October 3, 2008
Four For Friday
Q1 - Email: We've all probably done this: Composed what we thought was an innocuous email or instant message, hit the send button and sat back to await a reply. When you finally do hear back, you learn the recipient of your message is upset with you. You thought what you sent was a very clearly worded message that could not possible be misinterpreted, but the recipient completely misunderstood. As a rule, do you read or reread email messages before you send them? Related: When you attach a document or file to an email message, do you open the file after it has been attached (to make sure it is indeed what you want to send)?
Q2 - It's a Dogs World: If you were reincarnated as dog, what breed would you like to be and what one person--either dead or alive--would you choose to be your master?
Q3 - Debates: According to political pollsters, there are very few instances in which Presidential or Vice Presidential debates had a substantive impact on election outcomes. In other words, most voters choose to vote for a candidate regardless of what takes place during a debate. Has either of this year's debates influenced whom you think you will be voting for in November?
Q4 - City Ordinance: Beginning this Wednesday, Los Angeles pet owners must comply with a city ordinance that requires most dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered by the time they are four months old. Dog and cat owners not complying with the law will receive information on subsidized sterilization services. If their pets are not "fixed" within 60 days, they could face a $100 fine or eight hours of community service. A third offense could result in a $500 fine or 40 hours of community service. The ordinance exempts a number of animals, including service dogs and animals that compete in shows or sporting competitions. Do you like this ordinance or do you think the government has no right to legislate whether your cat or dog can have kittens or puppies?
Posted by Mikal at October 3, 2008 1:44 AM
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Q1: I've made my fair share of email blunders, so I edit pretty carefully before I send anything. If I'm composing something that could be sensitive, I might save it as a draft and come back to it later to re-read it. I probably check file attachments about 25% of the time. My advice - Don't send messages when you're upset. It's fine to write them when you're upset, but then file them away for a day or so.
Q2: Golden Retriever. I wouldn't want a dead person to be my master, so, let's see... oh yeah, my daughter. That way, I'd get to spy on her and protect her from any creeps she happens to date, see my son occasionally, and bite the guy who marries my wife.
Q3: The presidential debate made me more comfortable with the possibility of voting for McCain. Before the debate, I was questioning his ability to think and communicate on his feet. I thought both candidates performed well. The vice presidential debate made me question whether I want to vote at all. What a waste of air time.
Q4: I think it's unfortunate that the government has to legislate this sort of thing because people are too irresponsible to do it themselves. However, if I'm reincarnated as a dog and hear that my daughter's planning to move to Los Angeles, I'm outta there.
1- I'll often reread messages before sending them, but most of my email is basically of the 'your not logged in to instant messenger so I'll IM you via your email' variety that doesn't require much thought.
2- You've seen those pictures of the old man sitting on a porch in a rocking chair with a long stalk of grass in the corner of his mouth, hat down over his eyes, a shotgun in his lap, and an old hound asleep with its ears hanging over the edge of the porch... I'd be that dog with that master.
3- I'm voting for Stephen T Colbert
4- Waste of government time and money, as this is going to be one of the most unenforceable laws ever. I get wanting to control pet populations, but what a waste of effort when people are living under your cities bridges.
1 - I proofread emails to make sure I am saying what I want to say. I also often open attachments to ensure it was the correct one.
2 - I would be a pit bull with Michael Vick as my master. Hopefully my life as a dog would be short.
3 - The debates have had no influence over which candidate I am voting for. But they do provide some choice entertainment.
4 - How in the world would they enforce this law? Do they have vets on the police force now?
Q1- Yes, in my personal email and work emails. I work in email marketing in my job, so it is vital that everything is checked, re-checked, and checked again so that any mistakes are found before the email is sent out. It could jeopardize the company name and reputation as well as the functionality of the email itself.
Q2- I would be an English Bulldog with my cousin Jeremy as my master. He treats his dogs just like he treats his girlfriend...feeds them tacos, cheeseburgers, and other awesome human food, and they have their own cozy bed as well.
Q3- What are debates? I would much rather watch the Cubs get their trash kicked, or a salad-shooter infomercial.
Q4- This ordinance is ridiculous. How will they know? It's not like the pets have stickers on their butts (similar to registration stickers on license plates) to show proof.
Q2 - It's a Dogs World: If you were reincarnated as dog, what breed would you like to be and what one person--either dead or alive--would you choose to be your master?
I'd like to be a peek-a-poo and I'd like my owner to be Paris Hilton because she really know how to treat a dog.
Q3 - Debates: According to political pollsters, there are very few instances in which Presidential or Vice Presidential debates had a substantive impact on election outcomes. In other words, most voters choose to vote for a candidate regardless of what takes place during a debate. Has either of this year's debates influenced whom you think you will be voting for in November?
No way
Q4 - City Ordinance: Beginning this Wednesday, Los Angeles pet owners must comply with a city ordinance that requires most dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered by the time they are four months old. Dog and cat owners not complying with the law will receive information on subsidized sterilization services. If their pets are not "fixed" within 60 days, they could face a $100 fine or eight hours of community service. A third offense could result in a $500 fine or 40 hours of community service. The ordinance exempts a number of animals, including service dogs and animals that compete in shows or sporting competitions. Do you like this ordinance or do you think the government has no right to legislate whether your cat or dog can have kittens or puppies?
I don't know how they'd keep track of all the cats and dogs to see if they had a litter or not. Are they going to keep making "house calls" to everyone that has one? I don't think so, but if it is approved, I think the owners should be allowed to decide if they wnat at least one litter. There are already enough unwanted or uncared for dogs and cats
I guess I didn't read my post before hitting "post". I left off #1. How red is my face?
Q1 - Email: As a rule, do you read or reread email messages before you send them? Related: When you attach a document or file to an email message, do you open the file after it has been attached (to make sure it is indeed what you want to send)?
I usually reread but sometimes just as I hit "send" I go..crap. Same with attachments
1. I check myself when I have a negative reaction to an email because it can be easily misinterpreted. It's better to get on the horn and speak with someone directly if you are miffed by an email because you are probably reading way too into it.
2. Wow, that's an intense question. I would like to be a small scrappy dog that catches Frisbees and goes on lots of hikes in the mountains. In terms of an exact breed, perhaps a Jack Russell Terrier? Maybe without the yip-factor? As for the owner, me of course!
3. The debates haven't influenced me. It's still Obama all the way. Yes we can!
4. I actually like the idea, but don't know how they will enforce it. There should be an exception for breeders. People don't realize the hidden costs of cats and dogs running around having puppies and kittens. Ultimately, the taxpayer foots the bill for shelters and putting animals down!
Q1. I do my best to review emails before sending. I have a true life event (as something to avoid) imbedded in my brain while working at a Fortune 100 company... Some poor woman who hit 'reply to all', to the entire company mentioning how a friend and co-worker of hers could not make a company-sponsored event because of a bladder infection and speculation of her young daughter being pregnant. WHOOPS.
Q2. I would come back as a farm dog owned by the Dog Whisperer: outside, loving life as a dog should (and being understood!).
Q3. The debates have been very good and I try to watch most of them. I also think that people need to realize track record matters, commercials don't nor does the biased media.
I am curious to see what your viewers response is to this Youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usvG-s_Ssb0
VERY telling.
Q4. LA evidently is communist. We better get used to that way of life if Obama gets into office.
Back again...
As I have visited many angry liberal blog sites and witnessed irrational, fact-less hate commentaries, I have decided that this is the best analogy as to how a person will vote in this election...
Look at your checkbook, look at your savings, look at your debt and your ability to sustain a job long term and yourself in the event of an unexpected job loss.
I have found that many liberal bloggers are either sensitive to the question above or just plain won't answer it.
Why is that?
Q1 - Email: I'm normally very careful and will often check, recheck, and perhaps even edit two or three times before I send an email to make them sound as neutral as possible. Back in the day when I did email support, the exact same canned email would receive a response of praise and gratitude from one recipient, while receiving several f-bombs from some other recipient. How it is received probably has a lot to do with the receiver's mood at the time, so I guess I shouldn't waste so much time on it.
Q2 - It's a Dogs World: I like Greg's answer. I would be that dog, then bite my owner so he would shoot me and put me out of my miserable dog life. Or maybe one of my Philippine relative's dog. Hopefully they would eat me.
Q3 - Debates: Haven't heard a debate yet that changed my mind. Must be because I never listen to them. I figure each candidate is just going to tow the party line, and if something crazy happens I'll hear about at the work water cooler.
Q4 - City Ordinance: Being that I'm a card carrying communist (nope, has nothing to do with all the suffering I've seen from boatloads of unwanted animals being born left and right by irresponsible animal owners) I like the idea. And I figure they'll probably enforce it the same way they enforce other animal laws. When somebody calls in a report, the animal cops go check it out. If a home has an adult cat and 5 kittens... well, it's a pretty good bet somebody didn't get their cat spayed.
Hey Stu and Mike -
More specifically, will the Federal government now be paying for this program? Seems like it might be in light of the CA state level bail-out request.
1. I usually read my email message before I send it. As for the attachment, yes, I usually open it to be sure it's the right one, especially if I have multiple files with the same name, i.e. my resume.
2. Hmm...don't know. I'll get back to you on that one.
3. Not really. I will still be voting for my candidate.
4. I think it should be the owner's responsibility to get their pet neutered. Otherwise, you have a lot of animals that have the potential of ending up at the pound or neglected.
mine is up!!!
http://thefishgate.blogspot.com/2008/10/its-dog-world.html
http://thefishgate.blogspot.com/2008/10/its-dog-world.html mine is up!
1. This happens to me more than I care to admit. I usually do reread my message before I send it and it still happens. I'm starting to question my ability to communicate. :(
2. I would be a Rhodesian Ridgeback and I would belong to a lion hunter. This dog was bred in Africa for the purpose of hunting lions, and I have to believe that for a dog, that has to be the ultimate adrenaline rush.
3. I think the debates have helped me. I've been undecided for a while and I think the vice presidential debate finally pushed me over the edge. I simply cannot picture Sarah Palin as possibly taking over as president of the United States if McCain kicks the bucket...then again, any time I listen to President Bush speak, I have a hard time believing he is our current president.
4. I don't think I know enough about why the ordinance is being passed to weigh in on the subject. What prompted it? Are animal shelters in the L.A. area overflowing with unwanted pets? Are there packs of wild dogs roaming the streets like I used to see in Brazil? My dog is 6 years and a half years old and isn't neutered because we hoped to breed him one day and possibly keep one of the puppies. It hasn't been much of a problem.
Clark -
I am curious what your concerns are about Sarah Palin. What are they? Is the fact that she is not Hillary your primary concern?
I shudder at the thought of Obama ruling the US if Biden kicks the bucket. On the other hand, Biden leading the US is a very scary thought to me, too. But, many supporters like you seem to like his foreign policy.
I am sure Biden saying something racist about Dunkin' Donuts owners will do great in the foreign leadership community... OR, better yet, how about him telling leaders of China about how detrimental their coal use is? That would be good times, no doubt.
Oh, I do think Clark's comments about the LA ordinance is interesting to me.
So, I ask again, who is paying for this regulatory ordinance? Are there LA uniformed officials walking the city enforcing this?
Well Flower, if that is your real name, you obviously feel pretty strongly about your chosen party. Maybe so much so that you've managed to mentally block some of the interviews with Sarah Palin sputtering out sentence fragments and failing to answer direct questions.
(Here's a choice clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nokTjEdaUGg)
We've had almost 8 years with a president who struggles to form complete sentences and frankly, I think that's quite enough.
As mentioned, up until recently, I was undecided (in fact I'm not 100% sure I'm decided now, but I'm a lot closer) and I like to think that helps me to have a little bit less bias toward one party or the other. To be completely honest, I'm not super comfortable with either of the choices right now and feel like my vote is basically a decision between the lesser of two evils. So your rips on the Democrats aren't going to phase me a whole lot. Yes, I realize they have their issues too. However, what I've seen of Sarah Palin gives me zero confidence in her ability to lead a country, and what I see of Senator McCain doesn't give me a whole lot of confidence that he'll stay healthy and alive through a full term.
True, there is a small part of me that wants McCain to win just so I can continue to be entertained by the most hilarious SNL skits I've seen in a long time, but alas, I must overcome my selfishness and vote for who I think will be best, no, scratch that, who I think be least bad for this great nation we live in.
As for my answer to the L.A. ordinance concerning dogs, I thought I was pretty clear that I really don't have enough information to weigh in on the matter (nor to I care enough about it to go research it since I don't live in L.A.). I have no idea who is paying for the ordinance or how they would enforce it. That was kind of my point. Without knowing more about the ordinance, how can I give an opinion that's worth anything?
But hey, I guess knowing almost nothing about me hasn't stopped you from forming an opinion about me, has it?
Oh, and just because we haven't had any good old fashioned comment wars on Mikal's great blog for a while, if Flower is your real name, what the heck kinda name is Flower? :)
P.S. Is this going to end up like one of those emails I should have read through before sending? Oh well, too late now [Clicks "post"]
Hey Clark -
OMG - you cracked me up!
No worries on the Posting click.
Well, the name Flower and is origination remains within the confines of my close family. Let me just say that it has a funny source that makes me laugh every time I use it to post on this site (and others). Sorry, no further info there!
The only other Clark I 'know' is Clark Griswald and he cracks me up every year during the holidays.
Back to the political commentary... I think I feel most strongly about my personal values versus a political party.
Listen, I understand your concerns with this election.
I comment on what I read on the blogs. But, that said I do have a side of me that wants to stir the masses to THINK more than their flip comments represent.
I don't know you, Clark. I am sure if I met you during my business dealings, I would shake your hand and work with you just like anyone else I work with.
All I would ask of you is do you see your government running itself like you run your home?
For myself, I am very conservative with spending but willing to spend on matters that keep my family safe.
I also have had great business interactions and relationships with people who I respect tremendously - not for their delivery of a message, but what backs their message with fact/experience.
I have been lucky enough to have Depression era grandparents who I knew/know very well. At least two of these grandparents had awful deliveries in their teachings to their grandchildren and children. That said, now that two of them have passed, I think about them everyday and wonder what they would say about the mess our country was in. I wish they were here with my and my family right now and in person to say we'll be OK, because they have lived through something similar.
You know what they taught me? They taught me only spend what you make and be faithful to and support your family.
McCain has served his country to the point of being a POW for 5 years. Sarah Palin, quite honestly, I don't care what anyone else says about her, because I think she is someone I easily relate to. Outside of being a woman of similar age, she is decisive, possesses great values and has proven to me she is a wonderful study for the Presidency. I think she is great and knows what many of us in the US deal with on a daily basis.
Now, as far as the SNL skits... Yeah, they are cute, but Biden has so much material - where the heck is his due for all of the incompetence spewed from his mouth?
I feel that we are truly feeling the effects of male chauvinism, minus Hillary.
Back to your question about knowing the facts about the LA ordinance... Listen, I don't live in LA, but I do know that the state of CA is seeking a federal bailout from the Federal gov't. This effects everyone in the US.
I challenge you and everyone who posts to this website to take the time and research the candidate you hope to vote for.
Please, look beyond the sound bites because the US can't afford a bad decision.
Respectfully,
Flower
'Food for Thought' for Clark and others who blog here:
- Ayers
- Acorn
- McCain 2005 Senate address re: the Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae potential financial mess forewarning our of current financial state.
- Campaign contributions to Obama from Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae.
- Biden's racist comments about Dunkin Donut owners
- McCain's delivery vs Obama's. Do you like the calm voice that does not answer questions more than the elder voice who gives solid answers?
- Taxation rates in the state of Illinois.
- What motivated each candidate to political office.
Just curious what the thoughts are.
Ah man, I tried to start a comment WAR and completely failed. A) because I forgot to check back right away and B) because you're too nice. Ah well.
I actually thought SNL did a pretty decent job of making Joe Biden look ridiculous. http://www.hulu.com/watch/37730/saturday-night-live-vp-debate-open-palin--biden#s-p1-st-i1
I'll have to check on a few of your 'food for thought items' and get back to you, but here's one for you I'd like to get someone else's thoughts on, read this wikipedia article:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savings_and_loan_crisis
To me this feel eerily similar to the current financial crisis we're going through only on a smaller scale. Pay special attention to the senators who were involved. Why didn't John McCain learn from this experience?
Hey Clark.
McCain actually sent a warning re: the Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae financial cluster-f situation in 2005. I can always copy his speech to the Senate here if needed.
FYI, I would avoid Wikipedia as it has a history of those going to the site and altering 'facts'. I try not to quote them.
The bigger question that needs to be asked here is why Barack Obama eagerly was 'in bed' with one of the 'FMs' when he was part of the Illinois Black Caucus. Good 'ole Obama was in the top 3 of donation recipients from one of these failed low income housing mortgage giants.
As far as Acorn is concerned, I would just turn on todays news and listen to /watch about all of the Acorn city office investigations that have been taking place lately (in SWING states). Obama used to train Acorn recruiters and actually represented this organization as an attorney.
Today, Acorn is being investigated for untallied amounts of illegal voter registration. I am sure you would be 'shocked' to hear that these illegal voter registrations were for the democratic party. It is unbelievable - the entire starting line up of the Dallas Cowboys were 'registered' through Acorn.
VERY scary. As one commentator I watched recently stated 'So what will Obama owe Acorn after the election?'???
More food for thought.
Flower
It has been awhile guys....Thought it was time I got my happy ass back on here...
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