xans

AU is an experiment in dimensions. To take a character, a whole, three-dimensional character, and distort them. To find ways to have them grow in new scenarios, to shed light on smaller, darker hidden aspects of them. The proverbial 'what if?'. That's the allure. And in order to be successful, I think one needs to constantly remind themselves, that while all things are possible, the complete obliteration of a character to suite ones own needs is debasing the character itself.

Yes. That is a lovely definition of AU. Comes from a rant/essay that lead to the birth of domus_felicus. I love the AU theory of Sirius and Remus rasing Harry together.
The sweet and sour chicken at dinner was glorious. Just so, so nice. I swear the food has been wonderful this last week, as if having to support fewer mouths means they can suddenly make better food. But there's not a night where there hasn't been at least one thing that I found myself in bliss over. At least one. Usually more than one. Heh. Despite all the nice food I'm down one notch on my belt. Either it's better food or I'm not eating enough. Probably both.
Watched Lost. Whoa is Ethan creepy or is Ethan creepy. I just remember him being annoying. Now he's creepy along with being annoying.
Woo! This girl next to me is playing Alchemy. Haha. And I had to tell her how cool it is that she's playing it. She loves that game. That's just great. I think I might go play it, too. I was playing it just yesterday. Hehe. I also want to try the new Bejeweled 2 but it wasn't working for me yesterday.

Fin.

There's nothing quite like sharing lunch with Hen. I don't mean, I have third lunch, she has third lunch, and we hang out. Because really, I only have third lunch when we have a physics test and we don't always hang out. What I mean is, there's nothing quite like giving Hen some of my food because she had basically nothing, and then her returning the favor when she bought a packet of pop tarts.
If only that annoying boy didn't think that sitting with us, and half listening to our conversation meant he had every right to speak up. He misheard too many things and I got sick of us having to repeat ourselves for his benefit.
I do not want to write the in-class essay on the Great Gatsby tomorrow.

Fin.

College Writing
Arg. Research Paper
January 23, 2004

It’s not time to be soft

Pests. In a country like New Zealand, where natural predators are lacking, certain animals can become identified as pests, such as the foliage destroying possum. I can still remember when some wild horses residing in the center of the North Island had to be put down, as they became pests rather than simply untamed creatures. Red deer, introduced as a game animal when the country was colonized, became a source of income for my grandfather as he worked for the government: killing any deer he found during his six-month stay in the forests of the North Island. Their meat also augmented the meager supplies he was given, necessary more for sustenance than sport, but also culling the ever-increasing population. Sometimes I hear stories from my aunt, as she tells me about my cousin’s wild pig hunting with his dogs, wild pigs being another introduced and rather irksome creature.

As humans increase in population, and expand out, habitats of wilder creatures are encroached. Often, they are able to adapt, but cause a new danger not only to humans, but themselves. (Wilkinson n. pag.) Some offer the solution of sterilizing a large part of the animal population causing so much trouble. (Smith n. pag.) Animal populations need to be controlled not just through sterilization, but extermination as well. Trapping and euthanasia is one effective treatment to an immediate problem, as is hunting. Hunting is also necessary for humans not just as a form of sport—to catch that trophy buck—but to provide food for the table.

In an attempt to stop an almost regular plague of mice in the grain regions of Australia, scientists are attempting to synthesize a virus to render the female mice infertile. This is a rather extreme and dangerous solution, as the virus could mutate and cross species, causing untold damage. (Nowak n. pag.) A plan was concocted to shoot the plentiful white deer on Long Island, NY with darts containing a contraceptive. So far, it hasn’t been very effective. (Smith n. pag.) While sterilization would be an efficient form of preventing over population disasters, the problem is rarely a foreseen one.

The deer in Long Island are so prolific that it has become commonplace for residents to see them, either running through yards or crossing a highway. They have become such a danger, though, as one driver, Matthew Kavanaugh, found out when on his way to Orient Park. Four deer all stepped onto the highway at the same time, and his only option was to decide which one to hit. Not only did the deer survive the 50 mph collision, it also suffered through two more cars running over it before the police arrived to shoot it. Not only is the over population dangerous for the deer as they eat all they can, they cause a danger to humans with their wanderings in search of even more food. Not everyone who resides in an area frequented by deer can afford to build incredibly high fences, or take the time to research to find what sorts of plants deer won’t touch. Allowing two different hunting seasons, one with bows and arrows, the other with shotguns and muzzle loaders is going to cause the deer less suffering, with a quicker death than the ones offered: starvation, or to be hit by a car. (Smith n. pag.) At the same time, the two seasons allow hunters the chance to improve their skills, and put some meat on the table.

When a blazing cacophony of sounds such as loud music and shouting disrupt a hunt, animal rights activists seem to feel they have gained a victory. To keep a hunter from pulling the trigger and causing an animal suffering is just what they want. (Satchell 124-5) It seems that the activists believe any hunting is bad, as if everyone must depend instead on store bought food, or, better yet, become a vegetarian. Poachers, who deliberately go out to score the biggest and most ferocious creature, have no intention of putting meat on the table and have given hunting a bad name. (Satchell 126) It’s not as if hunting of a certain animal is available all the time—there are specific seasons, places, and restrictions on the types of weapons the hunter may use. Some states also have requirements of hunters taking gun safety classes, to ensure they are able to use the gun in the hunt without being a gross danger. (Smith n. pag)

For many generations, hunting has become something of a ritual, as fathers or uncles take sons and nephews out to not simply kill animals, but to bond, and teach those special family traditions and values. (Boncompagni n. pag.) Hunters aren’t always out for the sport of killing animals, or even just to put meat on the table. The company and bonding formed through such experiences are just as important as the chance to score some grouse or venison. (Satchell 126) But recently, hunting has shifted beyond a bonding experience for males, and has found a new crowd. Many adults from their late 20’s to mid 40’s, with an income of at least $100,000 a year have discovered the sport of hunting. Thousands of clubs exist to support this passion, as do many brands have new technology and gear for the best luck during a hunt. Someone like Bryan D'Orazio, who took up hunting in the last year, is happy if he catches or not. He has sisters who have been giving him a hard time about shooting animals. His answer: "I still haven't hit anything." (Boncompagni n. pag.)

Sometimes, the only way to deal with a pest is to trap it and kill it by euthanasia, gassing or shooting. As new restrictions in the last twenty years on killing animals come into existence, yet these creatures still create an annoyance, trapping has become the preferred occupation of many. There is a low rate of success for those who do, as many do not fully research and plan for the profession. Traps are laid out at a property and must be checked every day. Sometimes, animals have suffered and died unnecessarily due to such neglect, and it gives the process a bad reputation. Sterilizing parts of an animal population is no way to deal with an immediate threat while trapping and extermination is a quick, effective response. (Christman n. pag.)

When Theodore Roosevelt, an avid hunter himself, was President, he began the federal wildlife refuge program, and many hunters contribute money to increase game populations. Such actions prevent any catastrophic declines in animal populations, so that hunting doesn’t take a large toll. (Satchell 127) Several state governments have set up programs not only to allow hunters better opportunities with hunting, but also to study the consequences of certain actions for prey populations. For instance, Oregon has set up a program to track mountain lions for two years before killing them, and observing the effects on local elk populations. Similarly, Colorado has eliminated coyotes in specific areas to see how the mule deer are affected. In Utah, there are actual contests for however many coyotes a hunter can kill. While it may seem extreme at 85,000 of the 100,000 predators killed annually are coyotes, those coyotes are responsible for the deaths of as many as 30,000 sheep. One resident explains, “Outside of town, rifle-toting ranchers in pickup trucks don’t hesitate to shoot any coyote that comes within range. That’s the way it’s been as long as raising livestock has been a livelihood.” (Wilkinson n. pag.)

Helen Nigg wasn’t always into hunting, but only because of what she used to think. “I guess I had this stereotype of hunting as just a bunch of big burly guys who wear plaid and N.R.A. caps sand say, ‘Let’s go and kill some defenseless animals,’” she says. (Boncompagni n. pag.) These animals are not entirely defenseless, or, like the dodo bird, they would have quickly become extinct to satisfy hungry lions or fill humans’ cooking pots. As humans expand, it is only natural that animals will attempt to adapt and as an unforeseen consequence, become a major pest. While few animals can match the intelligence and ingenuity of humans, many can become clever enough to avoid situations that will lead to their death. Restrictions and education aid in preventing undue abuse to animals in the sport of hunting and truly does act as another form of culling an overlarge population. It would appear that a bullet would indelibly cause less suffering for a creature than starvation or wandering into the path of a fast moving car. (Smith n. pag.) With more studies on actions and the subsequent reactions affecting wildlife populations, sterilization could eventually have a positive result of preventing future population problems. Until such times, I would rather see pests exterminated humanely than risk a synthetic virus or a contraceptive that might work if applied correctly.


Works Cited

Boncompagni, Tatiana. "Shooting for a New Generation." New York Times. 9 January 2004. <http://proquest.umi.com>.

Christman, Bill. "Partner for Nuisance Wildlife Control." Pest Control August 2003: 36. <http://proquest.umi.com>.

Nowak, Rachel. "Biocontrol Arms Race Looms." New Scientist 30 August 2003: 8. <http://search.epnet.com>

Satchell, Michael. "The American Hunter Under Fire." Animal Rights and Welfare. Ed. Jeanne Williams. New York: H.W. Wilson Company, 1991. 124-130.

Smith, Devin. "In Man Vs. Deer, the Deer are Winning." New York Times. 4 January 2004. <http://proquest.umi.com>.

Wilkinson, Todd. "Predator-control Programs Come Under Fire in the West." Christian Science Monitor 14 March 2001: 2. <http://search.epnet.com>