Vegans. Eggs and Chicks Poster.

I reckon men who are vegans can have a field day with this poster, but it will be one of those unsubstantiated claims reminiscent of PETA's ad about vegetarians having better sex. But, in reality, this poster reminds us that they are chicks behind those boiled or fried eggs. And for those who can't make this equation, remember that a diet heavy with eggs could translate into arteries with plaque. As a vegetarian, I consider myself a lumpen vegan, short two yards of the required ten. I still wear leather shoes and a leather belt although they are holdouts from the past, just like my leather jacket which I refuse to wear anymore. And my expensive leather portfolio? That one is in the closet, replaced by a nylon shoulder bag. Look closer and we will find an abundance of animal products in our daily lives.

Birthday Wishes. Mom at 76. Thanks to you.

Mom celebrated her 76th birthday yesterday with a Sydney Harbor cruise so graciously provided for by my sister. I heard they had a grand time, and this photo was taken during the cruise. Mom spent most of her life in the Philippines including four years of WW2, and her retirement years in and around Sydney, Australia. She's a proud and grateful Aussie alright, just like my Dad when he was still alive. She's very independent and strong-minded and even at 76 Mom is still full of spunk. Last year, she ran for President of her local senior citizens organization and lost by 12 votes. I heard that it was a tough campaign, but Mom slugged it out with all who meant to besmirch her reputation. She hasn't said so, but she will run again.

From my Mom and Dad, I learned never to hurt an animal. As a young boy, I manage to convince my Dad to get me a Co2 powered BB rifle. Nothing wrong with shooting tin cans. Naturally, birds became my targets. When I showed my Mom a little bird I just shot, she threw a fit and scolded me to no end. Mom was truly upset. On demand, I gave up the rifle and from then on never bothered any animals nor insects again. Happy Birthday, Mom!

Thanksgiving. 2009. Not for Some Animals.

It's going to be the day to give thanks very soon, but not for some beings. Their slaughter, unfortunately, is a requisite for many families in America, turning the hapless turkey into the centerpiece of their thanks-giving. I remember as late as the 1970s when some of my friends and acquaintances frowned at my idea of doing a Thanksgiving dinner without the turkey. I wasn't into animal welfare yet at that time. True to my iconoclastic nature, I just thought that the tradition was to give thanks, and not the turkey on the table. So, my family had many Thanksgiving dinners/lunches without the turkey while my so-called friends accused me on trashing a cherished tradition and setting a bad example and a terrible precedent for my then young son. Well, if one is comfortable with a tradition and it fits well into his/her personal philosophy, then so be it and be happy with it. However, there are no limits on tradition and new traditions are born all the time.

As for those Thanksgiving dinners of the past, my family opted to served some Filipino dishes at home, sometimes partaking in a Japanese buffet or some Italian cuisine minus the yams, the cranberry sauce, and the bird. All these done in the spirit of giving thanks for the good life we have enjoyed so far. Let there be no one to accuse me of being a lesser American because I chose to give thanks in a non-traditional way. America culture is ever-changing because her demographics are ever-changing. Diversity is our strength, and not our liability. Since I became an animal rights proponent, it has become even clearer how absurd some traditions are...

Poster. Animals Have Rights. Animal Liberation Front.

Fur-Free Friday. Demos. Manhattan & Red Bank. 2009.

It's Friday again! Well, not today, really, but next week, it's Fur-Free Friday. The annual demo takes place at Lord & Taylor on 38th and Fifth and then marching over to Macy's on 34th is the big event. Fur-Free Friday is observed not only in New York City. Check your local listings, my fellow animal lovers, at Fur Free Friday

The specifics for Manhattan:

11/27/09 – FUR FREE FRIDAY –
Meet at Lord & Taylor 424 5th Ave by 38th Street 1:00 – 1:15
March to Macy's 151 West 34th Street between 7th & Broadway
Protest starts at 1:30 and goes to 3:00pm
This year is the 1st Annual FFF Costume Contest
Come Dressed As Your FAVORITE Fur Covered Animal
We know, it's hard to choose!

And then, there is a gathering of animal rights proponents in Red Bank, New Jersey on Saturday, Nov. 28th, to protest at Winter Furs at 43 Monmouth Street. That's going to be between 1 and 4 pm. Activists are invited to gather from 12pm in the Municipal Lots near and around Wallace Street for discussion and review codes of conduct. Then, the group will walk over together at 12:50pm - No payment needed for municipal parking on weekends. Contact: Anthony at (732)-693-9044 for more info.

Europe. Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus. Rejected By Germany and Spain.

No rest for the cruel, and bad news travels fast. Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus has taken their act to a place where they have never been before---Europe. It might look like their expanding their horizons, but I've got this feeling that they are actually looking for new markets to peddle their scandal-ridden show. With more and more Americans getting educated about the cruelty behind circuses that use captive, performing animals, Ringling Bros., must have decided to do an exploratory tour of Europe and gauge its potential. Well, the circus is there now and we've learned that Ringling has recently canceled their plans in Germany. They might veil this cancellation in so many different terms, but it is a cancellation nevertheless. No interest, no market potential, and the Germans are simply not going to be entertained by captive animals performing unnatural acts. What did Ringling think? That Europeans are as gullible as we are?

But wait. There's more. With Spain in their cross hairs, Ringling hoped for a better reception there. But again, Ringling was forced to call off its visit to Valencia, Spain. All dressed up and no place to go. Well, they can return home to the United States where the federal case against them is still in the judge's hands. That case is about violating the Endangered Species Act by chaining and beating the Asian elephants. If the decision comes down on the side of the plaintiffs, Barnum must give up their bullhooks and their chains, and their unventilated boxcars and so on. It's like being strong-armed into a certain level of humanity.

Don't Kill Me. 50 Billion Animals Killed Each Year. Go Meatless.

50 billion pleas for mercy are ignored every year

50 billion animals suffer for meat, milk and eggs. They are cruelly confined, mutilated, burned, condemned to a life of degradation, loneliness, pain, and terror of slaughter. Most spend their lives unable to turn around or spread their wings. Most never see the sun. Most never leave their cages except to die.

GoVeganNow.com

Kentucky. Owingsville. Golden Retriever. Dusty. Justice Sought.

That's Dusty hanging by his neck in the photo. Who hanged him? His owner, Wesley Barrett of 478 Peeled Oak Road, telephone 606-674-3193, claimed that Dusty was shot by a neighbor and he hung Dusty's body as a message to his neighbor. What? Already, this story doesn't make any sense. Why treat your beloved pet's body in such a manner just to send a message to a neighbor who shot it? Something isn't right here. But when the authorities met with Mr. Barrett, he couldn't name the neighbor and therefore he couldn't press charges. To compound the situation, the authorities decided not to press charges against Mr. Barrett, and let the case go cold. Not just yet, said Slyvia's Animal Sanctuary, Inc. Someone is responsible for this animal cruelty, and they are asking for signatures to send to the Governor of Kentucky and other elected officials to take action. Please go to the website below and sign the petition. It only takes for good people to do nothing for evil to triump in our world. Take action. God Bless.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/149/justice-for-dusty