Historical debates
Review: 'Bonds of Silver, Bonds of Gold', by Kristina Tracer
Posted by Fred on Sun 4 Mar 2012 - 19:38This is a mature content book. Please ensure that you are of legal age to purchase this material in your state or region. (publisher’s advisory)
In an anthropomorphic mixed-species medieval world, Stannis, the eighteen-year-old rabbit narrator, sells himself into slavery at the Slavers’ Guildhall in Jazinsk’s capital for the 100 ducats it will bring to his impoverished mother, and to remove one mouth to feed among his large family. He immediately begins to learn his new status:
The [slave] lynx’s eyes widened, snapping away from mine to look over my shoulder. A moment later, a single clawtip touched the back of my neck, just above the collar that had already begun to itch. ‘That was your one free mistake,’ the [raccoon] slaver said, her voice suddenly full of ice. ‘I warned you before you crossed that threshold: your life is no longer your own. At this point, it no longer matters what happens to you. If I were a harsh master, I’d have beaten you the instant you spoke. If I were a cruel one, I’d have beat you before I collared you and made you thank me for being owned. You won’t always be told the rules. They may change without warning. They may not exist. Regardless, you must do your best to obey. Eventually, you’ll fail, and even if you don’t, you’ll still suffer for it. I’ll try to teach you the basics of your new life, but I will not hesitate to reprimand you, even for rules you do not yet know. Do you understand?’ (p. 8)
Bonds of Silver, Bonds of Gold is a novel of humiliation. Primarily sexual humiliation, described in graphic detail, but whatever kind his masters, their families, and his fellow slaves can put Stannis into.
FurPlanet Productions, January 2012, trade paperback $19.95 (304 [+ 1] pages).
Review: 'Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy'
Posted by Rakuen Growlithe on Sat 26 Nov 2011 - 20:40Matthew Scully is an unusual proponent of animal rights, coming from the Christian-favoured, U.S. Republican party. Indeed, he speaks about people automatically assuming he is on the side of hunters and pig 'farmers' when, in fact, he has been a vegetarian for over 30 years.
While Scully does support animal rights, he makes that stand from a generally religious perspective, arguing that current treatment of animals is an abuse of god-given dominion, and disagreeing with the secular reasoning of animal rights proponents like Peter Singer.
Scully's ability is shown when coming to the main thrust of his book, where he writes about animals, how they are treated and how they should be treated. He is an excellent writer (a former speechwriter for then-president George W. Bush), and a dutiful investigator, travelling to most of the places about which he writes.
Ready or not, the ponies return this Saturday
Posted by Sonious on Fri 16 Sep 2011 - 01:24The Bronies (the chosen name of post-adolescent My Little Pony fans) rejoice as a second season of the hit cartoon show Friendship is Magic begins tomorrow on Discovery Channel's cartoon channel The Hub (9 AM EDT). But before it comes out, it might be a good time to reflect and review what made the show such a hit in its first season.
A Furry "rare" book again?
Posted by Fred on Mon 5 Sep 2011 - 14:54Four months ago, Amazon.com was selling the out-of-print first edition of "Best in Show: Fifteen Years of Outstanding Furry Fiction" for $348.33. Now it's $477.82 (+ $3.49 shipping). Is anyone really paying these prices? (Retitled second edition Furry! is still in print for $11.11)
Should Flayrah feature selected fiction, like 'Anthro'?
Posted by GreenReaper on Sun 7 Aug 2011 - 20:52Two liger cubs nursed by dog
Posted by Fred on Tue 24 May 2011 - 19:41BBC News reports that two liger cubs, the offspring of a male lion and a female tiger, are being nursed by a dog at the Xixiakou Wildlife Zoo in China after the cubs' mother stopped feeding them. The ligers are very rare and are believed to only result from matings in captivity.
Alaskan congressman refuses award from 'extreme' HSUS
Posted by Insane Kangaroo on Sun 3 Apr 2011 - 16:38U.S. Representative Don Young of Alaska has refused an award from the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund after being recognized this week with 145 other members of Congress, according to a press release from his office.
"HSUS are hypocrites, plain and simple, and I will not join them by accepting this award," said Rep. Young, explaining his refusal. "Local animal shelters and humane societies do excellent work by caring for neglected and homeless animals, and through their spaying and neutering programs. This organization, however, has absolutely nothing to do with animal welfare. Instead they prey on the emotions of big-hearted Americans."
He elaborated on his reasons on the floor of the House:
I've been a hunter all my life. And they're against hunting. And that bothered me.
Humane Society COO and HSLF president Michael Markarian said that while HSUS "[disagrees] with [Rep. Young's] views on most animal welfare policies," they "also believe in giving credit where credit is due and recognizing positive actions."
Fchan.us domain name curiously unresolvable
Posted by GreenReaper on Sat 26 Feb 2011 - 10:55Furry imageboard fchan has dropped off the net after an update which saw it removed from the domain name system last night. [tip: Rakuen Growlithe]
The domain fchan.us appears to be in "serverHold" status, suggesting a removal due to financial, legal, or operational reasons. It does not appear to have expired.
Update: Site administrator Xenofur says the registrar messed up the nameserver configuration; fchan.hentaifor.me will work until they finish moving.
'Mongrels' nominated for two RTS Craft and Design Awards
Posted by The Chained Wolf on Tue 9 Nov 2010 - 13:18British puppet-based sitcom Mongrels has been nominated for two Royal Television Society (RTS) Craft and Design Awards.
The series, which revolves around the lives of five anthropomorphic animals who hang around the bin yard of a pub on the Isle of Dogs, London, has been nominated for two awards which are given within the areas of TV production. The winners will be announced on 24th November.
Fox spotted chasing squirrels at Capitol Hill
Posted by crossaffliction on Mon 8 Nov 2010 - 16:12CNN photojournalist Giaco Riggs took a few pictures of a Red Fox in pursuit of squirrels on Capitol Hill last Friday.
"It just showed up and was hunting a squirrel," Riggs was quoted by CNN as saying. "When he showed up, all the other squirrels ran away. When the fox went away, all the squirrels came back."