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

 
Publisher   ~ EnglandGal@aol.com                                  Issue # 12/02/01
      Editor    ~ JJswans@aol.com
  Journalists ~ Park StRanger@aol.com
                   ~ MichelleRivera1@aol.com
                   ~
sbest1@elp.rr.com


  THE NINE ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE ARE:

  1  ~ A Pizza the Action: the Campaign Continues  by ParkStRanger@aol.com
  2  ~
Afghan Animals Get Badly Needed Boost
  3  ~
United Poultry Concerns Third Annual Forum
  4  ~
Cruelty Free Christmas Suggestion
  5  ~
From The Heart: Hope is the Answer When Things Are Grim 
               by Professor Mark Bekoff
  6  ~
Job Opportunity
  7  ~
Educational Materials
  8  ~
Behind That Locked Door
  9  ~ Memorable Quote

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~1~
A Pizza the Action:
the Campaign Continues, On to Domino's

by ParkStRanger@aol.com

Last Wednesday, we asked our readers to go to a Pizza Hut feedback webpage, and email their desire for a vegan pizza.  Before my article was printed, there was a simple click box at that feedback page that allowed general comments to be emailed to them.

The day after the article appeared, the website had been rewritten (too many vegan requests from us?) and they had removed the general comments link, and left only the links to comments about specific regional locations of Pizza Hut, along with a statement that said in effect that they didn't want to hear any suggestions about how to make pizzas..."We at Pizza Hut wish to thank you for your interest in our company.  We have, however, adopted a general policy of not accepting unsolicited ideas and suggestions.  Blah, blah, blah."

We at Animal Rights Online were saddened by their reaction, and we apologize to those of our readers who went to the feedback form after it had changed.  Perhaps Pizza Hut felt under attack by a horde of hungry and hard to satisfy vegans.  Perhaps all restaurant chains are feeling defensive after PETA's recent campaigns against McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's.

Our campaign also resulted in a number of letters to ARO suggesting that we shouldn't have aligned ourselves with Pizza Hut because 1) they had once served a Veggie Lovers Pizza that contained a hidden meat sauce, 2) they are owned by Pepsi which, until recently, advertised and supported bullfights in Mexico, 3) they wouldn't know how to make a nutritional vegan pizza.

Bear in mind that our intention was not really to draw more people into Pizza Huts nor to have them provide us with a healthy dietary staple.  Our intention is to focus attention on Veganism and help move it into the mainstream.  Our intention is to wake people up to the fact that there is something wrong with cheese. ( to find out exactly what, go here 

The Dairy Education Board
http://notmilk.com/deb/071199.html  )

Pizza Hut missed out on an opportunity to be an industry leader, they missed the chance to capture a whole new market.  Oh well, should we see if we can get served somewhere else?  Should we try Domino's?  You decide.  The important thing is, whether on the web or in the real world, we must keep going into restaurants and saying "Hi, I'm a vegan.  What can you fix me?"

Here is a Domino's feedback form, it does require you to give your name, address and email, and It Does allow you to make general suggestions.  It looks friendly now and begins "Domino's is always interested in what our customers have to say"

Domino's/ Contact Us
http://www.dominos.com/Contact/Index.cfm

In the Email Category box, don't chose Complaint.  Chose Questions, and ask in your own words if they would consider test marketing a vegan pizza made with vegan cheese.  (Don't everyone use the phrase "test market")  Make any vegan suggestions you wish. 

Here is something else all our readers should know about and use.  PlanetFeedback, a free web service, allows you to send feedback, suggestions and questions to any company, they even help write the letter and send it by email or snail mail.  Tell any company what you think about their use of animal products, their exploitation of other species, their menu items or whatever your concern.
Check it out.

   PlanetFeedback Welcomes You!  
http://www.planetfeedback.com/

And always, keep asking for Cruelty Free.

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Afghan Animals Get Badly Needed Boost
From ASPCA News Alert - news-alert@aspca.org

Things are finally looking a little brighter for the residents of the Kabul Zoo. Although the buildings and displays were ravaged by heavy artillery in 1992 and 1993--and many of the animals who weren't eaten for food were beaten with sticks and pelted with rocks by bored Taliban soldiers--19 of the original 37 species have survived, including monkeys, wolves, a bear and a 45-year-old one-eyed lion named Marjan.  The big cat was blinded when an Afghan fighter threw a grenade at him in the early 1990s. "He is as old as I am," zoo director Sheragha Omar recently told the Associated Press. "The poor beast has no mate. He is aging fast. Mostly, he is traumatized from his brush with death. But we cannot let these animals die," continued Omar. "It is our Pashtun honor. We do not count up the cost. Our duty is to save them."

Late last week, the UK-based World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) was able to get funds directly to the zoo via a British newspaper. The money will provide ongoing veterinary care and food for the zoo's animals for the next three months. WSPA is also preparing to mobilize an animal-disaster relief team to visit the country at the earliest opportunity. It is suspected that large numbers of livestock may have been killed or injured as a result of the conflict, and that rabies may become more of a problem. Says John Walsh, WSPA's international projects director, "The current crisis in Afghanistan has become a terrible tragedy for the people of the region and their animals. In situations like this, WSPA has a long track record of working to address the problems facing the livestock and pet animal populations. During the previous conflict in Afghanistan, a WSPA team visited the Kabul Zoo and provided medical treatment for the animals there." For the latest updates on the situation, and to find out how you can help,

visit WSPA online.
    http://www.wspa-americas.org/

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~3~
United Poultry Concerns Third Annual Forum
by ParkStRanger@aol.com

What are we fighting for, Bigger Cages or No Cages?  Recently, the debate over whether animal welfare campaigns interfere with the animal liberation movement intensified when PETA successfully pressured McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's into making factory farming reforms.  This most interesting topic is the subject of United Poultry Concerns' Third Annual Forum which will take place December 8 and 9 at UPC Headquarters in Machipongo, VA.
United Poultry Concerns  
http://www.upc-online.org/

The featured speakers include Animal Rights Online's own staff journalist Dr. Steve Best, PhD, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, University of Texas, along with Bruce Friedrich, the Vegetarian Campaign Coordinator for PETA and Kirsten Rosenberg, the Managing Editor of  The Animals' Agenda Magazine.
( http://www.animalsagenda.org/ )

In case you missed Steve's last article in ARO's newsletter, which dealt with this debate, "Animal Welfare Or Animal Rights? Dismantling a False Opposition" you will find it posted here...

Animal Welfare Or Animal Rights
http://utminers.utep.edu/vsep/article

If consumers think that farm animals are treated humanely, will that alleviate their guilt and delay or prevent them from becoming vegetarians?  Or, until animal liberation does come about, shouldn't we seek to prevent as much suffering as possible?  Doesn't the Call for Bigger Cages alert people to information they may not have known -  That farm animals are kept in tiny cages, that slaughterhouses dismember alive, conscious, frightened, crying intelligent creatures?  If we win AW, do we lose AR?

These are the types of complicated issues that will be explored at the UPC forum.

For more information about this important event please go to

UPC 3rd Annual Forum: Does Animal Welfare Hurt or Help Abolition? - December 8-9, 2001
http://www.upc-online.org/forum2001.html


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~4~
Cruelty Free Christmas Suggestion
www.crueltyfreeshop.com.au

Celebrate the spirit of peace and goodwill this Christmas by giving a Cruelty Free gift box.  Each attractive Christmas box contains a selection of lovely Cruelty Free products with one to suit every budget. We can deliver anywhere in Australia or overseas. See the gift boxes at www.crueltyfreeshop.com.au or email us for a mail order catalogue.

***New products for summer***
~ Natio Aromatherapy Sun Screen Lotion SPF 30+
     Broad spectrum protection, contains vitamin E and is water resistant for 2 hours
~ Natio Aromatherapy Self Tanning Lotion
     For a natural golden tan, contains Vitamin E, chamomile, aloe vera and rosemary
~ Natio Moisturising Lip Balm SPF 30+
     With Vitaim E and aloe vera for soft, supple lips

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~5~
From The Heart:
Hope is the Answer When Things are Grim

By Marc Bekoff
http://www.satyamag.com/jul01/bekoff.html

I am a patient and compassionate activist who believes that “getting my hands dirty,” getting out there and showing people about the horrible things we do to far too many animals, is the best way to make long-lasting changes in their hearts and heads (for a wonderful discussion of the trials and tribulations of activism and also of its innumerable fruits, see Julia Butterfly Hill’s book The Legacy of Luna). Indifference is deadly. My activism centers on getting people to think and to tell me why they think, feel, and act the ways they do. I also am careful not to get too involved debating opponents over and over again, for this diversionary tactic takes time and energy away from being procreatively active. We only have a finite amount of energy that can go into different activities.

As an unwavering dreamer and optimist, I often feel victimized by hope. Nonetheless, it is my passionate dream that changes in attitude and heart will ultimately bring forth harmony in the relationships between animals and humans, for nonhuman animals will forever be competing with humans, their dominant, big-brained, mammalian kin. Without a doubt, the animals are likely to lose most of these encounters as humans continue to try to redecorate (manage, control) nature for their own selfish ends.

Activism for animals has also helped me tap into my own spirituality for there are numerous costs to activism—harassment, intimidation, humiliation, and frustration—that often become personal. I have felt the effects of attempts to silence my asking questions about the reintroduction of Canadian lynx into Colorado as well as my questioning why dogs had to be killed in physiology courses in medical school for students to learn about life. (I left a graduate medical program because I did not want to kill cats or dogs as part of my education “in the name of science.” I did not want to kill animals to learn about life and gave up a life-long dream.) Such assaults made me dig deeply into my heart in my efforts to understand and to explain to others why I was doing what I was doing, whether it was organizing protests to save animals or partaking in candlelight vigils and prayer services for animals who had been killed. Suffice it to say, compassionate people who push the envelope can easily engender the wrath of small minds. (I was once called a “flake” by some of my colleagues for my position on animal rights. I was flattered and wondered why they were taking the time to engage a flake—surely they have better things to do with their valuable time!)

One worldview that drives me is that I believe that every individual counts and that every individual makes a difference. As Margaret Mead noted: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Creative proactive solutions drenched in deep humility, compassion, caring, respect, and love need to be developed to deal with the broad range of problems with which we are currently confronted. Activism often underlies their formulation and implementation.

My own spirituality and hope are based on a deep drive for a seamless unity— wholeness, holism, oneness—motivated by compassion, respect, and love. During my brief tenure on earth as a visitor to this wondrous planet, I am more than happy to open the door of my heart to all beings. I am a dreamer and envision a unified peaceable kingdom—a peaceful kinship—based on respect, compassion, forgiveness, and love.

It is essential to maintain hope when things are grim. A firm commitment to make this world a better place for all living beings and a deep belief that a collection of individuals working together can make a difference is what keeps me going, forever.

Marc Bekoff teaches biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is author of Strolling with Our Kin: Speaking For and Respecting Voiceless Animals (Lantern Books, 2000). He is the editor of The Smile of a Dolphin: Remarkable Accounts of Animal Emotions (Discovery Books/Crown, 2000) and Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare (Greenwood, 1998). He is co-founder with Jane Goodall of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (www.ethologicalethics.org).


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~6~
Job Opportunity

Job Opening: Canvass Director

Western Canada Wilderness Committee is currently hiring for the full-time position of Canvass Director.  Canvass and management experience preferred.  Candidate must be outgoing, reliable, attentive to detail, and dedicated to wilderness and wildlife preservation in Canada.   Apply with resume and references to:

Western Canada Wilderness Committee, Victoria
651 Johnson St.
Victoria, BC
V8W 1M7

phone: (250) 388-9292
fax: (250) 388-9223

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~7~
Educational Materials
From Cheryl Ross - CRoss@hsus.org

The Humane Society of the United States is involved in a number of projects, and produces materials that may interest you. The following list refers mostly to issues concerning the use of animals in education or research, but please feel free to contact the HSUS for additional information on any topic.

1.  A new book by Dr. Jonathan Balcombe, titled "The Use of Animals in Higher Education: Problems, Alternatives, and Recommendations," is available in a printed version and on our web site:

<http://www.hsus.org/programs/research/monograph.html>.

This book provides comprehensive coverage of the issue, including a detailed critique of traditional animal-consumptive methods, a synthesis of the evidence supporting humane alternatives, and recommendations for reform. Containing over 350 citations from the published literature, it will be a must-have resource for those involved in life-science education, especially anyone wanting to challenge the status quo on dissection and other harmful uses of animals in education.

2.  Our 44-page, illustrated booklet titled "42 Ways to Help Animals in Laboratories," released in 1999, is available for FREE!!! The booklet guides the reader through helpful and pro-active steps designed to help you help animals who are the unfortunate subjects of laboratory use. We will send promotion cards for this booklet to any student group who requests them for use at a tabling event.

3.  The Humane Education Loan Program (formerly the Alternatives Loan Program) which is located at:
<http://www.hsus.org/programs/research/animals_education.html>, provides students and educators with up-to-date alternatives to classroom animal dissection and live animal experimentation. The HELP inventory currently contains over 100 items for loan.

4.
Our new Dissection Lobbying Packet is for students who are committed to getting a dissection choice bill introduced into their school (maybe even enacted in their state!).  The lobbying packet includes:  The Basics of Lobbying for Animal Protection Legislation (a step-by-step list), "42 Ways to help animals in laboratories" booklet, a campaign flowchart, a list of states that have dissection laws, examples of dissection laws, and background information concerning animal dissection and alternatives.  Check out the ARI website which includes a list of states with dissection choice laws  at: www.hsus.org/programs/research/dissection_laws.html <http://www.hsus.org/programs/research/dissection_laws.html> .

5.  The Animal Research Issues web page is located at: <http://www.hsus.org/programs/research/>.  Our web site carries information on Animal Research, Animal Testing, and Animal Dissection in the classroom.  It also includes, regularly updated news briefs of current events.

6.  One of The Humane Society of the United States' keystone projects is the Pain and Distress Initiative.  The initiative's objective is to work with scientific experts, research institutions, oversight agencies, funding institutions, and animal advocates to eliminate pain and distress in animal research and testing by the year 2020.  For more information please go to:
<http://www.hsus.org/programs/research/pain_distress.html>. 

7.  Animal Channel is a HSUS web site that offers continuous news reports on animal related issues and events.  One can view Animal channel at: <http://www.hsus.org/channel/. >

Cheryl Ross
Research Assistant
Animal Research Issues
The Humane Society of the United States
Phone:  (301)-258-3042
Fax:  (301)-258-7760
http://www.hsus.org/programs/research


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~8~
Behind That Locked Door
by George Harrison


      Why are you still crying?
Your pain is now through
Please forget those teardrops
Let me take them from you

The love you are blessed with
This world's waiting for
So let out your heart, please, please
From behind that locked door

It's time we start smiling
What else should we do?
With only this short time
I'm gonna be here with you

To George Harrison, fellow vegetarian and seeker of truth - thanks for the music, we will remember.

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Memorable Quote

"The word 'vegetarian' comes not from 'vegetable' but from the Latin 'vegetus', which means 'lively, full of life.'  .....a good fact to share with those who think vegetarians live on salads and vegetables.

~~ Leigh Everett
Mexico, Maine

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Susan Roghair - EnglandGal@aol.com
Animal Rights Online
P O Box 7053
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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
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»
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