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"Give me the children until they are seven and anyone may have them afterwards."
(St. Francisco de Xavier)
"Give me a child until he is 7, and I will give you the man."
(Jesuit maxim)
Humor is a tricky thing. The ability to laugh, especially at one's Self, is health-giving and shared laughter can make for a very pleasant passing of routine, mundanely-tasked time. Humor also helps us maintain a modicum of perspective, for the slapstick of someone tripping and taking an awkward tumble that only bruises the ego reminds us that we're all human.
But, as in all things, there must be a balance and there is a very fine line between funny and sick. Take, for example, when humans do stupid and cruel things to animals. Giving a small amount of peanut butter to a dog and watching its reaction as it delightedly tries to get its mouth around it is amusing. Tying a firecracker to its tail, lighting said firecracker, and watching the dog's horrified attempts to get away from the perceived attack is not.
Yet there are those who would find the latter uproariously funny. And, along with others, I cannot help but wonder why? Why is causing deliberate pain to something innocent seen as fun sport? Surely those who would do such cruel things would be the first to inflict even greater pain on the perpetrator should it be done to them. And surely those who find humor in the telling of such stories would react in similar fashion. So why do they fail to understand that every living being, mammals in particular, feel the same sense of fear and often anger at the pain and betrayal of trust?
From the annals of psychology to the files of the FBI, cruelty to animals in children (one measurement of "conduct disorder") is seen as a harbinger of cruelty to humans and what is called "antisocial personality disorder" when carried over into adulthood. An interesting mnemonic* for the criteria of "antisocial personality disorder" is:
C - cannot follow law
O - obligations ignored
R - remorselessness
R - recklessness
U - underhandedness
P - planning deficit
T - temper
Now, the various aspects of this are not really relevant to this small blog, but they make my point. Those who would find humor in the telling of tales of cruelty to animals simply do not have all the little balls in their little holes. In some cases, it is suggestive of a truly darker side, in others, and perhaps at best, it shows a distinct distortion of ego functioning in the form of minimal empathic abilities. Normal people instinctively recoil from this, which often serves to aggravate the antisocial tendencies, the display of which should rightly be seen as a red flag when it appears in such benign settings as a dating site.
So as always, dear readers, caveat emptor.
------
* Pinkofsky HB. Mnemonics for DSM-IV personality disorders. Psychiatr Serv. 1997 Sep;48(9):1197-8
Note: This and all my blogs are moderated and comments that are irrelevant or intended solely to cause disruption will not be approved, in keeping with the site's blogging guidelines.
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read more blogs!
Blogs by sciurusniger:
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| ~ Code Blue: Humor (A Shameless Repost on Animal Cruelty) |
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fenderchick
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May 15 @ 10:48PM
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Well I am gonna tell you something that will probably sound horrible. The other day I was putting out the garbage and either a squirrel or a chipmunk, I can't really tell the difference was in my garbage can. It is one on wheels with a heavy lid.
...It must of went in there looking for food and gotten trapped inside so when I opened the can to put my garbage in he jumped up and I dropped the lid right on his tail because it scared the crap out of me...
I was upset and ashamed to say, scared, so I got the neighbor's son who is about 12 to open the garbage can and see if he could get it out. I thought I might of killed it or something. Thankfully it was alive and I just got him to tip the can at an angle so he could crawl out.I felt horrible but it ran away pretty quickly so I am sure it must of been allright, I hope it was anyways...
...Laughing when an animal is hurt is not my normal.
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Sweetheart83446
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May 15 @ 11:00PM
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~*~
<~~~Doesn't have anything else to say, you said it all. 
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Redwicket
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May 15 @ 11:02PM
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Sorry Sci...didn't mean to find joy in zapping natties 
Though I am a little twisted  It's my Sisters fault... 
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PullMyFinger
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May 15 @ 11:14PM
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It's rather telling and a good indicator of someone's RESPECT and psychological make-up when they find humor in torturing defenseless and innocent animals. It's become a practice on the Internet for some to gleefully giggle and chuckle at postings of video and images of animals mercilessly tortured, yes tortured.
To find humor in something like that is just absolutely sickening. Lately, it's wildlife that are the object of these sick and twisted ADULT minds, next it'll be the domesticates, like dogs and cats, even horses...and they'll giggle and guffaw at what they consider humorous.
Torturing something that can't fight back, that doesn't have a voice of its own, then finding humor in it...animals that are typically trusting of humans (until they run into one of these sick morons), is probably indicative of how they handle their relationships, family and friends.
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lazareth
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May 15 @ 11:27PM
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my pets:
Lazareth was adopted from my neighbor in NC he turned 10 years old last month
Mattie May-(RIP Ya'll now how much I loved her).. we stole her from an abusive home in the middle of the night
Templeton- was hit by a car, driver kept on going, I got him from the Vet's office when he was barely 6 months old, he is now going on 16 years old. He had nerve damage from the car and has only 3 legs
Miss Audie- Found her in a ditch when she was barely 6 weeks old, she is now going on 16 years old
Maggie- She was dumped here last fall, starving and sick, She is maybe a year old according to the vet
Lucy, Little One, and Bugger- All were dumped here August 2006 in the ditch along with their mother, all were still nursing
Peaches- born from a mother dumped at my house, she is about 9 years old
Ma- She was dumped out here at Donald's , she is going on 6 years old
LOL I dont think I have forgotten anybody....
All my animals have been spayed or neutered
Except Lazareth, he's my gay sweetie/body guard (really, poor puppy has never had any or even seemed interested)
All my pets are cast offs cause somebody else didnt give a chit and If I ever saw anybody dump/ abuse an animal I would have to call Sci to come bail me out of jail 
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bardnsage
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May 16 @ 12:03AM
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C - cannot follow law
O - obligations ignored
R - remorselessness
R - recklessness
U - underhandedness
P - planning deficit
T - temper
OK,,,I've started this comment, and erased this comment four times. Everytime I try to go down an intellectual path,,,,I stumple into another stack of opinions and thoughts of my own that seem to contradict what I just wrote.....which seems to be the essance of my own internal struggle right now....
So, trash it all,,,,,again,,,,,and boil it down to the common threads in all four comments.....
- I'm a professional at these behaviors.
- It makes me sick to my stomach.
- People are cruel and inflict horror out of ignorance or low self worth,
- Most of the systematic horrors inflicted on people and things, are done so in the name of "A Good Reason", "Justice", "God", "Country". but are just as wrong.
- I get Randy pushing a road flare into the eye of some SOB who just tried to kill me,,,,,,and I'll burn in hell for it. But is it cruel,,,,or does it depend on if I'm smiling or crying when I do it....heaven help me,,,,I don't know.
- Why is it OK to shoot the SOB who just tried to kill me,,,,,and pushing a road flare into his eye is not,,,,,does it make a difference,,,,,he's just as dead.
- Is it OK to shoot him in the foot, then the calf, then the knee, then the hand, then the arm, etc. etc.,,,,,if not, how come shooting him in the head is OK? he's just as dead,,,,
- Why is it OK to shoot him,,,,and not to nuke him from thousands of miles away?
I don't know. Perhaps,,,,it's because the true nature of cruelty is based in someones thoughts about what is excessive, normal, whatever,,,,, what is cruel to some, is not cruel to others.
Same paradox as labeling some murders as "hate crimes" and others as not. Seems to me if I strangle someone with an extension cord, or drag them behind the truck for couple of miles,,,,,it must have been a fairly hateful act,,,regardless of the reasons. Or is it less cruel if I just pop a cap in their head,,,,,and call them a bad name. Or is it somehow less cruel if I just pop a cap in their head and leave off the bad name. Our Law makes a distincition between the bad name and no bad name,,,,,,but not so much on dragging them behind the truck. Murder is murder,,,,,unless they tell you to do it,,,,,,then it's sign up for a ribbon party, ass grabbing drinking affair,,,,
So,,,,what is cruel.....what are horrors,,,,,what is OK killing and what is not OK killing,,,,,when is it OK to light a pack of people on fire,,,,,and when is it not.
Or,,,,is it just OK to do those things, and then not talk about them. Someone else go and kill, torture, and generally FUBAR people and places we don't like, but don't tell us about it or laugh about it, because then it's cruel.....
I'm not making a statement or an arguement,,,,,I truely don't know....what is cruel and what is not anymore...
When is OK to kill someone,,,,, and when is it not,,,,
When is it OK to talk about it,,,,,and when is it not,,,,
When is it OK to laugh again,,,,,and when is it not....
When is it OK to forget about it,,,,and when is it not,,,,
When,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
And that is what I am struggling with.......today, yesterday,,,,,and probably tommorow.
God forgive me, I don't know.
But I do know, the psycholigist who wants to label my actions as cruel as denounce me for it, better be able to show me the scars of his nightmares,,,,,or he's going to get a flare in the eye.
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redtigr
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May 16 @ 12:06AM
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Over the years of my life, I have adopted literally dozens of abused and neglected animals; the results of human indifference and cruelty.
I can state as a matter-of-fact, that were I to encounter someone in the process of abusing any animal, I would not hesitate to use deadly force to stop them - nor would I feel even a tremor or remorse. Those who abuse animals are sociopaths with no redeeming social value.
I repeat:
Those who abuse animals are sociopaths with no redeeming social value.
And those who see humor in torture lack empathy - and therefore can only be regarded as dangerous imbeciles.
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Redwicket
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May 16 @ 12:25AM
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Sci...PMF I had no idea that such horrendous things were being shown...I apologize
for my flippent comment. This is a serious issue and I would rather be harmed myself
than for an animal to suffer...truely.
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daisy315
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May 16 @ 12:40AM
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when I had my booth at the flea market.. there was a young coule next to me that were selling animals.. they let a friend of theirs sit at their booth one day and I watched in horror as he grabbed one of the puppies by the throat and slung it into its cage.. needless to say, he heard words coming out of my mouth that would make my momma blush..and then I threatened him with castration if I ever saw him touch another one of those animals again.. 
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blkfoot1954
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May 16 @ 12:41AM
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Any who would harm an animal and laugh about is not fit to be around anyone.
I have loved all the animals I have had like they are my babies.I can not understand how humor gets into cruelty to animals.Ones who do that are not fit to be in our society.Ones who throw animals out because they are moving or don't want them anymore are no better.Find them a new home,but don't throw them away like they are garbage.
Sci *~*
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sciurusniger
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May 16 @ 2:05AM
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So,,,,what is cruel.....what are horrors,,,,,what is OK killing and what is not OK killing....
I appreciate the effort it took to write and post this. Valid thoughts, valid questions for which I will make an exception and further share my perspective.
It is a natural reaction to kill in self-defense. It is natural for carnivores to kill for food.
When killing becomes unnatural is seen in only humans and cats, where killing for sport, for ego satisfaction, is the only goal. Even a "clean" kill under such circumstances can be defined as cruelty, for to take more than can be used then quite possibly deprives others who may have needed that animal in order to survive.
To be sure, dead is dead, yet to kill slowly (i.e. torture to death) or to mutilate the corpse is neither self-defense or sustenance - it is ego. Allowing the ego its indulgence in fear, anger, frustration, and a complete cutting off of all empathy in order to see the dead one as not a reflection of our very Self.
So, simply put, I believe cruelty comes when we try to put our Selves outside the natural law. When it comes to our interactions with either other humans or other species, it rather boils down to "just because we can does not necessarily mean that we should".
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bardnsage
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May 16 @ 2:44AM
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Thank-you for your prospective.
I can see your point about the natural laws of things, and killing for food or defense.
Perhaps this is the best explanation / reasoning I've heard. It does give a framework for the future.
I'll still wrestle with this issue, but I appreciate your even headed thoughts on the matter. Being so close to the subject, it is hard for me to find prospective.
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jentoblues101
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May 16 @ 7:36AM
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~*~
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wandaful123
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May 16 @ 9:26AM
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This, so needed to be said.Very, very disturbing behavior.
"caveat emptor."
You do know this won't happen... most would rather walk about moaning about the bad deal...
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Cynbaby
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May 16 @ 9:51AM
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I always said if I had a big farm somewhere upstate I would take in every abused & neglected animal I could find. My cat I have now, was abandoned like a bag of trash in the lobby of my ex-husbands building in an old smelly cat carrier. He already has 5 cats and other pets so he brought this one to me. His ribs were all sticking out and he smelled of urine. One year and a half later he's chubby, happy and the most loving creature I have ever had. 
I also believe that the laws should be much stricter against animal cruelty.
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EternalFlame
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May 16 @ 9:55AM
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~*~
Wonderful post, Sci. I don't know how I missed this before today.
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kattsmeow
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May 16 @ 12:36PM
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It hurts to even think about an animal being hurt or abused.
I decided years ago that there are three things I will stand by and do what ever I can to help.
Children
The Elderly
Animals.
Three things that can't help themselves and should be looked after.
Thank you Sci.
~*~
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PullMyFinger
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May 16 @ 5:50PM
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Sci...PMF I had no idea that such horrendous things were being shown...I apologize for my flippent comment. This is a serious issue and I would rather be harmed myself than for an animal to suffer...truely.
Red, you have absolutely no reason to apologize to anyone. We GOT it....lol
Listen, this blog was written a year ago in response to animal cruelty in the news. It's always in the news, a day doesn't go by when you don't hear of HUMANS cold heartedly abusing wild animals or domesticates in their charge and everything in between.
The recent rise in blogs and videos showing others abusing squirrels is expected in a place like this. Sci, because of her talent for writing and her relationship with me, has been constantly attacked by certain individuals on the site. It's expected, people will make up all sorts of excuses to justify their bad behavior, but cruelty is cruelty and sick behavior is sick behavior. You can spin it any way you like, "I'm just having a bit of fun", "Seeing squirrels flying through the air after being launched by a bucket is FUNNY" "It can't hurt them"...all of that is absolute bullshit. The animals that Sci takes in and rehabilitates are often the cruel result of such behavior by HUMANS. We're not just talking squirrels folks, she rehabilitates raccoons, cats, birds, dogs, opossums and just about ANY animal that can benefit from her years of training and years of experience in dealing with wildlife and domesticated animals.
Wild and domesticated animals DO NOT seek avenues that result in them being flung dozens of feet, landing on their back, head or any other part of their body. That isn't natural behavior for ANY animal, not just squirrels, but puppies,dogs,kittens,cats,raccoons,opossums, you name it ..it matters not who you are or what kind of animals you own and care for, posting videos and images of animals in distress for the ENJOYMENT and ENTERTAINMENT of others is abhorrent and psychotic behavior. It isn't my job to correct their behavior, this site has administrators for that, but if I see ANYTHING that advocates the torture of animals in any way, shape or form, I will report it through the appropriate channels and do my very best to stop it. Some of these people are PET OWNERS! Poor pets if you ask me, the second they become too old and require more attention, or they become sick, or considered like a piece of furniture, they'll be tossed out on the streets, handed to shelters who have no other choice than to put the poor thing down.
Again, people can spin it any way they want, but an animal abuser is an animal abuser just like a spousal abuser is a spousal abuser, or...a child abuser is a child abuser. ANYONE who finds humor in abusive behavior towards animals is a psychopath IMO and should be dealt with appropriately.
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EternalFlame
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May 16 @ 5:52PM
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PMF, that comment deserves a kudo!
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kattsmeow
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May 16 @ 6:06PM
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It sure deserves it!
~*~
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American_Woman
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May 17 @ 11:43AM
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EXCELLENT Blog!!!!
I have been rescuing animals as long as I can remember. I have seen things done to animals that has made me cry for days. All at the hands of humans. Whether it be actual physical harm or neglect, all animals that feel pain need and deserve respect.
I believe education is one key to prevention of cruelty. Children's treatment toward animals is basically taught to them by their parents. Animal Planet is doing well to educate some, but I think it would be helpful to bring it to the classrooms also. Thankfully, the laws are becoming stricter. People need to realize that animal cruelty is illegal and will not be tolerated.
Torturing an animal is inexcusable. Neglecting an animal is inexcusable, Finding humor in either is appalling.
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misschoos
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May 17 @ 2:02PM
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I don't understand how anyone can derive pleasure from the suffering of animals.
Certainly not the sort of person I would have any time of day for.~*~
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Redwicket
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May 17 @ 3:23PM
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People seem to think that animals don't feel pain or the cold or anything like we do...YES
People they do...when you leave your dog out in the cold that is abusive, when you tie
him out in yard and keep him from being a part of the family that is abusive...
They love, feel sad, miss interaction and feel pain JUST LIKE WE DO.
I've got you now PMF...know exactly what you are talking about...saw the blog and thought
hmmm this person says they love animals, but I'm not thinking so. Bad Energy people will
get Bad Energy back, trust me I've seen it happen. Yes, there is Justice in the Universe 
Sci, I know that you don't do the things you do for anyone's approval, it's who you are, But I
have the Highest Regard for You...And Lady that is Something that Very Few have. These
people WISH they could measure up to Your Little Toe in my book.
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misschoos
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May 17 @ 3:58PM
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I have to wonder why youtube allows that sort of video that involves
cruelty at the expense of the animals.
Perhaps they do have rules against it, but some get missed.
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loisday
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May 17 @ 4:19PM
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Great re-post......... 
I saw a blog in the past week where some thought hurting an animal was funny.
I attempted to post a comment that said: Soon there will be devices just like that......... the size to catch ugly "catty" people.
Not only was my comment not "allowed"............I got a nasty personal email.......... 
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naenae41
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Jun 8 @ 3:35PM
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Your right. Cruelty should not be accepted in any terms, whether it is animals or humans, or anything else it is just noth right. Doing stupid things to yourself...well... lets just say usually very funny as long as nobody else gets hurt. Then it is just stupity on your own part. You go girl.
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