Since last week’s blog (Self Fulfilling Prophecy) created more stir than normal, I decided to go with another controversial subject today, one about the self indulgent, don’t get it, egg heads who run PETA. If you missed the news this weekend regarding the Kentucky Derby and the terrible accident resulting in euthanization, here is the background.

Eight Belles, a filly, collapsed 1/4 mile after crossing the finish line (after finishing second). The horse broke both front ankles and had to be put down. I’m not a big racing fan but I have been and wagered before so I do understand racing. More importantly, I own a horse (well technically I own it, but don’t tell my 17 year old daughter that I said it’s my horse).

PETA sent a fax to the Kentucky Derby people saying the filly was “doubtlessly injured before the finish.” Well that might be one of the most stupid comments I have ever heard. Apparently the folks who run the organization have never galloped on a horse or they would’ve realized it would be highly unlikely that any horse could go a quarter mile on two broken ankles, as this horse is supposed to have done. This was a tragic accident and to imply that the owner and jockey were so callous is unfair.

To cover up it’s obvious lack of knowledge and demonstrate their real agenda, PETA goes on to say, “What we really want to know, did he (the Jockey) feel anything along the way? If he didn’t then we can probably blame the fact that they’re allowed to whip the horses mercilessly.”

Okay, I get it. You PETA folks don’t like horse racing…why not just admit it?

If you don’t know this phrase, shame on you…it refers to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. Today is Opening Day; a day in which hope springs eternal and no one is ready to jump off the Tobin Bridge because we lost a series to the oh-so-hated New York Yankees.

Sports in New England–what a great year so far! The Celtics are back with a vengeance and the Patriots had a dream season that came up a few points short. Even the Bruins have made the playoffs.

But today is about the Red Sox, Opening Day and what a special day it is. It’s a day for skipping school, calling in sick to work and finding a way to watch or attend the game.

Nothing can go wrong today…it’s tomorrow we worry about. So PLAY BALL.

As I watched the sorry Congressional hearings featuring Roger Clemens I couldn’t help but wonder what is going on in our nation’s capital. Does anybody understand how many important issues our country is currently facing? Apparently not! Congressman Henry Waxman and his committee did nothing to make people feel good about our leaders in this country.

Lest you think it’s just the House of Representatives lets move on over to the United States Senate. Here, Senator Arlen Specter demanded to see Roger Goodell of the NFL to talk about what the NFL did with the infamous Patriots’ tape of the Jets game. It appears the Senator, (he of the single bullet theory in the Warren Commission report and a former Presidential Candidate–gee how did that work out?) apparently has no good staff to help explain to him that the country has many important issues facing it and that the disposal of the tapes from Spygate are not high on the public’s priority list.

Now this morning (February 16) I hear on the news that the horse racing industry has been called to Washington to appear before some new committee to talk about steroid use. And the kicker? It’s not even about the Jockeys but the horses!

Please save my sanity and our country by going to www.house.gov or www.senate.gov. Find your Senator or member of the House of Representatives and ask them to remember the following: It’s about the Economy! It’s about the War in Iraq! It’s about Health Care Reform! And be sure to add your own favorite issue currently not being addressed by our legislative leadership in Congress. Both parties should be ashamed and we as Americans should also be ashamed for allowing it to happen. We deserve better.