for discussion:why do people hate cats?

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 19:50:03 GMT, "Governor George Liquor"
wrote:

I've always wondered about this, but the rash of negative postings over the
last day or two (the Clay Aiken quote, the Portland trapper, et cetera) has
prodded me into posting. Why is it, or what is it about them, that elicits
such strongly negative reactions from those that don't like cats?

I've had Jack for nine months now, and Rizzo for almost six, and in that
time I've been, at times, insufferable (though no more so than a new parent
or grandparent) about showing picutres of and talking about them. Most
people are interested, and some are bemused. A significant minority has
expressed with great virtiol how much they hate cats. These are otherwise
rational, or even enlightened, people, but when I mention my cats I get a
viscerally negative reaction. Some have even told me with disturbing
enthusaism how they like to physically abuse cats. In my own experience,
people that don't like dogs or other domestic animals may just grimace or
grunt, or ingore the subject. People that say they "hate" dogs usually
suffered through having a loud or destructive dog nearby, and generally
don't mean dogs actual, physical harm. Cat haters seem to delight in
recounting the individual tortures they've visited on hapless cats. A
recent local instance where a dog was physically abused garnered much
greater television coverage, police response, and citizen outrage than two
more gruesome instances of cat abuse combined.

IMHO -- it is because dogs slobber and poop -- because cats scratch and poop --
I had a neighbor who said cats gave her the "creeps" because of their eyes. I figured
she felt they could see through her pretenses. I'll bet most of them
never think of who had to clean up after them when they were babies.
Then again there are people who don't like babies. As for those who
torture animals, well, I think they are mental cases that have not as
yet been diagnosed.

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 19:50:03 GMT, "Governor George Liquor"
wrote:

I've always wondered about this, but the rash of negative postings over the
last day or two (the Clay Aiken quote, the Portland trapper, et cetera) has
prodded me into posting. Why is it, or what is it about them, that elicits
such strongly negative reactions from those that don't like cats?

I've had Jack for nine months now, and Rizzo for almost six, and in that
time I've been, at times, insufferable (though no more so than a new parent
or grandparent) about showing picutres of and talking about them. Most
people are interested, and some are bemused. A significant minority has
expressed with great virtiol how much they hate cats. These are otherwise
rational, or even enlightened, people, but when I mention my cats I get a
viscerally negative reaction. Some have even told me with disturbing
enthusaism how they like to physically abuse cats. In my own experience,
people that don't like dogs or other domestic animals may just grimace or
grunt, or ingore the subject. People that say they "hate" dogs usually
suffered through having a loud or destructive dog nearby, and generally
don't mean dogs actual, physical harm. Cat haters seem to delight in
recounting the individual tortures they've visited on hapless cats. A
recent local instance where a dog was physically abused garnered much
greater television coverage, police response, and citizen outrage than two
more gruesome instances of cat abuse combined.

IMHO -- it is because dogs slobber and poop -- because cats scratch and poop --
I had a neighbor who said cats gave her the "creeps" because of their eyes. I figured
she felt they could see through her pretenses. I'll bet most of them
never think of who had to clean up after them when they were babies.
Then again there are people who don't like babies. As for those who
torture animals, well, I think they are mental cases that have not as
yet been diagnosed.

"Governor George Liquor" wrote in message
...
I've always wondered about this, but the rash of negative postings
over the
last day or two (the Clay Aiken quote, the Portland trapper, et
cetera) has
prodded me into posting. Why is it, or what is it about them, that
elicits
such strongly negative reactions from those that don't like cats?

I think it is basic insecurity. Cats are independent, mysterious,
slinky and agile and full of surprises. Dog people generally love the
slobber-all-over-you stuff that dogs do, and enjoy a big dumb creature
bumbling after them all the time like they are God, feeding their
fragile egos.

Don't get me wrong--I love dogs, too, but from afar. While I love
puppy breath, dog breath and dog drool and the smell of a dog that
needs a bath just doesn't do it for me. I love everything about cats.

In the larger picture, anyone who would hurt any animal, let alone a
helpless domesticated animal is just a sociopath who should be
confined and kept away from all creatures he or she might hurt until
they die and go to that special place in hell reserved just for them.

"Governor George Liquor" wrote in message
...
I've always wondered about this, but the rash of negative postings
over the
last day or two (the Clay Aiken quote, the Portland trapper, et
cetera) has
prodded me into posting. Why is it, or what is it about them, that
elicits
such strongly negative reactions from those that don't like cats?

I think it is basic insecurity. Cats are independent, mysterious,
slinky and agile and full of surprises. Dog people generally love the
slobber-all-over-you stuff that dogs do, and enjoy a big dumb creature
bumbling after them all the time like they are God, feeding their
fragile egos.

Don't get me wrong--I love dogs, too, but from afar. While I love
puppy breath, dog breath and dog drool and the smell of a dog that
needs a bath just doesn't do it for me. I love everything about cats.

In the larger picture, anyone who would hurt any animal, let alone a
helpless domesticated animal is just a sociopath who should be
confined and kept away from all creatures he or she might hurt until
they die and go to that special place in hell reserved just for them.

"Governor George Liquor" wrote in message
...
I've always wondered about this, but the rash of negative postings
over the
last day or two (the Clay Aiken quote, the Portland trapper, et
cetera) has
prodded me into posting. Why is it, or what is it about them, that
elicits
such strongly negative reactions from those that don't like cats?

I think it is basic insecurity. Cats are independent, mysterious,
slinky and agile and full of surprises. Dog people generally love the
slobber-all-over-you stuff that dogs do, and enjoy a big dumb creature
bumbling after them all the time like they are God, feeding their
fragile egos.

Don't get me wrong--I love dogs, too, but from afar. While I love
puppy breath, dog breath and dog drool and the smell of a dog that
needs a bath just doesn't do it for me. I love everything about cats.

In the larger picture, anyone who would hurt any animal, let alone a
helpless domesticated animal is just a sociopath who should be
confined and kept away from all creatures he or she might hurt until
they die and go to that special place in hell reserved just for them.

"kaeli" wrote in message
...
In article ,
enlightened us with...
I've always wondered about this, but the rash of negative postings
over the
last day or two (the Clay Aiken quote, the Portland trapper, et
cetera) has
prodded me into posting. Why is it, or what is it about them,
that elicits
such strongly negative reactions from those that don't like cats?


Because many people hate what they don't understand.
Others hate what they can't control. [snip more great stuff]

Great answer, Kaeli!

"kaeli" wrote in message
...
In article ,
enlightened us with...
I've always wondered about this, but the rash of negative postings
over the
last day or two (the Clay Aiken quote, the Portland trapper, et
cetera) has
prodded me into posting. Why is it, or what is it about them,
that elicits
such strongly negative reactions from those that don't like cats?


Because many people hate what they don't understand.
Others hate what they can't control. [snip more great stuff]

Great answer, Kaeli!

"kaeli" wrote in message
...
In article ,
enlightened us with...
I've always wondered about this, but the rash of negative postings
over the
last day or two (the Clay Aiken quote, the Portland trapper, et
cetera) has
prodded me into posting. Why is it, or what is it about them,
that elicits
such strongly negative reactions from those that don't like cats?


Because many people hate what they don't understand.
Others hate what they can't control. [snip more great stuff]

Great answer, Kaeli!

I've always wondered about this, but the rash of negative postings over
the
last day or two (the Clay Aiken quote, the Portland trapper, et cetera)
has
prodded me into posting. Why is it, or what is it about them, that
elicits
such strongly negative reactions from those that don't like cats?


I've always thought that people who hate cats have "control" issues. They
can't control cats like they do dogs so they loathe them. Personally, I love
the fact that cats are so independent and that they have their own mind.

My sister used to have a boyfriend who once threatened to "kick" my cats if
they went near him. I was astounded that he would make such a threat in my
mother's house (I was living with her for a few months). If he was in MY
house I would have asked him to leave immediately and never come back. Thank
goodness the relationship didn't last. I don't trust people who profess to
"hate" cats.

I would never become involved romantically with someone who didn't like
cats. Cats are a part of my life, and to be with me means to be with my cats
too.

Flippy in Melbourne, Australia.
My Cats: http://www.flippyscatpage.com

I've always wondered about this, but the rash of negative postings over
the
last day or two (the Clay Aiken quote, the Portland trapper, et cetera)
has
prodded me into posting. Why is it, or what is it about them, that
elicits
such strongly negative reactions from those that don't like cats?


I've always thought that people who hate cats have "control" issues. They
can't control cats like they do dogs so they loathe them. Personally, I love
the fact that cats are so independent and that they have their own mind.

My sister used to have a boyfriend who once threatened to "kick" my cats if
they went near him. I was astounded that he would make such a threat in my
mother's house (I was living with her for a few months). If he was in MY
house I would have asked him to leave immediately and never come back. Thank
goodness the relationship didn't last. I don't trust people who profess to
"hate" cats.

I would never become involved romantically with someone who didn't like
cats. Cats are a part of my life, and to be with me means to be with my cats
too.

Flippy in Melbourne, Australia.
My Cats: http://www.flippyscatpage.com