Scary Stuff

Read this (http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/06/25/fire_dog.ART_ART_06-25-09_A1_DSE9JB8.html?sid=101) then read my response.

I don't know where to start with this. The fact that this man remains on active duty is the most upsetting thing. What Michael Vick did was awful, but the fact that this guy can kill animals in the manner that he did and is still being paid by citizen is incredible.

Killing animals in this way, lying about, showing no remorse, and bragging about it is a sign of a seriously mentally disturbed person. What's even more ridiculous is that fact that a judge can fix his mouth to say that such a crime is 'totally out of character'. What kind of idiot thinks that stringing up dogs and shooting them 11 times is an isolated event?! Does the judge really believe a stable person can commit such an act? What kind of character does a person have that allows them to murder animals, lie to their family about it, and brag about the act to co-workers? Does the judge want us to believe that a 90 day sentence will help Santuomo realize the seriousness of his actions?

The man wasn't remorseful when he refused to let neighbors watch his dogs, he wasn't remorse when he strung them up, he wasn't remorseful when he shot one of his pets 6 times in the head (6 times!), he wasn't remorseful when he lied to his ex-wife and children about what happened to the dogs (what kind of person deliberately kills something their children love?), and he certainly wasn't remorseful when he bragged to co-workers about what he had done. How is it possible that a judge is not more disturbed by this? There may not be laws in place to punish this man more properly, but the fact that Hale claims this to be an isolated event is beyond belief.

What kind of world is this?! Dog fighting is wrong in my opinion, but this man's actions are far more disturbing and far more dangerous. Dog fighting has rules, barbaric and disgusting to some, but let's not forget that humans once cheered such acts when their fellow men and women were in the arena.

Never has it been acceptable for humans to betray the loyalties of devoted servants for no sensible reason. The man had plenty of alternatives, but chose to kill simply for the act of ending life, innocent life at that. The purpose of dog fights isn't to kill dogs, if it were people wouldn't fight dogs they would do what Santuomo did and forget the battles completely.

Unfortunately one cannot ignore the fact that Santuomo is a white male who appears to be getting off extremely light for his crimes. One has to wonder, given the legacy of the judicial system's treatment of race and crime, whether a judge would be so flippant about these actions if Santuomo were a black man. How convinced might he be of a black Santuomo's remorse in a similar situation? Of course we cannot know the answer, but racial bias is just as valid an explanation as complete incompetence when considering the judge's comments. How do you make sense of Hale's comments?

Whether or not you think race has something to do with how this case is viewed and presented by the media, the law, and the law officials recognize that others consider it an issue. Recognize that racial bias is still a very big issue in this country and that injustice is still an institutional problem (The Jena 6 is one recent example among many others). Be concerned that a premeditated brutal murder of animals for the sole purpose of ending their lives is considered 'an isolated event' by a judge. Be aware that the man responsible for this act can remain on active duty despite his conviction. Ask yourself how such a thing can be possible. If you're as disturbed as I am about how this situation is unfolding ask yourself what mindset and philosophy has to exist to support the actions of those confronting this situation. While some explanations are more complex than others they are all disturbing.

Our primary problem in this society is not people like David Santuomo, our primary problem is judges like Harland Hale. Individuals who refuse reason, yet are responsible for upholding reason will do more damage than any Santuomo ever could. Judges like H.H. Hale transform the actions of a Santuomo from an isolated problem to a systemic problem.

Things I want my children to consider

So this is a collection of thoughts I had sometime while in India. It is a collection of philosophical axioms I think are important in my life and things I would want my children to consider. I plan to add to this list as I grow older, but also as I rummage through the many thoughts I write down on bits of notebook paper. So there's more to come! Enjoy!

1) Try to talk to yourself as much as possible. It will be harder than you may initially think, but few things you do in life will be more important.

2) Questions can be more valuable than answers.

3) You can be assured that the more material substance you crave/own the less mental substance you'll be able to possess. There is only room for an abundance of one.

4) Seek to understand your emotions; specifically where they come from. This is the only way to control them.

5) Anger is almost never productive. Limit your exposure to it through axiom number 4.

6) You are what you eat. I mean this almost literally.

7) You live in a universe where the most important, if not the only, constant is change. Don't fight this principle, especially in your thinking. Remember, you are a product of that same universe.

8) Understand as much as you possibly can, but be aware that the more you try to understand the more patience will demand of you.

9) Don't believe everything you think.

10) Avoid extremes; especially in your thinking.

11) Your core principles should be few and general. Numerous principles reflect an inability or an unwillingness to accept axiom number 7; a desire for things to remain just as they are.

12) Be cynical when contemplating things that are 'popular'. Such things are often devoid of clear thinking.

13) Love and fear are the most volatile emotions humans possess. Take extra care when dealing with either or both.

14) Plant something, preferably food, and watch it grow. I know of few better ways to have a spiritual experience.

15) Your mind is your most valuable possession. If you do not intensely exercise your ability to think and reason you will fall victim to a universe that changes constantly.

16) Thinking is a choice. You have the ability to turn off your mind. Doing so is akin to falling asleep while driving. Remember, there are worse things than death.

17) The more you think, the more reality reveals itself to you. This will increase you ability to see and perceive the unpleasant, but it will also instill a confidence that no human can shake and that few understand.

18) Fear without reason is deadly.

19) Read. Everyday.

20) Be patient with the things you desire. Rarely does reason accompany rushing.