told me not to come.(USPD/Wikimedia.org)
Most of Houston would like to know who these people are. (And we don’t think it’s confused Little Bo Peep.)
“Families plead for help after trailer, animals headed to Rodeo stolen from Houston motel.”
“In all, four lambs and two goats were stolen — a total of six projects from six students (five families) destined for the livestock show. They were to weigh in today (Wed.)
“In a way I want to kick something, in a way I want to cry. I don’t know what to feel. I really don’t,” said theft victim Darrell Lambert.
Neither do the youngest of the victims, like Evan Sylvester, age 9. “I think that they’re just being selfish and not being very kind and nice. … It’s like losing your favorite dog,” said Sylvester.” (abc13.com – article and video)
VIDEO “Thief steals trailer with kids’ livestock show lambs inside. (Khou.com)
So if you come across a suspicious 2004 white/recently painted Chevy Tahoe, a low profile 2012 Jackson trailer with generator and AC left on to keep it cool inside, or a couple of lost little lambs, please call: Crime Stoppers at 713.222.TIPS or Houston Police at 713.308.3500
This theft is completely over the line. Far past the edge of humanity.
As low as stealing bronze vases from cemeteries.
Git a rope.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Hoping those kids get to see a better day on the wing.©
Discover more from Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
46 Comments
Comments are closed.
Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 
That’s sad that the livestock was stolen – after all the work the kids put in. I hope the animals are OK.
First nations heritage – yeah, DNA analysis is a hard way to figure out heritage. Here in Canada there is a major tax advantage if you can be designated first nations in heritage – anything 1/8 or more genetic is considered qualifying. No sales tax or federal income taxes (I think – at least that is the way it used to be). Tobacco and liquor taxes are waived as well under certain circumstances. I hadn’t heard of anyone coming up with unexpected first nations genes before – usually that is info passed down in the family – rare to just have it pop up. Hmmm, Definitely worth some consideration. Neat post Phil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dangling the possibility of First People’s heritage as a marketing tool is inappropriate. Suggesting there may be some “extra specialness” to you discovered if you pay up seems pretty weak minded, but maybe they know their audience.
No word on the animals. The truck and stuff is insured, but we’ve had big thunderstorms with some areas/creeks/bayou flooding. The air is heavy, warm and humid – not show lamb friendly. One mom headed down immediately as the group was left without transportation – although knowing the rodeo volunteers and committee members, people were there to assist if they could.
This used to be a really nice place to live. Now far too many crimes of opportunity, people who see stealing as a career path, and just downright meanness. You always hope there’s a reverse gear, but worrisome. Thanks for heading into this chute with a comment. Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I so agree… that’s so darned mean… I hope there is a way to find the lambs and the goats back and I hope the thieves have not killed them for getting meat… that would be really sad…… :o(
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mean. No other words. The group had arrived early in order to be at the first of the livestock check-in line the next morning. Being from so far away, they had no idea of the risk. Even moving trucks get stolen here from hotel parking lots. Not exactly the lesson you want young kids to learn. There’s grass around if the lambs were dumped and found shelter from the thunderstorms, but the alternatives as you mention are very real. Sad reflection on society that thieves like this exist.
Makes the all packs and herds angry. Thanks for worrying along.
LikeLike
Ah, yes. Ancestry.com — the lovely folks who advertise “check your DNA! Find your ancestors!” and then forward the DNA info to the federales. Ummmm… One more reason to stop and think, before assuming everyone’s on the up and up.
As for that theft? Despicable. As the father said, it may have been the case that they couldn’t get the trailer loose from the truck, and it became a livestock theft by accident. No matter. It’s just as bad. Worse. Sad. That hanging tree in Goliad is waiting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Privacy is a fading luxury. It all started with the mindset of “Don’t throw it away, save it. You never know when it could become useful.” Although not quite meaning what Grandparents were suggesting.
Houston doesn’t like to admit it, but visitors to big events are prime picking for the local thieves that haunt that area for crimes of convenience. We even tell family/friends in town for medical treatments not to stay in certain places even if it’s convenient and has special pricing. Shortly there will be the usual warnings about not leaving your purse in the car while filling up with gas at those big stations. There was a big generator on that trailer – might be sellable. Poor little lambs that lost on the way. (The H. Press had a snarky article suggesting the lambs were dead meat anyway. Seriously? Let’s make the kids feel worse.)
That tree is exactly the image. Thanks for roping a comment to leave.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree that we are who we are. Being conscious about our choices and how we live in relation to others and our planet is more important than percentages of dna. Perhaps that woman will experience some epiphany that makes her a better person, care about issues she previously disregarded, or something. Who knows. Sad about those kids and their stolen animals. I wonder what the thieves’ dna would have to say?
LikeLiked by 2 people
That woman will probably take her actress pay and happily go forth and do good. Ha Ha. Tired of companies inappropriately manipulating people’s minds to sell their products. (Hmmm, wonder why Native American discovery was their choice rather than some other ethnic group or race?) Probably overthinking here. People love to sort and group themselves and other, but bottom line, we’re all mutts – and all that matters is what you do.
Some are thinking the thieves’ DNA revealed such bad traits that it endangers the gene pool. We need to find the kindness gene? With luck! Thanks for gathering up a comment to leave.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Kindred spirits, we. Spot on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your perspective. I’ve never really understood why someone needs to know that they’re “8% so and so racial make-up.” We ARE all mutts. The only good thing about these genetic tests is if more people realize that we’re all the same: made up of blood and bones and gut, and the skin color/eye shape means nothing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe it’s the same people that gladly pay big bucks for fancy pedigreed pups and shun the shelter mutts – although mixed breeds often get the best qualities of both breeds. Wonder if it’s the same with humans? Hmmm. Thanks for gathering up such an astute comment
LikeLike
Let’s not forget … it’s advertising. Someone found something new that sort of does something. They’re trying to make a buck. So they get the film crew together, play some allegedly emotional score, hire some actors to act like it matters, may them a few of the bucks they got … and take it for what it’s worth while it lasts. The goal of businesses is to make people aware of things they didn’t know existed until they want them, and then to use marketing to make the wants seem like needs.
Again, for me, if knowledge doesn’t translate into action that makes real people’s lives better, it’s probably not going to garner much attention from me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t blame the production company, but the marketing dept that sat down and went “Hmmmm, what will motivate people to buy – and what exclusive group can we suggest people can slip into…” But the last chance to avoid a problem was the company that accepted/paid for the concept…companies that only want to “help” us. Yeah, snort.
LikeLike
That news item about the stolen livestock is just plain depressing. Jeez Louise there are a lot of lousy people in the world. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
May bedbugs find them! It is really sorry. Mom never told them to be nice to visitors – and don’t steal from them either. Thanks for the edgy scream of a comment
LikeLike
I cannot even fathom this sort of theft. Maybe the thieves didn’t know there was livestock inside? But if that’s the case, where are the little animals now? What is wrong with people?!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aliens have already invaded rotting the brains of these individuals? And people are worried about predator wolves in the National Parks, Getting more concerned about what’s walking down the streets. Thanks for edging over to leave a comment
LikeLike
Feel badly for that family that had their livestock stolen. There’s unfortunately a lot of misguided, unhealthy, downright evil people in the world. I hope this has a happy ending.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately not one sign of fleece or hoof yet. The Tahoe will probably be featured in a robbery shortly – with new also stolen plates. At the risk of sounding like returning to the Old West, seems there are too many varmits running loose preying on the innocent and weak. Society might ought to think about that. (On other balls being thrown – whew some of these college games are heart stoppers )
Thanks for rounding up an edgy comment to hang up here
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating and beautiful post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for dancing at the edge!
LikeLike
I’m not very strong on maths, but if this woman was 25% Native American, doesn’t that mean one of her grandparents was NA? She had a grandparent who was pure NA and she didn’t know? Unobservant, uninterested, or what? Or did she have several different ‘inputs’ of NA that added up to 25%? That would be odd because that would mean on several different occasions, her ancestors chose NA partners. And what about the 75% not Native American? Does that count for less/mean less? What exactly does she hope to gain from this revelation—a hidden talent for survival in the wilderness? A taste for buffalo meat? She is what she is, what she was last week, what she was the day she was born. People want to blame others for anything they do wrong, and take the credit for things their ancestors did. Learn to be yourself, lady.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great comment. Bragging rights are what the company is selling? I’ve found it interesting that there are companies that do DNA analysis for dogs, too…and investigations have reported they sent the same dog’s DNA to 4 different companies to find out what breeds were mutted together. And got back 4 different answers and %. The owners were totally amused and still like the dog anyway.
This is all new technology. Down the road when the data base are culled and filled with accurate info for lots and lots of subjects to compare against, perhaps it will be more interesting.
Only for entertainment purposes right now? Like you say, it doesn’t matter who they were in the past or where they were – that’s all over and done, all that matters is what an individual does now.
Loved your take on this. Thanks for jumpy in with the edgy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you remember a few years ago when everybody was paying to have their DNA traced back to a particular ‘Eve’? There were supposed to be seven (or maybe nine) original mothers of the human race, and you could trace your line back to find out which one was your original mother. I don’t know if this is still running, been debunked, or what. And how would you differentiate between Eves? They were probably all dark-skinned, dark-haired and hairy. Who cares?
LikeLike
Anything for a buck. Anything to stroke ego…
Probably in the future people will laugh at the very idea – and that it mattered to some.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My favorite two response questions, when it comes to causes, religious beliefs and the like:
1.) What will you do differently tomorrow because of this?
2.) Will it make you a nicer person?
If you don’t have good answers for both, I’m probably not interested and will wonder why you are.
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
And if you claim your religious belief is responsible for you bahaving in a humane and compassionate way, ask yourself—without that belief would I have behaved in a less compassionate, humane way? If the answer is yes, then you probably need to start asking yourself some fundamental questions about morality and ethics.
LikeLike
True character of a person is what they do when no one is looking – or no one is telling them what to say or do.
Sad responses have all become flow charts or cause and effect analysis rather than pure instinct to just do the right thing. Doing good, showing kindness, being compassionate, and considerate used to be habit.Expected habit to be a member of society.
Big sigh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never been interested in those DNA things for (a) the price (b) the lack of privacy and (c) I already know my roots.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ditto and thanks for sending a sensible answer over the edge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wit’s not all its cracked up to be.
I’d rather have your ingenious literary flair.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, do not proclaim such to one of my heroes, Jonathan Swift. Grateful for you kind words..despite the fact that RC Cat says to be wary – you and that Chelsea dog are up to something. Thanks for dancing on the edge
LikeLike
I haven’t seen the commerical but I find it distasteful. A little like stealing from the Native Americans once again.
How terrible about the stolen animals! What is wrong with people? I hope the animals find their way back to their owners.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your second sentence is exactly what bothered me concerning that advertising campaign.
Not a fleece or hoof to be found with those little lost animals. I think many were worried they’d end up wandering down into lanes of traffic if suddenly given their freedom. Harsh lesson for the kids who worked so hard. Thanks for scouting around the edge
LikeLike
Stealing is so base behavior. I would give them a big hiss and maybe a big scratch too when I saw anyone doing it! *shakes head* Pawkisses for a Happy Sunday 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
We hope the little lambs and goat found shelter and protection somewhere. So cruel to beasts and kids. Your hiss may scratch the ears of the guilty ones turning their dreams into nightmares. Great plan. Thanks for hissing for good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
As an aside Phil, I just posted over at Mark Bialczak’s http://markbialczak.com/2016/03/13/a-short-drive/comment-page-1/#comment-77332 If you have time to drop by for a read, i’d be honored.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So there you are! Spring break dog nanny duties for several neighbor critters have me running a little late – but I’ll head over shortly. Appreciate the heads-up!
LikeLike
Lots in this one, for sure. I was struck most, perhaps, by the florist’s message (and how it sadly resonates with many). “Don’t REALLY be sorry; just sort of make it go away, so that you can avoid consequence, get what you want, or store up enough points to do it again.”
I devote a whole chapter to this idea in my book, The Best Advice So Far: “Apologize less and mean it more.”
LikeLike
Any word over used loses meaning. “Sorry” is suffering and many have simply no concept of what it means to feel regret, sorry, or guilt. Far too many do-overs, excuses offered, lush garden of the mind with self esteem?Whatever the reason, bribes are bribes.
Great comment in that first paragraph.
LikeLike
That’s really not nice.
LikeLike
Apparently not all the predator animals are tagged and controlled. Rude rules. Thanks for running by
LikeLike
This was too bad about the trailer being stolen with livestock. 😦
I disagree about heritage. I think my friend and co-worker would not mind, as a member of a Native American tribe, meeting someone with a quarter of their blood being such. I embrace my 4 heritages; much more distinct than those with 1/6 or 1/8th of something! 🙂
LikeLike
The lamb and goat kids learned a tough lesson. Difficulties do tend to bring out the best in people
People are pretty much the same as soon as labels/ego “specialness” is parked at the door. We can all get along. It has been done. Always interesting to run across far flung unknown relatives. Pretty much a mutt myself and think being smug about being this or that is funny. You are what you make of yourself – in the present.
My point about that commercial/actress is that a company using Native American heritage as a marketing tool to make money for themselves. Offering (with no benefit to the tribes) Native Americans’ history, noble past, as well as the tragedy, in an attempt to pry money out of the general public’s pockets – (and offer it so easily and quickly, not that old fashion bothersome way of talking to elders or reading/researching records.YEA instant gratification again.). Haven’t this group been used and “given” enough? Back to the tables Marketing Dept. and find another way to sell commercial products.
Perhaps it should have been stated more clearly – but what would be the fun of that? Things here are often not what they seem, so always pack a sense of humor.
(As a side note, many, but probably not all, descendants of Native American heritage do resent politician’s Warren’s claims when she uses them to benefit herself financially, politically, or as status. Me included,- funerals can be real mix of traditions. Warren’s actions are kinda like Hillary saying 7 yrs ago in desperate final struggle for votes against Obama “I’ve just discovered I’m Jewish!” Really. She said that on camera. Smiling. Gads. What is wrong with people? Be yourselves and stop trying to latch onto/steal marketable images for your own purposes.)
Thanks for dancing along the edgy. And mutts rock! They get the best traits of all of components – just like pups!
LikeLike
There’s more to saying “sorry” than a bunch of flowers. I think a person should be proud of whatever their lineage is. Those animals should have been watched closer. Thieves are everywhere, dirty stinkers. — Suzanne Joshi
LikeLike
People today seem very unclear on many concepts. It was probably lucky the parents didn’t let a kid sleep in the trailer with the animals – the thieves wouldn’t have noticed and that individual would have been taken, too. Moral compass so lost. Thanks for being yourself and herding a comment this way
LikeLike