i don't know if there IS such a thing

and frankly i am a little bit dubious, but stranger (wayyyyyyyyyyy stranger) things have happened. if it IS true, they should throw the book at the people involved. i in no way shape or form think animal fighting should be legal. i think there is something WRONG with someone who doesn't think it's wrong too. and no, i'm not going to dance around this. you're effed up if you think it's ok for YOU to hurt an animal or think it's ok to watch an animal being hurt.

Police Bust Canary Fighting Ring In Shelton

Nick Caito
SHELTON - Multiple state law enforcement agencies busted up a bird fighting ring in the town of Shelton Sunday morning. However the birds involved are known more for their voice than violence. Police confiscated nearly 150 songbirds- canaries and saffron finches- from a home at 176 Ripton Road. Police say the birds were being prepared to fight. The raid was led by Shelton Police with help from the Department of Agriculture and officers from Bridgeport, Ansonia, Fairfield, and State Police departments. "They have a cage in the middle that's set up like a ring, where the two will go into one cage and fight." said Shelton Police Sergeant Robert Kozlowsky. "It's looking like animal cruelty and illegal gambling..........
pic: Police carry out cages of Canaries. (RYAN BERNAT / FOX61 / July 26, 2009)

follow up to yesterday's posting on first lt. Thomas J. Brown

i never met the man, but i guess this is the sort of man he was:


Fallen Soldier Requested Charity In Lieu Of Donations

(what does THAT say about the man? lots, it says lots about him. i mean in A GOOD way of course)

A few weeks ago, First Lt. Thomas J. Brown and his family talked about what no family wants to discuss. They discussed his wishes in the event that anything should happen to him.
Brown, 26, died in Iraq on Tuesday, the U.S. Army said Wednesday.
He grew up in Shelton with his mother, Carol, and twin brother Timothy.
Thomas Brown asked that anyone wishing to make donations make them to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
His family said he was a charismatic young man who could win you over with his smile, his family said.
Brown played Little League and youth soccer.
“I've been hearing a lot from people calling up and reminiscing. They just said that everyone is taking something away from having known Tom. He's just outstanding moral character, just the person he is -- he's just changed everyone's lives,” Timothy Brown said..........

to the family and friends of First Lt. Thomas J. Brown

my thoughts and prayers are with you. i am so very sorry for your loss and OUR loss in connecticut and in america as well.

Soldier Who Grew Up In Shelton Killed In Iraq

HARTFORD, Conn. -- A soldier who grew up in Connecticut died in Iraq on Tuesday, the U.S. Army said Wednesday.
First Lt. Thomas J. Brown, 26, grew up in Shelton with his mother and twin brother, where he played Little League and youth soccer.
The Army said Brown was shot during an ambush while patrolling in Salman Pak, Iraq, which is about 15 miles south of Baghdad. It is near an old military facility that was once a key center of Iraq's biological and chemical weapons program. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., called Brown's death a tremendous loss.
Shelton Mayor Michael Lauretti said Brown's family will get support from the community......

Lt. Thomas J. Brown

Army Officer From Shelton Killed In Iraq

By DAVID OWENS The Hartford Courant

An Army officer who grew up in Shelton was fatally injured Tuesday in Iraq when the patrol he was leading came under enemy small arms fire.First Lt. Thomas J. Brown, 26, was leading his soldiers on a patrol in Salman Pak, Iraq, according to the Army. Brown was serving with 2nd Battalion of the 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, based in Baumholder, Germany."Ever since Tom was young, he always wanted to go into the military," said Carol Brown, the soldier's mother. Carol Brown said she and her late husband insisted that their son, who is a twin, first go to college. He graduated from George Mason University."He tried working, but he found life behind a desk was not for him," Carol Brown said. So Thomas Brown applied for and was accepted to Army Officer Candidate School. In addition to earning an officer's commission, he earned Airborne wings and a Ranger tab.......