A n i m a l
W r i t e s © sm
The
official ANIMAL RIGHTS ONLINE newsletter
Publisher ~ EnglandGal@aol.com
Issue #
07/21/02
Editor ~ JJswans@aol.com
Journalists ~ ParkStRanger@aol.com
~
MichelleRivera1@aol.com
~ sbest1@elp.rr.com
THE ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE ARE:
1 ~ National Homeless Animals Day - August 17th, 2002
by Michelle Rivera
2 ~ Second Largest Beef Recall in History by Greg Lawson
3 ~ Job Opportunity
4 ~ Correction
5 ~ The Shape Of The Animal Rights Movement by Robert
Cohen
6 ~ More Job Opportunities
7 ~ Congress to Vote on Banning Use of Compound 1080 and M44's
8 ~ Autumn's Death by Jim Willis
9 ~ Memorable Quote
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~1~
The
Active Activist
A continuing series
“National Homeless Animals Day
- August 17th, 2002”
By MichelleRivera - MichelleRivera1@aol.com
Each
year, millions of animals are born only to die a needless death in our nation’s
shelters. Herculean efforts on the part of shelters and rescue groups all over
the country to convince "pet owners" to spay or neuter their animals
have, for the most part, had almost no effect on the problem of euthanizing
millions of homeless animals. National Homeless Animals Day is an
endeavor to raise awareness of this American Tragedy. The initiative is
now international in scope, and is recognized as an established day, being
listed by countless newspapers throughout the United States. Each year, more
and more valiant animal protection organizations and caring individuals are
joining together to shed light on the tragedy of dog and cat overpopulation and
the importance of spaying and neutering.
Candlelight vigil observances do not only memorialize the animals that have
been killed because they are unwanted, but also honor the self-sacrificing
people who dedicate their time and enthusiasm to stop this incessant cruelty
and abuse.
Here is how you can get involved in organizing an event in your community:
First, visit www.isaronline.org for a complete kit
for organizing your vigil. In it, you will receive pre-written press
releases, proclamations to send to your Governor (note to Floridians --
Governor Bush has steadfastly REFUSED to sign this proclamation every year I
have sent it to him even though his predecessor happily signed the proclamation
every year. Unless you simply want to protest Gov. Bush’s attitude don’t waste
your time, approach your Mayor or County Commissioners instead.)
Send the proclamation to the Mayor or whomever you select. This may take some
time so do it right away. If you are lucky, as I have been, your Mayor
will ask you to attend a city hall meeting and read the proclamation into the
record. This gives you access to ALL the city leaders, press and citizenry.
Gather a few friends-recruit them over the internet, via phone calls, over
several glasses of nice Irish Whiskey, whatever it takes! There is
enthusiasm in numbers. A good hint for getting activists in your
area: Write to Peta and ask for their activist list in your area.
They will send you a list of all their members who have given permission to
have their contact information given out. This list has been invaluable to me
in planning pet store demos, starting a Vegan Supper Club and…….planning a
Homeless Animals Day Vigil.
Find a location -- I have used local shelters, local veterinary clinics, the
county animal care facility, the beach and this year, the back lawn of the West
Palm Beach Public Library. You may have to pay a small fee for using city
property, or they may donate it. Once you have your site, you can spread
the word easier since the date is already planned.
Plan your activity: I always include a blessing of the animals and invite the
local rabbi, priest and minister (yes, all three). I have found this an
excellent way to reach out to the faith community, particularly minority
churches, who may even bring along a choir and sing familiar hymns with
animal-adapted lyrics. If you invite them, they will come. No minister
will turn down a chance to preach to a captive audience about compassion
towards animals. If you would like to assist them by providing
animal-oriented scripture, they will be most accommodating.
Plan a vegan luncheon, but remember the event is a somber one. Remember
that this is a national day of mourning and memorializing all the animals
killed in the previous year.
Visuals make great aides -- I use paper collars commonly used in shelters and
make a paper chain. Unfortunately, in my county, the chain has 3,000 links to
signify the number of animals killed each month. In my “down” time, I
write names, excuses and ages on the collars to make them appear more
realistic.
Consider buying a banner, they can usually be purchased for under $100, and put
it up wherever your event will be to attract the public. “Candlelight
Vigil For Animals..Everyone Welcome” is a suggestion for the banner.
Send an e-mail, letter or flier to all the rescue groups and shelters in your
area asking them to join with you in remembering the animals. You can get
a list of these organizations from your local county animal control agency or
your regional Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) office. If they
can’t help you, try www.switchboard.com, and put in “animal
rescue” under “Type of business.” You will get a comprehensive list including
address and phone number.
In my community, the Prayer Alliance for Animals along with six rescue groups,
the Mayor’s office and the county facility have all joined together (so far) to
present the vigil. After the blessing and sermons, attendees are invited
to walk their dogs along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, (along the
waterfront) to make for an impressive photo op for the media. Press
releases should be sent out at least two weeks before with follow up phone
calls. The two weeks gives news outlets time to put the event in their
community calendars. Also, offer to write an article for the local paper
to generate interest. (If you would like, I have written one already and
with a few changes in locale information, it can be sent to your paper).
This is a crisis that condemns millions of companion animals to death every
year at an expenditure of millions of taxpayer dollars. Unwanted animals
are brought into this world by irresponsible owners. We as a nation of people
who pride ourselves on caring for the less fortunate need to educate our
communities on the importance of spaying and neutering pets to stop the
killing.
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~2~
Second Largest Beef Recall in
History
By Greg Lawson - ParkStRanger@aol.com
On
Friday, July 19, USDA officials announced the second largest meat recall in US
history, involving 18.6 million pounds of ground beef, due to possible
contamination with the bacteria E.coli 0157:H7. This recall was an
expansion from 350,000 pounds which were recalled by food giant ConAgra on June
30 after over twenty people were sickened in Colorado. Additional cases
that might be related have also been identified in South Dakota, Washington
state, Wyoming, Michigan and California.
The USDA has been criticized because, while their inspectors discovered the E.
coli in meat samples on June 19, they didn't report findings to ConAgra until
June 29. ConAgra announced the first recall the next day involving meat
from it's Greeley, Colorado plant. Ongoing investigations resulted in the
expanded recall announced last Friday.
The problem with most meat recalls is demonstrated in this latest case: they
are announced too late to do any good. The ground beef was processed in
late May and had already been shipped to over 21 states around the
country. It is impossible to know how many people were actually sickened
because most people do not report milder cases of food poisoning. Federal
officials believe most of the beef has already been consumed.
No known deaths have resulted from this latest outbreak, but E. coli is
responsible for approximately 70 known deaths and 70,000 reported illnesses
each year. All the various forms of food poisoning cause thousands of
deaths and tens of millions of reported illnesses each year.
Here are some reassuring words from our USDA officials about this latest E.
coli outbreak...
Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman said "Public health is our number-one
priority, and it is our number-one concern."
Sure.
Right after meat industry profits.
Dr. Elsa Murano, undersecretary for food safety, said that she had "no
idea how much of the product is still in consumers' hands."
Wash those hands!!!
Then wash your hands of the meat and dairy industries and
Go Vegan.
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~3~
Job Opportunity
Tribe
of Heart is a small, highly focused non-profit organization that produces and
distributes documentaries and other educational tools that empower any
motivated person to teach compassion for both people and animals. We are
currently distributing our first documentary, The Witness, and will release our
second documentary, Peaceable Kingdom, later this year. We are seeking a
Director of Distribution and Grassroots Support to oversee the national and
international distribution of our films and educational programs, as well as
support the efforts of grassroots community activists. Candidates should have a
college degree or equivalent, minimum of 3 years relevant work experience, and
a passion for helping animals. Full time position, 25-30k depending on
experience. Visit www.tribeofheart.org to learn more about our
organization and our programs. Submit cover letter and resume to
mail@tribeofheart, or by fax to (607) 275-0702, or by postal mail to Tribe of
Heart, PO Box 149 Ithaca, NY 14851.
--
Tribe of Heart, Ltd.
http://www.tribeofheart.org
"Serving People and Projects
that Awaken the Harmony, Wisdom and Joy
that Dwell in All Beings."
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~4~
Correction
On July 16th, EnglandGal's Book Pick was The
Essential Oil Cookbook: Outrageous Recipes for Weight Control and Long Life by
Menkit Prince. We have been informed that the website listed was not
correct. Please see the following website for information on this
wonderful book:
http://www.essentialoilcookbook.com
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~5~
The Shape Of The Animal Rights
Movement
By Robert Cohen - i4crob@earthlink.net
Animal
Rights philosophers rarely follow the evolution of the animal rights movement
to its logical conclusion. We cannot provide sanctuary for every farm
animal. Despite the wonderful feel-good work of the good people at Farm
Sanctuary, these rescued animals should not have been born to this earth. The
logical conclusion of our so-called animal rights movement is that these
sentient
creatures should never have been born to suffer. Either we let them die a
natural death, which is not practical, or we hold them in our arms, giving
comfort, as we euthanize them.
The creatures living out their lives at farm sanctuaries are mere ambassadors
representing ten billion other animals who will die this year to feed
Americans. Twenty-seven million animals each day having their throats
cut. During the time that it took you to read this far into my column, over
fifteen thousand animals have died. Read the preceding sentence aloud. Fifteen
hundred chickens have had their throats slashed, and lay flapping atop each
other, choking on their own blood. Should not every American have the
opportunity to view that same horrible carnage that we know all too well, over
and over again? Does it really matter that each chicken spends her life in a
larger confinement cage?
Save these animals? For what, one might ask? Farm turkeys and pigs can no
longer copulate. Males are too large to mount females. Farm "units"
have been bred for high protein yield and low bone density. They live lives of
pain because their skeletons cannot adequately support their own weight.
The compassionate among us would recognize that ending their pain is the
ultimate conclusion for all who truly care about suffering. These artificial
creatures should never have been engineered nor born.
Today, the animal rights movement is misdirected. We delude ourselves by
promoting compassionate slaughter. We make it easy for these animals to live
their lives to their own painful and tortured conclusions. We make it easy for
meat consumers to veil their collective consciousness. Have you taken note of
the fact that meat eating is increasing? Our misguided efforts are partially
responsible.
Once upon a time, a chicken spent her life in an area that was eight inches
long by eight inches wide. We have increased her border by one-half inch, and
dance our absurd victory, patting ourselves on the back, applauding organizations
taking false credit for making meaningless differences. What good has resulted
from such efforts?
We in the movement have made the journey of transition more challenging for
meat eaters. We have arrived where we now are, vegans all, by recognizing the
horror of slaughter. Groups like the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals,
Humane Society, and Farm Sanctuary lobby Congress to change laws making
it easier for animals to die. Their laws make it easier for farmed freaks
to live longer lives of pain, with the same ultimate conclusion. Their laws
relieve the consciences of carnivores.
We on this side of the fence should make it our priority to show the
meat-eating public exactly what slaughterhouses produce. The blood. The eyes
showing fear, and then pain.
Our strategy to relieve suffering relieves a universal conscience. The same
strategy that brought us to understand death through violence should be
intensified, not lessened. If all animals must die, then all animal
eaters must take responsibility for their own participation in the
slaughter. Our current strategy is to deny them their path to
truth. In doing so, we provide a rationale for increased meat
consumption. If the animals do not suffer, meat eaters reason, then there is no
reason not to eat them.
When King James of England assembled the greatest scholars of his time to
re-write the Bible, his effort resulted in a masterful rendition of two
important testaments.
When Thomas Jefferson defined the reasons for the American Revolution in his
1773 essay regarding his summary view of the rights of British America, our
founding fathers determined that the time had come to declare our unity
by creating a new generation of change. The American Declaration of
Independence resulted, and led to a Constriction of laws which made America
great.
Jefferson had written:
"Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the
accidental opinion of a day; but a series of
oppressions, begun at a distinguished period,
and pursued unalterably through every change
of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate
and systematical plan of reducing us to slavery."
So too, do farm animals, laboratory animals, circus and rodeo animals live in a
time of deliberate tyranny which reduces them, and all who abuse them, to
slavery. So too, should those in the animal rights movement come
together, and meet in one large assembly hall. We should allow each voice the
opportunity, as eloquently as can be stated, to declare his or her own philosophy
in regard to animal abuse and animal rights. The words should be duly noted,
and recorded, and three documents should be drafted, and subsequently signed by
those men and women of courage who must work together in one spirit and in
one voice. We need to draft a universally accepted declaration of animal
rights. We need to draft a new constitution which all animal rights groups
agree to uphold. Finally, we need to draft a set of protocols, including
standard operating procedures, which govern the procedures by which animal
rights organizations conduct their actions, passions, and behaviors.
It would be my suggestion to hold this assembly during February of 2003. During
that one week series of meetings, there would be a formal agenda in which all
men and women of conscience present one or more short presentations (five
minute duration or less) to the assembly.
It would be my additional suggestion to hire two court reporters to capture all
comments and produce a transcript of the entire commentary of our congress.
It would be my suggestion to have the conference jointly sponsored by Freya
Dinshah of the American Vegan Society and Alex Hershaft of Farm-USA.
It would be my suggestion to have Howard Lyman act as moderator/chairman of
this conference, acting as speaker of the house, of sorts, following an agenda
to be laid out by the two conference organizers.
Let us all be inspired by the words of Bryce Courtenay, from The Power of One:
"Changes can come from the power of many, but
only when the many come together to form that
which is invincible...the power of one."
Robert Cohen
Executive Director
Dairy Education Board
201-871-5871
i4crob@earthlink.net
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~6~
More Job Opportunities
Check out the following websites for even more
employment opportunities for animal advocates:
Eaton County Humane Society
is Looking for a New Director
http://my.voyager.net/~harriss/020612A.htm
Humane Society of Huron
Valley Seeks New Executive Director
http://my.voyager.net/~harriss/020607H.htm
Animal Protection Institute
Employment Opportunity
http://my.voyager.net/~harriss/020607G.htm
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~7~
Congress to Vote on Banning Use of
Compound 1080 and M44's
By Federal Agents of USDA "Wildlife Services"
Contacts: Bill Dollinger, Friends of Animals (202) 296-2172
Brooks Fahy, Predator Defense Institute (541) 937 4261
From Priscilla Feral - feral@friendsofanimals.org
As Congress votes on the Agriculture
Appropriations Bill, legislators will be voting on an amendment to be
introduced by Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR), to ban the use of two highly
toxic poisons, Compound 1080 and M44s (spring-loaded sodium cyanide capsules) -
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "Wildlife Services" agency.
These poisons have long been targeted by Friends of Animals (FoA) and the
Predator Defense Institute (PDI) for their unconscionable effects both on
animals and on the environment in which the animals live."
Killing predators is the business of Wildlife Services, which in Fiscal Year
2002 had a budget of $49 million. In Fiscal Year 2000, Wildlife Services was
responsible for the annual shooting, poisoning and trapping of more than 3
million birds and 186,000 mammals, reptiles and amphibians - including wolves,
coyotes, foxes and other predators accused of diminishing ranchers' profits.
Friends of Animals and Predator Defense Institute petitioned Representative
DeFazio, the Environmental Protection Agency and the White House to ban the
highly toxic poison, sodium monoflouracetate, otherwise known as Compound 1080.
FoA Washington DC Director Bill Dollinger states, "We demand an end to the
use of these poisons. In the past, we concentrated on cutting off the use of
taxpayers' money to benefit private ranchers. Now we have called for a ban on
the use of these poisons by federal agents, and Representative Peter DeFazio
has responded to our appeal."
According to PDI Director Brooks Fahy, "Wildlife Services' use of poisons
like Compound 1080 and sodium cyanide has continued since the agency's
founding. PDI has documented many such cases in the last decade. Enough is
enough."
Friends of Animals is an international animal rights organization with more
than 200,000 members and supporters, with headquarters in Darien, CT. The
Predator Defense Institute, a grassroots animal advocacy group is based in Eugene,
Oregon.
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~8~
Autumn's Death
Copyright Jim Willis 2001
tiergarten@onebox.com
http://jimwillis0.tripod.com/tiergarten/
A quilt is laid upon the world
of colors red and gold,
a sheet is placed of frosty white,
peace tucked in every fold.
The air is ripe with cinnamon,
woodsmoke and apples tart,
the golden fields of ripened grain,
their richness do impart.
A hunter stands, a shot rings out,
a fallen stag lies still,
Autumn's splendor melts away,
replaced by winter kill.
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~9~
Memorable Quote
"Animals do feel like us, also joy, love,
fear and pain but they cannot grasp the spoken word. It is our obligation
to take their part and continue to resist the people who profit by them, who
slaughter them and who torture them."
~Denis De Roughement
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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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