Category Archive
The following is a list of all entries from the activism category.
Michael Vick gets away with murder–and a real man who saves lives
Straight up, I don’t really read Sports Illustrated, but CNN-SI online, in George Dohrmann’s article “The House on Moonlight Road” lays out simple, stark facts about the small black buildings in the woods behind the Vick property http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/05/29/vick0604/index.html . Behind this respectable-looking, spacious property in Smithfield, Virginia, the little black buildings, hardly visible in the daytime among the trees, wouldn’t have been noticed at all at night. There, Michael Vick either ran or supported what I would call a torture chamber where sentient, sensitive creatures were bled and injured and murdered for men’s enjoyment, their “sport.” The article is far more objective than I am. It quotes not only investigating officer Kathy Strouse, but athletes, NFL officials, and HSUS authorities. The latter, interestingly, admit that well before Kathy Strouse went to Moonlight Road they knew that both the NFL and NBA harbor many more such murderers; one sports figure, who insists his pit bull dog is a “pet,” nevertheless affirms his understanding that sooner or later, hey, a guy’s just gonna wanna know how tough is dog is. So, in the scenario that was repeated hundreds upon hundred of times on Vick’s property and others, he’ll force her to fight until she kills another dog or is torn and damaged to the point where the “guy’s” part of the drama is clear: no, he won’t get her to an emergency hospital! He’ll kill her, of course, as cruelly as possible, to distance himself from her “weakness.” This article is not sensationalistic or exploitive, and author George Dohrmann is to be strongly commended for that clarity, and especially for having the guts to include words and actions from a true real-life hero, the animal control officer Kathy Strouse. A member of the Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force, it was Strouse’s deductions which put the evidence into perspective, deductions based on observations over 22 years as an officer, expert witness, and teacher of animal officers throughout the country. Her knowledge made crystal clear what so many would love to call murky, controversial, confusing. Confusion is so convenient at times–the forces of oppression and cruelty, and their sympathizers in the media, love to find reasons for it.
Kathy Strouse isn’t the only hero I’d like to focus on, however. I know how often we’re importuned by causes seeking our support, petitions to be signed that get buried in the incoming junk mail or forgotten in the rush to work, to do the laundry, change the baby, write that letter, all the rush of our wonderful messy lives. But to wash the evil taste of fear and death away, please take a look at Eric Ardia of Smilin’ Pitbull Rescue (www.spbr.org/ ) . Eric has been doing what he does–rescuing, transporting, fostering, caring for, these loyal, silly, loving high-personality dogs, and the huge huge invisible work of organizing that includes so many phone calls, introductions, connections, lists and time–for eight years, and his site explains why it honors his late sister, an environmentalist and educator. Look at the glow in those big ol’ pitbull faces when they know they are loved and wanted! The goofy antics of one of his rescues, Precious! And see Mighty, the vulnerable little pup that almost didn’t make it, as he gains strength and spirit. And then click on Smilin’ Pitbull Rescue’s laconically-named “Anti-Vick” button. If you can donate, or buy a t-shirt, or tell people about this site, please do it. But it’s so easy to add your name to the petitions. I’ve shared that mushy-mush picture of a “real man”–in the very best sense it can be–huggin’ his pittie with loads of folks today.
Because the most Michael Vick can be punished at this writing is five years in jail. That’s what I mean by getting away with murder. And unless he’s banned from US football, a pro team will hire him, my football experts tell me–he’ll have won on both fronts and the world will be that much safer for cruelty and callousness. Eric Ardia sets a counter example, of honor, of love, and of hard work. That’s the kind of guy I want my son and my friends’ sons to look up to.
a yam by any other name
Ex-gf was lunching w her top-attorney-in-all-the-land-in-her-specialty Mentor. Ms. Mentor is bemoaning the lack of quality help compared to way back when ex-gf was her law clerk.
Mentor: They give me people like “Bob” [probably not his real name]. He’s already bilged outta two other practice groups! Then they sent him to a satellite office. And the satellite office sent him back! Oy. I mean, he’s a sweet guy–”
Spouse: Hmm, when I was a wee lass, saying “sweet guy” in that tone was my Daddy’s way of intimating “dumb as a yam.”
Mentor: Ahh, but don’t insult the yams. They have growth potential!
So Don’t Insult the Yams.
Stuff unsupportive of cruelty
1. http://www.caringconsumer.com/
2. PETA’s downloadable catalog of cruelty-free companes: http://www.petacatalog.org.
If you needed any more reasons to love Hayden-Harnett…
Just got their email saying they’re stepping up their whimsical-in-name, serious-in-results “Friends of Al” project, offering anyone who buys their Friend of Al shopping tote 20% off the rest of their order. In addition, out of the very reasonable $55 price for the sturdy and pretty tote, $25 goes to organizations fighting global warming–plus, our Hayden-
Harnett friends will plant ten trees. Well, bravo again, Toni and Ben–not only for creating your line of gorgeous, timeless, beautifully well-made, imaginative, and did I mention gorgeous, bags, but also for making them in such beautiful colors, and even more for using real girls as your models, featuring Py the Cat on your website, taking dreamlike pictures and sharing them, and now, supporting one of the most serious concerns facing the planet.
And, dear readers, even if you don’t share my purse passion, my bag besottedness, Hayden-Harnett make a lot of other cool stuff (e.g., clothing, jewelry, wallets, eyeglass cases) as well, and you shop–everybody has to shop–so use their birdy-dreamish green and natural canvas bag instead of paper, or plastic. http://haydenharnett.com/news/friendsofal.html
Angela Bocage 