Animal Liberation Front - Good or Bad?

Like it or not, the Animal Liberation Front is an organization that every vegan should know something about. Why? Because, as vegans we obviously care about the well-being of all living beings and that is simply what the ALF is all about.

Despite the scary, terrorist-like name, the ALF believes in the well-being of ALL living beings, including humans. They are a movement based on non-violence. Therefore, any action taken on behalf of the ALF has to be done without harm to human life as well as animal life. For example, freeing test animals from a lab then blowing up that lab while the human staff are still there would be a no-no!

The ALF is a movement without formal leadership or membership. If you care for animals and do what you can to ensure all animals are treated well, then you basically may consider yourself a member of ALF, if it so suits you.

Do visit the ALF website. There is a lot of reading material and most of it is based in the real world. There is some fairly radical stuff, as well, like how to get an attorney and what your rights are when you get arrested for freeing animals or protesting or committing some other crime in the name of freedom.

What gives ALF credibility is the fact that they really aren't extremists. Common sense is preached. Is there a point to freeing livestock from a farm when the animals can't be cared for and the farmer is just going to restock anyway? The best thing to do in that situation is to promote a vegan lifestyle and simply take the market away from the farmer so he stops breeding animals for slaughter.

Like PETA, you may not agree with all ALF has to offer and that is your right as a human being. Like PETA, ALF is a great resource of valuable information.

Figure Skater Needs Dead Animal Fur To Win Gold

I was going to write a nasty post about American figure skater, Johnny Weir. Earlier in the day, Johnny basically said that a little animal fur here and there didn't matter when there were so many humans dying in the world.

He has changed his mind after receiving international media pressure. Read the latest story here. He will wear 'faux fur' on his costume. But, he admits that he made the change so that 'some silly costume' wouldn't affect his training for the Olympic games. He stresses that animal rights activists have not won and that he still would rather be wearing his pretty fur outfit.

Long a target of PETA and other animal rights groups for his fashion sense, Mr. Weir just won't back down from what he believes in. You know, Johnny, it is a sport that you're competing in and not a fashion show. Just be a great figure skater and you won't have to worry about how much of a circus act you're being.

Well, Johnny Weir, you've made my burn-in-hell list and you're right next to the Montreal Canadiens (click on the team name to find out why they've made the list). May you fall on your pretty face.

Also in the news...

Dog fighting has made a comeback in Afghanistan. Hurray! The human killing is down so the bloodshed must come from another source. Why not the age-old pastime of dog fighting? Read all the good news here.


I've been pretty cranky lately and this activist alter-ego seems to be slipping out. I'm off to Cleveland, Ohio for a four day weekend and plan to visit some of the city's finer vegan restaurants. I promise not to be such a grump for the next post!

Eating Still Living Animals Is Funny And Cool

I don’t believe I’m racist and I try to see each citizen of our world as a unique individual. However, I am constantly reminded of all the terrible things the people of China do to animals and I can’t help but condemn a people as a whole.

I’m sure that not all people from China believe that killing an animal for just its fin, or paw, or internal organs is a justified act that will make them more viral, strong and powerful. But, the numbers are there. The world focuses on the human rights issues in the most populous country in the world. Why do the world’s mega-powers seem to cover their eyes and plug their ears whenever the eating of live monkey brains or skinning animals live for their furs is mentioned?

The film that has been making its rounds among the animal lovers and vegans throughout the world is a short video of people from China enjoying a lovely meal of still living fish. This is quite simply disgusting. Yet, just like the over-hunting of sharks simply for a small fraction of their body that will make a Chinese man’s penis larger, or something to that effect, the world ignores the atrocities.

It’s all about money. The west wants China’s money and they’ll throw morals and beliefs out the door to get it. Isn’t that what the world is all about, though? Isn’t that why North Americans are dying, fighting a war in the middle east that doesn’t really exist while people in Africa are killed off in masses and left to starve to death on their own?

What would you do if you walked in on people feeding on a living, breathing being? Would you pretend it wasn’t happening? Would you walk away believing ‘out of sight, out of mind’? Would you resort to violence against the ones committing the crime? Would you speak your mind, knowing that your opinion will be met with ridicule?

The way I see it, there are two viable options out of those I gave. You need to take action. You have a responsibility as a human being and as a vegan. You could resort to violence and give the human monsters a taste of their own medicine. You would be no better off than those people by doing this, though.

Ghandi promoted non-violence. This doesn’t mean that Ghandi was a pussy. He fought for everything he believed in, in every possible way except for resorting to violence. Which leaves the only choice being to walk right up to anyway committing atrocities to innocent animals and boldly tell them that what they are doing is flat out wrong.

The video is attached. It is your choice to watch it or not. I believe people need to see that the human race still has a long way to go before becoming civilized.



Check out these other great posts:

Meatless Chicken Breast - Vegan Sellout?
Peta Is Too Darn Extreme
Humans Were Meant To Eat Meat

Global Warming Ad / Pet Rescue Fund-Raising / Challenge Update

First off, the following video is making the news from the UK. People are complaining that it is too scary. Yes, reality is scary. Unfortunately, they address the cause of global warming as using too much to heat our homes and driving our cars too much. When will the issue of animal farming being one of the major causes of global warming ever be accepted?

And next...

I have heard from a reliable source that this website is legit. Give them your clicks and they will provide food for animals in shelters. According to their website, response has been very positive.

And lastly...

A little more red on my Orangeville map:

Here are the previous updates to my running challenge:

October 31
October 29
October 27
Initial Challenge Post

Animal Sacrifices for World Cup 2010????

I've just read some disturbing news that seems to be making its way onto the internet. The South Africans plan to hold an animal sacrifice ritual at each of the ten stadiums that will play host the the 2010 World Cup of Soccer. I don't see anything on PETA's site about this but I'm sure that a response is not that far off.
These sacrifices are in the name of Native traditions and have been, for the most part, shrugged off my the media as some exotic ceremony that the rest of the world has no business stopping.
I'm a huge World Cup fan, but I can't support something like this. I'm hoping that outside pressure will stop this from happening.
Get the gory details here:
http://fourfourtwo.com/news/worldcup2010/40590/default.aspx
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/091023/odds/odd_us_world_rituals
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/280943

How PETA Is A Useful Tool For New Vegans

PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, might be on the extreme side for a lot of people's tastes but they can be used as a great resource for vegans new and old. Their website is full of stories, support, recipes, and videos pertaining to the prevention of cruelty to animals and to the vegan lifestyle.
Understand, that shock-value is a necessary tool of theirs. If you're like me and not into scaring people into decisions, look past the shock-talk and simply use it as a resource.
I found the videos regarding factory farming and cruelty issues in the farming industry to actually be a big help in fortifying my resolve in the first couple of months. Watching these videos would turn anyone with an ounce of compassion off eating meat.
The dietary information is a great help for those who are immediately bombarded by friends and well-wishers with myths about the vegan diet. The testimonials from celebrities that have made the change can instill confidence and pride in those who are having doubts.
I suggest everyone who has not checked out the site to do so. Don't get caught up in the hype, or do! It's up to the individual. Maybe, the reason for changing to a vegan diet is solely because of compassion for animals and not for health or diet reasons and you want to put some effort into helping the cause.