Cheers to rescue pets, jeers to guv
Pet adoption event a major societal winner
Cheers to Manatee County commissioners, Animal Services and the rescue and animal welfare organizations that have a deeply dedicated devotion to what could and should be dogs and cats desperate for forever homes, families and individuals that will care for them. Today, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the opportunity to adopt — neigh, recuse — an abandoned, lost but not found or otherwise homless dog or cat for the low, low price of $5 is yours. The $15 county licences fee applies, too, but the total is a bargain at $20. What a deal.
This is the second annual Adopt-a-Palooza that Manatee County Animal Services has staged. It’s at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto, One Haben Blvd. just north of the DeSoto Bridge.
The county’s Palmetto animal shelter is so severely overcrowded with dogs — this in a shelter built for 80 but now housing around 180 — that many of those canines are now confined to outside kennels, even the conference room. And in crates. This is way beyond normal. The cat population is also overflowing capacity, with over 100.
Ever seen the happy face of a dog or cat after an adoption out of an animal shelter? It’s priceless. Soon after a pet’s new forever family unleashes him/her in a welcoming home, that joyous face will soon become a pleasure to see. Witness that just once, and you will forever recommend the adoption of a shelter pet to family and friends.
So, looking for a furry friend, head to the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Better get there early. Those pets disappear quickly, as we’ve experienced.
More than 10 Manatee County rescue organizations — God bless them all — will be at this Adopt-a-Palooza, a great event that is especially vital this year. Manatee County has attained a remarkable record with its No-Kill policy, with only unadoptable diseased and aggressive animals being put down. The county’s save rate so far this year is averaging 89 percent this year, just a shade under the 90 percent that the No-Kill movement lists as the mark to earn that label as a community. Rescuing a dog or cat from what amounts to jail would boost that worthy goal.
John McCain: A true war hero, an admirable American
Jeers to Gov. Rick Scott. At a state Cabinet meeting this week, he told reporters: “Listen to Donald Trump. He believes in our military. He wants to build up the military.”
Those words sound fine. But why support a presidential candidate who disparages a true war hero? Arizona Sen. John McCain served his country with distinction, honor and bravery as a military officer and naval pilot during wartime.
Trump said this: “He’s not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
Scott’s response? “I’m never going to agree with every candidate on what they’re going to day.”
That’s a political statement completely lacking in defense of country and duty.
McCain’s father and grandfather both served as four-star admirals in the U.S. Navy. McCain graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958. He served as a naval aviator, flying ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. Anyone familiar with aircraft carriers knows those are dangerous missions. During the Vietnam War, in October 1967, McCain flew a bombing mission over Hanoi. He was shot down, seriously injured, and captured by the North Vietnamese. How is that not heroism? Sen. McCain, thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Mr. Trump, shame on you. Mr. Scott, shame on you, too, for not strongly disavowing statements that are clearly a deep affront to an American hero.
Quote of the week
“It seems almost unreal that we are talking about churches here, but society has come to this.”
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Specialist Deputy Yvonne Daniels, speaking before a crowd of people representing houses of worship about preparing to plan for an active shooter situation in their buildings.
This story was originally published August 5, 2016 at 11:54 AM with the headline "Cheers to rescue pets, jeers to guv."