Harambe

-
Took me a little while to process the death of the silverback gorilla Harambe at the Zoo.

(And to those who cry that there's not enough time to worry about a 'stupid gorilla' when we have ISIS to worry about...get over it...some people can consider two stories at once).

Listen, it's a sad story.

I work in a field where tragic things happen even though there are a million safeguards.

The zoo enclosure was up to code.

I'm not a huge fan of humans enclosing animals that belong in the wild, but there is a zoo in every city. How are we going to stop that?

Should the parents have been watching the kid better?

Well, of course, but Seattle should've run the ball in from the one as well...

...Monday morning quarterbacking is easy.

Perhaps they were good parents who had a moment of weakness. Should their lives be ruined over it?

Could they have shot a tranquilizer dart instead?

Listen to those who work with the animals...

...the dart may have agitated Harambe...

...causing him to kill the child.

How about slices of pineapple?

Could they have lured Harambe away?

Again, there was a huge risk.

What if it hadn't worked and we were now looking at live video of the kid being torn limb from limb?

(And there would have been plenty of video and everyone would've watched it and broken it down for entertainment purposes).

Harambe...a beautiful creature...lost his life instead.

A horrible decision.

But the one that had to be made.

I'm hoping that some good comes of it.

I'm glad that the parents didn't lose their child that day over a horrible mistake.

But most of all, I feel for those who grieve the loss of the beautiful silverback.

He wasn't just a stupid monkey (as some have classified him on social media) and it is okay for people to grieve his loss...

...like I said, it was a tragedy.

Sometimes finding someone to blame over it is the real crime.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more