Three to Read for Monday, April 28

* Steve Duin: The Beanworld, Resurrected (via Dirk)

* All the Comics in the World: The Boys of Shojo Manga (also via Dirk)

* Mindless Ones: Candyfloss Horizons Forever! (via Brian Cronin)

Super Cat

Today's Bizarro is brought to you by a grant from the Jimmy B. Whatagain foundation. "Your name is what again?" "Yes!"

I'm a fan of animals of all sorts (with the possible exception of humans) and I enjoy exploring in cartoons the differences between cats and dogs. I used to consider myself a "dog person," but now, after living with cats for a number of years (a much easier pet in NYC because you don't have to "walk" them) I like them both equally. They are very different, however, sort of like comparing drama with comedy. Not "apples and oranges" different, more like Shindler's List and Meatballs different.

We have two cats who list this address as their own, but still regularly foster dogs. So we get both experiences, without committing to 15 non-stop years of walking a dog three times a day. Plus, we travel a lot and dogs shouldn't be left without their family too often or for too long. The cats, on the other hand, can't wait for us to leave and sometimes even change the locks.

There is a movement among animal rights folks to expunge the word "pet" from our vocabulary in favor of "companion animal." The feeling is that "pet" is a derogatory term. It is also suggested that we replace "owner" with "guardian." I personally find PC language to be suspect because most attempts are erroneous. In the case of race language (i.e. Oriental/Asian, black/African American, etc.) the term to be replaced only seems derogatory when racists utter it with disdain. "Oriental" is not an innately derogatory term – it means Eastern. Why is "Asian" better? Making a racist switch words, won't change their bigotry. I am, of course, not talking about obvious racial slurs or slang.

Regarding the "pet" and "guardian" issue, I agree with one but not the other. I don't find pet to be a derogatory word, in fact, quite the opposite. "Pet" denotes "favorite."

"Owner," on the other hand, I have given up. I don't think one should "own" a sentient being, so I say "guardian." As anyone with pets knows, they own you more than you own them.

Suicide Food

Just found a blog devoted entirely to mentally depraved animals who beg to be carved up and eaten. This is a phenomenon that saturates all modern human cultures and one I've wondered about since I was a kid. I guarantee there are several in your neighborhood. Very funny/creepy stuff.

Suicide Food

I first found this link on Vegan.com, an all-around terrific, no B.S. blog.

Monday Morning Music

My favorite new album is Through These Walls by Hilary McRae. She's the first developing artist signed to Starbucks' Hear Music label (but don't hold that against her!) Imagine that Joss Stone found a bunch of previously unknown early-Chicago charts in a drawer somewhere and decided to record them, and you'll have a sense of what McRae's music is like.

Here's her first video, for the album's opening track "Every Day (When Will You Be Mine)":



You can listen to the entire album by streaming it from Last.fm

If you like what you hear, you can purchase the album from iTunes and Amazon.