Jump to conclusions all you want, just wait until you are at the edge of a cliff to do so...

Two things totally at first unrelated,  gave me cause to stop and think, during which time I was able to link them together. The process my mind connected the two is much like how I can argue that Miley Cyrus latest antics, even though I don't have an issue with them, has shown us how awesome Britney really is. Don't you miss her? I do...

So two things happened today and then I started pondering on them, which then resulted in a headache  so to decompress I needed to go to Starbucks and order a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino pop on some headphones pull up a little Star Wars Soundtrack and get to rambling...

The second thing first. I was just pulled over for speeding in a school zone during the hours that the light was blinking. I did not even see the light and did not realize what time it was. I DID see the cop, and I knew I had done wrong, pulled over, gave no attitude which was a huge restraint on my part and should get me a few karma points. I actually was going slower than the regular speed limit and even though was slightly distracted and not mindful of my surroundings, I was driving safely, even the cop said I was ok, but still wrong. No argument there, kind of made me realize I was probably not paying attention more than I should be more than once regularly. Maybe in an alternate time line where he did not pull me over I get into an accident and get hurt or worse destroy my car. 

While pulled over, which I might add I pulled over all the way as to not cause congestion and had the hazards on, kept the hands on the wheel, pushed my shades to the top of my head (so he could see my eyes) and turned down the music. Considering this a small price to pay and grudgingly accepting my fate, I was content to patiently wait for my ticket. Then some JACKWEASELwho was turning at the next intersection which had him coming in the opposite lane yelled out to me  "You got what you deserve" (there was a median and I was pulled onto it since I got caught in the left lane). Ok again I already said I accepted it, I even went out of my way to minimize the congestion and from where I was pulled over there was no guarantee I was actually speeding in the school zone, I may have had my engine stall or had been speeding blocks down the street.

Here is the thing That no-load JACKWAD, by yelling out and not paying attention himself to the road was endangering those around him just as much as me. Ok maybe not exactly just as much, but two wrongs and all...and what upset me more was he just jumped to a conclusion on what was going on, also for all I know he works at the local 7-11 and didn't pay his taxes this year. I don't know but I don't make that assumption about him, about who is better. I have done my part for society that I am sure of, an still do (currently for free) and can sleep at night (well actually I can't but that is just weakening my point...) I just wish I had noticed what he was driving and his plates so I could find him and follow him around. I would have waited until I had proof of a red light run, incomplete stop at a stop sign, or illegal U-turn and then had his ass. I am unemployed right now I have too much time. Oh well missed opportunities. And my point was his jumping to conclusions and how I hate assumptions. (even though he was correct, just not correct enough to yell it out)

So incident number two, which actually happened first. Early this morning someone posted a message on a Facebook page I follow for one of the local animal shelters. There was a cat stuck in a tree and had been stuck for two days making a bit of noise and the neighbors were starting to worry that is was not going to come down. I am sure that the welfare of the cat was their primary concern and not the constant mewing and possibility if the cat starved in the tree would eventually attract hyenas, vultures, and rats. Either way, once the community started their heroic Farcebook posts (oops I meant Facebook, Freudian slip) it appears the neighbors did start to care more about the plight of the cat and sacrificed by bringing their dogs in the house to keep from scarring lil Sylvester and allowing the brave FB warriors of the community to come out and stand at the base of the tree and pontificate how to get Tom (or was the cat Jerry???) down safe and sound so they could turn him over to the pound for a good gassing in 10-30 days.

So the original post: (posted around 5 in the morning)

Attention Hampton Roads area:
There is a kitten near the top of a tree on the corner of Griffin and Caroline in the West Haven area of Portsmouth, VA. He is so scared that he will not move and he has been up there for 3 days. His meowing is loud and heartbreaking. Portsmouth police department, fire department and animal control refuse to get involved. My guess is that since there is no owner, making it "just" a stray kitten no one cares. PETA has been called and they are considering it but nothing yet. Does anyone have any suggestions or know someone with the equipment to get this little guy down? I know it is a kitten with no name but it is a life so if anyone can help or knows of someone that can help please consider doing so.

Immediately early risers checking their FB pages instead of making wholesome breakfasts for their kids were up in arms. HOW DARE the city not rush out at the first FB post to save Scratchy the cat. Then blame fell to the police, fire department, and Superman (soon they realized he was busy making his sequel so forgave him lickity split).  SIDE NOTE: Apparently "Lickity" is not a word, my spell checky red line is coming up for "lickity" how is that NOT a word in the English language? END SIDE NOTE. So as the hours wore on more and more posts, where some concerned (obviously unemployed) citizen spent the entire day calling all the local television, radio, print, blogger, and podcast media to get them on the CATGATE express. Now don't get me wrong I feel for the cat, and he was scared poop-less with all these people clamoring around and he was obviously causing a little disturbance and needed top be brought down safely. Well then cooler head began to come to the defense of the city, firemen, police, animal control etc... some even pointed out that the original post being around shift change as well as it being the morning of 9/11 a day that most fire departments have a few extra things to do in addition to putting out fires or cutting 500lb people out of their houses that they may be busy, Also that some police did respond earlier on but got called away to respond to a CRIME. I am sure that whomever was being mugged, assaulted, or having their lawn peeed on by some passing drunks would't have minded waiting but the police are ever so stubborn about prioritizing their responses. 

So eventually what happened was a off duty fireman did come out got up the tree with help of a cherry picker and well the cat jumped. Now I already said, I feel for the cat, I do, but I have a lingering feeling that the spit and fire of the original poster and those hausfraus that jumped on the bandwagon might have pushed the community to respond with too much force and seeing this the cat felt responsible and ended all. Maybe turning a blind eye, leaving a can of Starkist (good stuff by the way, and I am willing to sign an endorsement deal if anyone from Starkist is reading...) maybe the cat would have come down. Maybe not

So to provide closure here is what was on FB about the cat:

I would like to apologize on behalf of PHS for the comment posted below by PHS - while my first inclination was to erase it, I think it is more important that we address and correct the inaccuracies for all to see and realize. This morning, Portsmouth Animal Control was contacted about a kitten in a tree in someone's yard. The officer on duty (and there was only one officer on duty as the other three were in court this morning) went by the residence and with little descriptive information, was unable to find the kitten. The officer left to tend to other service calls. After being called by volunteers this morning about the kitten, PHS called Animal Control and gave them complete details (thanks to the volunteers) about the location of the kitten. The officer went back to the location and was able to spot the kitten, but unable to get to it. Animal Control has traps and a net for catching cats, no ladders. The Portsmouth Fire Department also arrived on scene with a ladder truck to try and help. An off-duty firefighter was the one that climbed the tree to recue the kitten. Sadly and unfortunately, the kitten, absolutely terrified, jumped from the tree. While the end result is not what everyone had hoped for, it is such an inspiration to see the community ban together and rally behind such a lifesaving effort. We truly appreciate the role that everyone played in working together to save the life of a lonely kitten.

So once again some ASSHAT made an assumption and maybe in a small part was responsible for the tragic outcome.

To be fair, I am not totally immune, how many assumptions did I make in this rant?

-Marco Out