Thanks to Zazu for sending me this!
Tuesday, July 8
Monday, July 7
My two cents...
I just read an article that told of how some extreme animal rights groups have been using violent means of activism against professors and scientists who conduct tests on animals.
A long time animal rights supporter myself, I often speak out about the horrors that go on in the name of research and education. I've written letters, spoken to people face-to-face, posted here of what's going on, heck, my mother and I even went to Washington DC and participated in an animal rights march! These tests are not necessary as there are other means of research. The barbaric things that are done to cats, dogs, mice, monkeys and other animals in the name of science are sickening and must be stopped.
HOWEVER
I believe that using force against these scientists isn't helpful.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was an advocate for change through civil disobedience and other non-violent means. He was able to do wonders for this country in the area of civil rights because of his beliefs that violence doesn't pay.
Groups who use violence to get their point across aren't doing that. True they may get a handful of people to stop what they're doing, however, they also loose credibility and are dubbed "wackos" and other names for their scare tactics. And other scientists are able to continue.
Now, don't get me wrong. I would LOVE for the scientists who do these barbaric tests to have the same tests done on them. I'd love it. Wouldn't want to see it, but I'd love for it to be done to them. Or worse. However, violence doesn't pay.
Instead, people should hold rallies and protests. If they go to the homes of these scientists (as the article pointed out), then stand outside with signs and use the public areas (streets and sidewalks) to make a point. Yell through a bull-horn, post fliers and signs. But don't invade the homes of these people by throwing items. Don't paint their houses and use violent confrontations. That does no one any good and gets the protesters put in jail.
I'm all for stopping these experiments! I'm all for making people pay for their atrocities. But do it in a way that will get the point across and do it in a way that won't make things worse!
A long time animal rights supporter myself, I often speak out about the horrors that go on in the name of research and education. I've written letters, spoken to people face-to-face, posted here of what's going on, heck, my mother and I even went to Washington DC and participated in an animal rights march! These tests are not necessary as there are other means of research. The barbaric things that are done to cats, dogs, mice, monkeys and other animals in the name of science are sickening and must be stopped.
HOWEVER
I believe that using force against these scientists isn't helpful.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was an advocate for change through civil disobedience and other non-violent means. He was able to do wonders for this country in the area of civil rights because of his beliefs that violence doesn't pay.
Groups who use violence to get their point across aren't doing that. True they may get a handful of people to stop what they're doing, however, they also loose credibility and are dubbed "wackos" and other names for their scare tactics. And other scientists are able to continue.
Now, don't get me wrong. I would LOVE for the scientists who do these barbaric tests to have the same tests done on them. I'd love it. Wouldn't want to see it, but I'd love for it to be done to them. Or worse. However, violence doesn't pay.
Instead, people should hold rallies and protests. If they go to the homes of these scientists (as the article pointed out), then stand outside with signs and use the public areas (streets and sidewalks) to make a point. Yell through a bull-horn, post fliers and signs. But don't invade the homes of these people by throwing items. Don't paint their houses and use violent confrontations. That does no one any good and gets the protesters put in jail.
I'm all for stopping these experiments! I'm all for making people pay for their atrocities. But do it in a way that will get the point across and do it in a way that won't make things worse!
Thursday, July 3
Happy Birthday...
...to our country!
Tomorrow, our country will celebrate Independence Day. Not to be all mushy and reminiscent and such, but I do think this is an opportunity to remind people that this year we have a historic situation in our country and now is the time to be part of history.
Whether you support Barack Obama or John McCain or whatever other independent presidential candidates might join the race in the next few months, I truly believe that everyone in this country should participate in November's presidential election. Take an active part in the direction this country will take in the future... It doesn't take long to vote and registering to vote (if you're not already) is easy as (apple?) pie!
A lot of people say that they don't like any candidates, and so therefore, they don't vote. To that I say that it is everyone's responsibility to do the research and see where candidates stand on issues that are important to them and then pick whomever is closest to their beliefs.
Often people don't like the direction the country is going in morally or economically or with our policies, but then they don't vote. One huge way normal citizens can have a say in how things go is by voting! Even if your candidate doesn't win, at least you had your say and your voice was counted. Otherwise, what did our forefathers fight for? What did the men in the revolution fight for if our own citizens won't speak out? Why did women and other minorities fight for the right to vote if their descendants (US) don't vote?
Tomorrow our country celebrates it's 232nd birthday. Maybe that should be a time for more than just parades, fireworks, and bbq's. It should also be a time for us to look at what our forefathers fought for and take a stand and decide to VOTE!
Happy 4th of July everyone!!
Tomorrow, our country will celebrate Independence Day. Not to be all mushy and reminiscent and such, but I do think this is an opportunity to remind people that this year we have a historic situation in our country and now is the time to be part of history.
Whether you support Barack Obama or John McCain or whatever other independent presidential candidates might join the race in the next few months, I truly believe that everyone in this country should participate in November's presidential election. Take an active part in the direction this country will take in the future... It doesn't take long to vote and registering to vote (if you're not already) is easy as (apple?) pie!
A lot of people say that they don't like any candidates, and so therefore, they don't vote. To that I say that it is everyone's responsibility to do the research and see where candidates stand on issues that are important to them and then pick whomever is closest to their beliefs.
Often people don't like the direction the country is going in morally or economically or with our policies, but then they don't vote. One huge way normal citizens can have a say in how things go is by voting! Even if your candidate doesn't win, at least you had your say and your voice was counted. Otherwise, what did our forefathers fight for? What did the men in the revolution fight for if our own citizens won't speak out? Why did women and other minorities fight for the right to vote if their descendants (US) don't vote?
Tomorrow our country celebrates it's 232nd birthday. Maybe that should be a time for more than just parades, fireworks, and bbq's. It should also be a time for us to look at what our forefathers fought for and take a stand and decide to VOTE!
Happy 4th of July everyone!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)