Coffee and Provocation

“Every day, I am torn between the desire to save the world and the desire to savour the world. This makes it very hard to plan the day.” -  E.B. White

Amtrak Going to the Dogs?
Not quite, and not yet. The House of Representatives have passed a bill that would allow small dogs to ride on certain trains.  The Senate has not yet passed the measure, and it would seem to apply only to small dogs (under 20 pounds).

Cash Flows to Honey Innovation 
The Francisco-based crowdfunding platform Indiegogo says that the Flow Hive beekeeper is now the most funded project in that site’s history, raising $5.3 million. The frames and combs of the Flow Hive allow beekeepers to tap honey without disturbing the bees or entering the hive. It's literally a matter of turning a valve and honey comes out.

Best Dog for the Zombie Apocalypse?
What's the best dog to have if there is a Zombie Apocalypse?  That would be a cadaver detection dog. Read a bit about those here in this review of “What the Dog Knows” by Cat Warren. The book came out in paperback on March 10.

Flame Retardant Eagles 
Patriotism that burns bright? Not exactly. Michigan Bald Eagles are filled with illegal flame retardant, and may be the  most contaminated birds on the planet.

Billionaire to Help Dogs and Cats
David Duffield is 73 years old and worth $7 billion, and he is leaving his fortune to Maddie's Fund to help end the abandonment and unnecessary killing of healthy dogs and and cats in America's "shelters." No criticism here. Most people can, and should, care for themselves, and those that cannot, have people and agencies already in place (albeit perhaps not always ideal). Dogs and cats, however, have been completely abandoned by the Humane Society of the U.S., the ASPCA, and PETA, Rather than help dogs and cats in shelters, these organizations have drained off billions of dollars and a tremendous amount of energy while putting up the illusion of responding. In fact, less than 1 percent of HSUS, PETA, and ASPCA funding goes to help shelter dogs and cats, and all three organizations have been little more than cheerleaders for shelter killing. Maddie's Fund is looking to turn things around, and it is working. But do they actually need $7 billion? Nope, and I hope Mr. Duffield is thinking about the fact that organizations that have no need to raise money lose their drive and their accountability to the public. Maddie's Fund should get enough money to do whatever needs to be done, but not so much money that it needs to do nothing.  Down the line, Maddie's Fund come become something very different than what its donor intends -- and that could be a problem.