Just a quick note to let y’all know why I’ve been absent from the blog for a few days, and probably will be for a few more.

Saturday the Mr. and I spent the day thinning out the juniper saplings behind our house, before they sprout into big Mr. and Mrs. Juniper Trees (and we have to pay the pros to chainsaw ‘em down), and – well, it never even occurred to me that I might be allergic to the damn things, even though possibility should have at least crossed my mind, seeing as my skin is allergic to everything. So I broke out in a massive red, blistery rash on Sunday, and have been hopped up (down, rather) on Benadryl and Melatonin ever since. Only, even with enough downers in my system to knock out my 200-pound husband for a night, I can’t sleep but four hours without waking up with a horrid case of the itchies. I’d say about 30% of my body is covered in what I can only describe as a weird mix of poison ivy rashes, road burns and chemical burns, no lie. Google for pics of “poison ivy rash,” and maybe the worst picture you find will remotely resemble what I currently look like. Maybe.

I finally sucked it up and went to see my local RN today, and I’m happy to report that that lovely bitch is Not. Fucking. Around. She gave me a shot of steroids in my hiney, and put me on a 12-day course of oral prednisone, and prescribed a huge tube (with refills!) of topical steroids, and gave me a 5-day scrip for hardcore rx antihistamines, the kind used to treat anxiety and induce sleep. Considering the many contact dermatitis rashes I’ve suffered over the past ten years, I’m no stranger to any of this, but…no doctor has ever given me both a shot of steroids and an oral course. Dog bless that sweet, sweet woman.

Until I get back, I leave you with this Adam Sandler song from The Wedding Singer, which I’ve been playing on a mental loop whilst drifting in and out of consciousness all week. Only, substitute “Mother Nature, poison ivy and juniper trees” for “Linda.”

Action Alerts

Amnesty International: End Sexual Violence against Native American and Alaska Native Women
“The U.S. Department of Justice’s own statistics indicate that Native American and Alaska Native women are more than two and a half times more likely than women in the United States in general to be raped or sexually assaulted. In order to achieve justice, Native American victims of sexual violence frequently have to navigate a complex maze of federal, state, tribal and local law. In addition, the agencies responsible for responding to this violence are severely underfunded, and their services are far from adequate to ensure that required law enforcement and medical attention are supplied. More than one in three Native women will be raped in their lifetime.”

Common Cause: Impeach Judge Jay Bybee
“Common Cause has called for the impeachment of federal Judge Jay Bybee for his role in signing a 2002 memo released last week that authorized torture. And now we need your help to make sure there’s enough pressure on Congress to launch impeachment proceedings. Tell your Representative to launch impeachment proceedings on Judge Jay Bybee of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.”

Defenders of Wildlife: Join Jeff Corwin to Help Save Wildlife Threatened by Global Warming
“Scientists warn that global warming could threaten one-third of the world’s known species with extinction. That’s why Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin has joined with Defenders of Wildlife to help pass comprehensive global warming legislation that includes dedicated policies and funding to help wildlife survive in a changing climate.”

Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust: Save lives by saving land: Sign the pledge
“By signing the pledge, you’ll join thousands of others who support land conservation for the benefit of wildlife—and then receive the monthly e-newsletter from the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust about how you can help free-roaming animals.”

Moms Rising: Make sure every child has the necessary nutrition for a healthy life!
“We must stop the epidemic of childhood obesity! Tell Congress to support improvements in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) when it is reauthorized this year as a part of the Child Nutrition reauthorization. This program provides reliable and regular nutrition to our children most in need. Let’s make sure that every child has the nutrition they need to become healthy adults.” Please edit the sample letter provided to include a request for increased funding for and availability of vegetarian and vegan food options!

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(On multiple levels, seeing as this is a PETA ad and yet everyone managed to keep their knickers on.)
 

 
And also: *swoon!*

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Action Alerts

Amnesty International: Tell the truth about torture through an independent commission
“Tell your Representative and Senators and President Obama to expose abuse and hold perpetrators accountable. Momentum for an independent investigation into torture is growing. However, without your help, we may not achieve a strong, independent commission with the force of law that can expose the torture and abuse committed in our name and that can help prevent the U.S. from torturing in the future.”

CREDO Action: Tell Chevron: Fire the lawyer behind Bush torture.
“President Obama says it’s up to Attorney General Holder whether to prosecute the individuals responsible for the Bush administration’s torture policies. We submit that one of the top names on Holder’s list should be William J. Haynes II. [...] Haynes left the Pentagon when Rumsfeld did, but instead of going into exile – or better yet, prison – Haynes instead went to a cushy gig as chief corporate counsel for Chevron.”

Earthjustice: A Global Warming Story You Haven’t Heard; Soot causes global warming.
“Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is sending a team to represent the United States at Tromsø. As a senator, she co-sponsored a bill on black carbon and visited the Arctic to see the devastating effects of climate change first hand. Now, as her team prepares for the Arctic Council Ministerial, we must let her and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson know how important it is for the United States to lead the way. This is your chance to have a voice in critical world affairs. But time is very short. You need to take action now by urging Sec. Clinton and Administrator Jackson to take the lead in Tromsø.”

Feminist Majority Foundation: Help Free Journalist Roxana Saberi
“Please join feminists and human rights activists worldwide in urging the Iranian government to commute the sentence of journalist Roxana Saberi. Saberi was initially arrested in February, purportedly for working without press credentials. In March, she was charged with espionage and being an American spy. She was sentenced to 8 years in prison after a one day, closed-door trial. No evidence against Saberi has been released by the Iranian government. It is increasingly evident that the charges against her are baseless and reports indicate that she may have been forced to make incriminating statements while imprisoned. Write to urge Iran’s reversal of Saberi’s sentence and her immediate release from prison.”

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Tell President Obama: Adopt from a Shelter
“Please express your disappointment that the Obamas obtained a puppy from a breeder, rather than adopting from a shelter as they had previously promised. Urge that any dogs the Obamas add to their family now or in the future should be from a shelter or rescue.”

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Via the Flickr blog, I stumbled upon a collection of superawesomecute photosets, collectively called the Bluebird Nestboxes:

Every year going back to 2004, Flickr member lucycat has documented the progress of egg laying and hatching of Eastern Bluebirds in some nest boxes, and it looks like the season is underway! Be sure to check out past year’s captures in her Bluebird Nestboxes collection too.

Lucycat currently has three nestboxes set up around her property, each of which may provide shelter for up to four bluebird families every season. The photos are taken on a daily basis, so you can literally watch the newly hatched babies grow from pink little blobs into big, feathery blue birds like mom and dad.

Naturally, the grump in me can’t help but wonder whether Lucycat’s audience would also oooh and aaah over newly hatched “broiler” chicks…or whether they’d oooh and aaah over the chicken babies just long enough for them to grow into tasty KCF nuggets, but – well, just go enjoy the photos, and leave the bah-humbuggery to me.

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Action Alerts

Amnesty International: Ensure Justice for Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu!
“On October 16, 2008, WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu were arbitrarily arrested after participating in a peaceful protest, in which they demanded immediate access to much needed food aid in Zimbabwe. Police used excessive force to break up the peaceful protest of about 200 WOZA activists. Magodonga Mahlangu was beaten by police during her arrest. Following this incident, Jenni and Magodonga were charged with “disturbing the peace.” Their trial is currently scheduled for April 30. Call for the charges to be dropped immediately.”

Audubon: Help Stop Bird Kills at Communications Towers
“Millions of birds are killed each year when they collide with communications towers. Please urge the Federal Communications Commission to stop this needless killing of migratory songbirds. With the annual spring migration underway, take a moment right now to send a letter to the FCC and ask for immediate action to prevent migratory bird deaths at towers.”

Audubon: Protect the Endangered Species Act!
“The Endangered Species Act has been vital in preserving our nation’s most vulnerable birds and wildlife, but it has been significantly weakened by Bush administration rule-changes designed to limit scientific review of federal projects which could harm endangered species. The Secretary of Interior has until May 9 to reverse these ill-conceived changes and restore the Endangered Species Act. Please ask Secretary Ken Salazar to restore the full protections of the Endangered Species Act.”

Big Cat Rescue: Save The Tigers
“From being farmed in China for their parts. Sign our petition below and ask your friends to do the same.”

Council for a Livable World: Avoiding Confrontations with Iran; Urge your Representative to co-sponsor H.Con.Res 94
“Please support H. Con. Res. 94, introduced by Reps. John Conyers (D-MI) and Geoff Davis (R-KY), which calls for the United States to negotiate an “Incidents at Sea Arrangement” with Iran. This agreement would help protect American lives in a strategically important waterway in the Middle East. Currently, numerous U.S. naval ships have few procedures for dealing with the Iranian navy operating in the Persian Gulf. An agreement between these two countries, like the successful one we negotiated with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, could establish procedures to prevent dangerous military confrontations in this waterway.”

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(Just as I began to write this post, my middle furkid Peedee vomited up his breakfast – vegetarian kibble, natch. As is usually the case, he did so in the office, the floor of which is made of this weird textured faux pebble material that’s impossible to clean. In contrast, the rest of my home’s flooring is either concrete or tile, and couldn’t be easier to clean off. He’s got a gift, that one.

Anyhow, Peedee’s timing is fortuitous, as he so aptly manifested my feelings on Earth Day – or rather, on the half-assed lip service engaged in on Earth Day by the bulk of its Western human residents – through such a simple, biological, involuntary act. And yes, I am feeling a tad grumpy today, thanks for asking.)
 

 
As a vegan and environmentalist, it’s really hard to get excited over Earth Day when most of the mainstream environmental groups and media outlets – Earth Day Network, The Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund, Environmental Protection Agency, Tree Hugger, et al – don’t so much as mention vegetarianism and/or veganism as a means to combating climate change, deforestation, the loss of biological diversity, pollution, water scarcity, disease, hunger, poverty, etc.

While these groups encourage “activists” to drive fuel efficient vehicles, switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, and use cloth bags when shopping, a meat- and/or dairy-free diet hardly ever make the list – and, when they do, it’s usually in a highly diluted form, such as “eat less meat” or “go meatless one day of the week.” Bleh.

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Action Alerts

American Civil Liberties Unions (ACLU): Watch the Video and Share Your Message of Support
“When Savana Redding was just 13 years old, she was strip-searched for allegedly possessing prescription-strength ibuprofen. This traumatizing search was based solely on the false and uncorroborated accusation of a classmate who was caught with similar pills. Savana’s case was argued before the Supreme Court by ACLU attorneys seeking to protect the privacy of all students — and make it clear that such conduct has no place in America’s schools. Watch a short video of Savana’s story and share your message of support.”

Amnesty International: Release journalist Roxana Saberi from detention after flawed trial
“Roxana Saberi, a 31-year-old journalist who holds both U.S. and Iranian citizenship, was convicted of espionage and sentenced to eight years in prison following a brief closed-door trial in a Revolutionary Court in Tehran. She had been arrested and detained in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison since January 31, 2009. Legal proceedings in Iran’s Revolutionary Courts are severely flawed and fail to meet international standards for fair trials. The evidence against Ms Saberi has not been made public. Amnesty International is calling for her to be immediately released from detention.”

Animal Law Coalition: Support the PA Anti-Tethering Bill
“Rep.Mario Scavello has introduced an anti-tethering bill, H.B. 1254. The bill has been introduced in previous sessions. This bill would make it a summary offense to tether or chain a dog outside unattended to a stationary object between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. [...] This bill, H.B. 1254, is now in the House Judiciary Committee. Find and contact members here and write or call and urge them to vote YES on H.B. 1254. Go here to find Representatives including your own if you live in Pennsylvania. Write or call and urge them to support this bill.”

Center for Biological Diversity: Take Action to Protect Beluga Whale Habitat
“In 2006, the Center for Biological Diversity — along with Trustees for Alaska, Cook Inletkeeper, and other organizations — petitioned to protect the Cook Inlet beluga under the Endangered Species Act. In October 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the federal agency charged with protecting marine mammals such as the beluga, finally listed the species as endangered. This overdue protection came only after litigation brought by the Center and allies. Unfortunately, rather than designate critical habitat for the beluga at the time of listing, as required by the Endangered Species Act, the Fisheries Service stated that it would defer habitat protection for a year.”

Corporate Accountability International: Tell Coke CEO Muthar Kent to give us the “real thing”
“This Earth Day, Coke is spending millions to spin its image green, leading us to ask, “what is the real thing, really?” Instead of responding to the concerns of tens of thousands who have taken action through Think Outside the Bottle, Coke has launched a green PR blitz. Let Muthar Kent know we see through the PR campaigns and the sponsorships. Send a message to CEO Muthar Kent today and join the thousands that have already taken action.”

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As a follow-up to last week’s Sexy Meat post, I bring you another series of advertisements for Rachachuros Seasoning.

(Courtesy of Ben at Suicide Food, who covered these ads last year. Timely, I am not.)

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Saturday marked the beginning of World Week for Animals in Laboratories (WWAIL), which is being held from April 18th through the 26th this year.

In addition to emailing the White House Office of Public Liason (OPL) (see below), you can find additional ways to take action at www.wwail.org. You can view a list of 2009 events here, or register your own. IDA helpfully provides a bevy of literature, posters and stickers for your events – no matter how big or small – which you can view and download here.

Striking at the Roots’ Mark Hawthorne also offers his suggestions for 5 Things You Can Do to Help Animals in Labs.

Are you participating in WWAIL? Share your action and outreach ideas in the comments!

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals
Date: Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Subject: Take Action Today For World Week for Animals in Laboratories (WWAIL)

World Week for Animals in Laboratories (WWAIL) Is Here!

April 18 – 26 – Scroll down for an important message you should send to President Obama

In February 2009, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) received an additional $10.4 billion in funding. This money is in addition to NIH’s 2009 budget of $30.3 billion.

Although technology has progressed and there is broad acknowledgment of the flaws of animal models, NIH funding for animal research has remained unchanged and the numbers of animals used has increased.

Please join IDA in contacting the White House Office of Public Liaison during World Week for Animals in Laboratories (WWAIL) to ask that the $10.4 billion in stimulus money be designated exclusively for non-animal research. Click here to read IDA’s letter to President Obama.

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