- June 23, 2007 • 12:39 am PDT
- + responses
by Stephan D. Leuenberger
People often ask me, "Stephan, why are you so passionate about animal rights and political issues like that?" Well, the short answer is -- shouldn't we all be? I've come to believe, however, that people don't bother with politics because it isn't an issue until it personally affects them, right? I'm curious -- why are those of us who care or show concern for animals and the earth often seen as wimps, extremists, or tree-huggers? There is nothing extreme about being appalled at heinous and surprisingly lawful crimes being committed daily in our country, is there?
When I see an injured animal, I have a natural and primitive instinct to help it. When I see a documentary where animals are being murdered for food and clothing, that same primitive instinct kicks in. However, in the latter scenario, the only immediate help I can provide suffering animals is to remove them from my diet! I am not permitted to storm into a meat packing house and close it down -- only allowing them to reopen once they've changed their practices. I am not allowed to implement pro-animal laws. My next instinct then, after becoming a staunch vegetarian and animal rights activist, is to get politically involved in order to bring about legislation and help popularize the issue of animal cruelty in our country. But -- this is only the meat industry! My mentality, and this thought process, pans across the board in much the same way with my regard to the environment, foreign policy, and individual rights, for example.
I see corruption and undeniable evidence that should make any empathetic human being yearn for revolution. Yet, we are a nation so incredibly numb, apathetic, and uninformed, lacking even the remote interest to research the truth on our own -- and that saddens me. We choose to ignore what happens behind meat-packing walls (the same way Germans ignored what happened when the Jews were taken by train during Nazi Germany) as to not ruin our meal.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world." I mention Gandhi's quote because in my opinion, it is the most accurate description of why I am concerned and so outspoken -- it sums up why I stand up and say, "No, this is unacceptable." I'm often puzzled as to why the reality of the meat industry for example affects me more deeply than my friends. Why am I far more concerned and charged to change and do something about it? Is my reaction normal or is the reaction of others simply lackluster?
Americans have long accepted political corruption as being inevitable. We try so hard to shove democracy down the throats of other nations yet we forget what democracy means within our very own country. Have you ever heard a friend say, "Damn politicians -- they're all corrupt" and then see them do nothing about it? I know a lot of us share feelings of hopelessness in a sense, at least those of us who are aware of the gross violations happening in the United States. It is important for those who choose to ignore reality and truth that they understand this -- turning a blind eye to corruption only allows the corruption to continue. I cannot sit here and accept it as an inevitability. This is not the kind of world I want to live in, so if it means that I have to raise my voice and plead for justice, then so be it.
I was deeply inspired and empowered by a documentary called "Earthlings." It addresses humankind's "absolute economic dependence on animals" (www.isawearthlings.com). I was equally moved by "The Future of Food," an essential documentary worth Googling for free. Once you understand the current condition of our food, you will more sincerely value what you choose to eat. "An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore is another powerful film. Even if you disagree with the theory that humans are responsible for global warming, the documentary reminds us that we are in fact polluting the earth to the point where our water and air is no longer pure. Whether or not you agree or disagree with the official 9/11 story, "Loose Change" will at least get you to ask questions (also available on Google for free). Of all the documentaries I'm recommending, "Terror Storm" tops the list. Please, if you ignore all the films already mentioned -- make "Terror Storm" the priority.
Pacifist Cindy Sheehan posted a blog in May of 2007 where she brilliantly stated that we care more about who will be the next American Idol than how many more American soldiers are going to die.
The time is now -- I thank you.
(*I must stress, however, that I am not against eating meat -- in fact I actually quite like the taste of it. I'm against the industry, the method so to speak, thus must stop supporting it. Every time I buy a piece of meat, chicken, or fish, I am supporting the business of animal torture, no?)
People often ask me, "Stephan, why are you so passionate about animal rights and political issues like that?" Well, the short answer is -- shouldn't we all be? I've come to believe, however, that people don't bother with politics because it isn't an issue until it personally affects them, right? I'm curious -- why are those of us who care or show concern for animals and the earth often seen as wimps, extremists, or tree-huggers? There is nothing extreme about being appalled at heinous and surprisingly lawful crimes being committed daily in our country, is there?
When I see an injured animal, I have a natural and primitive instinct to help it. When I see a documentary where animals are being murdered for food and clothing, that same primitive instinct kicks in. However, in the latter scenario, the only immediate help I can provide suffering animals is to remove them from my diet! I am not permitted to storm into a meat packing house and close it down -- only allowing them to reopen once they've changed their practices. I am not allowed to implement pro-animal laws. My next instinct then, after becoming a staunch vegetarian and animal rights activist, is to get politically involved in order to bring about legislation and help popularize the issue of animal cruelty in our country. But -- this is only the meat industry! My mentality, and this thought process, pans across the board in much the same way with my regard to the environment, foreign policy, and individual rights, for example.
I see corruption and undeniable evidence that should make any empathetic human being yearn for revolution. Yet, we are a nation so incredibly numb, apathetic, and uninformed, lacking even the remote interest to research the truth on our own -- and that saddens me. We choose to ignore what happens behind meat-packing walls (the same way Germans ignored what happened when the Jews were taken by train during Nazi Germany) as to not ruin our meal.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world." I mention Gandhi's quote because in my opinion, it is the most accurate description of why I am concerned and so outspoken -- it sums up why I stand up and say, "No, this is unacceptable." I'm often puzzled as to why the reality of the meat industry for example affects me more deeply than my friends. Why am I far more concerned and charged to change and do something about it? Is my reaction normal or is the reaction of others simply lackluster?
Americans have long accepted political corruption as being inevitable. We try so hard to shove democracy down the throats of other nations yet we forget what democracy means within our very own country. Have you ever heard a friend say, "Damn politicians -- they're all corrupt" and then see them do nothing about it? I know a lot of us share feelings of hopelessness in a sense, at least those of us who are aware of the gross violations happening in the United States. It is important for those who choose to ignore reality and truth that they understand this -- turning a blind eye to corruption only allows the corruption to continue. I cannot sit here and accept it as an inevitability. This is not the kind of world I want to live in, so if it means that I have to raise my voice and plead for justice, then so be it.
I was deeply inspired and empowered by a documentary called "Earthlings." It addresses humankind's "absolute economic dependence on animals" (www.isawearthlings.com). I was equally moved by "The Future of Food," an essential documentary worth Googling for free. Once you understand the current condition of our food, you will more sincerely value what you choose to eat. "An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore is another powerful film. Even if you disagree with the theory that humans are responsible for global warming, the documentary reminds us that we are in fact polluting the earth to the point where our water and air is no longer pure. Whether or not you agree or disagree with the official 9/11 story, "Loose Change" will at least get you to ask questions (also available on Google for free). Of all the documentaries I'm recommending, "Terror Storm" tops the list. Please, if you ignore all the films already mentioned -- make "Terror Storm" the priority.
Pacifist Cindy Sheehan posted a blog in May of 2007 where she brilliantly stated that we care more about who will be the next American Idol than how many more American soldiers are going to die.
The time is now -- I thank you.
(*I must stress, however, that I am not against eating meat -- in fact I actually quite like the taste of it. I'm against the industry, the method so to speak, thus must stop supporting it. Every time I buy a piece of meat, chicken, or fish, I am supporting the business of animal torture, no?)
.JPG)
