nikki’s Recent Comments

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  McCain & global warming mitigation

  I'm not sure who's noticed, but although he has a decent environmental platform thus far, this campaigning Arizonian Senator did NOT vote for this recent energy bill that just got SQUASHED by the Senate last week - FYI.....what gives?On Presidential candidates answer dumb question about global warming posted 1 year, 11 months ago 12 Responses

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  cat's don't hunt for food...

  i believe we're on the same side, here, but studies have shown that cats attack prey for reasons beyond sustenance...

  one in particular had a number of cats in a room eating food from bowls.  some mice were brought in,  the cats quit eating, bopped and killed the mice,  then went back to eating....On Umbra on cats and birds posted 2 years ago 72 Responses

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  the bigger picture

  Ok...at the end of the day, the fact remains that humans are sprawling out, into natural areas at an alarming rate.  We don't travel alone...we bring a multitude of issues for wildlife and environments to deal with:  pollution (noise, light and chemical included), destruction and of course, our domesticated professional hunters - the cat.

  I live with 2 cats, both were out-doors prior.
  Neither one appreciated being kept inside, and I don't blame them...

  They've since adjusted and unleash no harm on our environment, and are subject to nothing that could intentionally, or accidentally, harm them.

  It does suck to be kept inside, but the harm outweighs the good.  As Umbra said, nature has a balance, of which cats are no longer a part of - - they're typically well cared for with veterinary care and vaccinations (some of which are only partly effective and the cats can catch diseases from wild animals, regardless).

  Sending them out the door unleashes a fury unknown by local wild animals.

  As for not seeing dead birds everywhere, there could be a number of reasons...one being that, if the bird's able to get away with minor scratches or cuts, they'll die a slow painful death due to the immense bacteria in cat's saliva, and are likely hiding as most dying wild animals are.

  For yet another example of human selfishness, cats were domesticated nearly 4000 years ago in Egypt - like it or not, they're are responsibility now.

  We know better and must do all we can to minimize our negative impact where we can - and this is one way.

  As for not defending the insane number of cats that are euthanized daily, most animal activists do (I know, I am one).  To build on this topic, a LARGE number of these feral cats are created by UNFIXED OUTDOOR CATS - full circle....
  On Umbra on cats and birds posted 2 years ago 72 Responses

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  ..special interests....

  When investigating the goings-on within many (if not most) wildlife agencies, one would find that a majority of the commissions are sat by hunters or are of close association -  this is a fact.

  It is also true that Aldo Leopold, as well as Teddy Roosevelt were both hunters, as well as environment enthusiasts.  I recall upon the passage of Aldo's message in Sand County Almanac, that he had an epiphany about the lives of predators while looking into the dying eyes of a female wolf, and realizing the wrongness of her death - that there's a level of respect that she and other wild animals deserve.

  It is true that deer populations grow seemingly without bounds when there aren't natural predators around...apparently, so do humans - - let's point fingers as to who's more destructive.

  I agree, people across the board are far removed from nature - - and this needs to change.  Our cultures "values" are manifesting themselves in continued destruction of said "nature".  What harm would come from a gentler and more compassion approach to interacting with nature?  None - for all involved.On Less hunters mean less funding for conservation, states find posted 2 years ago 11 Responses

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  YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!

  ...what's wrong with this picture:

  "...allowing novice adults to try hunting without a license, shortening safety courses, and, in Oregon, instituting a Mentored Youth Hunter Program".

  This is absurd...there are likely a number of reasons people are shying away from this blood-thirsty "sport"...it's BEYOND unnecessary and makes most people cringe at the thought.

  There are a multitude of contributions to conservation made by camera-hunting paraphernalia, camping/permitting/admission fees, conservation group land acquisitions and private donors.

  To entice people to this egregious activity by shortening safety courses and targeting children is shameful and dangerous, to say the least.

  Supposedly, Chaney had whatever required training and managed to shoot his friend (not to mention countless others that have succumbed to friendly-fire or accidents...) - do we really want INTENTIONALLY uneducated gun-toting people running through the sparsely-located and ever-shrinking wild lands?  No....i'm thinking not so much.

  Hunting's not necessary for human survival and wildlife suffer enough of our (in)actions...we're driving them to extinction with habitat loss and pollution..sharp-shooting one-by-one shouldn't be included to the mix....On Less hunters mean less funding for conservation, states find posted 2 years ago 11 Responses