The Coyote Principle: I don't want to be picking on California all the time (though they do make it easy), but a wise, highly lettered relative of mine told me this story recently...

Budnjax Loc: NE Florida

I don't want to be picking on California all the time (though they do make it easy), but a wise, highly lettered relative of mine told me this story recently about a coyote, that I feel like I have to pass on:

One day, a California politician was out jogging with his dog on a nature trail when a coyote attacked his pet. During the melee, the dog was killed and the Governor was bitten, while the coyote got away.

The man thought to pursue the beast, but soon realized he had no way of practically killing the animal and upon deeper reflection convinced himself that he should do nothing because the coyote was only doing what was in its nature, and he had been trespassing on the coyote's territory.

Instead the California politician called animal control, who captured a coyote a week later and billed the state $200 for disease testing and $500 for relocation. They also collected the dead dog, administering a couple more $200 tests, in accordance with state law.

Because they couldn't be sure if the coyote was rabid at the time of the bite, the politician was rushed to the hospital (courtesy of a $700 dollar ambulance ride), where he received $3,500 in medical treatment, all billed to the state. As news of the attack spread, complaints flooded into local services and the nature trail was "shut down" for 6 months so that Fish & Game could conduct a $100,000 survey to make sure the area was free of dangerous animals. Additionally, the politician's security agent was fired for failing to prevent the attack and $150,000 of taxpayer money was spent training a new agent (with an additional $50,000 for special training regarding the nature of coyotes).

Inspired by his harrowing ordeal, the politician headed back to the state house where he courted $50,000 in funds to implement a "coyote awareness program" from his fellow politicians and another $50,000 publicizing the program through local media spots. He also convinced the State Legislature to spend $7 million to study how to better treat rabies and how to permanently eradicate the disease throughout the world, so that a story like his would never happen again. Finally, PETA protested the coyote's relocation and filed a $100 million suit against the state.

Meanwhile, on the very same day, a Texas politician was jogging with his dog on a nature trail, when a coyote jumped out and attacked his pet. The politician shot the coyote one time with his state-issued pistol, costing him about $.50 for the good quality .45 ACP hollow point cartridge he favored. He told his family about the experience over supper that evening as the buzzards ate the dead coyote.

And that is why California is broke and Texas is not.

from Guns.com

dljen Loc: Central PA

Budnjax wrote:

I don't want to be picking on California all the time (though they do make it easy), but a wise, highly lettered relative of mine told me this story recently about a coyote, that I feel like I have to pass on:

One day, a California politician was out jogging with his dog on a nature trail when a coyote attacked his pet. During the melee, the dog was killed and the Governor was bitten, while the coyote got away.

The man thought to pursue the beast, but soon realized he had no way of practically killing the animal and upon deeper reflection convinced himself that he should do nothing because the coyote was only doing what was in its nature, and he had been trespassing on the coyote's territory.

Instead the California politician called animal control, who captured a coyote a week later and billed the state $200 for disease testing and $500 for relocation. They also collected the dead dog, administering a couple more $200 tests, in accordance with state law.

Because they couldn't be sure if the coyote was rabid at the time of the bite, the politician was rushed to the hospital (courtesy of a $700 dollar ambulance ride), where he received $3,500 in medical treatment, all billed to the state. As news of the attack spread, complaints flooded into local services and the nature trail was "shut down" for 6 months so that Fish & Game could conduct a $100,000 survey to make sure the area was free of dangerous animals. Additionally, the politician's security agent was fired for failing to prevent the attack and $150,000 of taxpayer money was spent training a new agent (with an additional $50,000 for special training regarding the nature of coyotes).

Inspired by his harrowing ordeal, the politician headed back to the state house where he courted $50,000 in funds to implement a "coyote awareness program" from his fellow politicians and another $50,000 publicizing the program through local media spots. He also convinced the State Legislature to spend $7 million to study how to better treat rabies and how to permanently eradicate the disease throughout the world, so that a story like his would never happen again. Finally, PETA protested the coyote's relocation and filed a $100 million suit against the state.

Meanwhile, on the very same day, a Texas politician was jogging with his dog on a nature trail, when a coyote jumped out and attacked his pet. The politician shot the coyote one time with his state-issued pistol, costing him about $.50 for the good quality .45 ACP hollow point cartridge he favored. He told his family about the experience over supper that evening as the buzzards ate the dead coyote.

And that is why California is broke and Texas is not.

from Guns.com

I don't want to be picking on California all the t... (show quote)

HA! :) Florida attacking Cali...Florida attacking anyone! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :roll: :roll: :roll:

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Budnjax wrote:

I don't want to be picking on California all the time (though they do make it easy), but a wise, highly lettered relative of mine told me this story recently about a coyote, that I feel like I have to pass on:

One day, a California politician was out jogging with his dog on a nature trail when a coyote attacked his pet. During the melee, the dog was killed and the Governor was bitten, while the coyote got away.

The man thought to pursue the beast, but soon realized he had no way of practically killing the animal and upon deeper reflection convinced himself that he should do nothing because the coyote was only doing what was in its nature, and he had been trespassing on the coyote's territory.

Instead the California politician called animal control, who captured a coyote a week later and billed the state $200 for disease testing and $500 for relocation. They also collected the dead dog, administering a couple more $200 tests, in accordance with state law.

Because they couldn't be sure if the coyote was rabid at the time of the bite, the politician was rushed to the hospital (courtesy of a $700 dollar ambulance ride), where he received $3,500 in medical treatment, all billed to the state. As news of the attack spread, complaints flooded into local services and the nature trail was "shut down" for 6 months so that Fish & Game could conduct a $100,000 survey to make sure the area was free of dangerous animals. Additionally, the politician's security agent was fired for failing to prevent the attack and $150,000 of taxpayer money was spent training a new agent (with an additional $50,000 for special training regarding the nature of coyotes).

Inspired by his harrowing ordeal, the politician headed back to the state house where he courted $50,000 in funds to implement a "coyote awareness program" from his fellow politicians and another $50,000 publicizing the program through local media spots. He also convinced the State Legislature to spend $7 million to study how to better treat rabies and how to permanently eradicate the disease throughout the world, so that a story like his would never happen again. Finally, PETA protested the coyote's relocation and filed a $100 million suit against the state.

Meanwhile, on the very same day, a Texas politician was jogging with his dog on a nature trail, when a coyote jumped out and attacked his pet. The politician shot the coyote one time with his state-issued pistol, costing him about $.50 for the good quality .45 ACP hollow point cartridge he favored. He told his family about the experience over supper that evening as the buzzards ate the dead coyote.

And that is why California is broke and Texas is not.

from Guns.com

I don't want to be picking on California all the t... (show quote)

Wanna know why the US is broke? Well it ain't what you think because The Wall St. Journal and others say Obama is a miser, spending the least since Nixon, second least since super miser Coolidge. The debt? Corporations and rich people got it way easy on taxes, Big Oil gets Big welfare and who said we need 2 over a decade long wars?

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Heard this story back when The Governator was Governor. Guess it's just getting to Florida.

We in California found this joke quite comical, but for a different reason. We knew the truth. Had a coyote tried to mess with the Governator or his dog, Arnold simply would have stared him down until the coyote's head exploded.

... And now you know ......... The rest of the story. ($1 to Paul Harvey)

warwoman Loc: NE Georgia Mtns.

Photographer Jim wrote:

Heard this story back when The Governator was Governor. Guess it's just getting to Florida.

We in California found this joke quite comical, but for a different reason. We knew the truth. Had a coyote tried to mess with the Governator or his dog, Arnold simply would have stared him down until the coyote's head exploded.

... And now you know ......... The rest of the story. ($1 to Paul Harvey)

Woulda,coulda,shoulda....the Cali anthem. One side of the story (cali) based on fiction.....one side of the story (Texas), based on fact! Don't mess with Texas!

:)

wireman8 Loc: Toledo, Ohio

Lovely little story, and I would bet 100 percent fiction

warwoman Loc: NE Georgia Mtns.

wireman8 wrote:

Lovely little story, and I would bet 100 percent fiction

Only the california part. Gov. Rick Perry (Texas) did dispatch a coyote with a pistol when it threatened him and his dog a few years back.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Of course you know that Cal will have a 4.6 Billion surplus this year!

Increasing taxes seems to pay off when you want to confront a budget deficit.

In short, the GOP and supply side voodoo economics does not work!

Budnjax wrote:

I don't want to be picking on California all the time (though they do make it easy), but a wise, highly lettered relative of mine told me this story recently about a coyote, that I feel like I have to pass on:

One day, a California politician was out jogging with his dog on a nature trail when a coyote attacked his pet. During the melee, the dog was killed and the Governor was bitten, while the coyote got away.

The man thought to pursue the beast, but soon realized he had no way of practically killing the animal and upon deeper reflection convinced himself that he should do nothing because the coyote was only doing what was in its nature, and he had been trespassing on the coyote's territory.

Instead the California politician called animal control, who captured a coyote a week later and billed the state $200 for disease testing and $500 for relocation. They also collected the dead dog, administering a couple more $200 tests, in accordance with state law.

Because they couldn't be sure if the coyote was rabid at the time of the bite, the politician was rushed to the hospital (courtesy of a $700 dollar ambulance ride), where he received $3,500 in medical treatment, all billed to the state. As news of the attack spread, complaints flooded into local services and the nature trail was "shut down" for 6 months so that Fish & Game could conduct a $100,000 survey to make sure the area was free of dangerous animals. Additionally, the politician's security agent was fired for failing to prevent the attack and $150,000 of taxpayer money was spent training a new agent (with an additional $50,000 for special training regarding the nature of coyotes).

Inspired by his harrowing ordeal, the politician headed back to the state house where he courted $50,000 in funds to implement a "coyote awareness program" from his fellow politicians and another $50,000 publicizing the program through local media spots. He also convinced the State Legislature to spend $7 million to study how to better treat rabies and how to permanently eradicate the disease throughout the world, so that a story like his would never happen again. Finally, PETA protested the coyote's relocation and filed a $100 million suit against the state.

Meanwhile, on the very same day, a Texas politician was jogging with his dog on a nature trail, when a coyote jumped out and attacked his pet. The politician shot the coyote one time with his state-issued pistol, costing him about $.50 for the good quality .45 ACP hollow point cartridge he favored. He told his family about the experience over supper that evening as the buzzards ate the dead coyote.

And that is why California is broke and Texas is not.

from Guns.com

I don't want to be picking on California all the t... (show quote)

GeneB Loc: Chattanooga Tennessee

wlgoode wrote:

Wanna know why the US is broke? Well it ain't what you think because The Wall St. Journal and others say Obama is a miser, spending the least since Nixon, second least since super miser Coolidge. The debt? Corporations and rich people got it way easy on taxes, Big Oil gets Big welfare and who said we need 2 over a decade long wars?

If that is true then why is the national debt still rising so fast? Is it because of interest on the loans or spending or even both?

jkaye65 Loc: Chico, CA

I've often wondered.......

If liberalism is so great and the politics of the democratic party is so superior to that of the republicans.........

Why aren't more (if not all) liberals flocking to live in California? The liberal haven that it is.

Nope.....you don't see that happening.

Instead, we have the whole country laughing at us for all the goofy crap this state does.......99% of which is perpetrated by liberals.

rocketride Loc: Upstate NY

ole sarg wrote:

Of course you know that Cal will have a 4.6 Billion surplus this year!

Increasing taxes seems to pay off when you want to confront a budget deficit.

In short, the GOP and supply side voodoo economics does not work!

A temporary fix, at best. Your tax rates are driving productive people and businesses out of the state. How do you propose to tax non-residents who don't set foot in the state and therefore don't pay the hotel-sucker tax, etc. I know Cali tried to tax ex-residents and that's in the federal courts-- I don't see the feds letting that stand.

So, as Sarah Palin asked, "how's all that workin' out for ya?"

jkaye65 Loc: Chico, CA

First of all, see my post right before yours.

rocketride wrote:

.....don't pay the hotel-sucker tax....

Really? So when I stay in Nevada I'm paying the "California sucker tax" to Nevada?

I'm leaving in two weeks on a trip across the US (16 states or so) and of the room reservations I've made so far...most have some sort of "sucker tax". Just called different names.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

wlgoode wrote:

Wanna know why the US is broke? Well it ain't what you think because The Wall St. Journal and others say Obama is a miser, spending the least since Nixon, second least since super miser Coolidge. The debt? Corporations and rich people got it way easy on taxes, Big Oil gets Big welfare and who said we need 2 over a decade long wars?

I am really getting tired of the oil companies getting slammed for making a profit. The truth is Federal, State,and local gov. each earn mare mony on a gallon of fuel than the oil companies. Yet no one slams them for the price of gas.

rocketride Loc: Upstate NY

jkaye65 wrote:

First of all, see my post right before yours.

Really? So when I stay in Nevada I'm paying the "California sucker tax" to Nevada?

I'm leaving in two weeks on a trip across the US (16 states or so) and of the room reservations I've made so far...most have some sort of "sucker tax". Just called different names.

Pretty much every state and municipality slaps extra taxes on things like hotel rooms and rental cars. Things used largely by people away from home. The higher taxing regimes usually make these taxes bigger, too. The idea being to tax people who can't vote those particular politicians out of office. If it weren't Nevada we were talking about, I'd guess that their hotel, etc, taxes were lower than California's. But Nevada is a state that makes a big part of its of its money from tourists (Las Vegas, anyone?), so I wouldn't bet on it.

jkaye65 Loc: Chico, CA

rocketride wrote:

Pretty much every state and municipality slaps ext... (show quote)

So if "pretty much every state" slaps on extra taxes, why did you choose to single out California as if it's "sucker tax" was unique?