Readers won't let go: I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw your post. My grandparents were from San Marcos, which is about halfway between San Antonio and Austin, and my family went to Aquarena Springs several times when I was a kid. The pig on the postcard is the famous "Ralph the Swimming Pig". … Continue reading Your Moment Of Ralph, The Sexually Ambiguous, Swimming Pig
A reader writes: Anyone who’s ever lived in Texas knows there are many pigs that swim, but only one diving pig, and he’s named Ralph – Ralph the Diving Pig. Perhaps my best New Year’s Eve ever was spent at a bar in Austin, Texas. Joe Ely was the main musical event (and no matter … Continue reading When Pigs Dive
This little post on vintage postcards, featuring the famous Ralph of Aquarena Springs, sparked one of the most popular threads of the week. A reader writes: What I remember most about Aquarena Springs was being confused. As a kid, I had several animal books that had pictures of elephants swimming, and our dog could definitely … Continue reading When Pigs Swim
A reader writes: You are right about the protuberant nipples. I grew up on a small family hog farm. Nipples on a pig are not an indication of sex, especially if it is a young male pig deprived at an early age of his – ahem – manhood, which I presume Ralph to be. Hence, … Continue reading The Sexually Ambiguous, Swimming Pig, Ctd
Reader responses to Ralph keep getting better. One writes: I grew up in San Marcos and in high school took a summer job at Aquarena where one of my job requirements was to dress up in a giant Ralph costume. I had to walk around and hug children (or, make them weep in fear at … Continue reading Swimming Pigs, Sadistic Swans And Creepy Clowns
Rhys Southan Bob Comis, who raises pigs for meat, confesses that “no matter how well it’s done, I can’t help but question the killing itself”: In a well-managed, small-scale slaughterhouse, a pig is more or less casually standing there one second, and the next second it’s unconscious on the ground, and a few seconds after … Continue reading How It Feels To Slaughter Animals
Today on the Dish, Andrew took stock of a week of commentary he characterized as “Israeli derangement syndrome” – a fiery take here and a cooler, more considered take here. Reader responses here, here, and here. Beinart challenged Gaza supporters to stick up for Israel’s captive soldier, Greg Sargent was aghast at Harry Reid’s response … Continue reading The Weekly Wrap
An otherwise calm weekend erupted today with the attack of Israeli commandos on a flotilla of aid activists bound for Gaza. Dramatic footage here. Israeli version of events here, a foreboding sign from Turkey here, and an unconfirmed report of a blinded American here. Gideon Levy compared the incident to the 2008 assault on Gaza, … Continue reading Memorial Weekend Wrap
Today on the Dish, Andrew chewed up Noonan over Obama's response to the spill, Larison seconded, and a reader dissented. Netanyahu gloated over showing up the president, Beinart and Eli Lake discussed settlements, Ron Radosh called the former a commie, and the alleged commie tussled with Foxman. Readers rushed to McGinniss' side, Crowley kicked him … Continue reading The Weekly Wrap
Today on the Dish, the House voted to end DADT and a key Senate committee did as well. Joyner questioned the public opposition to it, lesbians harmed by the policy told their stories here and here, and we glanced at the dregs of the debate here and here. The oil leak appeared to be plugged, … Continue reading The Daily Wrap
