Was The Second Amendment Ratified To Preserve Slavery?

Thom Hartmann writes an interesting study of the Second Amendment of the US Constitution. He lays out why the amendment says "States" and not the "Federal" government when referring to a well regulated militia. Hartmann says these militias were originally used to keep southern slaves from uprising.

Read the story and Truth-Out

Does Your Dog Really Need A License In California?

Below is part of a letter sent to me by a friend named Gene who likes to look for unnecessary or unconstitutional laws and point them out so that we may challenge them. This one about dog licenses seems to be legit but it is also a bit of a pain to challenge. I think most people will just pay the $15.00 dollars rather than send letters the County Sheriff , Attorney General and Risk Management in their respective city. However, if you are so inclined and would rather use that money for the dog's rabies vaccination, here is how you go about it:

Believe it or not no dog owner needs a dog license in California and this law is found in of all places the Food and Agricultural Code. All codes can be found on the internet.

Here is the law:
Under the California Food and Agricultural Code Section 30951 collar and tag:
"It is unlawful for any person to own, harbor, or keep any dog over the age of four months, or to permit such a dog which is owned, harbored, or controlled by him to run at large, unless the dog has attached to its neck or leg a substantial collar which ONE OF THE FOLLOWING IS FASTENED:
a) A metallic tag which gives the name and post office address of the owner.
b) A metal license which is issued by the authority of a county, city and county, or any municipal corporation for the purpose of identifying the dog and designating the owner."

As you can clearly see if you pick Section 30951(a) and attach a metallic tag which gives the name and post office address of the owner you have fully complied with California State law.

Once the dog owner has complied with Section 30951(a) they are protected by F&A Code Section 30953 unlawful killing, injuring or impounding:
"Except as otherwise provided in this division, it unlawful for any person to kill, injure, or impound any dog, if the owner of the dog has complied with the provisions of this division."

The dog license has nothing to do with the rabies vaccination that is a different matter all together. The City might claim that Humboldt is an official rabies area and you must get a dog license; however, every county in California is "an official rabies area" and this fact does not nullify State law and the option to a dog license for every dog owner.
Willful withholding of a material fact, such as the option to a dog license is a crime under Title 18 Section 1001 of the U.S. Criminal Code.
If you have any questions let me know. Here is what I have discovered: every time you claim a right the public servant will say no you don't and then threaten to harm you in some way, by fine or whatever. You must send the public servants certified letters and send copies to the County Sheriff, the Attorney General and the Risk Management in Eureka. Every public servant is bonded under Joint Power Authority as long as they do not violate the peoples rights. When they violate rights they are on their own as far as liability goes.

Until next time
Gene

Westlands Water District Loses Federal Lawsuit

By Michael Doyle | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — A federal court has quietly dismissed a $1 billion claim by the well-known Westlands Water District, leaving unresolved the long-standing problem of coping with irrigation drainage in California’s San Joaquin Valley.

Read more about the lawsuit from Mc\clatchy 
For More background on this unfolding story click here.

It's Fresh Local Dungeness Crab Season!

Crab Boat in Trinidad Harbor. 

Get the lemon and butter ready because tomorrow local Dungeness crab will be coming ashore. 

Until now fresh  Dungeness crab has been coming from the San Francisco Bay area or Oregon. Many boats can  be seen on the water tonight bringing in the catch. Local commercial crab fishermen put out their pots on Jan. 13th. and the season opens Jan. 15 which is just a few hours away.

Fundraiser For Eureka Fair Wage Act

They still need creative people to enter their graphics contest, more at info@fairwages.org

Saturday, January 19th at the Arcata Veteran’s Memorial Building (Vet’s Hall)

Music begins at 7:00pm

Brews from Mad River Brewing and Six Rivers Brewery

The Vet’s Hall is at 1425 J Street in Arcata Tickets are $12 at the door.

Must be 21 or older to attend.

If you live in Eureka or Manila, a shuttle bus will leave the show at 11pm to return people home

A night of music and brews to raise the minimum wage!

The Fair Wage Graphics Contest winners will be announced during the January 19th benefit concert.  Need not be present to win.

Raise a glass. Raise the roof.  Raise the minimum wage!

Saturday, January 19th at the Arcata Vet’s Hall.

The Eureka Fair Wage folks have proudly partnered with the Ink People to put on this event.

for more information check out http://fairwages.org or call 707-442-7465

Looking for Signature Gatherers – Daily Pay- Raise Wages!

Never Try To Rescue A Dog From The Surf In The Pacific Northwest

I remember something like this happening over a dog before during the last 15 years that I have lived on the north coast. I haven't been able to find the story I am recalling on the internet but it seems that this happens all too often here and along the north coast of California.

 Just over a month ago, 3 members of an Arcata family tried to rescue their dog and each other at Big Lagoon Ca. and were lost to the mighty Pacific Ocean. The one family member that called 911 and didn't go into the water was survived, along with the dog that made it to shore.

In this New Years Day tragic story, a man died trying to save his wife and dog that were caught on a beach in high surf at Point Reyes National Seashore which is roughly 170 miles south of the Big Lagoon tragedy. People on the beach helped the man's wife get to shore and the dog made it by itself.

When at the beach here in Northern California: Please don't try to rescue a swimming or otherwise swept into the sea dog. Dogs seem to do a better job of getting out of the water than humans do. Always keep your eye on the surf when on the beach, sneaker waves which are much larger than the rest of the surf are a constant hazard and can sweep you into the sea if you are not paying attention.