The trauma the little bay horse in this video suffers is absolutely heart-wrenching. It should NOT have happened. In my entire history with horses, horsemen, and cowboys alike (yes, I do count them as different beasts), I’ve never seen such a despicable, unadulterated lack of compassion. If this is representative of the rodeo industry as a whole, DEFINITELY count me out.

And call me enemy.

If you’re interested in learning more, please visit SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness and help save a pony.

Please.

I’ve also found OpenOffice.org to be a delightful replacement for the Microsoft Office suite. Unlike changing operating systems, replacing MS Office with OpenOffice.org is fairly simple. There are subtle changes to some features, but otherwise, they’re very similar in look and feel. Again, instead of paying $200 to $500 for software you can’t use how you wish, you can help support projects like OOo with donations or your time. That time you give may be as simple as letting your friends and family know it’s a great program and that they should try it. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool!

Yes, I’d like everyone to abandon Microsoft. You know the addage: Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely. There are alternatives to surrendering the freedom to choose. Some are more difficult than others. We didn’t like what the Republicans have been up to and so we let them know by voting in the Democrats. David beat Goliath.

We could win, too.