Domino Effect ranch now operating as RDA Equine Services

After months of negative publicity surrounding Domino Effect ranch in Weeki Wachee, Florida, Robert and Dinnelle Ashcraft have implemented a new strategy for their horse business. They are now operating at the same location with an additional name, RDA Equine Services.

The addition of RDA Equine Services to Domino Effect Rescue Ranch, came after WTSP Channel 10 News aired a report in April. It said that said Robert Ashcraft “lied” on his Florida application for fundraising, which lead to the Domino Effect license being revoked. It was later reinstated when Mrs. Ashcraft reapplied in her own name, and truthfully reported that her husband was a convicted felon.

Under the terms of Robert Ashcraft’s agreement with the State of Florida, he was forbidden to handle money on behalf of Domino Effect ranch, a non-profit organization. So Mrs. Ashcraft set up RDA Equine Services in her name, as a for-profit company.

RDA Equine Services is titled with the initials of Mrs. Ashcraft’s husband, Robert Delany Ashcraft.

According to the Domino Effect Facebook page, “RDA Equines Services is off again to pick up horses today in Polk City, Florida transporting them to their new homes in Deland, Florida."

"Profit or Nonprofit ~ ALL funds go towards caring for the animals here at the Domino Effect Rescue Ranch!!!” Domino Effect added.

RDA Equine Services is now operating on behalf of Domino Effect ranch with Robert Ashcraft as its only employee.

Watch the WTSP TV Channel 10 video on Domino Effect Rescue Ranch, "Horse charity trouble"

Related reports:

• Domino Effect Rescue Ranch shut down to avoid state criminal charges
• Domino Effect ranch: Florida DCS gives convicted felon a fundraising license
• Domino Effect Ranch has license revoked by Florida DOA
• Brooksville, Florida Animal Control too busy killing animals to talk to people who want to adopt

 Originally published: Tampa Animal Welfare Examiner

Bernanke warns of economic damage from deep budget cuts

Warnings grow on Republican budget cuts

Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, agrees with many economists, who have warned Republicans in congress not to follow the failed economic policies of European nations who have ruined their economies with deep and sudden spending cuts.

“Bernanke told the Joint Economic Committee that lawmakers face a delicate challenge: They must avoid deep spending cuts that could impede the recovery.”

Senator Max Baucus agrees. “The United States is on a "dangerous path" that could lead to a European-style fiscal crisis, warned the Senate's top tax legislator on Monday,” according to Reuters. “We're on a dangerous path. If we don't act, it could lead towards fiscal crisis like some European countries,” Baucus added.

Economist Mark Weisbrot compares deep budget cuts and austerity measures to “pouring gas on a fire,” and said the European financial crisis created a “self-inflicted recession.”

Cuts in government spending means layoffs of federal workers, which takes spending money out of the economy. When US consumers spend less, demand for goods and services decreases, causing further economic contraction.

With deep budget cuts, Republicans are actually selling more unemployment under the auspice of ‘smaller government.’ But in reality, the policy is in complete contrast to proven methods to stimulate job growth.

What Republicans want and what they can get with Citizens United

There is no doubt that Citizens United has brought more money into the 2012 elections than any other election in history. There is also no doubt that most of it is coming from ultra conservative groups with Super PACs. There is a goal for these millions of dollars, and it does not paint a pretty picture for most Americans.

If you look at the pattern that has emerged since the Citizens United decision allowed unlimited corporate spending in U.S. campaigns, it is terrifying.

What the Supreme Court has done with Citizens United has allowed a handful of very wealthy people, both Americans and foreigners, to buy the representation of their choice in U.S. elections, so laws and regulations can be changed in their favor. The balance of the population is not even an afterthought.

Permanent damage to democracy and freedom.....full story

Greyhound rescued from highway fights to survive injuries

No one is really sure exactly how a greyhound ended up running lose on Interstate 75, near Gainesville, Fla., but when he was finally caught by a Good Samaritan, the two year old brindle-fawn dog began a fight for his life.

On May 9, Goldcoast Greyhound Adoptions rescue volunteer Kendra Stauffer posted an account of what happened to "Freeway" on the Goldcoast Greyhound Rescue Facebook page.

"We got a call from Judy Shamp of the Orlando branch about a greyhound running down I-75. Some folks stopped traffic to get the dog and held him until I could get there. He was in shock, had a fever, and was severely dehydrated. He is a 2-year-old fawn male. He still had his racing muzzle on and his kennel collar. I have no idea if he was being hauled and escaped or is loose from a local kennel and frankly, don't care. He has over 20 wounds on his body, some severe, and some pretty serious road rash."

Freeway was rushed to the University of Florida....Full story....

If you would like to help Goldcoast Greyhound Adoptions, Inc., with a donation for Freeway's care and medical expenses click here.

Goldcoast Greyhound Adoptions is a registered 501 c3 non-profit corporation.

Mac vs. PC: Is an Apple computer really better than a PC?

There are millions of hard core MacBook Pro users who say they would never buy a Windows PC. They cite a variety of reasons for their Apple brand loyalty, ranging from the customer service is better, to the user interface is simpler, to the operating system in a Mac is just superior to Windows. But better for some may have a different meaning than it does for others. 

There are some distinct advantages to using a MacBook Pro over a Windows PC. For one thing, OSX Lion is born with dozens of built-in Apps which are part of the operating system. They can easily be stored on Apple’s iCloud servers and shared on multiple devices, like other computers and iPhones.
Full story....

Video: WTSP TV cameras expose Florida horse rescue with animal cruelty complaints

TAMPA- WTSP Channel 10 News aired a Special Report on Thursday night that placed an unfavorable light on the Domino Effect Rescue Ranch in Weeki Wachee, Florida. Within minutes of the broadcast, the owners of Domino Effect, Bob and Dinnelle Ashcraft, began posting threats against Emmy Award winning reporter, Mike Deeson, for "broadcast lies," and threatened him. "You will be held accountable for these lies," Domino Effect said.

The WTSP News Special Report focused on complaints of animal cruelty at Domino Effect Ranch, the underfeeding of 'rescued' horses, and Ashcraft's charity fundraising license, which was revoked by the State of Florida in January after it was discovered that Ashcraft "lied on his application."

Read full story...

2012 Macbook Pro redesign on its way to Apple stores

A completely redesigned 2012 Macbook Pro appears to be set for mass production in April, giving further support to reports that change is on its way to Apple Stores.

The first of the 2012 Macbook Pro redesigns is reported to be the 15-inch model, which will be shedding its optical drive and taking on the trimmer form of the sleek Macbook Air....Read full story

Florida Domino Effect ranch banned from soliciting FREE horse donations

Domino Effect Rescue Ranch is no longer allowed to ask people to donate free horses or any other donation. The ranch has been under scrutiny since last November, when a blindfolded horse bound for the Domino Effect ranch was severely injured.

Under a signed agreement with the State of Florida, the Domino Effect Rescue Ranch has agreed to stop soliciting for donations in exchange for avoiding criminal charges from the Florida State Attorney's Office.

Robert Ashcraft, the owner of Domino Effect Rescue Ranch, failed to report his recent felony convictions on his Department of Agriculture application to solicit donations. Convicted felons are not permitted to solicit in the State of Florida.

Ashcraft is allowed to continue operating as a horse dealer, but must do so only with his own money.

According to the Settlement Agreement signed by Ashcraft, failure to comply will result in the State of Florida, "imposing the maximum penalties authorized by Florida Law, and may seek additional remedies in court." (see photo)