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From: Satya Magazine – satya [at] satyamag.com
Date: Jan 31, 2007 5:36 PM
Subject: SATYA’s February Issue Available — Here and There: Social and Environmental Justice in a Changing World

The SATYA February Issue is Now Available!

See highlights at: www.satyamag.com

Satya’s Here and There: Social and Environmental Justice in a Changing World dares you to take a hard look at what’s going on in the world around us: you’ll be outraged by violence against women in Iraq and Iran, confronted by the upcoming environmental apocalypse, frightened by the potential avian flu pandemic and moved by a man who believes ten dollars can change the world.

Feature interviews include Yanar Mohammed and Soheila Vahdati Bana who discuss the rise of honor killings in Iraq and Iran. University of Chicago researcher Gidon Eshel reveals the global warming consequences of meat-eating. Plus Christine Chavez, granddaughter of the late César Chávez, shares her commitment to upholding the family tradition of political and animal activism.

Don’t miss featured artist Michelle Waters’s environmental surrealism. Plus: Lee Hall, James LaVeck and Rachel Cernansky tackle different aspects of social and environmental justice.

All this and more!

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From: Campaigns Department – campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Jan 31, 2007 4:51 PM
Subject: Remember Stolen Pets – Pet Theft Awareness Day 2007

LCA’s 19th Annual National Pet Theft Awareness Day commemorates the nearly 2 million companion animals that are stolen each year. Many are taken under false pretenses through “free to good home” ads or are abducted from their yards. These animals are then sold to research laboratories, dog fighting rings or puppy mills, where they are abused and often killed.

On February 14th of every year, LCA educates the public with the help of individuals and animal organizations throughout the United States. This year we are observing it in a very special way. We have created “dog tags” with the official USDA tag number of “Rebel” a special dog at C.C. Baird’s Martin Creek Kennels for supporters to wear on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. These tags both memorialize the stolen pets that lost their lives for medical research and serve as a tool to educate others about pet theft. See below to order yours today!

Live in the Los Angeles area? LCA will be observing Pet Theft Awareness Day “on the go!” Our Animal News Van will make special appearances at local dog parks showing “Dealing Dogs,” HBO’s documentary about LCA’s undercover investigation into pet theft and the LCA crew will be passing out important information on pet theft along with dog treats and toys (thanks to Three Dog Bakery & Centinela Feed for the donated goodies). Check out the schedule below and come get your Pet Theft Awareness Day info and free presents for your dog. If you would like to volunteer, email volunteer [at] lcanimal.org!

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Via Oceana:

And then there were 5; Another plant goes mercury free!

Today I have great news for our oceans, seafood lovers and especially Louisiana residents. After receiving more than 100 phone calls, and thousands of postcards and e-mails, the Pioneer chlorine plant outside Baton Rouge announced yesterday that it will switch to mercury-free technology! Help us celebrate this victory by stepping up our efforts to get other plants to follow suit.

Oceana has been working to convince Pioneer and other chlorine companies to go mercury free since early 2005. Of the nine chlorine plants that were using outdated technology when we started the campaign, Pioneer is the fourth to stop.

Of the remaining companies, one stands out as the dirtiest of the bunch. Olin is the only company still running two plants using outdated mercury technology- in Georgia and Tennessee. It also holds the record for the chlorine company that has emitted the most mercury over the last twenty years.

Send an e-mail to the CEO of Olin and the other three remaining companies telling them to go mercury-free.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts oceana mercury chlorine plants Pioneer Olin

Yesterday’s alert is available here.

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From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: Jan 31, 2007 4:04 PM
Subject: DawnWatch: Boston Legal’s strong cosmetic testing stance! 1/30/07

Last night’s (January 30, 2007) episode of Boston Legal was wonderful for animals! The show is a bizarre kind of comedy, but even in that context serious points about cosmetic testing on animals were made. We also got to hear about the dark side of horse racing — terrific timing given Barbaro’s passing this week.

I will summarize, below, the parts of the plot that had to do with the animal testing scenario, and transcribe some small sections.

Bella, who owns a cosmetic company, comes into the law firm covered in blue paint. She says she has been attacked by “vicious terrorists.” Given that it has become common to seriously try and pin the terrorist label on animal rights activists, it is a pleasant relief to hear the label used in a way that is clearly meant to be hyperbolic, by a character who seems unbalanced and says she has “had enough of these psycho animal loving Liberal thugs.”

We learn that the DA has picked up a Mr. Steinkellner, head of COTA, the Coalition Opposed to Testing on Animals. Bella’s lawyers tell her “While he is officially denying that COTA painted you blue, the Coalition condones and supports it, thinks you look good in a primary color, and is in fact calling for a second coat.”

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Via the World Society for the Protection of Animals:

Take action against farm animal cloning!

Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a draft assessment that moves the nation closer to the widespread sale of meat and dairy products from animal clones and their offspring.

In their assessment, the FDA states that “cloning poses no unique risks to animal health.” Yet scientific evidence has shown that cloned animals suffer from serious abnormalities including birth defects and premature death. Furthermore, many of the higher-productivity animals that are cloned often have other health issues such as leg problems and painful diseases.

WSPA has challenged the FDA’s stand on allowing the sale of meat and dairy products from cloned animals and urge our supporters to join us in speaking out. Please visit WSPA’s website to submit your concerns to the FDA and your government representatives. Please speak out for animals today and give a voice to the thousands of farm animals who cannot speak for themselves.

Read more about cloning and animal welfare.

Take action on this issue.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts WSPA World Society for the Protection of Animals cloning FDA Food and Drug Administration meat dairy animal cloning

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From: Farm Sanctuary – info [at] farmsanctuary.org
Date: Jan 31, 2007 12:18 PM
Subject: Another Corporate Farm Backflips

Last week, Smithfield, the world s largest pig farming operation, announced plans to phase out gestation crates. This week, Marcho Farms, one of the largest U.S. veal companies announced plans to phase out veal crates. In 2002, Farm Sanctuary investigated and exposed conditions at Marcho Farms, and pressured the company to make changes.

It is significant that Smithfield and Marcho Farms have now changed course. Previously, they were both strong proponents of keeping animals in narrow crates. The industry’s back flip on these confinement issues begs the question: what else are pigs, calves and other farm animals rightfully entitled to?

These changes show that as citizens, restaurants and other businesses become aware of agribusiness s cruelties, they will demand reforms. This was apparent last November when citizens in the state of Arizona voted overwhelming on Proposition 204 to ban veal and gestation crates.

These recent announcements demonstrate that we are making progress. Cruelty to animals violates basic humane principals, and industrial farming operators are now being forced to recognize this.

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Via People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals:

Undercover Investigation Reveals Cruelty to Animals at PetSmart Stores

Away from public view and off-limits even to many of PetSmart’s employees, PetSmart’s back rooms hide away the immense suffering of the littlest companion animals.

At the PetSmart store in Manchester, Connecticut, a location that PetSmart boasts of as having an “exceptional pet care record,” PETA’s undercover investigation documented more than 100 animals — including hamsters, domestic rats, lizards, chinchillas, and birds — who lay hopelessly, just waiting to die, in the store’s “sick room,” deprived of desperately needed veterinary care and wasting away out of customers’ sight.

Please join PETA in calling on PetSmart to end live-animal sales. Let the multibillion-dollar company know that you will not be setting foot in any of its stores until live animals are no longer part of the inventory.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts PETA: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals PetSmart animal abuse cruelty to animals animal neglect pets, companion animals pocket pets live-animal sales

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] brick.net
Date: Jan 31, 2007 9:07 AM
Subject: [GULF COAST] Born Into Katrina’s Ruins

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF – PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST

1/31/07: Born Into Katrina’s Ruins
PAST NEWSLETTERS: www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/default.html

ANIMAL ISSUE OF THE WEEK:

1/25/07 – Animal Fighting Bill Back In 110th Congress

1/29/07 – Horse Slaughter Bill Renewed In 110th Congress

IN THIS ALERT:

1. Operation Outta Here / Airline Approved Kennels Needed
2. Katrina Dogs Need Way Home To Baton Rouge & NOLA
3. Katrina Animals & Others Face Uncertain Fate In Shelters
4. Radar, The Wonder Horse, Struggles To Survive
5. NOLA: Kittens, Kittens… Everywhere!
6. Mississippi: Pass Buddy’s Law For Pup Fatally Tortured
7. Katrina’s Lost – Have You Seen Them?
8. Relief Needed For Lakeview’s Roaming Cats
9. Louisiana Statewide Animal Protection Conference
10. Sweeties Need Homes, At ARNO Shelter
11. Book Review – RESCUED: Saving Animals From Disaster
12. Help Kinship Circle Bring More Food To NOLA Animals
13. Grant Targets New Orleans Animals
14. HURRICANE DIRECTORY: Missing/Found Animals, Rescue & Reunion

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Via Defenders of Wildlife:

Speak Out for Wolves in the Northern Rockies

For months, officials in the Bush/Cheney Administration have been threatening to eliminate Endangered Species Protections for imperiled gray wolves in the Northern Rockies.

Yesterday, they made good on their threat, announcing a proposal to end federal protections for wolves in Idaho and Wyoming — two states more concerned with eliminating wolves than managing them.

In Idaho, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter has called for the elimination of all but about 100 of the state’s estimated 650 wolves, going so far as to tell a group of anti-wolf protestors that he was eager to bid for a chance to kill a wolf himself.

Things aren’t looking any better in nearby Wyoming. That state plans to kill as many as two-thirds of its gray wolves if the animals lose federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Last week, the state Senate’s Wildlife Committee approved a bill that would allow unlimited killing of wolves in some wilderness areas. Wolves would remain protected within Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, but could be shot on sight once they wander outside the safety of the national parks.

Handing wolf management responsibilities over to states that are planning wide-spread wolf eradication programs simply makes no sense and does nothing to address the factors that put the wolf on the endangered list to begin with.

The government once allowed our Northern Rocky Mountain wolves to be shot, harassed and poisoned into near extinction. We can’t let that happen again.

Please take action now.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts defenders of wildlife esa endangered species act hunting wolves Idaho Wyoming gray wolf conservation Northern Rockies

Here’s the TOC from the 1/30/07 issue of The Sierra Club’s Currents.

You can read the whole newsletter online – just click here!

Sierra Club Currents – A Surprise Atop the EPA’s Green Power List
Volume VI, #49
Tuesday, January 30, 2006

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Quote of Note:

“Our commitment to this purchase is not just good for the environment, it’s good business.”

- Don Dana, head of Wells Fargo’s Corporate Properties Group, which has achieved energy savings of up to 20 percent at many Wells Fargo locations.

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(1) Business: A Surprise Atop the EPA’s Green Power List

(2) USC Air Pollution Study: Kids Face Stunted Lung Growth

(3) Take Action: Keep Our Air Lead-Free!

(4) Take Action: Join the International Week of Climate Action!

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts the sierra club club currents global warming climate change pollution air quality