What T Cooper Advocates This Month

...Pit Bull Advocacy
Pit bulls are simply, undeniably, the most outgoing and gentle-spirited of breeds; they don't even make good guard dogs because they're so people-friendly. My wife, our kids, and I live with two rescues, and it's unfathomable to me how many strangers will be loving all over our dogs out on the street somewhere but then suddenly recoil in horror when they inquire as to what kind of dog is happily allowing their unruly toddler to "ride" him and stick their stubby little fingers into his mouth. All but a tiny number of the tortured Michael Vick dogs were able to be placed into loving forever homes with kids and other pets, so it's clearly a case of nurture and circumstance -- not that certain types of dogs are "born bad." P.S.: Their jaws don't lock: that's a myth. BadRap.org, SulaFoundation.org

...Ben's Barbers. My barber of many years has struck out on his own after a long tenure at Manhattan's legendary Neighborhood Barbers. His decor leaves a lot to be desired, but Ben also happens to breed birds on the side -- so when clippers aren't buzzing, your haircut is punctuated by chirping finches and peeping lovebirds. BensBarbers.com

...Obama-Biden. Because I believe in crazy stuff like a lady's right not to have a rapist's baby. And keeping God out of government. And people getting to make their own decisions about things like who they love, who they have sex with, whether to have children. And -- oh, my fucking God, what's happened to the dialogue in this country?
BarackObama.com

...Dolly Parton. If Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, or Rihanna had even a modicum of Dolly's talent, intelligence, abilities, charm, or heart, then I could maybe listen to the radio once in a while nowadays. But I can't, because there is only one Dolly, and she's likely an angel--or an alien. Either is fine with me.
DollyParton.com

...BBC. I love me some shenanigans on Downton Abbey, and I'm psyched that Shirley MacLaine's now on the scene to give Maggie Smith's character the business. I also enjoy (more than seems natural) Luther and my wishful thinking alter ego, Idris Elba, not to mention my co-freak, Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock.
BBCAmerica.com, PBS.org

...Buffalo Exchange. Lord knows there's already too much crap manufactured on the planet, so it's nice to recycle threads, save (or make) a little cash off of them, and of course, most important, look fly in fancy-ass designer pants that you paid one fourth of the full price for. When I travel I stop at every Buffalo Exchange I come across (New York, Portland, New Orleans, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, etc).
BuffaloExchange.com