Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 I've heard the president of PETA speak at a conference on alternatives to the use of animals in scientific studies. She and other representatives that go to these meetings are always very intelligent, well informed and work even with scientists using animals to do everything to see that animals are treated properly even in a research setting. I do not consider myself an animal activist, but I think PETA gets blamed too often for what a few vigilantes do in the name of animal rights. The president made a really strong point for me. She cited statistics at how many physicians were able to participate in the atrocities in the Nazi concentration camps. Her point was we're not that nice to each other as human beings, look at the incidence of spousal and child abuse and violence. The poor treatment of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers brought this argument back to my mind. If we aren't that nice to each other, how likely are workers to be nice to research animals. They need advocates to keep a watchful eye on the treatment of animals in these situations. The USDA and other agencies, are also animal rights activists in a way, establishing rules for how research animals and animals raised for food are treated. I didn't read what Irene had to say, but if you'd like a transcript of her speech I could probably find it for you. -In , dmurr58@a... wrote: > Irene, > > Can you tell me what type of person and what activities would consitute an > " animal activist " ? I'm not sure we are talking about the same group of > people. I'm pretty sure we would agree that the PETA people are animal activists, > and have practiced questionable (and objectionable) methods to further their > agenda. Yet there are countless others I would consider to be animal > activists whose efforts strike me as beneficial to animals and humans. The people > who volunteer at the local animal shelter, to socialize the feral cats, so > they can be adopted, rather than killed. Or the people who foster abandoned > animals in their homes, until a permanent home can be found, again so they will > not be killed. People who go to court to promote harsher anti- animal abuse > laws, so that it is not ok to beat your dog with a golf club. These are all > animal activists to me. They value animals as sentient beings, they work to > protect their safety, they work to educate the public to be responsible pet > owners, and they work for legislation that will regulate those breeders, > retailers and owners who engage in abuse or neglect. Are you working with a > different definition, or is there something wrong with the people I am thinking of? > > > I was quite surprised to read your e-mail, especially as I see you as a > person who often speaks of a humane, holistic approach to cat care. So I am > thinking you have specific types of people in mind, not necessarily the broad > group I am referring to? > > Donna > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 dmurr58@... wrote: > Irene, > > Can you tell me what type of person and what activities would consitute an > " animal activist " ? I'm not sure we are talking about the same group of > people. I'm pretty sure we would agree that the PETA people are animal activists, > and have practiced questionable (and objectionable) methods to further their > agenda. YEs I agree. > Yet there are countless others I would consider to be animal > activists whose efforts strike me as beneficial to animals and humans. I don't use the word activist for anyone behaving in a normal rational fashion to achieve good. I do that myself and do not wish to be called an activist. I see myself as someone who respects animals and does what I can to promote this respect. I see an " activist " as someone who wants to be *seen* as an activist rather than someone who wants good results to be achieved. To me the difference is in the objective and the ego about it. PETA for example is busy making political hay and rabble rousing while having nefarious activities behind the scenes that are contrary to their polite public pronouncements. A real animal welfare group, plans something worth doing and gets on with doing it rather than getting political - Activism is political behaviour in my book, not animal welfare work. Namaste, Irene -- Irene de Villiers, B.Sc; AASCA; MCSSA; D.I.Hom. P.O.Box 4703, Spokane, WA 99220-0703. http://www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html Veterinary Homeopath and Feline Information Counsellor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 They don't raise money at these conferences, in fact they are there to educate and support research with grants. I've never given them a penny and am not an activist, but I was very impressed by their rationality at the high levels. In any group there will be those who go outside the lines, just as the few soldiers that treated the Iraqi prisoners inhumanely. I don't write off our entire armed forces for the acts of a few, even for the acts of quite a few. > > > > I've heard the president of PETA speak at a conference on > > alternatives to the use of animals in scientific studies. She and > > other representatives that go to these meetings are always very > > intelligent, well informed > > More like politically manipulating :-)) > What PETA does with your money conned out of you at gatherings like > these is beyond the pale and more cruel than anything they supposedly > dislike. > You may be surprised if you look into it. > Namaste, > IRene > -- > Irene de Villiers, B.Sc; AASCA; MCSSA; D.I.Hom. > P.O.Box 4703, Spokane, WA 99220-0703. > http://www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html > Veterinary Homeopath and Feline Information Counsellor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 In a message dated 10/31/2004 11:16:20 PM Eastern Standard Time, dmurr58@... writes: Yet there are countless others I would consider to be animal activists whose efforts strike me as beneficial to animals and humans. The people who volunteer at the local animal shelter, to socialize the feral cats, so they can be adopted, rather than killed. Or the people who foster abandoned animals in their homes, until a permanent home can be found, again so they will not be killed. People who go to court to promote harsher anti-animal abuse laws, so that it is not ok to beat your dog with a golf club. These are all animal activists to me. I disagree. One can be an advocate without being an activist. I would hardly lump people who love and care for animals and promote humane treatment in the same bag as PITA. Not unlike people who care about the environment but don't spike trees or blow up car dealerships. Big difference!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 I don't blame you at all. There's too much sensationalism in the news. It's become entertainment instead of information. > In a message dated 11/1/2004 6:18:45 AM Eastern Standard Time, > cherylhcmba@y... writes: > I don't write off our entire armed forces for > the acts of a few, even for the acts of quite a few. > Quite a few? 50 out of 1.4 million? Wish civilian crime just in my City was > as low. Maybe if it had the same exposure it would be. Don't mean to be > ornery but having been in the military for 22 years, I get a little upset when > people gratuitously bash the military without putting things in perspective ( > and I wasn't refering to what you said Cheryl just what the news did with it). > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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