Dogfighting: underground business

Dogfighting occurs in closed-in pits generally surrounded by plywood or a cage-like material. A fight begins when two dogs (or more) that have been conditioned and trained to fight are put into the pit together.

The dogfight ends when one dog can no longer continue or when the owner of the dog throws in the towel as a sign of defeat. This often lasts around an hour, though it can go on for far longer. Gambling, betting and spectators are present during mainly illegal dog fighting.

Origins

Dogfighting has been documented in the recorded history of many different cultures, and is presumed to have existed since the initial domestication of the species. Many breeds have been bred specifically for the strength, attitude, and physical features that would make them better fighting dogs.

Blood sports involving the baiting of animals has occurred since antiquity, most famously at the Colosseum in Rome during the reign of the Roman Empire. However, in contemporary times, it is most associated with the English, who pursued it with utmost earnestness, which was barely known elsewhere in the world. For over six hundred years the pastime flourished, reaching the peak of its popularity during the sixteenth century. The various animal types involved in the bait allowed for the breed specialization and basic anatomical forms of fighting dogs, which we see today. Common breeds used in fights are: Bull terrier, Dogo argentino, Presa Canario, Fila Brasileiro and famous for its aggressiveness American Pit Bull Terrier.

Dogfighting has been popular in many countries throughout history and continues to be practiced both legally and illegally around the world.

Dogfighting nowadays

In USA dogfighting is a booming business. Even though it's illegal, an estimated 40,000 people, attracted to fight purses as high as $100,000, are involved in professional dogfighting. Experts speculate that there could be as many as 100,000 additional people involved in "streetfighting"- informal dogfighting, often involving young people in gangs. A bill signed by President Bush in May 2007 made the federal law against dogfighting tougher, by strengthening penalties to felony level. The law bans interstate commerce, import and export related to animal fighting activities. Violators can now be sentenced to three years in jail and a $250,000 fine. Previously the maximum sentence was a year in jail. Nevertheless, the nightmare of dogfighting is growing, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

Australia is another country where dogfighting is forbidden. It is also illegal to possess any fighting equipment designed for dog fighting. Despite this, there are many dog fighting rings in Australia which are often associated with gambling activities and other illegal practices such as drug dealing and firearms. The illegal nature of dogfighting in Australia means that injured dogs rarely get veterinary treatment placing the dog' s health and welfare at even greater risk. "Restricted Breed Dogs" cannot be imported into Australia. The Pit Bull Terrier and the Perro de Presa Canario are the only breeds currently known to exist in Australia and there are strict regulations on keeping these breeds, including a prohibition on transferring ownership.

There is completely different attitiude to dogfighting in Japan. Under modern rules, dogs fight in a fenced ring until one of the dogs barks, yelps, or loses the will to fight. Owners are allowed to throw in the towel, and matches are stopped if a doctor judges it is too dangerous. Draws usually occur when both dogs won't fight or both dogs fight until the time limit. Champion dogs are called vokozuna, as in sumo. Dogfighting is not banned in Japan, except in the capital Tokyo and a few other cities. Dogfighting does not have strong links to gambling in Japan.

The damage caused by illegal dogfighting

Dogs suffer greatly from the injuries inflicted by illegal dog fighting, not to mention the abusive training associated with it. Injuries from illegal dog fighting are often fatal, though the dog may suffer for days after the fight before actually dying. Common afflictions after illegal dog fighting include:

• blood loss
• dehydration
• exhaustion
• infection
• shock.

Many owners also brutally treat or kill dogs that lose illegal dogfights. Reports have been made of dogs being:

• drowned
• electrocuted
• hung
• shot
• strangled.

Illegal dogfighting has negative effects on other animals as well. During training for illegal dog fighting, owners often use "bait animals" to train their dogs to fight. These animals are essentially sacrificed to the fighting dog. Bait animals can include:

• cats
• rabbits
• smaller dogs or other small animals.

What's more, dogs that have been mistreated and trained for illegal dogfighting must be put to sleep if they are found or end up in an animal shelter. Because of how they have been treated, they will always act far too aggressive towards both animals and humans, making it unfeasible for them to ever be pets.

In some cases, illegal dogfighting can also put people at risk of serious injury or death. If dogs that have been trained to fight get loose, they may attack people, other animals and even small children.

Info and photos taken from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_fighting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_fighting_in_the_United_States
http://forums.canadiancontent.net/news/61370-inside-illegal-dog-fighting.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/07/18/dog.fighting/#cnnSTCText
http://www.thedogpark.com/articles/dog-breeds/pit-bull-breeds/illegal-dog-fighting.php

What do you think about dogfighting? Should it be legal as in Japan or forbidden? If you're against, how would you react to prevent those events from happening?

He, she and the money - stereotypes about meanness and extravagance

Spending money is something natural. Everybody knows, that if we want to eat, wear something, live somewhere or go for one place to another, someone have to pay for it. But some people have quite specific attitude to the money. They are mean or - on the contrary - extravagant. There are many stereotypes about these people. Some of them are connected with gender - but are they really only stereotypes?

MEN ARE PENNY-PINCHERS

The stereotypical stingy man is someone, who's the only bread-winner in the household, so he's deciding of his family budget. He wants to save as much money as possible, so he precisely evaluate amount of money, which he can give to his wife and children - of course for things, which are absolutely necessary or even less.

This description, although exaggerated, isn't false at all. According to the results of Karen Redwine's and Paul Zak's researches, the fact, how mean someone is depends on level of testosteron - masculine hormon. Researchers carried on the experiment on a group of 25 students. Then all of them were playing simple economical game - one of students have decided, how to share 10 dollars between him and another one, another one could accept or refuse his or her offer. They were playing both roles, once under the influence of a gel, which contained testosteron, another time without it. Results have shown, that under the influence of testosteron people were less willing to share money with others, even if they can obtain more, than they've given.

But the meanness can also beacme a pathological situation. In the discussion about it at one of internet forums we can read about such causes. One of users writes about a man, who almost didn't use a central heating, although it was winter, bought the cheapest products, and controlled his wife, when she was washing dishes (maybe she's using too much water, who knows it?), although his salary was really good.

WOMEN ARE SPENDTHRIFT



It's another side of the previous situation. A woman doesn't work and spend her husband's money on stupid things. She's so irresponsible!


This statement is also over the top. But it isn't unjustified at all. Researchers say, that money are important for women - they want to live with someone well off. The results of studies, carried on by University of Michigan assert, that women prefers extravagant partners, because they give women a signal of the fact, tat they'll be able to provide for their would-be family. The spendthrift men are also more experienced in living with women - they used to have more partners than more economical ones. They were also hoping to have many sexual partners in the future. According to the researchers, it's very old way of thinking - earlier women found attractive men, who were e. g. good hunters (so they could achieve the food).

Women as a shopaholics

Shopaholism(onomania) is the term, which means "the compulsive desire to shop. The addicted person gets into a vicious circle that consists of negative emotions like anger and stress, which lead to purchasing something. After the buying is over, the person is either regretful or depressed. In order to cope with the feelings, the addicted person resorts to another purchase.What differentiates oniomania from healthy shopping is this compulsive, destructive and chronic nature of the buying." (www.wikipedia.org)

It is thought, that women like shopping very much, while men usually can't stand it. Becky, the main character of a popular comedy "Confessions of a shopaholic" seemed to love it really... until the time, when she realized, how big debts she had ;-)


Confessions of a shopaholic - trailer: (I don't know, what language these subtitles are ;-))

LAST, BUT NOT LEAST...

Of course, we should take all of these statements with a pinch of salt - true or false, everything here is a big generalization. I hope that I didn't offend to anyone ;-)

This man, as we can see, doesn't worry about his money... and about stereotypes!

What's your attitude to spending money? Are you stingy or - by contrast - rather extravagant person? Do you accept it?

Subprime mortgage crisis

It’s a lasting real estate crisis and financial crisis engendered by a dramatic rise in mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures in the United States, mostly with harmful consequences for banks and financial markets in the world. Roots of this situation are in closing years of the 20th century.

Subprime mortgage crisis became apparent in 2006/07 by dropping estate prices and has heaved into view real weaknesses in financial industry regulation and the global financial system.

When adjustable-rate mortgages (with periodically adjusted interest rate) began to reset at higher rates, mortgage delinquencies rised. Securities backed with subprime mortgages, held by financial firms, lost most of their value. It caused a huge decline in the capital of many banks and U.S. government sponsored enterprises or initiatives, made a credit around the world tighter.

In 2008 (March/April) the most important banks in U.S (Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers, Citigroup) got some hurried benevolent fund drawing on financial reserve from various states. All in order to avoid progressing domino effect, banks’ crash, smash-up of businesses, general unemployment and depression alike in 1929. It was a short-lived improvement. In September Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy.

Stability plans, regulatory proposals and long-term solutions are intruduced to minimize the impact of the current crisis and prevent recurrence.

By February governments of states which belong to G8 have initiated rescue operation on about 3 bln $. In April 2009 G20 Leadrers Summit, which was created as a response both to the financial crisis of 2007–2010 and to a growing recognition that key emerging countries, adjusted that money markets need to be based on more strict regulations (concerning ex. hedge fund; liquidation socalled “tax havens”; establihsment an international trade sinking-fund) and be under constant surveillance.

The financial crisis, that has spread across all global markets, does not remain without an impact on Poland, although it was passing by in the beginning. Now noticable are: limitations on credits granting, speculative attack on polish currency, zloty in decline, financial problems of enterprises.

Polish market conditions are rated favourably against a background of European economies.

Poland was the only member of European Union with a grass domestic product growth during the crisis.

Do you have some observations associated with current subprime mortgage crisis?

What is you opinion about it?

Original ways to spend your money

Have you ever thought about what would you do if you were a multimillionaire? Of course there are many obvious ideas such as buying a huge house or quitting from a job and doing nothing for the rest of your life. But let's try to be original and find an unusual way to spend a lot of money.

1. Furnish your big and expensive house in uncommon style.

There are lots of gadgets and furniture which will impress you and all your guests! Thanks to them you can achieve an unique decore. Who doesn't want to have such a mirror or bath? They will make you feel special and exceptional. There are very expensive but definitely worth buying.




2. Take care of your money and keep it in an extremely secure place.

Even when you have a lot of money you still have to respect it and remember to treat it in the right way. Safe created by Karl Lagerfeld would be a great place for it. It is not cheap ($339,000) but if you're really well off you shouldn't care about it. If you prefer something more simple, you can choose a money-box. Of course it has to be original too. Just look at these examples:




3. Become an artist!

Why can't you use notes as a material for the real art? It it definitely impressive and original. Even if someone would tell you that it's a waste of money don't listen to these people, they're just jealous. Maybe you'll discover an unknown and sensitive part of your personality?



4. Wear your fortune!

This idea is meant for people who love being in the middle of attention and want to boast about their happiness. But remember: it may discourage the others from you. Of course, as long as you won't decide to treat some expensive gifts to them.



5. Make a trip of your life!

For just £28,450 you could be one of the few people in the world to drop to the ocean floor and view at first hand the mighty ship with the major design flaw. You can also get spiritual at the Ruins of Machu Picchu and the Sites of Cuzco in Peru. Such trip costs just $3,950/person. Isn't it a great idea for spending some time... And money?

6. Surround yourself with expensive and beautiful objects.

Everyone loves beautiful things so when you're really rich you can afford to buy all of them. Isn't it a nice feeling when you know that your Motorola V (£44,000) is one of the most expensive mobile you can buy or your Presidential MP3 Player which costs £25,000 just couldn't be more luxurious?
Remember: such products don't have to be necessary. You can buy whatever you want, starting with DVD Rewinder and ending with... Men's bra.





7. Do something good and unselfish.

Maybe it's not the most original way to get rid of your money but in my opinion probably the best one. If you can help someone who really needs it you should do it! It's not easy to resign from some goods but when you'll have courage to share you're affluence with the others everything else won't be important. You'll feel the gratitude which is priceless and amazing.

And you? What would you do if you had a lot of money? Do you have some crazy and original dreams?

Money

Nowadays we live in a world where money become a basic part of our live. Everything is centers on money. We wake up at 7 a.m and go to work in order to earn one's living, than we go to the market and spend it. I've found some interesting money facts:

* The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produces 38 million notes a day with a face value of approximately $541 million.

* 95% of the notes printed each year are used to replace notes already in circulation. 48% of the notes printed are $1 notes.

* The U.S. Department of the Treasury first issued paper currency of the United States in 1862 as a result of a shortage of coins and the need to finance the Civil War.

* During the Civil War period, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was called upon to print paper notes in denominations of 5 cents, 1 cents, 25 cents, and 50 cents. The reason for this is that people hoarded coins because of their intrinsic value which created a drastic shortage of circulating coins.

* In 1929, the size of currency was reduced to about 2/3's of its former size when production was converted to 12-subject plates. The familiar portraits and back designs of our currency were also established at that time.

* A stack of currency one mile high would contain over 141&Mac218;2 million notes.

* The approximate weight of a currency note is .032 troy ounces (12 ounces to a pound.) There are 490 notes in a pound.

* If you had 10 billion $1 notes and spent one every second of every day, it would require 317 years for you to go broke.

* Currency paper is composed of 25% linen and 75% cotton. Red and blue synthetic fibers of various lengths are distributed evenly throughout the paper. Prior to World War I the fibers were made of silk.

* Have you ever wondered how many times you could fold a piece of currency before it would tear? About 4,000 double folds (first forward and then backwards) are required before a note will tear.

* The following information regarding the average life of a Federal Reserve Note was provided by the Federal Reserve System - please note that the life of a note depends on its denomination:

$ 1 ...............18 months
$ 5 ................ 2 Years
$ 10................ 3 Years
$ 20 .............. 4 Years
$ 50 ............... 9 Years
$100 ...............9 Years

* Our present sized currency measures 2.61 inches wide by 6.14 inches long, and the thickness is .0043 inches. If each currency note printed was laid end to end, they would stretch around the earth's equator approximately 24 times. Larger sized notes in circulation before 1919 measured 3.125 inches by 7.4218 inches.

* The 100 dollar note has been the largest denomination of currency in circulation since 1969.

* The obverse and reverse of the Great Seal of the United States appeared in a currency design for the first time when the $1 Silver Certificate. Series 1935, was issued. The Seal dates back to 1782 -- before the Constitution.

* The legend, "In God We Trust," became a part of the design of United States currency in 1957 and has appeared on all currency since 1963.

* The largest note ever printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was the $100,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1934. These notes were printed from December 18, 1934 through January 9, 1935 and were issued by the Treasurer of the United States to Federal Reserve Banks only against an equal amount of gold bullion held by the Treasury. These notes were used for transactions between FRBs and were not circulated among the general public.

* The origin of the "$" sign has been variously accounted for, however, the most widely accepted explanation is that the symbol is the result of evolution, independently in different places, of the Mexican or Spanish "P's" for pesos, or piastres, or pieces of eight. The theory, derived from a study of old manuscripts, is that the "S" gradually came to be written over the "P," developing a close equivalent of the "$" mark. It was widely used before the adoption of the United States dollar in 1785.

* Contrary to popular belief, the automobile pictured on the back of the $10 note is not a Model "T" Ford. It is merely a creation of the designer of the bill.

* The hands of the clock in the steeple of Independence Hall on the reverse of the $100 Federal Reserve Note are set at approximately 4:10.

* Martha Washington is the only woman whose portrait has appeared on a U.S. currency note. It appeared on the face of the $1 Silver Certificate of 1886 and 1891, and the back of the $1 Silver Certificate of 1896.

* During Fiscal Year 1995, it cost approximately 4 cents per note to produce 9.7 billion U.S. paper currency notes.

http://www.soundvision.com/Info/life/facts.asp
pictures from http://thepirata.com/interesting-things-you-can-do-with-money/


Have you ever wondered who is the richest man in the world?

William Gates
Net worth: $ 40.0 bil, Fortune: self made


Software visionary regains title as the world’s richest man despite losing $18 billion in the past 12 months. Stepped down from day-to-day duties at Microsoft last summer to devote his talents and riches to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Organization’s assets were $30 billion in January; annual letter lauds endowment manager Michael Larson for limiting last year’s losses to 20%. Gates decided to increase donations in 2009 to $3.8 billion, up 15% from 2008. Dedicated to fighting hunger in developing countries, improving education in America’s high schools and developing vaccines against malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS. Appointed Microsoft Office veteran Jeffrey Raikes chief exec of Gates Foundation in September. Gates remains Microsoft chairman. Sells shares each quarter, redeploys proceeds via investment vehicle Cascade; more than half of fortune invested outside Microsoft. Stock down 45% in past 12 months. “Creative capitalist” wants companies to match profit making with doing good.

http://www.justsharethis.com/top-10-richest-person-in-the-world-2009/


And how about you? Do you attach importance to money?

Begging

Begging (or panhandling) is to request a donation in a supplicating manner. Beggars are commonly found in public places such as street corners or public transport, where they request money, most commonly in the form of spare change. They may use cups, boxes or hats to collect the donations. (wikipedia.com)

I'll show you some ways of begging and how to deal with it.

Child begging

Child labour in terms of begging is used as a profession by insecure group of people that forces children to beg. A child can earn maximum money by begging. They show burns on their faces and hands so they can earn more. As they grow older their earnings decrease, which gets most of them involve in robbery and prostitution. Child begging is the exploitation of children for money making reasons. Most of the people view it as way of relief for their hunger and unsatisfied needs. Earlier people believed that beggars were be physically disabled people who could not find work so they have to beg for their survival. However it has been noticed that nowadays that majority of them are physically normal children but due to their un-hygienic condition they may prone to get health problems.



Begging in th Internet

Begging like other activities has also adapted to the net taking on an "e-panhandling" role. Instead of begging on the streets, cyber panhandlers set up a website where they "beg" for money. Later variants tried to request money for their personal needs that were beyond their financial ability with some success. Begging has also become commonplace in the chatrooms of various gambling and poker websites. In poker sites, one will frequently see someone claiming that they are so good at the game that if someone lends $10, that it will be back to the lender with interest in a very short period of time. These may be desperate gaming addicts who have run dry, or they may not gamble at all and simply withdraw the money for their own use. Players of online games may beg for in-game currency, such as Gold in MMOs or Lindens in Second Life, which can be converted to real world currency.

Begging as profession in India

The beggars are fairly well-organized although they not unionized. They view new beggars with suspicion and try to find out his/her depth by typical questionnaires. They have a means of estimating and budgeting income and expenses. A small town beggar has a hard time to raise two to three Rupees per day while a city beggar can easily earn ten bucks. During the festivals, they could earn as much as thirty Rupees (the time of this writing). For commoners, this may look like a paltry sum, but we have to understand that the beggars do not have any expenses. No rent, no groceries to buy. The leftovers from the hotels is their dinner; else every beggar typically has a godmother who never refuses food for him/her. The roadside food courts typically provide discount prices to beggars. They travel in buses which have friendly conductors, without tickets and they always know that temples/churches/railway stations can be used for toilet and sleeping. Since they do not have a safe place to keep money, they carry with them all the time.

Is there any solution for begging problem?

In Makassar (Indonesia), for instance, citizens are banned from giving money to beggars. China and France have considered moving beggars permanently (though not into shelters or social service programs that work on root issues of begging and related social problems).

More innovative programs have been implemented, including street collection boxes in Aberdeen, Scotland, though many end in failure.


Still, Mexico City thinks it’s come up with the solution for street begging and the moral discomfort it raises in the prospective giver. The program “El amor nos une,” or “Love will unite us,” lets those who are tired of or uncomfortable with cash donations give coupons instead. The coupons, which the recipient can redeem for food, can be purchased at grocery stores throughout the city. Similar programs exist in Colombia and are planned for Chile.

In UK begging is illegal under the Vagrancy Act of 1824. However it does not carry a jail sentence and is not well enforced in many cities, although since the Act applies in all public places it is enforced more frequently on public transport.

If you are interested in this problem read the article about helping without giving money - http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/07/08/10-ways-you-can-help-street-children-without-giving-money

Do you support beggars on the street? Maybe you have idea how the goverment should deal with that problem?

The most dangerous jobs

Nowadays most of developed countries’ Gross Domestic Product is made in the service industries. Thus, the majority is employed as an office workers. We are surrounded by occupational health and safety regulations, security devices, safety certificates, health insurances and other stuff which makes us feel safe during our work. But there are some works which require courage. There is a noticeable group of irreplaceable people, whose work is extremely dangerous.

Miners

Even with present sophisticated equipment and safety regulations, miners are especially vulnerable to being injured. The number of fatalities connected with mining in 2008 in Poland amounted 22. Miners are endangered by well collapsing and methane explosion, which unfortunately are very common.

Loggers

One of the most dangerous profession is timber cutting. Loggers have an accident rate of about 120 per 100 000 workers, which is 30 times more than in a typical workplace. The main cause of death are falling trees – it is really hard to run between trees and through bushes. There are also many fatalities connected with working on a height. While hanging 100 feet in the air even a gentle breeze can result in serious injury or death. But tree-cutting is quite profitable – a good logger can earn 60 000USD a year.

Fishers

112 out of 100 000 fishers die during their work. Struggling with ocean is still difficult, even with modern fishing boats, advanced navigation systems and more accurate weather forecasts. Fishers know the risk and they accept it. Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” shows the most hazardous type of fishery – crab fishery. It is done during 4 or 5 weeks in winter, mainly in stormy, frosty Bearing Sea. Such conditions foster drowning, getting serious illness or getting smashed by some heavy gear. Fatality rate in the Alaskan shellfish industry reaches 400 deaths per 100 000 employees. Now then, why people decide to become crab fishers? The reason is simple – they can earn upwards 1 000 USD a day!

Electrical power-line installers and repairers

Fatality rate in this profession, compared to others isn’t very high – 35 people out of 100 000 employees dies during work with electricity. The number is low because of installers, who work with electricity turned off. Most of the deaths occur during preservation of high voltage lines, which cannot be turned off due to huge amount of electricity transfers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tzga6qAaBA

What do you think about above-mentioned jobs? Are they necessary? Is there any way of reducing number of deaths? Do you know any other dangerous professions?