Over the last year I have developed a big interest in the corporate control of our legal system. Since learning about Veggie Libel Laws in Food, Inc., and the SHAC 7 shortly after that, it has become clear to me that our lawmakers are bending to the will of corporate lobbies. Big news, right? Well, it’s worse than you may realize. Through secret posh meetings, convoluted political tactics, and the right rhetoric, corporations are bringing designer bills to congress, and getting them passed. An example of this is the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act of 2006. I see it as a frightening threat to free speech, even though the bill’s sponsors would deny that claim. The AETA updates a previous law known as the Animal Enterprise Protection Act. The scary addition (other than the big political buzzword TERRORISM right in the title), is the expanded definition of terrorism; it makes intentional “economic damage to animal enterprises” an offense that could send you to federal prison as a terrorist. I can’t break it down as well as Will Potter can, but you get a sense of how broad and vague this law is.

Mr. Potter’s book, Green is the New Red opened my eyes to this ‘Green Scare’ trend. And after reading an AP article about terrorism arrests around the world exploiting post-9/11 fears, it inspired me to write a letter to The Denver Post, where I read the article. I’m excited to see that my letter made it to print on the tenth anniversary of 9/11 because this issue needs to come to light whenever possible. Corporate influence over our lawmaking process is out of control, and we need to be aware of the consequences. The AETA may not ban peaceful protests and picketing, but it makes you think twice about it. Why should we worry about going to federal prison when we campaign against companies that profit from animal cruelty? Does that feel like free speech to you?

Hit the jump to read the full text of my letter to the Denver Post, a reader’s response, and my re-response… Read the rest of this entry →

I was a bit mentally bored this morning at my internship, so I spent about an hour writing some about my thoughts on animal ethics.  It’s nothing you haven’t heard before (especially if you’ve read Singer and others), and it was done while multi-tasking for an hour. With that in mind, please don’t judge too harshly…

To claim that the economic interest of man should always outweigh the life-preservation interest of animals is to advocate nothing more than pure selfish concern. In fact, the claim itself does nothing to resolve the moral question of animal use, nor does it even attempt to. For it equates economic freedom, a secondary interest that can only be conferred upon those already secure in their life and physical/mental pursuits, with the simplest form of liberty that all species are born holding within the natural world, a liberty of thought and movement. Modern science dictates that we consider the existence of physical, mental and emotional pain in animals (if not all of them, at least some) to be an objective truth beyond dispute. Read the rest of this entry →

I’m short on time right now, but I want to get something on our blog since I’ve seen it popping up online elsewhere the last few days. Basically, in both Florida and Iowa, big ag is working to make it illegal for anyone to document cruelty on factory farms. Not only is this a problem for activists in those two states, it’s a problem for the rest of the country. Very often, bad bills like this will be introduced in places heavily influenced by large agribusiness and then spread through copycat laws in other states once they’ve achieved their first victory.

I’ll try to post a more thoughtful explanation of the bills and how this could affect Colorado later today or tomorrow. For now though, you can check out an article here to see what’s being done.

Last year State Representative Wes McKinley introduced an “animal welfare” bill so awful that it was voted down overwhelmingly in the state house. Opposition to House Bill 1124 was nearly unanimous among local and state animal agencies, the press and the public alike. So, what would you do if you were Wes McKinley and failed once in your quest to all but end the investigation of animal cruelty in the state of Colorado? The answer, apparently, is to try again.

Representative McKinley recently introduced a new and unimproved version of last year’s bill. Here’s a brief list of three terrible things that HB-1063 would do: (you can find a more thorough list here)

• Prevent local animal control officers from investigating livestock complaints. Yes, you read that correctly. They would no longer be allowed to investigate illegal acts of cruelty to farm animals…at all.
• Prevent non-profit agencies from employing animal cruelty investigators. Zap – the folks who perform 75% of animal cruelty investigations across the state of Colorado are gone just like that.
• Shift responsibility for animal cruelty investigation away from local law enforcement and to the state Department of Agriculture. Hmm…the Ag Department, think they might be a teeny bit unconcerned with animal welfare/rights?   

Please, please, please, if you do nothing else, support the movement against this bill on Facebook and call or e-mail your representative to tell them that Coloradans refuse to let animals suffer in our state.

The bill is set to be voted on in the House Agriculture Committee next Monday, so we don’t have a lot of time. The fact that you’re reading this shows you’re someone who cares about animals. Help drown out the sound of big Ag money; it’s your voice the legislature needs to hear.

When we think about the senseless pain and suffering that animals still face every day in the factory farms, puppy mills, etc. of the world, it can be hard to realize that progress is being made. That’s why I think it’s so important to remember that the momentum is on our side.

As recently as a decade ago, the only relevant law on the books regarding farm animal treatment was a 50 year old federal law requiring that some (but not all) types of farm animals be “humanely” killed before slaughter. Pushing better animal laws through congress can be incredibly difficult, so we’re fortunate that states have begun taking control of the issue. VegNews magazine recently posted a great roundup of laws banning veal crates, gestation crates and battery cages. It’s a quick and easy read, so check it out and get yourself in the know.

Another issue that drifted along for a few years but finally seems to be picking up steam is the Animal Abuser Registry movement. The idea is simple, animal abusers pose a significant threat to the animals and people within a community. For similar reasons to those behind sex offender registries, communities would be safer if convicted animal abusers’ whereabouts were made public.  The Animal Legal Defense Fund has created an easy to sign petition that allows you to e-mail your local state representatives and let them know how important this issue is.

Sending an e-mail couldn’t be easier, and for those who have never done any direct political advocacy, it would be a nice warm up for the upcoming Humane Lobby Day. Remember, HLD is Tuesday, February 22^nd at 9:30am (Plants & Animals meetup at City ‘o City at 8:45).

For more info on HLD and other opportunities to get involved with our group, come to tonight’s P&A open volunteer meeting. I promise I’ll buy you a hot chocolate…maybe.

On February 22nd, you have a chance to participate in Humane Lobby Day. ’HLD’ is an excellent opportunity to give voice to the voiceless and make a tangible difference in animals’ lives. The HSUS (the national group responsible for organizing the event), puts it this way: 

Think only professional lobbyists can lobby? Think again! This is an exciting opportunity to meet directly with your elected officials and their staff about legislation that will significantly impact animals. There will be a briefing with tips for lobbying, and an overview of pending animal legislation which will prepare you to meet your elected officials and advocate for animals. 

We’re excited to gain some lobbying experience, network with other Colorado animal activists and force the ‘powers that be’ to actually give a damn on animal issues. The event is three weeks away, so you have no excuse not to show up. You still have time to: A-Request the day off from work, B-Trade schedules with someone if you don’t get it off, or C-Begin faking an intense flu bug so that you’re believable when you call in sick the day of the event.

We want to make a strong showing as a local, grassroots group, so Plants & Animals folks will be meeting before the event at City o’ City. Come around 8:45ish, get some coffee and vegan goodies in your belly, and then we’ll all head over to the big event together. Check out the facebook page for event details, and submit your required RSVP with the HSUS to attend.

Once again, you MUST sign up at THIS LINK RIGHT HERE THAT I’M TYPING IN ALL CAPS FOR DRAMATIC EFFECT  if you plan to attend.

Can’t wait to see you all there. Let’s get ready to make a difference!