A n i m a l W r i t e s © sm
The official ANIMAL RIGHTS ONLINE newsletter
Publisher ~ EnglandGal@aol.com
Issue #
11/01/00
Editor ~ JJswans@aol.com
Journalists ~ Park StRanger@aol.com
~
MicheleARivera@aol.com
~ SavingLife@aol.com
THE EIGHT ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE ARE:
1 ~ From the City to the Farm by
MicheleARivera@aol.com
2 ~ Recording Animal Advocacy by
jimbob@voicenet.com
3 ~ Last Bastion of Morality by
tapster@mindspring.com
4 ~ The "Dirty Dozen" of Fur Retailers from
banfurnow@aol.com
5 ~ Vegan Sites For The Holidays from
Cats2Save@aol.com
6 ~ Don't Gobble Me!! from -
franklin@upc-online.org
7 ~ A Message from "The Bridge" Anonymous
8 ~ Quote To Remember
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From the City to the Farm
by Michelle Rivera - MicheleARivera@aol.com
New
York City is wonderful this time of year. Central Park is alive with
color and crisp fall scents and the city is busy twenty-four seven.
But the Catskills are even more in bloom with vibrant autumn reds, oranges and
shades of bronze. And despite this beauty or perhaps because of it, all I could
do was break down and cry with gratitude, love and despair.
My husband John and I spent a week in Manhattan. Being that we are both
native New Yorkers who haven't been "home" in 15 years, this was a
homecoming long overdue. We saw all the sights, just like tourists
should, and met with the publisher of my book, Hospice Hounds (due out in
June), while in the city. With the book business out of the way, and the sights
of the city all seen, we rented a white Chevy Silverado and headed for the
mountains. We got into Watkins Glen a little late in the day for us to
visit it's main attraction, Farm Sanctuary, which is about 5 ½ hours drive from
New York City.
So we spent the night at Seneca Lodge on the outskirts of Seneca Lake, one of
the finger lakes at the foothills of the Catskills. I was pleased to see
not one, but two delicious vegan selections on the menu. This area is littered
with wineries and apple orchards, and pumpkins were everywhere. Naturally,
while we were there we treated ourselves to a wine tasting! The next day,
we found ourselves headed up a long and winding country road up, up, up a
mountain until finally we could see the brilliant red barns and cabins that
make up Farm Sanctuary. We entered the visitors center where we were
greeted by Ali, who runs the little store that displays all the fun things I
have seen on their website. We introduced ourselves because being members
is the only way to see the sanctuary without a scheduled tour, which only takes
place on the weekends. (Guests who stay in the little B & B cabins on
the grounds also have free access).
I have to admit that I was already feeling very misty at even being at the
Sanctuary; and that we had found time in our busy lives to make this
pilgrimage. Ali seemed a little amused
at my emotional reaction to being there, but took it in stride. To her, I
am sure, it was just another work day.
We browsed the gallery of superstar photos of celebrities who had come before
us, and looked at the real-life cruel captivity methods - a veal crate and a
battery cage. I felt so ashamed at being a part of the species that finds
this acceptable. We looked at pictures of a recent rescue of over a
thousand white chickens who had been housed in a deplorable condition. We
were to see those chickens as we made our way through the farm.
Ali gave us a map and sent us out into the bright, crisp morning. The
first barn we came to housed about eight cows, all dozing quietly. They looked
at us with suspicion and we spoke to them quietly. One was missing an eye
and I shuddered to think what horrors had accompanied that injury. We
said goodbye to the cows, and learned from a sign on the barn that they were in
a processing mode, having just arrived at the sanctuary. I guess that
would explain their obvious discomfort at seeing us. The cows in the next barn
were much more comfortable with our presence, and I guessed they have been in
residence longer.
As we walked along the gravel path, John drew my attention to a large ginger
cat who had been watching us from his hiding place the tall grass.
"That must be the requisite barn cat," I commented.
We passed the rabbit refuge, and visited with the turkeys who will never end up
on someone's plate. We watched the chickens, there were hundreds- play
with each other and I was struck by the awesome beauty and majesty of a rooster
who greeted us with a resonant "cock-a-doodle-do." We came upon a
barn with sleeping pigs, all spread out in beds of hay. Some were almost
buried in the hay with only their snouts visible. They looked so
comfortable and I wanted to jump right in there with them. It was just
like the feeling I get when I have to get up early for work and my dog and cat
are snoozing in the warm bed, it is all I can do to keep from crawling right
back in with them! The chickens freely walked on and around the pigs who
snored loudly and seemed oblivious to them and us.
This site, above all others, made me beam with pride that we had sent money and
supported this wonderful organization. The sight of sentient pigs, not a
care in the world, sleeping peacefully and without fear was touching. The
sight of chickens playing around them, two species that have no concern of
violence with regard to their proximity with one another, and ourselves, yet
another species, completing the picture. It was a quiet communion with these
animals and we enjoyed the time immensely.
We asked to see Gene and Lorri Bauston, the resident directors, but were told
they were in a board meeting. I would have liked to have thanked them for this
moment. But maybe it's just as well I could not. As I was
overwhelmed with emotion and tears, they may well have thought me quite daft
and had me escorted off the property!
If you go: Visit their website for information and directions
www.farmsanctuary.org
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Recording Animal Advocacy
by Jim Harris - jimbob@voicenet.com
Have you heard... of Rosa Parks ... Susan
B. Anthony? Probably. How about
Henry Spira or Cleveland Amory? You may have, if you're an animal activist, but
do you think that anyone will know or care who either of them were fifty years
from now? The roots of animal advocacy predate many of the better-known
movements of today, yet, until now, no institutions of higher learning have had
comprehensive, dedicated archives in this area.
Recording Animal Advocacy (RAA) was founded in 1998 to foster scholarly
research and public education in the history of animal protection, advocacy,
and the modern animal rights movement. We actively encourage and
facilitate the collection, preservation, and study of relevant resources
through several means; Our Oral History Project has begun to gather the life
stories and memories of animal advocates, especially those with first hand
experience over the last 30-40 years. These recordings and transcripts,
produced in compliance with professional oral history guidelines, will be
housed in a permanent collection at Columbia University and made widely
available for research and educational purposes. Oral histories can be used in
scholarly publications, popular writings, and school curricula. They can be
utilized as audio excerpts, in websites, museums, and media presentations. They
remain useful for generations.
RAA's Archive Initiative provides individuals and groups with information for
making use of their historically significant records, specifically unpublished
material such as correspondence, minutes of meetings, and photographs.
How Does All This Help Animals?
Original historical records are essential if a cause is to gain status in
society and credibility in the eyes of legislators, journalists and business
people. Those who exploit animals have long taken care to preserve their
histories. We must ensure that the important work carried out by animal
advocates in 1960 will not be forgotten in 2020, or survive only as distorted
sound bytes and biased newspaper articles These records will serve as
constructive replies to criticisms of sensationalism, and lack of
sophistication within the animal advocacy community. Organizations can use them
in campaigns and fundraising as evidence of their accomplishments and strength.
Individuals may find them to be a source of inspiration as well as a guide to
how problems have been tackled in the past.
Do you share our vision? Are you interested in our work? Do you know someone
who can benefit from the information and assistance we offer? If so, contact
us. No question is too big or too
small.
If you were involved in the movement in the '70's or earlier, we'd love to hear
some of your recollections. For example:
* Was there a specific incident or individual that got you
involved?
* Did you join/ form a group, or act alone?
* How did friends and family react to your activism?
* What were the outstanding issues of the day?
You can Contact Us via
Our Website - www.recordinganimaladvocacy.org
Snailmail - P.O.Box 27022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19118
Phone - 215-247-7753
E-mail - raateam@cswebmail.com
Together, we can use the past to build a better future for our movement and for
the animals
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Last Bastion of Morality
by Diana Moreton - tapster@mindspring.com
Animal rights is the last bastion of
morality. For at the root of animal suffering lies all the hypocrisies,
justifications and rationalizations mankind can whip up all in the name of
Allah. You will not stand with a group before Him; and the association
you belonged to on Earth will not matter. Perhaps the buzzard who believes what
his granddaddy said, will genuinely reconsider someday. He will use his own
brain after realizing life is always the best path to take.
All the ails of society find their root in animal abuse. Whether it be food,
medical, industry, technology, entertainment, or any other violent act
committed in the dark, these are direct moral repercussions of mankind's
collective choice to ignore vast animal suffering they perpetuate. The
danger lies in complete denial of it's existence. It is as much to his own
detriment and the planet's, as it is to the animal he just had killed for him.
This has induced a stupor in millions of people all over the planet. Most
possess the actual inability to think or feel for anybody except themselves or
their immediate family (in itself is an act of selfishness). We have been
taught to be selfish from the beginning. Those who realize this may
decide to get out of the selfish loop and live lives of selflessness
instead. This means they give up for the rest of the selfish people who
refuse to. They do all the sacrificing, educating, and real praying,
because the selfish people are busy running to fast foods and supermarkets to
buy tortured animal parts commonly referred to as hamburgers, steaks and pork
chops; decimating what is left of the planet in this process.
Since mankind chose to separate himself from nature and animals because he
feels superior and he feels good about exploiting and butchering, instead of
defending and protecting, he can no longer care, therefore, in any kind of a
healthy manner for each other. The consummation of animal flesh induces
hostility and fear, which helps to perpetuate a violent society. For it
is anger and fear that is the last hormone that rose to the top in agony as a
victimized animal was finally dragged and beaten to death under the cruel hand
of the torturer. Humans have become like unfeeling, unthinking bumper
cars. They let the government do their thinking for them. They are
automotons and robots of the medical industry. This is another area in
which the government spins a golden web around another branch of science.
It is up to the public to wake one another up, to join together for their own
health and the health of the planet. We must break this thick veil of
deception and speak the truth among one another with genuine concern, about the
torture and slaughter of the innocents for unhealthy food. We must break the
spell and quit collectively thinking the consummation of diseased animals who
were tortured to death is moral or acceptable behavior in any sense. We
must stop speaking out of both sides of our mouths.
Because of the crimes committed against sentient beings, so like ourselves, I
can only offer up one call; guilty. For ‘might makes right gave us the
right' to turn morality off after we kiss the cat and dog goodnight! I
stand an innocent vegan now, and proclaim I am sick and tired of the cruel
oppressor telling me HE is offended. It is he who must get with the moral
program, or get out! He thinks he can
continue to stifle the cries and screams from the slaughterhouses of torture
and pain. We have come out of our cultural closet and refuse to buckle
under the cruel hand of the oppressor. One day laws shall pass that give
all animals their right to be free from the cruel human tormentor. Since
all of mankind's woes stem from animal consumption (the highest form of animal
abuse) we will have healed most of mankind's ailments and afflictions simply by
not eating animals. But mankind, cannibalistic as he is, will probably succumb
to the worst choice. He would have completed the circle of life and found his
way back to happiness and the Garden.
My heart wrenches daily to find some acceptableness to this traumatic
phenomena, but I am always left baffled with a worse feeling of remorse and
sadness for them. How conveniently they turn off feelings and thoughts toward
cows, pigs, chickens, etc., but embrace with zeal the love of dogs and cats
because of 'culture'. The animals they eat have the ability to love too.
I am baffled at it's enormity, it's blatant disrespect for all life; human
life, too, with the horrible diseases it creates! Animals have had no
voice until now.
We live in a death-denying world. We do everything we can to avoid the topic of
finality, especially when it comes to animals, since they have been chosen to
be the ultimate human scapegoats! The public doesn't want to know
slaughterhouses exist. They are far, far removed. It is up to us to bring
the slaughterhouse message home and make them suffer the very same mentally and
emotionally. This is nothing compared
to the torment they put their own individual victim animal through (this is
always one on one, but meateaters know they need to hide behind groups called
religion, culture, and tradition) simply to satisfy a five minute hunger buzz
with something called a hamburger at some place called McDonald's.
Mankind will promote any diversions and tactics to stay out of the know when it
concerns animal butchery and their continual moribund health because of this
practice. One has only to take a look at the facades of the fast foods to know
that horrible cruelty lurks behind all the primary colors of childhood.
To discuss one would be to discuss the other. There is a wide psychological gap
strategically set up and most don't have the courage or desire to cross that
bridge and unite with their suffering. Since walls have been built up
over centuries concerning this topic, it is not an easy one to publicly
penetrate and discuss. Prevarication
has always been part of the genuine makeup in the oppressive act over the
animal kingdom in the first place. That is why our voices are
penultimate. The oppressor knows that
without other humans speaking up, everything would be nice and cozy as they
gallop to the graves with heart disease, rapidly destroying the planet in the
process.
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Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade
presents
The "Dirty Dozen" of Fur Retailers
Purpose:
Our goal is to target retailers in the most strategic manner in order to get
fur products removed from stores inventory. We have selected the following
retailers to focus our efforts on this season. We will distribute an
action alert focusing on one retailer each week. Please join us in making our
goals a reality for the sake of the animals murdered for the fur industry.
Express
Mr. Michael Weiss, President
One Limited Parkway
Columbus, OH 43230
800-477-8844
Bebe
Manny Mashouf, President
380 Valley Drive
Brisbane, CA 94005
877-423-2303
Lew Magram
Mr. Warren H. Golden, CEO
414 Alfred Avenue
Teaneck, NJ 07666
800-964-1955
Burlington Coat Factory
Mr. Andrew Milstein, Executive Vice President of Merchandise
1830 N. Rt. 130
Burlington Township, NJ 08016
609-387-7800
609-387-0189 fax
Sear's
Mr. Arthur Martinez, Chairman and CEO
3333 Beverly Road, BC-118A
Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
847-286-8316
JC Penny Company, Inc.
Mr. Steve Berry, Buyer, Women's Outerwear
P.O. Box 10001
Dallas, TX 75301-0001
972-431-1000
Rich's/Lazarus/Goldsmith's
Mr. Arnold Orlick, Chairman, CEO
223 Perimeter Center Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30346
(770) 913-4000
Bloomingdale's
Mr. Michael Gould, Chairman
155 E. 60th Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 705-2000
Saks Fifth Avenue
Mr. R. Brad Martin, Chairman and CEO
Saks Fifth Avenue
12 East 49th Street
New York, NY 10164-2114
212-940-4048
Macy's East
Mr. Harold Kahn, President and CEO
151 W. 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
800-289-6229
Nordstroms
Mr. Peter E. Nordstrom
1501 Fifth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101-1603
206-628-2111
Neiman Marcus
Mr. H. W. Mullins, President/CEO
1618 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75201
800-937-9146
214-573-6142 fax
*Click on the link below for individual store locations and managers
http://www.neimans.org/locator.htm
Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade
P.O. Box 21780
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 328-0736
(202) 328-0774
banfurnow@aol.com
www.banfur.com
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Vegan
Sites For The Holidays
from Cats2Save@aol.com
RECIPES:
http://www.pcrm.org/health/Recipes/holiday_recipes.html
http://www.veganoutreach.org/starterpack/foods.html
http://starburst.cbl.cees.edu/~tara/recipes.html
http://www.veganchef.com/
TO ORDER FOOD:
http://www.organicfruitsandnuts.com/default.asp
http://www.dixieusa.com/
Apple Valley Market
9067 U.S. 31, Berrien Springs, MI 49103, (800) BERRIEN
Sells meat substitutes, nuts, seeds, soy cheese and other stuff.
Have Worthington, LaLoma, and Cedar Lake products. Cedar Lake products tend to
be fat-free.
RESTAURANT GUIDE: (USA)
http://www.veg.org/veg/Guide/USA/index.html
SHOPPING:
http://compassionatemall.solidspeed.net/ssndex.html
http://www.veganstore.com/
http://www.aesopinc.com/
http://trvnet.net/~hrtlndp/
http://www.body-herbals.com/
http://www.wearablevegetables.com/
The PAWS Store
8503 Greenwood Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103
Phone/FAX: (206) 782-1700
Books, cookbooks, cruelty-free items, clothing, shoes, fake leather jackets,
vegetarian pet food, household and personal care products, gift items, buttons,
stickers, posters. Everything is vegan! Managed by Bob Chorush, previously of
The Animal Rights Store/Catalog. Free catalog. Will ship to Canada.
(Payless Shoes sells synthetic leather shoes, New Balance all synthetic
sneakers, and Rugged Outback leatherlike hiking sneakers. Target also sells
many shoes made from man-made materials.)
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Don't Gobble Me!!
from Franklin Wade - franklin@upc-online.org
UPC Will Hold 2nd Annual Anti-White House Turkey
Pardoning Ceremony Protest Wed Nov 22nd-Please join us!
For Information Contact:
Karen Davis at 757-678-7875;Karen@upc-online.org
Franklin Wade at Franklin@upc-online.org
Date: Wednesday, November 22nd
Time: 1 PM to 3 PM (time subject to change depending on White House
announcement)
Place: White House Sidewalk
Action: UPC will hold a protest demonstration against the presidential
"pardoning of a turkey" ceremony at the White House. Instead of
"pardoning" innocent birds in false ceremonies of
"compassion," we will urge Americans to pioneer new traditions of
respect and compassion for turkeys. Last year The Washington Post reported
(Nov. 25), "United Poultry Concerns, a Washington-area group, [was]
outside the White House to raise compassion for put-upon birds everywhere. Founder Karen Davis held one end of a banner
that got to the heart of the matter: 'Turkeys: Meet One, Don't Eat One.'"
Please Join Us. We have a permit from the National Park Service to Conduct this
Event.
<> <> <> <> <>
Made-for-Media TurkeySave: Thanksgiving Day Nov 23, 2000
Date: Thursday November 23rd - Thanksgiving Day
Place: The White House Sidewalk, Washington DC
Time: 10 AM - 11 AM
Action: This peaceful protest will feature a Twenty Foot Tall
"Turkey" depicting the Pain and Suffering Inherent in America's
Thanksgiving Feast. The turkey, constructed by Canadian artist Brandon Leudke,
will symbolically have her throat cut. Vegetarian refreshments will be served
to members of the press and the public. UPC President Karen Davis has
been invited to speak. Other speakers are expected. Please Join Us. A
Robert Cohen Project.
For More Information Call 1-888-NOTMILK (668-6455).
Visit The TurkeySave Project Website at www.TurkeySave.com.
Website Contact: Brandon Leudke at brandon@turkeysave.com
United Poultry Concerns - http://www.upc-online.org
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A Message from "The
Bridge"
Anonymous
Sorrow fills a barren space;
you close your eyes and see my face
and think of times I made you laugh,
the love we shared, the bond we had,
the special way I needed you -
the friendship shared by just we two.
The day's too quiet, the world seems older,
the wind blows now a little colder.
You gaze into the empty air
and look for me, but I'm not there -
I'm in heaven and I watch you,
and I see the world around you too.
I see little souls wearing fur,
souls who bark and souls who purr
born unwanted and unloved -
I see all this and more above -
I watch them suffer, I see them cry,
I see them lost, I watch them die.
I see unwanted thousands born -
and when they die, nobody mourns.
These little souls wearing fur
(Some who bark and some who purr)
are castaways who - unlike me -
will never know love or security.
A few short months they starve and roam,
Or caged in shelters - nobody takes home.
They're special too (furballs of pleasure),
filled with love and each one, a treasure.
My pain and suffering came to an end,
so don't cry for me, my person, my friend.
But think of the living - those souls with fur
(some who bark and some who purr) -
And though our bond can't be broken apart,
make room for another in your home and your heart.
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Quote To Remember
"The
fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral
responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a
true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be, a fact which
should be noted by anyone who decides to acquire a canine friend."
~~ Man
Meets Dog
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Susan Roghair - EnglandGal@aol.com
Animal Rights Online, President
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1395/
-=Animal RightsOnline=-
&
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
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»
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