10-25-2005, 11:33 AM | #1 (permalink) | |
Junkie
Moderator Emeritus
Location: Chicago
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Goldfish Go Blind in Round Bowls, Let's Ban 'Em
Rome bans 'cruel' goldfish bowls
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Walking a dog three times a day? It's good business for dog walkers but what about people who have jobs... I'm all for the ethical treatment of animals, but this seems a bit ridiculous to legislate it. The wise ass in me wants to see a goldfish be given an eye test, or glasses for when it can't see. I'd imagine when I had my pirhana I'd have been arrested for feeding them goldfish... but really it was only the ones who wanted to die...
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10-25-2005, 11:47 AM | #2 (permalink) |
Comedian
Location: Use the search button
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Hey, I love animals; let me preface what I am about to say with that...
How would they enforce this? House-to-house searches? No, Ben, you have it all wrong... neighbours are supposed to turn each other in! Oh, great, just one more thing to make me feel alienated from my community. If you come to my door and claim that I am not walking my dog enough, I will respond with an inappropriate amount of rage, followed by the words "Prove It." To think that people have enough time in their lives to worry about the welfare of a 10 cent fish. No, even worse, about their fucking eyesight. I know I am going to eventually edit this post, but man am I feeling jaded and cynical right now. Fucking politicians annoy me sometimes. Please worry about the big things first. That is what society is paying you for.
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10-25-2005, 11:57 AM | #3 (permalink) |
I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot!
Location: Upper Michigan
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Ok it's good for a person to walk their pets thrice daily but what if the person happens to get sick one day? They let him out on his leash in the back yard for 10 minutes while he goes to throw chucks again. So if the dog poops and the guy bring him back in without sufficient 'exercise' they're going to fine or arrest this guy? Besides - how much is a 'regular dog-walk' 5 minutes, 10 minutes? How're they gonna even know? What if they say it has to be 10 minutes, I gotta go to the bathroom at 9 minutes and bring my dog in?
This is a little invasive and controlling for them to make laws like this? Not taking your dog for a sufficiently long walk 3 times a day is a far cry from chaining him in the back yard, day and night, rain or snow, and letting him sleep in a tiny wooden box and even worse - not feeding him daily. I can't imagine the logistics and time spent trying to enforce this. I doubt this will last long. The money spent to enforce this will cost too much too quickly for politicians to stick by it for long. And the goldfish thing? What reliable source is gonna stand by that one? How obsurd! If a gold fish isn't getting sufficient oxygen, you know what happens? They die - end of story.
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10-25-2005, 12:00 PM | #4 (permalink) | |
Junkie
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Location: Chicago
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10-25-2005, 12:01 PM | #5 (permalink) | |
Junkie
Moderator Emeritus
Location: Chicago
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10-25-2005, 12:05 PM | #6 (permalink) |
Addict
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When I see examples like this one, I think about how socialist Europe is becoming overly willing to legislate the daily affairs of its citizens. This is clearly a law that is overly invasive, disrespectful to the good judgment of pet owners, and not based on the actual physical needs of animals.
Where is the compelling state interest in banning goldfish bowls? Why the hell are we even assuming that goldfish have rights that the government should defend? Unless I'm missing something here, it's still legal in Rome to kill a fish, chop it up, and eat it. If that's legal, then what does it matter that round goldfish bowls supposedly cause the fish to go blind? I'm being driven towards libertarianism on a daily basis, it seems...
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10-25-2005, 01:33 PM | #8 (permalink) |
... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.
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What are Rome's laws about children? Are you required to peel your 12 year old away from his PS2 3 times a day and run him? Have they banned children from watching TV, as it can have a negetive effect on eyesight over a long period of time? Perhaps it is time to check our priorities.
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10-25-2005, 02:04 PM | #10 (permalink) |
Adequate
Location: In my angry-dome.
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The eyesight thing made me smile. Which came first: Bug-eyed goldfish or goldfish bowls?
Still, those things do mess with optics. We must look pretty crazy to the fishes. The new laws aren't economical but they fit with our broader understanding of non-human life. Conflicts with our ancient assumptions and behavior are unavoidable. If we can't treat all people equally, where do the critters fit? And what qualities makes a life-form worthy vs. dinner? I watched a science special a few months ago that touched on veterinarians. They mentioned how in the 80's working on birds was weird but now mainstream. They now treat pet fish, where 10yrs ago that was also weird. What's next? Then again, 25yrs ago I never would have believed tool-making crows, or chimps & gorillas who speak sign-language. It makes you think.
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10-25-2005, 02:15 PM | #11 (permalink) | |
Comedian
Location: Use the search button
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Police Detective: Our files say that the fish matches the description of one that belongs to a "BigBen". We've had problems with this piece of shit before. He takes his dog for 7.548 minute walks when it drops to -25c, instead of the regulated 10 minutes. Do you think the blindness was caused by a round fishbowl, doc? Coroner: I hope not. Let me run some more tests. Go pick this BigBen up, and if he gives you the slightest trouble... Detective: I know, doc, I know. Two shots to the chest, one to the head. I can't believe that people raise their kids to become like this. I think I am going to be sick.
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10-25-2005, 02:50 PM | #12 (permalink) | |
Free Mars!
Location: I dunno, there's white people around me saying "eh" all the time
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10-25-2005, 03:22 PM | #13 (permalink) |
All important elusive independent swing voter...
Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia
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Ahem - We missed the obvious: Who might enforce this you say?
Wait for it.... *cue superhero music* Ace Ventura, Pet Detective!!!!! Of course! I love the idea of little prescription eyeglasses for the goldfish (Thanks Mal for the hilarious visual, I haven't stopped laughing yet!) Ben, you do realize that Dr. Dolittle will be very busy performing "petopsies" in the morgue eh? |
10-25-2005, 03:37 PM | #14 (permalink) |
Too Awesome for Aardvarks
Location: Angloland
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Damn right, goldfish bowls (your bog standard ones) suck, and giving away fish at a fair is just cruel to begin with.
Go rome!
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10-25-2005, 03:46 PM | #15 (permalink) |
...is a comical chap
Location: Where morons reign supreme
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Hmmm...my goldfish has lived in a circular bowl his entire life (2 years!) and he freaks out and begins a frantic fishie dance whenever me or my husband walk into the room. Unless he has ESP, then I'm guessing he can SEE us. I guess I should go ask him eh....
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10-25-2005, 04:00 PM | #16 (permalink) |
alpaca lunch for the trip
Location: in my computer
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I was thinking about the whole round bowl oxygen thing, and it begins to make sense. Compare a square fish tank to a bowl, both containing a gallon of water, then examine the top surface of the water which is exposed to outside air. The square tank obviously would have more surface area available for oxidation compared to the top of the spherical bowl. Otherwise, maybe the Italians are taking in a bit too much Chianti...(if I were a fish, I would want to swim in wine for sure
I tried to find a picture of a goldfish wearing glasses, but none were available. This is the closest I could find. She looks rather goldfishy. |
10-25-2005, 04:21 PM | #17 (permalink) |
Adequate
Location: In my angry-dome.
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Or...
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There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195 |
10-25-2005, 07:47 PM | #18 (permalink) |
Addict
Location: Land of the puny, wimpy states
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bwaaahaaa haaaaa haaaaa haaaa!!!!!! that photoshop is priceless!
Laws to protect animals are great to bring issueslike pet abandonment to the public's conciousness. Some people are bad pet owners and may get some sort of nudge when there are regulations...I can't imagine most infractions being noticed... Anyone who abandons a pet should be punished. Heartily.
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10-26-2005, 04:56 AM | #19 (permalink) | |
Too Awesome for Aardvarks
Location: Angloland
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10-26-2005, 05:35 AM | #20 (permalink) |
Currently sour but formerly Dlishs
Super Moderator
Location: Australia/UAE
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has anyone realised that most golfish in bowls are always alone.
which brings me to my next point...with who else will the goldfish find sexual gratification except with its own fins?!?!?! yes masturbation makes you go blind... now...wheres my guide dog....
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10-26-2005, 11:57 AM | #21 (permalink) | |
Upright
Location: UK
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I don't think it should be a crime as people buy bowls out of ignorance or cheapness rather than deliberate animal abuse, but I do think they should perhaps stop the things being manufactured in the first place. Then if people want a fish hopefully the only option at most shops will be a small tank instead. It's not as if they're ridiculously expensive, but when the average person who knows nothing about fish has a choice between a cheap tank and a cheap bowl, they'll often pick the bowl if they're being sold as apparantly acceptable pet housing. |
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10-26-2005, 12:26 PM | #22 (permalink) | |
Junkie
Moderator Emeritus
Location: Chicago
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However, (and I really do like animals) in the grand scheme of things, the eyesight of a disposable pet should only be on some politicians radar if they've solved every other problem plaguing their city.
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10-26-2005, 12:59 PM | #23 (permalink) | |
Twitterpated
Location: My own little world (also Canada)
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10-26-2005, 01:14 PM | #24 (permalink) |
Upright
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I am completley against animal cruelty, but this seems to go to far. The goldfish bowl thing I can agree with, but having a FINE for not walking a dog? I agree they need to be outdoors and they need a bit of freedom, but giving a fine for just not walking them seems ludacris. Most people don't have the time OR effort to take a dog out 3 times a day...I have 2 dogs and I rarely get a chance to get them out that often anymore...
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10-26-2005, 02:52 PM | #25 (permalink) | |
...is a comical chap
Location: Where morons reign supreme
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10-26-2005, 05:17 PM | #26 (permalink) |
Think about it
Location: North Carolina
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Why can't the people with the goldfish bowls just buy a bubbler? I had one in mine and they cost, what, two dollars?
The dog walking law is ridiculous. I wouldn't be able to do that, and I can't afford a pet sitter.
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10-26-2005, 05:34 PM | #27 (permalink) | |
Tone.
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I think the point of the law is, if you don't have the time, don't get the pet. Far too many people get a dog even though everyone in the house works long hours and the dog ends up in a cage for 10-14 hours per day. How would you like to spend your whole life not being allowed out of your house but one or two times per day for a few minutes at a time? It's not cruel to the dog in the sense that you're not beating him or starving him, but it isn't the best life for the animal either. If you can't take a dog out 3 times a day then you need to rearrange your priorities. Hell, that's once in the morning, once when you get home, and once before bed. Why is that so hard? I think the real statement is "I don't WANT to take the dog out 3 times a day" which is fine, but if you feel that way, then you shouldn't have a dog. |
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10-27-2005, 03:13 AM | #28 (permalink) | |
Too Awesome for Aardvarks
Location: Angloland
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ban, blind, bowls, goldfish, round |
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