If aggressive raccoons are routinely seen in your area, prepare your children for a possible encounter. Explain the reasons why raccoons live there (habitat, food sources, species adaptability) and what they should do if one approaches them.

By shouting a set phrase such as “Go away raccoon!” when they encounter one, instead of a general scream, children will inform nearby adults of the raccoon’s presence. Demonstrate and rehearse encounter behavior with the children.

People who see dead wild birds can report their observations on a new, toll-free telephone line established by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Most dead bird reports can be submitted by calling WDFW’s toll-free line at 1-800-606-8768.

The exceptions are dead crows, ravens, magpies and jays, which should be reported to local city or county health departments that are tracking those species for potential West Nile virus cases.

If you see a dead bird, please leave that information on our Dead Bird Reporting line at (360) 754-3355 ext. 6659.  When reporting let us know the location where the bird was found, the species of the bird, and the number of the birds observed.  Also leave your name and a telephone number if we need to obtain additional information from you. 

Any crows, ravens, or blue jays that are found can be tested for West Nile Virus if we can collect the birds within 48 hours and they are intact (not scavenged).  If the carcass has an off odor, is soft and mushy, has skin discoloration, feathers or skin that easily rubs off, or has maggots present, it is too decomposed for testing.
 
If you have any additional questions you can also call L. Darrell Cochran at (360) 754-3355 ext. 7524.

Princeton WordNet: Imperialism: A policy of extending your rule over foreign countries

Princeton WordNet: Empire: The domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised

Princeton WordNet: Emperor: The male ruler of an empire

It would seem that once you can prove the United States has a policy of "extending [our] rule over foreign countries," the other pieces to argue that empire does indeed exist simply fall into place.

Any foreign country entered, unless in a defensive conflict, is for the purpose of "extending rule." Now, that extension of power could be for defensive purposes, but in and of itself it is not a defensive action.

I've said it before: It's time to bring an isolationist back into office.

A "bootleg" tape made at The Brotherhood last Monday night:

A film series by Tamer Mansour, Ron Eggleton and voice over by Cindy Corrie:

OLYMPIA - Erik Lee wants to warn his neighbors to keep their pets inside after his mid-size dog was attacked by two raccoons.

Lee lives about seven blocks from where 10 cats were killed by raccoons in the Garfield Nature Trail neighborhood earlier this summer. He hadn't even heard what had been going on there.

Lee lives on Cardigan Street Northwest. He said there is about a 20-foot tree barrier between his home and soccer fields at Jefferson Middle School.

"There are plenty of wooded areas and creek beds where they can hide," Lee said Tuesday of the raccoons.

He said he let his Australian shepherd-husky mix out early Labor Day morning when she was attacked. He ran out and grabbed a garden hose and started whipping the bigger raccoon that was attacking his dog. The other raccoon charged at him, but ran off with the bigger one after it was hit twice with the hose.

His dog, Lucy, wasn't injured, but she smelled like rotted fish or garbage after the attack.

"I told several neighbors to keep their cats and dogs in, if possible, because these raccoons are really aggressive," Lee said. "The big one just stood his ground until whipped, and the other charged right at me without hesitation. Totally wild."