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The Discerning Brute: EAT LIKE A MAN.

The Discerning Brute weighs in on the conflation of “meat” consumption with masculinity:

How do rabbits eat? They carefully chew Vegetation. Strangely, no man scoffs at being compared to a rabbit when it comes to sex. “Doing it like rabbits” flatters a man’s virility, yet eating a diet that supports that same rabbit’s virility is lampooned. Instead, we consume entire animals with superstitious hopes of appropriating their strengths. The cover of September 2009’s Esquire Magazine proclaims “Eat Like A Man” and leads to a sixteen-page cover-story entitled “How Men Eat”. It is a total meat-fest. A cheesy, eggy, frat party wrapped in bacon and bathed in blood.

The offending article doesn’t seem to be available on Esquire’s website, though you can read about famous chefs’ favorite fast food joints, with much love for In & Out Burger. Gag.

Er, on second thought, no gag; that’s probably the womanly reaction the meat-eating manly men at Esquire are hoping for.

Carol J. Adams: The Sexual Politics of Meat Slide Show

Carol Adams has revamped her website since last I visited. The new setup includes a blog, interviews and – best of all – a Sexual Politics of Meat slideshow.

Apparently a 20th anniversary edition of The Sexual Politics of Meat is due out this fall; since I have the 1999 edition, I’m contemplating whether I should upgrade. It’s been awhile since I’ve read them, but I preferred The Pornography of Meat, Adams’s follow-up to The Sexual Politics of Meat – it’s more visual, less theoretical/academic. Then again, I read each in my college/vegetarian days, so wtf did I know? Perhaps an ’09 edition, with some new material, will provide an excuse to revisit Sexual Politics in my adulthood.

Daniel Brook @ Tikkun Magazine: The Planet-Saving Mitzvah: Why Jews Should Consider Vegetarianism

Daniel Brook begins this lengthy piece on the compatibility of vegetarianism with Judaism thusly:

In Why Be Jewish? Rabbi David J. Wolpe writes that “Judaism emphasizes good deeds because nothing else can replace them. To love justice and decency, to hate cruelty and to thirst for righteousness-that is the essence of the human task.” The human task, therefore, is to be a mensch: a good, kind, and compassionate person.

One of the ways to follow our rich tradition while putting Judaism’s highest ideals into daily practice is to choose vegetarianism. In the words of Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, “I see vegetarianism as a mitzvah“-a sacred duty and good deed.

Maimonides postulated thirteen principles of the Jewish faith, while Rabbi Moses Cordovero wrote about The Thirteen Divine Attributes. Here are thirteen categorical imperatives suggesting why Jews should seriously consider vegetarianism and then move in that direction.

What are the thirteen imperatives? You’ll have to click on over to Tikkun Magazine to find out! (Hint: A few of the principles include vegetarianism for the animals’ sake – and veganism makes an appearance, as well!)

Renee @ Feministe: Costco and The Lil’ Monkey Doll

The short of it: Costco recently yanked a line of children’s dolls from its shelves. The dolls include a Caucasian doll dressed in a hat which reads “Pretty Panda” and comes packaged with a stuffed panda – and a black doll whose hat reads “Lil’ Monkey.” As if that’s not offensive enough, she’s packaged with a stuffed monkey and comes holding a banana. (!)

Due to inconsistent and shoddy local/regional/national reporting, it’s unclear whether all the white dolls are “pandas,” and all the black dolls are “monkeys” – or if there’s a mix of skin tones and stuffed animal species. For example, when I first saw this reported on CNN, the black doll was the only one pictured – so I assumed that all the dolls, regardless of skin tone, were packaged as “monkeys.” The piece on Feministe seems to imply that the dolls’ packaging is based on skin tone, with all the white dolls packaged as “pandas,” and all the black dolls packaged as “monkeys.” If you read through the comments, though, a reader suggests that there’s a mix of three skin tones – white, black and Hispanic – and the animal species are evenly distributed amongst all the dolls.

Irregardless of which scenario is true, it doesn’t take a civil rights scholar to realize that comparing people of color to monkeys, chimpanzees and other non-human primates is racist. As I’ve written previously,

Comparing people of color to nonhuman animals – particularly primates, such as chimps and monkeys – is a familiar, age-old racist meme. Denying the humanity of people of color – again, by likening them to nonhuman animals, which are presumably “sub-human,” “lesser beings,” “wild” incapable of intelligent thought or emotion, etc. – was used to justify slavery and segregation, and is still employed as a rationalization for current social inequities such as the disproportionately high rates of poverty, hunger and incarceration among people of color.

A commenter at Feministe also linked to this news release from Stanford, “Discrimination against blacks linked to dehumanization, study finds.” It’s well worth a read, and is especially relevant to the New York Post / Sean Delonas affair, in which President Obama was compared to Travis the chimpanzee (who was murdered after he mauled his “owner’s” friend), which included violent, white cop-on-primate/POC imagery.

Deb Durant @ Animal Rights @ Change .org: Chuckles and Arabelle: Who They Are, Not How They “Taste”

In this piece at Change.org, Deb of Invisible Voices talks about a rather disconcerting interaction she had with a visitor while volunteering at Poplar Springs Animal Sanctuary:

When the sanctuary held a Farm Tour event recently, I volunteered to work in the chicken/turkey/guinea/peacock area. Early on, a man and woman asked me a few questions. Most of the birds were in the shade under the trees or in the barns, so there wasn’t much for them to see until the guineas wandered into sight. “Do they taste good?” asked the man as his companion shook her head in embarrassment.

I explained to the man that this was a sanctuary, and we don’t eat the animals, that we save them. By his “yeah, but…” response, I am not sure he understood, even after I explained.

What I found jarring was the reminder that he sees living animals and wonders how they taste. I see living animals and I see them as individuals, living their own lives, who should have every right to do exactly that. I watch Chuckles and Arabelle together, and I wonder why they’re always on the move. When they have something to say, they’re loud, and they don’t stop for what often feels like hours. They have their own purpose, their own wants and desires, and even if I don’t understand any but the most basic – the desire to live their life, the desire to eat, and the desire to have a mate – I respect them as individuals. I respect their right to live their life and pursue the things that are important to them, regardless of whether I fully understand what that is.

When I see life, I don’t think about ending it. When I see Arabelle and Chuckles, I see two special lives that have been preserved because of people like Terry and Dave, and the sanctuary they started that exists for that purpose.

When humans wish to dominate a marginalized sub-group of humans, we dehumanize or bestialize them – we “reduce” them to animals (as if we aren’t all animals to begin with!). Animals, in turn, are objectified – reduced to inanimate, non-sentient objects, such as “meat.” Sometimes the process of animalization is circumvented entirely, and humans go directly from “human” to “meat” (thus creating an absent referent of “animals”).

We often recognize that bestializing and objectifying humans is wrong, without also decrying the objectification of animals. Aside from the obvious speciesism at play, this moral blind spot puzzles me: after all, aren’t the same processes at work here? Once humans are primed to deny the thoughts, feelings, emotions and interests of one group of sentient beings (non-human animals), does it not become easier to deny the thoughts, feelings, emotions and interests (“humanity”) of other sentient beings (women, people of color, LGBTQ people, etc., etc., etc.)? Wouldn’t it be more effective, then, to dismantle hierarchies altogether, rather than rearrange the rungs?

Stephanie @ Animal Rights @ Change .org: They Loved Her–So They Mutilated and Tormented Her 60+ Times

Stephanie recounts the sad story of Benson, a 25-year-old fish from Cambridgeshire, England, who was stalked, hunted and tortured throughout her life. Ultimately, Benson’s torment and death (ostensibly from natural causes, though no doubt the repeated stress of being “caught” by a hook to the mouth and tossed back into the water to be “caught” another day) is romanticized and couched in terms like “beauty,” “grief,” “mourning,” etc. The fishermen (and at least one woman) almost sound as though they might be stalking and harassing an uppity ex-girlfriend or desired supermodel. Barf.

And also: see previous item.

Kelly Garbato @ Animal Rights @ Change .org: Fighting Discrimination on All Fronts: Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-“Pet” Day!

I already linked to this piece in a post I published for Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable “Pet” Day over here, but hey – I’m shameless! I touched upon this issue several times already, but in this piece for Change.org, I stress how “less adoptable” more often than not is a euphemism for animals who are the victims of discrimination – of ageism, ableism, sizeism, breedism – possibly even racism.

Anyway, if you haven’t already, go check it out.

Vegans Against PETA: Vegans Against PETA Badges

Get ‘em here.

Just an ETA: I have a number of intersectionality posts in the works, some dating back several months, and in particular several focusing on PETA. I’m itching to write about three recent PETA campaigns and/or statements: the Save the Whales debacle; their Breasts, Not Animal Tests humane research campaign; and their partnership with Bob Barker against roadside zoos in North Carolina / on the Cherokee Reservation, as reported by Royce at Vegans of Color. If you’ve no desire to download a Vegans Against PETA badge now, methinks you will by the time I’m done!

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare patriarchy intersections parallel oppressions animals and women sexism misogyny gender feminism race racism violence stereotyping exploitation sex intersectionality kyriarchy megatheocorporatocracy pop culture speciesism flickr photos news in the news quick links link roundup link dump Intersectionality ‘Round the Interwebs peta objectification dehumanization bestialization masculinity meat carol j. adams the sexual politics of meat judaism vegetarian vegetarianism vegan veganism religion primate monkey vegans against peta video video blogging

LGBT Compassion

One of the newest additions to the “Intersections” category on my blogroll, LGBT Compassion is a

coalition of San Francisco Bay Area gay animal advocates (and some non-gay friends) working to promote awareness of animal welfare, health, environmental, and civil rights issues within our community – along with any other important social issues that we feel strongly about.

We feel that the LGBT community, having experienced discrimination, oppression and suffering ourselves, having special health issues, and often having unique bonds with companion animals, should be open to learning and helping others who may not be able to speak up for themselves – whether human or non-human.

Their motto: Fighting oppression and discrimination for all. Love it.

I first learned of the group through its investigation into San Francisco’s live animal markets, where chickens are kept and displayed for sale in plastic bags (!). If you haven’t yet, definitely go check ‘em out.

PETA Asia-Pacific: Urge Egypt’s Prime Minister to Stop Cruel Pig Cull

When I saw that PETA was campaigning against the pig culls in Egypt, I was excited. Last I checked, the WSPA had reached a standstill with the Egyptian government, which was insisting that the culls had ceased, despite evidence to the contrary. Writing about the issue at change.org, I wanted desperately to offers readers an opportunity to take action. But nada – until now.

When I actually read the sample letter provided by PETA, though, my heart sank. Rather than calling for an end to the culls, PETA asks the government to “Please place a moratorium on the pig cull until guidelines can be put in place to ensure that the killing is as humane as possible.” This despite the fact that the culls are wholly unnecessary – an inefficient way to guard against swine flu. And this comes not from animal advocacy groups, but government experts (such as those at the UN) – who, on the whole, aren’t really known for their animal-friendly views.

Add to the mix the possibility that the culls might have as much to do with religious discrimination as swine flu paranoia, and PETA really dropped the ball here. Not only has the group failed to defend the pigs from slaughter – it also failed to take the majority Muslim government to task for oppressing the minority Christian farmers. PETA even reinforces the government’s bigotry by pleading for a “humane” pig cull at a later date!

Oh, with friends like these…

Suicide Food: Wintzell’s Oyster House

Dead Nude Oysters!

See also: Pig Tails Barbeque for Dead Nude Pigs!

Animal Person: On Cat Killers and Mental Competency

In a larger discussion about a serial cat-killer case in Florida, Mary makes the following observation about cat hatred:

I do find it interesting that there is a subculture we’ve all seen via vicious bumperstickers that attest to the existence of people who hate–and I mean hate–cats and want to see them dead or dying. I also find it interesting that I’ve never heard of a woman among their ranks. I don’t trust people who hate cats because there’s something else going on there. Cats represent something: independence. Cats are slaves to no one, at least according to their reputation, which in my experience holds true. And people who want to kill those they cannot control scare me.

Likewise, cats are the stereotypical companions of lonely, childless (as opposed to free), man-hating, hairy-legged, spinster aunt feminists.* Women who have no need for men, so much so that they’ve opted to live out their lives in the company of cats instead. Women who have broken free of male ownership. Women who are every bit as independent as their “pets.” Like “their” cats, such women are the subject of sadistic, violent hatred, usually from men who resent their freedom.

* (And also gay men, i.e., “less than men.” “Real” men prefer dogs to cats, particularly big, vicious dogs, such as pit bulls and rottweilers. No cats or Pomeranians for the Brawny man, nosiree!)

Stephanie @ Animal Rights @ Change .org: Scientists Use Pigs Instead of Embryonic Stem Cells to “Avoid the Controversy”

Faced with opposition from anti-choice groups, researchers at the University of Missouri have decided to forgo (human) embryonic stem cell research in favor of (non-human animal, specifically pig) stem cell research in order to “avoid the controversy altogether.”

In other words, experimenting on cells? Unacceptable! Vivisecting living, breathing, sentient non-human animals? Bring it!

Better than anything else, the “controversy” over embryonic stem cell research illustrates the hypocrisy inherent in the views of so-called “pro-lifers.” Far from being “pro-life,” their concern for cells over the lives of actual living, breathing, post-born, sentient animals – human and non-human alike – reveals their true agenda: sperm worship and the subjugation of women. By lauding mere cells (as well as embryos and fetuses) as important as human lives – indeed, more so – they create a world in which it’s acceptable to hijack the bodies of women in order to gestate and grow these cells. Once the cells develop into post-born babies, “pro-lifers” cease to be concerned with the quality of their lives. (See, for example, right-wing views on welfare reform; SCHIP; and subsidized childhood lunch programs, for starters.)

Additionally, why don’t non-human animals ever qualify as “lives” to those in the “pro-life” movement? Unlike cells, non-human animals are living (i.e., post-born) and sentient: they can think, feel and suffer. Cells cannot; until at least the 25th week of pregnancy, neither can fetuses. While cells, fetuses, non-human animals and humans are all “living” in the general sense of the word, only the latter two are actually living a subjective life – what we usually think of when we say that a being is “living” or has a “life.”

Embryonic stem cells and fetuses, though not sentient, do possess two qualities lacking in non-human animals: human DNA, and the means with which to control women’s bodies. Speciesism and misogyny, like PB&J, I tell ya.

In this case, the fates of women and non-human animals collide: whereas deference to religious conservatives on matters of reproductive rights strips women of their autonomy and bodily integrity, non-human animals become the “uncontroversial” subjects of gruesome – and questionable – scientific experiments.

Amy Stein: Domesticated

From photographer Amy Stein comes Domesticated, a book of photos examining the relationships between human and non-human animals.

Says Lisa at Sociological Images,

Photographer Amy Stein staged the following pictures in an effort to start us thinking about our “paradoxical relationship with the ‘wild’” in terms of development (e.g., housing tracts and roads), animal adaptation to new environments (and foods), ownership of animals (pets), hunting (for food, pleasure, and trophy), and risk (to them and to us).

You can view a gallery of 25 of the images on Stein’s website.

Also of interest: her Women & Guns project.

Sociological Images: Feed Fathers Man Food

In honor of Father’s Day, Lisa shares a grocery store ad for savings on “beef” when the consumer purchases a certain amount of Proctor & Gamble products (how fitting!). It’s billed as a “Father’s Day gift giving guide” because manly masculine men need their protein-packed, violently-produced “meat,” dontchaknow.

And no, this isn’t a retro advertisement, though it could be.

Sociological Images: Africa Is Wild, And You Can Be Too

Lisa looks at a series of ads for Wild Africa Cream, a South African liqueur. In the ads, both men and women – and whites as well as people of color – are depicted as “exotic” “wild” animals, such as cheetahs. An anomaly, to say the least.

Writes Lisa,

We have posted before about the tendency to associate black people, especially black women, with animals (see here, here, here, and here), as well as the historical roots of this discourse. But, in this case, the advertising uses both black and white, male and female models. [...]

I think what is interesting here is the association of Africa itself with animalism and primitiveness (an association that no doubt also colors our thinking about black people). (Notice that the first and only Disney film to be set in Africa, The Lion King, included only animals.) Catherine MacKinnon coined the term “anachronistic space” to refer to the idea that different parts of the globe represent different historical periods.

In line with this tendency to think in this way, in this advertising it’s almost as if black Africans are meant to represent white humans’ own more primitive past (ergo the drink “unleashing your wild side,” whoever you are).

While the use of Africa and/or people of color to represent a “primitive” time in human evolutionary history is obviously racist, using non-human animals as signals of primitiveness is similarly speciesist. All animals (or rather, species of), be they tigers, zebras, pigs, cows, or humans, are as evolved as they need to be, given the environment in which they evolved. (Well, save for those genetically engineered by humans, for purposes of exploitation.)

“Primitive” is a subjective and relative term, one which functions as a stand-in for “less than”; perhaps orangutans consider humans “primitive,” given our inadequacies in regards to arboreal locomotion.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare patriarchy intersections parallel oppressions animals and women sexism misogyny gender feminism race racism violence stereotyping exploitation sex gender intersectionality quick links link roundup link dump Intersectionality ‘Round the Interwebs speciesism gay rights LGBT Compassion peta swine flu pig culls religious discrimination africa wild animals photography flickr photos

Tell the Rabbinical Council of America That Tradition is no Excuse for Cruelty

Farm Sanctuary is joining with other animal protection organizations in urging the Rabbinical Council of America to take a position against killing chickens during the “kapparot” ritual, scheduled this year for Sept. 17-21. Humane groups are urging the hens’ lives be spared by substituting other items in place of live animals. Read more.

Farm Animal of the Month: Meghan

As a lady of certain years, Meghan the sheep counts herself a member of an esteemed group found in Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter sheep barn. It’s called the Bridge Club, its members are a stately collection of elderly sheep who enjoy their golden years to the fullest, gathering together to while away the days snoozing in the sun or the warm comfort of the barn. Meghan’s life is now one of pure leisure—but don’t ever doubt that she’s paid her dues. Read more.

Blog for a Cause

Everyone else is writing them. Why shouldn’t you? Make an impact on the Web by creating your very own engaging and enlightening veggie-themed blog. Focus on topics like animal-free food, fashion with compassion, kind crafts, thought-provoking news, or anything else your big vegan heart desires. Captivate hundreds or even thousands of readers with your unique perspective on what it means to live cruelty-free. Check out these hip, entertaining and educational examples for inspiration:

vegforlife.org/resources_blogs.htm.

Product Body and Farm Sanctuary

Help support Farm Sanctuary while helping yourself to luscious, fresh, handmade body products. Product Body is donating 10 percent of the proceeds from all September sales on productbodyshop.com to Farm Sanctuary. So drop by and grab some Crush On You (a product Bust magazine called “quite possibly the best exfoliant known to women”) or any of our other fabulous scrubs, balms or butters. Offering a selection of vegan, all natural and CRUELTY FREE products: productbody.com

IN THE NEWS

Manure causes stink for lawmakers and farmers
Reuters, September 6, 2007

The omnivore’s dilemma: a natural history of four meals
Atlantic Monthly, August 28, 2007

Farm Sanctuary Gala
Product Body Blog, September 10, 2007

SHOP AT FARM SANCTUARY

The Way We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter

MAKE A DONATION TO FARM SANCTUARY

secure.vegsource.com/farmsanc/join/donate_alert.htm

About Farm Sanctuary

Photo via texwurld

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, please visit: secure.vegsource.com/farmsanc/join/donate_alert.htm. For updates on previous action alerts, please visit: 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 religion judaism Rabbinical Council of America kapparot chickens poultry sheep blog blogging Product Body flickr news in the news newsletter

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY
PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN

Kinship Circle posted 3 letter-writing campaigns today:

1. 9/11/07: Conscious When Cut: Horror On Deer Kill Floor
2. 9/11/07: Deliver Tina And Jewel From Lifelong Abuse
3. 9/11/07: Target: HLS Shareholder Wachovia

If your email provider blocked any of our alerts, request them again at: kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net

9/11/07: Conscious When Cut: Horror On Deer Kill Floor
KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN

www.KinshipCircle.org

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:

‘Bambi Butchers’ Horror

getactive.peta.org/campaign/musicon_investigation

UNDERCOVER VIDEO (at PETA link above):

I watched it. I feel it is my responsibility to “bear witness” in any Kinship Circle letter-writing campaign. But, it is truly horrible…and I’ve seen a lot. The video is the truth — but only watch it if you’re able to view extreme animal torture. Brenda Shoss, Kinship Circle

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SAMPLE LETTER & CONTACT INFORMATION

* 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.

* KINSHIP CIRCLE MUST REMAIN ANONYMOUS, for letter campaigns to have impact and to avoid legal problems under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA). Please NEVER REFERENCE KINSHIP CIRCLE when sending comments directly to letter recipients.

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Norman Schlaff is the owner of Musicon, Inc. which farm-raises deer for venison and specializes in “Glatt Kosher Venison” for people of the Jewish faith who follow the dietary tradition of kosher. The only contact information we could find pertains to Musicon’s “kosher venison.” The website is dated 2007, so we assume the contact info is current (below).

In addition to utilizing Kinship Circle’s sample letter, you may also send PETA’s prepared online letter at:

getactive.peta.org/campaign/musicon_investigation

Musicon, Inc.
385 Scotchtown Road
Goshen, New York 10924
ph: 845-294-6378 * fax: 516 239-8915
email: norman [at] koshervenison.com
SOURCE: www.koshervenison.com
(2007 Musicon, Inc.)

Dear Mr. Schlaff,

I value religious freedom, but I am appalled by the kosher slaughter practices at Musicon, Inc. in Goshen, New York. After viewing a PETA investigator’s videotape of deer killed at Musicon on August 26, 2007, I can only surmise your venison sales company chooses to ignore animal suffering.

PETA’s on-site footage shows workers jerking the heads of deer back by ears and antlers to expose their throats. As one man restrains a deer, another slits the fully conscious animal’s throat. The deer slumps toward the floor and a worker slams a restraint door on his head, immobilizing the animal as he bleeds to death.

One worker actually reaches inside a deer’s neck gash to drag him on to the floor. “Baby, come get your mama” another utters while wrenching a deer from his metal holding pen. This deer, like the others, remains alert for more than a minute and a half after the cut.

They are all blinking and twitching. It is unacceptable to slaughter animals in a manner that causes so much terror and pain. Driving them into a constricted metal chute in a noisy chamber, twisting them by ears and antlers, kneeling on them, and closing doors on their heads are barbaric business principles.

As testament to religious mercy and empathy, please end this unspeakable cruelty now.

Sincerely,

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Kinship Circle – Action Campaigns I Literature I Voice For Animals
Nonprofit working in animal protection/cruelty + animal disaster relief campaigns
Brenda Shoss, president * Janet Enoch, vice-president
info [at] kinshipcircle.org or kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
www.KinshipCircle.org * www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/

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Sent: Monday, April 10, 2006 11:34 AM
To: 7. KINSHIP CIRLE
Subject: LETTER/ Costco Brings Back Baby Seal Oil Capsules

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SUBSCRIBE:
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Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
TELL US: SUBSCRIBE TO KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY

2. Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Relief: kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts
TELL US: SUBSCRIBE TO KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF
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*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts kinship circle brenda shoss meat deer deer meat venison peta people for the ethical treatment of animals undercover video Norman Schlaff Musicon, Inc. farmed deer farmed venison Glatt Kosher Venison Jewish Jew Judaism religion godbags kosher kosher venison Goshen New York ny flickr

Center for Biological Diversity: Save Panama Biosphere Reserve From Dams
Please join the growing international movement to protect this ecological jewel and voice your opposition to the proposed Hydroelectric Projects.

DawnWatch: UK media on meat and global warming 9/9/07
“Activists take Gore to task on his diet”

Defenders of Wildlife: Protect Utah Prairie Dogs and Other Wildlife
Fill out the form below to urge your Representative and Senators to support the Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2007 (H.R. 1422 and S. 700), important legislation that would help private landowners protect Utah prairie dogs and other imperiled wildlife that live on their property.

Earthjustice: Say No to the Blowing Up of Appalachia
Tell the administration to stop trying to diminish the buffer zone rule and start enforcing it!

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Tell the U.S. Navy to Stop Killing Whales!
Ear-splitting military sonar is needlessly killing whales and other marine mammals throughout the world’s oceans. Yet the Navy has refused to put effective safeguards in place during testing and training.

The Ocean Conservancy: Take Action Tell NMFS two wrongs don’t make a right whale safe
Tell NMFS to listen to the science and protect endangered whales from entanglement.

The Sierra Club: Tell Congress to Pass Sound Energy Policy This Fall!
Urge your Representative and Senators to pass sound energy legislation this fall!

Campaign Updates, Press Releases, etc.

United Poultry Concerns (UPC) Urges Money – Not Chickens – for Kapparot Ceremonies
United Poultry Concerns (UPC) is urging rabbis and other members of the Jewish community who perform the kapparot ceremony between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to use money instead of chickens. This year kapparot is scheduled for the week between Monday, September 17 and Friday, September 21.

Carnivals

Vegetarian Carnival #7 (September 10, 2007 @ Activist Mommy)

Newsletters

Hugs for Puppies: eNews & Action Alerts: September 10, 2007
Great News: More Restaurants Go Foie Gras Free! & more

The Sierra Club: Club Currents: Volume VI, #80: September 11, 2007
Sierra Club Currents — Study Shows Pollution Prevention is Economic Plus

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary: September 2007 Newsletter
Animal Rescue Alert; Slaughterhouse Escapee Battles For His Health

Petitions

Hold the Antibiotics!

To the NFL: Help Pitt Bulls while Punishing Michael Vick!

“Yes!” to Stronger Dog-Breeder Kennel Regulations

Good News for Whales: Thank Iceland for Doing the Right Thing!

Protect Ancient Trees and Spotted Owls!

Support a Plastic Bag Ban in Los Angeles County

Reduce Pesticides on the IUB Campus [for residents in the Indiana University - Bloomington area]

Nuclear Free Alberta

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American Freedom Campaign: Encourage the presidential candidates to sign the American Freedom Pledge
I pledge to fight to protect and defend the Constitution from assault by any President.

Animal Welfare Institute (AWI): Pro-Animal Bills Pending in U.S. Congress: Please Visit Your Legislators
Pet Safety Protection Act, American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act & Dog Fighting Prohibition Act

Consumer’s Union: Don’t lick Elmo!
Urge your members of Congress to ensure that the products and food that end up on our shelves are safe.

Earthjustice: Stop the Owl Extinction Plan: Political Interference Puts Birds, Forests, and Science At Risk
Please take action to tell the Fish and Wildlife Service by August 24 not to bow to the timber industry while our nation’s forests, rivers, and wildlife pay the price.

Ecological Internet / Climate Ark: Jet-Setting Leonardo DiCaprio the Convenient Environmentalist
Growth in aviation threatens the Planet, celebrities flying in private jets are no friend to the environment, and shared climate sacrifice means the super-rich must swear off jet-setting ways.

Kinship Circle: Animal Tests Lie. Urge ICCVAM To Do Its Job., 8/16/07
“I respectfully ask my elected representatives, ICCVAM, and its member agencies to intensify efforts to fund and validate non-animal research tools.”

Kinship Circle: LETTER/ Foie Gras For Sale On Amazon.com, 8/13/07
“If Amazon wants my business, it needs to cancel the sale of foie gras. Please make the responsible decision to remove all foie gras products from your website.”

United Poultry Concerns (UPC): 8/16/07: Contact the Rabbinical Council of America About Kapparot Using Chickens
Please write a respectful letter to the Rabbinical Council of America and ask them to advocate that kapparot be performed with money rather than chickens.

Newsletters

The Animals Voice eNewsletter, August 16, 2007
AnimalsVoice.com is the premiere online resource for animal rights and its defenders.

Compassion Over Killing (COK): Compassionate Action, August 16, 2007
COK’s eNews: Party at Java Green, vote for COK, and more!

Earthjustice: eBrief, August 2007
Drillers stopped dead in the water & more

United Animal Nations (UAN): eJournal: VOL. 3, NO. 7 – August 2007
Enter our scholarship contest, hurricane tips & more!

Petitions

No More Monkeys Imported for Cruel, False “Research”!

Express Your Outrage: Poisoning of Marin County Dogs

SHELTER FOR ZOO-ANIMALS WHO CANNOT BE REHOMED

Pitt bull rights

Tell California’s Elected Officials: Don’t Give Away California’s Water!

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Amnesty International: Demand safety for environmental activists in Ecuador

DawnWatch: Outstanding veggie coverage on DC NBC affiliate 7/31/07

National Wildlife Federation: Pass a Wildlife-Friendly “Energy Independence Package”

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Urge Your Representative to Vote YES on a Stronger Energy Bill!

Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS): Who will your representative listen to? You or corporate interests? [Talking points]

United Poultry Concerns (UPC): Protest Orthodox Union Event

Newsletters

VegCooking.com: Recipe of the Week: Crepes With ‘Cream’ Filling and Tart Cherry Sauce

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6/26/07: Bears Killed In Sadistic Religious Rite
KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN

www.KinshipCircle.org

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:

Forwarded Alert From: meriem, sb299871 [at] skynet.be

Original Message: akiko [at] akiko.f9.co.uk

Hokkaido retracts ban on Ainu people’s traditional ceremony
(this press article is no longer live)

www.japonia.org.pl/aggregator?from=640

5/2/07: SAPPORO — The Hokkaido Prefectural Government has retracted a ban on the Ainu indigenous people’s traditional ceremony “Iyomante,” which the governor placed in a 1955 directive, officials said… Source: Mainichi Shimbun

Iyomante_bear about to be killed.jpg

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Minister Masatoshi Wakabayashi
Ministry of Environment
Government of Japan Godochosha No.5
1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Cho-ku
Tokyo 100-8975 JAPAN
ph: 81-(0) 3-3581-3351; email: MOE [at] env.go.jp

Governor Harumi Takahashi
Hokkaido Government
Nishi 6-chome, Kita 3-jo
Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8588 JAPAN
ph: 81-(0) 11-231-4111

(This organization promotes the ceremony.)
Mr. Kazushi Abe, Vice Chairman
Utari Association
Presto 1 .7 (7F), North 1, West 7
Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Hokkaido 060-0111 JAPAN
ph: 81-(0) 11-271-4171; email: ainu [at] frpac.or.jp

Japanese Embassy in the United States
Ambassador Ryozo Kato
2520 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
ph: 202-238-6700; fax: 202-328-2187
Japan Information & Culture Center: jicc [at] embjapan.org
website: www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/embassy/

FIND CONTACT INFO FOR JAPANESE EMBASSIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES:

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The Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations
866 U.N. Plaza, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10017
ph: 212-223-4300; email: mission [at] un-japan.org
website: www.un.int/japan/aboutus/contact.htm

Dear Honorable Officials:

The international community is appalled by the Hokkaido Prefectural Government’s decision to withdraw a 1955 ban on the Ainu ceremony “Iyomante.”

As you know, this crude ritual involves the slaughter of a hibernating mother bear in her cave. Her cubs are raised in captivity for two years and then fatally choked or speared in a sacramental act meant to show religious devotion. The Ainu people believe bears are gods walking among humans. Iyomante signifies the return of bear/god souls to heaven and the promise of a blessing for the human world.

Iyomante is a colorful tale. But it belongs behind glass with museum artifacts. In the 21st Century we do not enslave humans, lynch, cannibalize or bind feet. Similarly, we do now resurrect barbaric acts of violence against animals.

In the modern world, the Ainu people do not hunt bears for sustenance or profit. The torture of wild animals serves no educational purpose and cannot be “performed properly within proper reason,” as Japan’s Ministry of Environment has stated.

I strongly encourage the Hokkaido Government to reestablish a ban on hunting bears “for cultural inheritance.” Please outlaw “cave hunting” as well.

In another revived festival, “Marat Opnika,” an adult bear was slaughtered before an audience in Asahikawa Hokkaido. Some hunters have used axes to slice off a bear’s feet if the terrified animal is reluctant to leave her cave.

Last year, Japanese hunters killed some 5,000 black bears alone. I remain committed to a boycott of Japanese tourism until this assault on wildlife ceases. I urge government officials to legally shield wild animals from all forms of abuse, including inhumane blood ceremonies.

Thank you,

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts kinship circle brenda shoss bear wildlife conservation religion religious rite superstition myth Japan Iyomante Ainu animal abuse cruelty to animals animal cruelty cave hunting hunting Marat Opnika Asahikawa Hokkaido black bears boycott Japanese tourism flickr

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

IDA Action Alerts

Help Protect the Heber Wild Horses; Urge officials to ensure that the Forest Service creates a humane management plan

Urge Congress to Support Tax Deductions for Animal Companions; Amended tax law would help guardians provide better care for non-human dependents

Prevent Poisoning of Prairie Dogs; Tell National Forest Service to promote native wildlife, not welfare ranching

Campaign News & Updates

IDA Unveils New Animal Research Reallocation Initiative for WWAIL; Participate in exciting events taking place this week in cities around the world!

IDA India Creates Compassion for Cows; Advocates urge temple visitors to be kinder to bovines

Canadian Seal Killers Trapped in Ice; At least 100 boats caught in between frozen Newfoundland floes

An archive of past IDA eNews newsletters is available here.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts ida in defense of animals pets companion animals dogs canines cats felines taxes tax deductions Heber Wild Horses horses wild horses wildlife conservation Prairie Dogs WWAIL World Week for Animals in Laboratories animal research animal testing vivisection events holidays observances india cows bovines seals seal hunting hunting karma

Ask the Pope Not to Lent Sea Turtles Onto the Menu

Easter marked the close of this year’s Lenten season, and a day of celebration with family and friends was observed by millions. Spring has officially sprung, and with it a unique opportunity to protect threatened and endangered sea turtles. Due to a common misconception, an estimated 10,000 sea turtles were eaten in observance of the “no fish on Fridays” Lenten tradition and as part of Holy Week celebrations.

Oceana has partnered with Grupo Tortuguero to educate the public about sea turtles, whose already endangered status is made worse by this misunderstanding. Though they live in the ocean, sea turtles are not fish; they’re reptiles in the same way that lizards and snakes are reptiles, more closely related to dinosaurs than fish. Sea turtles are slow-growing and long-lived. Each individual creature impacts in the future of the species.

Sea turtles are indicators of our ocean’s health, which we depend on for our own survival. And, unfortunately, all six sea turtles species found in U.S. waters are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

That’s why Oceana is working across the world to encourage governments and others to pass policies that treat turtles like the ancient, threatened and endangered creatures they are. In February 2003, we scored a major victory when the U.S. government passed new rules to require larger turtle excluder devices (TEDs) on shrimp trawl nets in the Gulf of Mexico — saving more than 60,000 sea turtles a year.

In order to protect these gentle giants from this latest threat, we’re asking his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to intervene. Send your letter to the Holy See today, and ask the Pope to officially announce that sea turtles should not be eaten by Roman Catholics on Fridays during Lent.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts oceana Lent turtles sea turtles fish Catholic Catholicism the Pope Pope Benedict XVI Holy See ESA endangered species act endangered species wildlife conservation people suck