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Have 'Animal Rights' gone too far?

Results so far:

No		58%	913 votes	Total: 1577 votes
Yes		42%	664 votes	Total: 1577 votes

No

1 of 73

In every Movement that involves individuals, or groups of people who are extremely passionate about a cause, there will always be random acts which will raise the question of "has this gone too far?"-I think those of us who are involved in the struggle for "Animal Rights" can clearly see we have a long way to go, which may even require an acceleration of activity, far beyond what we are seeing now.

As our technology advances, and more and more video footage is made available to the public, we are more aware than ever of the many atrocities our planet's animals face. How can ANYONE watch video-footage of a terrified, fleeing Wolf, who scrambles and stumbles across ice-followed by more footage of a small air-craft proudly displaying the severed paw of this Wolf on it's runners, and not feel some amount of violent rage rise in their souls? How can anyone not feel the fear of that Wolf, and how can ANYONE not want to do something to put a stop to this type of activity? The power of the Internet is strong, and the "End Animal Cruelty "petitions are endless, but there are those who are not content to sit at a computer for hours, signing petitions...those people are the ones who you will find on the front-lines taping the video footage of that frantic Arctic Wolf...or perhaps you might find them in a small boat, ready to crawl aboard a whaling-ship. A growing awareness is bound to breed rage and frustration as more and more of these atrocities towards animals are brought to us in living color. It amazes me that we don't see more 'random' acts, which would lift a critical brow.

Once upon a time, it was easy to ignore the laboratory experiments, and nobody questioned what happened to all the dogs who were missing from the local Pound. Those days are gone, and in their place are the sentries who stand watch over the Voiceless. Those numbers are in need of expansion, since the greedy needs of the world are also expanding at an incredible rate.

People who care passionately about animals come in all shapes and sizes, and not all of them share the same views. And, I have to admit that there are some Crazies out there who have WAY too much time on their hands...this combination is dangerous. But when looking at the opposition...those who abuse and exploit animals...we could concievably be looking at entire government-bodies with influential, pistol-packin' Momma's leading the charge. There are massive organizations (NAIA, being only one) who's main purpose is to preserve THEIR "right" to continue in the ownership, saughter and exploitation of innocent animals. Who-ever said "all is fair, in love and war" might just as well have been speaking in terms of this on-going battle between Animal Rights Activists, and those who are opposed to allowing animals their basic Protection rights.

As I mentioned above...not all Animals Rights Activists/Advocates share the same views, and here we might find that these differences may even turn them against each other. There are those who have a strong belief that dogs or cats should not be kept as pets...that they are better off dead. In a well known case against one of our most prominent National Animal Protection Organizations...it came to light that there were actual cases of deceit to procure animals from shelters, only to be killed and thrown into dumpsters...to spare them from that "fate worse than death": To me-this is an abominable, immoral act worthy of the stiffest penalties allowable in a court of law. To me-these people give the entire Animal Rights Movement a black-eye. But those people are far and few between. Other Activists protest outside Circuses. I never gave a second thought to what goes on behind the colorful tents, as a child. There are others who believe it is insanely cruel to dress up a dog for Halloween and might even get verbally abusive. I never gave it a second thought. I do give it a second, and even a third thought now (before I go ahead and dress my dog up for Halloween).. In some people's eyes...I may be just as cruel as the dumpster-thugs. Who actually knows where to draw the line, when applying "they've gone too far" to Animal Rights. I know that most of us have an intrinsic knowledge of what is morally right and wrong, but cultures are different, and even the attitudes of individuals vary from one house to the next...one moment to the next.

I find myself on the front-lines a lot, fighting for the rights of shelter animals, yet I am not a Vegan or Vegetarian like so many of my friends and acquaintances are. I believe I am evolving in that direction, the more I am exposed to the truth. The truth is becoming harder to avoid...it's not as easy to turn a blind-eye to how that steak ended up on my plate, like it used to be. It's hard to ignore what is being broadcast in living color anymore. It's hard not to feel the pain and subsequent anger when you've looked an animal in the eye, right before his untimely and cruel death. I'm now of the belief that it's extremely important to educate the world, through the most visual ways possible, just exactly what does go on behind those colorful tents, and those laboratory doors, and especially the processing plants.

I am extremely opposed to violence when it comes to getting a message across, and there are small off-shoot groups of extremely radical people who are bent on using violent tactics to pass their message along. I will not blame the entire Animal Rights Movement, and ignore all of the good that has come from it , for these few random acts of stupidity. The Animal Rights Movement is only now picking up the momentum needed to off-set a small fraction of the grievous outrages we've placed upon the animals of our desensitized and greed-motivated planet. I hope it continues to grow in proportion and strength. Some day...it may even help me through my own evolutionary process-help me to become the compassionate person I wish I already were. The person who reveres all forms of life, and who would be willing to stand on the front-lines, ready to do most anything to help protect and preserve the future of all animal-kind.

Learn more about this author, Robin Loving.
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Yes

1 of 50

by Web Rydr

One of our "divine rights" is "dominion over the animals." Given to us by God as one of our duties. We are responsible for the animals of the field, the water and the air. How they are treated reflects directly on us...the human race.

Animal rights ACTIVISTS have gone too far, not so for animal rights. Shouldn't even be a debate. We are supposed to utilize the resources given to us, including animals. However, we are supposed to do so humanely, with an eye towards the future, meaning conservation, replenishing populations, protecting, caring for and yes...loving them.

However, activists for animal rights have taken this to the extreme. Why? Well, comes down to the economics. ALWAYS comes down to the money. Keeping animals for profit means cutting expenses to maximize profits. That means diminished welfare for the animals, cruel conditions, inhumane treatment, sadistic slaughter and all the rest that activists are right about.

But, it doesn't mean I have to wear cloth shoes, eat only vegetables, cinch up my pants with rope or scream incoherently at someone wearing leather pants or...God forbid...a FUR coat!

There will always be abuses of animals. What we really need are laws with teeth to punish those who do take advantage of the "dominion" I mentioned. Of course, more humane treatment means higher prices for everything. More for a dozen eggs, more for the boneless chicken breast, more for the T-bone steak, and so on. Until and unless we are willing to pay more, and for as long as we scream for LOWER prices, the abuses will continue.

Then, there's the REAL abuse. House full of a hundred dead and dying cats. Dogs forever ruined because all they've known is fighting for their very survival. The abandoned, unwanted, uncared for and excess animals will always be with us. But what is the penalty for abusing an animal? A fine? Probation? For the worst offenders, a few months in jail?

That is not a true deterrant, and until there is a TRUE deterrant, such as YEARS in prison, seizure of property and resources, and enough social stigma to shame those who do shameful things to animals, it's not going to change.

Activists, as is usually the case with those who ABSOLUTELY feel they're right, are a reactionary bunch, capable of violence, while decrying violence done. They become more of a problem than their activism because they want everyone to believe, to accept, to conform, to do it THEIR way. Never gonna happen, so there'll always be activists, causes to be active about and those on the other side, perhaps laughing at their naivette, with the activists believing they can actually change people and their opinions.

Animal rights is one of the great "lost causes" of today's world, believing that people's minds can be changed.

Just ain't gonna happen. Not in our lifetimes, anyway.

Learn more about this author, Web Rydr.
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