So many San Diegans carry guns

We're here. We're armed. Get used to us.
— July 19, 2009 5:15 p.m.

Manchester’s money

Aren't there limits on how much money these people can raise?
— July 8, 2009 2:32 p.m.

Ban the Pit Bull

You completely missed my point Mindy. The reason I brought up Mike Tyson is to give you an example that anything with teeth can and will bite. Including humans. That was humor, but I guess I can't expect everyone to understand my sense of humor... To follow your logic, the teacher and priests daughter that is all over the news now for murdering a child would have been your least likely suspect. Ok, so if we were to compare to humans: Mike Tyson is a prized fighter. Agreed? Mike Tyson was NOT born a prized fighter. Agreed? Mike Tyson was trained to be a prized fighter. Agreed? Sure, Mike Tyson was born with a certain character and possesses determination, will power, and desire to win. But if his stars did not align, he could have been a PE teacher in high school, spending his Sat night at the poker table and Sunday afternoon waxing his car. With a lot of determination :) I just don't see pit bulls as prized fighters (and I am not talking about dogs bred specifically for fighting). Sure, maybe some of them, still have some kind of fighting relatives close in linage, but it is most likely that majority of these animals are just your average dogs nowadays. Apparently pit bulls are terriers, so that explains the animal aggression and prey drive, and awesome performance in dog sports. So again, it is up to people to recognize the signs (dog aggression?) and MANAGE their animals accordingly. I think I said it above: it is not how the dog was raised, you can give him all the love that you want, and he still might bite you, or someone else. Because love is not enough. It is very important that we handle our dogs appropriately. Because they are dogs, not people in furry suits. They have claws, teeth, instincts and pray drives. If at some point in my life I get attacked by a dog, I am going after the dogs owners with full force. If your dog attacked - you didn't train it, you didn't manage it, and it is so not the dogs fault. If I get attacked, last thing on my mind would be "oh, what breed is that?". It would be "OMG, I am being killed, and where are the god darn owners!!!!!"
— April 18, 2009 4:55 p.m.

Ban the Pit Bull

Mindy1114, are you saying that death by another breed is less tragic? Or severe mauling by another breed is less painful? My neighbor has a boxer that wants to kill every dog that comes in sight. Literally. If, god forbid, he will ever get a chance, do you think the person of injured dog will say "thank god it wasn't a pit bull"? Last time I checked, my friends lab had a huge set of teeth too. Truth of the matter is, anything with teeth has a potential to maim and kill. And often proves it as well. Heck, even Mike Tyson bit someones ear off ;) Only way to guarantee that dogs are raised right is to regulate the owners. Enforce leash laws. Make sure animal control responses to the "animal at large" calls. Seems to me, that most of the "bad" dogs are repeat offenders. No dog just snaps. No dog just turns. There are always signals. I for once want to see dog obedience training and at least CGC passing a mandatory requirement for dog ownership. Have a dog and planning a child? Then you must attend a "Kids and Dogs" lecture. Along those lines. Whant to breed? Have a license. More money for the city, less BYB's. Isn't that wonderful? Until we start taking responsibility for our animals actions, there will be dog attacks. Just don't tell me that you believe this fairy tale that other dogs are such lambs compare to pit bulls. Not after 10 years volunteering... Dogs are dogs, and they all operate the same, whether it is a poodle (by the way, my dog was attacked by the poodle, and she still has scars) or a great dane.
— April 18, 2009 1:17 p.m.

Ban the Pit Bull

Mindy, I am confused... You sounds like someone out of PETA "We don't know how to treat domestic animals, therefore there shouldn't be any domestic animals". So, instead of regulating breeders and dog fighters and prosecuting animal abusers you would rather see a whole breed killed? Are you sure you are a dog lover? I agree, looks like popularity is what "killing" this breed, but where does the breed fault in this? As far as what type of dog to adopt... Dogs are individuals, so if the animal that was starved and beaten still has a zest for life, and loves people (and I have seen enough dogs to know this happens), why should it be painted with the same brush? Behaviorist evaluation will be able to tell whether the animal is adoptable or not. And, finally, Mindy, just because you have not heard of something, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. The dogsbite site mentioned above, as twisted as these folks are (just read their blog comments, OMG...) has several articles on such maulings. I even found a mentioning of huskies (2) killing a child on the day that Denver passed the pit bull ban. What an irony.... Look, I am not doubting your love for animals, and but if me, just an observer could separate half truths and propaganda from the reality, so can you. If you want to of course :) Ciao!
— April 18, 2009 9:06 a.m.

Ban the Pit Bull

OpenYourEyes, who has a stronger punch 100 pound person or 200 pound one? Why even compare Yorkie and poodles to pit bulls? Sure, I don't want to be bitten by a pit bull, just as much as I wouldn't want to be bitten by a husky, or GSD, or boxer, or Rhodesian. Speaking of huskies, I looked up weight pull. Looks like it is an all breed sport, and sled dogs excel in it just as much, so they too are capable of pulling a car. That's for you, Mindy1114. Now, OpenYourEyes, very few dogs are bred for a task nowadays. Including pit bulls. I am not a stranger to a dog sporting world, and I see a lot of dogs, including pit bulls, being amazing competitors. Their owners are very self respecting dog lovers ;) The way I see it and experience it, it is really not what the breed of a dog it is, or how it was raised. Mainly it is how this dog is handled. Also the author is not a behaviorist, and the one she sited does not agree with her. As don't many others I had a pleasure to speak to/read of. As far as your site... I find it pretty hateful and one sided. I much more enjoyed http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com That is what I call a thought provoking, intelligent and balanced research. So, does this all make me a pit bull apologist? Beyond silly... Enjoy your clam shell of a world.
— April 17, 2009 6:35 p.m.

Ban the Pit Bull

PitBullBanExpert, can you please provide links to those "Each and every" forensic medical studies? Also, objective information assumes that there is a balanced coverage of dogs bite problem. Link to a site you provided covers only pit bull bites. I am sorry, but this just sounds like and agenda. I wouldn't be surprised if the author of this wonderful article is your comrade of a sorts. No self respecting dog lover would ever make those statements. Especially noone who works with dogs and knows canine behavior firsthand.
— April 16, 2009 6:01 p.m.

Punching Women and Shooting Burglars

Why don't you just put up a big sign in your yard, Josh, that announces to the criminal element: "The Residents of This Home Do Not Own Firearms" and see what happens?
— March 14, 2009 1:45 a.m.

Ponzi Pawns

Well this is certainly a bummer. You know times are tough when weekly newspapers start laying off writers who have a regular following. I don't think it was a wise decision. I'm sure money could have been saved in other areas, rather than cutting the appeal of the content.
— February 4, 2009 10:37 p.m.

Talking with Peter Max

Peter Max might have been a really big deal a long time ago, but now his work just seems so dated. Even his website is far behind the times. No wonder they play jazz and classical at his galleries.
— January 29, 2009 10:30 a.m.