flixter / CC

Two things we like about Disney's new movie, G-Force: The guinea pigs aren't real (they're computer-generated), and they totally kick butt.

But here's something we don't like: Kids who see the movie are no doubt going to beg Mom and Dad to buy them a guinea pig, pleading their case with the usual promises ("I'll take out the trash and clean up my room." "I'll stop telling my brother he is adopted." Etc.)

Since we all know these promises are as empty as a box of Teddy Grahams 30 seconds into a PETA volunteer work party: Parents, don't fall for it. Guinea pigs are not, I repeat not suitable "starter pets" for kids. They are noisy, are messy, have sensitive digestive systems, and are extremely fragile—a fall from a couch can break a guinea pig's back and paralyze him or her. They may be small, but guinea pigs require huge amounts of time, money, and care—including daily cage cleanings, regular nail trimming and grooming, annual veterinary exams, high-quality food, fresh fruits and vegetables, vitamin C to prevent scurvy, as well as daily exercise and attention.

So, Mom and Dad, repeat after me: "What happens in a Disney movie stays in a Disney movie." You wouldn't bring Hannah Montana home, so please don't bring Suarez, Darwin, and Blaster home either.

Written by Alisa Mullins

destination360 / CC

Somewhere between the golden cartoon age of Bugs Bunny and the pop-centric youth culture of Hannah Montana, a few television networks thought it would be a grand idea to start airing fishing and hunting shows on Saturday mornings—during that crucial time slot when impressionable children in pajamas slurp soymilk from bowls of cereal and stare wide-eyed at the tube.

Teaching kids that cruelty to animals is acceptable can have a long-lasting and deadly effect. Remember "Son of Sam," Jeffrey Dahmer, and the "Boston Strangler"? These individuals, like most serial killers, each had a history of abusing and killing animals. So, we've sent several network TV stations a letter requesting that they remove hunting and fishing programs from their Saturday morning line-ups, on the basis that those programs glorify violence toward animals and should certainly not be airing at a time when children could stumble upon them.

To paraphrase good ol' Bugs, "What's up with that, Doc?"

Written by Jennifer Cierlitsky