Alliance for Animals

Vegangelical?

2009-09-27T12:22:00.000-07:00

Who You Callin' Vegangelical?
by Ari Solomon

Recently I've heard some perplexing criticisms of veganism. They go something like this: vegans are extremists, vegans are so preachy, veganism is like some fanatical religion, veganism is a cult.. There obviously is some misunderstanding going on and I'd like to try and stamp out this issue once and for all. I realize I can't possibly speak for all vegans, but this is how I see it:

First of all, veganism is clearly not some religion or cult. There is no Church of Vegan. Veganism is a philosophy. Donald Watson first coined the term "vegan"

more. .

Dogs and Two Year Olds

2009-08-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

Dogs and 2-Year-Olds on Same Mental Plane

MONDAY, Aug. 10 (HealthDay News) -- According to accumulating research, the beloved family dog is really a toddler with a snout and tail.

"Dogs basically have the developmental abilities equivalent to a human 2-year-old," said dog expert Stanley Coren, who was scheduled to present recent canine research developments at the American Psychological Association annual meeting this week in Toronto.

According to accumulating research, the beloved family dog is really a toddler with a snout and tail. "Dogs basically have the developmental abilities equivalent to a human 2-year-old," said dog expert Stanley Coren, who was scheduled to present recent canine research developments at the American Psychological Association annual meeting this week in Toronto.

"> Read the article.

A Commentary on Michael Vick

2009-08-15T11:52:00.001-07:00

A Commentary on Michael Vick

Posted using ShareThis

Yes, It Is Time for This Debate

2009-08-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

An open letter of invitation to Ingrid Newkirk to debate Rutgers Professor Gary Francione, from Adam Kochanowicz, Omaha Vegan Examiner

Ingrid Newkirk

As president and co-founder of The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), you've publicized the appeal for going vegetarian and avoiding fur. The campaigns of PETA have drawn attention around the world for their sexual portrayals of scantily clad women and colorful mockeries of food establishments such as PETA's KFC Cruelty campaign.

While your followers who have managed to donate some 30 million dollars annually believe PETA's campaigns bring us one step closer to real justice for animals, there is still a significant percentage of animal advocates who disagree with this conclusion as well as PETA's tactics and fundamental philosophy.

Some PETA supporters have taken to avoiding any debate for the fear of what they call "infighting." Animal advocates are reluctant to give any energy into responding to disagreement in fear of disrupting the supposed unity of a movement for animals. However. . .

Starving Monkeys

2009-07-31T11:53:00.000-07:00

Why Would Starving Monkeys Want to Live Longer?

UW-Madison in the news. . . not in a good way.

Imagine the horror of eating, sleeping, relieving yourself and sitting with nothing to do in the same tiny room for decades. You can never go outside and feel the sun on your skin or smell the fragrance of blooming flowers. Your days are drained of color, scent and almost every other form of sensory stimulation. Imagine, too, that you are never fed quite enough and feel constant hunger pangs. Worse, you are deprived of the one thing that might bring you some small comfort—the companionship of another living being.

Read the rest of the story here.

Why animal rights activists aren't supporting animal welfarism

2009-07-19T16:54:00.000-07:00

Why animal rights activists aren't supporting animal welfarism
by Adam Kochanowicz, Omaha Vegan Examiner

In a blog entitled "HSUS' Paul Shapiro Reaches Out to Meat Industry," author Mylene Ouellet shows how some of the most popular responses to the plight of animals are, in fact, seriously detrimental to the rights and suffering of animals conversely.

Read the entire article here.

State to appeal deer charges dismissal

2009-07-15T16:12:00.000-07:00

State to appeal deer charges dismissal

The state will appeal a decision dismissing animal cruelty charges in connection with the Waupaca County deer thrill kill case.

Two different judges have dismissed the animal cruelty charges against Rory Kuenzi and Robby Kuenzi, with the reasoning that because the men face several hunting related charges, state law prohibits them from being charged with animal cruelty counts.

The Waupaca County District Attorney's office asked the state Attorney General's office to appeal that decision - wanting both the set of illegal hunting charges and the animal cruelty charges to stand. Wednesday, the Attorney General's office agreed to do so.

“We intend to pursue an appeal of the judges’ decisions because we believe the court erred in its interpretation of the relevant statutes," Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said in a statement.

No court dates have been set for the appeals.

A third man, Nicholas Hermes, returns to Waupaca County court later this month in his effort to get the animal cruelty charges dismissed. The three allegedly ran down several deer with their snowmobiles, killing them.

Milwaukee Brewers Power Hitter Prince Fielder Is An Ethical Vegetarian

2009-07-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee Brewers Power Hitter Prince Fielder Is An Ethical Vegetarian

OK, raise your hands if you think vegetarians are weak and puny (we see you back there, Rupert). For those who have their hands up, Prince Fielder would like a word with you.

Fielder is the 6-foot, 270-pound first baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers with one hell of a reputation. He’s best know for hitting more than .300 with 22 home runs and knocking in 78 runs in the first half of the Major League Baseball season, which earned him a place on the National League All-Star roster.

Oh yeah, and just a few days ago he won the Home Run Derby, hitting the longest drive of the night (estimated at more than 500 feet).

The best part about this story: HOMEBOY’S A PROUD VEG!! WOOOOO!!!

Yessiree, shortly after his wife shared a copy of Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin’s bestselling book Skinny Bitch the powerhouse decided to put down the cruel stuff for good.

Reason number 5 million why we can’t get enough of the Skinny Bitch/Bastard series.

Thinking about living life sans meat? Visit GoVeg.com and get your free vegetarian starter kit!

Startling Visual

2009-05-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

A startling visual from Animal Visuals.

Animals as Persons

2009-05-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

Animals as Persons: Essays on the Abolition of Animal Exploitation
by Gary L. Francione

A prominent and respected philosopher of animal rights law and ethical theory, Gary L. Francione is known for his criticism of animal welfare laws and regulations, his abolitionist theory of animal rights, and his promotion of veganism and nonviolence as the baseline principles of the abolitionist movement. In this collection, Francione advances the most radical theory of animal rights to date. Unlike Peter Singer, Francione maintains that we cannot morally justify using animals under any circumstances, and unlike Tom Regan, Francione's theory applies to all sentient beings, not only to those who have more sophisticated cognitive abilities.

A different kringle: Larsen Bakery now producing the sweet treat for vegans, along with all-natural doughnuts

2009-04-28T20:19:00.000-07:00

By Michael Burke

RACINE — Vegan kringle. Whole-wheat doughnuts. Who would even ask for such things?

As it turns out, more people than one might guess. And Larsen Bakery makes both, as well as all-natural doughnuts, for certain wholesale customers.

“To our knowledge, we’re the first people to do this,” said Larsen General Manager Mike Haney.

The bakery at 3311 Washington Ave. started with the vegan kringles about two years ago.

Read the whole story.

The New Veganism

2009-04-20T17:16:00.000-07:00

Experience Life: The New Veganism

No longer on the fringe of culinary culture, plant-centered diets are more popular than ever. Here’s why - and why you don’t have to be a vegan to benefit from putting more plants at the center of your plate. Read the whole article.

A Moral Question on the Dinner Table

2009-04-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

Some very thoughtful opinions from New York Times Letters to the Editor

Re “Humanity Even for Nonhumans,” by Nicholas D. Kristof (column, April 9):

Thank you for this inspiring and enlightening article. Animals raised for food suffer miserably.

The meat and dairy industries want to keep their operations away from the public’s discriminating eyes, but as groups like PETA and the Humane Society have shown us in their graphic and disturbing undercover investigations, factory farms are mechanized madness and slaughterhouses are torture chambers to these unfortunate and feeling beings.

Read the rest of the letters.

Prime Minister's Wife Refuses to Eat Foie Gras and Veal

2009-04-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

First Lady Michelle Obama can take a lesson from Sarah Brown.

Sarah Brown declines veal and foie gras at Nato summit banquet. They are considered culinary delicacies by many.

But the Prime Minister's wife refused to eat the veal and foie gras served at a banquet during the Nato summit in France last weekend.

Foie gras canapes were served at a reception at the Rohan palace last Friday night, while roast veal was offered to delegates later that evening at a banquet.

Sarah Brown's decision not to eat the foods, which have long been condemned by animal rights campaigners, has been praised by animal rights group Peta.

A spokeswoman said: 'By turning her nose up at two of the cruellest dishes ever dreamt up by the French ... Sarah Brown deserves worldwide respect and admiration.'

Read the entire article.

All Power Over Wisconsin Wildlife and Nature!

2009-04-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

BOBCATS: PROTECT THE REAL FERAL CATS!
ALL POWER OVER WI WILDLIFE & NATURE IN THIS ELECTION!
KILLING IS NOT CONSERVATION.

Monday, April 13, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in every county in Wisconsin the Department of Natural Resources will sponsor a PUBLIC statewide election of delegates to represent citizens in policy concerning wildlife and nature – our most valuable commonwealth.

The first order of business is the election of 2 of 5 delegates in each county (72 counties). Right now all 360 delegates are from the rod and gun hunting/trapping clubs, as they have always been. They are ever expanding their own power, and gaining access to more and more public land, and working on access, by carrot or stick (or trespass) to private land. Their agenda is an expansion of killing more species in more ways in more places. This secretive election is little known to citizens outside of the rod and gun clubs.

With ZERO representation for the non-hunting public, all of the proposals are, as usual about killing. Amongst them are:

1.Doubling the season for trapping bobcats. Of course, there is no scientific reason for killing these cats. They keep the population of rodents in check for farmers. They are a trophy gift to the taxidermy crowd to make into decorative objects in their head hanging rooms.
2.Promoting a statewide, year-round coyote kill
3.Dropping protection of woodchucks
4.Starting a youth conservation congress to lure more youth into killing and trapping wildlife
5.Promoting legislation to BAN legislation proposed by anyone outside of the hunting clubs unless it goes through the “public” process of the Conservation Congress, which is exclusively under the control of the hunters and trappers.

Ten years trying to reform the Conservation Congress from within and to promote Aldo Leopold’s own guidelines for the Congress have not been successful. Leopold”s guidelines were:

1.Make sure that the money to manage wildlife and nature comes from general public funds (it comes from special interest killing licenses)
2.Make sure that the landowner, naturalist, and environmentalist is as valued a delegate to the Conservation Congress as the hunter or trapper. (totally subverted and privatized and downplayed in importance)

***Therefore, we are proposing that we establish an alternate Living Wildlife Congress for the 90% of Wisconsin citizens who should have equal rights and equal responsibility for nature and wildlife governance. We suggest that the legislature establish this alternative congress with a fee paid by all non-hunting citizens, comparable to a deer killing license fee, and that the money be voted through this alternative congress to address issues pertaining to protecting biodiversity, establishing birding trails, under-road passageways for wildlife migration, re-establishing amphibian species under stress, and helping our natural predators, decimated by hunting and trapping pressures. *** We will be asking interested organizations to sign on to a petition for such an alternative congress.

Meanwhile, we urge you vote on various issues pertaining to killing our wildlife. At this time of stress on nature, human-caused massive species extinctions, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, global warming, and continued violence orchestrated by our government agencies. We urge you to attend this election, and help establish a check and balance to its destructive entrenched power.

Poster with contact info available attached for your county: if you could post it at coffee shops, health food stores, and email it on to your circle of influence to help.

ALL OF THE POWER IS IN ATTENDANCE THIS ONE NIGHT TO ELECT DELEGATES TO REPRESENT YOU. Attendance once in a while on an issue has ZERO power. KILLING IS NOT CONSERVATION.

Contact madravenbear@merr.com for more info or to learn how to run as delegate or to help in any way.

Gary Francione's Answer to NYT Op Ed

2009-04-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

Leave it to Mr. Francione to make my momentary happiness disappear.

Dear Colleagues:

Today’s New York Times had an editorial by Nicholas D. Kristof. The editorial was an ode to animal welfare and of the supposed progressive ethical development that welfare reform bespeaks.

Forgive me for not sharing Mr. Kristof’s enthusiasm.

Rather than make a point-by-point reply, I will limit myself to three general comments.

First, the examples to which Mr. Kristof points are leading candidates in the contest to identify the most futile welfare reforms of modern history. These include California’s Proposition 2, the European Commission Directive on battery eggs, and the unholy alliance between animal rights groups and Burger King. I have written about all of these previously and I have argued that they will do nothing to help animals.

Read the entire article.

The time has come for animals rights

2009-04-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

Humanity Even for Nonhumans
New York Times Op Ed Columnist Nicholas D. Kristof

One of the historical election landmarks last year had nothing to do with race or the presidency. Rather, it had to do with pigs and chickens — and with overarching ideas about the limits of human dominion over other species.

I’m referring to the stunning passage in California, by nearly a 2-to-1 majority, of an animal rights ballot initiative that will ban factory farms from keeping calves, pregnant hogs or egg-laying hens in tiny pens or cages in which they can’t stretch out or turn around. It was an element of a broad push in Europe and America alike to grant increasing legal protections to animals.

Read the rest of the article.