Oh sure, so you think by taking away this pack's leader they wouldn't be the least affected? What about the close relationships alpha dogs have with the rest of the pack, and perhaps it's beta mate? You didn't account for the emotional losses of the pack in your 'utopian' explanation. What if there were no other dogs in the pack suitable to be the next alpha and the pack died off? Sure, you say NO ONE suffered from this, but how about Nub's pack? Being the leader of the pack is about the same thing as being in a family that they have to be responsible for and watchful over. Thus the husband/children metaphor. I made Nubs a woman because the metaphor wouldn't work with Dennis going off with a man, but my point is that you guys were equating the worth of a dog to a human.
As for the abused bit, I wasn't disregarding it- I'm simply saying that it's not exclusive to that region.
Why is it that a MAJOR in the army can be going around taming wild dogs and nursing them back to health? Aren't they supposed to be fighting the war? Don't give me that 'they need a break' crap either, they know what they signed up for and know the consequences of their choice- whether it be post-traumatic stress or suicide or whatever. He knew it was against the rules to keep a dog with him. He wasn't supposed to be taming 'Nubs'. Having Nubs detracts from his concentration on his work in Iraq, and just because he had the resources to preserve this pastime/whim/relationship of his with Nubs, he transported this dog all the way to the U.S.. Maybe he should've learned the lesson that sometimes you have to give things up, like when a little kid has to give up their dog when they move houses. Sad, but necessary- especially in war when one can't hold on to luxuries such as pets.
On another note, it's pretty sad to see you all resorting to overly mocking and insulting retorts to my comments to try and make me feel bad. What makes me feel bad is that your denouncements of me just make me pity you more.
I pity those who apparently can't read, even more so than those who lack a heart. Please take the time to read over my comments then tell me again how I don't have a heart for animals and innocent people. For your information, I have had 3 turtles, a cockatiel, 4 hamsters, and 6 fish. 'Dufas' is spelled 'doofus', and how could you say an animal is any more innocent than a starving child? I suppose all the world cares about are the cute things.. save the pandas and leave the malaria-stricken children outta our sight eh?
Okay, this is my last bit. Pets are pets, humans are humans, the worth of one cannot be equaled to another.
"Animals are amazing. People, are Meh at best most times." "Hey, it’s going to cost money to move your kid from California to New York with you. It’d be more practical to leave it behind and get a new one. That’s about how ridiculous some of those arguements are. Some people seem to have no heart."
Man.. I hope to God you guys never reproduce and run our country then.
Yes I was criticizing Dennis for spending so much on a dog because personally, I am baffled by it, as for criticizing him for not doing enough for everyone else using his own money- I intended to argue that in relation to Neatorama's "Banana Wall" article 5 days ago and how the responses to the articles were so different when they were practically the same thing IMO.
I answered the 'valuable bureaucrat' question in #25, btw. I mentioned the banana wall article because it's basically the same situation as this one is: http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/10/wall-of-bananas/
If the artist that made the banana wall donated money to feed starving kids, cool. As for your questions, #1: please read my comment #35, and #2: because they want to? I don't convince people to buy my art, it's their decision.
I'm not quite if you understand me though, because I totally agree with your second paragraph. Art and creativity is indeed a vital part of our world.
I am helping =] Maybe not landmines specifically, but there are so many causes that need help- I only have so much money/help/time to give. I helped donate to the drilling of a new water well in Africa through World Vision's Christmas catalogue this year.
Have you adopted a dog in the past three years? You haven't? How DARE you let some poor stray waste their life away in an animal shelter.. you heartless person, you.
I meant the bureaucrat's time is valuable, not the bureaucrat themselves. And I yes I'm an artist; I'm in art school so I can get a job and earn money, and I actively donate to World Vision.
In the face of war? Do you know how many people starve, die, or are suppressed? The violence they witness, the grief they experience? There are so many landmines that need to be taken out, schools rebuilt, health care needs, and their lives restored? These people, victims of war, really need our help. True, this guy might have built an amazing bond with the dog. So you care more about the alievation of a dog's sufferings in the face of war than the sufferings of war-torn people?
Oh sure, so you think by taking away this pack's leader they wouldn't be the least affected? What about the close relationships alpha dogs have with the rest of the pack, and perhaps it's beta mate? You didn't account for the emotional losses of the pack in your 'utopian' explanation. What if there were no other dogs in the pack suitable to be the next alpha and the pack died off? Sure, you say NO ONE suffered from this, but how about Nub's pack?
Being the leader of the pack is about the same thing as being in a family that they have to be responsible for and watchful over. Thus the husband/children metaphor. I made Nubs a woman because the metaphor wouldn't work with Dennis going off with a man, but my point is that you guys were equating the worth of a dog to a human.
As for the abused bit, I wasn't disregarding it- I'm simply saying that it's not exclusive to that region.
Why is it that a MAJOR in the army can be going around taming wild dogs and nursing them back to health? Aren't they supposed to be fighting the war? Don't give me that 'they need a break' crap either, they know what they signed up for and know the consequences of their choice- whether it be post-traumatic stress or suicide or whatever. He knew it was against the rules to keep a dog with him. He wasn't supposed to be taming 'Nubs'. Having Nubs detracts from his concentration on his work in Iraq, and just because he had the resources to preserve this pastime/whim/relationship of his with Nubs, he transported this dog all the way to the U.S.. Maybe he should've learned the lesson that sometimes you have to give things up, like when a little kid has to give up their dog when they move houses. Sad, but necessary- especially in war when one can't hold on to luxuries such as pets.
On another note, it's pretty sad to see you all resorting to overly mocking and insulting retorts to my comments to try and make me feel bad. What makes me feel bad is that your denouncements of me just make me pity you more.
I pity those who apparently can't read, even more so than those who lack a heart. Please take the time to read over my comments then tell me again how I don't have a heart for animals and innocent people. For your information, I have had 3 turtles, a cockatiel, 4 hamsters, and 6 fish. 'Dufas' is spelled 'doofus', and how could you say an animal is any more innocent than a starving child? I suppose all the world cares about are the cute things.. save the pandas and leave the malaria-stricken children outta our sight eh?
"Animals are amazing. People, are Meh at best most times."
"Hey, it’s going to cost money to move your kid from California to New York with you. It’d be more practical to leave it behind and get a new one. That’s about how ridiculous some of those arguements are.
Some people seem to have no heart."
Man.. I hope to God you guys never reproduce and run our country then.
Yes I was criticizing Dennis for spending so much on a dog because personally, I am baffled by it, as for criticizing him for not doing enough for everyone else using his own money- I intended to argue that in relation to Neatorama's "Banana Wall" article 5 days ago and how the responses to the articles were so different when they were practically the same thing IMO.
I answered the 'valuable bureaucrat' question in #25, btw.
I mentioned the banana wall article because it's basically the same situation as this one is: http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/10/wall-of-bananas/
If the artist that made the banana wall donated money to feed starving kids, cool. As for your questions, #1: please read my comment #35, and #2: because they want to? I don't convince people to buy my art, it's their decision.
I'm not quite if you understand me though, because I totally agree with your second paragraph. Art and creativity is indeed a vital part of our world.
I got it, I just wanted to cover my bases ;)
I am helping =] Maybe not landmines specifically, but there are so many causes that need help- I only have so much money/help/time to give. I helped donate to the drilling of a new water well in Africa through World Vision's Christmas catalogue this year.
My art is more valuable than food for starving children? Where are you getting this from? My art is the way I pay my bills and donate to World Vision.
So, what do you think of the banana wall?
Have you adopted a dog in the past three years? You haven't? How DARE you let some poor stray waste their life away in an animal shelter.. you heartless person, you.
I meant the bureaucrat's time is valuable, not the bureaucrat themselves. And I yes I'm an artist; I'm in art school so I can get a job and earn money, and I actively donate to World Vision.
In the face of war? Do you know how many people starve, die, or are suppressed? The violence they witness, the grief they experience? There are so many landmines that need to be taken out, schools rebuilt, health care needs, and their lives restored? These people, victims of war, really need our help. True, this guy might have built an amazing bond with the dog. So you care more about the alievation of a dog's sufferings in the face of war than the sufferings of war-torn people?