General

Do ‘Animal Groups’ Need An Ethics Committee?

by
httftg
Photo Credit: myCAES via Compfight cc

With the increase in the number of animal “matters” being ‘exposed’ through the media, is it time for animal protection groups to refer campaigns to an ethics committee?

In an ideal world, before any campaign or investigation was started, the group would lodge a submission with the ethics review board to assess the long and short term impact to the animals, and how the action compares to the aims of the organisation.

That way, only those activities which aligned with the aims/objectives of the group and had a long term positive benefit on the lives of other animals would see the light of day. Instead of how it is at the moment where groups are doing anything and everything for their share of the spotlight.

What’s More Important, Animals Or Attention?

For arguments sake, let’s use the recent greyhound live-baiting expose as an example.

Read more

Another Pointless Debate

by
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook

Chris Delforce from Aussie Farms has stamped his foot like a spoilt toddler, and demanded that Katrina Hodgkinson, New South Wales Minister for Primary Industries, and Steve Coleman, RSPCA NSW CEO, face off against him in a public debate.
Would a debate, public or otherwise, advance the cause for equal consideration for other animals, obtain some sort of justice for pigs/other animals in general, or allow the challenger to increase his unwarranted 15 minutes of fame?
Cameron Blewett thinks it is the latter, and that he is still doing more harm than good, and explains why.

Carrying On Like A Spoilt Child

There is no denying that what was exposed at Wally’s Piggery was atrocious, and the maturity of the movement can be measured by the way that it responds to this set back. A movement that has a matured understands that there will be ups and downs with progress towards equal consideration for other animals.

Except that hasn’t happened in this case. Instead, the movement, and those who want to be leaders of it, are stomping their feet carrying on like spoilt little children. The protests and theatrics of the past weekend are indicative of this.

I’m not really sure if this behaviour is because they were told no, or that the pride and ego of some has been damaged by the dropping of the charges or a combination of both.

One thing is for sure, that these people have now made it about them, rather than what has happened.

Biosecurity Misunderstanding

Read more

The Truth About The Movie ‘Lucent’

by
The Truth About Lucent - AusVegan.com.au

All we’re trying to is show people what is happening.
So we’re opening up the doors
And lighting up the dark!

These are the emotive words you hear when you watch the trailer for the movie Lucent by Chris Delforce and Aussie Pigs.

Whilst the movie has been recieved with open arms from animal ‘activits’ around the country, the question needs to be asked, “Are they really showing us what is happening?”

Let me tell you, the answer is surprising.

Two Minds Writing This

When I sat down to write this piece, I really was of two minds about it. On the one hand, as a vegan who wants the use of other animals to cease, part of me wants more movies like this to be made and shown.

Then there is the more pragmatic side of who knows and understands that films like this are only of interest to those who are already vegan, or those who are already thinking of going vegan.

To everyone else, they are just the work of extremists, and those who have no sense of reality.

And this is where the problem lies.

Read more

About The Race That Stops The Nation

by
123
Photo Credit: Bigbetting.com.au via Compfight cc

Once again the Race That Stops The Nation,The Melbourne Cup, has been clouded in controversy. This time due to the deaths of two horses, Admire Rakti and Araldo, after the race had been run.

And once again, so-called animal ‘protection’ groups are calling for racing to be banned, and/or people to ‘pledge’ not to bet on racing whilst horses die.

All this is fine and dandy for those groups as it will allow them to build on their 15 mins of fame, and in the case of Animals Australia – increase awareness of their ‘brand’.

Though will it really do anything with regards to the way that humans view other animals?

Sadly, I will have to say no.

To begin with, as long as betting on horses is seen as a way of striking it rich, and horse racing is promoted as the sport of kings it will continue to exist.

Mind you having a look at some of the photos of Flemington racetrack AFTER the event, I believe that it should be renamed the sport of slobs. Sadly, that sort of behaviour isn’t only reserved for racing and is more indicative of our collective lack of respect for pretty much everything.

It is a virtual uphill battle to have other animals given equal consideration when even those who supposedly care for them the most still view them as nothing more than an object. Take the following quote by Mick Moroney, the trainer of Araldo.

Nothing could be done to save the horse after scans showed its pastern had been broken in seven places and resembled a “bag of ice”.

Read more

Hunters Are Bloodthirsty Barbaric Cowards

by
Hunters Are Bloodthirsty Barbaric Cowards

Hunters Are Bloodthirsty Barbaric CowardsThese are the words spoken by self proclaimed animal liberationist Felicity Anderson when she appeared on a recent episode of SBS’ Living With The Enemy. These words have also been echoed by a number of other vegans claiming that hunters will never go vegan.

I wonder if any of those people have stopped to consider how close to the truth are those comments really are?

If the comments are just sweeping generalisations, is any consideration paid to the damage both to the movement and to other activists that they may be causing?

Are Hunters Bloodthirsty?

Having been a hunter for a number of years before and after turning vegan, I can tell you that the majority of people who hunt actually aren’t bloodthirsty monsters.

Sure there may be a few who enjoy and participate in hunting because they view it as a blood sport, though in my experience they are in the minority.

This would be the same as saying that all vegans are left winged misanthropic hippies who are out of touch with reality.

Read more

Profiting From Inexperience and Naivety

by

Its been nearly two years since I wrote the article, Shh. Don’t talk about the elephant in the room, where I discussed the obvious lack of training that people are getting within the animal advocacy movement.

Unfortunately for the animals, nothing seems to have changed with regards to the animal groups doing any sort of training for their volunteers or members.

That is, except for an organisational psychologist who is a relatively new vegan and is running a series of workshops titled “Skills For Conversations That Matter”.

Whilst I do think it is great that someone has taken the initiative where all the other organisations haven’t, I am concerned that this person is charging for the event, and rather exorbitantly too.

The price for the Brisbane event is currently $156.00 if you pay in full or $195.00 in installments, blatantly exploiting those who may be on a budget or limited income.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe that the training should be given away freely, if it is of value. Training of any kind that will help people promote veganism and ending the use of other animals is surely of value.

I just have concerns that this event may be more set up to benefit the presenter than the animals or those who attend.

Read more

Vegan Police. Keeping The Faith, or Turning People Away

by
alt text
Vegan Police. Keeping The Faith, or Turning People Away - VeganPolice.com.au
Vegan Police. Keeping The Faith, or Turning People Away
source: unknown

Recently an article published on Vegan.com about the Vegan Police has been doing the rounds of various facebook groups.

Before I go any further on my thoughts on the article, this needs to be said.

As far as I am concerned, and based on my experience, there are usually only two types of people who use the term vegan police. Those who are bullies and those who knowing consume animal products. Both types use the term to shift the focus from them to the person who made the comment or asked the question.

I should also add that calling someone the vegan police is used to bully, ostracise, otherise or offend that person into silence or others into submission in the same way that those who follow Gary Francione label everyone else as a new welfarist.

There is no other reason for someone who claims to be vegan to use it to describe someone else who also claims to be vegan.

Read more