The Illinois Legislature recently passed a bill requiring nonprofits based in the state to report the demographic makeup of their board members —but the law may be unconstitutional. Democratic state Sen. Adriane Johnson introduced Senate Bill 2930, which requires nonprofits that donate over $1,000,000 to charitable organizations to publicly disclose the “race, ethnicity, gender, disability […]

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The post 16 Cat Ownership Statistics (2024 Update) by Jessica Kim appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Cat Ownership Demographics Cat Adoptions Cat Ownership Spendings Frequently Asked Questions  Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website. Cats have become much more popular pets in recent years. While dogs remain the most common pet in most countries, cats aren’t that far behind, and the gap between pet cats and dogs seems to close more with each passing year. More and more households throughout the world are adopting pet cats, and cat ownership trends are changing as a result. Here are some of the latest statistics on pet cats and how current trends look for cat ownership. The 16 Cat Ownership Statistics In 2024, the US, China, and Russia have the highest cat ownership rates in the world. Between 2023 and 2024, 46.5 million US households own a cat. Vermont is the state with the highest rate of cat ownership at 44.6%. Millennials have the highest rate of pet ownership at 33%. 39% of homeowners have pet cats, while 29% of renters have pet cats. 43% of cat owners get their cats from a pet store, and 40% of cat owners adopt their cats from an animal shelter or rescue. Asheras are listed as one of the most expensive cat breeds in 2024 and can cost up to $125,000 per cat. 3 million cats entered animal shelters and rescues in 2023. 6 million shelter cats were adopted in 2023. Cat adoptions have increased by 14% since 2019. Cat owners spent between $314 to $755 on initial cat care costs. Cat owners spend between $961 to $2,487 on their cats annually. Cat owners spend the most on food, with $310 being the average annual spending. The average cost of pet insurance for cats is $30 a month. Gen Z cat owners are 16 times more likely than Baby Boomers to get pet insurance. 38% of cat owners thought they were financially ready for pet care expenses but actually were not. Cat Ownership Demographics 1. In 2024, the US, China, and Russia have the highest cat ownership rates in the world. (World Population Review) The US is a pet-loving country and far surpasses other countries in pet ownership. There are an estimated 74 million domesticated cats in the US. China is second, with about 53 million pet cats, and Russia is third, with approximately 23 million pet cats. Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Ukraine, Japan, and Poland are subsequently among the top 10 countries with the highest number of pet cats. 2. Between 2023 and 2024, 46.5 million US households own a cat. (APPA) Cats are the second most popular pets in the US, with about 46.5 million US households having at least one pet cat. Dogs remain the most popular pet, with about 65.1 million US households having at least one pet dog. The third most popular pet is birds, and about 6.1 million US households have birds. Image Credit: U__Photo, Shutterstock 3. Vermont is the state with the highest rate of cat ownership at 44.6%. (World Population Review) Most US states have more pet dogs than cats. However, Vermont is among the few states that have households with more pet cats than dogs. 44.6% of pet owners in Vermont have pet cats, while 28.3% of pet owners have dogs. Maine is the only other state with more pet cats than dogs, with 43.6% of pet owners having cats and 35.9% of pet owners having dogs. The state with the lowest cat ownership rate within the contiguous US is Rhode Island. Rhode Island has a generally low pet ownership rate, and just 16.7% of pet owners have cats. 4. Millennials have the highest rate of pet ownership at 33%. (APPA) Millennials surpass Gen Z, Gen X, Baby Boomer, and Builder generations when it comes to pet ownership. Gen X comes second with a pet ownership rate of 25%. 24% of pet owners are Baby Boomers, and 16% of pet owners are Gen Z. Image Credit: Kristi Blokhin, Shutterstock 5. 39% of homeowners have pet cats, while 29% of renters have pet cats. (AVMA) The majority of cat owners are also homeowners. It’s likely that cat ownership among renters is lower due to limited rental housing options and pet fees that landlords charge to pet owners. Cat Adoptions 6. 43% of cat owners get their cats from a pet store, and 40% of cat owners adopt their cats from an animal shelter or rescue. (AVMA) Cats are more likely to be adopted through a pet store or animal shelter. Many pet stores partner with local pet adoption agencies by temporarily housing adoptable cats and coordinating cat adoptions. Only about 7% of pet cats are acquired from a breeder. Image Credit: GoodFocused, Shutterstock 7. Asheras are listed as one of the most expensive cat breeds in 2024 and can cost up to $125,000 per cat. (FinancesOnline) Asheras were developed by crossbreeding African Servals, Asian Leopard Cats, and domesticated cats. They’re extremely rare because they’re challenging to breed, and one Ashera cat breeder produces about five Ashera kittens a year. Other expensive cat breeds include Savannahs, Bengals, Persians, and Peterbalds. 8. 3 million cats entered animal shelters and rescues in 2023. (Shelter Animals Count) The rate of cat intakes at animal shelters has fluctuated slightly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2023 rate is 3.2% lower than the 2019 rate. When compared to 2022, there was a 0.2% increase in cat intakes at animal shelters in 2023. Cat intakes and dog intakes are nearly the same, with 51% of animal intakes being cats and 49% of intakes being dogs. Image Credit: Anna Krivitskaya, Shutterstock 9. 6 million shelter cats were adopted in 2023. (Shelter Animals Count) In 2023, cat adoptions were slightly higher than dog adoptions. 54% of pet adoptions involved a cat, while 46% involved dogs. 2023 also saw an increase in live outcomes, such as adoptions, being returned to owners, or feral cats being returned to the field. When compared to 2022 data, 166,000 more animals had a live outcome. 10. Cat adoptions have increased by 14% since 2019. (ASPCA) The number of cat adoptions has increased generally since 2019, with about 319,000 more cats getting adopted in 2023 than in 2019. The rate of intakes that led to adoptions increased from 59% in 2019 to 65% in 2023. There has also been an increase in the number of animals waiting for an outcome, including those in foster care and those transferring to different adoption organizations. Compared to 2022, 177,000 more animals have waited for an outcome in 2023. Cat Ownership Spendings 11. Cat owners spent between $314 to $755 on initial cat care costs. (Synchrony) Initial cat care costs include adoption fees, purchasing supplies, and vet visits. These costs depend on the cat’s age and health condition. Spay and neuter fees are among the most significant factors that affect initial cat care costs, along with the type of cat food and pet insurance. 12. Cat owners spend between $961 to $2,487 on their cats annually. (Synchrony) Spending will depend on a variety of factors, including food, veterinary care visits, cat litter, and toys. Considering how the range of spending is relatively broad, it’s possible to make significant savings by choosing more budget-friendly cat care products. You can also experience more savings by choosing generic medication, shopping during sales, and signing up for subscription services. Image Credit: Roman Samsonov, Shutterstock 13. Cat owners spend the most on food, with $310 being the average annual spending. (AVMA) Healthy cats don’t really have too many significant regular care costs other than food and cat litter. Cat owners can experience some savings by choosing affordable cat food that doesn’t significantly sacrifice quality. Scheduling mealtimes and monitoring how much a cat eats can help prevent food waste and ensure cats are eating just the right amount of food. 14. The average cost of pet insurance for cats is $30 a month. (Forbes) Pet insurance can help lessen the financial stress that comes from unexpected health diagnoses in cats. Diagnostic tests and treatments can easily reach thousands of dollars that cat owners would have to pay out-of-pocket. Pet insurance can help cover these costs, and most pet insurance plans for cats have average premiums that are lower than premiums for dogs. Pet insurance premiums are typically affected by the cat’s age and breed, and cities with higher living costs usually have the most expensive pet insurance premiums. Image Credit: David Herraez Calzada, Shutterstock 15. Gen Z cat owners are 16 times more likely than Baby Boomers to get pet insurance. (MarketWatch) Gen Z has been named the generation with the most responsible pet owners due to having the highest percentage of pet owners with pet insurance plans and the greater likelihood of taking their pets to the vet. 41.5% of Gen Z pet owners have pet insurance, and 33.1% are either interested or researching it. 14% of Gen Z pet owners think pet insurance is too expensive, and 9.4% believe it’s unnecessary. In contrast, less than 3% of Baby Boomer pet owners have pet insurance. 37.9% believe pet insurance is too expensive, and 19.8% believe it’s unnecessary. 16. 38% of cat owners thought they were financially ready for pet care expenses but actually were not. (Synchrony) Cats are typically more budget-friendly than dogs, but they can still take up a significant portion of your budget. Cat care fees vary depending on a cat’s age and breed, and cats have a higher risk of developing a chronic health issue as they get older. Many pet owners aren’t prepared to pay for unexpected veterinary care costs when their cats get sick, especially if they don’t have pet insurance. Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Ownership What is the most popular cat breed in the US? The most common cat breed you’ll find in someone’s home is the Domestic Shorthair, and many adoptable cats have Domestic Shorthair in their lineage. When it comes to purebred cats, Ragdolls, Maine Coons, Devon Rexes, Exotic Shorthairs, and Persians are among the most popular breeds in American families. Is cat ownership less expensive than dog ownership? In most cases, cats are less expensive than dogs. Due to their small size, they tend to eat less than dogs, and many cat toys and treats are cheaper than dog toys and treats. Pet insurance premiums are also usually lower for cats than dogs. However, taking care of a cat still takes up a significant part of most people’s annual budget. So, it’s important to calculate costs thoroughly before bringing home a new pet cat. Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock What is the average lifespan of pet cats? A cat’s lifespan is affected by both genetics and lifestyle. Some cat breeds are known to live longer lives, and cats that have healthy lifestyles have a lower risk of shortened lifespans. In general, you can expect pet cats to live anywhere from 12 to 18 years, and indoor cats have longer life expectancies than outdoor cats. How long can cats be left alone? Your cat’s ability to be home alone will depend on their individual temperament and social needs. Some cat breeds are more social than others, and they don’t do well being by themselves for long hours. In general, it’s not recommended to leave your cat home alone for more than 8 hours at a time. It’s a common myth that cats can be left alone for multiple days as long as they have food and water. However, most cats will feel distressed when their owners leave and are left home alone for more than 24 hours. Cats are capable of forming strong bonds with people, and they have social needs. Failure to meet their social needs can cause emotional distress and lead to behavioral issues, including separation anxiety and engaging in destructive activities. Therefore, if you plan to leave your cats for a couple of days, make sure to arrange for cat sitters to take care of your cats while you’re away. Conclusion Cats are popular pets in many countries, and the most common way to acquire them is through pet adoptions. Cat adoptions have increased steadily over the past several years, and Millennials and Gen Z are most likely to own cats. While taking care of cats generally costs less than caring for dogs, many people still face challenges with budgeting due to rising pet care costs. The most significant financial challenge is unexpected medical bills. Financial challenges have caused more interest in pet insurance and other methods of budgeting for pet care. It’ll be interesting to see how pet trends continue to change and adapt to modern cat ownership and what cat ownership will look like as we continue to follow pet trends in the US. Sources World Population Review APPA World Population Review APPA AVMA AVMA FinancesOnline Shelter Animals Count Shelter Animals Count ASPCA Synchrony Synchrony AVMA Forbes MarketWatch Synchrony Featured Image Credit: evrymmnt, Shutterstock The post 16 Cat Ownership Statistics (2024 Update) by Jessica Kim appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The post Rare Cannabinoid Company Hawaiian Choice Pet CBD Oil Review 2024: A Detailed Look by Sara Seitz appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead About Rare Cannabinoid Company Hawaiian Choice Pet CBD Overview Key Features Is It A Good Value? FAQ Our Experience  Our Final Verdict We give Rare Cannabinoid Company Hawaiian Choice Pet CBD Oil a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. Quality: 4.8/5 Effectiveness: 4.9/5 Ingredients: 5/5 Value: 4.8/5 Check Price on Rare Cannabinoid Company By now you’ve no doubt heard about the benefits of CBD for humans. You’ve probably also heard that this hemp product can be beneficial for dogs. But what about cats? Believe it or not, all mammals (and most other animals, in fact) have endocannabinoid systems that can benefit from CBD supplementation, including cats. And that’s why Rare Cannabinoid Company’s Hawaiian Choice Pet CBD Oil is marketed not just for dogs, but for cats and other pets as well. In fact, this CBD oil made with broad-spectrum Hawaiian-grown hemp is so high quality, it can be used by humans as well. I have used this CBD product on my senior dogs with great results. This time though, I wanted to see what benefits it could offer my mischievous, pica-prone cat, Makoa. After only two weeks on the product, I’m already very impressed with what I’ve seen. Keep reading to find out how this CBD oil has improved my cat’s behavior and to see my full Rare Cannabinoid Company Pet CBD Oil review. About Rare Cannabinoid Company Rare Cannabinoid Company started as a sister brand to Hawaiian Choice, a hemp oil company that uses only Hawaiian-grown hemp. While the latter specializes in broad-spectrum CBD oil, the former focuses on the apothecary of rare cannabinoids such as CBC, CBN, and more. Not long after its launch, Rare Cannabinoid Company began outselling Hawaiian Choice and eventually absorbed the hemp oil line under its umbrella. Today, Hawaiian Choice by Rare Cannabinoid Company offers a wide range of CBD products for both humans and pets. Where Are Rare Cannabinoid Company Products Produced? Hawaiian Choice hemp oil products are made in a cGMP-certified facility using Hawaiian hemp grown predominantly on the island of Maui. Products for the Rare Cannabinoid line are made from hemp grown by the company’s trusted partners from across the US. Which Type of Cat Is Hawaiian Choice Pet CBD Oil Best Suited For? CBD oil is effective in supporting multiple bodily systems, including the immune, nervous, and digestive systems. It has also been shown to support cognitive pathways in the brain. Because of this, it can help with a wide range of issues related to these systems, including: Anxiety Overactive immune system Impaired immune system Hormone imbalance Sleep issues Epilepsy Depression Pain Cancer Inflammation Cats living with any of these issues may benefit from the addition of CBD to their routine. CBD can be safely used in cats and kittens over 4 months of age. Rare Cannabinoid Company’s Pet CBD oil is THC-free and free from additives. This means it is very safe for short-term and long-term use in cats. Hawaiian Choice Pet CBD Overview Check Price on Rare Cannabinoid Company Here is an overview of Hawaiian Choice Pet CBD Oil by Rare Cannabinoid Company. We’ll look at the ingredients, dosing instructions, ordering options, and what to expect. Ingredients Each bottle of Pet CBD Oil contains just two ingredients: broad-spectrum hemp extract and organic MCT coconut oil. The broad-spectrum hemp extract used in this product contains 14 mg of CBD per milliliter. It also contains a range of terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids. These extra components of hemp oil create the “entourage effect” and help to make the CBD more effective. The coconut oil acts as a carrier oil for the hemp extract. Not only does it help dilute the CBD to a doseable amount, but it also helps to protect it from degradation and make it more absorbable. Organic MCT coconut oil has benefits of its own and is known to support brain and heart health. Dosing Instructions The glass pipet included with each bottle of oil features easy measurement markers that allow you to dose precisely without guesswork. According to the bottle, the dosing ratios for cats are: 5 pounds – 3 drops 10 pounds – 6 drops 20 pounds – 0.25 ml 40 pounds – 0.5 ml 60 pounds – 0.75 ml 80 pounds – 1 ml This dosing rate correlates to about 1.5 mg of CBD per 10 pounds. The general recommended dose for CBD in pets is between 1 and 5 mg per 10 pounds, depending on the type and severity of the issue being targeted. This dose can be given once or twice daily as needed. I’ve found that, for cats, adding the dose to their meals is the easiest option. Ordering Options Rare Cannabinoid Company offers one size option for their Pet CBD Oil, 30 ml. But you do have the option to order it as a one-time purchase or to subscribe for automatic repeat shipments. If you choose this option, you can pick to have your bottle shipped every 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks. The subscription also earns you 15% off the list price. What to Expect For cats who have never been on CBD before, you can expect full results to take about two to four weeks to kick in. However, you’ll likely notice some results about 30 to 45 minutes after the initial dose. Because CBD has a cumulative effect on the body, these results will become more pronounced and longer lived the more consistently you give the oil. Most cats handle CBD oil very well and side effects are exceedingly rare. But of course, as with any supplement, it is a good idea to keep a close eye on your kitty as they begin using this product. Pros & Cons Pros High-quality ingredients Hawaiian grown hemp THC-free Highly concentrated Contains terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabidiols Cons Unflavored Limited ordering options Key Features Check Price on Rare Cannabinoid Company Hemp Grown In Hawaii Every strain of hemp has slightly different properties, which can affect how the extract interacts with the body. The hemp from this Hawaiian Choice line is grown in the volcanic soil on the island of Maui. This gives it many unique characteristics that you won’t find in other CBD oil products. In my experience, these differences make it more potent for use as a painkiller and an anti-anxiety supplement. For cats that haven’t had a lot of success with other CBD oils, this one is worth a try thanks to its unique properties. Great for Higher Concentration Dosing Each bottle of Hawaiian Choice Pet CBD Oil contains 425 mg of CBD. This equates to 14 mg per milliliter, a relatively high concentration for pet CBD oils. Because of this, it is much more convenient to use this product for higher doses. Each drop drop contains more CBD which means you can use less. Not only is this good for picky kitties who might notice too much oil added to their food, but it’s also easier on the wallet since each bottle of CBD will last you longer. Pure and Safe for Cats We all know how sensitive cats’ systems can be. That’s why this product contains only two pure ingredients and is tested to ensure each batch is THC-free. This attention to purity and quality means Rare Cannabinoid Company Pet CBD Oil is safe to give to even the most sensitive felines. Is Rare Cannabinoid Co Hawaiian Choice Pet CBD Oil a Good Value? The average cost for pet CBD oils is about $0.15 per mg of CBD. For a bottle of Hawaiian Choice Pet CBD Oil, you’ll pay about $45. This breaks down to an impressive $0.10 per mg of CBD. Better still, if you opt for the subscription option, you’ll only be paying less than $0.09 per mg. That’s all to say, this quality CBD oil is a very good value. Check Price on Rare Cannabinoid Company Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Is it true humans can use this product? Yes, Hawaiian Choice Pet CBD Oil is safe for humans to use. That’s because it contains the same hemp and MCT oil as their human-grade products. The only real difference is that the hemp extract used for this line is chosen for its safety and benefits specific to pets. How do I give CBD Oil to my cat? The easiest way to give CBD oil to cats is typically to put it in their food at mealtimes. If your cat is extra picky or a free feeder, you can also try mixing it with some enticing treats or broth, or squirting it directly into their mouth. Does Rare Cannabinoid provide lab results for their products? Yes, they do. You can find the most up-to-date independent lab results for their Pet CBD Oil here. Our Experience With Rare Cannabinoid Company Hawaiian Choice Pet CBD Oil I first tried Rare Cannabinoid Company after looking for a CBD oil to use for my senior dogs. Both have been dealing with painful joints and my oldest dog has been having trouble with anxiety and sleep disturbances. This Pet CBD Oil provided some remarkable results for them. Because of that, I wanted to try it on my 11-month-old, feral Hawaiian rescue cat, Makoa. Makoa doesn’t have any issues with pain or sleeplessness. And as far as I can tell, he isn’t all that anxious. But he is fairly hyperactive and struggles with pica, an eating disorder typically made worse by stress. For this reason, I thought Rare Cannabinoid Company’s Pet CBD Oil might help modify his behavior. In the ten months I’ve owned Makoa, he has already undergone two pricey surgeries for intestinal blockages from eating inedible objects. So any help we can get in this department would be greatly appreciated. I didn’t notice any immediate effects after starting him on this oil. But he had no problem eating his food after I added it and had zero side effects. After about a week of giving him a dose with breakfast every day, I did start to notice some subtle differences in his behavior. For one, he became much less prone to overly playful attack behavior. In fact, now that I think about it, it has been about two weeks since the last time he tried to leap on my back and take me down like a gazelle. Even his leg attacks have gotten less frequent. The other thing I’ve noticed is that he seems less interested in searching out silicon and strings (his favorite inedible objects to eat). He has shown a lower tendency to chew on things in general since starting the oil. This likely has something to do with the anti-anxiety effects of CBD oil. Or, potentially, the system balancing effects. Either way, it appears to be helping to turn him into a much more well-adjusted cat! All in all, Rare Cannabinoid Company Pet CBD Oil has been well worth it for my furry family members. It has helped my dogs find some much-needed peace and comfort in their old age and is now helping my feral Hawaiian rescue cat become a little more normal. Maybe all he was missing was a little help from the volcanic soil of his home turf. Check Price on Rare Cannabinoid Company Conclusion If you’ve been looking for a high-quality CBD oil for your cat, I can’t recommend Rare Cannabinoid Company Pet CBD Oil enough. I have used this on all my pets with remarkable results and have most recently found it useful to curb my crazy rescue cat’s anxious habit of attacking and eating inedible objects. Each bottle of this CBD oil contains pure Hawaiian-grown hemp extract and organic MCT coconut oil. It is THC-free, independently tested and safe for cats, dogs, and many other pets. And despite the quality of this product, it is one of the more affordable options out there. The post Rare Cannabinoid Company Hawaiian Choice Pet CBD Oil Review 2024: A Detailed Look by Sara Seitz appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The post How Far Do Cats Roam? Facts & Safety Tips by Ashley Bates appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Dangers of Cats Roaming Tips to Track Your Cat Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Our indoor cats love to explore their wild roots sometimes. They will sit longingly by the window, dreaming of what it might be like to clasp that little tufted titmouse in their fangs. When you open the door, they are ready to scoot out to explore the great unknown. If you allow your cat the luxury of outdoor exploration, you might wonder how far they really go. Most domesticated cats only roam up to 650 feet (200 meters) from their home. Let’s see how far cats can roam, how you can track them or stop them from roaming, and some of the dangers of cats roaming. Cats Can Roam Pretty Far! It’s hard to know just how far a cat can really roam. This distance will change, based on the feline and their desire to travel. Some of them will be motivated by mating and others by potential prey. Your kitty likely doesn’t go far if you have a spoiled house cat. On average, they will go roughly 130 to 650 feet (approximately 40 to 200 meters) around their home. However, these distances can increase if a cat is motivated by hormones. Breeding can make cats do crazy things. If a cat is in heat, a tom cat can smell her up to a mile away and come searching! So, different factors influence actual distance. Most jaunts around the yard are pretty unremarkable, with cats generally staying local. Image Credit: truetonizz, Shutterstock Dangers of Cats Roaming Cats being left to roam can be pretty dangerous for them! Every time you let them out, you are taking a risk. There is a chance they will not come back, as they could encounter a number of potential hazards along the way. So, most professionals would advise against letting your cat go outside unless they’re in a controlled space. Ultimately, it is completely up to you as you are the pet parent, and you know best. But here are some dangers of cats roaming that you might want to consider, both for the safety of your cat and the local wildlife. 1. Cats Reproduce Quickly One single mother cat can give birth to one or more litters throughout a year. Each litter generally contains between 6 and 10 kittens. Males travel great distances to find female mating partners. If cats are left to their own devices, they multiply quickly, which can be extremely problematic for homeless animal numbers. Image Credit: Esin Deniz, Shutterstock 2. Cats Kill Wildlife Cats are responsible for killing wildlife. While many people want cats in a barn to keep the rodent population under control, it’s often not that simple. Cats, especially those who are left to their own devices, will kill wildlife that should be protected, like birds. In fact, cats are the number one predator of birds and have a devastating impact on their overall population. We can’t get mad at cats for simply doing what they do best. But many believe that letting your cat outside unattended contributes to unnecessary problems. 3. Cats Are Killed Even though cats are predators and attack wildlife, they aren’t safe outside either. They could fall victim to a number of incidents, anything from poisoning, getting hit by a car, being attacked by a dog, or shot by a human. There are many dangers no matter where you live. 4. Cats Spread Disease If there are feral or stray cats around your home, they can still impact yours, even if you keep up with vaccinations. Your cat can catch diseases such as toxoplasmosis or parasites by sharing outside food bowls, getting into proximity with, or even fighting with outdoor cats. Top 3 Tips to Track Your Cat If you are curious, you may want to track your cat or encourage them to stay nearby. Here are a few ideas on how to protect your cat while they are exploring. 1. GPS Collars If you haven’t heard of them yet, let us introduce you to the idea of GPS trackers for your cat. That’s right! This little device sits right on the collar, allowing you to see your pet’s whereabouts no matter where they’ve roamed off to. These GPS systems typically have a very broad range, covering the distance most cats would go in a day. However, there are limitations. No two GPS companies are made the same. You should research products and see the reviews of what customers have to say about the product before purchasing. Be sure to keep an eye on your little pal while they are outside, and if they seem to be getting out of range or you can’t see them anymore, it might be time to use the GPS to track them down. Image Credit: MyImages – Micha, Shutterstock 2. AirTags AirTags can be great for luggage, keychains for teens, and all sorts of things! What you might not have considered is getting an AirTag for your cat. You can easily put an AirTag right on their collar along with their identification. There are even collars available for purchase that hold AirTags. This way, you can see where they are in real-time and intervene if necessary. 3. Microchipping Microchipping cats is a very common practice. While not every kitty has one, it is something elective you can get from your vet. Many shelter animals already come microchipped, but you still have to register them with your information. Microchipping is a way for vets or other professionals to scan the chip and obtain information about the owner. This is a way to make sure that lost pets can get home safely. Please note that microchipping doesn’t allow you to track your cat, but if your cat roams too far and is picked up by someone, they can have the microchipped scanned to find the owner provided that the contact information is up to date. Image Credit: Lucky Business, Shutterstock Make It a Point to Spay and Neuter Your Cat If you find your cat is wanting to roam more and more, you have to ask yourself one question. Are they fixed? If not, it’s time to get them in as soon as possible. Your vet will be able to perform a spay-neuter surgery to curb the desire to roam and find a mate to reproduce with. Because these desires are curbed, they won’t feel the need to wonder or explore as much. The fact of the matter is, there really aren’t very many downsides, with a rare exception of surgical accidents, including bad reactions to anesthesia. For females, it will end their heat cycles, which will eliminate many behavioral problems. It will also prevent them from getting pregnant. This can lead to a longer lifespan, better reproductive health, and avoiding issues like cancer and disease of the reproductive system. Males can also exhibit many problematic behaviors, but they differ greatly from females. Males tend to start prowling, fighting, and urine marking when they are hormonal. These behaviors can be extremely difficult to break, even after getting a cat fixed. For the preservation of your home and the health benefits to your cat, it’s best to get them fixed as early as you can. Most vets recommend getting cats fixed around the age of 4 months. Image Credit: Chomphuphucar, Shutterstock Conclusion Now you understand a little bit more about the distances normal house cats roam when they are outside. If you allow your cat outside, make sure that you are keeping them safe by putting measures in place to know their whereabouts. Sources https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070728/ https://www.ethosvet.com/blog-post/the-dangers-of-outdoor-cats/ Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock The post How Far Do Cats Roam? Facts & Safety Tips by Ashley Bates appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

News Monster High A Live-Action Monster High Adaptation in the Works (Again) Goth kids rejoice! By Vanessa Armstrong | Published on June 5, 2024 Credit: Mattel Comment 0 Share New Share Credit: Mattel Akiva Goldsman, who has worked on several recent Star Trek shows as well as written the screenplays for I Am Legend, I, Robot, The Da Vinci Code, and the 2017 adaptation of The Dark Tower, is set to adapt another intellectual property for the big screen. Today, Mattel announced that it’s partnering with Universal Pictures and Goldsman’s production company to develop a live-action theatrical film version based on their Monster High brand, which consists of fashion dolls imagined as the children of legendary monsters. “Monster High helps fans discover the great beauty in being true to yourself and celebrates the unique sensibilities at the core of who we are as individuals,” Robbie Brenner, President of Mattel Films, said in a statement. “We’re proud to partner with Universal Pictures and the brilliant Akiva Goldsman to usher this important message to audiences worldwide.” “I’ve been fascinated by Monster High since my daughters were obsessed with the dolls as kids,” Goldsman said in the same statement. “I’m thrilled to once again join forces with Robbie Brenner and our friends at Mattel to help bring this iconic property to life.” This isn’t the first live-action movie based on the Monster High dolls to come out. As recently as 2022, a musical feature also called Monster High premiered on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon, with a sequel coming out in October 2023. An animated series also came out in 2022, which released a second season this March. For Mattel, however, those two projects aren’t enough, and this film will likely premiere in theaters instead of television. The latest adaptation is still in its early days, so it’s not clear whether Goldsman is writing the screenplay on top of producing, much less when the movie will make its way to theaters. [end-mark] The post A Live-Action <i>Monster High</i> Adaptation in the Works (Again) appeared first on Reactor.

Movies & TV Star Wars: The Acolyte The Acolyte’s Two-Part Premiere Is Captivating for All the Right Reasons It’s a strong opener for what’s sure to be an intriguing series. By Emmet Asher-Perrin | Published on June 5, 2024 Image: Disney+ Comment 0 Share New Share Image: Disney+ Who wants to hang out in apothecary with Manny Jacinto? Everyone? Everyone. Recap: “Lost / Found” A young woman (Amandla Stenberg) enters a small city on the planet Ueda and asks at the entrance where their Jedi can be found. She’s directed to a cantina where she meets Jedi Master Indara (Carrie-Anne Moss). The woman insists that she and Indara have unfinished business and tells her to attack with all her strength. When Indara won’t, she begins attacking the locals until Indara acquiesces. Indara asks who trained the young woman in the Force, and tells someone at the other end of the commlink that she has an unauthorized Force user here. Indara finally gets the woman to drop her veil and sees someone she recognizes, though she’s confused about her presence. The young woman threatens the life of the cantina’s owner, distracting Indara long enough for the woman to stab her in the chest with one of her daggers. Indara dies. A young woman named Osha Aniseya (Amandla Stenberg) wakes on a Trade Federation ship where she is one of the mekneks who does repairs. She and fellow meknek Fillik (Anthony J. Abraham) are assigned to a repair on the outer hull of the ship, which they work to repair with Osha’s little droid buddy, PIP. Osha has a PTSD flashback that interrupts their repair work. At the same time, two Jedi have boarded the ship: Jedi Knight Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett) and his Padawan Tasi Lowa (Thara Schöön). Yord almost probes the captain’s mind for information until he’s given Osha’s location by the second in command. It turns out that Lord knew Osha as trainees back at the Jedi Academy before she left the Order. They believe that she killed Indara, though she insists that she didn’t. On Coruscant, Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) teaches a group of younglings. He’s interrupted by Master Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson), who informs him that his former Padawan has killed Master Indara. Sol doesn’t believe this, but agrees to help in bringing about the swift resolution to the issue. On the prison ship, Osha wakes and finds another group of prisoners ready to make a break for it by destroying all the droids guarding/running the ship. Osha insists that’s dangerous, but they do it anyway, making their escape without her. Osha gets free using PIP, and frees the only prisoner left aboard, but he panics and leaves in the only remaining escape pod. Osha crashes with the ship on Carlac. Sol is able to talk to one of the (briefly) escaped prisoners and finds out that she saved his life. He asks for permission to look for her in the wreckage, and is granted it, bring along his current Padawan, Jecki Lon (Dafoe Keen). They also bring Yord along, who is eager to make up for his error in failing to bring Osha in. On Carlac, Osha has a dream/vision about her twin sister Mae, the two of them speaking as children. Sol and Jecki also talk about Osha’s past, and he tells his Padawan that that Osha’s sister started a fire 16 years ago on the planet Brendok that killed their whole family, leaving him to take Osha as an apprentice. The Jedi find the crash site and track Osha, who nearly slips from a cliff in fear. Sol saves her and believes her when she tells him that she thinks Mae is alive. On another world, Mae approaches a figure with a red lightsaber, who insists that Jedi cannot be defeated by weapons: Only an Acolyte can truly destroy Jedi and their dream. Recap: “Revenge / Justice” On the planet Olega, Mae has a child distract the droid guard at the local Jedi temple so that she can enter. She finds her next target, Jedi Master Torbin (Dean-Charles Chapman), who is in a state of constant meditation. When she moves to attack him, a bubble of Force energy prevents her approach entirely. She leaves frustrated. On the Jedi ship, Sol checks in with Vernestra only to find that she agrees with him about Osha—there has been word of another attack on Olega, and she wants him to investigate and take the real murderer into custody. Yord protests this when he learns of it, but settles once he finds out that the Jedi on Coruscant support Sol’s mission. Mae enters an apothecary on Olega and finds Qimir (Manny Jacinto), an agent aligned or directly connected to her cause. She tells him that she needs a poison to kill Torbin and asks him to add bunta to it. He reminds her that she’s supposed to be killing these Jedi without weapons, but Mae insists that she has two more Jedi on her list after this, and she will kill one without weapons to please “the Master.” Qimir makes the poison and tells Osha that Torbin isn’t the serene façade he projects, that he craves absolution, which she can give him. On the ship, Sol questions Osha about her new tattoo, and they talk about what happened to her family on Brendok. When Osha insists that it wasn’t his fault, Sol tells her that he’s made peace with it, while Osha admits that she couldn’t and feels she was a poor student. Sol wonders if he was a bad teacher. The Jedi arrive at the temple on Olega directly after Mae has broken in again. This time she puts the poison before Torbin and tells him that he either confesses his crime to the Jedi Council, or takes it and receives absolution from her. He comes out of his trance and takes the poison. As this is happening, Osha walks through the temple and takes a turn, having another vision of her young sister. She comes upon Torbin’s body, but when she’s about to be accused, Yord comes to her defense; he followed her when she wandered off and knows she came upon Torbin already dead. Because it’s bunta, Osha knows it had to be made fresh, so they check out the apothecary and the local Padawan (Ed Kear) confirms that Qimir is not their regular guy. They decide to send in Osha as her sister to get information from him, and get him to confess to being an accessory so that the Jedi have reason to arrest him. She gets the confession before Qimir can tell that she’s Mae’s twin, and the Jedi corner him. He feigns ignorance, though Qimir does admit that he knows Mae wants revenge on four Jedi and that she’s coming back later for some things he’s holding for her. The Jedi keep the apothecary on watch until nightfall and Sol gets ready to confront Mae. Osha doesn’t want him to do it because she knows that he must be one of the Jedi her sister is intending to kill—one of the four who were present for the fire. Sol asks Osha to let him try to save Mae the way he couldn’t when they were children. He also asks her to have faith in her sister… and in him. Sol confronts Mae and they duel with the Force; he takes her daggers from her. Sol tries to find out who her master is, but learns that he has taken pains to hide his identity, even from her. The Jedi have Mae cornered, so she uses a smoke bomb and vanishes. Osha manages to find her, but doesn’t hit her with the stun weapon she’s carrying. Mae gets away. Sol contacts Coruscant, only to be told by Vernestra to come in, despite his objections. Mae finds Qimir, furious with him for selling her out, but he mollifies her by telling her where to find Kelnacca, the Wookiee Jedi she’s after. On Khofar, a couple of travelers find a homestead and wonder if they can find parts there to repair their ship. This turns out to be a mistake when Kelnacca (Joonas Soutamo) emerges to chase them from his home. Commentary In hindsight, it’s pretty obvious to bring in the big star in an awesome role and kill them immediately, but I’m still unhappy about it. Carrie-Anne Moss deserves better than this! Also, I was looking forward to her being around. But, y’know, it’s probably illegal to have more than one over-40 star in your cool new show, particularly if the extraneous character in question is a woman. (Also, do I really need to get into how all the “young” men on the show are basically my age, but our young main female characters are played by actors who are 19 and 25 respectively? Particularly when you account for the fact that Yord and Osha are supposed to be contemporaries?) I will let it go, for now, but it’s kind of important to point out that it’s screwy as hell. Having started with that—because the show started with that, it’s not my fault—I can move on to the many things I absolutely love about what’s happening here. Starting with the best/worst: The Jedi are cops. It’s been implicit in so much of what audiences saw in the prequels, but moving it to the High Republic era does so much work to clarify that truth. The Jedi under the auspices of the Republic are particularly terrible cops. Everything they do is TV Cop Playbook 101: Intimidate civilians, check. Arrest people at will, and with no indication of legal process, check. (I mean, arrest people fullstop—the Jedi literally cuff folks and throw them into outer space hurry-up wagons?) Give no regard to local customs or individual rights, check. Expect automatic and thorough cooperation due to station, check. Oh, and these cops can and will read your mind at their convenience, without any permissions needed whatsoever, and no one’s gonna help you because of their fancy powers. This is horrifying. I love it. I’m guessing George Lucas hates it. But I love it. Though it’s something Star Wars has been reticent to touch on, you can’t get the Jedi Order we see in the prequels without years and years of flagrant abuse. The Jedi are so atrophied by the time we reach that point that converting them into generals for the next major galactic war isn’t a stretch so much as a foregone conclusion. This is exactly how you get there. And you can’t count out the relevance that Osha’s difficulty with the Jedi Order comes from being in the exact same position as Anakin: “too old” to train and shaped by traumatic family events. Despite the textual background and how awful it is, the characters we’ve got are all wonderful. Lee said that he built Sol on watching Qui-Gon Jinn in particular, but he exudes far more warmth and candor than Episode I gave us with Jinn. His love for Osha radiates from him, his need to care for her and do right by her even years after their parting becoming a driving force to the plot from the moment he hears her name. Showrunner Leslye Headland said that she wanted to focus on Kurosawa’s influence on Star Wars rather than the more Western-based focus we’ve been getting for Star Wars of late. It’s coming through clearly so far, though we’re liable to get more of it as the plot goes forward. (She said the Rashomon was a key text, which should prove interesting as the story unfolds.) But the place where it comes through the most is in the bearing and code that Sol and Indara both keep; Mae tells Indara that a Jedi doesn’t draw their weapons unless they’re prepared to kill, drawing a clear connection between Jedi and Samurai codes of honor. At the reminder of this, Indara deactivates her saber. But Sol pointedly never draws his blade in this first fight with Mae. His commitment to that code, his desire to restore Osha’s faith, is where he stands. We’ve also arrived at a point in Star Wars lore where lightsaber colors and variation tell us a great deal about character, and the reveal becomes exactly that—a small revelation about who we’re looking at. We can see an independence of thought in Indara through her green blade, just as we can see the commitment to protection of the Order in Yord’s yellow one. We know the color of Sol’s blade from the trailers, but it feels relevant that we’ve not yet been shown within the show itself. He’s a little bit of a secret, being slowly divulged as we go. Headland’s direction on these episodes is great, even if I wished she’d allowed herself to go just a fraction more stylistic in the execution. Her competence stands out particularly well during the fight sequences, which are absolutely pristine down the line. The only thing I’m just a little disappointed on is the mystery aspect? Obviously the Jedi did something the day that Mae allegedly set that fire—something that I hope won’t simply be explained away as unavoidable so they can be entirely absolved of the incident. But the mystery around the murder would have been a lot more fun if the reveal were stretched. Spanners and Sabers Yord’s apprentice is Zygerrian, which isn’t unheard of, but is still a big friggin’ deal because her people make their money as slavers. The Republic outlaws the practice, so Zygerrians aren’t actually members, leaving a lot of questions as to how Zygerrians ever become part of the Order. There are only one or two more on record, far as I know. I really love that Charlie Barnett had to be an unqualified wreck throughout Russian Doll, only to have Leslye Headland approach him this time like “Okay, can I make it up to you with Hot Jedi?” I have to assume that’s how the conversation went. Jecki is a Theelin-human hybrid, which is a species we first saw in Return of the Jedi’s Special Edition release: The Max Rebo Band backup singer Rystáll Sant is also Theelin and human. But Jecki’s demeanor is a little unusual given that Theelin’s are known for being an artistic bunch. Her attitude is a lot more… I’m gonna say Vulcan. It’s thoroughly enjoyable watching her boss everyone around and generally be right. Interesting that the Republic doesn’t allow for organic beings to do outer ship repairs, mostly because I’m curious about the economics of the situation. It suggests that having droids is more expensive than paying wages to people, and I’d just like a breakdown on how that works out. Is it an up-front cost issue at this point in time, perhaps? As much as I’m interested in who the person with the red lightsaber is, I also enjoy that we’re getting confirmation through the ages on dark side users being absolute cowards: A good half of them are so afraid to show how normal they are, they keep modulating the hell out of their appearances and voices. Theater is a prime factor in how the dark side functions, and the Sith really said “If you can’t make your own, store-bought is fine.” Absolutely adore Ed Kear’s Padawan character, please bring him back, please put him in everything. See you next week…[end-mark] The post <i>The Acolyte’</i>s Two-Part Premiere Is Captivating for All the Right Reasons appeared first on Reactor.

Earlier this year, Joe Biden’s campaign manager said, “We are running a campaign like the fate of our democracy depends on it.” That’s a heady statement, but an intentional one. The president himself uses the term “our democracy” frequently, as do most progressive politicians and pundits as they wring their hands about the coming election. Book titles such as “Reclaiming Our Democracy,” “The Future of Our Democracy,” and “Driving Our Democracy to Autocracy” are popping up increasingly as well. A conspiracy? Doubtful. But neither is it merely coincidence. According to Google’s Ngram Viewer, an online tool that searches historical sources to track word usage over time, only twice before has the term “our democracy” been in use more frequently than today: the late 1880s (around the time the Statue of Liberty was dedicated) and the late 1930s (during the height of the Great Depression and the onset of World War II). Between 1950 and 1970, the term “our democracy” was rarely seen in print. But its usage has ratcheted up steadily since the Reagan Revolution began in 1981, and especially since 2000. It’s a development about which we all should be dubious. I recall learning in 10th grade civics class (for readers born after 1980, that used to be a thing) that America is not a democracy, but a democratic republic. This is a distinction with a very clear difference, most notably the delegation by the people of various and vital public decisions to elected officials. Although many will say that the term “our democracy” is an innocent shortcut, a catchall phrase for our nation specifically or rule by the people generally, the author of our Constitution would disagree. James Madison made clear in Federalist 14 that “under the confusion of names, it has been an easy task to transfer to a republic observations applicable to a democracy,” and that there are dangers in confounding the two. Those dangers are manifest today. Progressives’ widespread and increasing use of this innocuous-sounding term is weakening our constitutional checks and balances and undermining the Bill of Rights, the only things standing in the way of what Madison called “the tyranny of the majority.” Those who most traffic in the term wish to eliminate the Electoral College and reapportion the Senate by population rather than by state. They are working on multiple fronts to weaken First Amendment protections for speech and religion. They have long had the Second Amendment in their sights. And they consistently oppose individuals and organizations that push back against draconian federal restrictions such as public health lockdowns and climate change regulations. If “our democracy” wants it, “our democracy” should get it, goes their reasoning, oblivious to Booker T. Washington’s admonition: “A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good, just because it’s accepted by a majority.” During this election cycle, however, progressives are putting “our democracy” to work in an even more pointed way. Like a magician using sleight of hand to distract his audience, they’re using the phrase to present a false binary to American voters. In sports, this is called “hiding the ball.” Donald Trump, according to the Left, is an authoritarian who not only will take away our rights but eliminate elections. The charge is, of course, ridiculous—Trump stepped down despite his objections to the 2020 election results, and last I checked it’s his opponents who are using authoritarian tactics to ensure he doesn’t win reelection. But the charge is useful, which to a Marxist mind is all the justification it needs. Contrasting the potential “autocracy” of a second Trump administration with Biden’s ostensible defense of “our democracy” is meant to distract us from recognizing the real decision that confronts the voters and the actual threat to our republic: the creeping totalitarianism of the administrative state. Totalitarianism is defined as “subordination of the individual to the state and strict control of all aspects of the life and productive capacity of the nation, especially by coercive measures.” Ask anybody who lived through COVID-19 if that sounds familiar. And if you visit Britannica.com—the modern iteration of the company whose encyclopedias we used in 10th grade civics class to learn about things like history and government—you’ll see a more expansive description: Totalitarianism is a form of government that attempts to assert total control over the lives of its citizens. It is characterized by strong central rule that attempts to control and direct all aspects of individual life through coercion and repression. It does not permit individual freedom. Traditional social institutions and organizations are discouraged and suppressed, making people more willing to be merged into a single unified movement. I could have sworn I heard something like that last line in a video at the 2012 Democratic National Convention: “Government is the only thing that we all belong to.” Britannica goes on to say that it was Italian dictator Benito Mussolini who first used the term totalitario, meaning “all within the state, none outside the state, none against the state.” It cites as examples of totalitarian states not only Mussolini’s Italy but Stalin’s Soviet Union, Hitler’s Germany, and Mao’s China. Given the growth of the federal government over the past century, totalitarianism certainly represents a greater threat to the United States than authoritarianism. We’re not there yet, and thanks to America’s exceptional institutions perhaps we won’t get there. But as the recent violent increase in antisemitism shows, something we thought could “never again” happen very well might—all it takes is one generation of historical ignorance. Those same institutions that have protected us from anything approaching authoritarianism increasingly are becoming our totalitarian masters. As William F. Buckley once observed, it is the extent, not the source, of government power that impinges on freedom.” Whenever you hear talking heads refer to “our democracy,” pay special attention to what comes next. Don’t assume they’re referring to the democratic republic handed down from our Founding Fathers or trying to preserve our Constitution and its safeguards. More likely they’re taking advantage of our increasing historical ignorance resulting from the Left’s capture of our educational institutions (which was all part of the plan). Let’s call our nation what it is: a republic. Whether out of ignorance or malevolence, saying “our democracy” is less likely to strengthen our heritage than seed our demise. We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post The Problem With ‘Our Democracy’ appeared first on The Daily Signal.

“I’ll be damned if I’m going to let Donald Trump turn America into a place that is filled with anger, resentment, and hate,” President Joe Biden said May 29 in Philadelphia. So, why did America’s self-styled uniter-in-chief decide to “stop the shouting and lower the temperature”—as he promised in his inaugural address—by recruiting Robert De Niro, one of Hollywood’s loudest hotheads? “Trump wants revenge, and he’ll stop at nothing to get it,” the veteran actor said as narrator of a Biden-campaign ad released May 24. De Niro’s overheated audio track continues: “Now, he’s running again, this time threatening to be a dictator. To terminate the Constitution.”  Biden could have tapped the suave and even-keeled George Clooney or the widely admired Julia Roberts, both talented supporters. Instead, Biden picked the boisterous, unhinged De Niro, whose comments about Donald Trump slide from the vulgar to the violent. On May 28, the Biden campaign staged a press conference outside the Manhattan Criminal Courts Building. Inside Room 1530 that morning, I was among those witnessing closing arguments in New York State vs. Donald J. Trump. Confirming suspicions that this bookkeeping-entry trial was a Democratic election-interference operation, like Trump’s other persecutions, De Niro and Biden-Harris 2024 Communications Director Michael Tyler stood before microphones and taunted Trump on one of the toughest days of his life. “I don’t mean to scare you. No, wait, maybe I do mean to scare you,” De Niro said. “If Trump returns to the White House, you can kiss these freedoms goodbye that we all take for granted … And elections. Forget about it. That’s over. That’s done. If he gets in. I can tell you right now. He will never leave.” De Niro added, “Donald Trump wants to destroy not only the city, but the country, and, eventually, he could destroy the world.” (Funny: After Trump left office in January 2021, Americans’ freedoms and elections remained, and the rest of the Earth is still there.) This disastrously misconceived stunt then melted down as local Trump fans defended the presumptive GOP presidential nominee and swapped insults with the two-time Academy Award winner, whose screen credits include “Goodfellas” and “Raging Bull.” “You’re trash! You’re done!” one man yelled at De Niro. Another screamed: “You ruined Leo DiCaprio!”  “You are gangsters,” De Niro hollered back. “You are gangsters!” This was not the first time that Biden’s new spokesman devolved into what the president decries as “anger, resentment, and hate.” De Niro’s May 14 anti-Trump tirade on ABC’s “The View” was packed with repeatedly bleeped F-bombs. “He’s so f—ing stupid,” De Niro told ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel in March. “He’s a f—ing moron.” While hosting the June 2018 Tony Awards, De Niro declared: “F— Trump.” “He’s a punk. He’s a dog. He’s a pig,” De Niro ranted about Trump in a 2016 video for #VoteYourFuture. De Niro notoriously added: “I’d like to punch him in the face.” But De Niro and Biden are not so far apart. The warm, lovable Grandpa Lunchbucket Joe from Scranton, Pa., who Democrats showcased in 2020 was a mirage. Americans have learned the hard way that Biden is a nasty, vindictive man who lusts to imprison the leader of the opposition. Asked Friday at the White House about Trump’s charge that Biden had made him a political prisoner, Biden displayed an Arctic smile that seemed chilled by ice water in his arteries. ???Exclusive !!! The face of corruption. pic.twitter.com/IAvDv7X5ie— Chris LaCivita (@LaCivitaC) May 31, 2024 Joe Biden led a chaotic and deadly U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and left thousands of pro-American translators and other local allies to the Taliban’s tender mercies. When the remains of 13 Americans killed in a suicide bombing returned home from Kabul, Biden repeatedly and coldly checked his watch, rather than focus exclusively on those fallen GIs’ flag-draped caskets. After a massive train derailment, chemical spill, and conflagration plagued East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 2023, residents waited for Biden to visit. And waited. And waited. The East Palestinians finally saw Biden last Feb. 16—fully 54 weeks into their long local nightmare. In contrast, Trump flew in to feel their pain just 19 days after their toxic hell exploded.  Biden blames ongoing inflation not on his own reckless spend-aholism, but on “corporate greed.” So, U.S. companies generously kept inflation at 1.4% as Trump left office. But then they suddenly became gluttons and boosted overall prices by 19.87% over Biden’s first 39 months versus 5.58% for Trump’s equivalent interval? Really?  Unlike De Niro, Biden keeps his mouth clean in public. But off-camera, he is a bully who pummels staffers with foul language. In an article headlined, “Old Yeller: Biden’s Private Fury,” Axios’ Alex Thompson reported that the president explodes at White House aides. “G– d— it, how the f–k don’t you know this?” Biden demands. To others, he screams, “Get the f–k out of here!”  Despite multiple death threats, two home-trespassing incidents, and an armed impostor’s arrest at a campaign event, Biden has rejected Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s five requests for Secret Service protection. Never mind that his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated in 1963, nor that his father was fatally shot in 1968 by Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian-Jordanian infuriated by RFK’s “sole support of Israel,” as Sirhan told British newsman David Frost. (Sound familiar?) Nice guys don’t expose their competitors to the risk of killing in cold blood. Biden, 81, and De Niro, 80, deserve each other. They are a pair of mean, cranky, decaying leftists who gush anger, resentment, and hate at their political opponents. In a word: Badfellas.   We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post ‘Badfellas’: Joe Biden and Robert De Niro, 2 Raging Peas in a Pod appeared first on The Daily Signal.