Oscar Gets New Feet

This just in, from Round-The-Way-Gay, and ISBL correspondent, Neal:


A cat named Oscar, whose back feet were severed by a combine harvester--I know........YEEOW!--has been given two prosthetic limbs in a pioneering operation by Noel Fitzpatrick, a British veterinarian. The new feet are custom-made implants that "peg" the ankle to the foot, and are bioengineered to mimic the way deer antler bone grows through the skin.
Oscar was referred to Fitzpatrick by his local vet in Jersey, following the accident last October when Oscar was struck by the combine harvester whilst dozing in the sun.
The prosthetic pegs, called intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthetics [ITAPS] were developed by a team from University College London led by Professor Gordon Blunn and his team, who worked in partnership with Fitzpatrick to develop these weight-bearing implants.
Mr Fitzpatrick explained: "The real revolution with Oscar is [that] we have put a piece of metal and a flange into which skin grows into an extremely tight bone...[and]...We have managed to get the bone and skin to grow into the implant and we have developed an 'exoprosthesis' that allows this implant to work as a see-saw on the bottom of an animal's limbs to give him effectively normal gait."
You go Oscar!
And watch him go!
But stay away from naps in the fields and combines.

That's TWO Strikes Wisconsin

Oh, Wisconsin, what am I going to do with you?

It was just yesterday that I wrote about Gregg Udulutch, a bullied high school student in Wisconsin, whose voice went unheard, and whose complaints went unanswered.

And now this.

An appeals court ruled Tuesday that a woman who has raised two adopted children for years in a same-sex relationship is not considered the true parent of the children.

The woman, known only as Wendy in court papers, was seeking legal guardianship of two children for whom she had been a stay-at-home mother, but the District 4 Court of Appeals ruled that only the woman's former partner, identified only as Liz, is the true and real parent since the adoptions were done under her name.

These two women had been in a domestic relationship for 7 years before deciding to adopt a child from Guatemala in 2002; they adopted a second child from there in 2004.

Wendy says, in light of this decision, that she would consider asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to overturn the ruling: "For someone like me that was in a relationship for 12 years and a stay at home mom for 7, I shouldn't have to fight to parent my kids who I've been parenting 24-7. For me to read in the court documents that I'm not a parent is disturbing and troubling."

This wouldn't even be an issue, except for the fact that same-sex couples do not have adoption rights in Wisconsin, meaning that only one of them can be considered the legal parent. Wendy and Liz adopted the children under Liz's name so they could be added to her health care plan.

After the adoption, Wendy agreed to stop working and stay at home to look after the kids while Liz, an attorney, was the family's breadwinner. When the two women split up in 2008, they agreed to equally share custody, but Wendy wanted legal recognition of her rights to the children, and petitioned a court to be named a legal guardian.

Wendy is worried that she could not visit her children in the hospital without Liz's permission in the event of an accident, or wouldn't automatically get custody in the event of Liz's death; and, without legal recognition, she could also have problems with daily issues such as taking them to the doctor or out of school for a vacation.

Things a parent would do, if the state would just legally recognize her as the parent.

And, while Liz initially agreed to the guardianship, she then objected, and a Dane County judge sided with her.

When Wendy appealed that decision, the appeals court ruled that "parent" is defined under Wisconsin law as someone who is either a biological or an adoptive parent, and Wendy is neither. The court also rejected her argument that she should be granted guardianship because the children would be harmed by "depriving them of one of the two persons who has raised them from infancy." The court ruled she still shares custody under the informal arrangement, and only factors such as abandonment or neglect would justify guardianship to be granted to a "third party," which she hasn't proven.

All well and good, but legally, after all these years, she is not considered a mother to these children, because of some archaic laws that won't allow gay couples to adopt; and won't allow gay couple to marry.

So, let's punish the children, so long as we keep the homos in check.

I'm becoming very angry with you Wisconsin.

I Didn't Say It....

LaToya Jackson, on Michael's, er, murder:
"He was murdered for his catalogue and they knew that, and they knew Michael was much more, worth so much more dead than alive. His children deserve the truth. I think his parents deserve the truth, his family and his fans. Personally I think it is a slap in the face, not just to Michael but to the entire family. It's totally unfair, it's wrong and it was not an accident."
His sister deserves the truth, too, and by truth, I mean she thinks she deserves a cut.
Boob jobs and plastic surgery ain't free, y'all.
And Michael's estate is now reportedly worth a cool billion.

Glee creator Ryan Murphy, on the rumor that some members of the cast are using their trailers for some afternoon delight:
"I've dated people I've worked with and, you know, when you work on a set for 18 hours a day I think it's natural. But I have a rule: don't do it in your trailer! They've broken that rule on many occasions. I'm like, 'I know you guys are young and hormonal, but don't do it in your trailer'."
Hmmm, I wonder which ones are doing the deed?
Mister Shue and Puck?
Maybe?
I know! Me, too.

Mike Huckabee, on the "ick" factor about same-sex relationships:
“I do believe that God created male and female and intended for marriage to be the relationship of the two opposite sexes. Male and female are biologically compatible to have a relationship. We can get into the ick factor, but the fact is two men in a relationship, two women in a relationship, biologically, that doesn’t work the same.”
Guess what, Mike. I think there's a great deal of "ick factor" thought about you and the missus doing the nasty, but that doesn't stop you from getting married, does it?
Asshat.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, on the Modern Family kiss campaign:
"I'm all for progressive movement within the show. I appreciate the passion that some of the fans have. The fact that there is even a campaign on Facebook just shows how many people really love the show and the characters and want to see them happy. I think the writers are proceeding in a very wise way. There's a great PDA episode they're writing about Mitchell's issues with public displays of affection. Viewers shouldn't be expecting a big, 'Gone with the Wind' romantic kiss. It's very beautiful and poignant. The writers are so good, they're really taking that criticism and they're going to run with it and try and create a talking point with it."
I'm looking for to the Cameron/Mitchell smooch. They are, undoubtedly, one of the most committed same-sex partners on network TV, and a kiss would just seal that deal.

American Family Association president Tim Wildmon, on ten year-old Will Phillips being the Grand Marshal of Northwest Arkansas Pride:
"It’s shameful that adults would abuse a brain-washed child in this way. He’s obviously just parroting the nonsense he’s been told by manipulative adults.For gay activists to trot out this child and make him the poster child for promoting unnatural sexual expression is a form of child abuse.
"When you realize that the FDA won’t allow a male to donate blood if he’s had sex with another male even one time since 1977, you begin to understand the enormous health risks involved in this kind of sexual behavior. We call on Mayor Lioneld Jordan of Fayetteville to cancel his plans to issue a proclamation celebrating homosexual behavior and Gay Pride. There is nothing about homosexual conduct to be proud of, and much to be ashamed of."
Oh, but there is much to be proud of when you spread hate and fear, eh, Tim?

Clay Aiken, on why he should replace Simon Cowell on American Idol:
"I've always thought it would be a great addition to the panel to have someone who's a former contestant and knows what it's like to be up on that stage and be critiqued. Well, I'm so far removed from it at this point that I don't know if I remember what it's like, but who knows. I would not put myself out there to be as caustic as he is, but if they want to call me, bring it on. We can talk."
Or, maybe, Clay wants to do it because, really, his career is basically over.
Just sayin'.

Jerry Seinfeld, on Lady GaGa, after she ended up in his box at the Met's game:
"This woman is a jerk. I hate her. I can't believe they put her in my box, which I paid for.
You give people the finger and you get upgraded? Is that the world we're living in now? I wish her the best. You take one 'A' off of that and you've got gag. I don't know what these young people think or how they promote their careers. I'm older, I'm 56....I'm not one of these all-publicity-is-good people. People talk about you need exposure — you could die of exposure."
Word, Jerry.

A Tale Of Two Victories

On both coasts, anti-gay folks got the smackdown yesterday.

First up, the haters in Washington state.

The Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the names of people who signed the petition--Referendum 71--in an attempt to overturn a new gay rights law in Washington could be made public. Those against the said that disclosing the names of those who signed the petition would violate their First Amendment rights, but the justices disagreed, although they did say that the plaintiffs could go back to a lower court to try to get a specific exemption on other grounds.

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna said: "This is a good day for transparency and accountability in elections--not just in Washington but across our country....We're pleased the Supreme Court ruled in favor of disclosure, upholding the public's right to double-check the work of signature gatherers and government--and giving them the ability to learn which voters are directing the state to hold an election on a new law. Citizen legislating is too important to be conducted in secret."

This is a good thing. Those citizens, who seek to legislate, by signing petitions will not be able to hide any more; if you want to change the laws then you best sign your name to it, and stand by it. And allow people to check that the signatures are legitimate and gathered legally.

Don't cower and hide.

And then, some three thousand or so miles away, out in Maine, the state ethics commission rejected a request from the National Organization for Marriage [NOM] to end an investigation into that group's finances.

NOM was the biggest contributor to the successful Yes on 1 campaign to repeal Maine's same-sex marriage law, argued in a letter to the commission that it did not have the legal power to conduct an investigation.
But, yesterday, by a vote of 4-0, the commission rejected that argument.
"It seems to me if this was such a compelling issue for them they would have brought it earlier," said Commission Chairman Walter McKee. "I have no doubt this will be appealed to Superior Court."
Last October, the commission voted to have staff investigate the fund-raising tactics used by NOM, and that investigation has been stalled by legal challenges in both state and federal court.

It was a win-win along both coasts for the LGBT community, and puts a little extra pride in Pride month.

Top Chef DC: Lunch Boxing And The Bipartisandwich And Hot Bald Guy Sam Kass

We had the first knife pull on this week's Top Chef, but it wasn't Kenny threatening Angelo. It was the Quickfire. White House Chef, and Hot Bald Guy, Sam Kass, is the special guest judge this week--[note to Sam: you can heat up my frying pan any day.]--and he and Padma announce that eight teams of two, strapped together in a Siamese-twin aprons, making them essentially one-armed, two-brained chefs, would have thirty minutes to make a bipartisandwich.

Bipartisandwich? get it? DC? GOP and Dems. Okay, I know. Then I think, what's the big deal? I'm been there many a time, after a long night of drinking, bringing a hot date home, and getting hungry and horny and into some bondage, but I digress.

The Quickfire Teams:

Rosie O'Donnell and Random Hot Guy make a flounder--and by flounder, I mean, the fish not the mess--sandwich. Random Hot Guy says he owns a sandwich shop in New York, that he'd have to close if he loses, while Rosie is all hot'n'verklempt over hugging a hot guy. Right. Sam likes their sandwich; I like Sam.

The Brown-Haired-Sister-From-Insert Sitcom Name Here and Angela Bassett create a prosciutto masterpiece that goes nowhere except the middle.

The Reverend Jim from Taxi and Randy Jackson are tied up to build Lamb a la Française sandwich that doesn't impress; but, come on, it's French and all they're known for is their Fries.

Anne Heche and Cliff Claven from Cheers go all Chicken and avocado. It sounds simple, and Sam doesn't like it. And if Sam is unhappy, I'm unhappy. Couples do that, you know, kind of sync up in their likes and dislikes.

The Gay One and Meg Ryan, before the lip enhancement, opt for Curried Chicken, which Sam doesn't even bother to address; even Padma, lover of all things curry, isn't so impressed.

Veteran Character Actor James Earl Jones and Biff Tannen, from Back To The Future I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VII not IX, but X do an ahi tuna that Sam adores, and before I can say I adore Sam, I must say that I adore ahi more. Still, the idea of me and Sam, and some ahi.....I'm in....if he's out.

Infomercial Mom and Tootie, from The Facts Of Life do a saltimbocca sandwich that you have to eat with a fork, which, to me, negates the fact that it's a sandwich. Sam agrees with me; we are so in tune with one another.

Joanna Kerns from TVs Growing Pains and Telemundo's Drew Carey do something called a Philly Cuban, which, if memory serves, was mostly just a Cuban. And if they can't even agree on where it's from, how do they expect it to win?

Sam....I love you....and Padma decalre that Rosie and Random Hot Guy are the winners, giving them immunity and the chance to pick their team for the next challenege.

The Elimination Challenge:

Create a lunch for 50 kids, of healthy foods kids will each, for $130 bucks. This is hard. When I was in school I spent more than $130 on wine to go with my grilled cheese. Hey, what can I say, it was a posh school.

The Teams:

Rosie and Random Hot Guy, Veteran character actor James Earl Jones and Biff Tannen build a lunch of Chicken Burgers, Sweet Potato Puree, Celery and Peanut Butter on a Twill--I know!--and Bread Pudding.

Joanna Kerns, Telemundo's Drew Carey, Randy Jackson and The Reverend Jim give the kids Yogurt Cole Slaw, BBQ Skinless chicken, Mac'n'Cheese, and Fruit Skewers with Whipped Yogurt.

Anne Heche, Cliff Claven, The Brown-Haired-Sister from Insert Sitcom Name Here and Angela Bassett feed the kids Chicken Thighs in Sherry Jus, Sweet Onion Rice, Green Bean and Tomato Salad, and Banana Pudding with Strawberries.

The Gay One, Meg Ryan, Tootie and Infomercial Mom go all colorful and Latino with Pork Carnita Tacos, Black Bean Cake, Roasted Pork and Salsa Salad and Caramelized Sweet Potato with Chocolate Sherbet.

The Judging:

In a twist, which sends the waiting room into a tizzy because the Top Picks are usually seen first, Team Rosie-Random Hot Guy-James Earl Jones-Biff Tannen, along with Team Anne Heche-Cliff Claven-The Brown Haired Sister from Insert Sitcom Name Here-Angela Bassett appear before the judges and are told they are the Bottom Two; or, in other words The Kids Don't Like You.

The Judges don't get Random Hot Guy's Peanut-Butter-and-Celery sabotage. They wonder if, because he has immunity, and by making something that's, well, stupid, maybe, just maybe, he can can throw James Earl Jones under a Crosstown DC bus. Random Hot Guy becomes Random Hot Bastard.

But, perhaps, Veteran Character Actor James Earl Jones seals his own doom when he told the judges they added a roasted tomato to their sandwich to make more veggies on the plate and Hot Guy White House Chef With The Impossibly Kissable Lips tells him that tomatoes are a fruit. My first thought was, Are you a fruit, too, Sam? If so, call me. Seriously.

The Judges turn their venom on Biff Tannen's soggy rice mess, and Anne Heche's overly-sweet-overly-starchy Banana Pudding, before setting their sites on The Brown Haired Sister from Insert Sitcom Name Here. Why oh why, they ask, would you use sherry to make a chicken dish for children, and she answers, I like sherry. To which Gail responds, I like vodka but I don't cook with it. Hmmm, maybe I could have Gail whip up a couple of martooni's for me and Sam. Just sayin'.

The losers are sent back to wait, and Team The Gay One, Meg Ryan, Tootie and Infomercial Mom are herded in like cattle and declared the winners. All of it, tacos to salsa to rice cakes to sherbet are winners, but Meg Ryan gets the win.

Anne Heche, The Brown-Haired-Sister From Insert Sitcom Name Here, Veteran Character Actor James Earl Jones and Biff Tannen, then come back as the Biggest Losers Of The Week.

But, as is Top Chef custom, the one that makes dessert takes the bullet, and Anne Heche, and her starchy sweet banana pudding are told to back their knives and calories and go.

And I was left with several thoughts:

The Gay One is funny....and aren't they always.

Why does the Random Hot Guy have to become a jerk.

Meg Ryan got the pseudo-bitch edit, but threw down the gauntlet.

And, of course, why can't Sam be on every week. I mean, I loves me some Eric Ripert, but, Sam oh Sam.................

They Teach The Children Well

It all started somewhat innocently, as most things do.

Back in 2009, in Valders, Wisconsin, high school student, Gregg Udulutch came out as a gay man during his junior year at Valders High School. It didn't seem as though anyone cared, one way or another, and that school year ended as innocently as it had begun.

But, shortly after returning to school his senior year, the taunts began. Two freshman girls began harassing him the first week of school, Udulutch said, passing him in the hallway, saying, "Oh, look, there goes the fag."

But Gregg Udulutch took the high road. He asked the girls to stop, and, when they didn't, reported the incident to school officials; even some of Gregg's friends spoke to the girls and asked that they stop the name-calling. But it didn't. The girls thought him a "wimp" for reporting the incidents, and their taunting became more aggressive.

Udulutch and his friends then reported the harassment to assistant Principal Julie Laabs, who told them an investigation would be started. As the harassment continued, Gregg continued reporting it to Laabs, and subsequently to Principal Ellen Bartling.

"They always said, 'OK, we'll start an investigation,'" he said.

But Gregg Udulutch believes that Valders High School administrators would simply ask the girls to stop, telling them their comments were rude, and sending them back to class without "detentions or suspensions or anything along that line."

Gregg had more success with reporting the harassment to Tracie Wurm, the school psychologist; Wurm seemed "a lot more concerned about it" and immediately put the girls on probation, and the harassment stopped for a week or two.

All well and good. Problem solved.

Then came the night of April 16, when Gregg, who lives with his grandparents, was awakened by his cell phone ringing. "We're going to kill you," the female voice told him, "We're going to find you, we're going to cut you, we're going to kill you."

Unshaken, Gregg told the caller she must have the wrong number, but she called again and repeated the threat, this time using his name.

Gregg Udulutch reported the call to the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department, telling them that three calls were made, threatening him, but that he didn't believe it was one of the girls who had been harassing him. He does, however, think the caller is connected to the girls because she said something to the effect of: "Do you think you're going to get away with talking about my girls?"

Gregg, who said he could hear a truck running in the background while on the phone, told a deputy that he saw a car and truck repeatedly drive past his grandparents' house, making U-turns in the road. The car left, but the truck pulled into the driveway, parking in a dark area and staying for about five minutes.

According to the report, Gregg made the call at about 2:15 a.m. and said the incident had occurred at about 11 p.m. A deputy called him back, took his information, and said he would talk to the Valders Police Department, and Gregg Udulutch expected the deputy to call again. No one did. Sheriff Rob Hermann said deputies don't have time to call back after investigating every complaint.

Even death threats don't warrant a follow-up phone call.

On Monday morning, Gregg Udulutch went to the school office and told Principal Bartling the harassment had escalated and he didn't feel comfortable at the school any longer. Bartling again said she would investigate, and sent him back to class. Later in the day, Gregg Udulutch was called back to Bartling's office where he found police Chief William Riesterer waiting. Gregg Udulutch finally felt someone would listen to him.

But Riesterer began yelling at Gregg, telling him that the homes of the girls who had been harassing him had been toilet-papered. Riesterer asked whether Udulutch knew who had done it, and when Gregg said No, Riesterer accused him of lying.

According to Gregg Udulutch, Chief Riesterer told him the harassment was his fault because his friends confronted the girls and that it's all normal high school stuff and he needs to grow up and get over it. Riesterer then put the threatening phone calls Udulutch received in the same category as the toilet-papering.

Completely aware, now, that the school and law enforcement wouldn't help, Gregg took his story to the media. It was only after telling his story to local journalists that Superintendent of Schools, Deb Hunt got involved.

Hunt said she had been aware of the harassment at the school but didn't know exact details. Her impression was that the high school administrators had been dealing with the situation, and she guaranteed that school officials "acted quickly and appropriately with each (complaint)" and "were following the rules as set forth."

But later, when contacted by the media, Hunt revealed that she actually had no knowledge of the steps taken but trusted her administrators to have acted appropriately.
"There could be consequences for particular students," Hunt said.

Trusted her administrators? Could be consequences?

You know, we often hear the storied of students being bullied for their perceived differences, be it hair color, skin color, weight, gender, or sexual orientation, but in this case the bullying went beyond that of one student, or several students, toward another.

In my mind, Gregg Udulutch was bullied not only by a pair of ignorant girls who like to name call, but he was bullied by a source connected to the girls. And he was bullied by school officials, and district administrators, who didn't take him complaints seriously, and didn't fully investigate. The principal of his school bullied him by doing little or nothing to make certain that a student left in her charge during the course of a school day, could experience an harassment-free day.

And Gregg was harassed by local police, who pushed aside his complaints and worries over the phone threats, without bothering to follow up. Police Chief William Riesterer was, perhaps, the biggest bully of all when he suggested that someone saying to you that they wanted to "cut you up" and "kill you" was something on the same level as throwing a few rolls of Charmin into the trees of someone's house.

How can we ever expect children to stop bullying children, when adults give such a fine example of their own bullying? It sickens me that any student, gay, straight, black, brown, white, male, female, cannot get a simple education without fearing for their safety.

What example are we setting?

It Took A While, But Now It's Here

After nine years of trying, the New York State Senate finally approved a bill that is designed to protect students from bullying; it passed 58-3, with three Republican senators--John DeFrancisco, George Maziarz and Dale Volker--voting against it.

Republicans did, however, attempt to amend the bill to include “cyber-bullying” that might take place off school grounds, something amendment sponsor Senator Stephen Saland called a “glaring omission” from the legislation.

The bill applies to events held on school grounds and at school functions, but only at public schools. It prohibits harassment, “the creation of a hostile environment by conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that has or would unreasonably interfere with educational performance, opportunities, benefits, or physical or emotional well being, or cause fear for physical safety” an prohibits discrimination based on “actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.”

“It’s a very important bill for many many reasons to many many people, and it’s a very important bill for, I hope not too many generations....[a] students ability to excel in school is severely hampered by taunting, or intimidation or bullying....If I hadn’t been afraid in schools, I would have done better in school,” said Senator Tom Duane, who is openly gay, and the bill's sponsor.

Republicans pushed for their "cyber-bullying" amendment claiming it was more inclusive and makes the bill better. “If we look at this honestly, we should support this amendment because it’s all-inclusive,” Senator John DeFrancisco, a Republican who does not rank among the chamber’s tallest members, said. “Being still not a very big guy, I like to protect the little guys as well.”

Yet after that, he didn't support the little guy, and voted against the bill.

Hopefully, this bill will get put into law by Governor Paterson, and it will get passed around, state to state to state, because no one, no matter their height, weight, hair color, orientation, language or skin color, should be made to feel anything less than accepted oi n our public schools.

THIS Is YOUR Republican Party

Apologizing to Big Oil for the treatment they've received after the oil spill in the Gulf.
Shameful.
Shameless.

Get Thee To A Homo Depot

Carlos and I loves us some Homo Depot; it's kind of a homo away from home, and we make the pilgrimage once a week or so. Which is why this story has raised my ire.

The God-fearing-Homo-Hating folks at the American Family Association have decided to attack Home Depot because the "fix-it giant" hosted a crafts workshop for kids at Southern Maine Pride.

Home Depot was helping kids.

That's bad, because it was at a Gay pride event, and we all know homos only want kids around for one thing: indoctrination so we can take over the world, paint it lavender, and make everyone have same-sex-sex.

Damn the AFA for spoiling the plot!

From the AFA:

Home Depot is basically encouraging the attendance of children at events which openly expose them to transvestites, cross-dressers, and homosexual activists.
Unfortunately, Home Depot's participation in the Southern Maine Pride Festival
doesn't stand alone. It has also sponsored and participated in the 2010 Boston
Gay Pride parade. Homosexuals often exploit young children in their desire to
'normalize' their gay lifestyle. Gay pride events have a long track record for
offensive public displays of homosexual conduct. Obviously, Home Depot is OK
with the idea of exposing children to an unhealthy and risky environment. So
much so, it is willing to also celebrate it by participating in its promotion.
Send an email to let Home Depot know you are sickened by their support and
approval of children at homosexual events. If you are a customer, please add an
additional personal line to our prepared letter to Home Depot. After sending
your email, make an extra effort to protect children by calling Home Depot
personally. Brad Shaw is the Vice President of Public Relations. His direct
number is 770-384-5350.

But rather than bothering Brad with your hate speech, you can tell him how much you appreciate The Home Depot for it's tolerance and acceptance of all people by calling him at the same number, or email the Home Depot at consumeraffairs@HomeDepot.com.

thanks to Joe.My.God. for the story.

Brava Miss G! Brava!

Blatantly stolen from The Fabulous Blog of Miss Ginger Grant. Stop in and voice your support, and give Miss G the props she deserves for keeping this subject out there. Along with the groups she mentions, i'd like to suggest the World Wildlife Fund as well.

"How Can I Help?" "Several readers have commented that they would like to help with the Gulf Oil Spill. The best way we can all help right now is to support the non-profit organizations that are out there protecting wildlife and helping to hold BP accountable for the damage they have done to the wetlands. While BP SHOULD pay for every penny of the damage, we know they will not, and the birds and wildlife don't have time to stand in line at a "claim center" waiting to be "bought out" in an attempt to avoid future lawsuits. Luckily, there are 2 organizations out there that have the interests of the wildlife at heart, and Miss Ginger knows them both to be reputable, well-run organizations.

The first is the Audubon Society, a long-standing organization dedicated to preserving the wildlife depicted in the works of nature artist John James Audubon. If there were ever a group of people who know about the birds of Louisiana, it's Audubon!

Another great group is The Nature Conservancy, whose name sort of says it all. Long before the spill they were actively working to protect Louisiana's wetlands from damage and neglect, so you can bet they are hard at work today doing everything they can to minimize the impact of this disaster on the natural habitat in the marshes and bayous!

I'm sure there are many other great organizations out there, but Miss G knows of these personally and knows them to be venerable and trustworthy. Please support them as your heart sees fit! And if anyone knows of any other groups, drop Miss G a line and she will check them out!"