And Then There's Maude

By Robert Wilonsky Thu., Jan. 1 2009 at 1:58 PM

Categories: News

Meet the new year, same as the old year -- at least when it comes to a certain resident of the Dallas Zoo. I so totally meant to make it out to the zoo this morning for the 11 a.m. Concerned Citizens for Jenny press conference (no kidding, 11 a.m.), but a two-houses-down wedding-slash-New Year's Eve party that lasted till the wee small hours made that rather, ah, inconvenient. So instead, this hangover announcement as we speak of reruns: Bea Arthur's the latest celeb to petition City Hall on Jenny the Elephant's behalf, insisting in a missive to Mayor Tom that she be moved to the sanctuary in Tennessee, the subject of a CBS Evening News segment tomorrow. Lily Tomlin, of course, did the same thing -- before shooting a PSA, addressing the Dallas City Council and performing at a Save Jenny benefit.

We'll post Arthur's letter later in the day as an update to this item, right before I submit it to the Pulitzer committee. But the Concerned Citizens aren't done fighting City Hall -- especially not after a recently released study revealed that "a zoo might be the least safe place in the world" for elephants, as Time put it. One word of caution to zoo officials: Do not piss off Oklahoma's Rue McClanahan. Valerie Harper, dunno about. But, really, Bea Arthur and the end of the holiday season can mean only one thing. Jump, why don't you, as I reconsider my priorities for the newly minted annum. --Robert Wilonsky

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Lady Godiva was a freedom rider; She didn't care if the whole world looked. Joan of Arc, with the Lord to guide her; She was a sister who really cooked. Isadora was the first bra burner; Aren't ya glad she showed up? Oh, yeah. And when the country was falling apart, Betsy Ross got it all sewed up. And then there's Maude, And then there's Maude, And then there's Maude, And then there's Maude, And then there's Maude, And then there's.... That uncompromising, enterprising, anything but tranquilizing, Right on, Maude!
What a bunch of losers. Too fascinated with gay men and lesbians. When the new exhibit with Jenny opens in 18months, her life will be far better than in a sanctuary. These "sanctuaries" with their feral dogs, rats and mice are disease centers for elephants. Just this week an elephant dropped dead at one from a rodent-born disease. Zoos need to do a lot more than they have and have made bad decisions in the past. Dallas Zoo is doing the right thing. Move Jenny to a "sanctuary" and you kill her. And she's still not "free", just standing alone and neglected in a bigger field.
I'm with Ilise and The Universe! I too will not forget to vote and show my displeasure of my council person who does not have the moral fortitude to stand up for Jenny.
oh for godsake, just get me a martini. right on, Maude!
Beverly, I think that may also come in part from misplaced parenting instincts. A dog needs you, a messed up dog all the more so. Having children does add to and changes a relationship/marriage. I think this duty is a huge factor. I am a landscaper and find myself in a lot of peoples homes and backyards. Lesbians particularly, tend to have multiple pets to a larger degree than the gen. pop. Gay men are similarly more likely to own multiple pets when they are coupled. I've had single gay male clients, I wonder if fewer single lesbians own homes. That would make some sense for various reasons. Not that there's anything wrong with that, 'cept all those beasts sure wreak havoc on a landscape and poo-poo isn't fun to mow. Talk about shit hitting the fan. Reminds me of an off color joke; what do you call a gay man with TMJ,--a real stick in the mud.
I applaud anyone who tries to help an animal or a human. Elephants don't belong in zoos period! Scientific research proves it. Elephants are space loving animals. When you confine them they suffer. It's as simple as that. I loved the CBS Evening News Report 'Assignment America' about the elephant and the dog at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee who were best friends. When the dog got sick the elephant wouldn't leave the house. Elephants are very emotional creatures. Many species do fine in a zoo environment. Elephants obviously don't. Zoos lose more elephants than they keep with their precious 'species survival plan process'. Sounds good in theory, but it doesn't work no matter how hard they try to spin it. While the issue here in Dallas is about Jenny we must also not forget all of the other elephants suffering in zoos and circuses across our country. I vote elephant free zoos and circuses! Children just want animals to be happy. Once they know the truth they're fine, plus they can see elephants at sanctuaries on open house days where they will learn the proper treatment of elephants.
I applaud anyone who tries to help an animal or a human. Elephants don't belong in zoos period! Scientific research proves it. Elephants are space loving animals. When you confine them they suffer. It's as simple as that. I loved the CBS Evening News Report 'Assignment America' about the elephant and the dog at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee who were best friends. When the dog got sick the elephant wouldn't leave the house. Elephants are very emotional creatures. Many species do fine in a zoo environment. Elephants obviously don't. Zoos lose more elephants than they keep with their precious 'species survival plan process'. Sounds good in theory, but it doesn't work no matter how hard they try to spin it. While the issue here in Dallas is about Jenny we must also not forget all of the other elephants suffering in zoos and circuses across our country. I vote elephant free zoos and circuses! Children just want animals to be happy. Once they know the truth they're fine, plus they can see elephants at sanctuaries on open house days where they will learn the proper treatment of elephants.
Those that spend time speculating on the sexuual orientation of an 85 year old actress who have give of her time to help save an innocent animal in pain is one fucked up cookie. Why fear showing compassion? Why do you beat your chest on trashing those trying to help out? If your penis that small? The Dallas Zoo has done nothing but tell one lie after another.
In two decades of working to help animals, I have noticed that homosexuals of either gender are usually more compassionate toward the helpless than is the general public. Time and again, they step up to donate their money, time and energy to prevent animal abuse and suffering. Could it be because of the discrimination they endure themselves that they exhibit this largesse? I don't know the answer, but as an animal rescuer, I have observed this generosity of spirit frequently when trying to obtain help for a suffering animal. In the meantime, this poor elephant that has been through so much continues to suffer. From the severe beatings and trauma she endured for years at the hands of a sadistic circus trainer when she was a young elephant - after her mother was slaughtered before her eyes - to the years of misery at the Dallas Zoo. What a sad commentary on our "civilized" society.
I've long had the hots for Valerie Harper. That may surprise you Rob, but that swarthy beauty gave me Mediterranean fever as a young lad, that's only grown so much dirtier...
LESBIAN!
^ right, and make-up artists didn't use wax in the '70s?
She ain't a lesbian, "She's a man, man." Look at the 5 o'clock shadow under (her) lip in the photo.
Toots- I know you really want it be so, but that wasn't me writing under "Toots is a Latent Lesbian". Must be another of your many prolific online stalkers.
As a "Family Guy" freak, everytime I see Maude, I think of the episode where Peter is watching the non stop opening to....Maude and he keeps waiting for the phrase... "and then there's Maude....and then there's Maude"...
Thank you, "The Universe", for bringing up a very good point: why don't the press investigate what exactly is going on here? Jenny continues to suffer, and it seems like only two council members (Hunt and Rasansky) have the humanity to care. I, for one, will be voting in the Council elections this May, and I will not forget my council person's forsaking of Jenny. Jenny who could already be enjoying 300 natural acres in Tennessee, if not for the City's cold-heartedness.
I can vouch that cp is the coolest person in Dallas.
Maude's "O Face" is truly a thing to fear.
Best post ever! George Lucas raped my childhood.
Pretty pathetic CP. This really puts a dent in your belief that you are the coolest person in Dallas.
Awww, Toots, are you mad that your BFF didm't lick you clitoris for you, baby???? Poor Baby... I am sure she will you ask the way she likes... *wink wink*
If a member of the Dallas media had some fucking balls they would do an investigative report and get to the bottom of this story. As people make jokes of this animals, other are very serious about seeing an animal suffer and knowing that it is a direct result of the care at the Dallas Zoo. Look at the medical reports. Why has the Dallas Zoo be caught in so many lies about this elephant. Leppert doesn't give a flying fuck. He is certainly not going to change his opinion based on some woman from Hollwyood. He would feel more emasculated that he already is. This story has never made a lick of sense. This is why there is some sort of cover up. What is the dealio Dallas Press Corp? Why not question the Mayor about something other than his fashion sense and haircuts?
Ahhhh...what's wrong CP.....upset I didn't wish you a Happy New Year too? Sorry, not everybody gets a Gold Star. This Fuck Face doesn't give them out to little Douche Bags........
Uh, Toots, what, do you have special gaydar that we gays don't have? She did an interview in 2001 in Out Magazine wherein she proclaimed her heterosexuality, so unless she's come out in the last five minutes, she's not gay. It's one thing to label guys like Pastor Jefferies as in the closet and creepy- he definitely deserves it- but someone who does an interview in a gay magazine- a opening to come out if there ever was one- and stays straight, flattered but straight, well, you're just being a, what's the word I'm looking for, a fuck-face.
What is it with Lesbian celebs and abandoned elephants?