Comment Archives: stories: News: Helter Shelter
Re: “When it comes to messing around with power tools,follow this rule: Quit while you're ahead”
Interesting read, the perils of doing your own DIY can be a risk, however stupidity can sometimes overcome common sense, or not taking the correct precautions too can lead to accidents like losing fingers, a hand or just getting yourself stuck to the floor!
Power Tools
Re: “A proposed Lebanon ordinance wants to snuff dogs — for barking?”
Yes, euthanizing dogs for barking. Damn straight.
This era dogs are used as passive-aggressive, anti-social weapons: what bullets are to guns, barking is to dogs. Barking kills--a slow, painful death from a million bee stings. Communities should focus on the root cause of the conflict between barking dog and innocent human: the barking is the root cause. It's the BARKING that's the source of the conflict. The source of the conflict is not the barking-sufferer's REACTION to barking, whatever that reaction may be. Chronic barking is molestation. The party at fault is the household with the barker(s). It doesn't matter what the sufferer-of-barking does to try to get the barking to stop--they feel desperate because they're not getting support from the outlying community to get the barking stopped. I'm not talking about partial-barking stopped--I mean 100%. The barking-sufferer has a right to enjoy his or her patch of real estate unmolested by barking. The barker needs to get gone.
In a conflict between one person and a dog, the human should win out every time. Human rights trump dog rights. Who is it who pays the mortgage or rent? Not dogs. Why do we as society allow dogs to have more rights than people? Barking is a serious offense: barking makes people--literally--insane. Chronic barking causes the barking-sufferer to not be able to meet his obligations in paying the mortgage or rent and put food on the table. People, obtaining dogs, who like to have their "own petty egos stroked," are clueless as to what it takes to truly care for a dog. Being the guardian of a dog is a lifelong commitment--it is similar as caring for a human infant--dogs cost money and take time--done properly--lots of both. Leaving dog(s) in a yard unattended and unloved is a hazard to anyone not the owner who is within earshot of the barking. A barker is a menace. A barker is a health hazard. A barker is an "ignored" dog--it's time we see chronic barking for what it is: ANIMAL NEGLECT. Animal neglect has serious consequences! Things have to be done, by the community, on behalf of the barking-sufferer, in its laws, fines, punishments, jail-time, impounding dog, or seizing dog-owner's vehicle.
Communities should give power to law enforcement to seize yard barkers without the dog owner's knowledge, impound the dog(s). Or 6 months in jail. Or a US$1,000 (GBP£700) fine. I'm for euthanizing dogs that incessantly bark.
Dog-haters are made, not born. Residents become hostile after years of their communities having more sympathy for barkers than for barking-sufferers, communities who spit on human need for peace and quiet where they live. Having dogs growing up, I used to like dogs. No more. Barkers are REALLY, REALLY bad public-relations for canines in general. Barking gives the whole canine species a bad reputation. Responsible dog owners should pressure "arrant dog owners who condone chronic barking" to STOP THE BARKING.
You know, how would you feel if you went to poop in your own toilet, the next-door neighbor's dog heard you from outside, barked continuously 5 feet from where you're doing your business? How would you feel if you put a dish in the microwave oven, the other next-door neighbor's dog heard you from outside, barked continuously 5 feet from where you're trying to eat a pleasant meal? How would you feel if the phone rings, answer it, the next-door neighbor's dog heard you from outside, barked continuously 5 feet from where you're trying to have a conversation where you yell into the phone "I can't hear you. What'd you say?" How would you feel if the only place you could sleep was on the floor in a closet located on the other side of the house? (This really happened.) And finally, how would you feel if this went on, day and night, for five years? Answer honestly, because you would not have had a good night's sleep in five years. How would YOU feel?
Dogs have no business around human dwelling areas. Dogs are "guests" and as such, must behave. If dogs don't behave, banish them. Dog exits off premises permanently. Don't bother with de-barking.
Mediation implies there is something to mediate, as if with chronic barking there is middle-ground or compromise. Sorry, but I'm not going to compromise my physical need for a safe and sane soundscape around my home. The dog leaves.
Nobody likes "second-hand dog pollution."
Levesque
Re: “A proposed Lebanon ordinance wants to snuff dogs — for barking?”
I am so glad that I moved out of Lebanon recently. I live in England now, with my dog whom I love dearly, and he did bark quite frequently. I also had some crazies on my block who probably would have used this ordinance just to have neighbors' fined and have their dogs put down on a whim. I can't believe the Lebanon City Council voted unanimously to pass it. I'm glad I voted for Craighead!
Re: “A proposed Lebanon ordinance wants to snuff dogs — for barking?”
Why kill a dog for barking? It's a natural part of being a dog. It's how they communicate. I have neighbors who yell to communicate on a regular basis, which is more disturbing to me but nobody threatens to snuff them out. The fact is, it is not the dog's fault that it barks. It is the fault of the owner if they allow their dog to bark incessantly with no regard for their neighbors. I have two dogs. One barks in warning only. The other, well, he pretty much just barks, at bugs, at leaves, at the air. Sometimes that means he is only allowed out for maybe 15 minutes at a time because I try to be respectful of my neighbors. Thankfully I live in a dog-friendly neighborhood where just about everyone owns dogs so they understand and don't complain because theirs do the same thing. But as the owner (key word), I want to make sure my dogs are not annoying people around me. It is my responsibility as their owner (again key word) to ensure that they are not a problem. To euthanize a dog for barking is just insane. How do you explain to a dog that it has to die because it can't be quiet?
Re: “A proposed Lebanon ordinance wants to snuff dogs — for barking?”
Anyone on here who's heart bleeds for these barking dogs obviously doesn't have dogs who bark 24/7 living next door like I do (two wolf hybrids, two pit bulls, and a husky). Try not getting a decent nights sleep in 2 years and the Lebanon police wont do a dadgum thing about the problem, I've called several times. I say, fine em and if they dont fix the problem, forfiture of the pets. If they don't get adopted, they get terminated like all the other unwanted strays.
Re: “A proposed Lebanon ordinance wants to snuff dogs — for barking?”
If the Lebanon City Council were euthanized, perhaps the city would thrive! It's this sort of "let us rule your lives" thinking that pervades this country today. Ear plugs are another option for those who are just sooo bothered by a dog barking.
Re: “A proposed Lebanon ordinance wants to snuff dogs — for barking?”
The dogs are doing what comes natural. Now people.....Well.....that's another story. How dumb down can we get here in America, and especially in Lebanon Tennessee of all places?
Remember when we silenced the church bell years ago because it was noisy? Then just a few years ago we silenced the train whistle in city crossings because it too was noisy? ALL these "noises" are actually WARNINGS. I understand that some people on this planet do not want to know about impending dangers, but a lot of us do.
Who among us has the right to take these WARNINGS away from our fellow citizen?
Re: “A proposed Lebanon ordinance wants to snuff dogs — for barking?”
On the whole this article rightly points out how asinine the council is to even consider killing domestic dogs for barking. There are, and should be, more humane ways to persuade dog owners to silence their pets. However, Mr Jowers goes too far (presumably in a futile attempt at humor) in his 4th paragraph. Barking dogs can be a nuisance and such dogs need to be controlled. Fortunately I live in a rural area and usually the only dogs I hear barking are mine. I solved the problem of midnight barking by bringing them in each night and teaching them that it is impolite to talk to other dogs or yell at deer, possums, and 'coons while laying on their beds. However, too many owners of problem dogs are either oblivious to how much distress their pets cause, or they are too arrogant to be concerned about their neighbors, or they are too lazy to train their dogs. So, Mr Jowers, which of those descriptions fits you?
Re: “A proposed Lebanon ordinance wants to snuff dogs — for barking?”
Thanks for the article Walter. Luckily one council member has reworded this ordinance to eliminate the death penalty for barking and roaming. Hopefully they will see their way to pass this revision.
Re: “Why you should never hire the guy who bids the job for half the cost”
Jowers, you're a complete jackass. You seem to think that just because someone charges a lot of money, that means they are good. In the real world, this connection does not exist. Do you have some kind of animosity toward those who don't make clients pay for the new truck, the warehouse, the new tools, the vacation home, the mistress, etc.? I used to be in the home repair business, and did subcontracting on occasion, and it was a real eye-opener to see the muddlers charging $100/hr. to do painting. I thought to myself, "I'm underpriced by about $70/hr.!"
Re: “In praise of attics and basements, and the little things in them”
How can a porn magazine be outdated?
Re: “What to do with wet carpet, soggy drywall and mold profiteers trying to give you another soaking”
Improper dry out is the leading cause of mold issues. Sadly, there are those "wanna-be" professionals that are ascending on Nashville and engaging this peril incorrectly. Without the correct protocols and equipment, these people will take a bad situation and make it extremely worse. Wall cavities, door plates, crawlspaces and duct work are essential areas needing to be completely dried. Base molding should be removed (most particularly when you engage black water (water contaminated with sewage and chemicals) and walls generally need to be opened up from the floor level to permit correct dry out - particularly on what is called wall plates. Failure to correctly address these issues can result in "sick" houses and buildings where unseen areas are permitted to foster and grow mold - generally costing more to repair than the original amount paid to clean up the visible damage and water. Make sure your contractor is certified and INSURED! Communicate that if the work is done improperly and you develop problems you will be joined at the hip for the entire lawsuit that will follow. Don't take chances with your life, family or business. Check your Better Business Bureau and Chamber of Commerce. Contact your local Board of Health, and if your reading this, use your computer to research your contractor and what they are telling you. Be wise and safe.. and God Bless.
Re: “What to do with wet carpet, soggy drywall and mold profiteers trying to give you another soaking”
Very necessary. The plastic covering is the moisture barrier that keeps the water vapor down in your crawl space and the humidity in your crawl lower. Without the barrier and good ventilation, your crawl will become a wet nasty place with mold on your floor joists.
Re: “What to do with wet carpet, soggy drywall and mold profiteers trying to give you another soaking”
Thanks for info. I decided to check my crawl space after I removed the crawl space vent covers. Did find water on the plastic cover. How necessary is it to replace the plastic after everything drys out?
Re: “What to do with wet carpet, soggy drywall and mold profiteers trying to give you another soaking”
Please check out www.ChrisCrimmins.com a local contractor who has great advice on how to handle your house, dealing with insurance, and avoiding scams after the flood.
Re: “What to do with wet carpet, soggy drywall and mold profiteers trying to give you another soaking”
I just saw some neighbors spend $1800 a pop to a guy who was putting signs around my neighborhood this weekend. We should "no"..quickly ..but knew others were desperate about water that was almost to the first floor.
We had water, three feet of it. We borrowed a pump, put in box fans after the water went down, and it's improving. I've heard real businesses will charge far (far) less and leave a sump pump.
The advice about the Mold Charlatans is even better. I've always enjoyed these columns, when I know I don't know sheet about these things. If I have one old boy in my house, sighing about a claim that the previous ol' boy didn't know diddley squat about home repairs, I will smash something. Which Old Boy do I believe?
A good contractor helped me, finally. The previous bad "Good Ol' Boys" I'd still like to lecture.
And this was great.
Re: “Two pests arrive without fail every April: termites and buggy termite chasers”
Mr. Jowers, thanks for the great article. When I lived in Missouri, I had a contract with a local termite co. They came every year, and told me the house was fine. Finally, after several years, the whole end of my house was eaten away all the way up the the rafters.
I called the termite co. and told them. They refused to pay for the damage done by the termites, but offered to inspect and treat my house again. I informed them that their treatments and service didn't work in the past, and that my home had several thousand dollars woth of damage to it. I sent them three estimates from general contractors. They still refused.
I finally hired a lawyer. He charged me $750 to start the case. Every time the court date came up, it got delayed at the last minute. This went on for about 4-5 years. Finally, my attorney quit answering my phone calls, or returning them. I went to the state attorney general's office, and told them my story. They said that all they could do would be to audit all the attorney's business for the next 3 years. I would have to hire another lawyer to bring suit against him. By this time, I was out of money, having spent thousands repairing my home.
I tell this horrible story, because I don't want to see anyone else have to experience this type of nightmare. The termite company is still in business going right on along. The attorney is still doing his thing. They turned out to be as big a nightmare as the termites.
Re: “Two pests arrive without fail every April: termites and buggy termite chasers”
I have, for years, read Mr. Jowers' fine column. In fact, I have found them to be the best source for concrete information on the physical side of our home.
Thank you sir, for you frank and honest discussion of topics that all property owners should be aware of!
Re: “When the roll is called up yonder, an unusual business volunteers to watch the pets”
When I read about this plan for post-rapture pet care a few months ago, I began to wonder: what if the contract were not carried out? Who would enforce it, assuming that the pet owner is no longer on earth? In the case of pet care, or for that matter, any other raptured person's property, would one ask the court to create a decedent's estate, or an absentee estate? After all, the raptured person has not died.
Re: “When it comes to messing around with power tools,follow this rule: Quit while you're ahead”
Dear Jabo2,
Always enjoy your columns.