It's a dog's life

Atlanta recently passed a law inflicting stiff penalties on dog owners that don't clean up after their pets...$1000.00 fine or one year in prison. The same penalties can be incurred if the dog is without a leash. I love my dog...I love most dogs, but I have to agree that man's best friend should, when in public, be on a leash. And stepping in dog doo, especially barefooted, is a great way to ruin your day. However, the penalties seemed a little stiff to me. But I did not research the penalties served up by other states for the same penalties...as researching law can be tedious and cause eye strain. What I wondered was, if Atlanta would throw you in jail...excuse me, prison, for a year, what were the penalties for a human that defecated in public? Oh quit being grossed out! It's a legitimate question. You've never seen homeless people? You think they just walk around until they find a nice clean bathroom every time they hear the call of nature? There are laws addressing public defecation, urination and even spitting. Government doesn't write these laws for the fun of it you know. Laws are written because somebodies delicate sensibilities got twisted into an uproar and they complained long and loud. Now as I was saying, researching laws can be quite time consuming and eventually downright boring. I couldn't find a thing about public defecation laws in Atlanta. So I tried public indecency, a close relative...I thought. I found that it was punishable by "fines and imprisonment in county jail for up to 12 months". What surprised me was the definition. In Georgia, public indecency is:

• Exposing one's genitalia or breasts in a lewd manner, in public
• Sexual intercourse
• Appearing in a state of partial or total nudity in a lewd manner, in public
• Lewdly caressing/fondling another person in public

Not at all what I was thinking. But it carries similar penalties. So you can have sex in the park  or walk your dog without a leash and face a year in jail. Does that make sense?

I found laws about public defecations in other states, from Florida to Oregon, with fines around $500 and imprisonment from 60-180 days. Obviously, dog poop is a bigger issue.


I did run across one interesting story, I do love the internet (though I will caution watching what links you click on when researching public defecation), from the Associated Press.


July 16, 2009 ELGIN, Iowa (AP) - Criminal mischief charges have been filed against a Randalia man for allegedly defecating on a sidewalk in downtown Elgin and smearing feces on the door of a building.

Matthew J. Sodoma was arrested early Thursday and also charged with defecating on a public sidewalk or building.

Authorities say the building smeared by the 21-year-old Sodoma houses the Valley Community Coalition. They expressed belief Sodoma was targeting the organization, but aren't sure why.

Fayette County Sheriff Marty Fisher said Sodoma's action defies the basic morals of the community and was unacceptable.

Authorities say the charges against Sodoma are misdemeanors and are punishable by a fine between $65 and $650 and up to 30 days in jail.

Wow...30 days maximum. I wonder what the pooper scooper laws are in Iowa?

Always a child

I recently received some life changing, oh my God news. The kind that makes you rethink everything you know, who you are, where you are going, what life holds...and means. Generally, I have not shared that news yet. I'm just not ready. I'm not sure if it's denial...no I can't deny it, it is a proven undeniable fact. It doesn't feel right to make a big announcement...yet. Eventually it will be evident. One of the most painful thoughts I had, among the million competing for my attention was the fact that my parents would never know. My Mom died 16 months ago, my Dad, 25 months prior. It never fails, when something new or big happens, my first thought is to share with Mom. No matter how old we get, how grown up we are, it seems we're always the children of our parents.

30 years of marriage

Today is my 30th wedding anniversary. In todays world it seems quite the accomplishment instead of the norm. I can understand that. It hasn't always been easy. Recently I was asked, "What is the secret to your success?" Deadpanned, I answered, "Marrying the right person." I was stating the obvious, of course...but it is all too true. I married a man that has refused to give up on me even when the easy thing, maybe even the smart thing, would have been to throw his hands up in exasperation and headed for the door. I am sure he has been tempted. Neither of us are perfect. We both present the other with challenges. We both drive the other one nuts. But at the end of the day, most days, it's to each other we come for comfort. Happy Anniversary Steve...30 years and still counting.

Cry me a river

Have you ever had one of those days where it seems everything converges at a point just meant to tear you asunder? I got news that I wasn't expecting. Even the messenger of the news referred to it as "disturbing." I'm not going to share, so you'll just have to take my word for it. It is life altering. I am not dealing well with it. And I usually deal so well people think I have no feelings. There is the second problem...I seem to have landed right smack in the middle of over-emotional, under-equipped day. This used to be referred to as PMS, but since my hysterectomy I'm not sure what to call it, but crazy psycho bitch comes to mind. So now I have life altering news dealt to crazy psycho bitch...then someone wants to gnaw on my ass a little bit. Just a tad, around the edges. Needless to say, I did not have a good day. I can't change the news or the chewer, so I'm not seeing a shiny silver lining at the moment. I can hope for some mood stabilizing, it usually happens...eventually. Everyone says it will get better, and I know, somewhere, deep down that it is true. Is it too much to ask for sooner rather than later? I can't drink at work.