A n i m a l W r i t e s © sm

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

Publisher   ~ EnglandGal@aol.com                   Issue # 12/29/02
    Editor ~ JJswans@aol.com
Journalists ~ ParkStRanger@aol.com
~ MichelleRivera1@aol.com
~ sbest1@elp.rr.com

THE ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE ARE:

1 ~ The Compassionate Activist by Kimberly Locke
2 ~ Compassion For Animals Action Symposium
3 ~ Dolphin Safe Tuna - Isn't by Anai Rhoads
4 ~ Animal Art
5 ~ National Bird Day - Day of Action for Captive Birds
6 ~ Meantime, or how I spent my summer vacation by Paulette Callen
7 ~ Memorable Quote

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~1~
The Compassionate Activist
By Kimberly Locke - KMBWolf@aol.com

Vandalism, harassment, death threats. More and more people are associating these words with animal rights activism. And who can blame them?

In Massachusetts, two young adults were arrested for criminal harassment, extortion, and stalking. They allegedly threatened to burn down the victim’s home, vandalized his home with red paint, and threatened his life if he did not quit his job. The victim was the mid-level manager for Marsh USA, an international insurance brokerage firm believed to do business with Huntingdon Life Sciences.

In New Jersey, an animal rights activist was arrested and charged with possession of an illegal weapon. She allegedly threatened a rodeo representative with an electric prod.

The stories go on. And with such stories, society is seeing animal rights activists as vandals, harassers, and even worse, terrorists.

Is this how we want the animal rights movement to be seen as? Acts of terrorism? Activists striving for animal rights are [allegedly] threatening people, blowing up labs, and destroying property. All this does is fuel society with hatred for animal rights activists.

Animal rights activism is just that. Fighting for the rights of animals. But don’t forget, humans are animals too.

Violence is not the way. Not at all. When we are fighting for animal rights, we are ideally fighting for peace between the human and non-human animals. That cannot be won with red paint, explosives, or death threats. It can only be won with education and compassion.

What we all must remember is that we as individuals didn’t always know what we know now. Some of us became animal rights activists earlier than others. Can you remember a time when you ate meat, wore leather, fished, or squashed bugs? You weren’t stupid, or hateful, or even evil. You were uneducated.

And that is what the rest of society is. Uneducated. How many times have you heard people say "I didn’t know that!" when you tell them about puppy mills, slaughterhouses, or fur ranches? We cannot get mad at or hate people merely because they don’t know. It is far more important to educate.

So what can we do? Here are just a few things that can greatly help the animal rights movement:

   -- Pass out informative flyers and brochures
   -- Patiently and politely tell people why you don’t eat meat/wear fur/go to circuses
   -- Tell people that you don’t shop at certain stores because they sell furs
   -- Wear shirts, buttons, hats, etc with animal rights slogans
   -- Inform family members and friends about the health hazards of meat, and that you want them to become vegetarian so you will have them around longer
   -- Write letters to newspapers about upcoming events, like the circus or rodeo
   -- Send e-cards with animal rights slogans and messages, like those at www.fund.org
   -- Write to members of the government, telling about the horrors of factory farms or pet mills
   -- Carry fur-cards, cards with an anti-fur message, with you and leave them at ATMs or on the bus
   -- Tell people why you buy cruelty-free products
   -- For gifts, bake vegan goodies, or make a cruelty-free baskets full of lotions and soaps
   -- At family gatherings, bring a vegan entrée that everyone can enjoy, and be prepared to be asked for the recipe
-- Write to companies telling them why you won’t buy their products until they stop animal testing
   -- Start a petition

The pacifistic way is the only way we can succeed with our cause. We are fighting to stop violence on animals. We cannot forget that humans are animals, too.

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~2~
Compassion For Animals
Action Symposium

Presented By:
VegEvents
March 7-9, 2003
TAMPA, FLORIDA
UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA
MARSHALL CENTER, BALLROOM

Join us in this beautiful Campus setting. Raise your awareness and take it back to your community.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

*Hear experts in Animal Ethics, Vegan Nutrition and Environmental Issues
*Enjoy Great Vegan Meals * Visit the Exhibit Hall
*Network with Like-Minded Individuals & Form Friendships that will last a Lifetime!

Speakers (so far)
+ Don Barnes, (API) Animal Protection Institute
+ Andrew Butler, (PETA) People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
+ Brenda Davis, RD, (C.A.R.E.) Vegan Nutritionist, Author, “Becoming Vegan”
+ Karen Davis, PhD, (UPI) United Poultry Concerns
+ George Eisman, RD, Vegan Nutritionist, Author, ”The Most Noble Diet”
+ Dr. Michael Greger, MD, Vegan Nutritionist, Author, “ Heart Failure: Diary of a Third Year Medical Student
+ Steve Hindi, (SHARK) SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness
+ Kevin Jonas, (SHAC-USA) Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty
+ Anthony Marr, (C.A.R.E.) Compassion for Animals Road Expedition
+ Ric O’Barry, (WSPA) World Society for the Protection of Animals
+ Wayne Pacelle, (HSUS) Humane Society of the United States
+ Lt. Sherry Schlueter, (Animal Cruelty Division) Broward County Sheriffs Department
+ Paul Shapiro, (COK) Compassion Over Killing
+ Plus numerous representatives from Florida organizations

Questions? Contact Event Coordinator: Chas Chiodo @ 386-454-4341
chasmo@netcommander.com www.vegetarianevents.com

FOR BEST RATES, REGISTER EARLY. LIMITED SPACE
By registering early your donation helps VegEvents offset pre-symposium expenses.
Proceeds from the symposium will go toward our Mobile Video Theater expenses.

Symposium Information
From the Friday reception to our Sunday departure the Action Symposium will engage your mind & restore your spirits. Be part of this event in order to learn from the past and begin to create a more peaceful world.

Symposium Schedule:
* Friday, March 7: 5-10 pm registration, 7-10 pm reception. Register early so you can meet other attendees and enjoy music & refreshments.
* Saturday, March 8: A variety of animal rights issues will be presented via lectures and panels (schedule tba).
* Sunday, March 9: Vegan nutrition, lifestyle and factory farm issues will be presented (schedule tba).
Talk one on one with experts of the animal rights and vegan movements. Learn how to effectively organize outreach/community education programs and conduct classroom/community presentations. Increase your knowledge in animal ethics, human health and environmental issues.

Housing:
There are many places to stay across the street from the University. Prices range from $64.95 - $79. One located 2 miles from campus is offering a rate of $42. PLEASE make your reservations ASAP because March is the busy season in Tampa and the availability of rooms will be at a minimum. The hotels will give these group rates until February 7th. For reservations check the web site: www.vegetarianevents.com or call or Email Chas at 386-454-4341, chasmo@netcommander.com .

Meals:
Symposium Meals will be Vegan. Catered by Trang Viet Cuisine (**** rating from Florida Voices for Animals). Individual meals can be purchased by Feb. 28th (see at bottom ). Breakfast snacks will be available. There are many vegan-friendly restaurants within 1/2 mile of the university. Carpools can be arranged.

How Do I Pay?
Only Checks & Money orders will be accepted.
Make payable to Vegetarian Events and mail to: PO Box 1057, Alachua, FL 32616

Number in Party:______ Name:____________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________
Phone # Day:______________________________Eve:___________________________

E-Mail___________________________________________________________
List additional names w/ phone numbers & addresses on separate sheet of paper.

Meals provided ONLY w/reservations postmarked by Feb 28!
Register early for best rates; space is limited.
Please reserve:
____ @$60 Full Symposium w/3 meals postmarked by Jan. 6
____ $35 Full Symp. No Meals by Jan. 6
____ @$75 Full Symposium w/3 meals postmarked by Jan. 27
____ $45 Full Symp. No Meals by Jan. 27
____ @$85 Full Symposium w/3 meals postmarked by Feb. 28

____ $55 Full Symp. No Meals by Feb. 28
____ @$65 Full Symposium w/ NO meals after Feb. 28
____ @$30 Saturday Only (Meals Extra)   ____Lunch ____Dinner   (rates at bottom)
____ @$30 Sunday   Only (Meals Extra)   ____Lunch    (rates at bottom)
____ @$40 Student w/ I.D. Full Symp. w/3 meals postmarked by Jan. 6
____ @$50 Student w/ I.D. Full Symp. w/3 meals postmarked by Jan. 27
____ $15 Std. w/I.D. Full Symp No Meals by Jan. 27
____ @$60 Student w/ I.D. Full symp. w/3 meals postmarked by Feb. 8
____ $20 Std. w/I.D. Full Symp. No Meals by Feb.28
____ @$25 Student w/ I.D. Full Symposium w/ NO meals after Feb. 28
____ @$15 Student w/ I.D. Saturday Only (Meals Extra) ____Lunch ____Dinner (rates at bottom)
____ @$15 Student w/ I.D. Sunday Only (Meals Extra)   ____Lunch (rates at bottom)

Individual Meals per day: Sat. and Sun. Lunches $8. each.   Saturday Dinner $12.    Registration Total______

Please Note: A limited number of discounts for volunteers are available. Call Vegetarian Events at: 386-454-4341

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~3~
Dolphin Safe Tuna - Isn't
By Anai Rhoads - anairhoads@rhoadsdev.com

The Mexican tuna industry is said to be responsible for a dramatic decline of dolphins in the eastern Pacific ocean. This according to an August 2002 report published by U.S. government scientists. [1]

A December 5th release stated eastern Spinner dolphins are only 35% of their pre-fishery levels. Northeastern off-shore spotted dolphins are only 20%. Neither population is recovering at a rate consistent with the levels of depletion. An estimated 6 million dolphins have been killed since the 1950s, reportedly because current tuna fishing techniques.

In 1972, the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) <www.mms.gov/envd-bea/mmpa/> was passed by the U.S. Congress to protect mammals who dwell in the world's oceans by prohibiting capture, injury, harassment or killing of ocean animals.

Under the 1994 amendments [2], the Congress statutorily defined and divided the term "harassment" to mean any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which:

Level A Harassment- has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild; or

Level B Harassment- has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption or behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering.

In 1997, Congress considered legislation, called the Dolphin Conservation Act (DCA), that would undermine the MMPA's ban on imports of tuna that involved the entrapment of dolphins. Environmental and conservation activists were alarmed that the U.S. sought to appease Mexico by weakening the "Dolphin Safe" label.

A hundred page report that was prepared by NOAA Fisheries' Southwest Fisheries Science Centre [3] and based on research conducted from 1997 up to 2002. It cites contributing factors as to why the dolphin populations are not recovering. Scientists clearly suspect the eastern Pacific tuna industry as a major factor.

There are no current reports that state the Mexican tuna industry have any plans to update labels from Dolphin Safe to something more appropriate.

Urge Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans to protect the "dolphin-safe" label on tuna by signing this template <www.workingforchange.com/activism/action.cfm?ltemld=13929>

Contact information for the advocacy group working on this issue:

Defenders of Wildlife
National Headquarters
1101 14th Street, NW #1400
Washington, DC 20005
http://www.savedolphins.org/

© 2002 Anai Rhoads. All rights reserved.

[1] Defenders.org <www.defenders.org/wildlife/dolphin/report.pdf>
Requires Acrobat Reader.

[2] To read the entire MMPA document in a pdf file click here. [3] <www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/laws/MMPA/mmpatext/mmpaall.pdf> NOAA
Restoration Centre

Anai Rhoads is a health and political writer from Virginia, with
work published in various online newspapers. Her main job is writing and
editing health, reproduction and Vegan web sites. A vegan since 2000, she
is a dedicated supporter of activities which promote animal and human rights

Anai Rhoads
Freelance Writer and Editor
(703) 491-0176
anairhoads@rhoadsdev.com
http://vegweb.com/cgi/faq/anai/smartfaq.cgi

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~4~
Animal Art

BEAUTIFUL NOTE CARDS AND PRINTS OF FARM ANIMALS created from original watercolors!

Sandy Polsky specializes in painting farm animals, with the hope that people will see the beauty and spirit of farm animals in her paintings, leading them to vegetarianism, animal advocacy or animal activism. Her cards are truly special; not only are the paintings lovely, but they are also hand-applied on a lovely embossed paper stock -- not the typical ones you see in every store or catalogue.

Please view her website at www.animalartbysandy.com. They make wonderful gifts!

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~5~
National Bird Day
Day of Action for Captive Birds
From info@api4animals.org

The Animal Protection Institute (API) in coordination with the Avian Welfare Coalition is calling on activists around the U.S. to take action on behalf of captive birds by drawing attention to the exploitation of other country's native birds by the U.S. pet industry on January 5 -- National Bird Day.

"National Bird Day" is not only a good day to take time to appreciate the native wild birds flying free outside our windows, it is also a perfect time to reflect on how we treat the native birds of other countries. While we have enacted laws to protect our native birds -- such as blue jays, cardinals, and crows -- from commercial exploitation, we fail to recognize the inconsistency in allowing the pet industry to exploit the birds of other countries.

Even when bred in captivity, exotic birds are not considered domesticated animals, and all their inherent behavioral and physical needs remain intact. Sadly, when it comes to birds, deprivation of their natural behaviors (to fly and flock, for example) is an inescapable component of their captivity.

Each year thousands of birds are sold into the pet trade to individuals who are under the mistaken impression that a bird will make a perfect pet. Eventually, whether due to frustration, disinterest, or concern, many people attempt to rid themselves of the responsibility of caring for their birds. Unfortunately, few of these birds will find a loving home, and most will spend their days isolated and confined to their cages. Others will bounce from home to home as "owners" tire of them, and some may be abandoned at local shelters and birds rescues, set free to fend for themselves or euthanized.

Meanwhile pet stores across the country including Petco and PetsMart continue to treat birds like merchandise peddling them into the pet trade. Pet stores that sell live animals are routinely faced with conflicting responsibilities between caring for the health and well being of the animals and protecting the store's bottom line. More often than not it's the bottom line that prevails.

You can help! Join API and the Avian Welfare Coalition in its first annual National Day of Action for Captive birds by helping to educate the public about issues affecting captive birds and by asking Petco and PetsMart not to sell live birds in their stores.

There are many ways you can participate:
+ Hold a peaceful protest and leaflet in front of a Petco or PetsMart to educate their customers on why they should not support Petco or PetsMart so long as they continue to sell birds (reproducible flyer available by contacting API)
+ Drive to your local Petco and PetsMart stores and place flyers on the windshields of cars parked in the parking lot. (reproducible flyer available by contacting API)
+ Have an information table in a park or busy area about captive birds (information available by contacting API)
+ Send a letter to the editor or Op-ed to your local newspaper
+ Write or Call Petco and PetsMart and let them know you won't patronize their stores until they stop selling birds.

Contact:
   PetsMart
   Attn: Customer Relations
   19601 North 27th Ave
   Phoenix, AZ 85027
   1-800-738-1385 ext. 2518
   storehelp@petsmart.com

   Petco Animal Supplies
   Attn: Customer Relations
   9125 Recho Rd.
   San Diego, CA 92121
   1-800-541-2952 or 858-453-7845

We would like to compile a list of activities complete with contact information so that interested people team up to participate in planned leafleting and tabling events in their area. So once you have decided what you want to do, email Monica Engebretson at monica@api4animals.org so we can add your action to our list of participants and activities. If you get a letter to the editor published in a newspaper please let us know and send a copy if possible to API, P.O. Box 22505, Sacramento, CA 95822.

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~6~
Meantime
(or, How I spent my summer vacation)
By Paulette Callen

I board the plane
the attendant says
with a quizzical look
at my boarding pass
"You're the vegetarian?"

I dream of the day
when a traveler will board
and the steward will say
with a questioning rise of his eyebrow...
"You're the carnivore?"

but, in the meantime
a woman cries
an animal dies
and the Indians dream of home

(there's a paper in my pocket
with some numbers written on it
I feel the numbers throb
and the phrase that sets the beat
hammers at my chest
"every fifteen seconds
a woman is beaten by a man she knows"
this time she lives
only her joy is dead)

I'm in a car
on a country road
sitting next to one
who cries, "Look! Cows!
Stop the car.
They are so beautiful!
I will commune with cows!"

and she wafts to the fence
her sentiment flying
above the white-faced red
ones who placidly chew
and happily nuzzle
their wobbly calves
post card pretty to be sure

and I think (not kindly, I confess)
commune with the cow
that rots in your gut
commune with her

for my car-mate
had cow for lunch

I dream of the day
when cows can be
for the beauty they give
a landscape (in small numbers)
and the comfort they find
in each other
and in being garlanded with
flowers by children
who love them
and tell them secrets

in the meantime
a woman cries
an animal dies
and the Indians dream of home

at a Chippewa pow wow
the dancers stop
when an eagle's feather is found
on the grass fallen
from a dancer's lance

an elder appears
sprinkles a sacred substance
he carries in a pouch
speaks the sacred words
before touching the feather
bearing it with reverence
off the dancing ground

I am on the highway
a possum lies dead by the road
a raccoon lies dead by the road—
no—two together

a turtle crosses, life's burden upon her back
she makes her slow slow way
across the hot road
miraculously missing
wheels spinning death
out on the highway

a porcupine lies dead on the road
a young doe lies dead on the road
her body of exquisite grace
and delicacy lies crumpled
and broken dead by the road

(the numbers throb against my chest
"every 15 seconds a woman is beaten by a man she knows"
this time she lives
only her dreams have died)

a badger lies dead by the road
a possum lies dead by the road
a squirrel lies dead by the road

I dream of the day
when the wheels will turn more slowly and if
we kill it is with sorrow
and in grief will we stop
and look upon what we have done
and bear the broken body of
whomever we've destroyed

bear it with reverence from the killing ground
chant the sacred song
and make atonement till the killing stops

but in the meantime
a woman cries
an animal dies
and the Indians dream of home

I see on TV
a woman is raped by her father
from the time she is three
until she is 18 and tries to kill him
she is convicted of attempting murder
she is in prison
he is free

(the numbers beat against my chest
"every 15 seconds
a woman is beaten by a man
by a man she knows"
this time she dies)

I dream of the day when the life of a woman
is as valued as
the life of a man

in the meantime
the animals cry
the women die
an Indian dreams of home

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~7~
Memorable Quote

"It is natural that we should like to have dogs about us;
their enthusiasm for play, their excitement over things
in general, their appreciation of creature comforts,
are all part of their lovableness; the unnecessary discomfort and dullness,
the fear and the pain which too often fall to their lot are a travesty
of what life could be for them. The joy of giving unselfish affection
is one which dogs share with the best of men and women."
"Lesser Lives" by Elinor White (published 1937)

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Susan Roghair - EnglandGal@aol.com
Animal Rights Online
P O Box 7053
Tampa, Fl 33673-7053
http://www.oocities.org/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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