My efforts are always to inform and/or amuse readers. File this in the latter category as I struggle to offer a few eye-rolling thoughts about PETA's proposed monument to dead cows in Baxter County.
Yes, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are asking our state's Highway and Transportation Department if it might erect a 5-foot-tall monument honoring the cattle that died or were injured when a truck taking them to slaughter rolled over last month along Arkansas 5.
Let's quickly review to make certain I'm perfectly clear. This proposed tombstone tribute to bovines would honor several dead and injured cows that were only hours away from being slaughtered anyway to provide our steaks, hamburger, roasts and ribs.
The proposed monument pictures a cow alongside the inscription: "In memory of the cows who suffered and died at this spot, September 2016. Try Vegan."
Hmmmm. Well, I suppose I sort of admire the underlying sense of compassion these PETA folks feel for animals that sometimes die in accidents like we humans and other animals often do. A moment of silence, please, for armadillos and opossums.
PETA's "try vegan" promo is milking the traffic accident beyond the pale. It causes me to wonder if they also believe we should place similar memorials in our tomato gardens and cornfields to honor their sacrifices to our dining tables.
I'm not sold on the idea of publicly memorializing our food supply with inscribed granite obelisks when they happen to succumb shortly ahead of scheduled preparation in a manner different than expected.
I don't believe a single cow would even notice a memorial any more than a chicken might. Secondly, if Arkansas cattle could break free and find a way to annually make pilgrimage to this spot to graze on the weeds at the foot of PETA's memorial, they wouldn't have a cow clue what it was, would they now?
That means this silly publicity stunt is intended solely for humans and to promote PETA in the media.
My advice to PETA is to save your money for far more worthwhile endeavors like salvaging mistreated and abandoned housepets, or fighting intentionally inhumane cruelty to all animals. Your ridiculous cow memorial is beyond "moooot." Sorry, couldn't resist.
Coach canned
What a nation we have created and watch as it continues to slides far from the center of logic and reason to the outermost reaches of common sense.
The latest nonsense that set my head to shaking violently was the assistant high school football coach in Bremerton, Wash., who lost his job in 2015 for taking a knee in prayer at midfield before and after games. He said he was fired after doing so at the school for eight years.
Joe Kennedy found himself fired after daring to do the same thing a number of NFL, college and some high school players are doing, in addition to dissing our national anthem purely to push their personal social agendas and gain attention.
But Joe's sincere and brief public display of faith in his creator is unacceptable in the eyes of the Bremerton School District. They claim his prayer during extracurricular football games violates the separation of church and state (cough).
Kennedy defied their restriction and argued the Bremerton district board was discriminating against his rights under the First Amendment. But the district court denied Kennedy's request to restore his coaching position and continue kneeling.
Here's the reported text of his midfield prayer: "Lord, I thank you for these kids and the blessing you've given me with them. We believe in the game, we believe in competition and we can come into it as rivals and leave as brothers."
Shocking stuff, eh? Now Kennedy says he'll take the matter to the ideologically driven left-leaning Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Liberty Institute has been at work on his case.
Kennedy, who was joined in his last on-field prayer by members of his team along with those from the opposing team, parents and fans, also is quoted saying, "I've attended the games this season as a spectator, but it's been a punch in the gut to be in the stands."
Another pursuit death
Well, it's happened again, folks. Sadly, the needless deaths of innocent citizens from high-speed law enforcement pursuits will continue until far safer methods and policies are implemented.
This time Sadine Dixon, 84, of Piggott was in the wrong place at the wrong time when Clay County deputy Terry Burdin crashed his patrol cruiser into her car while pursuing a suspected car thief in Rector.
It seems Burdin began chasing the driver of a vehicle stolen in Illinois after police from Kennett, Mo., chased the vehicle into our state. That's when Burdin's cruiser struck and killed Ms. Dixon.
Burdin was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The pursuit continued into nearby Paragould where ... wait for it ... the stolen vehicle crashed into a retaining wall. Sheriffs and police chiefs and Arkansas State Police, can we please find a better, far safer way to catch these people?
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Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Email him at [email protected].
Editorial on 10/09/2016