Dog Owners: Warning Issued for Chicken Jerky Treats

If you have chicken jerky treats for the dog, it might be a good idea to put them in the trash. There has been a warning issued:

“Washington — Chicken jerky treats may have sickened dozens of dogs, federal health officials warned Wednesday despite failing to find any trace of contamination.”

link: FDA: Chicken treats may be making dogs ill

There have been so many recalls that pet owners may think of making their own treats. There are numerous recipes that can be found on the internet. The ingredients are made from products that are deemed safe for human consumption. Granted that these days that is not a major reassurance but it may put pets at less risk than manufactured products. There simply have been too many recalls… and again, the Food and Drug Administration will not give a number as to how many pets have died. It is “an unspecified number”.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]dogs, security, health, fda, chicken jerky treats, recipes, ingredients[/tags]

Shawn Marion Wants to be a Laker

Just yesterday, things seemed quiet in Lakerland. The prominent news was that there was no news. That quiet was shattered by a report out of the Phoenix Suns organization. Shawn Marion wants to be traded - to Los Angeles. Yes, it’s true; Shawn Marion wants to be a Laker:

“…Marion told Sportingnews.com by telephone that he would welcome a trade to the Lakers to play with his good friend Kobe Bryant.

“You have a great organization, great ownership there with the Lakers. I don’t see no problems with playing there,” he told the Web site.”

link: Marion: It’s time for me to move on

The Lakers could send Lamar Odom to Phoenix for Shawn Marion. It could be seen as a win-win situation for both teams. The Lamar Odom / Kobe Bryant experiment has failed miserably. They just don’t fit well together. Lamar Odom has an abundance of talent. It seems that he defers to Kobe Bryant too much and, at times, becomes a spectator to Kobe’s magic. Lamar Odom would fit nicely with Phoenix. He is a team player and he would shine with bounce passes from Steve Nash.

Shawn Marion would be the second option on the Lakers, after Kobe Bryant. The Lakers would improve their athleticism and might be a bit more of a running team. Shawn Marion says that he loves Phoenix, the fans and his teammates. He knows that Phoenix has a far better chance of contending for the championship than the Lakers, with their present lineup. The trade out of Phoenix seems predicated on two things: money and ego. Shawn Marion wants to be appreciated. He certainly would have media attention in a high exposure market such as Los Angeles.

The question now is whether the Lakers front office will make the call to Phoenix. If I were the Lakers general manager and had Mitch Kupchak’s job, I would be calling Steve Kerr in Phoenix to finalize the trade. Immediately. With Shawn Marion’s comments, it would be difficult to open the Suns training camp with the knowledge that one of their core players wants a trade. As the general manager of the Phoenix Suns, Steve Kerr could restore the team’s focus quickly by making the trade with the Lakers. Then Mr Kerr could sit back and watch his former coach, Phil Jackson, managing the unfolding soap opera. It would be entertaining - Marion, Bryant, Jackson and a cranky group of Los Angeles sports writers.

Catherine

Shawn Marion Wants to be a Laker

Just yesterday, things seemed quiet in Lakerland. The prominent news was that there was no news. That quiet was shattered by a report out of the Phoenix Suns organization. Shawn Marion wants to be traded - to Los Angeles. Yes, it’s true; Shawn Marion wants to be a Laker:

“…Marion told Sportingnews.com by telephone that he would welcome a trade to the Lakers to play with his good friend Kobe Bryant.

“You have a great organization, great ownership there with the Lakers. I don’t see no problems with playing there,” he told the Web site.”

link: Marion: It’s time for me to move on

The Lakers could send Lamar Odom to Phoenix for Shawn Marion. It could be seen as a win-win situation for both teams. The Lamar Odom / Kobe Bryant experiment has failed miserably. They just don’t fit well together. Lamar Odom has an abundance of talent. It seems that he defers to Kobe Bryant too much and, at times, becomes a spectator to Kobe’s magic. Lamar Odom would fit nicely with Phoenix. He is a team player and he would shine with bounce passes from Steve Nash.

Shawn Marion would be the second option on the Lakers, after Kobe Bryant. The Lakers would improve their athleticism and might be a bit more of a running team. Shawn Marion says that he loves Phoenix, the fans and his teammates. He knows that Phoenix has a far better chance of contending for the championship than the Lakers, with their present lineup. The trade out of Phoenix seems predicated on two things: money and ego. Shawn Marion wants to be appreciated. He certainly would have media attention in a high exposure market such as Los Angeles.

The question now is whether the Lakers front office will make the call to Phoenix. If I were the Lakers general manager and had Mitch Kupchak’s job, I would be calling Steve Kerr in Phoenix to finalize the trade. Immediately. With Shawn Marion’s comments, it would be difficult to open the Suns training camp with the knowledge that one of their core players wants a trade. As the general manager of the Phoenix Suns, Steve Kerr could restore the team’s focus quickly by making the trade with the Lakers. Then Mr Kerr could sit back and watch his former coach, Phil Jackson, managing the unfolding soap opera. It would be entertaining - Marion, Bryant, Jackson and a cranky group of Los Angeles sports writers.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]nba, trade, phoenix suns, l.a. lakers, shawn marion, kobe bryant, phil jackson, egos, general manager[/tags]

Coach Greg Ryan Benches Hope Solo

Hope Solo will not be playing against Brazil. Instead, the U.S. Women’s team goalie will be Briana Scurry, a veteran of international competition. It is a change that caught many by surprise. Hope Solo certainly has been playing well and the U.S. Women’s team has been winning consistently.

It is a tactic that undoubtedly will foster debate. However, this is a team - and Briana Scurry is certainly an experienced member of that team. The defense will be as steady for her as it has been for Hope Solo.

I, for one, am not one who thinks that this is a disruption in ‘team chemistry’. These women have lived, worked and played together as a team. They win and lose as a team. Just as other substitutions are not viewed as disruptive or subject to such intense scrutiny, this is a decision that Coach Ryan made for the situation at hand. No one knows this team better than Greg Ryan - and I think that this team trusts his judgment. He has guided them well so far.

Catherine

Coach Greg Ryan Benches Hope Solo

Hope Solo will not be playing against Brazil. Instead, the U.S. Women’s team goalie will be Briana Scurry, a veteran of international competition. It is a change that caught many by surprise. Hope Solo certainly has been playing well and the U.S. Women’s team has been winning consistently.

It is a tactic that undoubtedly will foster debate. However, this is a team - and Briana Scurry is certainly an experienced member of that team. The defense will be as steady for her as it has been for Hope Solo.

I, for one, am not one who thinks that this is a disruption in ‘team chemistry’. These women have lived, worked and played together as a team. They win and lose as a team. Just as other substitutions are not viewed as disruptive or subject to such intense scrutiny, this is a decision that Coach Ryan made for the situation at hand. No one knows this team better than Greg Ryan - and I think that this team trusts his judgment. He has guided them well so far.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]world cup, semifinals, hope solo, greg ryan, briana scurry, goalie, u.s. women’s team, soccer, substitution[/tags]

A Mary Anne Radmacher Quote

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.”

Mary Anne Radmacher

A Mary Anne Radmacher Quote

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.”

Mary Anne Radmacher

[tags]mary anne radmacher, quote, courage[/tags]

Tracking by Cell Phone: No Warrant Needed

There is a federal court ruling that could have massive consequences on cell phone privacy:

“A federal court in Massachusetts has ruled that the government doesn’t need probable cause to obtain a warrant allowing it to use a person’s cell phone to track his past movements.

According to the ruling by the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, law enforcement officials only need to show the information is “relevant to an ongoing investigation.”

link: Ruling eases government’s efforts for cell phone tracking

Couldn’t any surveillance be included under this broad notice? The surveillance could be justified in eliminating a person from being a suspect (or a so-called ‘person of interest’). The problem is that everyone could be a potential suspect.

Where are the checks and balances? It is a dangerous assumption to think that law enforcement will not stretch the intent and spirit of this court ruling. To allow the government unfettered access to the movements and activities of citizens is, in itself, terrifying. Nevertheless, it seems that such things are possible under the rubric of security.

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster: http://flyinghamster.com/

[tags]court ruling, privacy, surveillance, tracking, security, cell phones, warrant[/tags]

U.S. Women’s Team: Brazil Is Waiting

The semifinals of the World Cup will have the U.S. Women’s team matched against a very talented group from Brazil. The attack from the Brazil will test the American defense which, up to this point, has provided stellar protection for Hope Solo in the American goal. The team from Brazil is quick and also very physical. The American women know that this will be the style of play and are preparing for perhaps their most physical game of the tournament.

It is another early morning to North American soccer fans, if they want to see the action ‘live’:

U.S. and Brazil: September 27, 2007
from: Hangzhou, China

time: 8 AM ET - ESPN2

It is a very early morning, especially for those watching the telecast from the west coast. Let’s hope no one needs the services of the surgical stapler during this match.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]world cup, semifinals, u.s. women, brazil, china[/tags]

U.S. Women’s Team: Brazil Is Waiting

The semifinals of the World Cup will have the U.S. Women’s team matched against a very talented group from Brazil. The attack from the Brazil will test the American defense which, up to this point, has provided stellar protection for Hope Solo in the American goal. The team from Brazil is quick and also very physical. The American women know that this will be the style of play and are preparing for perhaps their most physical game of the tournament.

It is another early morning to North American soccer fans, if they want to see the action ‘live’:

U.S. and Brazil: September 27, 2007
from: Hangzhou, China

time: 8 AM ET - ESPN2

It is a very early morning, especially for those watching the telecast from the west coast. Let’s hope no one needs the services of the surgical stapler during this match.

Catherine