Columns

Did you know that Memorial Day is commemorated in different ways and on different dates throughout our nation? The observance had its beginnings during the Civil War, which is a good hint that there would not be uniformity.
More than two dozen cities and towns lay claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day, and each had its own customs. There is evidence that organized women’s groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War.
Following the war, towns in the North decided it would be a good idea to honor their military dead also. In 1868, “Decoration Day” was officially proclaimed. It was so named because the emphasis was on decorating graves of fallen soldiers.
By 1890, it had been adopted by all northern states. Most southern states refused to observe the national day because of lingering hostilities. They continued with their own state observances, spread throughout the year.
It wasn’t until after World War I that the South began recognizing the federal Decoration Day. Many men from both North and South gave their lives in that war, making unification finally possible.

When a disaster suddenly strikes it can be frightening for everyone, including your pet. The best thing you can do for you and your pet’s safety is to be prepared, develop a plan for emergencies, and have it ready before the disaster strikes. Planning ahead is the key to keeping yourself and your pet safe before, during and after a disaster.
“Before a disaster, it is important to insure that all your animals are identified within a system that will allow you two to be reunited if separated,” Wesley Bissett, assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences said. “Identification can come in a variety of ways, such as collars or microchips. Collars may be less expensive but they are much easier to lose, whereas microchips may be more expensive but provide the advantage of being permanently within the animal. You should also try to keep a photo of you and your pet together to verify ownership.”
When preparing for a disaster, it is imperative that all of your pet’s vaccinations are current. “If you do not typically have your dog vaccinated for Bordetella, or kennel cough, consider doing so as storm season approaches,” Bissett said. “This is disease prevention in case your pet is checked into an animal shelter.”

I’m one of the few people I know (presuming of course that I know myself) who has actually read the U.S. Flag Code, Title 4 of the United States Code. The Flag Code is a federal law, which specifies treatment, display, respect, and permitted usage of the United States flag.
 The U.S. Flag Code is quite severe in its restrictions and interpretations of those three colors. In Section 8-J, it deems the flag as a living object - “The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.”
 Of course, we’re just talking about a piece of cloth (with high lead content if manufactured in China). But emotions can run very high over that cloth. Rip up a $990 designer Reed Krakoff T-shirt (like Ann Romney wore during one of her speeches on how her family was in touch with average Americans) and people will laugh at you. Rather, they should laugh at anyone stupid enough to spend that much money on a T-shirt.
 However, tear an American flag in half and it’s no laughing matter. Wars have been waged over lesser emotional responses.

Do you remember the days when we had a year off between election campaigns? Even better, we had a year off from negative political advertising.
No more. Announcements for next year’s gubernatorial campaign began even before the 2012 elections. Governor Susana Martinez never quit fundraising. She just had a big fundraiser in Taos and Palm Desert, Calif., that made the news. It isn’t unusual for first-term governors to raise money year-round for four years.
Attorney General Gary King announced for governor long before the 2012 elections. He had been asked to make a politically controversial investigation and decision so felt he had to reveal his conflict.
Soon after the 2012 general election Sen. Linda Lopez, of Albuquerque, and Clovis Mayor Gayla Brumfield announced their Democratic candidacies for governor. There likely will be several more announcements shortly.
In fact, some possible candidates, such as Howie Morales, of Silver City have announced they may announce for governor.
Most confounding of all is a negative Republican campaign that has already begun against Democratic Sen. Tim Keller, of Albuquerque. Keller has been mentioned as a possible gubernatorial candidate but has not announced.