A n i m a l W r i t e s © sm
The official ANIMAL RIGHTS ONLINE newsletter
Publisher ~ EnglandGal@aol.com
Issue #
09/24/00
Editor ~ JJswans@aol.com
Journalists ~ Park StRanger@aol.com
~
MicheleARivera@aol.com
~ SavingLife@aol.com
THE ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE ARE:
1 ~ Vegetarianism - The Way Forward for the
World
by Maxwell G. Lee - President VSUK
- President IVU
2 ~ "Sport" Hunting - by Jean & Mike
Gonska
3 ~ Student Job Opportunity
4 ~ I Want To Know - by Cyndiob@aol.com
5 ~ Websites of Note
6 ~ World Farm Animals Day Vigils at State Capitols
7 ~ HOPE Rally (To End Horse Slaughter) Online
Video!
8 ~ More Than An Angel
9 ~ Quote To Remember
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Vegetarianism -
The Way Forward for the World
by Maxwell G. Lee - President VSUK - President IVU
100754.1763@compuserve.com
It
has been suggested that animals were put on Earth for humans to use. This
is seen by many as a reason for not worrying about the maltreatment of
animals. Throughout the world animals are normally and routinely
suffering whether they are being used for food, sport, research or even as
pets. The humane vegetarian argument is that we should treat all life on
Earth with respect. Whilst many are vegetarian for religious, economic or
health reasons the moral arguments appeal increasingly as new ways of using
animals are leading to more and more cruelty. In the West moral arguments
increasingly appeal to people. A major United Kingdom survey has shown
that well over ninety percent of responding vegetarians have adopted such a
diet for moral reasons. It should be remembered that the Vegetarian
Society of the United Kingdom was the first vegetarian society and in 1997
celebrates its 150th anniversary, having been formed in 1847. Throughout
its history many have seen moral arguments as the most important reason for
becoming vegetarian with health reasons a long way behind. For other
countries the picture is less clear but vegetarianism is growing in Western
countries. In other parts of the world, where many cannot afford the
luxury of expensive meat and related products, meat consumption is seen as
Western, a sign of affluence and something to be aimed at. Young people in
particular see copying Western behavior as desirable. This is ironic
since in the West young people increasingly question the values and practices
of their societies.
The moral argument for vegetarianism owes something to religious beliefs but
stands on its own as a reason for being vegetarian. People see intensive
farming of animals, genetic engineering being applied to animals and the
treatment animals receive from birth to death, and beyond, as lacking any
morality. In addition, the evidence being produced by medical research
and investigations into the health of vegetarians, compared to those who
consume meat, shows that a vegetarian diet is better for health and that animal
eating is associated with much higher rates of diseases common in modern
society. Vegetarians are much less likely to suffer cancer, heart
disease, kidney or liver problems, or diabetes, than those who consume
meat. Recent scares about Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Mad Cow
Disease) in cattle are being linked to Kreutzfeld Jakob Disease in humans. The
scandal of salmonella in eggs and the use of antibiotics, growth enhancers and
hormones in animals are a further concern for those who continue to eat
animals. These additives not only concentrate in animal flesh and organs
but also find their way into water courses and rivers so being ingested by
humans whose water supply is taken from the very same rivers. It is a
sorry story that human health is being jeopardized because of the ways in which
animals are treated.
Vegetarianism in the United Kingdom is now strong and playing an important part
in decisions by food producers and retailers. The demand for special vegetarian
foods by both vegetarians and those concerned about the safety of animal foods
is leading to rapid growth in the provision of vegetarian foods. All
major food retailers make special efforts to ensure a good range of vegetarian
products in their displays. Such fast food restaurant chains as McDonalds
and Burger King provide vegetarian options. Burger King made an agreement
to use the symbol of The Vegetarian Society on suitable burgers and have had
very large posters in their windows advertising the vegetarian burgers and
stating that they are approved by The Vegetarian Society. Near to my
home, Manchester City Council issues a guide to restaurants in the city and
only four of those listed do not indicate that they offer vegetarian
dishes. Wherever one goes in Britain it is now easy to obtain vegetarian
meals. It is estimated that there are now 4 million people adopting a
vegetarian diet and that the growth in numbers is particularly strong among
young women. Meat eaters often decide to have vegetarian meals since they
realize that a vegetarian diet is better for health and this message is
increasingly publicized by radio, television and the newspapers.
Whilst some food producers and retailers have designed their own symbol to
indicate vegetarian products, many use the symbol of The Vegetarian Society and
pay the society a license fee to be allowed to do so. The society checks
all ingredients to ensure they are acceptable to vegetarians and the product
can then use the registered symbol and state "Approved by the Vegetarian
Society." The symbol is increasingly being marketed in other
countries.
Continental Europe is moving towards a vegetarian diet but somewhat more
slowly. The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Italy have made
good progress along the vegetarian path. However, other countries are
moving somewhat more slowly. At least it is now normal to have vegetarian
organizations promoting the way of life. On the continent it is much more
common for people to adopt a vegetarian diet for health reasons with moral ones
somewhat less important. Recent years have seen the growth of vegetarian
societies in former communist countries. In most, such societies were not
allowed under the former political system. Their vegetarian societies are
attracting growing interest as people learn more about the moral and health
problems of meat consumption.
North America is also showing a marked growth of vegetarianism with vegetarian
societies throughout and vegetarian meals being readily available in most
parts. It is common to find vegetarian restaurants and shops selling
suitable foods. One simple omission is the terrible cotton wool bread
which is so common! One has to really search for good wholemeal
bread.
Latin America is another region with marked contrasts from country to
country. The interest is more on health than moral and many people are
demi vegetarian since they still eat fish. Restaurants catering for
vegetarians are not uncommon but the interest in providing for vegetarians is
still very limited. Such vegetarian societies as exist are local and
play a small part in the worldwide vegetarian movement.
Africa is stirring in terms of vegetarianism. For a long time there were
only such societies in South Africa and Nigeria. However, recent years
have seen the formation of vegetarian societies in Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia,
Zimbabwe and Botswana. Indeed, a celebratory dinner held by the
vegetarian society in Botswana was attended by the country's president at the
time, himself a vegetarian.
Asia has a long history of vegetarianism but this is being undermined
by commercial interests and the failure of governments to respect their
national traditions. In many cases they are encouraging the consumption
of meats such as chicken. The Indian Government has encountered much
opposition from the many vegetarian groups to its policy of encouraging the use
of eggs and consumption of chickens. It is estimated that well over a
quarter of the Indian population is vegetarian. In Thailand vegetarianism
exists with a number of vegetarian societies. Vegetarian restaurants are
quite common in the cities. However, many Buddhist monks, operating on the
principle that they eat whatever food is given to them, will eat meat when
provided. The country does have an annual festival in October when people
are encouraged to be vegetarian for a week! In China people might be vegetarian
for religious reasons but economic reasons are also important. People are
poor and often unable to afford meat. Japan does not have a history of
respect for animals so there is a very limited vegetarian tradition.
There is a vegetarian society which is beginning to flourish. In other
countries vegetarianism is either taken for granted as in Malaysia and Shri
Lanka or largely ignored as in many of the Moslem states.
Australia in some ways mirrors the developments in North America and
Europe. Whilst the interest is growing markedly, the vegetarian societies
are generally small but making progress. Vegetarian meal provision is
very patchy but quite normal in large cities. Concern for the cruelties
done to animals is a growing influence encouraging people to think about their
use of animals. The annual cull of kangaroos in Australia is done in a
very cruel manner and attracting increasing opposition.
The world-wide vegetarian movement is coordinated by the International
Vegetarian Union (IVU) which was formed in 1908 and aims to promote
vegetarianism world-wide and encourage the formation of vegetarian societies
where none exist. It has a number of regional organizations. Both
world and regional vegetarian congresses are organized to promote the cause and
to bring vegetarians together from all parts of the world to work to promote
vegetarianism. IVU has a considerable amount of material on its web pages
about the organization and the promotion of vegetarianism. People can
become individual members and participate in the various discussion groups etc.
The arguments for a vegetarian approach are an attractive message since the
evidence, whether moral, health, environmental or economic, is very
strong. Recent years have seen a massive improvement in the availability
of information about vegetarianism. This is due to the availability of
such information on the world wide web. Internet access is becoming much
more common and enables immediate and cheap communication and access to information
in any part of the world. Vegetarianism is readily available on the
"Vegetarian Pages" and this is accessed by increasing numbers of
people.
It is an exciting time to be vegetarian or animal activist. The global
accessibility means that events in any part of the world become common
knowledge and the ways in which we treat animals may be shown daily on
television everywhere. It is a gradual process to educate the population
of the world. Whilst so many people are still lacking sufficient food and
unspeakable cruelties are done to humans, some might argue that concern about
animals is a luxury. Others of us see the relationship between the way in
which we treat each other and the way in which we treat animals. The two
are interrelated. If we respect the right of every individual to live
safely with sufficient food and shelter, then the world will become a better
place. Then to ignore the responsibility for the animal kingdom will be
even less tenable than it is today. The fact that animals do not speak in
a language we readily understand, that they are of differing levels of
intelligence and are different physically should not be seen as a reason for
treating them badly and without respect or concern. If we continue to do
so, we might equally decide that it is logical, and even proper, to treat badly
other humans who differ in language, intelligence or physical appearance.
The world is trying to move away from racism, sexism, etc. Surely it is
also logical to move away from speciesism?
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"Sport" Hunting
by Jean & Mike Gonska - hugadog1@localnet.com
Hunting is NOT a sport or a game. The
definition of sport includes 3 criteria:
1) All of the players have consented to participate;
2) All of the players are equally equipped;
3) All of the players know the rules.
Any TRUE sport like basketball or tennis would meet these criteria.
However, the hunter uses a weapon to stalk, prey upon and injure or kill a
defenseless, unsuspecting animal who is in his own home minding his own
business. This scenario is no different than a person relaxing in the
comfort of his living room and suddenly and unexpectedly being shot at by a
stranger from a nearby rooftop.
Hunters often use the poor excuse that they are reducing deer populations, when
in actuality they are a cause of overpopulation. Deer populations are
manipulated by wildlife agencies paid for by hunters for the purpose of
producing maximum targets and revenue. Make no mistake, a state's deer
herd is a "cash crop" to the state. The deer herd is
intentionally cultivated and harvested in the same way a farmer grows his
crops. This is done by selectively killing the males, thereby skewing the
natural 1:1 sex ratio. In some areas, hunting has caused the sex ratio to rise
to as many as 25 females for each male. Deer are polygamous and a male
will breed with as many females as are available. With this female to
male imbalance, more breeding females are left available to increase the herd
size. Fish and game reports show that even when female deer are killed,
the remaining females compensated and had increased birth rates that not only
replaced the ones killed, but increased the overall size of the herd. Despite all
of the hunting and killing, deer populations increase, and that is exactly what
hunting commissions planned.
When left alone, God and nature manage populations of every species via natural
methods such as survival of the fittest. Instead, hunters usually target and
kill the fittest, strongest animals, leaving the weak. Deer birth rates are
also directly related to their environment and food supply. A herd that
is stressed by overpopulation and a short food supply has a very low fecundity
rate (successful pregnancy and births).
When overall deer herds are reduced and there's plenty of food to go around,
the successful pregnancy and birth rates increase and twin and triplet births
often occur. Nature figured this out millions of years before hunters in
orange coats showed up.
Hunters also use the excuse to kill that weak deer "might" starve,
and that's a cruel way to die, so instead, hunters injure thousands of deer and
leave them to suffer in agony; and kill others, dismember their bodies and eat
their flesh in order to "save" the deer from cruelties. Hunters
don't shoot scrawny starving deer anyway, they target big healthy ones.
Hunting actually can cause deer starvation. Deer build fat reserves
during the spring, summer and fall that is meant to carry them through the
winter. When the hunting season starts, deer are forced to flee and run
from place to place which causes them to lose these fat reserves. If game
commissions and hunters were really hunting because they were concerned about
starving deer, then hunting seasons would be in the late winter and early
spring when the food supply is at the lowest. Deer don't starve in the
hunting months of November or December.
Animals are living creatures that breathe like we do, their hearts beat like ours,
they suffer and feel pain, their blood appears identical to ours, and they have
the same desire to live that we do. Rather than taking pride in a
murdered animal strapped across a car or a decapitated head of a peaceful
creature hung on a wall, show your appreciation for nature and animals and
shoot only with your camera and preserve the beauty of all living beings.
Choose a compassionate lifestyle and leave the animals alone!
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Student Job Opportunity
From: "Jonathan Balcombe" - JBalcombe@hsus.org
Dear university student:
The Animal Research Issues section of The Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS) is seeking two committed student activists to help us with our projects.
Specifically, we seek one person to work on each of the following assignments.
We will pay you for these services.
1) Investigate animal research being conducted at your university/college
that may involve significant levels of animal pain and/or distress
This assignment relates to our ongoing Pain & Distress (P&D)
Initiative, which seeks to eliminate animal pain and distress in laboratories.
Like most scientists, we look forward to the day when animals are no longer
used in research. In the meantime, while animals continue to be used, we are
working on many fronts to see that animal P&D are addressed to the fullest.
This includes establishing clear definitions of P&D, getting research
scientists to better recognize and respond to P&D, promoting refinement
methods of research that minimize or eliminate P&D, and identifying
research projects that cause high levels of P&D so that we can address
them. It is this latter task for which we seek your help.
2 Survey course-based animal-use and policy at your school
This assignment relates to our ongoing efforts to eliminate consumptive uses of
animals in university classrooms. Universities purchase large numbers of
vertebrate animals from biological supply houses each year. These animals are
then used for dissections and invasive live animal procedures in courses in a
range of disciplines (e.g., biology, zoology, physiology, pharmacology,
medicine, veterinary medicine). There are abundant alternative methods that can
be used to either replace or reduce these animal uses, but for a variety of
reasons are not currently being made available. We need to identify courses
that are using animals, and how they are being used, so that we can act on
making alternatives available in these courses.
If you are interested in committing some of your time to helping us with either
of the above projects on your campus, we will pay you up to $500 for your
efforts (depending on the size of your school, and the resulting scale of your
assignment). Please reply to this e-mail with a telephone number and good times
to reach you, and we will contact you to discuss what sort of work arrangement
might be made.
For the animals,
Jonathan Balcombe, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Education
Animal Research Issues
The Humane Society of the United States
Ph: 301-258-3046
Fx: 301-258-7760
http://www.hsus.org/programs/research/animals_education.html
http://www.hsus.org/programs/research/monograph.html
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I Want To Know
by Cyndiob@aol.com
I have always loved animals of all kind, cat,
dogs, farm animals, birds, squirrels, horses, all animals. I always cared about
animals, but did not know about all the inhumane treatment of them. Now I am
older and wiser. I sit for hours searching the Internet, reading more
information than I ever wanted to know about. I go to the grocery store and see
the packaged meat, knowing about the pictures I have seen, the videos I have
watched and I wonder why my friends and family think I am crazy, an activist,
"one of those." Am I the only one who has compassion? Or is everyone else so busy that they just
"don't care." My favorite has always been "I don't want to
know." Why don't they want to know? Is it better to make believe it is not
happening? The "I Don't Want To Know" syndrome is the one that
bothers me the most! Why is it that I want to know, why do I want the
knowledge? Do they think that seeing these pictures and reading about it and
watching videos pleases me? Of course not. Suffering never made me feel good.
Not animals, not children, not adults, no I hate suffering.
I went to dinner with my best friend of over 20 years and what does she
order? Veal Chop! I want to scream at
the top of my lungs "What are you doing? Don't you realize that these
animals are born and are automatically put in a little stall where they cannot
walk, lay in their own feces, are made as anemic as possible so their meat can
be nice and white and tender and this is the way they live till they are
slaughtered? You are my friend for years and years, are you oblivious to all
this or is it "I just don't want to know." Is the way I feel because
I am an animal sympathizer? My mother died of a heart attack while making a ham
and cheese sandwich. She was 62. I watched her for many years eating loads of
fried foods, fatty foods, veal, pork, beef and what happened to her? Death at
an early age. Even when the doctor told her to cut down on the meat, eat more
fruits and vegetables she wouldn't and within a year she was dead.
I have had food poisoning and have researched enough about it to find out why I
got sick. Doesn't anyone think it is odd that we are told to cook our food well
done, bleach our counters after handling meat or poultry? It must tell them
something, or is it that they just "Don't Want To Know?" My God, I
don't only care about the animals, I care about people and how sick they can
get from these animals filled with antibiotics and disease. But how are they to
know? My friends and family don't research the internet, all the news shows
don't show the truths behind factory farming so they don't see it on
television. Can I show them the videos? I'm sure that they don't want to
know.
All I know is "I WANT TO KNOW." I know that since becoming a Vegan I
feel better, I am losing weight and have begun to care about myself more
because I feel better. Maybe they won't listen, maybe they think I am crazy, I
don't care. I will not stop telling
them what they don't want to know. Maybe when they see the changes in me it may
put a little light on in their head and maybe just a few may call me up and say
"Cyndi, I do want to know."
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Website of Note
Want to know what the
celebrities have to say about animals and animal rights?
The following websites have celebrity interviews.
Celebrity Interviews
http://www.animal-lib.org.au/interviews/
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World Farm Animals Day Vigils at State
Capitols
From: FARM - farm@farmusa.org
World
Farm Animals Day is the one day a year when all people of conscience are
honor-bound to express their outrage at the tragedy of farmed animals. For
up-to-date information on the observance, click on
http://www.farmusa.org/wfad/wfad-index.html
or call 1-888-FARM-USA.
On
October 2, animal activists will hold vigils and memorial services at the
national and all 50 state capitols. The occasion is the 18th annual observance
of World Farm Animals Day. It memorializes the suffering of ten billion
innocent, sentient animals raised for food and exposes the devastating health
and environmental impacts of animal agriculture. The date of October 2 honors
the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, foremost champion of humane farming.
This year's observance focuses on raising the awareness of candidates for
public office and their constituents to the tragedy of farm animals.
Thousands of questionnaires on treatment of farm animals will be sent to
candidates for national and local offices and the results will be circulated
widely.
The demonstrators will demand the following minimal reforms:
* Ban of veal crates
* Ban of sow gestation stalls
* Ban of battery cages
* Ban of forced molting of laying hens
* Enactment of Downed Animals Protection Act
* Strict enforcement of Humane Methods of Slaughter Act
* Phasing out subsidies for large factory farms
* Strict environmental pollution regulation of factory farms
* Strict control of antibiotics in factory farms
* Choice of plant-based foods in the National School Lunch menus
We still need demonstrators for some of the state capitols. Please
call Sandra
at 1-888-FARM-USA to offer your help.
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HOPE Rally (To End Horse
Slaughter) Online Video!
From: HOPEOrganizers@end-horse-slaughter.com
A picture is worth a thousand words, and a video
worth two thousand! Join us for a few minutes of the HOPE Rally held on Monday
(Sept. 18th in Washington, D.C.)!
The HSUS Animal Channel covered the Rally, and the video is up on the Animal
Channel page. The program also contains clips from the HSUS video "Stable
to Slaughter" that was played at the Rally, and reduced the audience to
tears at the sight of horses being driven into a double decker, and horses in
the stun chute.
Please visit the URL below, and then click on the "A Rally For The
Horses" link.
http://www.hsus.org/channel/
A full report on the Rally is being written, and
will be sent out as soon as it is finished. Pictures and video of the Trailer
Caravan, Rally, and the March will be up on our website soon, together with the
report! Watch the site for full information.
The Rally was a historic event, marking the first national event against equine
slaughter. It also marked a beginning - the beginning of the long road ahead to
end horse slaughter throughout the US. There are many new projects being
planned, and we will keep you updated through our regular monthly newsletter!
The HOPE Organization Committee
Please pass this announcement along to other lists and individuals to help
raise awareness about the issue of horse slaughter. Thank you.
http://hoperally.end-horse-slaughter.com
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More Than An Angel
The young pup and the older dog lay on
shaded sweet grass watching the reunions.
Sometimes a man, sometimes a woman,
sometimes a whole family would approach
the Rainbow Bridge, be greeted by their
loving pets and cross the bridge
together.
The young pup playfully nipped at the older one.
"Look! Something wonderful is happening!"
The older dog stood up and barked,
"Quickly, get over to the path."
"That's not my owner," whined the pup,
but he did as he was told. Thousands of pets
surged forward as a figure in white
walked on the path toward the bridge.
After the glowing figure passed each animal,
that animal bowed it's head in love and respect.
The figure finally approached the bridge,
and was met by a menagerie of joyous animals.
Together, they walked over the bridge and disappeared.
The young pup was still in awe.
"Was that an angel?" he whispered.
"No, son," the older dog replied.
"That was more than an angel.
That was a person who worked rescue."
(Author Unknown)
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Quote To Remember
"One
of the most pathetic of all the wordless cries of the out-of-doors is the
covey-call of the female quail at night, trying to gather together the scattered
flock after the dogs are called off and the hunters have gone home."
~ A Watcher in the Woods
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Susan Roghair - EnglandGal@aol.com
Animal Rights Online
P O Box 7053
Tampa, Fl 33673-7053
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1395/
-=Animal Rights Online=-
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