Vegetarianism, Animal Secretions, and Misery in brief

***** No graphic content *****

I can’t help getting irritated when I see the term Vegetarian, especially used to describe a person, business, menu item, recipe, etc. because there is always the implied suggestion that being “meatless” is all that is required to “be healthier” or to “help animals”… as if that is somehow morally acceptable.

I don’t mean to sound accusing by any means because it’s a misunderstanding most Vegetarians make and live with by what they eat, wear, and use in their lives. But sadly, these actions very negatively impact billions of innocent nonhuman animals, including fish, every year. I too, at one time, was just as ignorant of the injustice and horrific misery involved in using animals for their secretions. And I wasted ten long years in that condition. When I finally awoke to Veganism, and through Professor Gary L. Francione to Abolitionist Veganism, my entire world view changed completely and forever. I encourage you to read Professor Francione’s work, which may be found in his books, searchable essays, audio, and video content at http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/

And if by chance you’ve been of the understanding there is a “humane” way to produce food and other products from animals or their secretions, I can assure you after much research, there is not! I strongly encourage you to read the related post (and its associated links) from Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary, entitled “The Faces of ‘Free Range’ Farming.” They are, so far as I am aware, the *only* farm animal sanctuary who also serves effectively as a preeminent source of Vegan education.

A most vivid dream

I dreamt a most vivid and sad dream. A light overcast sky. A vast, clear, open, green grassland and on the far side, a hill running the width of the horizon. Sitting quietly, confidently in the middle of the distant hill, a gigantic obscure figure, an animal resembling a bull or a bear possibly, I could not tell. And sitting beside this mysterious being, way down near the ground, a fraction of the size, I am zoomed in like tunnel vision on my little Michael peacefully washing his face, stopping briefly to look around his immediate space. I am filled with an overwhelming sadness for he does not see me and I cannot speak to him. And then I am zoomed away. And he is left in the far distance. And I cry.

I had this dream a few weeks after little Michael passed away last January. I have relived it numerous times in my waking hours since, including today. Coincidentally, I just realized at this writing, today is the first anniversary of his diagnosis of Lymphoma. He was a dear loving little heart and I miss him terribly.

This is the first post in my “Pets as Refugees” Category. Over time there will be others illustrating the connection between the Institution of Pets, an apt term borrowed from Professor Gary L. Francione, and animal exploitation. Briefly, due to our manipulation of animals we refer to as “Pets”, we have caused to come into existence totally unnatural, completely dependent beings that are bought and sold like slaves. Millions of these innocent creatures end up on the streets of urban centres around the world where they are subject to disease, abuse, uncontrolled reproduction and live short, difficult, incredibly sad lives. Many more millions are dumped in shelters where they are routinely killed for lack of adoptive guardians or institutional monetary means of support. A relatively small number are lucky to find loving homes to live out there lives in “peace”. Michael’s tragic demise was the culmination of almost fourteen years of relative peace after approximately two years of life as a “stray”. We humans owe all existing “companion animals” our diligent care while at the same time not encouraging any more. They do not deserve such a tenuous path.

Letter to a social advocate on hard times

I recently wrote to a man who kindly answered a question several years ago. I’d like to share it with you:

Last night, while perusing my seldom used Gmail account, I came across an old thread I’d saved when I first got my account about 3 years ago. I was considering Google AdSense for my blog (which I regretfully neglect due to a preoccupation with my Twitter account—@MacVegan). In the thread, you had answered my question about AdSense.

I remember your civilized comments to my question very well.

Anyway, this time I got interested in your works through your Google profile, enjoying your recent Tea Party blog post. They are indeed a frightening political evolution, by the way, the likes of which are evident here in Canada as well, with corporate and mass media interests running the show—and the current Federal election campaign.

I was amazed to read your detailed bio on your LowGenius site, particularly your tech/music background. I come from similar roots as well, though I was only a musician for a few early years sparked by my exposure to blues in the ’60′s and especially Paul Butterfield. I then dabbled in the business for a few years as a booking agent but found there were too many cut-throat types of people to deal with for my liking. The last 31 years have been spent as a television news video tape technician of all things where in the last 15 years its transition to digital sparked my interest in computers though not quite in the same areas, it seems, as you.

I also had a look at your sad street life video essays on your Youtube channel. A terribly unfortunate experience to endure, I’m sure.

I just wanted to respond by saying I sincerely hope you continue to make steps toward all your goals. I want to offer you encouragement to persevere. You certainly have lots to offer. And I hope you don’t think it too forward of me to also suggest you check out Veganism. Don’t laugh. Let me explain.

I’m retired now as of 2009. Unfortunately, I was cut off in a traffic accident 6 months after retirement, and though fortunately not badly disabled, I am still dealing with several weekly therapies to cope with prolonged hip pain. I’ve been Vegan for 15 years or more and I’ve used much of the past several years reading up on Vegan philosophy as relates to peace, justice and respect. I found it to mean much more than just the diet that is its popular perception. And indeed, there is a growing international “Abolitionist” trend that acknowledges *any* animal use is exploitative and therefore unjust. The reason I thought you would/should be interested in this is that your obvious social awareness lends itself to that logical extension which includes nonhuman animals in the moral community. It’s not about the popular notion of, say, PETA “Animal Rights” <-(not) Activists throwing paint on someone's fur coat. As you said three years ago, this would clearly be a criminal act and results in no true understanding of the larger notion of our use of animals as "property" nor how unjust this notion is. As is the case with both human and nonhuman slaves, the Abolitionist approach is entirely about respect and justice. And so Veganism follows that logic as a necessary baseline—a minimum show of respect every human can easily practice in what we eat, wear, and use.

When you have a chance, please consider checking out the works of Professor Gary L. Francione at http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/. There is a vast array of information including video, an audio podcast, and several invaluable books Professor Francione wrote formulating and refining the Abolitionist theory.

Thanks for reading and take care of yourself.

I hope my letter meets with a favourable response.

Letter to a long time elephant rescue activist

Dear (activist),

I am very aware of the years of effort you have personally put into elephant protection. I have been with you in spirit for a long time, including as much letter writing and phone calling as time has permitted. But I have also spent an enormous amount of time studying Professor Gary L. Francione’s abolitionist approach to animal rights. He developed this theory over 25 years ago, while practicing animal law. He went on to be the first to teach animal rights at a US university and has written several pivotal books on abolitionist theory over the years as well. His message is one of justice and respect for all nonhumans with the main tenets being: we must reject the ‘property status’ of animals in order to abolish all animal exploitation and as such it is our moral obligation to stop eating, wearing, or otherwise using animals in any way. This, of course, makes the practice of Veganism the moral baseline of the Abolitionist Movement.

I would highly recommend reading his books. But he also has an amazing website, which hosts copious valuable audio and video content, including many interviews, as well as a huge array of highly logical and very convincing, searchable blog essays:

http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/

The reason I wanted to share this with you is because I am absolutely convinced, having watched and learned the history of circus abuses, that our efforts are nothing more than a cat and mouse *game* we play with circuses and owners like the Felds. For every one (elephant) we might save—after an eternity of torture—there are tens or hundreds more coming on stream. You may be aware already but see, for example:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_Elephant_Conservation

Today, elephants, like all animals, continue to suffer enslavement, torture, and misery at human hands in ever greater numbers largely due to public socialization to animal use as normal. This latest effort by the USDA is merely lip service to appease the “irritation” we are to them and circus operators and even zoos. I’m sure the users consider it nothing more than an expense of doing business. And you can be sure this news will be spun to persuade the public that it is now more acceptable than ever to attend animal circuses because they are USDA monitored.

I know you participate in protesting at circus venues, but I would like to invite you to consider modifying those protests to become instead a massive grassroots network of, as Gary Francione calls it, “creative non-violent Vegan education.” As I said, I would encourage you to read on the subject to familiarize yourself with the theory—Veganism is definitely not just a diet, for example—so that you will appreciate not only the futility of the present “Welfarist” path but also the enormous potential for real and lasting and instantaneous change by removing all *demand* for the products of exploitation, be that for food, clothing, experimentation, AND entertainment.

Respectfully yours,

Jeffrey

Back to School Vegan/AR Tips

In response to a recent request for suggestions for a “Back to School Vegan/AR Tips” Animal Voices radio special to be aired September 7, 2010, I offered the following comments re activism tips and “tapping into Vegan AR communities”:

I cannot suggest strongly enough the importance of identifying the real meaning of AR and Veganism if one is to represent AR correctly. By this, I mean the critical need to understand fully and embrace Abolitionist Veganism as the only meaningful and effective expression of one’s moral obligation to nonhuman animals and indeed to the cause of Animal Rights.

If an advocate learns nothing else, it is absolutely urgent and essential to not allow the New Welfarist positions of groups such as Toronto Vegetarian Association, Canadians for the Ethical Treatment of Farm Animals, Peta, HSUS, and many others to continue confusing the issue of how we use animals with the use of animals at all! These organizations DO NOT represent the Animal Rights cause. Many of them, as well as mass media, have co-opted and corrupted the term. All animal use constitutes slavery and exploitation. The Animal Rights cause stands for the recognition of nonhuman animals’ right to their own interests and freedom from human domination and exploitation. No amount of protest campaigning against suppliers or other users for “better” treatments will free animals from their enslavement. And nor will the suggestion that Vegetarianism is somehow a morally acceptable position. The only way animal exploitation will end is by removing demand for all of the products of animal use and exploitation. This happens instantly when one adopts the Vegan world view—and not just the diet—that is the unequivocal advocation of respect for nonhumans’ moral personhood.

Bottom line is, the only truly effective and productive activism is grassroots Abolitionist Vegan education. All other personal and organizational efforts fall short and are redundant as a result. As a dear Abolitionist Vegan friend recently said, “If we really respect nonhuman animals interests, we should go vegan, stay vegan and promote veganism.”

Finally the greatest resources I can recommend are the books, audio/video content, interviews, podcasts, and searchable blog essays of Professor Gary L. Francione all available at http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/

Thank you.

On Animal Political Parties

I read the Manifesto of The Netherlands’ Party for the Animals recently. Marianne Thieme’s election victory last year, I think, was certainly exciting. And I do think it is crucial to change Governments’ behaviour toward nonhumans. But what really changed? I am skeptical about the value and effectiveness of an Animal/Environmental political party that does not clearly and unequivocally promote the rejection of *all* use of any sentient being—human or nonhuman. Unfortunately, change will not come as long as voter thinking does not change. And I am convinced voter thinking will not change without widespread grassroots Vegan educational efforts. As an example, just look at the membership rolls of any large animal advocacy organization or those who vote for any Green Party candidate. The sad truth is, I suspect, very few are actually Vegan. Voters need to hear a clear and unequivocal message that rejects the use of sentient beings. In order to get elected, if a “Green” political party must water down the animal use plank in their platform so much as to assure animals will continue to be enslaved or without any mention whatsoever, then for what change do they stand? For as long as we continue to use and exploit other species, we will *without question* continue to use and exploit each other.

I have several particular objections to the approaches of Animal/Environment parties—even my Green Party of Canada, whose platform seems entirely devoted to human interests. It’s all well and good to appeal to the public to give more consideration to the “interests of animals.” The most glaring failure in the Netherlands manifesto is to have confused this message with distinctly Welfarist language like “if we deem their use as necessary” or to “use sustainably.” As Professor Gary L. Francione has argued so eloquently, the one “right” that urgently needs to be accorded to nonhumans is the right not to be *property*. This simple right addresses the injustice of the commodification of sentient beings and all the misery that goes with it. At the same time, a Vegan moral view eliminates their use to the greatest possible degree.

As with almost all animal advocacy and “environmental” organizations, the Party for Animals suggests that some use might be acceptable if the user gives a greater degree of acknowledgement of the nonhuman’s “interests”. This is an extremely contradictory message to the one of “respect” since to use anyone requires a rejection of their interests.

In the Welfarist – Abolitionist debate, all Welfarist precepts come down on the side of ‘use is permissible’. That’s what 200+ years of Welfare regulations have been about. Welfare laws have *only* resulted in increasing the efficiency of our use. They’ve done nothing to release nonhumans from our domination. The key to understanding Abolition is to recognize that use—any use—must be rejected. Use *can be* rejected. It’s as easy as going Vegan. The crucial detail which the vast majority of organizations fail to recognize is that Veganism is a primary moral obligation of us all. And that requires Vegan education. And only a Vegan electorate will bring change to Government.

Thank you for considering my observations.