We research sea turtles and the primary focus of our study is the etiology of a tumour disease called Fibropapilloma. One of our discoveries has surprised even me. We've concluded that documenting a sea turtle contagion that can lead to disfiguration and protracted death less depressing than researching Mississauga Municipal Governance.
Yes, Boys and Girls ---true. Depressing as it is corrosive-to-the-soul.
The study of Municipal Governance in the Province of Ontario can sure bring a person down. Seems with every new discovery, I can chalk up some new atrocity to the human spirit.
When that study is centred in the city of Mississauga, well... let's just be charitable and say that --Words Fail.
Forgive me but I've scraped such bottom that I have to stop. I need time to rinse my brain and purge. That's all I will say today. Purge. Cumulatively, it's just all so despicable. So toxic.
Thank goodness for the sweet distraction of sea turtles. Funny how since 1989 my husband and I have worked to Save the Sea Turtles. And now they're saving us --Sea Turtles. And Humour.
We worked on three sea turtle videos this week and the best thing about them is none have anything to do with Mississauga. (Such relief in that!)
We also present our Mississauga-based comic strip featuring sea turtles as well.
In this weekend's episode, "Howzit's Rued Surprise" (yes, "Rued"), our Hawaiian Hero, Howzit, finally finds out what a 'Mississauga' is.
But first the videos. Footage from our dives last week. Please note that the Hawaiian word for sea turtle is "honu" and this fun video is called:
Honu Hula
Here's something unique in all the world. While there are photos of sea turtle hybrids, this is the only hawksbill/green turtle cross ever documented in the Hawaiian Islands.
We named this unqiue creature "Wai?" --Hawaiian for "Who" because when we first saw it back in 2004, we couldn't tell Who we were looking at. A hawksbill? Or a green sea turtle? We now know that Wai? (yes, name comes complete with a question mark) is a Bit of Both species.
We made an alarming discovery when Wai? showed up this week. He has a fibropapilloma tumour in the right eye. Yes, this video shows what is (at least for the moment) a one-of-a-kind Hawaiian hybrid sea turtle who is now documented with the early stages of this loathesome--and potentially deadly--disease.
Because there are hawksbill genes involved, we’re concerned that Wai? is a possible vector that could spread FP to the Hawaiian hawksbill population-–which would be a horrible thing. (Hawaiian hawksbills are rare --critically endangered species)
This troublesome discovery is obviously important and needs to be documented, although it’s difficult to monitor Wai? because we only see this turtle two or three times a summer. The potential for spreading the disease is there and somebody has to keep an eye on it..
That's what we do. We're Observers. With The Stage set, you are now ready to watch:
Introducing Wai?
Here's more detail for anyone interested in learning more about Wai?.
For fun, this is video of Wana scratching. "Wana" is Hawaiian for "ray of light". We've known Wana since July 26, 2000. This footage is from last week.
And here's this week's cartoon. If you want to see the previous strips first please see:
"MISSISSAUGA --Howzit's Going!" Comic Strip Archives
Howzit's Rued Surprise (yes, "Rued")
Beginning this weekend, we've linked our webpage Turtle Trax with Mississauga Musings. So you can now check out the entire Mississauga-comic strip in our archives at:
"MISSISSAUGA --Howzit's Going!" Comic Strip Archives
This coming week's Blog entries may be sporadic. The verdict for "The Pat Saito Backed by the Mississauga "natural person" vs Antonio Batista Trial" comes down on Friday. It's important that I write something prior...and it'll take time.
Last.
If there's anyone who's free on Friday --I mean a citizen willing to bear witness at Brampton Court, I know that Mr. Antonio Batista will appreciate you being there. As will I.
You see, I know with absolute certainty that the traditional media will fail him-whatever the outcome.
Signed,
The Mississauga Muse
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"Edward R. Murrow --My Hero". To Go Directly to the clip on YouTube or Google Video)
"Mississauga Saga". To Go Directly to the clip on YouTube or Google Video)
"A Flag named The Andre Marin". To Go Directly to the clip on YouTube or Google Video)
All "Antonio Batista Pothole Poet Trial" Blog entries:
THEIR MISSISSAUGA, yes, and ever increasingly --THEIR MISSISSAUGA (May 27, 2007)
Hypocrisy Democracy (May 28, 2007 7:27 am)
"What would Edward R. Murrow do? What would he want me to do?" (May 28, 2007 11:55 pm)
"We have to send a message to the public" Crown Attorney. (May 29, 2007 2:51 PM)
A pothole never loomed so large (John Stewart's "Random Access") (May 30, 2007)
"The government must not silence its critics by force." ---Clayton Ruby (May 29, 2007) (May 31, 2007)
"She does not think how you feel" Antonio Batista (June 4, 2007)
"Mrs. McCALLION what is wrong with the City of Mississauga?" (Antonio Batista) (June 5, 2007)
"Reasonable Person Test" --Crown Witness (June 6, 2007)
And I bet you thought that I'd forgotten about Antonio Batista, huh? (July 16, 2007)
"We must employ every possible tactic to dissuade those who try to silence us with fear"
---The Mississauga News Editorial (2007-03-24)
Click here for John Stewart's Blog
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