Tuesday, November 26, 2024

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Mistakes come back to haunt you. In my case it was telling the lady with the bad cold, on the run from CSIS and the RCMP, to dump her phone through the sewer grate in front of my office. I should have shredded it first. The GPS on it was still working.

So it was inevitable that one day my door would be kicked open and two men in plain clothes but military haircuts, obviously CSIS, burst into my office with right hands under the left side of their jackets, “just in case”.

“Are you Rick O’Shea? Are you aware you may have committed treason?”.

“I am indeed Rick O’Shea. I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“If you don’t cooperate you may just disappear. We ask the questions; you give us answers or as they say in the movies, ‘vee haf vays uff making you talk’.

“We tracked a phone to the sewer in front of your office. We have reason to believe the owner of that phone gave you a flash drive with confidential information on it which instead of turning it over to the authorities, you forwarded the material to The Globe and Mail.

“Fortunately, we have people on the inside who caught the material before it reached anyone else, or it would have created a national crisis.”

(What? Ottawa paid off a Quebec engineering firm again? That is hardly earth-shaking news.) That wild guess flashed through my mind.  

“Why blame me? I admit a woman came in here in a panic. I didn’t ask who she was or what her business was. The less I know, the better. She must have found my name in the phone book, no idea. She wanted a passport to get her out of the country and a burner phone. She paid well. I got both for her and she left. I never even look inside the passport. I went with her to the airport but never got out of the taxi. If she had a flash drive maybe she sent the contents over her burner phone. I know nothing about it”.

“Except Pete Picket said you bought two burner phones, Smart Ass”. And he told us the name in the passport”.

“Since you seem to know everything, why are you bothering me?” These guys made me seem like an amateur. How did they find out about Pete “The Fence” Picket? I was beginning to think I needed to find a store that sells paddles ASAP, as I seemed to be without one.

“The woman, Kryztyna Agnieszka is her real name, works for a foreign agency, International Democracy Union, bent on influencing the Canadian federal election, shifting it to the extreme right. The information she gave you was forged but would have checked out. Publishing it in the Globe and Mail would have given it credibility and it would have brought down the government. No one with any sense believes anything in the National Post.

She must have figured you as a patsy that would buy her story, though she was right in that we were after her. Maybe you should check some of your clients out before you do the gallant knight routine. She must have paid you well from the looks of the Scotch you are drinking. Even better than how Matt Gaetz likes his whiskey – 12 years old and mixed up with coke.”

“So now what happens?”. I was wishing I hadn’t lied about the second burner. Lying to cops is bad. Lying to spooks is worse. My butt gripped the chair so tight that if they took me, the chair would come with me.

“Nothing. You got lucky. Also maybe find a better line of work. Something you are more suited for. I’d give you a suggestion, but you might be insulted.”

After they left, I thought long and hard about my life of sin, over the rest of my Scotch. Maybe I should become a TV preacher. Wear my collar backwards but not my pants. I could put a coat hanger in my mouth, smile like Joel Osteen, rake in millions from the rubes and live in a mansion the size of Windsor Castle.

About 10:30 there was a gentle knock on my door. . . 

Thanks, She Who Seeks


Thursday, November 21, 2024

Rules for Humans with German Shepherds

 I need a sweater that says, "I am my German Shepherd's Support Human".

These are so funny if you own a German Shepherd Dog. I'm sure they apply to other large breed dogs too, but they certainly fit our GSD Lucky.






Monday, November 18, 2024

Transforming identity, bigotry’s war against the reality of gender diversity

Transgender people make up about 0.5% of the general population. However, the percentage of transgender individuals tends to be higher among younger age groups. About 1.43% of those aged 13-17 and 1.31% of those 18-24 identify as transgender. 

The complexity of sex and gender development

For whatever reason, in the past decade or so, the religious right, aka evangelicals, in both Canada and United States, have taken a visceral hatred towards Trans people to the point they would gas them if they could. (and Trump may yet provide the opportunity).

There have always been Trans people though we didn't call them that. As a kid in the 50's I knew about sex-change operations. People had them when the inside didn't match the outside. My parents, who were very conservative Christians, thought nothing of it. My neice remembers in her early teens watching a CBC documentary on sex-change operations with them and they were amazed at what could be done.    

So now the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum is under assault by "Christians". "There is no hatred like Christian love". Banning any books that could possibly include sexual diversity, firing teachers and harassing librarians. Claiming Drag Queens and age-appropriate sex education is grooming kids. Yet kids taught from Kindergarten the proper names for genetalia and that they have the right to say NO, are far safer from grooming. The groomers and pedophiles are all people in authority. Teaching kids to obey adults unquestioningly sets them up for  exploitation.

Sex is a way of categorizing physical characteristics. Gender is a way of characterizing a social construct, often based on the physical characteristics but is rooted in cultural interpretations of them. And is basically how do you feel inside.

Sex: male, female, intersex. Gender: boy/man, girl/woman, tomboy, gender fluid, nonbinary, femme, transfem, masc, transmasc, depending on culture. Cree and Blackfoot cultures include man/woman and woman/man as genders. In India hijra is the third gender.

Different types of Intersex

It is totally expected from biology that there should be transgender people. Only people who never got past Grade 6 science class still think sex and gender are binary. 

Grade six science

The SRY gene on the Y chromosome blocks certain gene expressions on the X chromosome. If a Y chromosome doesn’t have that gene, the default is female. Some people may have XY chromosomes and the SRY gene, (or XX chromosomes and an SRY gene), but don’t develop as a typical male because their hormone receptors aren’t complete. And that’s a spectrum. 

Rebecca Helm, a biologist and an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina, Asheville US writes:

Friendly neighborhood biologist here. I see a lot of people talking about biological sexes and gender right now. Lots of folks make biological sex seem really simple. Well, since it’s so simple, let’s find the biological roots, shall we? Let’s talk about sex.

If you know a bit about biology you will probably say that biological sex is caused by chromosomes, XX and you’re female, XY and you’re male. This is “chromosomal sex” but is it “biological sex”? Well...

Turns out there is only ONE GENE on the Y chromosome that really matters to sex. It’s called the SRY gene. During human embryonic development the SRY protein turns on male-associated genes. Having an SRY gene makes you “genetically male”. But is this “biological sex”?

Sometimes that SRY gene pops off the Y chromosome and over to an X chromosome. Surprise! So now you’ve got an X with an SRY and a Y without an SRY. What does this mean?

A Y with no SRY means physically you’re female, chromosomally you’re male (XY) and genetically you’re female (no SRY). An X with an SRY means you’re physically male, chromsomally female (XX) and genetically male (SRY). But biological sex is simple! There must be another answer...

Sex-related genes ultimately turn on hormones in specifics areas on the body, and reception of those hormones by cells throughout the body. Is this the root of “biological sex”??

“Hormonal male” means you produce ‘normal’ levels of male-associated hormones. Except some percentage of females will have higher levels of ‘male’ hormones than some percentage of males. Ditto ditto ‘female’ hormones. And...

...if you’re developing, your body may not produce enough hormones for your genetic sex. Leading you to be genetically male or female, chromosomally male or female, hormonally non-binary, and physically non-binary. Well, except cells have something to say about this...

Maybe cells are the answer to “biological sex”?? Right?? Cells have receptors that “hear” the signal from sex hormones. But sometimes those receptors don’t work. Like a mobile phone that’s on “do not disturb’. Call and call, they will not answer.

What does this all mean?

It means you may be genetically male or female, chromosomally male or female, hormonally male/female/non-binary, with cells that may or may not hear the male/female/non-binary call, and all this leading to a body that can be male/non-binary/female.

Try out some combinations for yourself. Notice how confusing it gets? Can you point to what the absolute cause of biological sex is? Is it fair to judge people by it?

Of course you could try appealing to the numbers. “Most people are either male or female” you say. Except that as a biologist professor I will tell you...

The reason I don’t have my students look at their own chromosome in class is because people could learn that their chromosomal sex doesn’t match their physical sex and learning that in the middle of a 10-point assignment is JUST NOT THE TIME.

Biological sex is complicated. Before you discriminate against someone on the basis of “biological sex” & identity, ask yourself: have you seen YOUR chromosomes? Do you know the genes of the people you love? The hormones of the people you work with? The state of their cells?

Since the answer will obviously be no, please be kind, respect people’s right to tell you who they are, and remember that you don’t have all the answers. Again: biology is complicated. Kindness and respect don’t have to be.

Note: Biological classifications exist. XX, XY, XXY XXYY and all manner of variation which is why sex isn't classified as binary. You can't have a binary classification system with more than two configurations even if two of those configurations are more common than others.

Biology is a shitshow. Be kind to people.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Grizzly 399, Queen of the Tetons. 1996-2024. Rest in Peace

 Grizzly 399, arguably the most famous grizzly bear in the world was struck and killed by an automobile on HIghway 89 in the Snake River Canyon, about 40 miles sosuth of Grand Teton National Park. She was traveling between Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest. Her yearling male cub, Spirit, was with her but excaped unharmed. It is hoped he is old enough to survive on his own. They were likely headed to Pilgrim Creek in Wyoming to den up for the winter. She was cremated and her ashes spread along Pilgrim Creek in the Grand Teton national Park where she spent much of her life. 

Grizzley 399 and Spirit Sept 7, 2024

Highway 89 through Snake River Canyon

Pilgrim Creek, Wyoming

Grizzly 399  was born in a den in Pilgrim Creek, Wyoming, in the winter of 1996. She resided on federal land in a range of hundreds of miles throughout the Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest

Named for the identity tag affixed by researchers to her ear, she amazed all by continuing to reproduce into old age. Unlike many grizzly bears, she was often seen near roads in Grand Teton, drawing crowds and creating traffic jams. Scientists speculate such behavior kept male grizzlies at a distance so they would not be a threat to her cubs. Some believe male grizzlies kill cubs to bring the mother into heat. She taught her cubs road safety and how to take advantage of teh annual elk hunt by watching for elk kills and feasting on the entrails left behind by hunters.

Grizzly 399 became famous in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, as she raised three cubs near the roads of the park during the summers of 2006 and 2007, giving thousands the opportunity to observe the family in the wild. The spring of 2011, she again emerged with another set of triplets. She had 18 known cubs in eight litters over the years, and some have been spotted with cubs of their own.

“People from around the world have followed grizzly bear 399 for several decades. At 28 years old, she was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” said Hilary Cooley, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. One of the most nateable photographers is Tom Mangelson whose book about 399 will be a collectors item. https://www.mangelsen.com/grizzly-399-bkgrizzly399.html

A great many videos of Grizzly 399 are available on YouTube. Greg Balvin and his wife Sandy are noted videographers of 399. https://www.youtube.com/@gregbalvin 

Other videos are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0qjQZY1CgE&list=PLvxs_j5q540b8Nus7j9MTbNiiucEHmnfU&index=1

In 2020, at the age of 24 years, she appeared with four cubs, highly improbable for a grizzly, especially one of her age. Then her fame really took off. Troopers were required to keep order on the highway and keep people at a distance from the bears. They reappeared in spring 2021 and 2022 when she sent them on their way.

399 and her quads 2020

399 and her quads 2020

She was, is, and will remain a legend to all who saw her or followed her on Social media.

A memorial was held for her on October 30, 2024 sponsored by PBS. 

 https://www.youtube.com/live/xlwERB_zxcEi=IRSbsvx9f1z31aGi  

A candlelight vigil was held in Jackson WY. Nov 2nd in her memory

https://www.youtube.com/live/vbYL55b4X-A?si=l65xmGdkTYp-VDkL


Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Jericho Hotel Foxtrot Charlie, Whiskey Tango Alpha Foxtrot

 Trying to blog or actually do anything this past week has been difficult but at least I didnt go back to chewing my fingernails. Or drinking, as I am too cheap to guzzle booze at Canadian prices.

Of course Trump has declared himself the winner and at first glance it does appear to be the case. However with record voter turnout and 20 million missing ballots, it aint over until the fat man is in jail.

The media all act like voting was normal but Kamala Harris was not only running against Trump, she was runing against decades of Republican voter suppresssion. That didn't seem news worthy when results were being reported.

She is wise not to concede. Counting is not complete and recounting has not even begun. 

Just read that she conceded. Like Gore in 2000


Thursday, October 24, 2024

Karolina Protsenko - Five years on

 Five years ago I published a bog post about Karolina Protsenko, a young violinist of Ukrinian background who busks on the street in Santa Monica. She is now 16 and has simply gained in skill, fame and family memebers. She now has two liitle brothers, the older one often "helps" . . https://dablogfodder.blogspot.com/2019/12/httpsfaerieworlds.html

There is no end of music videos to post. 

https://karolinaprotsenko.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxHhJ8BftT6AD9_yLyn49A

https://www.youtube.com/@KarolinaProtsenkoViolin


Wednesday, October 16, 2024

The Loneliness of Old Age

" Grow old along with me! the best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made:" Rabbi ben Ezra by Robert Browning.

Sometimes things catch me unaware. I know 1974 was 50 years ago but this meme sort hit me hard, because it really felt like "just like that!" 

 

There was an article a while back, which of course I can't find now and the link below is not it, about how lonely centenarians feel. They may have friends, family, an active social life, yet there is an emptiness. Their peers have all died. They have buried both parents, a spouse, possibly a child, their siblings, several nieces and nephews, and too many friends and neighbors to count, longevity comes with a curse. It is the dull ache of loneliness — reflected in every framed family portrait; every personalized calendar; every faded snapshot stuck on the side of the fridge. All those people are gone, and they're still here.

It comes with the knowledge that for all they have experienced, there is no one left to share it with. Maybe that is the hardest part. The solitude of unshareable experience. My mother had couins that tipped the hundred, as did my father, one of whom is still alive. I wish I could sit down with her and ask about how she feels being so old.

I need another 23 years to hit 100. My FB friend Natalie and I have an agreement that when we hit the magic number we will tell people who ask the secret that we ate a pinecone every day for 40 years. 

The 70s were 50 years ago. The 60s were 60 years ago. Every time I listen to a song (and it is mostly when I listen to music) and realize it was 50 or 60 years ago that it was released, I feel lonely. Those were times that can never be repeated. Some of the people I knew then are still here but they too have changed.