Saturday, April 28, 2012

News Roundup


  • From the "Mama's Little Snowflake" Department - A family in California is suing their school district after their son was kicked out of an honors class for cheating.  The young man admits to copying the homework of another student, and the parents and student signed a form stating they understood what it would take to get bounced from the program.  But the parents are pointing at a conflicting policy and suing to get their kid re-instated.  Apparently he can't go anywhere in his life and will end up living in a van down by the river if he isn't in the super-dooper high speed, low drag English program.  I guess you can tell where my sympathies lie.  Don't want to get kicked out of a highly selective, competitive educational program?  Then don't cheat.
  • From the "All That Is Old" Department - A rancher in California is reporting that using shepherding dogs to watch over their flock has cut down on predator attacks.  Those of you who pay attention to human history should not be shocked by this.  Who would have thought that putting a dog that's been bred for a few thousand generations to protect sheep would be successful in keeping mountain lions and coyotes off the herd?  Pretty soon we should be hearing that having a few cats around the house is a better way to control mice and rats than poison and traps, and thousands will faint over their morning coffee at the shock.
  • From the "Cyber-Dumbass" Department - A Kentucky man is under arrest after allegedly ordering a pound of marijuana from someone he met while playing video games on-line.  He is accused of paying $2300 for the weed, and was caught when it was sent to an incorrect address.  He then admitted to the crime, and his intent to sell the contraband to pay bills.  Folks, this is so full of fail I don't know where to begin.  First and foremost, he used the mail to smuggle drugs.  Second, he either did it with someone dumb enough to not triple check the address before mailing it, or he was dumb enough to admit that the package was his when it was delivered and the mailman asked specifically if he was the person to whom the package was addressed.  Finally, he opened his mouth and admitted everything.  Of course, he bought pot from somebody he met on XBox Live, so we're not exactly talking about a criminal mastermind here.
  • From the "No Kidding" Department - A study shows that 30% of civilian-employed U.S. adults get less than 6 hours of sleep a night.  For those of you with small babies, I know you dream about getting six sequential hours of sleep.  I normally average between five and six, but that's why the good Lord gave us coffee.  It would be interesting to see what the percentage of the participants take sleep aids, and how many of those are in the 30% that don't sleep much.

4 comments:

BobG said...

I've seen Pyrenees guarding sheep in wilderness areas; very loyal dogs.
On a lot of the ranches and farms here in Utah you'll see a llamas; for some reason they appoint themselves guardians of sheep, and will defend them from predators. They are fierce fighters, and will run off dogs, coyotes, and cougars without problems.

Ruth said...

Gonna be fussy, a 'shepherd' dog herds the livestock at the command of the handler, a Livestock Guardian Dog guards, protects, and moves livestock on his own violation and thought as needed to keep them safe. Theres a HUGE difference in technique. Which is why although German shepherds are often prized guard dogs they aren't used for Livestock Guarding.

But yes, its seriously old school technique. Most breeds considered LGDs are OLD breeds.

Auntie J said...

Not to mention with the Cyber Idiot King...he was going to pay bills? Allow me to suggest a more direct route. Don't spend $2300 on weed; pay your dang bills!

Gee, I'm sorry. Was that out loud?

DaddyBear said...

BobG - Some of the horse farms around here use llamas in the fields with the horses. I guess they are there to keep the high-strung horses calm.
Ruth - Thanks for the info. I'd never heard the distinction before, but it makes sense now that you point it out.
Auntie J - Couldn't have said it better myself.

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