So I finished Aftershock almost a week ago now, but haven’t yet gotten around to writing a review. Sure, I’ve given it an inordinate amount of thought, but that’s as much as I’ve mustered. Shocker, eh? It’s a wonder how I ever graduated college, I tell ya, wut with my perpetual procrastinating and all.

I can tell you, though, that the book was unexpectedly awesome. I say “unexpectedly”, not because I thought it would suck (I didn’t!), but because I’m not usually a fan of the whole self-help genre. Particularly when I’m “assigned” the book (for lack of a better term, in this case), and thus am not in need of the type of help offered in said book. Rather than shooting for folksy and falling just short of readable, Aftershock is the rare self-help/advice tome that manages to make the material accessible without completely dumbing it down for the lowest common denominator.

I also love, love, love that author pattrice jones approaches the issue from a vegan / animal rights / feminist / queer / ecological / radical / progressive perspective. More often than not, veg*ns and ARAs are ridiculed by social conservatives and “progressive” “liberals” alike; much like atheists, us animal rights “fanatics” are the lone group that manages to inspire scorn on both sides of the political aisle. Browse enough liberal blogs while agitating for animals, and you start to feel awfully isolated from other so-called lefties. So it’s really freaking awesome to find the topic of post-traumatic stress and depression among activists discussed with a deference to the experiences of animal rights activists.

Anywho, this is starting to sound like a review, so I’ll shut up now. Instead, I thought I’d pull some quotes directly from the mouth of existentialist – eco/anarchafeminist – lesbian – dreamer/blamer pattrice jones herself. Much to my surprise, “Quotables” was the most frequently viewed category in May…so I may as well give y’all whatchawant.

After the jump, words of wisdom via pattrice jones. Who is currently blogging at SuperWeed. So go give her a shout out, is what I’m sayin.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: API Newsletters – donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: May 31, 2007 3:24 PM
Subject: Ask Raley’s to Adopt Humane Standards for Farmed Animal Transport

Ask Raley’s to Adopt Humane Standards for Farmed Animal Transport

Recently the Animal Protection Institute (API) contacted the supermarket conglomerate Raley’s and asked it to take a stand against the long distance transport of farmed animals destined for slaughter.

Raley’s, which includes the Bel-Air, Nob Hill Foods, and Food Source chains, operates 139 stores in northern California, Nevada, and New Mexico.

Specifically, we asked that the retail giant incorporate animal transport limits into its stores’ meat purchasing polices — by not carrying any meat from animals transported more than 8 hours. We also asked that at the very least Raley’s use in-store signage to distinguish which meat products did not require the long distance transport of farmed animals.

Not only has Raley’s failed to take a stand on long distance transport, it has refused to respond to API’s repeated offers to meet and discuss this important issue.

It’s time Raley’s hears from its customers that the long distance transport of farmed animals is an issue worthy of its attention.

To find out more and to take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts.php?p=1221&more=1

Other Ways to Help Animals

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Via Environmental Defense:

Sign the Declaration of New Patriotism

Throughout history every generation has a unique challenge that tests its collective mettle. For us, that challenge is global warming.

That’s why we are inviting you to sign our Declaration of New Patriotism that thousands of our online activists and supporters helped draft.

We are hoping to collect at least 75,000 signatures to deliver to Congress by July 4th. So after you’ve signed please help us spread the word by passing this on to friends and family.

And, we’re planning to post the names of each signer who opts in on a Google Map to show the breadth of support we’ve earned from across the country.

As we celebrate the 231st anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this 4th of July, let’s reaffirm our commitment to face our generation’s challenge. Sign the Declaration of New Patriotism today.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts ED environmental defense climate change global warming patriot patriotism new patriotism declaration petition

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: May 31, 2007 11:29 AM
Subject: DawnWatch: NY Times on Coke and Pepsi animal testing ban 5/31/07

Today’s New York Times, (Thursday, May 31) announces another step forward. An article by Brenda Goodman in the Business Section (pg C3) is headed “Coca-Cola And PepsiCo Agree to Curb Animal Tests” and opens with:

“Under pressure from animal rights advocates, two soft drink giants, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, have agreed to stop directly financing research that uses animals to test or develop their products, except where such testing is required by law.

“Researchers at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sought the assurances after discovering studies financed by the companies that used animals like rats and chimpanzees to test taste perception and, in some cases, to bolster support for promotional health claims.”

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Cathy Liss, Legislative Director – action [at] saplonline.org
Date: May 31, 2007 11:24 AM
Subject: URGENT SAPL eAlert: YELLOWSTONE BISON MUST BE SAVED FROM NEEDLESS ROUND-UP AND SLAUGHTER

If you are unable to view this eAlert please visit: www.saplonline.org/Alerts/053007.htm.

URGENT ACTION NEEDED: YELLOWSTONE BISON MUST BE SAVED FROM NEEDLESS ROUND-UP AND SLAUGHTER

In just a few days, any Yellowstone bison remaining outside of Yellowstone National Park will risk capture by officials from the State of Montana, the National Park Service, and other state and federal agencies. The animals, currently grazing peacefully on national forest lands near West Yellowstone, Mont., will be cruelly forced on to trucks and driven to slaughter. Many potential victims are mother bison and their newborn calves (see images of the bison at
www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/media/photos/bisonphotos0607maycalves.html). During the capture and loading process, the newborns may be injured and separated from their mothers. All will be terrified as they endure confinement, transport and slaughter.

The capture was supposed to begin today, but thanks to an outcry to federal and state officials from compassionate individuals like you, officials will first try to direct the bison back into Yellowstone National Park (a process known as “hazing”). However, this brief reprieve from death will come to an end on Monday, when any bison who remain outside the park is scheduled to be captured and killed.

This action is based on a perceived threat that the bison will transmit the disease brucellosis to cattle, even though there has never been a documented case of transmission from bison to cattle outside of a laboratory. The risk of transmission, if it even exists, is extraordinarily remote. Because the bacteria is passed via contact with contaminated reproductive products, only pregnant bison pose even a theoretical risk of transmission. Despite this fact, the agencies routinely kill bulls, calves and yearlings; 4,000 have died since 1985. It appears that the capture and slaughter plan may reflect Montana’s overreaction to the recent detection of brucellosis in a cattle herd — an outbreak not attributable to Yellowstone bison.

Worsening the situation, the National Park Service has rejected a suggestion to transport any captured bison by truck deep into the park for release, despite the fact that there are no insurmountable obstacles preventing implementation of this option to spare the bisons’ lives. To deny the gentle animals a second chance at life is a shameful decision coming from an agency whose mission is to protect wildlife, and whose emblem actually includes the image of a bison.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: May 30, 2007 2:47 PM
Subject: DawnWatch: UK govt agency says Go vegan to help climate — 30 May, 2007

Groundbreaking news from the UK! The Daily Telegraph, 30 May, 2007, includes an article by Charles Clover headed, “Go vegan to help climate, says Government agency.” (p7)

It opens:

“It would help tackle the problem of climate change if people ate less meat, according to a Government agency.

“A leaked email to a vegetarian campaign group from an Environment Agency official expresses sympathy with the environmental benefits of a vegan diet, which bans dairy products and fish.

“The agency also says the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is considering recommending eating less meat as one of the ‘key environmental behaviour changes” needed to save the planet.

“It says that this change would have to be introduced ‘gently’ because of ‘the risk of alienating the public’.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: May 30, 2007 2:11 PM
Subject: DawnWatch: Gretchen Wyler obituaries 5/28 – 5/30/07

The Wednesday, May 30 New York Times and London Independent both have obituaries honoring the incomparable Gretchen Wyler, founder of the Genesis Awards (see tinyurl.com/2db48s) and beloved mentor to many of us. The Los Angeles Times obit ran on Monday. I will paste the beautiful Independent write-up in full below, and also the Los Angeles Times obituary, which focused the most on her animal protection work. And I will provide a link to the New York Times piece, which includes a delightful photo.

Here is the Independent piece:

The Independent (London)
Wednesday, May 30, 2007

GRETCHEN WYLER; Overnight star on Broadway

Tom Vallance

The musical star Gretchen Wyler achieved overnight success in 1955 when she was promoted from understudy to featured player shortly before the Cole Porter musical Silk Stockings opened on Broadway, going on to stop the show. She subsequently played star parts in other musicals, but generally as a replacement for performers such as Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera, who first created the roles. “I don’t really admit to this,” she said, “but other people say, ‘Poor Gretchen, it never really happened.’”

The daughter of a petroleum engineer, she was born Gretchen Patricia Winneche in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1932, and had her first dancing lesson at the age of three. She made her theatrical début in 1950 as part of the ballet ensemble with the St Louis Municipal Opera company. Later the same year she moved to New York where she was cast in the chorus of Frank Loesser’s Where’s Charley?, a musical version of Charley’s Aunt starring Ray Bolger. “I was the baby in that show,” she said, and I loved Ray Bolger – I used to stand in the wings every night and watch him. He even gave me my name. He said if I was going to stay in the theatre – and I was – I needed to have a name for the marquee. “What do you think about Gretchen Wyler?” I couldn’t believe it. The great Ray Bolger giving me a name.

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Via the Center for Biological Diversity:

Furnace Creek Needs You Once More!

Act Now: BLM Approves Plan for Road Construction through Furnace Creek and White Mountains

Last fall, along with thousands of other conservationists, you wrote the Bureau of Land Management asking it to protect the White Mountains and the fragile riparian ecosystem of Furnace Creek from off-road vehicle damage and road construction. We need you to speak out once more to protect these special places.

Despite overwhelming public opposition to the plan to develop this unique oasis into a road, the Bureau of Land Management has approved a proposal to construct a new road through the heart of Furnace Creek. This new road would cut across the White Mountains Wilderness Study Area and invite motorized vehicles into other wilderness-quality lands of the White Mountains.

We can still fight this, but we need your help. Right now your voice is more important than ever if we are to protect Furnace Creek.

The deadline for public comments is June 8, so get to it!

Previous alerts are available here.

———————-

Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts center for biological diversity furnace creek wildlife conservation blm Bureau of Land Management White Mountains Wilderness Study Area

Here’s the TOC from the 5/29/07 issue of The Sierra Club’s Currents.

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

Sierra Club Currents – North American Fuel Economy Agreement
Volume VI, #66
Tuesday, May 29, 2007

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Quote of Note:

“The work, I think, is going to be bordering on science fiction.”

— Energy Department Assistant Secretary John Mizroch, on DOE’s plan to use termites to wean the nation off its oil addiction.

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Table of Contents

(1) Gas Prices: North American Fuel Economy Agreement

(2) Katrina Recovery: Trash to Treasure

(3) Take Action: Support State’s Rights to Have Clean Cars!

(4) Take Action: Protect Big Cypress National Preserve!

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts the sierra club club currents climate change global warming epa state’s rights Big Cypress National Preserve California Hurricane Katrina Katrina hurricane Gulf Coast trash treasure trash to treasure gas North American Fuel Economy Agreement

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – info [at] kinshipcircle.org
Date: May 29, 2007 4:21 PM
Subject: LETTER/ Hopeless Captivity – Ontario’s Roadside Zoos

Kinship Circle Primary – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN
(Please do not delete identity/disclaimer information)

5/29/07: Hopeless Captivity – Ontario’s Roadside Zoos
KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN

www.KinshipCircle.org

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:

Barren Cages, Empty Lives / Roadside Zoos In Ontario

www.ontariozoos.ca/aboutroadsidezoos.html

Tragic BC Mauling should be a Wake-Up Call for the Ontario Government

www.ontariozoos.ca/action.html

DOWNLOAD FREE, HIGH RESOLUTION FACT SHEET:
WHY I’LL NEVER BE A ZOO MOM

www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/

Highest quality photos + facts for your advocacy materials

PLEASE DONATE toward printing our educational literature for national distribution: www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/donations.html

============================

SAMPLE LETTER & CONTACT INFO

Sample letters are prepared to give you ample background on an issue.

Try to change some words, pare down letters, and make them your own.

**DELETE ALL REFERENCES TO KINSHIP CIRCLE BEFORE SENDING**

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