A n i m a l W r i t e s © sm
The official ANIMAL
RIGHTS ONLINE newsletter
Publisher ~ EnglandGal@aol.com
Issue # 08/20/00
Editor ~ JJswans@aol.com
Journalists ~ PrkStRangr@aol.com
~
MicheleARivera@aol.com
~
SavingLife@aol.com
Layout ~ Corrynthia@aol.com
THE EIGHT ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE ARE:
1 ~ R U Vegan? by Michele A. Rivera
2 ~ Petco Low Cost Spay/Neuter Campaign from
agriffith@igc.org
3 ~ Circus Abuse Documentary from
Merrrittt2@aol.com
4 ~ The Green Movement Needs More Lawyers by
Jerry Friedman
5 ~ A Thought-provoking Dog Book from
tao@conninc.com
6 ~ What Rights Do Animals Have?
7 ~ Poem: If only they knew? by
Yyavegan
8 ~ Quote to Remember Michael Klaper
`*³³¤³*´`´`*³:»§«:´*´`´`*³¤³«:*´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³:»«:*´`´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³*´`´`*:»§«:³*´`´`*¤³³*'
R U Vegan?
by Michele A. Rivera
(MicheleARivera@aol.com)
Every
once in a while, we hear it. We never know from where the blow will come, but
it always triggers the same reaction. The words "Are you
saved?" or sometimes, the variation: "Have you given your
life over to Jesus?"
The words themselves have become a punchline for comedians, and a collective
groan ripples through society when the words are uttered anywhere on the
planet. There is no "correct" answer for this question. If you
answer "yes, I am (or have)," you know that what follows will
inevitably be a long, drawn-out, excited recantation of the inquisitors own
journey from a certain hell-fire damnation. You know you will be made to
follow suit and tell of your own re-birth. After the two of you share
your stories, what inevitably follows (like the cigarette after the act), is a
shared knowledge that you are the true saved and chosen ones and you will shake
your heads in unison and superiority that those others are still not hearing
the truth.
If you answer "no", you may as well sit back and take a deep breath,
because you are in for a guilt-dispensing lecture complete with statistics and
graphic words meant to make you REPENT! Before it's too late!
Well, I confess. As some of my fellow activists have learned, I have come
to liken the words "Are you vegan?" with the dreaded "Are you
saved," or even worse, "Have you heard about Amway?"
Its not that I am not vegan. I state here and for the record that I am a
vegan and have been since 1993. Its just that I am as uncomfortable discussing
this information with brand-new best friends as I am discussing the state of my
eternal soul. I am saved, for the record, but that's another story,
another cause, another time.
I know that the words "Are you vegan?" are nothing more than our way
of sniffing around each other much like dogs who have just met another of their
species for the first time! Hello! A dog! How fun! What is it about you
that is the same as me? What do we share? C'mere, let me see what you are
about! In this world of humans and
felines, we canines have found one another, what joy!
I don't argue that this is a joyful thing to share. In a world of hunters
and carnivores, we have found a compassionate being just like ourselves!
What a cause to celebrate! But the words "Are You Vegan" are at
once prying, criticizing, taunting and loaded with the promise of much, much
more to come. Some of this warm fuzzy sharing may not be so good.
What if the answer is no? What then of your newfound friendship?
Where do we go from here? All this responsibility when all I wanted to do
was engage in some light conversation!
What of those who are vegetarians but have not yet made the leap to
veganism? Are we to sit in judgment of
them; shall we tar and faux-feather them and throw them in the cosmic compost
heap? We are, all of us, on a journey and some of us are ahead, and some
of us are behind, but we will all get there in our own time. Of this I
have no doubt.
One thing I have noticed in this movement is that seasoned activists never ask
this question of one another. Maybe these veterans take it for granted
that we just are. Maybe they just take it for granted that if we aren't,
we certainly will be. Maybe it is because veterans know that it's not
that important just yet. We must all come to veganism on our own terms and in
our own time.
If a person is getting arrested for protesting fur, or going undercover to
slaughterhouses and getting precious footage, or filming abuses in a circus
tent at great peril to their own safety, but they sweeten their tea with honey,
does that cancel out everything they have done for the animals?
I can't answer that, nobody can answer that. The point is, it doesn't matter,
because anyone who is that dedicated will come to it on their own and in their
own time.
At the Animal-Rights Convention in D.C., our conversations were very much about
what new campaigns were on the horizon, what progresses we have made, what
steps we are taking. We didn't spend a lot of time asking one another
"Are you vegan?"
The answer inevitably comes back. I am here.
`*³³¤³*´`´`*³:»§«:´*´`´`*³¤³«:*´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³:»«:*´`´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³*´`´`*:»§«:³*´`´`*¤³³*'
PETCO Low Cost Spay/Neuter
Campaign
SAN
DIEGO, July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Nine million pets are expected to be euthanized
in the U.S. this year. That is up from 7 million just 3 years ago, according to
the Humane Society of the United States.
Pet overpopulation is a significant and growing problem in the U.S. and is one
reason the PETCO Foundation has developed a national campaign that will offer
pet owners a low cost spay and neuter alternative called "Spay Today
2000." Funds to support the "Spay Today 2000" campaign will come
from customer donations at PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. stores and a grant from
the PETCO Foundation. From Sunday, July 30 through Sunday, August 20, customers
at PETCO stores will be asked to "Round UP" their purchases. For example, a customer whose purchase is $18.56
will be asked to "round up" to $19.00 or perhaps $20.00. All proceeds
from this campaign will go to fund low cost spay and neuter operations provided
by participating local veterinarians or to fund local animal welfare
organizations that provide these services.
Spay and neuter operations can cost more than $100. But through "Spay
Today 2000" pet owners will be able to able to purchase a voucher at PETCO
stores that allow them to have a cat spayed or neutered for $10 and a dog
spayed or neutered for $20. Participating veterinarians have reduced their fees
as their way of supporting this important program. The difference between the
cost paid by the pet owner and the amount charged by the veterinarian will be
made up with funds raised through the "Round UP" campaign. See your
local PETCO store for additional details.
"Pet ownership is a responsibility," said Paul Jolly, Director of the
PETCO Foundation. "Part of that responsibility involves owners ensuring
that their companion animals don't add to the pet overpopulation problem.
'Round UP' and 'Spay Today 2000' is an easy way for our customers to support a
low cost spay and neuter program and for pet owners to not use the cost excuse
as a reason to not spay or neuter their pets."
PETCO is a leading pet specialty retailer with more than 500 stores in 39 states
and the District of Columbia. To find the nearest store, log on to
www.petco.com
The PETCO Foundation was established early last
year to develop and manage fundraising campaigns in PETCO stores and support a
variety of animal welfare programs. Since its inception, the Foundation has
raised more than $1.8 million for more than 300 pet-related organizations
across the nation. Proceeds from the campaigns go to local groups in
communities in which the money was raised.
Contact: Don Cowan, 858-657-2086, or Paul Jolly, 626-287-0952, both of
PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.
Source: agriffith@igc.org
(Alfred Griffith)
`*³³¤³*´`´`*³:»§«:´*´`´`*³¤³«:*´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³:»«:*´`´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³*´`´`*:»§«:³*´`´`*¤³³*'
Circus Abuse Documentary
from Merrrittt2@aol.com (Marianne Merritt)
PLEASE
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
On August 22, 2000 at 9:00 p.m. and midnight EST, and again on August 27, 2000
at 10:00 a.m., the Outdoor Life Network will broadcast a new documentary
entitled: "Circus of Abuse: Elephants, Trainers and
Tragedy." This documentary will particularly focus on the Ringling
Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and, as exemplified by the title, will
expose the truth of what occurs underneath its "Big Top." The
creators of this documentary, by and through their work on this project --
which included directly dealing with Ringling Bros. -- became very sympathetic
to the plight of elephants in circuses and it should be reflected very well in
this piece.
Check your local cable listings for the Outdoor Life Network.
`*³³¤³*´`´`*³:»§«:´*´`´`*³¤³«:*´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³:»«:*´`´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³*´`´`*:»§«:³*´`´`*¤³³*'
The Green Movement Needs More
Lawyers
by Jerry Friedman - jerry@activist.com
The University of West Los Angeles offers a
Public Service Scholarship (100% tuition) for law students who promise to work
three years for a public service or nonprofit organization. This minimally
requires a 75% on your LSAT (law school admissions test). There may be other
requirements.
Imagine beginning a career defending animal and environmental activists when
their civil rights are infringed, or suing factory farms and logging
juggernauts for damaging the environment.
All people benefit from a legal education, especially a free legal education.
For more information, write to me or visit the school web site: http://uwla.edu/
`*³³¤³*´`´`*³:»§«:´*´`´`*³¤³«:*´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³:»«:*´`´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³*´`´`*:»§«:³*´`´`*¤³³*'
A Thought-provoking Dog Book
from tao@conninc.com
Can
animals be spiritual guides in our life's journey?
In a series of poignantly vivid anecdotes about human-canine bondings in
the multicultural settings of Asia, Europe, America, "Girl On A
Leash: The Healing Power of Dogs" narrates a Chinese woman's personal
healing journey from dysfunction to wholeness with the love of different
companion dogs around the world.
East meets West when dogs break down barriers of race, ethnicity, class, and
gender to bridge the racial/ethnic divide and help disorderly souls. The book
gives trenchant testimony that dogs teach us to share our humanity with each
other.
By narrating stories about how different cultures treat its animal pets and
what it says about the people of those societies, the book draws a subtle
parallel between racism, sexism, and speciesism. Treatment of "lesser
beings" provides a philosophical perspective to prejudice and
discrimination in all its forms. In many societies today, exploitation of
women, child labor, ethnic cleansing, and dog-eating are systemic and legal.
And in the male-dominated American legal system, abuse of spouse, children
and pets, who are still regarded as "chattel" is a mere misdemeanor.
The book makes us reflect on the cycle of violence that begins with animal
abuse/neglect and escalates to violence towards humans who are helpless and
different.
All profits go to charities that directly benefit animals.
`*³³¤³*´`´`*³:»§«:´*´`´`*³¤³«:*´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³:»«:*´`´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³*´`´`*:»§«:³*´`´`*¤³³*'
What Rights Do Animals Have?
The goal of the human rights movement is to
uniformly apply the same ethical code of treatment to all human beings.
The animal rights movement has a similar goal, to establish a basic code of
ethics which guides the treatment of all animal beings. Both the human
rights movement and the animal rights movement seek the same end -- a code of
behavior that optimally benefits all members of the society. Like all
rights movements, the animal rights movement asks that society broaden its
definition of itself to include members previously excluded due their
"inferior" status.
The animal rights movement asks for more than KINDNESS towards animals; it asks
for, in words of philosopher Peter Singer, EQUAL CONSIDERATION of
animals. That is, animal rights requests that the interests of the being
be taken into account, whoever that being might be, and whatever those
interests might be.
From the animal rights perspective, all animals have the same basic inalienable
rights which embody as much as possible the simple maxim "Live and let
live." Humans, as members of the animal kingdom, are also entitled
to these rights. Animal rights include:
* The right to be treated with respect.
* The right to physical, psychological, and emotional
health.
* The right to not be exploited.
* The right to live in a suitable habitat.
* The right to be valued for who we are, not for how we can
be used.
* The right to cooperatively share the Earth with other
species.
* The right to live as much as possible according to our
natures and to
express our individual characters.
Obviously, circumstances are not always black and white; there are many shades
of gray. Peaceful coexistence between humans is often complicated.
Where one person's rights end and another person's rights begin is not always
clear. The same is true for coexistence between humans and animals.
Do companion animals have the "right" to breed haphazardly? By belling
my cat, am I denying her a "right" to kill birds? It is possible that
in fulfilling the rights of one species, there may appear to be a conflict with
the rights of another species. That is why, while we are feeling our way
through these transitions, we must be guided by the single question:
"What best serves all parties involved?" by approaching
situations in this manner, we consider the rights of all beings, as well as
those of the collective community. By pursuing solutions from this
perspective, we are more likely to develop creative resolutions that mutually
benefit everyone involved.
What "qualifies" animals as beings with rights? Some people
point out the fact that animals are capable of suffering. Others propose
that animals, like humans, have a special awareness of their lives that
differentiates them from the plant and mineral kingdoms. Still others
base their support of animal rights on simple observation of animals.
`*³³¤³*´`´`*³:»§«:´*´`´`*³¤³«:*´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³:»«:*´`´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³*´`´`*:»§«:³*´`´`*¤³³*'
If only they knew?
Yyavegan@aol.com
As I look across the table
at the steak upon your plate,
I can't begin to tell you
How my heart begins to ache.
The empathy wells up in me
The visions of pain and fear.
I hear the pitiful bellowing
cow so loudly in my ear.
I look across the table and
I think "If they only knew."
Then sorrow overwhelms me
as I realize "They already do!"
By Colleen Ferro 4/1/00
`*³³¤³*´`´`*³:»§«:´*´`´`*³¤³«:*´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`³:»«:*´`´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³*´`´`*:»§«:³*´`´`*¤³³*'
Quote To Remember
"My
single greatest challenge is to remain centered and loving in an overwhelmingly
nonvegan world. In today's world, cruelty and exploitation of other beings -
human and non-human alike - are accepted, practiced, and profited from by most
every institution of society - from commerce and science to education and
entertainment. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Homo sapiens are
either unaware of the cruelty or accept it as unavoidable and even normal."
~ Michael
Klaper
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»
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=-
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»
(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