Ignorance

The Animal Justice Party And “Personhood”

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Animal Justice Party logo source: facebook

In what has to be one of the saddest days for the animals I have seen in a long time, fledgling political party, the Animal Justice Party, has succumbed to the same infliction that strikes a majority of so-called micro parties.

Aiming for the famed ‘viral post’ on social media by saying anything that will get clicks/likes/shares.

By attempting the viral post, the powers that be within the Animal Justice Party have shown how little they actually understand the big picture issues.

They have also ensured that nothing they do from now on can or should be taken seriously.

By anyone!

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DxE: For The Animals, Or For Themselves?

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Brisbane DxE activists protest against meat. Source: Facebook
Brisbane DxE activists protesting about meat sales. Source: Facebook

The animal advocacy movement appears to be in the midsts of a flurry of activity. The activity ranges from the extreme, such as 269life style brandings and Gateway To Hell protests, marches to close slaughterhouses, and even so-called direct action campaigns by Direct Action Everywhere (DxE).

With participation in DxE protests appearing to be on the increase, it’s time for the following questions to be asked.

Is it really direct action?
Are these done for the animals or the activists themselves?

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Will The Live Animal Trade Be Stopped By An Inquiry And Legislation?

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Will The Live Animal Trade Be Stopped By An Inquiry And Legislation?
photo credit: DSC_5169 via photopin (license)

There is a brutal and cold hearted animal trade happen right now. A trade that is allowed to happen because so few are even willing to mention it’s existence.

We are distracted away from questioning the trade by campaigns to stop the live export of animals to overseas countries, and by demonising unscrupulous cat and dog breeders.

Every time we repeat the catchphrase Adopt, Don’t Shop we are condoning this trade, and accepting it’s brutality.

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The Animal Justice Party Has Failed The Animals Already

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Have the AJP and Mark Pearson failed the animals already?
Mark Pearson, a self proclaimed voice for the voiceless who isn’t ashamed to use them as a prop. Source: Facebook

Five days ago, the Honorable Mark Pearson MLC, gave his maiden speech to the NSW’s Legislative Council. With people watching streamed footage, and a packed public gallery, this should have been a watershed moment for the plight of other animals.

Never again will the animals have a captive audience where a supposed dedicated advocate of theirs would be able to champion their cause in such an open forum.

Missed Opportunity

For all the talk and rhetoric of both him and the Animal Justice Party being a voice for the voiceless, he failed to mention anything about seeking justice for them, or that one things that could help the animals.

Going Vegan.

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Will The Animal Justice Party Live Up To The Hype?

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Will The Animal Justice Party Live Up To The Hype?
Animal Justice Party’s Mark Pearson.
Source: Facebook

The announcement that voters in NSW were waiting on, was made last Friday afternoon. The final distribution of preferences for the last seats in NSW’s Legislative Council were made, and Mark Pearson from the Animal Justice Party NSW was fortunate enough to score one.

Once the announcement was made the social media accounts of animal groups and their supporters went into overdrive with claims that this was a great day for the animals, that the winds of change are blowing through NSW and so on.

Once everyone’s emotions have settled down, and we all get back to reality, will Mark Pearson and the Animal Justice Party be able to live up to their hype, or will they implode like other micro parties have throughout history?

Nothing Is Going To Change

Despite all the big talk that Mr Pearson and his supporters are claiming, there is very little chance of his vote in the MLC having any impact on proposed legislation.

The AJP don’t hold the balance of power, so there is no need for the government to have discussions with him regarding anything on their wish list.

Sure, Mr Pearson may get some more air time in front of the TV camera’s now that he is, or will be an MLC, though only time will tell how much good that will do.

We all also need to keep in mind that the aim of the party is to “improve the well being of animals”.

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Do ‘Animal Groups’ Need An Ethics Committee?

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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.

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