A n i m a l W r i t
e s
© sm
The official
ANIMAL RIGHTS ONLINE newsletter
Publisher ~ EnglandGal@aol.com Issue # 03/25/00
Editor ~ JJswans@aol.com
Journalists ~ PrkStRangr@aol.com
~ MRivera008@aol.com
~ SavingLife@aol.com
THE ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE ARE:
1
~ Of Animal And Men by Jan Skacel
2
~ An Interview with Marc Bekoff, PhD
3
~ Job Opportunity for Vegan/Vegetarians
4
~ Warning About Flexibone
5
~ Attention All Seniors and College Graduates
6
~ Website of Note
7
~ Pending Congressional Bills
8
~ Me Means Alone by Ljbeane@aol.com
9
~ Quote To Remember
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Of Animal And Men
by Jan Skacel
Dear
friends, you have asked me for a piece on animals. Please forgive me; I would like to help you, and I have been
working with you for many years, but this is simply too much for me.
I
mean that it is morally too much for me.
It would be impudence on my part, as a mere human, to write about
animals, natural and beautiful creatures who refuse to wage wars, to rob, to
lie and to bear illegitimate children.
It's
just a pity that animals cannot write.
It would be interesting to see what they'd write about us humans (that
is, if the printers would dare to print it).
But why would a cow, ant or nightingale do such a thing? They've got more important things at hand. The birds, for example, start singing at
dawn. People can't manage that.
But
now that I'm writing, I cannot conceal my regret that animals are inexorably
repressed by people. It's a sign of the
decline of mankind. I have heard an
urban child visiting the country for the first time asks why cows have gloves
between their legs. This child had been
to the zoo to see a tiger, a Przewalski's horse, and iguana and an elephant,
yet at age nine, he was frightened when he saw a goat.
Formerly,
people rode on horses. But that was
also an injustice: I cannot understand why a being as imperfect and, on the
whole, as ugly as a human has the right to sit on the back of a being as
beautiful and delicate as a horse. It
should be the other way round, but the human is too feeble to carry the
horse. To make up for this inferiority,
we invented metal animals that stink [and] are called cars.
Even
a flea is more intelligent than a human.
A certain biologist and flea specialist swore that a flea could find the
single spot on the human body -- between the shoulder blades where even a
circus acrobat cannot scratch.
Forgive
me, dear friends, for this indignant tone.
I'm sure you understand. I shall
end. I'm sorry I cannot respond to your
sincere request.
Let
me, in conclusion, add one more proof of the superiority of the animal kingdom
over the kingdom of man; animals cannot speak or print newspaper, they don't
have radio, and instead of the television, they look at the beautiful world of
God.
******
Jan
Skacel (1922-1989), a Czech poet and writer, was harassed by the communist
regime and allowed to publish only occasionally toward the end of his
life. This collection of short stories
of which this article forms a part was published only after the regime had
collapsed.
Source:
sumathi@kline.com.sg (KSPADM - Sumathi)
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An Interview with Marc Bekoff, PhD
Dr.
Marc Bekoff is Professor of Organismic Biology at the University of Colorado,
Boulder, and is Fellow of the Animal Behavior Society and a former Guggenheim
Fellow. He has done extensive research in the area of animal behavior,
cognitive ethology, and behavioral ecology and has published over 150 papers
and 12 books, including Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare (1998,
Greenwood) and Strolling With Our Kin: Speaking For and Respecting Voiceless
Animals (American Anti-Vivisection Society, 2000). His work has been featured
on 48 Hours, in Time Magazine, Life Magazine, U.S. News and World Report, the
New York Times, on NPR, and in a National Geographic Society television
special. The AVAR interviewed Dr. Bekoff about his work, including his opinions
on various topics related to human interaction with nonhuman beings.
AVAR:
Was there any particular event in your life which compelled you to study the
emotions and behavior of nonhuman animals?
Bekoff:
There were a number of events, but I feel I was predisposed to do this sort of
work before they occurred. I never really deeply thought about these issues but
rather always had deep feelings about them. My parents, although to some extent
they still can't figure out how I came to the profession that I'm pursuing,
tell me that I have always "minded" animals. Although I was not
raised with animals, I used to ask about what they might be thinking or feeling
as they went about their daily activities. I feel that I have been blessed with
a keen sensitivity of the plight of other animals and all other
"beings" in the world. I am a vitalist and see and feel life in
everything, animate and inanimate. I hated doing dissection and vivisection in
high school and college, and much preferred watching animals. I refused to
participate in dissection labs; these types of labs offended me, and especially
the ones in medical school.
AVAR:
What would you characterize as the main differences between animal welfarists
and animal rightists?
Bekoff:
People who believe that it's permissible to cause pain to nonhuman animals, but
not unnecessary pain, argue that if we consider the animals' welfare or
well-being -- their quality of life -- that's all we need to do. These people are called
"welfarists" and they practice "welfarism." Welfarists believe that, while people should
not wantonly exploit nonhuman animals, as long as we make their lives
comfortable, physically and psychologically, we're respecting their welfare. If
animals experience comfort and some of life's pleasures, appear happy, and are
free from prolonged or intense pain, fear, hunger and other unpleasant states,
they're doing fine. But welfarists don't believe that nonhuman animals' lives
have inherent value. Their lives are valuable merely because of their utility
or use -- value to humans. Basically, welfarists are utilitarians who believe
that dogs, cats, prairie dogs, or any other animals can be exploited as long as
the pain and suffering that the animals experience -- the costs of using the
animals to the animals -- are less important than the benefits to humans that are
gained by using the animals. Rightists also are concerned with animals' quality
of life. However, they argue it's wrong
to abuse or exploit them, to cause them any pain and suffering, and that
nonhuman animals shouldn't be used by humans. They believe animals have certain
moral and legal rights including the right to life and the right not to be
harmed. According to Gary Francione, a professor of law at Rutgers University,
to say an animal has a "right" to have an interest protected means
the animal is entitled to have that interest protected even if it would benefit
us to do otherwise. Rightists also stress that animals' lives are inherently
valuable; their lives aren't valuable because of their utility to humans.
Animals aren't "less valuable" than humans. Also, animals are neither
property nor "things," but rather living organisms, subjects of a
dignified life, who are worthy of our support, friendship, compassion, and
respect. Any amount of pain and death
is unnecessary and unacceptable.
AVAR:
Those who aspire to perpetuate the use of nonhuman beings for human purposes
often use intellectual differences as a justification for doing so. Could you
expound upon the reasons why this position has little merit?
Bekoff:
Almost all nonhuman animals are "smart" in their own ways.
"Smart" and "intelligent" are words that are often misused:
dogs do what they need to do to be dogs -- they are dog-smart in their own
ways. And monkeys do what they need to do to be monkeys -- they are monkey-smart
in their own ways. Neither is necessarily smarter than the other. It's
important to stress that "smart" and "intelligent" are
loaded words and often are misused. The misunderstanding and misapplication of
the notions of smartness and intelligence can have significant and serious
consequences for nonhuman animals, especially if they're thought to be dumb and
insensitive to pain and suffering. Many people are always trying to up the ante
in attempts to separate humans from other animals. They discover activities in
which humans engage but in which no other animals are known to engage, and then
use these examples to claim that humans are not only special and much smarter
than other animals, but also unique. Tool-using was one such criterion for
separating humans from other animals until Jane Goodall discovered tool use in
chimpanzees. Language was another until it became clear that some animals have
sophisticated communication systems that share various features of human
languages. And, animals do things that we can't do. Is a dog who can sniff
other dogs from a distance, or a bat who can use high-pitched sounds to find
prey, special to the point that they're better or worth more than humans who
can't perform these behaviors? Of course not. And neither are humans who can
play chess, build and program computers, or anticipate paying taxes in the
United States on April 15 or worry about Y2K better or worth more than other
animals.
AVAR:
Could you share some of the important findings from your studies of the
emotions of some of the other living beings who share this planet with us and
how these findings should shape human behavior?
Bekoff:
Basically, I and some of my colleagues have discovered that many animals
experience fear, joy, happiness, shame, embarrassment, resentment, jealousy,
rage, anger, various forms of anxiety, love, pleasure, compassion, respect,
relief, disgust, sadness, despair, grief, and surprise. They may even have
senses of humor. Their emotional states are easily recognizable. Just look at
their faces, their eyes, and the way they carry themselves. Even people with
little or no experience observing other animals usually agree with one another
on what an animal is most likely feeling. And their intuitions are borne out
because they use their characterization of animal emotional states to predict
future behavior rather accurately. Knowing that many animals have rich and deep
emotional lives, and also that many animals suffer and feel pain, should make
it even more clear that humans just can't march about and harm and kill other
animals whenever they want to do it, not even for supposed human benefits.
AVAR:
Where do you see the animal rights movement in ten years?
Bekoff:
I am a down-home optimist. I have a vision of a world in which animals will not
be harmed and killed by humans for purely anthropocentric ends. I advocate
patience, although I surely get very impatient with animal abusers. However,
telling others what to do doesn't work.
Long-lasting changes are more productive than short-term changes. The changes
must be changes of the heart -- deep changes -- and not superficial changes
that are short-lived. Animal abuse is particularly upsetting but I also ache
when I feel trees being felled, water ways being changed, and inanimate
landscapes being decimated. My vitalistic sense is offended by all destruction.
I am a dreamer and have visions of many better tomorrows. I urge that we all practice peace and
justice, and express compassion, respect, and love for the rest of the world.
May we all, as a tight and committed community, work toward these goals.
Interview by:
AVAR (Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights)
Source:
bekoffm@spot.Colorado.EDU (BEKOFF MARC)
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Job Opportunity for Vegan/Vegetarians
Country
Antique Shop and Design Center opening soon in Chelsea, Mass.
Seeking
assistants. Ideal candidates must be:
*Creative
*Energetic
*Well-Organized, and
*Willing to travel abroad for short
periods
*Art background helpful
Great
working environment, lots of contact with nature.
*Non-smoking, Vegan or Vegetarian
individuals strongly preferred
For
more info reply to Claudia at Adrian@inch.com
Source: vrc@tiac.net
(Vegetarian Resource Center)
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Warning About Flexibone
On
November 15, 1999, Rambo, our four-year old poodle, died of complications from
surgery performed four days earlier. The purpose of the surgery was to explore
for and remove an obstruction in his digestive tract that did not show up on
X-ray. The vet removed two pieces of plastic that were identified as parts of a
Flexibone. It had been taken away from him at least six months earlier when it
was noticed that part of one end had been chewed away. The Flexibone was
supposed to clean Rambo's teeth. Instead, it killed him.
One
of the Flexibone parts was about 3/4" (2 cm) in diameter. The other was
oval shaped at the base with diameters of about 3/4" and 1" (2 and 2.5
cm). Some of the raised tips (knobs)
had been partially chewed away from the base.
They acted like fishhooks to entwine some fabric from one of his toys
that had more recently been swallowed. Had it not been for the parts of
Flexibone lying in his gut, the fabric would have been either digested or
passed through. The combination lodged at the outlet of his stomach and the
inlet of his intestines.
Flexibone
(also look for Plaque-Out and Dental Bone on the label) is manufactured and
marketed by Nylabone. It has the ASPCA seal of approval. It is flavor
impregnated so a dog will naturally try to eat it. But Nylabone states,
"The product is not designed to be consumed although small pieces are
harmless if swallowed." Well, tell that to Rambo!
Currently,
we have identified the following retailers that sell the product:
* PetsMart
* Wal-Mart
* Pet*USA (mail-order)
As
they are identified, other retailers that sell Flexibone will be added to this
list. Our cause is not extortion or
product liability litigation. It is to prevent the best pal of someone else
from being killed by a Flexibone or a product similar to it.
If
your pet died under similar circumstances, please email the details. At the
very least, please tell your vet, your groomer; your pet supplier, your friends
and anyone else who cares that Flexibone is a killer.
Source:
AnimalLib@aol.com
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Attention All Seniors and College Graduates
Tufts
University School of Veterinary Medicine offers the only graduate degree in the
United States in the field of human/animal relationships and related public
policies. The Master of Science in
Animals and Public Policy program offers a unique academic opportunity to explore
the topics of animal welfare, human-animal interactions, and public policy as
it affects and is affected by animal issues. For more information on this
program, please visit the Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy website
at:
http://www.tufts.edu/vet/cfa/index.html
Daniel E. Kossow
Research Assistant
Animal Research Issues
The Humane Society of the United States
E-mail: <dkossow@hsus.org>
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Website of Note
The
following website is a good one to keep monitoring:
Citeswatch.org
http://www.citeswatch.org/
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Pending Congressional Bills
Surprisingly,
there are more animal-protection or animal-cruelty bills awaiting House or
Senate approval than ever before, in this country's legislative history.
*
The Downed Animal Protection Act (S515, HR443), makes it illegal to transport
nonambulatory cattle, sheep, swine, horses, mules, goats.
*
The Dog and Cat Protection Act (S1197, HR1622), prohibits import of products
made with dog or cat fur and bans sale, manufacture, transportation,
distribution of products made with dog or cat fur in the U.S.
*
Safe Air Travel Act for Pets (S1193, HR2776), requires airlines to install
proper ventilation, temperature controls for pets on planes and increases
amount of compensation that airlines are liable for when pet is injured or
killed.
*
Captive Elephant Protection Act (HR2929), prohibits interstate or foreign
commerce that knowingly makes available any elephant for use in traveling show
or circus, or for purpose of elephant rides.
*
The Bear Protection Act (S1109), prohibits import, export, and interstate
commerce of bear organs; aimed at eliminating poaching of America's bears for
profit.
*
Steel Jaw Leghold Trap Bill (S1006, HR1581), would end use of barbaric
steel-jawed leghold traps on animals in the U.S.
*
The Great Ape Conservation Act (S1007), provide financial resources for
conservation projects aimed at protecting great apes in wild from threats like
poaching and habitat infringement.
*
Bill to Legitimize Non-Animal Research Alternatives (S1495), promotes the
regulatory acceptance of alternative, non-animal based tests required by
federal agencies to test product safety and effectiveness. Seeks to permanently
establish the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee for the Validation of
Alternative Methods.
*
Cockfighting Interstate Transport Bill (HR 1275), this bill would close the
loophole in the Animal Welfare Act that allows cockfighters to transport birds
interstate to states where cockfighting remains legal.
*
Chimp Sanctuary Bill (H.R. 3514), seeks to establish a national network of
sanctuaries that would ensure the humane retirement of chimpanzees from
research laboratories.
*
The Captive Exotic Animal Protection Act (H.R.-1202), bans the transport or
possession in interstate or foreign commerce of a confined exotic animal, to be
slaughtered or injured as a means of "entertainment" or
"trophy".
Source:
KLinJoy@aol.com
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Me Means Alone
by
Ljbeane1@aol.com
Me means
alone.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Pretty easy
concept.
Ever think
about it?
Your aloneness.
Your unique
oneness to all sentient beings,
Aloneness.
Hey I don`t
even know if that is a real word.
ALONENESS
But it is a
real truth.
Lets explore
this a bit.
Pinch your
arm.
Yeah now,
Go ahead,
One of those
beady, little tiny, hurty pinches.
You know the
kind.
Slipped a few
to someone once,
Didn`t ya?
A me, whom
needed a reminder of You,
Your oneness.
Your
vulnerability.
Yeah the big
pinch.
Okay lets go
for it.
Now just a
good pinch, say on your arm.
OUCH!!
HURTS!!
Now say this
out loud,
"Me hurt
me!"
Not good
grammar.
But think
about it.
Quietly,
Feel the pain.
No one else
did?
No one ever
will.
Pinch away,
only you suffer.
This is your
aloneness.
Forever.
The Me, that
is you, your oneness, your aloneness.
How many other
me`s are out there?
Not just
humans but all creatures.
All alone,
inclusive to us in their vulnerability to suffering.
Can you feel
that, their vulnerability.
Do you
protect?
Each human me
has a choice
Does your soul
cry out when an animal suffers?
These,
innocent victims experiencing "alone" the tyranny of humans.
Do you see
its` aloneness?
The me??
THE ME?
Starved,
abandoned, abused, entrapped, incinerated alive, chopped up, butchered,
scalded, beaten, tested, poisoned, tortured, raped, orphaned, hunted, eaten,
worn.
USED for the
profit and pleasure of a callous ME!
Can you feel
the pain here?
CAN YOU
IMAGINE EACH TERROR?
IT IS A ME.
Think about
that again.
Feel it.
Your
aloneness??
Now take away
your voice, your language,
Your status as
a human.
You`re still a
me.
I HURT YOU.
Now what?
You are
powerless against ME.
PAIN?
What do you
feel?
Me feels pain!
Me FEELS what
all the me`s feel when hurt like this..
Alone and me.
Human
indiscretion of an indifferent ME has chosen to abuse your innocence.
(Readers are
you understanding this?)
Because if you
do, your "Me" suffers too.
You suffer,
and recognize the aloneness.
You feel their
helplessness and confusion..
You suffer
their torment.
This
compassion separates us humans from each other.
Recognizing
that we are all one.
Different species,
but all one.
PINCH YOURSELF
AGAIN,
HARDER.
Feel it, the
individual pain only you suffer.
Me means
alone.
Only a ME can
stop the pain.
Use your life
given power to protect.
SPEAK AND WORK
FOR THE OPPRESSED AND ABUSED.
Stop the
agonies and injustices, the tyranny against all animals.
QUIETLY
NOW.....THINK AND FEEL THIS.....
think---shhhhhhhhhh.
ME MEANS
ALONE.
Listen.........
Hear it??????
PLEASE HELP
ME!!
ME HURTS!
ME IS AFRAID!
Mommy you said
"You wouldn`t ever let anyone hurt me."
" But
ouch, me hurts so bad, me cry."
"Mommy?" "Mommy?"
"MOMMY!!!!!!!"
Oh me
hurts............
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Quote To Remember
"Cow's milk in the past has always been
oversold as the perfect food, but we
are now seeing that it isn't the
perfect food at all and the government really
shouldn't be behind any efforts to
promote it as such."
~~
Benjamin Spock, M.D.
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»
Susan Roghair
- EnglandGal@aol.com
Animal Rights
Online
P O Box 7053
Tampa, Fl
33673-7053
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1395/
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Rights Online=-
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