A n i m a l
W r i t e s © sm
The
official ANIMAL RIGHTS ONLINE newsletter
Publisher ~ EnglandGal@aol.com
Issue # 03/24/02
Editor ~ JJswans@aol.com
Journalists ~ Park StRanger@aol.com
~
MichelleRivera1@aol.com
~ sbest1@elp.rr.com
THE SEVEN ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE ARE:
1 ~ Why Focus On Animal Issues When There Is So Much Other
Suffering?
2 ~ Yellowstone Bison Stampede
3 ~ AR2002 Registration Discount Ends March 31
4 ~ Job Opportunities
5 ~ Ask Me Why I'm Vegan
6 ~ Compassion
7 ~ Memorable Quote
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~1~
Why Focus on Animal Issues
When There Is So Much Other Suffering?
By Judith Marie Gansen
Source: PETA factsheet #5, "Vegetarianism: Eating for Life"
I
have mentioned before in my writing that I believe one of the many mistaken
beliefs about people who care about animals is that we ONLY care about animals.
This comes from the fact that our efforts to educate people cause us to speak
and write about animals exclusively in many cases. It also comes from the media
who rarely do stories about us that give the entire picture of who we are or we
get misquoted or are given a "sound bite" on TV that sometimes gives
people the wrong idea. When you take on the job of becoming an
activist/advocate you can expect to sometimes be criticized for caring about
animals. I find this such a horrible tragedy. Why would anyone criticize
someone for having compassion? Isn't compassion a good thing? Doesn't the world
need more?
I was in a checkout lane at a crafts store the other day buying clearance items
to make crafts for animal fundraisers when I experienced this sort of
criticism. A very elderly man behind me overheard me ask the cashier what the
store would do with all the leftover craft items that didn't sell and I
explained that I sometimes do crafts for our humane society. The man grumbled
about the fact that "so many people are out of work now and she is buying
things for animals" or words to that effect. I chose to ignore him due to
his extreme age.
It did get me to thinking though. Once when I called a legislator's office
about animal legislation a woman said to me "I can't believe the calls we
are getting on this--when there are so many more important issues out
there." Yes, there are important issues out there and most of us are well
aware of them. When I worked as a secretary for a police department I received
a commendation (usually reserved for police officers) for providing information
that helped change policies so that more child sexual predators could be
convicted. The idea was adopted in several surrounding counties and helped to
get these predators off the street. I don't share this to brag but to point out
that I want to help to alleviate suffering and pain wherever it is. Our family
has helped teach kids to read, volunteered to provide warm winter clothes for
kids whose family can't afford them, volunteered at Hospice, taught Sunday
school, picked up litter, built playground equipment, donated blood--the list
goes on.
As a compassionate and spiritual person I am quick to want to help others who
need help but I usually don't make a distinction as to species--this is the
main difference. Volunteers do not usually get criticized unless they are
helping non-human life forms sadly. Is it because animals are "less"
than we are or their pain and suffering is less because they are animals? Or do
we perhaps cause others who don't care about animals to feel uncomfortable that
they lack this compassion? After all, if we help animals and believe they are
special--how does that make a person feel who just got rid of a pet because it
was too much trouble? Or who just shot an animal for sport? Or whose business
benefits from their destruction?
If someone chooses to only help animals, why is that so terrible? Maybe they
are shy and don't enjoy being around people. Maybe they want to help animals
because few others will. Maybe they witnessed animal cruelty at the hands of
their parent as a child and are trying to turn things around now that they are
able. Maybe they just love animals and want to be around them. Questioning the
motives of people trying to do good is at best a destructive habit. Doesn't it
tell us all something when many of the pro-animal people are volunteers but the
anti-animal people are either businesses who profit from animals or people who
enjoy killing them for "fun?" Duh!
With the economy being depressed currently I am aware of the people needing
work. When I purchase things once in a while as I can afford to help animals, I
help keep people working at our local stores and support businesses. I try to
purchase craft items that are not made in countries where there is "slave
labor" so that in helping animals, I am not harming people. I try to find
environmentally friendly craft items and to make things people can use or give
as gifts. Craft shows are especially popular with working moms and dads trying
to find unique gifts and who want to have some fun on the weekend. I price my
gift baskets way below retail value (easy to do if you find the items at 75-90%
off retail)--the buyer of the craft finds a great bargain to give as a gift or
for themselves, the store made money where I bought items from, the nonprofit
makes money to help animals, we can take the fair market value off our income
taxes, and I enjoy the creating process plus I stay away from junk food as I
work on them so--everyone wins!
By promoting a vegetarian lifestyle we not only help animals but also the
environment--fewer forests would be destroyed and land cleared to feed cattle
(rain forests are the primary source of oxygen for our planet as well as
important sources for many trees and plant forms that can cure diseases) if
people stopped eating meat. We can feed more hungry people per square mile by
growing grain instead of cattle. There would be more fresh water for everyone
which is a growing concern as our planet dries up (the production of one pound
of beef requires 2,500 gallons of water). There would be less heart disease,
cancer, diabetes, etc.
Ironically I have found that those who criticize us usually are not the ones
who do anything at all to make the "world a better place." If they
did, they would be too busy volunteering and find less time for criticism. This
is why we cannot allow them to make us feel discomfort that we have chosen to
help animals. By helping animals, we automatically elevate the status of
everyone else. By helping animals, we fight against the violence and cruelty
that is so prevalent in our world and that harms our loved ones every day. By
helping animals we ensure a humane and compassionate world for our children's
future. So will I continue to work hard for animal causes? You betcha!!
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~2~
Yellowstone Bison Stampede
Come Join in on April 4th in D.C
From "In Defense of Animals" - ida@idausa.org
Please
join us in a Buffalo Stampede through the streets of D.C. on April 4, 2002 to
advocate for protection of the Yellowstone buffalo. The stampede will
begin at noon outside the Department of Agriculture building on 14th St. and
Jefferson Dr, proceed past the Washington Monument, turn north, and end at the
Department of the Interior building. We need your help to make the event
a success.
Below you will find information on the Stampede and instructions on
how to make a bison costume.
Download a flier at www.wildbison.org.
As you know, since 1985 over 3,200 bison have been unnecessarily shot or
captured, tested, and slaughtered inside or outside of Yellowstone National
Park. The Montana Department of Livestock, the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Park Service are
directly responsible for this carnage. Not only have they ignored public
sentiment demanding greater protection for Yellowstone's bison, but they
continue to ignore the best available scientific evidence which proves that
there is no measurable risk of brucellosis transmission from bison to cattle
under natural conditions. Instead, they are engaged in a wasteful and
costly taxpayer-funded bison harassment and killing campaign designed to
protect 2,000 domestic cows and to placate the unsubstantiated fears of the
livestock industry.
So far this winter, 29 bison, including at least 23 bison bulls who pose
absolutely no risk of brucellosis transmission, have been killed.
Hundreds more may be exterminated in the next few months as large herds exit
the park to take advantage of new early-spring forage. ENOUGH IS
ENOUGH. We are sick and tired of the annual wintertime slaughter of
Yellowstone bison on our public lands outside of Yellowstone National
Park. We are tired of the excuses. We are tired of the agencies
ignoring the scientific evidence. We are tired of the agencies ignoring
overwhelming public opinion. We are angry over the agencies' waste of
taxpayer dollars. We are angry that these majestic animals -- the
descendants of the handful of bison who survived the government sponsored bison
holocaust in the mid/late 1800s -- continue to be destroyed to protect 2000
domestic cows.
IT'S TIME FOR A BISON STAMPEDE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.!!! On April 4th,
environmentalists, conservationists, animal protection advocates, Native
Americans, and others will stampede in our nation's capital clad in bison
costumes. With stops at the Department of Interior, U.S. Forest Service,
and U.S. Department of Agriculture buildings, the stampede is intended to
demand that these agencies stop persecuting and start protecting the
Yellowstone bison.
We invite you to support and participate in the Stampede. We need your
help in informing your fellow activists in the D.C./MD/VA area about the
stampede and inviting people to join this important and historic event. A
pdf flyer, available at www.wildbison.org, provides additional information on
the event.
Thank you for considering this request and for helping to promote the D.C.
bison stampede to demand an end to the slaughter of America's last wild
bison. For more information on the bison stampede please contact the
Buffalo Field Campaign; telephone (406) 646-0070 or via e-mail at
bfc@wildrockies.org.
HOW TO MAKE A BUFFALO COSTUME
We will provide some bison masks but urge you to be creative and make your own
costume. For a great costume follow the instructions below:
Bison costume:
Buy 2 yards of brown felt (about $7) or cotton (about $4).
Fold felt in half and cut a hole for your head.
For the tail, use a strip of felt (additional to the two yards above or just
trimmed off of it), and glue either Easter grass (spray painted brown), or a
fake fur-like material to the bottom of it. If you are worried about the integrity
of the glue, you may want to use a material that you can sew on and/or bring
glue along with you in case of tail loss. Glue or sew tail onto back of
the smock. Wear smock over clothes.
"Accessorize" with black or tan gloves/mittens; brown pants and
turtle neck.
Show up with or without a costume but if you can, wear brown.
Buffalo Field Campaign
PO Box 957
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
(406) 646-0070
bfc@wildrockies.orgpropl@propl.org
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~3~
AR2002 Registration Discount
Ends March 31
From FARM - farm@farmusa.org
We
remind you that the $120 discounted registration fee for Animal Rights 2002,
our movement's annual conference, rises to $140 on March 31. Some discounts and
work scholarships are still available. Please visit http://www.animalrights2002.org
for information and registration.
The conference will be held between June 28 - July 3 at the Mclean (VA) Hilton
(same place as the past two years), near the nation's capital. Attendance
is expected to exceed 1,000.
The program will follow last year's pattern, including plenary sessions,
workshops, 'rap' sessions, campaign reports, videos, and exhibits, as well as
Newcomer Orientation, planning meetings, group workouts, Employment
Clearinghouse, and Awards Banquet.
However several new features are being considered, including Networking
Receptions, Q&A sessions with movement leaders, Industry Panel, intensive
communication seminars, and a March on Washington.
Nearly a hundred speakers have already signed up, including Carol Adams, Neal
Barnard, the Baustons, Alan Berger, Theo Capaldo, Robert Cohen, Karen Davis,
Ray Greek, Michael Greger, Holly Hazard, Alex Hershaft, Steve Hindi, Elliot
Katz, John Kullberg, Howard Lyman, Mike Markarian, Jim Mason, Ingrid Newkirk,
Wayne Pacelle, Tom Regan, Craig Rosebraugh, Peter Singer, Kim Stallwood, Joyce
Tischler, Paul Watson, and Zoe Weil.
Major supporting organizations are Alley Cat Rescue, American Anti-Vivisection
Society, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Protection Institute, Animals
Agenda, Doris Day Animal League, FARM, Farm Sanctuary, Fund for Animals, HSUS,
In Defense of Animals, National Anti-Vivisection Society, New England
Anti-Vivisection Society, PETA, PCRM, United Poultry Concerns, and Veg News.
Be there for the animals, and bring a friend. Pass the word to your e-mail
correspondents. Let the attendance reflect the strength of our movement!
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~4~
Job Opportunities
FARM
has the following openings at our national headquarters in suburban Washington
D.C.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT (plans and implements FARM's fund raising and
membership recruitment efforts)
DIRECTOR OF CHOICE (compiles educational modules, trains local activists, and
interacts with other interested organizations)
CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR (assists with organizing the Great American Meatout and
other national grassroots campaigns)
Each position requires applicable prior experience, dedication to promoting
animal rights and a vegan lifestyle, self-starting, and ability to work in a
team setting.
We offer an unparalleled opportunity for professional growth, and personal
fulfillment, along with modest pay and housing, if needed. The office is
located in a safe and pleasant residential neighborhood of Bethesda, MD, 20
minutes from downtown Washington.
FARM is a national organization promoting planetary survival through
plant-based eating. Our programs include the Great American Meatout, World Farm
Animals Day, National Veal Ban Action, Letters From FARM, CHOICE, Industry
Watch, and the Animal Rights national conventions. To learn more about FARM,
check our website at www.farmusa.org
To apply, send resume and a letter noting position(s), special qualifications
and interests, availability, and salary requirements to: Staffing, FARM, 10101
Ashburton Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817, or e-mail staffing@farmusa.org
Contact FARM
P.O. Box 30654
Bethesda, MD 20824
1-888-ASK-FARM
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~5~
Ask Me Why I'm Vegan
From Bruce Friedrich - BruceF@peta.org
AnimalRightsStuff.com has a new t-shirt that reads
"Ask me why I'm vegan." I have now worn it three times, and every
time, people do in fact ask me. It is wonderful.
My previous favorite shirts, from Vegan Outreach and Vegan Action, elicited
occasional questions and discussions, but usually from other vegans. This one
is my dream come true: Even the people who don't ask me have to ponder the
question to decide if they want to ask, so they have an internal discussion of
veganism.
I carry Why Vegan and PETA's "Vegetarian Starter Kit" and give them
to people who respond to the shirt. So far, all but one has accepted the
literature. Even the one guy who didn't want the literature (he was a bartender
and was working) listened attentively and then came over to the table where I
was eating and told the group of us that he would be vegetarian the next time
we came to the restaurant.
Get one.
Bruce G. Friedrich
Vegan Campaign Coordinator
202-244-3709
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~6~
Compassion
By Donna Anderson - donna1994@delphi.com
The cry of a cow being slaughtered
The whimper of a hunted deer
A squeal of a pig being branded
And the torture a veal calf will feel.
The fear in a lab animal's eyes
The boredom of animals in zoos
An animal in slavery for entertainment
The fright of animals on fur farms, too.
Though they do not speak our language
Or understand our ways
Animals do have rights in this world
They, too, know how to love, weep, and play.
We believe humans are intelligent
The smartest of all species
Then why is it we use our friends
And treat them as assembly line pieces?
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~7~
Memorable Quote
"The central purpose of each life should be
to dilute the misery in the world."
~~ Karl Menninger
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»
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
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»
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