Ed - I can't remember my nieces' kids' names! I admire those who remember names. But anyone who listens to the news knows that 50% of most elected officials' time goes to fund-raising for their next election. And the rest of the time seems to be going to Congressional hearings on such important issues as whether or not baseball player Roger Clemens used steroids. Or whether or not former President Clinton got a BJ from an intern (congressional salaries aside, Kenneth Starr's investigation exceeded $70 million). This is an interesting article. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57415675-503544/gsa-scandal-is-congress-engaged-in-hearing-overkill/

Thanks for reading my post and your thoughtful and intelligent response. Hope there are a lot more out there like you! :-) If so, there may be some hope.

1) tobacco and alcohol is legal (and IMHO both are much more "dangerous"); 2) pot is self-regulating (some people enjoy it, some don't, and some enjoy it but can't function while high on weed); 3) just about everything in life has some sort of potential issues (i.e. drilling for natural gas, greenhouse gas emissions, exposure to sun shine...you get the picture) --- CONCLUSION: I really feel that the benefits FAR OUTWEIGH the risks and the costs to the taxpayers when it comes to legalizing home grown weed. Revenue generated by legalizing the growing of pot, along with ridding our criminal and judicial systems of expensive costs to taxpayer associated with prosecuting pot smokers, buyers or growers, all points to the need for speed when decriminalizing weed.

Hardly "dumped on." As per my response to Joe Bleaux: "no, I have never heard Car Talk maliciously expose anyone's identity. Howard Stern, maybe. I'm fine with what CL is and provides. I just thought it darkly humorous that someone felt it obligatory to expose my identity to the forum, rather than dropping me a note telling me that I was exposed. Now THAT might have been a lawyer I would have hired." Kind of like the answer to "why does a dog lick its private parts..." -- is the default setting to act irresponsible and potentially abusive to "innocent victims" who seek help from the Legal Forum? I only ask a question....I do not make a statement. If this kind of behavior is entertainment to the participating lawyers, then I am happy to have provided entertainment.

What part of "you should consult with an attorney before acting on any information found here" don't you understand? I did not make a statement...I asked a question..."is this cyber-bulling?" And, no, I have never heard Car Talk maliciously expose anyone's identity. Howard Stern, maybe. I'm fine with what CL is and provides. I just thought it darkly humorous that someone felt it obligatory to expose my identity to the forum, rather than dropping me a note telling me that I was exposed. Now THAT might have been a lawyer I would have hired!

Thanks, Judy! Coming from you, it's a true compliment. Takes one to appreciate one. :-)

Haha....yes, I need to think through the whole "Civil Disobedience" thing. Technically, if I am a true protester, I should opt for jail. And, who knows, maybe my friends might enjoy a break from my communications "habit." :-)

I will publicize your comment. That sucks.

Audry -- I didn't mean to write such a long response. If you are as desperate as I was, please do call me and I'll give you the vet's contact info. I'm just being cautious because -- truly -- the animal rights people (including PeTA) are pretty radical, and don't think twice about hurting people if they believe they are doing something "wrong." It's like a cult, or something. They just don't think rationally. (I mean, telling me to drive a screw driver through my neighbor's ear drums????)....

well, IMHO, the video alerts the public to the bullying and other stuff that is going on anyhow! By having it posted on YouTube, the authorities can arrest the offenders and/or parents can sue the offenders. IMHO, YouTube is doing a favor in this case. The sad case of the sweet young gay man at Rutgers is just a shame. But maybe the creeps who posted the video will get some jail time, and we can start to teach our kids to stop thinking its cool to be bullies AND to use discretion when posting things on YouTube. Thanks for reading and commenting!

thank you. I hope others can see your comments. I am increasingly shocked by the insidious invasion of so-called animal rights people into our lives as pet owners.

why does your name sound so familiar?

Oh...the vet I used was located in Hudson, NY. But I also got a name of one in Manhattan. But for me, coming from Boston, the drive was just 2-1/2 hours. $27 in gas. And I got all their shots done at that time, too.....only $16 for rabies and $34 for the 4-way booster! The bark softening cost was $135 per dog -- and that included anesthesia. I plan to make the trip to that vet every year, and will offer to take any friends dogs and cats, too. In Boston area, the annual shots and check ups were running me between $100 and $150 PER DOG!!!!

sorry I'm late responding! I didn't see your question until tonight. Call me at 617-435-0010 and I'll give you some vet contacts. I just need to be careful, because there are a lot of crazies who might shoot the vet or something....it's like the days before Roe V. Wade!!!! OMG...if you have a dog barking problem, I cannot encourage you enough to get the procedure done!!!! the change in our quality of life was sooooooooo dramatic AND immediate. My neighbors are so happy....and my DOGS are the happiest of all! They can still bark! Even loud enough still to wake me up if they are outdoors and my windows are open....but it's not an ear piercing bark...just very soft and sweet. They are so happy because now they can chase the squirrels and birds, and run and tumble and play to their hearts content, and they don't know that their barks are any different. They just know that they aren't constantly getting shocked, sprayed or hearing ultra-sonic sounds that hurt their ears when they bark. And no one is yelling at them anymore....we LOVE our boyz again. AND....they can now spend the night outside of their crates! (they used to wake me up in the middle of the night if I let them sleep out of their crates...because they'd hear animals outside or my tenants coming and going) ....AND my boss lets me bring them to work w/ me, now. It started after the procedure, because you have to keep them QUIET and CALM for about 2 weeks, or they may get their barks back (truly, the ONLY danger of the procedure!). So he let me bring in some crates during those first 2 weeks. They got some pee and play breaks during the day...they can run off leash in the woods around the office parking lot. (Before the bark softening, I had to take them to work with me once. when I let them loose for their pee break, they were barking their heads off chasing each other around hte woods....so loud that people in the building could hear them. AND...they had trouble hearing me call them because they were barking so loud!) Anyhow...now that they are so quiet but still very, very happy and enthusiastic about greeting everyone at my office....the morale at my office went up so dramatically since the boyz started coming to work with me. Finally, my disapproving, non-dog-loving boss actually asked me to bring them to work all the time! He's kind of a grumpy sort of guy, and is strict about the amount of time they are allowed to run around the office and say hi to everyone....and I agree. It's not professional. But about twice a day, they get to run around the office and say hi to everyone. And it really does cheer everyone up!!!! They are just happy, exuberant dogs who just love people. However, when they turned a year old, their voices changed, and -- as much as everyone loved them -- ouch....their enthusiastic greeting hurt all of our ears. They gave no signs of any discomfort after the procedure (unlike when they were neutered), and feel no pain or discomfort now.