———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Farm Sanctuary – info [at] farmsanctuary.org
Date: Feb 16, 2007 3:55 PM
Subject: Farm Sanctuary’s E-News & Action Alert 02/16/07

Stockyard Found Guilty in Landmark Case!

New Holland Sales Stable in Lancaster County, Pa., a focus of concern for decades, has for the first time been convicted for mistreating downed animals. A Farm Sanctuary humane officer charged New Holland with three counts of animal cruelty for neglecting three downed sheep in September 2006. On February 15, 2007, the stockyard was convicted on all three counts and fined $1,500. In addition to its history of neglecting downed animals, the New Holland stockyard is nefarious as a major conduit of horses being sold for slaughter.

See:

www.farmsanctuary.org/media/pr_newHolland.htm

www.nodowners.org/intro_dapa.htm

www.farmsanctuary.org/campaign/horse_bill05.htm

Update: Piglets Saved From University Research Settle in at Farm Sanctuary

The five precious piglets saved from slaughter after being test subjects in university experiments are now living happily with the main pig herd at Farm Sanctuary’s California Shelter. They especially enjoy the company of an older pig, Sugar Bear, who under her tough exterior tremendously enjoys the attention of these growing balls of happy energy! Click here to read the update on our wonderful additions to the Farm Sanctuary family.

Run, Don’t Walk, Toward Vegetarianism!

Thousands of people come together at marathons across the country to celebrate the marvels of the human body. For participants, adding some farm animal flair or vegetarian messages to your running gear will show others that you do not need to eat meat to be strong and athletic. For spectators, passing out our new Veg for Life leaflet will help spread the word about the benefits of a vegetarian diet. Click here for marathon dates in your area.

Major Gifts to Farm Sanctuary

The Friends of Hilda Club was established to express our gratitude for Farm Sanctuary members who have made a major contribution to farm animal protection. The club is named in memory of Hilda, the first animal rescued by Farm Sanctuary. Members of the Friends of Hilda Club are entitled to many benefits including recognition on the Hilda Memorial, a Hilda Club pin, invitations to special Farm Sanctuary events, Bed & Breakfast accommodations, and our semi-annual newsletter. Join today!

In the News

Response to Ruling in New Jersey “Humane” Standards Lawsuit

Court: Agriculture rules are humane
Star Ledger, February 17, 2007

Fowl play: Fairway ducks foie gras flap
The Brooklyn Paper – February 17, 2007

Lawmakers Move Against Over-use of Antibiotics on Farms
New Standard News – February 15, 2007

Shopping

Downed Animal Compilation DVD

About Farm Sanctuary

Farm Sanctuary is the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, we have worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the “food animal” industry through research and investigations, legal and legislative actions, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Our shelters in Watkins Glen, NY and Orland, CA provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. For more information about Farm Sanctuary or our programs, please visit www.farmsanctuary.org or call 607-583-2225. To become a Farm Sanctuary member or to make a donation today using our secure online form, www.farmsanctuary.org/join/donate2.htm. For updates on previous action alerts, www.farmsanctuary.org/actionalerts/update.htm.

Please forward and distribute widely! Thank you
Farm Sanctuary, P.O. Box 150 Watkins Glen, NY 14891.

–

To subscribe: www.farmsanctuary.org/signup.htm

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts farm sanctuary stockyard New Holland Sales Stable sheep downed sheep downers animal abuse cruelty to animals pig piglet animal research animal testing vivisection animal rescue vegetarian vegetarianism marathon Friends of Hilda Club meat vegan veganism

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: SledDogAC [at] aol.com
Date: Feb 16, 2007 1:29 PM
Subject: ALERT: Who’s supporting Iditarod dog torture in 2007? – WRITE

PLEASE WRITE AND FORWARD WIDELY

From the Sled Dog Action Coalition, www.helpsleddogs.org

Please help the Iditarod dogs by sending protest emails to race supporters. These dogs are helpless victims of profoundly inhumane treatment and cannot speak for themselves. What happens to them during the Iditarod includes death, paralysis, penile frostbite, bleeding ulcers, bloody diarrhea, lung damage, ruptured discs, viral diseases and pneumonia.

For the dogs, the Iditarod is a bottomless pit of suffering. Throughout this eight to 16-day competition, Iditarod personnel encourage mushers to race diseased dogs. Instead of pulling sick dogs from the race, veterinarians frequently give them massive doses of antibiotics to keep them running.

Veterinarians also work to help the mushers before the Iditarod begins. Although the dogs are often sick, veterinarians allow them to start the race anyway. One chief Iditarod veterinarian even published a musher/veterinary handbook advising mushers on how to avoid having prohibited substances detected in pre-race veterinary checks.

Please speak for the dogs by sending Iditarod supporters protest emails. The 2007 Iditarod sponsors, musher sponsors, race promoters and business members are listed below. Emails are first given in a group and then individually under the sample letter. Email addresses with semi-colons and commas in group form can be found on www.helpsleddogs.org/sponsors.htm at the bottom of the page.

ALL EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR IDITAROD SUPPORTERS – for easy sending, copy and paste as a bunch into your “Blind Copy” box. You may want to divide the block into several groups and email each one separately:

(More below the fold…)

Via New American Dream:

Junk Mail Opt-Out Registry

This week’s blizzard wasn’t the only storm to hit the media this week. Thanks to the determined efforts of New Dreamers like you, legislators in nine states have proposed junk mail opt-out registries modeled after Do Not Call. In the last week alone, Washington state senators held hearings in Olympia, Colorado’s NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates all covered a Do Not Mail press conference in Denver, and Washington, DC’s NBC 4 aired an excellent piece on the growing effort.

Will you email your state legislators in support of a Do Not Mail opt-out registry?

FYI: Be sure to follow the directions when sending your letter! There are separate options for those states that are already considering a Do Not Junk bill (i.e., Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Texas, Washington) and those that are not.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts new american dream junk mail opt out junk mail opt-out registry Do Not Call

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: ASPCA – news-alert [at] aspca.org
Date: Feb 16, 2007 7:00 AM
Subject: Enter to Win a Free ASPCA Day Kit!/2006 Shelter of the Year Honored

February 16, 2007

Welcome to our weekly email newsletter, your source for the latest news from our animal welfare community and information on pending humane legislation.

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ASPCA NEWS ALERT
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GET READY TO CELEBRATE ASPCA DAY AND GO ORANGE FOR ANIMALS!

As we approach our 141st birthday, we’re more dedicated than ever to preventing cruelty to animals and finding homes for animals all across the country. But we couldn’t do it without you–so please join us on Tuesday, April 10, in celebration of ASPCA Day. To help get you in the spirit, we’re giving away 500 free ASPCA Day Kits, complete with cool gear for you and lots of goodies to share with friends and fellow animal lovers in your community.

ASPCA SUCCESS STORY OF THE WEEK: GENTLE GIANT

Rachel Carsenstein’s canine buddy is a true warrior–with a heart of gold.

WHAT IF THE ASPCA EARNED A PENNY EVERY TIME YOU SEARCHED THE INTERNET?

Visit GoodSearch.com for the scoop on this easy way to help animals.

ASPCA APPLAUDS STRONG SENTENCING IN ANIMAL TORTURE CASE

Two brothers were charged with nine counts of felony for torturing a three-month-old puppy.

2006 SHELTER OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED

Cutting-edge community programs and tireless dedication to animals in need earned the Houston SPCA this high honor.

CATS OR DOGS? YOU TELL US!

Weigh in on this most pressing question and help raise money to support ASPCA programs.

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ASPCA ADVOCACY
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FEDERAL: HELP CRACK DOWN ON ANIMAL FIGHTING!

Urge Congress to support important new legislation that will authorize felony-level jail sentences for federal animal fighting violations.

VIRGINIA: SUPPORT SB 787!

Let your representative know that you want a plan to protect Virginia’s animals in times of disaster and evacuation!

MORE ALERTS FOR YOUR AREA…

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THE ASPCA GOES MOBILE!
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Sign up to receive text messages on pet care and pending legislation from ASPCA experts.

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ASPCA COMMUNITY TOPICS
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Hot Topics of the Week!

- Overweight cats
- Dogs who steal–and then hide their loot!
- Cat food: wet vs. dry

Join the ASPCA Community to discuss these topics and more.

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Tell a Friend

© 2007 The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®
424 E. 92nd St
New York, NY 10128
Visit us online at www.aspca.org

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts aspca american society for the prevention of cruelty to animals dog canine cat feline pet companion animal animal adoption disaster preparedness aspca day goodsearch animal abuse cruelty to animals animal fighting dogfighting cockfighting rooster

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] brick.net
Date: Feb 15, 2007 9:52 PM
Subject: KINSHIP CIRCLE OFFLINE & IN NOLA + Parting Shots

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF – PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST

2/15/07: [Gulf Coast] Kinship Circle Offline & In NOLA + Parting Shots
PAST NEWSLETTERS: www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/default.html

Kinship Circle will be offline from: Friday, February 16 – Friday, February 23

Thanks to your generous donations, we’re headed to New Orleans in a big SUV stocked to the ceiling with food… And money in the bank to purchase MORE food in NOLA for our weeklong feeding effort. All extra food will be donated to Animal Rescue New Orleans.

Special thanks to The Cat Network and Stray Rescue St. Louis for caring enough about Katrina’s animal victims to donate food. And double thanks to Felines Forever for giving 8 to 10 (or more!) Katrina kitties we bring back with us forever homes. Felines Forever also raised funds for Kinship Circle’s trip. We are very grateful to these nonprofit groups!

The Cat Network: www.catnetwork.com/main.asp
Stray Rescue St. Louis: www.strayrescue.org/
Felines Forever: www.felinesforever.petfinder.org

* I will not be able to respond to email from FEB. 16 – FEB. 23
* There will be no new campaigns from FEB. 16 – FEB. 23

If possible, hold personal messages from 2/16 – 2/23. I’ll do my best to respond when I return, but thank you for understanding I’ll have hundreds and hundreds of emails to answer… Look for a full report regarding what we observe about the current situation for animals, after we return.

Brenda Shoss, Kinship Circle

PARTING SHOTS:

1. Plaquemines Parish Needs Foster Homes For Kittens
2. ARNO On Inside Edition
3. A Katrina Dog Reunion Near Baton Rouge
4. St. Bernard Deputies Plead Not Guilty In Dog Shootings After Katrina
5. Join The New Orleans Community On Best Friends Network
6. New Additions At Overcrowded Louisiana Shelter
7. Woof! Meow! Humane Society Louisiana’s Mardi Paw Auction Open
8. Plea For Elderly Katrina Victim and Cuddles
9. NOLA Animal Abuser Can’t Own Animals Length Of Sentence
10. MS: Buddy’s Law Dies In Committees – No Felony Bill
11. Hurricane Survivor Crowned Queen Of Barkus
12. HURRICANE DIRECTORY: Missing/Found Animals, Rescue & Reunion

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Feb 15, 2007 5:12 PM
Subject: Writing Alert: Elephant House now tops zoo projects

The Buffalo News published a story about Buffalo Zoo’s plans to expand their elephant house. Please write a letter to the editor of the Buffalo News on the suffering elephants endure in zoos. Send letters to the Buffalo News at LetterToEditor [at] buffnews.com.

Read “Elephant House now tops zoo projects” online.

Elephant House now tops zoo projects

Buffalo News – Buffalo,NY,USA
By TOM BUCKHAM, News Staff Reporter
2/15/2007

The elephants played leapfrog Wednesday in the Buffalo Zoo.

If $1 million can be secured over the next few months, the internal expansion of the Elephant House will be done this summer, Donna M. Fernandes, zoo president, said at a news conference kicking off fundraising. If not, the work will be done in the summer of 2008.

“We’re approaching foundations for help,” Fernandes said. Others may pitch in by holding white elephant sales, bake sales and car washes or selling “I Love Elephants” wristbands available at the zoo. Prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers in the Elephant House campaign, which will end May 31.

Late last year, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums mandated that the landmark 1912 facility, which houses three female Asian elephants, be brought into compliance with current elephant care standards. That meant increasing the holding area to 1,200 square feet.

(More below the fold…)

The Winter/Spring 2007, Issue 20 issue of Compassion Over Killing’s magazine Compassionate Action is now available online.

Contents include…

* COK Launches Hard-Boiled Truth Ad Campaign
* New COK Investigation inside a North Carolina Turkey Hatchery
* COK Petitions FDA to Mandate Truth in Labeling on Egg Cartons
* COK Update: USDA Starts Regulating Farmed Animal Transport on Trucks
* MTV Commercial Campaign Goes National
* COK Talks with Dr. Michael Greger
* 2006: A Year in Review
* Compassionate Cuisine from the COK Kitchen
* COK Marketplace

Read the whole thing here.

Also, be sure to vote for your favorite pro-vegetarian ad; the winner will run on MTV beginning in April 2007.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts cok compassion over killing Compassionate Action magazine commercial vegetarian

Via Earthjustice:

Help Stop US Funding of Environmental and Health Contamination in Colombia!

The Bush administration recently asked Congress to continue funding a devastating and ineffective herbicide spraying program in Colombia. Under the program, planes spray herbicides over large swaths of rural Colombia, harming human health and the environment. Tell Congress to find a better way!

Although the program is intended to reduce drug crop cultivation, it has been ineffective in doing so since its start in 1999. Instead, subsistence farmers have been forced to move their fields into pristine areas, threatening the habitat of hundreds of species found nowhere else in the world

Tell Congress to find a better way to fight drug cultivation and stop the harmful effects of this program.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts earthjustice Colombia herbicide

Via the Natural Resources Defense Council:

Tell the Bush Administration to protect polar bears and their critical habitat

Polar bears are completely dependent on Arctic sea ice to survive, but 80 percent of that ice could be gone in 20 years and all of it by 2040. Polar bears are already suffering the effects: birth rates are falling, fewer cubs are surviving, and more bears are drowning. The Bush Administration’s proposal to list the polar bear as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act is a crucial first step toward ensuring a future for these magnificent Arctic creatures. Yet the administration’s proposal does not designate “critical habitat” for protection, even though melting habitat from global warming is the main threat to the polar bear’s survival.

Submit your Official Citizen Comment urging the Fish and Wildlife Service to finalize the listing of the polar bear and designate its critical habitat.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts nrdc Natural Resources Defense Council conservation climate change global warming bear polar bear ESA Endangered Species Act endangered species

Via The Sierra Club:

Protect the Giant Sequoias From Logging

[W]e’ve reached a crucial time in the Sierra Club’s ongoing battle to protect one of the most triumphant symbols of America’s proud wilderness – California’s Giant Sequoias.

For more than twenty years, the Sierra Club and its Members fought to secure the future of this threatened wild area and as a result, President Clinton proclaimed this area a National Monument in 2000.

Since then, the Bush Administration has fought hard to render this important conservation victory meaningless and to rob America of its unique, wild heritage. And now, despite being rebuked by the federal courts, the Bush Administration is refusing to back off its plan to log this irreplaceable ancient forest.

[Please] sign our petition to the newly appointed U.S. Forest Service Chief, Abigail Kimbell, and ask her to challenge the Bush Administration’s continued efforts to allow commercial logging within the boundaries of the Giant Sequoia National Monument.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts the sierra club conservation Giant Sequoias logging

Here’s the TOC from IDA’s 2-14-07 newsletter.

Click on the links to take action, or read the whole newsletter online.

IDA Action Alerts

Congress Considers Permanent Ban on Sale of Meat from Downed Animals; Promising bill addresses both public health and animal welfare concerns

Oppose Delisting of Northern Rocky Mountain Gray Wolf Population; Urge feds to raise wolf recovery goals above minimum levels and postpone delisting until state management plans comply

Teens Make & Post Video of Dog Killing Cat; Urge D.A.’s office to prosecute animal abusers to fullest extent of the law

Campaign News & Updates

Global Day of Action against Chinese Fur a Success; IDA holds protests at four Chinese Consulates as part of International Anti-Fur Coalition’s worldwide action

Meatout 2007 is coming March 20th; IDA Co-sponsors annual campaign to promote compassionate vegan lifestyle

Get Discounted Tickets for IDA’s Benefit Concert; Valentine’s Day Special: Limited seating available for just $100

An archive of past IDA eNews newsletters is available here.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts ida in defense of animals meat downed animals downers conservation endangered species Northern Rocky Mountain Gray Wolf wolf gray wolf fur China dog cat canine feline dog fur cat fur faux fur Meatout 2007 vegetarian vegetarianism holiday observances activism animal abuse cruelty to animals

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – info [at] kinshipcircle.org
Date: Feb 14, 2007 10:42 PM
Subject: KC DIGEST: AETA Now, Puppy Bakers Get Break, Faux Fur From Cats, Dogs + MORE

Kinship Circle Primary – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN

2/14/07: Kinship Circle DIGEST / ALERTS FROM MEMBERS
AETA Now, Puppy Bakers Get Break, Faux Fur From Cats, Dogs + MORE

Kinship Circle will be offline from:
Friday, February 16 – Friday, February 23
In New Orleans for Katrina Rescue/Feeding

IN FEBRUARY 2007 DIGEST:

1. Re-sentencing For Boys Who Baked Puppy Alive?
2. Faux Fur Found To Come From Dogs, Cats
3. Shadow’s Legacy: Companions Are Not “Property”
4. What Can We Do About AETA Now?
5. Ask Amazon.com To Stop Selling Animal Fighting Materials
6. Take Action For Carriage Horses
7. Cruel Treatment Of Sled Dogs In Greenland
8. Slovenia To Kill 106 Brown Bears In 2007
9. Pennsylvania Puppy Mills
10. Sea Shepherd Engages Japanese Whalers
11. Animal Lovers Win Extra Life For 400 Chinese Cats
12. PETITIONS TO SIGN

Each DIGEST includes:

* NEWS and CALL-TO-ACTION, submitted by Kinship Circle members.
* CONTACT INFO to reply directly to the activist who supplied the alert.
* Related KINSHIP CIRCLE LINKS for more background information.
* Submissions are from KC members and do NOT originate from Kinship Circle itself.
* If emails for letter recipients fail, contact person who supplied alert — NOT KINSHIP CIRCLE.
* Send submissions for KC DIGEST to kinshipcircle [at] brick.net
* Please “clean-up” submitted alerts, and do not send chain of forwarded messages.

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: API Newsletters – donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Feb 14, 2007 6:56 PM
Subject: Help Build Animal Caucus in House of Representatives & more

Ask Your U.S. Representative to Join the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus

Your help is needed to increase membership in the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus. The caucus, a bipartisan coalition of U.S. House of Representatives, is reconvening during this session of Congress and is seeking new members to better address animal issues.

This caucus is meant to serve as a platform and forum to aid in getting much-needed animal protection legislation enacted. The more members the caucus has, the more effective it can be in achieving its aim.

Please contact your U.S. Representative today to ask him or her to join the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus.

For more information and to take action on this alert click here.

Tides of Change: Live Fish Sales on the way out at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart recently said it would stop selling live “pet” fish at some U.S. stores in response to consumer demand. API applauds this decision and hopes that Wal-Mart will discontinue live fish sales in all its stores.

Beginning in 2001, API and our members raised concerns to Wal-Mart about the sale of live fish. We encouraged our members to take action by urging Wal-Mart to discontinue live fish sales. This year those efforts are finally paying off. Thanks to all who took action!

We would now ask you to thank Wal-Mart for making this responsible decision, and urge them to make this change in all Wal-Mart stores.

For more information and to take action on this alert click here.

New Hampshire Residents: Help Ban the Use of Cruel Traps

A few moments of your time is needed to help build momentum and generate support for New Hampshire House Bill 565. This important bill, if passed, would prohibit the use of inhumane Conibear traps and steel-jawed leghold traps for commercial and recreational purposes. Exceptions would still be made, by permit, if public health and safety were jeopardized, or in situations where an animal problem could not be abated using other traps.

HB 565 has been referred to the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee for consideration, and a hearing will be held on Thursday, February 22.

Please take a few moments to help ensure the passage of this bill.

For more information and to take action on this alert click here.

Other Ways to Support API

(More below the fold…)

Via the Rainforest Action Network:

Citi – Stop Funding Global Warming

In Jan. 2004, Citi became a world leader in environmentally and socially responsible banking by developing strict policies that guide its project investments. This was the result of years of protest and pressure by all of you and other organizations. However, Citi never developed a comprehensive policy that addressed global warming and climate change. Over the past three years, we have urged Citi to accept its responsibility as the world’s largest bank and leading lender to the oil, coal and gas sectors to join the fight against climate change.

Not only has Citi refused to commit to a modern climate change policy, but the bank is involved in one of the dirtiest energy projects in North America: Texas utility company TXU’s plan to build 11 new coal-fired power plants. The plants will emit more than 78 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere annually as long as they are active — in pollution terms, that’s the equivalent of putting 14 million new cars on America’s roads every year for the next fifty years. Citi is one of three major banks lining up financing for the massive TXU power plant project, along with Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley.

The greenhouse gases from this project will affect everyone, whether you live in the remote rainforests of Brazil, the Arctic tundra, or anywhere else on the planet. The impact these plants will have on the air quality and health of surrounding communities will be severe. The environmental devastation caused by mining the coal for these plants is irreversible. We urge you to join the people of Texas in demanding that Citi rededicate itself to our environmental and economic future by writing a climate change policy that will help reverse global warming.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts ran Rainforest Action Network Citi TXU climate change global warming

Earlier this week, I mentioned in passing that the Anna Nicole Smith anti-fur PSA that I’d favorited on You Tube had been inexplicably removed, and the uploader’s account suspended. Additionally, You Tube also appears to have an issue with atheists; Nick Gisburne, for example, is one in a long line of heathens to have their accounts suspended by You Tube. In this case, Nick’s reading of select (violent) passages of the Koran, sans commentary, seems to have offended You Tube’s delicate sensibilities. So I guess they no likey likey atheists or animal rightists. (My oh my, I wonder how they’d feel about yours truly, then? )

Now, from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF):

As an RIAA spokesperson famously put it when asked about the spectacle of file-sharing lawsuits against innocent grandparents, “when you go fishing with a driftnet, sometimes you catch a dolphin.”

Well, with its 100,000 DMCA takedown notices aimed at YouTube users, now it’s Viacom that is netting its share of dolphins. Among the 100,000 videos targeted for takedowns was a home movie shot in a BBQ joint, a film trailer by a documentarian, and a music video (previously here) about karaoke in Singapore. None of these contained anything owned by Viacom. For its part, Viacom has admitted to “no more than” 60 mistakes, so far. Yet each mistake impacts free speech, both of the author of the video and of the viewing public.

If they are making these kinds of blatant mistakes, who can tell how many fair uses of Viacom content they also targeted in their 100,000 takedowns? Hundreds? Thousands? If Viacom made a clear mistake and your clip contains no content from Viacom-owned copyrighted works, sending a simple DMCA counter-notice to YouTube may be enough to do the job. But if you’re attempting to make a fair use of Viacom’s works, it may make more sense to go to court to assert your rights. More information about your options is available at the Fair Use Network.

Has your video been removed from YouTube based on a bogus Viacom takedown? If so, contact information [at] eff.org — we may be able to help you directly or help find another lawyer who can. In this situation, as in so many others, EFF will work to make sure that copyright claims don’t squelch free speech.

Quite fittingly, the EFF recorded their call and uploaded it to You Tube:

Spread the word.

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Tagged: eff electronic frontier foundation animal rights animal welfare religion atheism You Tube censorship Viacom capitalism discrimination free speech

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: Feb 14, 2007 4:21 PM
Subject: DawnWatch: Inside Edition covers dogs of New Orleans 2/14/07

On Valentine’s Day, Wednesday February 15, Inside Edition is airing a story about dogs in New Orleans. I will paste the web promo below.

Some people may still be able to catch the story. Go to www.insideedition.com/wheretowatch/ to find out when and on what station you can watch it.

Please thank the show for its attention to this issue. Positive Feedback for animal friendly coverage encourages more of it.

Inside Edition takes comments at iemail [at] kingworld.com

I send thanks to Lynn Morrison for making sure we knew about the story.

Here is the Inside Edition Web Story on the issue:

(More below the fold…)

UPDATE, 2/15/07:

WWF’s Passport Panda also has a similar alert and sample letter available here.

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Via the World Wildlife Fund:

Help Save the Peruvian Rain Forest

The Peruvian rain forest is one of the world’s most biologically rich and diverse regions and provides habitat for wildlife such as the jaguar, harpy eagle and giant river otter.

Unfortunately, these creatures and their habitats are at risk from the unsustainable harvest of timber, particularly of big-leaf mahogany–a threatened species so valuable that it can lead to the destruction of large forest areas. Peru is the world’s largest exporter of big-leaf mahogany, with 90 percent going to the North American market.

The international trade in big-leaf mahogany is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Peruvian government has taken many steps to improve forest management and stop illegal logging. Despite these precautions, big-leaf mahogany continues to be harvested at unsustainable levels and illegal logging remains rampant.

Many of these trees are illegally logged in protected areas or on the lands of indigenous peoples who receive only a fraction of the actual value of the wood. Strong measures must be taken today if this species and the rain forest of which it is a part are to survive for future generations.

Every year, Peru sets a quota for mahogany that determines how much can be exported. It is critically important that Peru sets a quota level that is sustainable and scientifically-based, and that can be verified as legally harvested. If that does not happen, WWF will urge countries worldwide not to import Peruvian mahogany.

Action is urgently needed as Peru is expected to announce its annual quota for mahogany exports in only a few days.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts wwf world wildlife fund rainforest Peru Peruvian rainforest biodiversity jaguar harpy eagle river otter mahogany timber deforestation conservation CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora endangered species

Don’t forget – in addition to the much-dreaded Valentine’s Day, today also marks the 19th annual National Pet Theft Awareness Day…

…as well as the last day of Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week, sponsored by Dogs Deserve Better.

Keep reading for heartwarming tales of interspecies bonding from the Fund for Animals…

(More below the fold…)

UPDATE, 3/12/07, via United Poultry Concerns:

Governor Richardson signs cockfighting ban into law

From: Animal Protection of New Mexico, Inc. (APNM)

Today history was made in New Mexico as we become the 49th state to make cockfighting a criminal act. After decades of debate in the State Legislature, the voices of the vast majority of New Mexicans who support a ban on cockfighting have finally been heard. Cockfighting is cruelty to animals and New Mexico has made it clear that it does not tolerate intentionally maiming and killing any animal for fun and gambling entertainment. Animal Protection Voters is grateful to Governor Richardson, Senator Mary Jane Garcia, Representative Peter Wirth and the Legislature for their support.

The bill for the statewide ban on cockfighting, sponsored by Senator Mary Jane Garcia (D-Doña Ana), passed the House of Representatives on Thursday with 49 representatives voting in favor of the bill and 20 opposed. It returned to the Senate for concurrence on an amendment, and passed its final legislative hurdle Friday morning with a 27 to 6 vote. As the law goes into effect on July 1, 2007, Louisiana will be the only state in the country that allows cockfighting.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: Feb 13, 2007 8:45 PM
Subject: DawnWatch: Wall Street Journal on NM Governor support for cockfighting ban thanks to presidential run 2/13/07

The Tuesday, February 13 Wall Street Journal includes a cheering article by Christopher Cooper, headed, “How a Tradition Ends in New Mexico” and subheaded, “With Larger Prize in Mind, Gov. Richardson Nears Ban on Cockfighting.” (pg A8)

It opens:

“In 2003, about a year before he proposed building a $100 million spaceport in his relatively poor desert state, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was buttonholed by a reporter: How did the Democrat and former U.N. ambassador feel about cockfighting? The widely banned sport is popular and legal in the Land of Enchantment. ‘Below my radar,’ the governor replied.

“Little incites more passionate political debate in New Mexico than the question of whether to join much of the rest of the country in outlawing cockfights.

“Indeed, Mr. Richardson now admits he avoided the issue during his first term precisely because “the legislature wouldn’t be able to do anything else” during the session were he to seriously press a ban on cockfighting.

“But that was his first term. Re-elected in the fall with nearly 70% of the vote, Mr. Richardson proceeded to take two of the biggest steps of his public career.

“In December, he came out in favor of a cockfighting ban. Then in January, he began campaigning for president.

“It was a natural progression, the governor said in an interview: ‘I didn’t want an issue like cockfighting hanging over my presidential campaign.’

“With a few sentences, Mr. Richardson breathed life into a longstanding proposal to ban cockfighting in New Mexico, one that has been offered — and summarily killed — in 18 consecutive legislative sessions.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] brick.net
Date: Feb 13, 2007 5:09 PM
Subject: LETTER/ No Charges In Louisiana Dog Dragging Case

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Relief List
PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN

2/13/07 — No Charges In Louisiana Dog Dragging Case
KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN

www.KinshipCircle.org

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
Becky Kaase, N. La. GSD Rescue, Founder
Humane Society of Louisiana Lincoln Chapter President
nlgsdrescue [at] yahoo.com
Humane Society of Louisiana, Serving Lincoln & Union Parishes
P.O. Box 1706; Ruston, LA 71270; 318-251-3557

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(More below the fold…)