Althouse: It's amazing, the human sympathy for animals.

October 14, 2009

It's amazing, the human sympathy for animals.

Would you help a skunk with a jar of peanut butter stuck on its head?

42 comments:

Anonymous said...: Yes.

Step One: Stick another peanut butter jar on its rear...; 10/14/09, 12:06 PM
Tibore said...: Hell NO! What happens if the skunk panics and... well... shoots??

Skunk can get himself out of the jam, thank you very much.; 10/14/09, 12:11 PM
Tibore said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 10/14/09, 12:12 PM
Bob_R said...: So if you are a "skunk whisperer," do you have business cards printed up? Will WB sue if you have a little picture of Pepe LePew on them? What happens when a skunk whisperer meets a WB lawyer?; 10/14/09, 12:14 PM
Charlie Martin said...: I should think a skunk whisperer ntage with a Hollywood lawyer.would have a decided adv; 10/14/09, 12:15 PM
Charlie Martin said...: Dammit. How'd THAT happen?

I should think a skunk whisperer would have a decided advantage with a Hollywood lawyer.; 10/14/09, 12:16 PM
Original Mike said...: Well, if standing back a considerable distance and shooting the jar with a high powered rifle constitutes help, yeah, I'll help.; 10/14/09, 12:17 PM
AllenS said...: I shoot every skunk I see.; 10/14/09, 12:22 PM
MadisonMan said...: Looking at the video, all I could think was: Wow, Skunks have no brain at all.; 10/14/09, 12:23 PM
bearbee said...: Of course.; 10/14/09, 12:28 PM
Bissage said...: For those of us unqualified to safely remove the jar of peanut butter, it would, nevertheless, be an appropriate kindness to offer the poor skunk a bar of chocolate.; 10/14/09, 12:30 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: If I knew how to help it the way that guy did, I might.

And I'm no animal sentimentalist.; 10/14/09, 12:32 PM
traditionalguy said...: This is a classic Red State response. Risking ones self to rescue a bad animal that deserves the mess it's in. And no million dollar grants asked for and awarded to an Oklahoma politico. Just good people being themselves in an orderly society full of dangerous Church-going Bible Thumpers.; 10/14/09, 12:36 PM
Joaquin said...: Of course I would!
I have no problem helping an animal that's is a jam.; 10/14/09, 12:38 PM
Anonymous said...: Would you help a skunk with a jar of peanut butter stuck on its head?

No, but I would call a friend, who is an Indiana Conservation Officer, and let him deal with it.

I would, however, capture his heroism on tape...from a safe distance. It would be the least I could do for a friend & a stinky beast.; 10/14/09, 12:47 PM
Beth said...: Why not? The animal will die without some help. If there's a way to assist, what's "amazing" about doing it? I wouldn't personally do it, but why not at least call the wildlife unit at the zoo?

I've found dogs with collars grown tight, one with a rope that was put on it as a puppy and it grew into it. It was starving, and still growing, and would have had a miserable death. Even being gassed at the SPCA is less awful than that.; 10/14/09, 1:03 PM
Hoosier Daddy said...: You carefully avoid the stink vein when skinning, they are quite delicious with fava beans and chianti.; 10/14/09, 1:03 PM
CarmelaMotto said...: Absolutely I would. I would try to trap it until I got it help from animal control.

Poor skunky.

My cat got a small bag dispenser box stuck on her head once and thank goodness I was home because she was quickly was in a panic and running into things. I am careful about things like that now.; 10/14/09, 1:18 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: Eet eez zee leet-el boi en em ,no? Ee lykes tu plai zee gäme ov jarlz, un ee duz not underlstaand zee dangelz.; 10/14/09, 1:27 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: Fourgiv mee, I shud say danjelz.; 10/14/09, 1:29 PM
Methadras said...: I would. My human sympathy for animals doesn't extend as human sympathy to my human brotherhood only because the differences between animals and humans is that animals don't know any better and humans do and should.

I'll help any animal in need, if I can. Humans too until they tell me they don't want it.; 10/14/09, 1:30 PM
rhhardin said...: Don't touch the bird is an emergency warning to kids.

Actually a bird/mammal is better off with you, if you know the slightest thing about what you're doing.

(Except the book's use of Purina Cat Chow no longer works because Purina reformulated it so it no longer soaks up liquid. The good stuff was red; today's is beige.)

Part of the liberal plan is interposing themselves between people and nature. Learned helplessness ensues.; 10/14/09, 1:39 PM
Aridog said...: Since I like most animals I've me far better than most people I've met, of course I'd help...with googles and gloves strong enough to avoid a bite, of course. Skunk stink washes off, suffocating & starving doesn't. Never been shot at by animals, people on the other hand....; 10/14/09, 1:46 PM
David said...: I would help it to die a peaceful death.; 10/14/09, 1:59 PM
bearbee said...: Dogs know the meaning of charity:
Dogs 'hang twenty' for charity event; 10/14/09, 1:59 PM
Meade said...: Sure I'd help a skunk, if I could. I would even help a hapless badger.

And speaking of badgers... isn't it time the University of Wisconsin updated its logo? That "motion W" is really atrocious.

I say go back to the classic "W." And at the same time, design the football helmet to read as actual badger heads, with mean aggressive badger stripes.

Now that would be tough -- tougher-than-a-buckeye tough!

Rose Bowl tough!; 10/14/09, 2:00 PM
JohnAnnArbor said...: Minnesota and Indiana need the help first, Rose-Bowl-wise. Wisconsin's gotten there much more recently.

A badger-themed helmet WOULD be cool, if the pattern was executed right.

I remember walking into the stadium late (3rd quarter) for a U-Mich/Wisconsin game in the mid-'90s, when Wisconsin was becoming good after a long period of not-so-good. Stadium was quite quiet, except for occasional yells: "THIS IS EMBARRASING!" and "WE'RE LOSING TO CHEESEHEADS!" Student section, so I guess they're expected to be rude like that.....; 10/14/09, 2:21 PM
Anthony said...: I like the Motion-W as opposed to the old one. The Washington W is still a block letter, but it works for me for some reason (I'm in Seattle, btw, but Badger by nature).

Badger stripes on the helmet would probably end up looking like the Michigan wings.

I'd help any animal I could. Far closer to God than I am. . . . .; 10/14/09, 3:09 PM
JohnAnnArbor said...: Badger stripes on the helmet would probably end up looking like the Michigan wings.

Not if they're like furry or something.

They once had Bucky Badger on the helmet (scroll down). (Main site is The Helmet Project. The internet has such wonders....); 10/14/09, 3:24 PM
Mark Daniels said...: No. I would never help a skunk. They're pesky pains in the backside.

By the way, I also think that we ought to let hunters bag about fifty deer per year. The things are absolutely deadly dangers on the highway.

And while we're at it, since geese apparently have no natural predators, I'd also like to see them exterminated. We refer to them as flying feces factories.

I think that our romanticization of the animal world is sentimental and silly.

And no, I'm not a member of PETA.

Word Verification: medic; 10/14/09, 3:25 PM
JohnAnnArbor said...: Some people keep de-scented skunks as pets. I've heard they can be quite nice.

Geese should be hunted as an abundant protein source.; 10/14/09, 3:47 PM
Sissy Willis said...: They're just like us, only cuter.; 10/14/09, 3:48 PM
Meade said...: Good work, JohnAnnArbor!

I like the early Wisconsin one.

Now, it isn't difficult to imagine that W morphing into a design that turns the entire helmet into a badger head, is it?; 10/14/09, 3:48 PM
JohnAnnArbor said...: I like the early Wisconsin one.

I'm partial to that W-on-the-front design, too. So rare to see design elements on the front or back nowadays.

Now, it isn't difficult to imagine that W morphing into a design that turns the entire helmet into a badger head, is it?

See, that's brilliant. Great idea. It might take quite a few iterations with the graphic artists, but a subtle "W" on the front sweeping back into badger stripes would be cool.; 10/14/09, 3:58 PM
Meade said...: We agree, JohnAA! And I can picture players using eye black to finish off the bottom points of the W. Very intimidating.; 10/14/09, 4:11 PM
Charlie Martin said...: Oh, for Pete's sake.

Yes, I'd help.

No, skunks aren't "bad" animals. They eat other small animals and insects and generally keep things cleaned up.

What happens if the skunk "panics and... well... shoots??" is that ideally you're standing at the head end while you take away the jar. If you have bad luck, then you maybe need to trash some clothes and take a tomato juice bath. Don't be such a baby.

Ideally wear long sleeves and gloves; like all mammals, skunks do sometimes carry rabies.; 10/14/09, 4:18 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: What Senca said.

Skunks can have rabies, otherwise I would try to help. Poor thing. Of course at some time he might actually break the jar him/herself and not need our help.

We have skunks wandering at night across our deck; along with foxes, coyotes, deer, raccoons and the occasional mountain lion. I don't open the door at night...needless to say. Just turn on the light and see who the surprise guest is this evening.

I've seen coats made from skunk fur. They are stunningly beautiful.; 10/14/09, 4:35 PM
Kylos said...: Reading comprehension folks: it wasn't the jam, it was the peanut butter!!!; 10/14/09, 5:24 PM
MamaM said...: More on the serious side, but still applicable is the Grace and Truth meausre I described yesterday with regards to the opinions and expectations of others.

Seeking solutions or reponses which attempt to balance or reconcile truth with grace, works with skunk senarios too.

What's the TRUTH or reality of the current situation?

Am I hungry, needy, responsible, alone, threatened, fearful, committed, repulsed, able bodied, angered or hankering after free skunk meat?

What GRACE or goodness am I able to offer or bring to the situation?

Do I have anything in the form of time, insight, willingness, ability, energy, experience, connections, tools or implements, necessary/helpful for addressing the truth or bringing about resolution?

Although answers will vary, the process is one which encourages and reflects personal integrity.; 10/14/09, 5:28 PM
knox said...: Check out the baleful expression on that badger.

: P; 10/14/09, 5:29 PM
daubiere said...: that skunk was kind of a chubster wasnt he? quite familiar with the bottom of a peanut butter jar i think...

i like how they are interviewing the skunk guy while the animal is still pacing around with the jar on its head in the background.

wv: trathedi. a hindu sect that regards the skunk as sacred.; 10/14/09, 6:14 PM
Meade said...: Heh. Knox!; 10/14/09, 7:04 PM