Shooting Dogs Ok in Michigan?

In light of the current gun control debate raging across the nation, I cam across an interesting article detailing when gun owners can shoot dogs.  The article details four specific cases involving dogs and discusses options.

Shooting a dog attacking you or your livestock? OK, but think twice.

State law allows a person to kill a dog in self defense, though, or in defense of another person, or if the dog is in the act of attacking livestock, including poultry, Miller said. Poultry's right to "free range" is generally protected everywhere but cemeteries and airports, Miller said, something that may dismay the owner of a $500 dog shot in the act of killing a $3 chicken who learns the law is on the side of the chicken owner.

Farmers who used to follow the "shoot, shovel, shut up" practice of taking care of offending dogs, though, would be better to let the law handle livestock issues, Miller said. The county maintains a fund to reimburse farmers for livestock killed by dogs, but only for their market value as meat. If an animal control officer is able to identify the owner of dogs that killed livestock, they may be liable for the actual value of breeding or show stock, he said.

This was in response to a recent attack of a Pomeranian by a pit bull. The Pomeranian was killed and the owner was left pondering the notion of being armed and using a gun to kill a dog in the future.  Pomeranians are a popular breed of dog, known for how small they are coming in at 5-7 pounds.  They are also one half of the recently popular designer breed of dog called a Pomsky.  The Pomsky appearance is a mix between a Siberian Husky and the Pomeranian depending upon the genetic dominance that arises out of its parents.

Perhaps, the most fascinating thing I learned out of the article was the "free range rights" of chickens.  I had no idea.

Misguided Michigan Dems Looking to Help College Kids

The MLive headline reads:

College tuition: Michigan Democrats reintroducing plan as Republicans remain skeptical

What could possibly go wrong?

The article begins:

Michigan’s Senate Democrats are preparing to formally announce the reintroduction of a proposal they say is aimed at covering the costs of college tuition for state students, primarily by eliminating some types of business tax credits.

Obviously, this is a no-brainer.  All kids should be able to go get a free college education.  Especially when businesses are picking up the tab.  Republicans contend that the funding for this program is temporary and wonder what the state will do in successive years.  Not sure why Republicans are whining.  Of course the Dems will find a way to bamboozle somebody else with too much money for their own good.

It sure would be nice if we could ditch college all together since it has become an overpriced country club allowing adults to delaying becoming real adults for an extra four to six years. It is time we start holding students and schools accountable and actually produce some highly skilled employees for our labor market.  There are so many alternatives to college that do not get their fair and just attention. Instead of wasting four years and tens of thousands of dollars on a college degree that will leave them unprepared for the real world...wouldn't it be great if we actually channeled students towards real skills and real careers.  Ultrasound technicians make really good money, as do paralegals.  And you can learn how to become a paralegal without shelling out tens of thousands of dollars and four years of your life at a university.