My Letter to Michael Machado

Senator Michael Machado

[My letter to Senator Machado after he walked out of the Senate hearing on SB 861 after he voted yes. I faxed it to him this morning.]

Dear Senator Machado;

I had the opportunity last night to watch the recording of the Senate hearing for SB 861 (Speier) – [Animals: Dogs: Spay, Neuter, & Breeding Programs]. I was excited for the opportunity to hear those who spoke for and against the bill; they were all very passionate about their position as this bill hits very close to home for many people. I am personally opposed to this bill for various reasons I will discuss later. A friend of mine spoke against the bill, as a lawyer and an owner of a therapy dog who happens to be an American Pit Bull Terrier, she is very knowledgeable of the impact this bill could have on dog owners. Unfortunately you were not there to hear her. You chose to walk out of the meeting after only hearing those who supported the bill and one person who was against it. Not only did you walk out, but you rudely interrupted a deaf woman in order to do so. What was so important that you had to leave in the middle of the Senate hearing for this bill? You represent me and all your other constituents and have the responsibility to attend these hearings and thoughtfully consider all sides before voting; listening to those who take the time to attend and speak at these hearings is part of that. I voted for you last November because you promised to do what was best for the people of this constituency and you have failed to do so. I am not only upset how you voted for this bill, but that you didn’t even stay to hear all sides of the issue.
We have a vicious dog law on the books that would be very effective if it was enforced. Included in this law is a provision that does not allow for any breed specific legislation. This was thoughtfully placed in this law to prevent future laws from being passed out of emotion and in quick response to a tragedy. It is in place so that we will take the time to consider and implement laws that work and don’t discriminate or take away our civil liberties. As soon as we repeal this portion of the law nobody can guarantee that future breed specific legislation won’t be passed, including outright bans or ridiculous requirements like muzzling or large amounts of insurance coverage. I agree that there is an over population problem but that is not why this bill is being pushed; this bill is being pushed in response to a twelve year old boy being killed by his dog because of the irresponsible actions of his mother. This bill could not have prevented his death and will not prevent future tragedies. This bill is also being pushed so that Senator Speier can push her own political agenda-a future run at Lt. Governor. I am appalled that my rights as a dog owner take second to her own political career in an attempt to rescue us from “evil” pit bulls.
My partner and I adopted our American Pit Bull Terrier from the SPCA. He is the best thing in our life; he brings us such joy and comfort. He is sweet, loving, affectionate, and gentle, all standard to the majority of American Pit Bull Terriers. If we pass mandatory spay & neuter laws only for pit bulls we will loose a wonderful breed of dog. Only those who are already breeding dogs without consideration for their temperament will do so illegally. Breeding will be driven underground and there will be a huge black market for pit bulls; all bred for the wrong reasons [large head size, color, etc.]. We will no longer have dogs like our Jack, who have an amazing temperament and disposition.
I am so disappointed in your conduct regarding the hearing of this bill. If there was an emergency or something that was so much more important I’d love to hear what that was. I can’t imagine what is more important that doing your job representing your constituents at these hearings.

Thank you,
Kymberli Martinez
Proud owner of an American Pit Bull Terrier

DCFC "Plans"

Death Cab For Cutie

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Death Cab for Cutie's new album "Plans" is out today! I don't know when I'm going to be able to buy it [no money!] but I hope it is soon! I know they've been accused of "selling out" especially since they made an appearance on The O.C. but I still like them & The O.C. I'm sure it will be an awesome album, as usual.

...

So I know I've been slacking on my blog, but I've been putting my energy elsewhere lately. I guess this will be an on and off type of thing. I'll either be posting multiple times a day or not for weeks. I guess I'll just have to accept that and be ok with. Just as long as I always come back.

BSL Protest

Cindi, Me, Jack & Linda Blair

This morning we attended a protest at the capital. We had a much better turn out than our walk in Old Sacramento. Linda Blair came so we were able to get a lot more press, I asked my Grandma to watch the news in hopes maybe at least Jack made it on.

Baby's Wake

Items for an Irish Wake

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My cousin and his wife have decided to have the baby cremated and have an Irish Wake. Unfortunately his grandparents and my grandmother are being extremely judgmental and are refusing to go [they are all Mormon] because they will be drinking. Who are any of us to judge how they deal with loosing their 15 month old son? His twin sister lives close to me and I've let her know I'd like to go with her to show my support. We should all be willing to support our family regardless of our own opinion. If I refused to attend every event in which a mormon prayer was going to be said or would be held in a church I'd miss out on a lot. I'm willing to set aside my differences to support my family and I'd hope the same from them.

Happy News

Circle of Witches

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On a positive note Cindi and I have started a circle with some other witches who are apart of the Ritual Planning Group and who all took the series of Reclaiming classes with us [Elements of Magick, Rites of Passage, & Iron Pentacle]. We all work really well together. We had our first circle on Wednesday and I really enjoyed myself. I’m exited to have time set aside for developing my magickal skills with other people. We are going to work on spell~crafting first. Later on we plan to work with the tarot and I’m hoping to do some chakra work, guided meditation, and work on [and discuss I'm sure] bringing magick to my every day life. I am so happy with my life right now. I received A's in both my classes, so I've been able to keep my 4.0. I hope I can keep it up through my next set of classes. I'm just finishing up the first week. I didn't do so good on one assignment but I can make up for it later.

Update

The baby was taken off life support last night. Their older son was able to come see him and they are all just waiting to see what happens the baby passed away around 10:00 pm.

Family Tragedy

Sunday night my dad called to tell me that my cousin's 15 month old son drowned. This cousin of mine was on his way back to Iraq where he has been serving since December. He'd come home for leave and was literally on his way back when he got the call. The baby had fallen in a pool and his older brother had found him. It had taken the medics at least eight minutes to get a heart beat. [I've also heard eighteen which is a huge difference] The baby is at a children's hospital on life support. He is breathing on his own but in a coma. The doctors don't expect him to pull through and are giving him another 24-48 hours before they have to decide to take him off life support or not.
James is actually my second cousin (his mother and my mother are cousins and our grandmothers are sisters) but when we were in high school we took a road trip together and spend every moment we could together that summer. Even though I hadn't seen him much with all my moving, we've always been close. I was worried about him going to Iraq not only because of the risk on his life but to him as a person. I can't imagine what he's seen and how it has changed him. He had to wait 30 hours or more to see his son after he heard what had happened. Not surprising he's pissed at everyone. I haven't seen him in almost a year and my heart is breaking for him. He's applying for early leave and I really hope they approve him for it. No matter what happens with the baby he needs to be here.

Lughnasadh (Lammas)

http://www.13moons.com

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We had our Lughnasadh ritual on Sunday morning. I lead the meditation for the first time and from what I hear I did a great job. We all did a wonderful job and received a lot of compliments. We have been meeting every other week to do magick and planning in hopes that by doing magick regularly it would spread out into the greater community and so far it's working. Our purpose for the ritual was honoring the struggle; that of nature and of ourselves. I love the harvest festivals and have always felt a great connection to this time of year. I think from growing up in such an agricultural area I see the harvest and the affects of nature [an abundant crop or a meager one] depending on so many variables.

A few of us that took the series of classes together [Elements of Magic, Rites of Passage & Iron Pentacle] are going to start a circle together outside the Ritual Planning Group in hopes of developing more magickal skills and doing projects that may not be appropriate for the Ritual Planning Group. Our first circle is tomorrow and I'm very exited. It's amazing the progress we've made and the huge difference doing regular magick and doing it weekly will make an even bigger difference. We are going to focus on spell~crafting and using divination tools [tarot, runes, etc]. I can't wait to find more topics I'll like to work on knowing that'll have time already set aside for doing magick.