A n i m a l   W r i t e s © sm
                                   
The official ANIMAL RIGHTS ONLINE newsletter

 
Publisher   ~ EnglandGal@aol.com                                 Issue # 01/27/02
      Editor    ~ JJswans@aol.com
  Journalists ~ Park StRanger@aol.com
                   ~ MichelleRivera1@aol.com
                   ~
sbest1@elp.rr.com


  THE EIGHT ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE ARE:

  1  ~ True Story About a Dairy Marketing Call  by ParkStRanger@aol.com
  2  ~
Animal Rights Conference
  3  ~
Job Opportunities
  4  ~
Antis.....Can't Live With Them, Can't Learn Without Them 
               by Demnymets@aol.com
 
5  ~ Wildlife Snaring Expansion Proposed
  6  ~ Interfaith Movement Urges Shift to Vegetarianism
  7  ~
Please Don't Buy While Millions Die
  8  ~ Memorable Quote

     *´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`
~1~
True Story About a Dairy Marketing Call
by ParkStRanger@aol.com

Ring Ring

ParkStRanger: Hello
Teleresearcher:  Hello sir, my name is Kay and I am doing research for the dairy industry about certain dairy products.  If I could have a few minutes of your time to ask you some questions?
ParkStRanger: Ok, but I'm a vegan, I don't use dairy, but I would love to answer your questions.
Kay: Oh, ok, Which of the following brands have you heard about before? Bryers.
Park: yes
Kay: Dannon
Park: yes
Kay: Stony Field
Park: yes
Kay: Mountain High
Park: not in the context you are asking about. No.
Kay: (giggle) Yoplait
Park: yes
Kay: And sir, which of the following have you bought in the past three months.
Park: I have been a vegan for five years, unless Silk brand Soy yogurt is on your list, then none.
Kay: Ok, let me type that in, it's not on my list.  Silk?
Park: Yes S I L K, soy yogurt.  However I stopped using Silk now and usually make my own soy yogurt by putting tofu in the food processor with some berries and a little sweetener.
Kay: Oh really?
Park: It's pretty good.
Kay:  What brand of cheese have you used in the last three months....
Park:  Before you go down the list, I use soy cheese, VeganRella brand, Soymage and Follow Your Heart brand.  All pretty good vegan soy based cheeses.
Kay: Oh really.
Park:  You know, most people don't know that to keep dairy cows producing milk they have to keep them pregnant and so they impregnate them on what those in the industry call a "rape rack" once a year.  The females that are born replace their mothers in the dairy factories, the males become veal.
Kay:  Oh my god.
Park:  When you have time, you should go to www.notmilk.com, you will find a lot of great information there about dairy products. The NOTMILK Homepage! (MILK is a bad-news substance!)   Next question?
Kay:  Do you remember seeing the following commercials....Construction workers are at a site and the lunch whistle goes off and they sit down on a beam and open their lunch boxes and take out yogurt and stir in time to music.
Park: Yes
Kay:  Have you seen this commercial......A man at a dinner table asks his maid to bring dessert and she places a container of yogurt on his plate and he asks "Is it creamy?"  And the maid in a French accent answers "Very creamy" and she places her lips close to his cheek "Creamy."
Park: Oh My God.
Kay: And then she sits on his lap and spoon feeds him the yogurt.  Have you seen that commercial?
Park:  No, but can you tell me where I can get the video?
(We both laugh for a few moments)
Park:  You know, if I can interrupt your questions for a minute, that reminds me of a friend of mine, Carol Adams who wrote a book called "The Sexual Politics of Meat", about how the meat and dairy industry uses sex to promote their products, you should check it out.  (Learn more about Carol at http://www.triroc.com/caroladams/ )  Carol J. Adams (Feminist author)
Kay:  I will.
Park: You know what?  I bet when the analysis is done, the data received from my answers will be way to one side of the bell curve.
Kay: (laughs)  I suppose so, you don't do any dairy products at all?
Park:  No, I have been a vegan for 5 years, did some nonfat dairy for the previous twenty years that I was a lacto Vegetarian.  But I fight against dairy now.  This is really amusing, I am going to have to write this up, the dairy industry interviewing me.  (at this point I find it hard to stop laughing)
Kay:  (laughing too)  What is your opinion of store brand yogurts?
Park: Most cheap yogurts, like store brands, use gelatin as a thickening agent.  Did you know that gelatin is made by boiling down the hoofs and tendons of cows, pigs and even horses?
Kay: Oh my god, I am never eating gelatin again.  Yuck.
Park:  Next question?
Kay:  Have you seen the commercial where a certain yogurt company says they are giving money to breast cancer research if you mail back the lid and at the end a group of women throw the yogurt lids in the air?
Park:  No, but have you seen the research linking dairy products to breast cancer?
Kay:  No.
Park:  It seems the least they can do, give a little bit of their profits to research for a disease they cause.  If I can take a few more moments of your time, I'd like to tell you that I had dinner with one of the world's leading authorities on vegetarian nutrition last Friday night, Brenda Davis, former chair of vegetarian nutrition for the American Dietetic Association.  And she is pretty knowledgeable.
Kay:  I bet.
Park:  You should check out her books at Amazon.com, "Becoming Vegan" really gives some great information on living without dairy and other animal products. 
(www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1570671036/qid=1007303975/ )
Amazon.com: buying info: Becoming Vegan
Kay:  Ok, I will.
Park:  She was an advisor on John Robbins last book...you know John Robbins?
Kay:  No.
Park:  He was heir to the Baskin Robbins empire but he gave it up because of his veganism.  Check out his webspace at Earthsave.  (or go directly to John's site at www.FoodRevolution.org)  The Food Revolution
Park: One other thing I wanted to tell you about Yoplait, if I could.
Kay:  Sure.
Park:  They make containers that are small at the top and lead to bigger bottoms and animal rights activists like me have been complaining to the company for years that their containers trap the heads of small animals who try to crawl inside them at dumps.  But Yoplait is afraid that a redesign will change customer recognition of their container and cause a profit loss.
Kay:  Oh My God. You are so right.  I am going to have to examine my life tonight.  You are really going to love these next questions.
Park: ( Laughing) Ok great, go on.
Kay:  Which of the following companies do you consider to be concerned with people's health beyond those companies efforts to produce a quality product.
Park: HaHaHa Ha ha ha ha ha (rolling on floor laughing)
Kay:  (laughing too)
Bryers
No
Dannon
No
Stony Field
No
Yoplait
No
(A lot more questions followed and most of my answers were "no".  And when the interview ended I could tell I had opened her eyes a bit.)
Kay:  You know, I have really enjoyed talking with you.
Park:  And I have with you too, Kay, I hope you will look at those websites I mentioned. You gave me a lot of laughs.
Kay:  And you did me too.  It was a pleasure talking with you.  Bye.
Park: Bye.

*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
~2~
Animal Rights Conference
From Marc Romanoff - MarcRomanoff@yahoo.com

"Liberation Now!" is the animal rights movement's first national event dedicated to bringing together students and youth in the struggle for animal rights.
(American University in Washington, D.C.)
02/15/2002 - 02/17/2002

The three-day conference will unite hundreds of students to take a leading role in the animal rights movement and form a national network of student animal advocates. Through the conference's comprehensive program participants will be able to connect with each other and develop a better understanding of animal rights issues and basic organizing skills.

The fee for the whole three-day conference is $20. 

Transportation: For those interested, there will be a bus from NYC to DC!  The roundtrip fare is $25 with the conference registration fee INCLUDED.  The bus is scheduled to leave NYC at 11:30am on Friday, February 15th and leave DC at 5:30pm on Sunday, February 17th. The ride is about 4 hours and 30 minutes. More detailed information will be made available for riders as it becomes available.

Only 47 seats are available on a first come first serve basis. The bus is open to both NYC and non-NYC folks.  To get a seat on the bus, send $25 check or money order payable to "Liberation Now" with a note stating that the money is for the NYC bus. The payment MUST BE accompanied by a registration form if you do not register online.  Your seat is NOT guaranteed until you receive a confirmation email or phone call. 

If you have questions please e-mail Outreach@DefendAnimals.org or call 212-696-7911.  No reservations are accepted by e-mail.

*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
~3~
Job Opportunities

AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is looking for an outreach coordinator for its Norfolk, Virginia, headquarters to help promote animal rights issues and vegetarianism in the African American Community.

The candidate must have good contacts within and an understanding of African American culture.  The candidate must also have a thorough knowledge of animal rights issues, be out-going, and have the ability to communicate with a variety of people. Some travel is required.
Competitive salary and benefits.

Send cover letter and résumé to PETA, Attn: Human Resources, 501 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 23510; or fax to 757-628-0789.



CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR (SPANISH-SPEAKING) – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is looking for a Spanish-speaking campaign coordinator for its Norfolk, Virginia, headquarters to work with and reach out to the Hispanic community on animal rights issues and vegetarianism.  The candidate must be fluent in both English and Spanish and have an understanding of Hispanic Culture. The candidate must also have a thorough knowledge of animal rights issues, be out-going and personable, and have the ability to communicate with a variety of people. Excellent English/Spanish translation skills required. Some travel is required. Competitive salary and benefits.

Send cover letter and résumé to PETA, Attn: Human Resources, 501 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 23510; or fax to 757-628-0789.



CRUELTY CASEWORKER – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) seeks cruelty caseworker with shelter or humane association work experience to assess various allegations of animal abuse reported to PETA and intervene as necessary.  Caseworkers educate the public on humane treatment of animals through the development and distribution of literature and information packets and representing PETA to the media.  Candidate must have strong writing, research, and organizational skills as well as the ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize work.  Candidate must also be able to handle cruelty complaints in a professional and confidential manner.  A degree in a related field is preferred.  Animal Friendly.  Competitive salary and benefits. 

Please send resume with cover letter to PETA, Attn: Human Resources, 501 Front Street, Norfolk, VA  23510; or fax to 757.628.0789.


DOMESTIC ANIMALS LEGISLATIVE COORDINATOR – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) seeks a legislative coordinator to lobby local, state, and congressional legislators with regard to legislative issues affecting animals and to mobilize PETA members and activists to contact their representatives about animal issues.  The candidate must have strong written and verbal communication skills and also have good proofreading, organizational, and research skills.  Familiarity with the legislative process is preferred.  Animal friendly. 

Send cover letter and resume to PETA, Attn: Human Resources, 501 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 23510; or fax to 757-628-0789. 

Kim DeWester
Human Resources Coordinator
The PETA Foundation
Tel: 757-622-7382, ext. 1404
Fax: 757-628-0789
KimberlyD@fsap.org
www.PETA-online.org

*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
~4~
Anti's.....Can't Live With Them,
Can't Learn Without Them

By Demnymets@aol.com

I'm fairly new to the animal rights movement, and like any newbie, I depend on a lot of sources for information.  How lucky for me to have access to this wonderful web world we weave.  How lucky for the animals so much information is reaching so many more people !  I know in my heart, less animals are dying and suffering needlessly because of animal rights and the people who embrace them.  I'm darn proud to be an ARA, and I thank the Anti's for that.

What is an Anti ?  It's a tough call, and like with any advocacy movement, the definitions vary depending on our relationship with these people who are critical of animal rights.  I've found a majority just don't take the time to educate themselves about AR, but are receptive and open-minded about discussing the animal issues that concern us.  I know, I used to be one.  My only education was from the headlines when research labs and slaughterhouse equipment was destroyed.  I don't condone violence for any reason, but I understood the message they were trying to send.  I asked myself, what is upsetting those people so much that they are willing to give up their personal freedoms for the animals?  So I did some research and discovered the atrocities that went on in those buildings.  I got mad too.

This eventually brought me to the "fringe group" of Anti's.  These are those vapid, name-calling bullies who perhaps are the most uncompassionate, miserable human beings on earth, not only towards animals, but their fellow humans!  Unfortunately, there's a gaggle of them stalking the AOL message boards, primarily in the Animal Advocacy community, particularly on the Peta and ProAnimal Rights boards.  Also, on the Usenet Newsgroups'  Animal Politics board.......much like the AOL boards but without the TOS restraints, like using gutter language to make them look BIG. If you have the time and patience, ACLU has an animal rights board also, but you really need an asbestos suit there, and a proctologist to remove the many interesting things they'd like to shove up your.........nevermind, you get the drift.

Fortunately, I've become a part of a great many positive animal rights communities, which includes Team England Gal's subscription services.  It was my first experience towards educating myself and feeling comfortable with my beliefs.  I also subscribe to many Action Alert lists which brings international concern for the animals into the privacy of my home.  How good it feels to help the animals in my jammies!!!!!  After spending many years putting bandaids on the animal welfare problems, primarily in the shelters, I truly believe the only hope the animals have now, lies with those of us who seek solutions to end as much suffering as we can.  Those who fight us, aka Anti's, are committed to shooting the messengers to protect their own selfish reasons to justify animal exploitation.  We simply cannot let them win and take control of forums, and sadly, even the internet's email lists which they infiltrate often.

My advice to you all, no matter where you encounter them, on message boards or in person, Hug An Anti, they hate that.

*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
~5~
Wildlife Snaring Expansion Proposed
   From Cheryl Ross - CRoss@hsus.org

The practice of snaring is one of the cruelest ways to kill wildlife. In the best-case scenario, a steel-cable loop closes around the animal's neck, strangling him within several minutes.  However, a recent survey of Maine's most "expert" trappers painted a much grimmer picture: necropsies showed that 63 percent of coyotes snared suffered hemorrhaging (evidenced by their swollen heads), bloodied eyes and mouths, and broken teeth from trying to chew out of the snare. Many animals had broken limbs from struggling to break free. Still others were not dead when the trapper returned and were clubbed to death. In Maine, state wildlife officials are trying to expand this cruel practice in order to appease deer hunters, who are vexed over declining deer numbers. Most biologists, however, recognize that the true source of dwindling deer numbers is the loss of habitat. Moreover, blanket killing as a means of controlling coyote populations has never been successful; coyotes simply compensate by reproducing more quickly whenever their population is threatened, and numbers quickly return to pre-extermination levels.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Maine's Department Of Inland Fisheries And Wildlife (IFW) is poised to expand its snaring program without public input. Both residents and non-residents of Maine need to assert public pressure on Maine officials to stop the expansion of their inhumane killing program.

PLEASE Contact the following individuals and ask them to STOP this cruel, wasteful, and ineffective killing plan. (Tell them their tourism may depend on it.):

1. Governor Angus King, # 1 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0001/ ph: (207) 287-3531/ governor@state.me.us
2. Commissioner Lee Perry, ME Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State St., 41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0041/ lee.perry@state.me.us

*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
~6~
Interfaith Movement Urges Shift to Vegetarianism
Contact person: Richard H. Schwartz
Phone (718) 761-5876; Fax: (718) 982-3631.
Web site: http://serv.faithweb.com

The Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV), an interfaith coalition of religious groups and activists, has launched an international campaign encouraging religious communities to address diet-related concerns. Their goal is to make religious communities aware that the realities of animal-based diets and agriculture are inconsistent with basic religious teachings, such as those to pursue peace and nonviolence, preserve our health, treat animals with compassion, protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and reduce hunger. SERV believes that applying spiritual values to scientific knowledge encourages plant-based diets that will lead to a more humane, just, peaceful, and environmentally sustainable world.

SERV does not aim to replace any religious vegetarian groups, but hopes to help all such groups and promote the strong teachings in every religion that point to vegetarianism as the ideal diet today. Speakers and publications will be available to explain why a shift toward plant-centered diets is both a spiritual and a societal imperative. SERV has prepared a bibliography that includes vegetarian writings from all the major faiths and will use it to further their goals.

"People do not recognize how our diets impact the world around us, as well as our own health," says SERV co-founder Richard Schwartz, author of Judaism and Global Survival. "Religious leaders need to understand the importance of plant-based nutrition, and they need to teach their congregations how to eat healthy diets that use less resources and are better for the environment."

Carol J. Adams, a SERV spokesperson and award-winning author, agrees. "You are what you eat," she says. "Our meat-based culture is killing us, as well as the world around us. It's also not helping animals, our sense of ethics, or our spirituality."

Among the initial leaders of SERV are the following vegetarian and animal rights authors and activists: Carol J. Adams (Author, The Sexual Politics of Meat and The Inner Art of Vegetarianism trilogy), Keith Akers (Author, Vegetarian Sourcebook and The Lost Religion of Jesus), Nathan Braun (Founder, Christian Vegetarian Association; Co-author, Good News for All Creation: Vegetarianism as Christian Stewardship), Bruce Friedrich (vegetarian coordinator, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), Roberta Kalechofsky (Founder and Director, Jews for Animal Rights and Micah Books; author, Vegetarian Judaism), Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D. (Co-author, Good News for All Creation: Vegetarianism as Christian Stewardship), Norm Phelps (Author, Love For All Creatures: Frequently Asked Questions About the Bible and Animal Rights), Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D. (Author, Judaism and Vegetarianism and Judaism and Global Survival), and Richard Alan Young, Ph.D. (Author, Is God a Vegetarian?).

SERV expects to add many more leading religious vegetarian activists, as it strives for a very diverse group, involving representatives of all the major religions.

While vegetarianism has long been associated with New Age, Buddhist, and Hindu beliefs, increasingly Christians, Jews, and Muslims are also embracing plant-based diets. For example, an International Jewish Vegetarian Society has existed since 1964, and maintains Jewish Vegetarian Centers in Jerusalem and London. There is also a recently formed Christian Vegetarian Association, with a campaign asking "What Would Jesus Eat...Today?" Increasingly, religious leaders are recognizing diets' role in health, hunger, and environmental problems.

SERV's initial efforts include (in addition to the bibliography of religion-based writings) compiling a list of web sites with religious teachings on vegetarianism, compiling a set of religious vegetarian-related quotations, and setting up a web site. They are also respectfully challenging religious establishments to seriously consider putting vegetarianism squarely on their agendas.

Richard H. Schwartz
Professor Emeritus, Mathematics, College of Staten Island
2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314, Room 1S-106
Author of Judaism and Vegetarianism, Judaism and Global Survival, and
Mathematics and Global Survival
Phone: (718) 761-5876    FAX: (718) 982-3631
Over 100 articles on the Internet at http://jewishveg.com/schwartz

*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
~7~
Please Don't Buy While Millions Die
From In Defense of Animals - www.idausa.org

Millions of forgotten animals are sure to die,
Because too many people would rather buy.
Despondent and lonely they patiently wait;
Each day that passes may be too late.
Our pounds and shelters are filled to the brim
If not adopted soon the outcome is grim.

Our pet stores are filled with puppies and kittens
One look in their eyes and consumers are smitten.
Treated as crops they are shipped to and fro
From breeders to brokers to pet stores they go.
Their parents suffer untold misery and despair
Could it be because the public doesn't care?

Breeding animals suffer in small cages forever
Our "best friends" reduced to a business endeavor.
Living conditions never meet basic needs,
Prisoners of an industry driven by greed.
Avoid the pet store and "impulse buy"
Adopt instead, so homeless animals won't die.

Be a guardian, not an "owner"!

*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
~8~
Memorable Quote

"There is still strong in our society the belief that animals and the natural world have value only insofar as they can be converted into revenue. That nature is a commodity.  And that the American dream is one of unlimited consumption.  There are many of us, on the other hand, who believe that animals and the natural world have value by virtue of being alive. That Nature is a community to which we belong and to which we owe our lives. And that the deeper American dream is one of unlimited compassion."

                                                     ~ John Robbins
                                                 "The Food Revolution"

«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»
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=- 
&
Advisory Board Member, Animal Rights Network Inc.,
not-for-profit publisher of The Animals' Agenda Magazine
http://www.animalsagenda.org/
The Animals' Agenda Magazine: WebEdition
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»
(Permission Granted To Quote/Forward/Reprint/Repost This Newsletter In
Whole Or In Part with credit given to EnglandGal@aol.com)

*   Please forward this to a friend who you think
might be interested in subscribing to our newsletter.

* ARO gratefully accepts and considers articles for publication
from subscribers on veg*anism and animal issues. 
Send submissions to JJswans@aol.com

** Fair Use Notice**
This document may contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owners.  I believe that this not-for-profit, educational use on the Web constitutes a fair use of the coprighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law). If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. 

 

Return to the ARO Newsletter Archives

Return to the ARO Homepage

1