Elvis, with the saddest little face. He realizes Ol’ Pucky Bear is right. And Pucky Bear is in full Mom Cat Mode. I love him, with his arms around the little ones.
I heard somewhere that no American animal digs deeper than 18 inches. Anyone out there ever have moles in your basement? Closest I can come is bats in my belfry.
The basement of my grandmother’s house had a gravel floor on one side and dirt on the other. I know the Big Pink House is on a hill, so the basement floor could be close to ground level at some point. My house is also on a hill. The garage is part of the basement.
Now we know why Puck was so quick to volunteer. I seem to remember from my Master’s Degree work years ago that according to Queen Elizabeth I, it was morally ok to lie to tyrants for a good purpose.
Well, but by fibbing (in fact, straight lying, this is not “unimportant matter”, this is done straight to lure the moles into a trap) on air you make all your future broadcasts tainted by suspicion. What will you lie about next? Is the material about children drawing nice pictures also a “fib”, and they actually write letters for help to get out, but you feel there is a need for “twisting” the truth for another worthy cause? When will fibbing, just because you need a “better story”, start? A bit extreme example, but this is a slippery slope, one that the media in our real world already fallen off. Most people I know do not believe most they hear or read, because they know they can’t trust journalists to be objective, and there is always a fib in the mix, if not a calculated lie to achieve some ideological or political goal. I wouldn’t wish Cat News to go that way.
Georgia posted the sweetest picture of Puck, and OZ, sleeping next to a stuffed turtle toy! Wanna guess what the turtle’s name is? (Sorry, I don’t have the link for that photo)
During wars there is a lot of lying going on. One big one was spreading the lie that the June 6 invasion would be elsewhere than Normandy. How lying to save lives is wrong if it saves lives is beyond me. It isn’t like the enemy is your best friend.
In the neighborhood of Soulard in St. Louis, I worked in a house that had a hard-packed dirt floor. There was only a small patch of concrete for the furnace to rest upon, and the rest was dirt.
I’ll try to help, Elvis. I think we can clarify the issue by using Ross’s prima facie duties. (I’m a great admirer of Ross.)
Fibbing on air would be a breach of the prima facie duty of fidelity. That is certain. It is also possible that it would damage the reputation for trustworthiness of BCN. If there were no other considerations it would be wrong in itself and in its consequences.
But there are other considerations. The raccoons have been wronged. Those who can help have the prima facie duty of reparation. It is not certain that fibbing on air will help, but it is reasonable to expect that it will.
There is the prima facie duty of beneficence. The world will be a better place if the evil schemes of Wicket are foiled. Again, it is reasonable to expect that fibbing will help to foil them.
And there is the prima facie duty of non-injury (or non-maleficence). We should refrain from harming others. Failing to prevent the moles from injuring others might count as contributing to injury. And, given the basement of the BPH, this just might include injury to those whom you have the strongest obligation to protect.
Of course you have to make your own assessment of what your actual duty is, but this analysis might help you to find it.
The Allies planned a deliberate ruse against Hitler for almost a year prior to their invasion on D-Day. They knew if Hitler got wind of it at all, it would fail. D-Day was their Hail Mary pass to end the war and it was definitely the turning point, though still a bloodbath. A short but good article on History dot com titled Fooling Hitler: The Elaborate Ruse Behind D-Day gives a good idea on the whole thing. I tend to think this is what BCN will do but of course in a much, much shorter time span. Not really lying, per se, but fooling the moles into thinking something different in order to save both sides. Georgia would certainly never kill anyone! But there has to be something done to bring harmony back and if fooling the moles is it, then it’s better than an all out war.
“When the hurly-burly’s done, When the battle’s lost and won,” you can go on the air with a special broadcast explaining why you had to lie. Your viewers will understand.
Serfig-Aro: Welcome, one and all to another round of Lawn Potato. Today we will see The Mighty Spuds versus the Harsh Browns! For the pregame entertainment, Clawson and the Crinkle Crabs will perform their Crab Cakewalk!
Cheering from the stands
Serfig-Aro: And now the teams are lining up. The Harsh Browns have won the toss, and their tunneler Delver is making the dig. Quarterback Mischief is in the pocket ready to pass the potato!
Tabith-Isis: This is such an exciting start, Figs. We have two teams evenly matched. Right now it’s anybody’s game.
Sometime Later
Serfig-Aro: What an exciting first half! The Mighty Spuds have a lead, but there is plenty of Lawn Potato to play! And now for halftime Pink Lupinium and his tumblers will perform to the tune of Tomato Sauce is My Friend. I understand the Spaghetti Suite was choreographed by Elvis-Anum.
After the halftime show
Serfig-Aro: That was a spectacular halftime show! Now for the second half, with the score The Mighty Spuds 14, the Harsh Browns 7.
We don’t know for sure what Puck will say, he may well find a way to get the moles where they want them without actually lying – perhaps by planning a personal appearance?
In any case, he will do what has to be done to protect his family. He’s a good cat.
Sometimes you have to do what you don’t want to do to keep those you love most safe. Puck may lose credibility for awhile but he wont lose Iggy and Ora Zella
The past few days, Georgia has given us a real “Meaning of Life” picture. First, Queen Mag on what’s really important as she holds her Granddaughter close to her. Today, we get Pucky with his arms stretched around Iggy and Ora Z. Willing to do something tough, something he’d never want to do. All for the love, and safety, of those little ones. Finally, Elvis’ expression of sadness, and acceptance, that this is the only course of action. I think most of us have seen our parents, loved ones, in this situation before. I know I have. This is brilliant work!
and you need to protect the kittens (one that’s sticking her tongue out (TOO CUTE!) and those lovely fangs). There are ways of “fibbing” without compromise.
Puck hugging Iggy and OZ. Queen Mag hugging Magazine. The night before the battle. There’s some universality here. And I can’t help but believe there will be a humane and moral outcome to all this. Even when Wicket was defeated before he ended up in a sanctuary. And the racoons and opossums obviously made a peaceful end to their conflict in the end.
Aw, Pucky with the kittens is so precious to see. Is Ora Zella blepping in her sleep or am I seeing things? Either way, cute! And Elvis and Pucky’s conversation is really something
Elvis needs to read human history, particularly this paraphrased quote: At first the owl came for the raccoons, but I said nothing. He came for the moles, but I said nothing. Then he came for me, and no one said a thing.
McColl34 Premium Member about 1 year ago
Puck is right – but, so is Elvis!
uncle snipe about 1 year ago
Elvis, with the saddest little face. He realizes Ol’ Pucky Bear is right. And Pucky Bear is in full Mom Cat Mode. I love him, with his arms around the little ones.
thelsrc about 1 year ago
It is a different type of Tusslemania, wrestling with their consciences.
marilynnbyerly about 1 year ago
Momma Puck knows what’s really important.
2GreyCats about 1 year ago
Hopefully, Puck can figure out how to lure them into the right place while still telling the truth.
GreasyOldTam about 1 year ago
I heard somewhere that no American animal digs deeper than 18 inches. Anyone out there ever have moles in your basement? Closest I can come is bats in my belfry.
FreihEitner Premium Member about 1 year ago
Dunn dunn dunn!
Sue Ellen about 1 year ago
The basement of my grandmother’s house had a gravel floor on one side and dirt on the other. I know the Big Pink House is on a hill, so the basement floor could be close to ground level at some point. My house is also on a hill. The garage is part of the basement.
sugordon about 1 year ago
Now we know why Puck was so quick to volunteer. I seem to remember from my Master’s Degree work years ago that according to Queen Elizabeth I, it was morally ok to lie to tyrants for a good purpose.
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member about 1 year ago
The cats will have to take turns on patrol. Stay safe everyone. Remember this is a Just War. Good will triumph and the bad will be banished.
Wise Thinker about 1 year ago
For the greater good Puck…
P.s. TINY TONGUE BLEPS on panel 3 and 4!!!!
Gent about 1 year ago
Giving justification for your fake mews pawpurrganda eh.
Sionyx about 1 year ago
Aww, such a cute sleep heap with the Iggy-loaf and Ora-sploot!
Gent about 1 year ago
Everything fair in love war and pawlitics eh.
WelshRat Premium Member about 1 year ago
It’s good that he’s discussing it with Dadcat.
emiesty Premium Member about 1 year ago
OT the morality of lying (looong)
gashren about 1 year ago
Well, but by fibbing (in fact, straight lying, this is not “unimportant matter”, this is done straight to lure the moles into a trap) on air you make all your future broadcasts tainted by suspicion. What will you lie about next? Is the material about children drawing nice pictures also a “fib”, and they actually write letters for help to get out, but you feel there is a need for “twisting” the truth for another worthy cause? When will fibbing, just because you need a “better story”, start? A bit extreme example, but this is a slippery slope, one that the media in our real world already fallen off. Most people I know do not believe most they hear or read, because they know they can’t trust journalists to be objective, and there is always a fib in the mix, if not a calculated lie to achieve some ideological or political goal. I wouldn’t wish Cat News to go that way.
Stormcloud Silverlining Snowpaws about 1 year ago
OT Stormy
I AM CARTOON LADY! about 1 year ago
Georgia posted the sweetest picture of Puck, and OZ, sleeping next to a stuffed turtle toy! Wanna guess what the turtle’s name is? (Sorry, I don’t have the link for that photo)
cat19632001 about 1 year ago
BoCH and two white floof patch panels!
Jungle Empress about 1 year ago
I understand this dilemma all too well. I hate lying.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member about 1 year ago
During wars there is a lot of lying going on. One big one was spreading the lie that the June 6 invasion would be elsewhere than Normandy. How lying to save lives is wrong if it saves lives is beyond me. It isn’t like the enemy is your best friend.
Sue Ellen about 1 year ago
Where are the people? Have they not seen the destruction of the birdbath?
rs0204 Premium Member about 1 year ago
In the neighborhood of Soulard in St. Louis, I worked in a house that had a hard-packed dirt floor. There was only a small patch of concrete for the furnace to rest upon, and the rest was dirt.
Robin Harwood about 1 year ago
I’ll try to help, Elvis. I think we can clarify the issue by using Ross’s prima facie duties. (I’m a great admirer of Ross.)
Fibbing on air would be a breach of the prima facie duty of fidelity. That is certain. It is also possible that it would damage the reputation for trustworthiness of BCN. If there were no other considerations it would be wrong in itself and in its consequences.
But there are other considerations. The raccoons have been wronged. Those who can help have the prima facie duty of reparation. It is not certain that fibbing on air will help, but it is reasonable to expect that it will.
There is the prima facie duty of beneficence. The world will be a better place if the evil schemes of Wicket are foiled. Again, it is reasonable to expect that fibbing will help to foil them.
And there is the prima facie duty of non-injury (or non-maleficence). We should refrain from harming others. Failing to prevent the moles from injuring others might count as contributing to injury. And, given the basement of the BPH, this just might include injury to those whom you have the strongest obligation to protect.
Of course you have to make your own assessment of what your actual duty is, but this analysis might help you to find it.
Katzen1415 about 1 year ago
It’s time to take a stand against the moles, whatever it takes!
Tigrisan Premium Member about 1 year ago
The Allies planned a deliberate ruse against Hitler for almost a year prior to their invasion on D-Day. They knew if Hitler got wind of it at all, it would fail. D-Day was their Hail Mary pass to end the war and it was definitely the turning point, though still a bloodbath. A short but good article on History dot com titled Fooling Hitler: The Elaborate Ruse Behind D-Day gives a good idea on the whole thing. I tend to think this is what BCN will do but of course in a much, much shorter time span. Not really lying, per se, but fooling the moles into thinking something different in order to save both sides. Georgia would certainly never kill anyone! But there has to be something done to bring harmony back and if fooling the moles is it, then it’s better than an all out war.
Sue Ellen about 1 year ago
“When the hurly-burly’s done, When the battle’s lost and won,” you can go on the air with a special broadcast explaining why you had to lie. Your viewers will understand.
diskus Premium Member about 1 year ago
Elvis, were not in Kansas any longer
Kitty Katz about 1 year ago
Meanwhile, Back on the Nile
Serfig-Aro: Welcome, one and all to another round of Lawn Potato. Today we will see The Mighty Spuds versus the Harsh Browns! For the pregame entertainment, Clawson and the Crinkle Crabs will perform their Crab Cakewalk!
Cheering from the stands
Serfig-Aro: And now the teams are lining up. The Harsh Browns have won the toss, and their tunneler Delver is making the dig. Quarterback Mischief is in the pocket ready to pass the potato!
Tabith-Isis: This is such an exciting start, Figs. We have two teams evenly matched. Right now it’s anybody’s game.
Sometime Later
Serfig-Aro: What an exciting first half! The Mighty Spuds have a lead, but there is plenty of Lawn Potato to play! And now for halftime Pink Lupinium and his tumblers will perform to the tune of Tomato Sauce is My Friend. I understand the Spaghetti Suite was choreographed by Elvis-Anum.
After the halftime show
Serfig-Aro: That was a spectacular halftime show! Now for the second half, with the score The Mighty Spuds 14, the Harsh Browns 7.
DorseyBelle about 1 year ago
Iggy with eye closed, Ora Zella calm and asleep, both so huggable!!
Daltongang Premium Member about 1 year ago
No problem, just get out the hammers. The basement becomes one giant Wack-A-Mole Game.
Kitty Katz about 1 year ago
Does Puck have to tell an out and out fib? He could just make a rousing speech to inspire the moles to see the error of their ways.
cybergal29 about 1 year ago
On a side note, Puck could tell the moles to dig into the basement where they will be safe from Wicket!
anomalous4 about 1 year ago
OT: The World’s Best Litter kittens have names…
bonita.eley about 1 year ago
In times of war, strong measures must be taken!
Wichita1.0 about 1 year ago
And I’m thinking Lovecraft’s PICKMAN’S MODEL with that last panel comment. Something I didn’t need . Brrr!
bryan42 about 1 year ago
Wait, what? The laundry room has a dirt floor? That doesn’t compute.
Solarbear Premium Member about 1 year ago
We don’t know for sure what Puck will say, he may well find a way to get the moles where they want them without actually lying – perhaps by planning a personal appearance?
In any case, he will do what has to be done to protect his family. He’s a good cat.
sisterea about 1 year ago
Sometimes you have to do what you don’t want to do to keep those you love most safe. Puck may lose credibility for awhile but he wont lose Iggy and Ora Zella
uncle snipe about 1 year ago
The past few days, Georgia has given us a real “Meaning of Life” picture. First, Queen Mag on what’s really important as she holds her Granddaughter close to her. Today, we get Pucky with his arms stretched around Iggy and Ora Z. Willing to do something tough, something he’d never want to do. All for the love, and safety, of those little ones. Finally, Elvis’ expression of sadness, and acceptance, that this is the only course of action. I think most of us have seen our parents, loved ones, in this situation before. I know I have. This is brilliant work!
Aladar30 Premium Member about 1 year ago
Puck is a true heroe, able to think to the future.
Red Bird about 1 year ago
Ora sleeping with her tongue out is the cutest thing ever!
prrdh about 1 year ago
Puck understands that if the moles get in, they might steal Buzzy Mouse, and guarding against that possibility calls for extreme measures.
Granny Roberta about 1 year ago
Your basement has a dirt floor?! That’s the scariest thing in the entire arc. Never mind the moles, get your radon test kit NOW.
metagalaxy1970 about 1 year ago
and you need to protect the kittens (one that’s sticking her tongue out (TOO CUTE!) and those lovely fangs). There are ways of “fibbing” without compromise.
scaeva Premium Member about 1 year ago
Another message here: Just because something doesn’t affect you now, does not mean it will not forever. “Peace in our time” is never a good option.
Fennec! at the Disco about 1 year ago
That’s a very good point about the dirt floor in the basement.
But you still don’t have to actually lie on air.
willie_mctell about 1 year ago
Puck and kittens.
cb8ty about 1 year ago
Puck hugging Iggy and OZ. Queen Mag hugging Magazine. The night before the battle. There’s some universality here. And I can’t help but believe there will be a humane and moral outcome to all this. Even when Wicket was defeated before he ended up in a sanctuary. And the racoons and opossums obviously made a peaceful end to their conflict in the end.
Rebecka A about 1 year ago
Aw, Pucky with the kittens is so precious to see. Is Ora Zella blepping in her sleep or am I seeing things? Either way, cute! And Elvis and Pucky’s conversation is really something
Trespassers W about 1 year ago
“We’ve never fibbed on the air” says the cat that continues to deny the existence of mail carriers…
Quabaculta about 1 year ago
Elvis needs to read human history, particularly this paraphrased quote: At first the owl came for the raccoons, but I said nothing. He came for the moles, but I said nothing. Then he came for me, and no one said a thing.
FreyjaRN Premium Member about 1 year ago
Both are not wrong.
Gemina13 about 1 year ago
First Queen Mag with Magazine. Now Puck with Iggy and Ora Zella. I feel like my heart is about to break. ::wipes eyes::