And the beat goes on in the world

Lyndol Wilkinson
Columnist

July 13, 2008 11:54 am

— Hostages held over five years are rescued and returned home, the Astros lose in 17 and in nine (length doesn’t seem to matter), Oprah made somebody cry and Iran really does have nuclear weapon-capability (imagine that).
So, the beat goes on in this world that we have been so blessed to have at our disposal. We still have a crisis a minute, and that doesn’t even address my miscalculation of our country’s age. Indeed, anything born in 1776 can be no more than 232 yearsold, not 236 as I so carelessly claimed last week — more than one time.
Today, there is too much concern over the “hot” microphone in which Jesse Jackson carelessly whispered a criticism of Barack O'Bama, with the added embarrassment of mentioning a body-part that he would like to sever from the presidential candidate's body.
That particular body-part is especially important to most men, and the likelihood of most men doing something like that to another does not seem all that real.
Embarrassed? Oh, yeah! Humbled? Oh, no! Intense free media attention for an entire news cycle? You betchem, Red Ryder. Important? Not at all! Apology necessary? Absolutely. More media coverage. You see how it works?
News out of Boulder, Colo., sends chills all over the body. The district attorney there has sent a letter of apology to the family of JonBenet Ramsey, declaring that DNA has cleared all family members of her death.
Jon Benet’s mother died over a year ago of ovarian cancer, and thus did not experience the exoneration of herself and others.
One of the most heinous crimes imaginable, the recent DNA findings give pause. During the time of the intense investigation of the child beauty queen’s death, I could scarcely tear myself away from any news of it, and the criticism of the investigation didn't seem fair. Because the investigation began as a kidnapping, certain things happened at the family home that would not have happened had they known they were investigating a murder.
I have wondered, during the almost 12 years of the investigation, if things would have been different if the Ramsey parents hadn’t acted as they did. The “circle-the-wagons” position they took early on may have cast an unkind light on them, each one protecting the other — or both of them protecting the other child in the house that night.
As I skip the globe during my musings this morning, I am particularly concerned about the letter by Rich Heiland on Thursday, telling the story of the pit bull attack on a street near his home.
I am horrified at the death of his dog, but most of all the potential of injury or even death to himself and Connie. I walk every day on the streets of Elkins Lake, and have reported to Hero the presence of that dog — or one of his breed.
A woman had the powerful animal on a leash, but I wondered if she could control him if he was determined to break away. It would be rare indeed if she could.
The thought of such an animal running loose is terrifying. I asked Hero if he thought I should carry a gun as I walked, and he said, “Oh, God, no!”
He did not intend to be humorous, but the terror in his eyes at thought of me with a gun made me laugh.
Still, it did nothing to make me feel safe in my own neighborhood. I’m not sure, really, what I should do, but one thing is certain. I, or anyone for that matter, could never protect myself against the power of such an animal.
This horror does not even address the powerlessness of our two small dogs as they take their occasional adventure in our yard, one on a leash, the other on her own recognizance. Eleven and 15 pounds they are.
A baseball bat, chemical agent, gun or personal technique would be of no use should such an attack occur. I second Rich’s request for firm resolve, through ordinance, of this danger.
Gene Pipes is a good man. We should be ashamed.