The Daily Skunk

Alright everyone here it is. By now I’m sure most of you are a little tired of the ‘08 presidential election coverage and advertisements. So, I found on the Federal Election Commission’s website that the candidates have raised $416.2 million dollars(not sure if that is current). According to NPR more than half of that money goes straight to the media and into the pockets of  the likes of Rupert Murdock, Ted Turner, Michael Eisner, etc.

My question to you is:  What better ways could the candidates spend this money while still pursuing their political goals?

I ask this because I get frustrated when I hear about the millions of dollars they waste every four years in an attempt to get elected. There has to be a better way, along with the potential to do some good in this world.  Whether it is fighting hunger, disaster relief, etc.

Your thoughts please.

mongo

I found this when I was searching for information about a turkey’s “beard” - since the beard of a Turkey is not made of hair, it is feathers - you should know.  Otherwise it would be classified as a mammal.

ANYWAY

check this out

http://www.whiskerino.org/2007/rules/

A beard growing contest, a full site dedicated to beards. My first impression is how bizarre, and how appealing this is going to be to my fellow skunk readers.

Anyway, enjoy.

I realized after a recent comment on this past article that it did sound pretty anti -hunting.

That was not my intent, trust me.

Hunting as it is now, has been the best thing that has happened to most animal populations of this country in the past 60 years (possibly more).

It is all about management, and the numbers show that the populations have never been better because of it.

What I meant is that hunting is not a sport as in football, soccer, and baseball are sports.

There should be a completely different approach mentally and what the enjoyment of the act should be focused on.

Here is my response to a recent comment on this:

That is an interesting piece you had to say there Rick.
I think you took what I had to say the wrong way.
First of all I want to address the fact that you were obviously a soldier of some war somewhere, I want to say thank you, I do respect those who have sacrificed for me.
As for you not wanting me to call myself a hunter, well, I can respect that. And if by calling myself a hunter I get classified amongst the group of people who have no recognition for the fact that they are taking a life, and they do it so casually as if they were throwing away yesterdays garbage - THEN NO, I don’t want to be called a hunter.
See Rick, in no way do I want people to stop hunting and no way will I ever stop hunting.
I just wish people would realize that something had to die. Have you ever seen what Ted Nugent has to say about this?
As far as me being a tree hugger, people like you think so, tree huggers don’t, I’m somewhere in between.
And where I come from there are wheat fields as far as you can see, and if they aren’t wheat it is herds of cattle.
There are days when I have driven rural highways and only seen 2 other cars driving that road in 135 miles. So, I’m no big city kid and I’m no country kid either I’m somewhere in between.
This 2007 hunting season I have killed close to 100 pheasants. I will probably kill a deer yet this year with my bow, and several coyotes, fox, and any other fur bearer necessary to help the population out as a whole. I won’t be crying at night about any of them, but I do understand that I took a life,and for a few seconds to minutes after I pick up the limp body I look at it, acknowledge that I took it’s life and give thanks to my god and the critter for it’s life. I’m sure that makes you laugh or shake your head, maybe some of you that know me are as well, but that is how I am.
As far as me locking my guns up and only taking them out to guilt myself, if that were the case I wouldn’t have concealed weapons permit and a .40 cal pistol that hasn’t seen a case since it was pulled out of one at the local sporting goods store.
So, like I said Rick, I respect your thoughts and how you feel about me calling myself a hunter.
There’s 2 types of people that hunt, hunters and killers.
Hunters understand the things I talk about, the others kill for fun and don’t think twice about it.
Thank for your comments, I would appreciate any response you have for me.
Best wishes to you and yours.

And 1 more thing, if your response was to include the comment from above by Mongo, I know him personally, he grew up in the woods, I have been hunting with him personally, have trapped with him personally, have been 20 miles back into the wilderness with him personally, and he is a better outdoorsman and hunter than most people you will or have ever met. He is the guy you want to be around if you have to live off the land.