“For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting.”

- Gen. George C. Patton

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When I got home I went through my usual GPS download ritual and used the new Google Earth (I just had to try out Google Sky yesterday) to create my KML file and uploaded it to the server. However, when I tested it Google Maps kept complaining that it contained an error. No additional info, just that the file had an error. After scratching my head for a while and doing several google searches, I found this. For the impatient, I’ll summarize. The new Google Earth saves KML 2.2 files (the old one saved KML 2.1) but Google Maps doesn’t support KML 2.2. Doh!

The fix is easy though. Just open up the KML file and change the second line from:

<kml xmlns="http://earth.google.com/kml/2.2">

to:

<kml xmlns="http://earth.google.com/kml/2.1">

Perhaps yesterday’s praise of Google was a little premature.

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I think I’ll be having a lot of fun with this feature.

As some of you know, we’re the exceedingly proud owners of two American Staffordshire terrier mixed mutts. Both were rescued as puppies. Babbage came to us from Underdog Rescue (which, although they don’t mention it on their web site, is one of the few local rescue organizations that will place suspected pit-mixes with responsible, capable owners) and Pascal came from a friend’s neighbor who, well, probably shouldn’t have had a dog period. Needless to say, we love them dearly and I find myself in the lonely position as someone who believes that these dogs of strong body (they truly are “ripped”) have even stronger character. It’s no accident that they used to carry the nickname “nursemaid’s dog” because of their strong love of humans, especially children (no, not the taste of children, smartypants).

I won’t go into my usual rant mode because the article does a much better job of explaining the idiocy behind Breed Specific Legislation (keep in mind that Minnesota is poised to debate this issue in the next legislative session — call your representatives). However, I will emphasize one point that I don’t think is stressed enough in the article. These bans are at least partially race-motivated. On our walks, there is a marked difference in how we are treated by fellow “white” Minnesotans and how we are greeted by African Americans. That is, the former overwhelmingly react with some degree of fear (i.e. crossing the street to avoid us) and the latter come right up to us and ask if it’s okay to pet them (which, of course, it is) while they tell us what beautiful dogs they are. This difference has been so stark and unexpected, that I have to believe that there’s a cultural influence in how one views this kind of dog (Michael Vick’s story not withstanding). Some see a potential time bomb and others just see a dog. Keep these cultural biases in mind as you read about lily-white, suburban legislators extolling the dangers of “pit bulls.” The subconscious motivations for their anger might not be as altruistic as they make it appear.

Finally, if you are so inclined, please make a donation to Underdog Rescue. They’ve done more to prevent dog bites by placing neglected dogs of all breeds in good homes than any legislation ever will.

Tell ‘em Babbage and Pascal sent you.