How would you react to this photo if it were in your hometown paper?

What adjective best describes your reaction?

(Mods: I'm posting this in General Discussion because it pertains to a media news story.)

My reaction is that Laura's facelifts seem to be working for her, but, she's still married to a monkey in a mansuit.

but as an ex zookeeper I can say that the only time I ever saw an orang pucker up like that it was getting ready to shoot you with a nasty wad of spit.

they can hit you between the eyes from 20 feet and they will wait until you turn and face them to do it. It causes general hilarity from all the apes except you. It really is quite amazing and funny if you are not the target.

there was a forlorn old zoo near where I grew up in NJ called Turtleback. There was one huge old orangutan who sat in his tiny cage all day. There was a crack down at the bottom of the Plexiglas where he could put his finger out. I spent hours of my youth touching that finger and looking into his eyes.

I have always wanted the opportunity to "meet" an ape and interact with them, but never again was able to.

While that is a sad story and there are many sad zoo stories I can say this about zoos. For the most part the people who work there are committed to making the animals existence as pleasant as possible and if they bring compassion for our environment and who we share it with to as many people as possible then I guess it can be justified. I can't ever go back. I loved my job but I can't see them like that anymore.

We used to come back from lunch early to bring frozen yogurt treats to the Great Apes. They loved it, it was an exciting part of their day.

Gorilla noses are the softest things I have ever felt.

We also sang Christmas Carols to them all on Christmas Eve with presents for all.

I can not bear to hear what is happening to the great apes (especially the gorillas) caught up in civil war and human cruelty. They hold more secret knowledge than we will ever likely know--all because of our refusal to think of animals as more than a lesser species to our own.

that what we may think of as instinct and inferior to us is actually far superior to many of our "advanced" reasoning skills.

Think of the elephants. My God, the things we are doing to them.

You are correct about their secret knowledge. Just because they are unable or (shall I say it?) unwilling to pass it to us does not mean they are in any way inferior.

I understand them far more than I understand most people.

my own animals-- there is something very instinctive that comes with a close relationship. And, never a day goes by that I don't see something that amazes me in terms of animal intellect, instinctiveness, awareness, and emotional quotient.

I too feel I understand (at least dogs) far more than most people. And, I share your appreciation (and guilt--re: the elephants, apes, and others with obvious advanced emotions. I admittedly have mixed feelings about zoos--but far less than in the past given the major improvements and advances in animal care--At the same time, I'm also very glad they exist. Otherwise I'd never get to appreciate these wonderful animals. So tragic that so many of our fellow humans are so arrogant as to ignore what is right in front of them. We humans are not all that special at all.

I feel so badly for the way we have treated some of these noble apes....What must they think of us (humans?)

Is someone implying something perverted about this? :eyes:

A bunch of people in Raleigh, NC, were outraged by it. :wtf:

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/readers/index.php?title=animal_rights&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

And get their panties unwadded. Geez, people get offended by the littlest things:eyes:

Is it the tongue that is bothering them? Do they let their dogs lick them? My Lab will occasionally catch me with my mouth open. It is gross but innocent. Good grief.

kissed/licked me--occasionally, I'm sure I've momentarily encountered their tongue on my face in the midst. But, for God's sakes, how is this a big deal? People that make something perverted or sexual about EVERYTHING drive me mad.

A lot of dog people kiss their dogs like that - I am not one of them (dog people or kissing dogs).

while you may not be a "dog person" or "dog kisser" can you imagine why someone would construe those who are and this level of affection for their dogs as anything but loving affection (even if you believe it as "nuts?"

How on earth anyone equate all forms of affection with "sexual"? Sad.. really sad...

I am now officially grossed out.

Comment from: Daryl Baker
12/22/05 at 13:52
Helps to explain where Democrats come from!!!! ...or at least liberals...

:silly: I wonder where she got the neat red outfit.

I took a bath and everything and she still choose the chimp.

And no, I'm not oriental nor female.

:)

But why is she kissing our president?

then I'd shrug and say (as grannie did) "Each to his own said the old lady as she kissed the cow".

I think it's funny :shrug:

on edit: as in funny-weird AND funny-haha

to impeach *bush... carrying on like that with another woman. wonder what laura thinks about that?

Do people in Raleigh somehow believe that this is some 'liberal' attempt to destroy Christmas or something?

Or do they think the paper's editorial staff is subtlely endorsing, 'evolution'!!!!! OMG

It was on the front page of this newspaper newsandobserver but I still can't find the exact link to the story.

it is always unconditional (and therefore a lesson in what Christmas is supposed to be about), while the love we humans show one another is never more than conditional.

eom