Now, I was sort of on the fence about the rabbit wedding--it's disagreeable in principle, but not all that cruel in itself. But I'm pretty sure that whatever's going on here with Sugarbush the Squirrel is not okay. I think we can all agree that wild animals shouldn't wear clothes, let alone, um, military uniforms, Michael Jackson wigs, spectacles, hard hats--my list of things that wild animals shouldn't wear grows with every glance at this astounding website.

I guess this is one of those things best left in the hinternet, to look at from work and send to everyone you know, but to let pass largely without comment. But since it's somewhat related to the rabbit wedding business, I thought the matter might bear some examination.

Never mind the preposterously bad taste of it all. Never mind this:

Sugar Bush Squirrel rushed to the Gulf Coast, after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, to help the people restore their electricity and telephone service. As if climbing telephone poles weren't risky enough, Sugar Bush had to make sure that she carried her rifle on her shoulder at all times, as rescue workers have been fired upon by a band of wild thugs. When asked about the danger, she said, "No big deal. I'm used to being shot at in Iraq and Afghanistan. I just want to help these people get their lives back in order." You go, Squirrel!

The more I read on this page, the less I understand. According to the website, Sugarbush's "mom" is Kelly Foxton, a country musician and former "Military Pin-Up Queen."

Now, after settling down in sunny, south Florida, Kelly has decided to continue her mission to boost the morale of our troops by photographing her pet squirrel in cute military shots. That way the guys and girls, keeping our great country free and helping to bring democracy to the rest of the world, will have a little 'Military Mascot' to carry around with them in their pockets to remind them that we, back here in America, are with them all the way.

So she sounds kind of serious. Still feeling lost, I tried to find some context through google. Here's one of the best explanations I found, from nerdmeyr: "Sugarbush is absolutely inscrutable, not because s/he’s a squirrel, but because we’re living after 'the death of affect' (Ballard) brought about by the very technologies which make Sugarbush possible."

I should also say that Sugarbush has a pretty cute squirrel face.