Today is the Day of Silence,

a student-led national event that brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Students from middle school to college take some form of a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior. The event is designed to illustrate the silencing effect of this bullying and harassment on LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT.

The DOS organizers explain:

As the Day of Silence approaches we’ve been getting lots of questions and comments along two similar but distinct threads on our various websites and in our email.

1) Do I need to be silent all day? Can I communicate at all? Can I blog/tweet/facebook?

2) Being silent doesn’t help and only perpetuates the problem. We should be speaking out.

The answer to both of these is similar: being silent has been and continues to be a very powerful way to create positive dialogue around the problem of anti-LGBT bullying for many students across the country. However, each person who participates in the Day of Silence has a different way of participating.

For some, the best way to participate is by being completely silent, including not participating in online communication. For others, the best way to participate is by spending the day speaking out about the issues of LGBT bullying. Some who participate get limited approval from their schools for their participation and so can only be silent during breaks between classes. There are many ways of participation ranging from complete silence to no silence.

The point is that the DOS is a day to bring attention to the problem of anti-LGBT bullying and each person who participates must determine how they can best use, or not use, their voice to do that. If you feel you will have the deepest positive impact by remaining completely silent and have the appropriate approvals to do so then go for it. If you feel that in your situation, you can have a deeper positive impact by speaking out then that should be your way of observing. No one can make that determination but you.

Your voice, whether silent or loud, WILL make a difference this Friday and the Day of Silence will speak volumes.

The DOS isn’t just for students, however. Adults can participate as well, by signing the pledge of solidarity; speaking out against anti-LGBTQ prejudice and bullying; observing a day of silence, whatever form that may take; Tweeting about the DOS; writing about the DOS on Facebook, your blog or similar; silencing your blog; and/or wearing red or rainbow-colored clothing.

In observance of the Day of Silence, easyVegan.info will remain silent for the rest of the day. Please take this opportunity to check out the Day of Silence blog and website, and educate yourself about LGBTQ issues.

The Get Active! section of this site also features links to a number of human rights organizations, including the following:

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) * Action Center * E-Mail Subscriptions * Lesbian & Gay Rights

Amnesty International * Action Center * E-Mail Subscriptions * OUTfront!

Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) * Action Center

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) * Action Center * E-Mail Subscriptions

People for the American Way (PFAW) * Action Center * E-Mail Subscriptions

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) * Action Center

Like many of you, I assume, I focus most of my energy and attention on animal advocacy issues because I believe that, generally speaking, non-human animals are the single most abused and exploited group of individuals on the planet. As such, I have the potential to make the greatest impact in this area.

Yet, it’s critical we realize that all social and environmental justice causes are equally important and in need of our support. While we may choose to concentrate on one area or issue, it’s absolutely imperative that we consciously refrain from adding to the suffering of and further marginalizing other groups in the process. This means – at the very least – making a concerted effort not to engage in sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, ableism, sizeism, colonialism, xenophobia, etc., in the course of our animal advocacy efforts.

Just as it’s morally wrong to mistreat and exploit non-human animals based on arbitrary criteria like species membership, so too is it morally wrong to mistreat lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and transsexual persons due to such arbitrary criteria as sexual orientation and gender identity.

I hope you’ll join me in this day of silence and solidarity.

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Updated to add:

Immediately after posting this entry, I saw at Bitch Magazine this memorial for Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, an 11-year-old boy from Springfield, Massachusetts, who took his own life on April 6. The suicide came after months of bullying at the hands of classmates; ‘girlie,’ ‘gay’ and ‘fag’ were just a few of the slurs hurled at Carl – who would have turned 12 today.

Please take a moment to leave an encouraging note for Carl’s family.

Words matter.

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Tagged: day of silence dos intersections parallel oppressions events dos lgbtq homophobia transphobia gender identity sexual orientation action alerts solidarity

Of Best Friends, Neko says:

“Best Friends took the Michael Vick dogs,” Case points out. “That’s a big deal because a lot of supposed animal welfare organizations like PETA — who can blow me — said you should euthanize the dogs immediately. But it’s not the dogs’ fault that they were fighting dogs — they’ve been abused. Pit bulls are muscular and big, but they’re not man-eaters.”

By the by, of the 49 Vick pit bulls, only one was deemed too vicious to save and was killed. Subsequently, 25 were placed in foster homes and/or adopted, and 22 found permanent sanctuary at Best Friends. Those 47 lives might be a drop in the ocean to PETA, but their abuse makes them no less deserving of life than the “food” or “fur-bearing” animals PETA typically focuses on. More so than their “naked ads,” their stance on the Vick dogs, as well as their forays into animal rescue and “adoption,” has been and will likely remain an objection of epic proportions that I have with PETA.

PETA, I might add, is an animal welfare group – not an animal rights group. Yes, there’s a difference – and it’s a biggie.

(At the most fundamental level, they appear to support Peter Singer’s philosophy of utilitarianism, which is a form of “progressive animal welfarism” – not animal rights. See also: PETA’s support of breed-specific legislation; their continued insistence that killing the Vick dogs would have been the right thing to do; and their “humane” killing of shelter animals rather than spend the time, money and effort to rehome them.)

And can I just say that I also f—ing love Neko for correctly identifying PETA as a welfare group? f—ing love her, I do!

(Crossposted from.)

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Tagged: neko case the new pornographers michael vick pit bulls animal rescue pet companion animal dog canine best friends best friends animal society dogtown animals animal rights animal welfare peta action alert blogging the internets

MON: The Woody Show is off for MLK Day . . . or as Woody & Ravey call it…the day after the Steelers beat the Ravens to go to the Superbowl.

TUES: Tony (in a chicken suit) will try to catch chickens in the studio! Plus The Woody Show wants to find out if chickens will eat….chicken.

THURS: Comic Doug Benson will stop by during SF Sketchfest!

pattrice notes,

Without doubt, being carted to and then chased around a radio station will be extremely distressing to the birds in question. Moreover, mockery is a means by which people distance themselves from animals, in order to make their abuse less ethically troubling. Thus, this event, if allowed to go forward, will not only harm the two birds but also contribute to the callous disregard for animals that facilitates both everyday and extreme abuses of animals. [...]

There is, of course, one more cause for concern about this particular event. Why, on the day that our nation’s first African American president will be inaugurated, will radio hosts be making jokes about eating chicken?

The answer is obvious, but allow me to state it anyway. Clearly, by introducing chickens into their Inauguration Day “joke,” the hosts of “The Woody Show” are invoking an age-old stereotype involving African Americans and chicken:

This section of the Authentic History Center’s “Teaching Diversity With Multimedia” collection focuses on stereotypes of people of African descent from the end of the American Civil War in images of blacks with themes of chicken and watermelon. Analysis of a large collection of artifacts with racist African American imagery reveals several common themes. One is the linking of Black people in a negative way to chicken and watermelon. The origins of these stereotypes are unclear. They may have begun as Southern stereotypes and then evolved into Black stereotypes. It’s also possible that these evolved out of American slavery. Numerous primary sources chronicle Black resistance to slavery through “silent sabotage,” or, day-to-day acts of resistance. Stealing from the master was one example. It seems logical that, given that food would be among the most desirable of items a slave would pilfer, and chickens and watermelons would have been commonly available. [...] The connecting of Blacks to chicken and watermelon was done in a way to dehumanize Blacks and subject them to ridicule. This process helped contribute to prejudice and discrimination. Surprisingly, many young people are unaware of the long history of these stereotypes, while some older Black people refuse to eat watermelon because of that history. And yet the stereotype still exists. In 1989, while stationed at a Marine Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, I was standing in line at the chow hall and noticed a particular theme in the day’s cuisine. The main offerings that day were fried chicken, black-eyed peas, and watermelon. I soon realized, to my horror, that it was Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. I do not know if this gesture was intended as a racist joke, or if the head cook really thought that offering such food was a way of honoring Dr. King.

Here, the “The Woody Show” staff is using animal abuse borne of speciesism in order to make a racist “joke” at the expense of African Americans. To add insult to injury, they’ve specifically chosen to do so on a day which is especially historic for people of color – indeed, all of America – that is, the day of President Barack Obama’s inauguration.

Real, live animals will be harmed during this “skit” – and possibly even forced to cannibalize their own. Meanwhile, the racial aspect of this “joke” will contribute to the casual/”softcore” (and overt) racism which is all too common in this country. Indeed, Obama’s candidacy and subsequent victory seems to have triggered a retrogressive racist backlash, in no small order. Racism and speciesism collide in one ugly spectacle.

pattrice suggests,

Don’t wait to protest after the fact. Stop this event before it happens. Call the producers of LIVE 105 at (415) 478-548 and insist that in-studio animal abuse is not funny, on Inauguration Day or any other day.

There’s additional contact for “The Woody Show” here, though I’m not sure calling in live will do much good. Probably your righteous indignation will only elicit additional racist (sexist, homophobic, sizeist, etc.) slurs, along with more than one cry of “I’m no racist!” I’m sure at least one host will even claim to be a “liberal,” “progressive,” or otherwise “tolerant” guy (or gal). And I think it’s a given that every last one of ‘em will crack a defensive joke about enjoying tortured and tormented chicken dishes.

(Crossposted from.)

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts pattrice jones the woody show san francisco Barack Obama Inauguration Day animal abuse animal cruelty cruelty to animals intersections parallel oppressions racism speciesism chicken meat stereotypes kits live 105 radio radio stunt

The Saturday before Christmas is the biggest puppy buying day of the year. This year, In Defense of Animals is teaming up with activists in dozens of cities around the country to educate the public about the horrors of pet factories and encourage people to adopt a homeless animal from a shelter or rescue group instead of buying one from a pet store.

What: December 20th, 12-3 pm
Where: Your local pet shop

Almost all pet stores around the nation are supplied by inhumane commercial breeding facilities (aka pet factories) where the breeding animals are imprisoned for life and used as breeding machines. Meanwhile, it’s estimated that nearly 5 million healthy cats and dogs (many of them purebred) are euthanized in American shelters every year simply because there aren’t enough homes for them. Make a commitment today to take action for the victims of pet factories and companion animal overpopulation today!

Join In Defense of Animals and friends at your local pet store to help end the abuses of pet factories.

You can find a list of events here.

Over at Vegan Soapbox, Elaine has a list of suggestions for online activism, including posting profiles of animals available for adoption on Petfinder and such. Which is a great idea; but first, let’s tackle a few myths about adopting vs. buying animals.

A common misconception about “shelter dogs” is that they’re all damaged mutts.

Let’s deconstruct:

1. You don’t have to go a shelter or pound to adopt an animal. Animal rescue organizations run the gamut, from the more traditional shelters and “pounds” to rescue groups, sanctuaries, foster programs and networks of committed individual animal rescuers. If you’re afraid to visit a pound, you can avoid doing so and still adopt an animal. Go to www.petfinder.org or www.1-800-save-a-pet.com and search for animals and animal rescue groups in your area.

But I also urge you to think about why the pound icks you out so much: is it because you realize that many of these animals – 50%, at the very least, with some surveys reporting “euthanasia” rates of 56% for dogs and 71% for cats – will die for no reason other than a lack of homes? If so, wouldn’t it make you feel better to be part of the solution (adoption) than part of the problem (breeding and buying)?

2. Even if you have your heart set on a specific breed of cat or dog, you don’t need to buy an animal from a breeder. According to the HSUS, 25% of shelter dogs are purebreds. Furthermore, there are many breed-specific rescue groups. Most breeds – certainly the more common and/or popular ones – have a number of local and national rescue groups dedicated to their rescue. To find breed-specific rescue groups, go to www.petfinder.org or www.1-800-save-a-pet.com and search for your desired breed; many of these groups will pop up in your search. Or use the Google: search for “dachshund rescue group” or similar.

3. There is an animal rescue group for every (legal-to-own) species of animal. Dogs, cats, mice, pigs, cows, horses, guinea pigs, ferrets, birds: all these and more are available for adoption through shelters and rescue groups. While most shelters focus on the more common domesticated companion animals – i.e., cats and dogs – it’s not unusual to find the occasional mouse, rabbit or hamster at traditional shelters, too. Furthermore, many rescue groups and sanctuaries have popped up in the past few decades to help care for “exotic” and “farmed” animals, as well. For example, here in MO we have Longmeadow Rescue Ranch: “operated by the Humane Society of Missouri, Longmeadow Rescue Ranch is one of the most comprehensive horse and farm animal rehabilitation centers in the United States.”

Whatever type of animal you’re looking for, you can probably find it through an animal rescue group. Again, www.petfinder.org, www.1-800-save-a-pet.com and the Google are your friends.

4. Rescue animals are not necessarily “damaged goods.”

Oy, where to start with this one?

All dogs have the potential for behavioral and health problems: this holds true whether you adopt or buy an animal.

The “damaged goods” myth rests on the assumption that all shelter dogs have been horribly mistreated in their pasts, and all purchased dogs have been pampered like little darlings by their breeders. While some shelter animals have no doubt suffered abuse, so too are bred animals mistreated; inexperienced and irresponsible breeders exist, as do puppy mills. In fact, your breeder may be associated with a puppy mill without you even knowing it.

Shelter dogs – as well as foster dogs, rescue dogs, dogs from breeders, and puppymill dogs – may have health and/or behavioral problems, yes. But many of these problems can be rectified, with time, patience and/or counseling. Take the “Michael Vick dogs” – nearly half have been successfully rehabilitated and rehomed (the rest will receive lifelong care at Best Friends, a no-kill sanctuary). Should an animal really be sentenced to death because of what a human has done to her?

(Here, I pause to think of my recently departed pit bull girl Shadow, who possibly came to us as a discarded fighting dog, and turned out to be one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever known; and of my newest girls, Miss Kaylee and Jayne, who were found with a third dog in a rental home that had been abandoned two weeks earlier. Sure, Jayne was recovering from heartworm when we adopted her, and Kaylee still pees with separation anxiety when left alone, but I wouldn’t trade either of them for $1500 models any day.)

Furthermore, rescue groups and breeders largely work from different perspectives: rescue groups want to rehome their animals with nice, loving families, ensuring that they’re not relinquished a second (or third, fourth, fifth) time, whereas breeders are primarily looking to make some money. Rescue groups have a greater interest, then, in making love and lifestyle matches between animals and guardians. Part of this process involves honesty about an animal’s health and behavioral issues.

While it’s true that pounds and shelters don’t have enough time with their charges to do a full behavioral assessment, many rescue groups do; so if you’re a newbie companion animal guardian, worried about biting off more than you can chew, start with a rescue group, particularly one that fosters the animals in-house before adopting them out.

With a little research and patience, you can find the animal that’s perfect for you, your family and your lifestyle.

And did I mention that older and/or “shelter” dogs oftentimes arrive with basic house- and obedience training?

5. Ethics and morality.

Animals are not ours to exploit for our own purposes – plain and simple. Purchasing animals from breeders, as though they’re the newest designer jeans or the latest model iPhone, is just plain wrong. They are not items. They are living, breathing, feeling, sentient beings, with their own interests and rights. Breeding and buying while rescued animals are dying – that’s a pretty blatant violation of their rights, and of basic human morality (i.e., unnecessary suffering is bad).

Let’s face it – a breeder makes money by exploiting her animals’ reproductive systems and treating them like commodities to be bought and sold. No matter how “responsible,” “kind,” or “loving” a particular breeder seems, the fact remains: she is in the business (or “hobby”) of creating more dogs (cats) when millions are put to death annually. A person who truly “loves” the breed can demonstrate this love and devotion by volunteering with a rescue group – rather than sentencing 12-20 dogs (or 12-24 cats) to death per year.

Think of it this way: would you buy a baby? Of course not! – People who sell black market babies are sick, right? Nor should babies be “gifted” as though they’re televisions or Wiis. Aside from species membership, how are puppies and kittens any different?

If, for some unfathomable reason, you absolutely cannot find a rare Black Russian Terrier through adoption networks, perhaps you should stop and consider whether you truly need a Black Russian Terrier. Wanting and needing are different things, you see. Needing involves survival; wanting involves luxury and convenience. Is it acceptable to sentence a rescue dog to death for your own convenience?

Sure, maybe it’ll be a bit disappointing, at first, to forgo a Black Russian Terrier for a Rat Terrier; but you’ll fall in love with that terrier just the same. And if you don’t, well, maybe you’re not a “dog person” after all. Maybe you should go buy a Wii and care for a virtual dog instead.

6. Animals make terrible gifts.

OK, so this last point isn’t specific to “shelter dogs,” but it’s relevant to the campaign as a whole. While encouraging animal adoption vs. breeding is a laudable goal, I would like to make an addendum to IDA’s campaign: animals make terrible gifts. They’re not objects; you can’t stash them in the closet when you’re sick of them. Unless you know – for certain – that the recipient wants and expects a cat, dog, etc. for x-mas, gifting an animal is completely inappropriate, and not at all in the animal’s best interests.

If an animal “gift” is welcome and agreed upon, you should let the recipient choose the animal. Adopting an animal is a lifelong commitment – so who better to choose the match than the animal’s new guardian?

With all this in mind, let’s look at a few animals available for adoption across the United States.

Brigid is a dachshund puppy from Dachshund Rescue North America (DRNA) – a nation-wide breed-specific rescue group dedicated to dachshunds. We adopted Ralphie from DRNA in 2001.

Brigid is as cute as a button! She loves to play w/ her brothers, Brik #06452 & Brok #06454, but if one gets a little rough, she lets them know! She loves playing in the outdoors & running & running about—chasing whatever is there (a leaf!). Brigid gets along w/ the resident dachshunds in her foster home, who are all ‘adults’. She is very affectionate & loves to give sweet kisses to any & everyone she meets! Puppy play toys are the ultimate for her, so she will wants lots! She is crate-trained & rides well in the car. Harness/halter leash walking will need ‘refining’ when adopted!! Brigid is still working on the housetraining, but doing really great w/ it! Brigid & her 2 brothers have never been separated, so another young dog would be a companion for the little girl. Brigid is fostered in eastern NC.

Capulina is a young, female Border Collie/German Shepherd mix currently staying with Stray from the Heart in New York City:

If you ever had a Border Collie mix you understand why its so hard to ever change breeds. They are intelligent, incredibly loyal and are able to read your mind before you say a word. As far as leash walking goes, Capulina is the easiest dog to walk as she never pulls and leaves your side.

At 45 pounds she is the perfect size for a city apt, but she would be great in a home outside the city as well. The most important thing to Capulina is not where she lives but whom she lives with; she is so ready to bond with that special someone. She actually searches the faces of the people she meets with the hopes of finding her forever mother or father (or both) and make them the center of her universe although she is not needy or high maintenance. Even though in the past she lived peacefully with many other dogs, it’s been her dream since she has been a little girl to be an only child.

Britney is an adult, female British Shorthair cat – and a former breeder – staying in Los Angeles with Foreverhome Pet Rescue:

Britney is a purebred Silver Shaded British Shorthair from a situation where the breeder could no longer take care of her cats. Britney was a breeder cat – so she is shy, but sometimes she will purr and rub up against you. She is used to being around a lot of other cats. Britney needs a quiet home with no children or dogs – and she needs someone who understands that it is not likely that she will ever be a lap cat.

This kitty was a baby machine all her life – she is now 4 years old and spayed and just needs a place to hang out. Oh – and please don’t take her picture! She hates the camera!

ShereKhan and Abbi are a pair of male/female Domestic Short Hair-white Tiger kitteh mixes from Washington, DC. Alliance for Stray Animals and People rescued them from “euthanasia” at the local pound:

Both of these guys were pulled from the local county shelter when their time was up. While in foster care they have bonded, so we decided to do what’s best for this pair and keep them together.

ShereKhan is the 3 yr. old tabby/white male. He is very outgoing and sweet. A kitty that loves attention from it’s humans and is not shy about asking for it. ShereKhan is blind in one eye but that does not affect him at all.

Abbi is a beautiful tortoiseshell. She is small in size. She is a little more reserved than ShereKhan but has followed his example and comes up to us for cuddle time now.

Abbi and ShereKhan are both spayed/neutered, up to date with shots, Feline Leukemia/FIV negative and micro chipped.

Walter is a young male rabbit who is being cared for by the Seattle Animal Shelter in Seattle, WA:

Poor Walter came back to the shelter after things didn’t work out in his adoptive home. This handsome one year old Californian was adopted a few months ago after living in horribly filthy conditions with several other rabbits, and now he’s in foster care. Walter is an active rabbit with a sweet, intense personality. He’d do best in a rabbit-savvy home, possibly as a companion for another gentle rabbit. Walter has good box habits, and enjoys being petted. Like a lot of rabbits, Walter needs to feel secure in his surroundings or will avoid being picked up. He is perfectly content to hop on his person’s lap to snuggle…this rabbit likes his feet as close to the ground as possible. Is your home worthy of Walter’s love?

Lucy Lu is a baby pot bellied pig; you can meet her in Pardeeville, WI, through the Midwest Animal and Potbellied Pig Association and Rescue:

I’m Lucy Lu. I am a sweet loving young shy black and white female potbellied pig baby. I am about 10 weeks, maybe more but I am skinny cuz I wasn’t taken care of properly. But I love food and to eat and to potty outside, and I know now I will be gaining the weight I should be in no time. Right now, you can still feel my ribs. the volunteers feel sorry for my past life i had, but i am nothing but positive about my future in finding a forever loving home. If you are educated on the care and needs of potbellied pigs. You might be my next family.I want an indoor home that I can have access to go outside to do my potty business and graze on fresh grass a little every day. Kinda like what dogs have access to. I need lots of love and attention. I need you to give me fresh food, water, and proper vet care and please be smarter than me, so I don’t have to tell you what to do for whats best for me.

Pudge is a Quaker Parrot (Monk Parakeet), who hails from Delware, Ohio and is staying with Central Ohio Friends of a Feather:

Pudge, a 5 yr old Quaker came to us because his owner died suddenly. He is the most handsome of all the Quakers that I have personally seen with a stunning and sweet personality. He prefers to be out of his cage and more preferably with you. So far he has no fear of other birds, dogs or people. He LOVES fresh nanna’s and semi-dried figs. He is a seed eater. He has been vetted and given a clean bill of health except for he’s 3 grams overweight and some fat was found in his bloodwork. This is from too many sunflower seeds so he is beginning a conversion to pellets. He must stay on the pellet mix otherwise he is more likely to get fatty liver disease. Pudge came with two cages. One is without a stand…and not really suitable for a Quaker. The other is a brass cage again not the best type for a Quaker but will work for a temporary cage. He does need a sturdy cage as Quakers do like to chew. He LOVES to be near you and has given kisses already and likes a good head scratch. He does say “Chop Chop!” and “Michael” as Michael was his previous owner. His owner’s mother has asked for our assistance in finding Pudge the best possible home. He seems to have been taken care of real well and really needs someone who will continue to provide him the loving care his owner gave to him.

These eight fur- and feather-babies represent a minuscule fraction of the millions of animals which pass through the animal adoption system each and every year. 12 million have been adopted through Petfinder alone!

Please, if you’re looking to obtain an animal – no matter its species, breed, age, sex, special needs or temperament – please consider adoption.

Be a hero. Save a life.

(Crossposted to.)

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts ida in defense of animals adopt, don’t shop adoption breeding pet companion animal dog canine cat feline farmed animals exotic animals pig parrot bird rabbit shelter dog rescue dog animal rescue animal adoption speciesism joe biden activism events shopping xmas x-mas christmas

Background here, here and here.

And also, Proposition 8: The Musical!

Via the entire internets.

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Tagged: rebellyon feminism amanda palmer prop 8 the musical jack black glbt video funny or die belly shots

1. Volunteer to foster a soldier’s companion animal(s) while he or she is stationed overseas.

There exist very few programs to help members of the military care for their companion animals while they are stationed overseas. Unless soldiers can recruit a family member to house and care for their “pets” while they are away, soldiers are forced to relinquish their animals – to a “pound,” a shelter, or an adoption group.

Between 6 and 8 millions dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters every year. Of these, half are euthanized murdered.

By fostering a soldier’s companion animal(s), you can save an animal’s life, and also ensure a happy reunion between a soldier and her furry friend(s) when she returns from serving her country – i.e., you.

How it works: many of the programs I’ve seen match potential foster homes with soldiers in need, based on a number of factors, including location, type of animal, and caregiver preferences. These groups are generally nonprofits, and finances are limited; consequently, veterinary and food costs, as well as terms and conditions, are usually negotiated between the soldier and caregiver.

To get started, check out Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet and Operation Noble Foster.

If you live near a U.S. military base, you may also want to check with local veterinarians to see if they can help match you up with soldiers in need locally. Alternately, you can coordinate with your local veterinarians to start a grassroots foster program in your area – even if you yourself are not in a position to foster an animal.

2. Lift the ban – help repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

According to Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), 12,500 service members have been discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Visit SLDN today to find out how you can help repeal DODT, which is essentially discrimination written into federal law. In a word, unconstitutional.

Three places to start:

- Sign SLDN’s petition to Congress to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which would repeal DODT.

- Write to your Congressional representatives and urge them to repeal DODT.

- Make an online contribution. “The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network provides free legal service for LGBT service members. SLDN is also leading the charge to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and replace it with a non-discrimination policy.”

3. Contact President-elect Barack Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden, and your Senators and Representative; ask them to provide increased funding for the care of injured veterans.

According to a report by the RAND Corporation, Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery,

Nearly 20 percent of military service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan — 300,000 in all — report symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder or major depression, yet only slightly more than half have sought treatment.

In addition, researchers found about 19 percent of returning service members report that they experienced a possible traumatic brain injury while deployed, with 7 percent reporting both a probable brain injury and current PTSD or major depression. [...]

Researchers concluded that a major national effort is needed to expand and improve the capacity of the mental health system to provide effective care to service members and veterans. The effort must include the military, veteran and civilian health care systems, and should focus on training more providers to use high-quality, evidence-based treatment methods and encouraging service members and veterans to seek needed care.

Since October 2001, about 1.6 million U.S. troops have deployed to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with many exposed to prolonged periods of combat-related stress or traumatic events. Early evidence suggests that the psychological toll of the deployments may be disproportionately high compared with physical injuries.

Furthermore, PTSD impacts female servicemembers – who are at an increased risk of experiencing sexual assault while in the military – at a greater rate than their male counterparts:

About one out of seven female veterans of Afghanistan or Iraq who visit a Veterans Affairs center for medical care report being a victim of sexual assault or harassment during military duty, a study reports today.

More than half of these women have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A similar proportion of male veterans with sexual traumas have PTSD, but fewer than one out of 100 men who had recent deployments say they were harassed or sexually assaulted in the military, the report says.

Of course, physical injuries are prevalent as well; according to DOD statistics, 32,977 troops have thus far been injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Furthermore,

As of August 1, 2008, DOD reported 1,214 individuals who are amputees, of whom 877 have suffered major limb amputations. Of the 1,214 total amputees, 606 (49.9%) were wounded by improvised explosive devices. [...]

As of July 2008, DOD reported a total of 8,089 servicemembers suffering from traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs. Of those, 5,792 (71.6%) sustained their injuries due to a blast, 916 (11.3%) sustained their injuries due to a fall, 495 (6.1%) sustained their injuries due to a vehicular incident, 401 (5.0%) sustained their injuries due to fragments, 190 (2.3%) sustained their injuries due to a bullet, and 295 (or 3.6%) sustained their injuries due to other causes. Of the 5,852 cases of TBI in the Army, 5,150 (88.0%) were counted as mild, 350 (6.0%) were counted as moderate, and 349 (6.0%) were counted as “severe” (an additional 3 cases were not recorded).

Contact President-elect Obama and VP-elect Biden, as well as your incoming and/or returning Congressional reps, and urge them to provide increased funding and improved care and outreach for our veterans. Also, encourage them to focus on the the issue of rape and sexual assault in the military, which disproportionately affects our nation’s female servicemembers.

- Contact President Obama here, here and here.

- Contact VP Biden here.

- Find your Senators and Representative here.

4. In the meantime, make a donation to help care for injured veterans.

Some suggestions:

- The Fisher House: “Supporting America’s military in their time of need, we provide “a home away from home” that enables family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time — during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.”

- Yellow Ribbon Fund: “The Yellow Ribbon Fund was created in early 2005 to assist our injured service members and their families while they recuperate at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center.”

- Wounded Warrior Project: “The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors.”

- Disabled American Veterans: “With more than 1.4 million members, Disabled American Veterans is an organization of disabled veterans who are focused on building better lives for disabled veterans and their families. The organization accomplishes this goal by providing free assistance to veterans in obtaining benefits and services earned through their military service. It is fully funded through its membership dues and public contributions. It is not a government agency and receives no government funds.”

- The Blinded Veterans Association: “The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) is an organization of blinded veterans helping blinded veterans. Through our service programs, regional groups, resources, and advocacy before the legislative and executive branches of government, we hope to make life better for blinded veterans. We also hope to be there with encouragement and support. There is no charge for any BVA service and membership is not a prerequisite to obtain help. All legally blinded veterans are also eligible for BVA’s assistance whether they become blind during or after active duty military service.”

Visit the DOD’s Military Homefront for additional “Community Support Links.”

Of course, be sure to consult Charity Navigator to evaluate and compare nonprofits before making a donation.

5. Health care professionals, volunteer your services to help injured veterans recover.

On Memorial Day, the AP reported on “donated mental health services” to troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan:

Thousands of private counselors are offering free services to troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mental health problems, jumping in to help because the military is short on therapists. [...]

There are only 1,431 mental health professionals among the nation’s 1.4 million active-duty military personnel, said Terry Jones, a Pentagon spokesman on health issues.

About 20,000 more full- and part-time professionals provide health care services for the Veterans Administration and the Pentagon. They include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers and substance abuse counselors. [...]

About 300,000 of those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan are estimated to have anxiety or post-traumatic stress, a recent private study said. Add in spouses left home to manage families and households without their partner as well as children deprived of parents during long or repeated tours of duty, and the number with problems balloons to 1 million.

If you’d like to volunteer your services, contact Give An Hour, The Soldiers Project, or The Coming Home Project.

These programs accept monetary donations as well.

6. Hire an (injured) veteran.

If you are a small business owner, or are in the position to influence your company’s hiring decisions, please consider employing an injured veteran – or a veteran, period.

Start at Hire Vets First, a “comprehensive career website for hiring veterans of America’s military. Whether you’re a manager, human resources specialist, or veteran, you’ll find the resources you need for matching employment opportunities with veterans.”

Remember, injuries can be both physical and psychological.

7. Bring the troops home – with their furry friends.

While stationed overseas, troops may befriend and unofficially “adopt” local stray animals, including cats and dogs. When their tours are over and it’s time to return home, the military is unable and unwilling to assist in the transport of these animals back to the states. Whereas the importance of the human-animal bond is recognized by mental health professionals, and can even prove healing to those with mental and physical health issues, being forced to abandon a beloved companion – in the middle of a war zone, nonetheless – can prove traumatic for already-traumatized servicemembers.

Luckily, Operation Baghdad Pups is trying to fill the gaps in our governments’ misguided policy:

Operation Baghdad Pups assists in transporting to the United States dogs and cats adopted by soldiers serving overseas.

In many cases, the pets become not only camp mascots, but provide comfort and companionship while the soldiers are far from home, says SPCA spokeswoman Stephanie Scroggs.

Ms. Crisp (left) greets Kujo, a dog rescued by an American soldier in Iraq. A cat named Jasmine (above) is also among new arrivals at Dulles.

Technically, military regulations bar soldiers from caring for animals found while on active duty overseas. However, humanity sometimes trumps rules when a soggy and homeless animal needs care.

“We started the program earlier this year when we heard from a soldier who had tried everything to bring the unit mascot, Charlie, home with him,” she says. “The military will not bring animals to the States.”

Charlie, who was once malnourished and flea-ridden, now lives near Fort Bragg, N.C., with that solider, Sgt. Edward Watson of the Army’s 82nd Airborne. The border collie arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport on Valentine’s Day.

“Leaving him behind was not something I was looking forward to,” Sgt. Watson says from North Carolina as Charlie barks at a neighbor cutting the grass. “This program is definitely an awesome thing.” [...]

There is strict criteria: The animals must have a home to go to in the United States, and they need to have been adopted by soldiers who have taken care of them from a young age, Ms. Scroggs says.

“We do not hope to be animal control for the Middle East,” she says. “We are helping American soldiers by bringing home the animals they love.”

You can learn more and donate to Operation Baghdad Pups – a project of the SPCA – here.

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Tagged: action alert veterans day observances holidays animals animal rights animal welfare pet companion animal foster operation baghdad pups Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet Operation Noble Foster glbt DODT don’t ask, don’t tell Servicemembers Legal Defense Network sldn ptsd rape sexual assault mental health counseling therapy links donate volunteer

On the steps of your City Hall on November 15th at 10:30am PST / 1:30pm EST, our community WILL take to the streets and speak out against Proposition 8 and all of the other pro-equality losses that we have faced in our lifetimes, in our parents’ lifetimes, and for many generations before us. WE CAN’T DO THIS ALONE! WE NEED YOUR HELP! We need organizers in every major city to work with us and get out the protest! I know you’re all tired from all of the work you’ve done for this great election year, but I’m asking for one more push! Let the country hear our voices together. Let them see that we are a strong, adamant, and powerful community that deserves equal rights, and CAN’T BE DEFEATED!

Send this post to everyone! We have one week and must react to the pro-hate votes cast against us! Let’s help our LGBTQ friends, families, neighbors, and each other to IMPACT this country with a demand for our basic human rights! Join the cause, join the voice, and JOIN THE IMPACT!

You can look up your city and protest location here.

(Via Lindsay @ Female Impersonator.)

I also quite like this protest suggestion from Thomas, blogging at Feministe:

Today is a day of both triumphs and disasters. When we went to bed last night, We were not saved, if maybe a little more than We had been the day before. And this morning We are more broken than We were when We went to bed. But today as yesterday, We fail, and We fall short, and We do the wrong thing, and our country is broken. So I’m not celebrating. And that the ways We fail often benefit me personally isn’t a comfort — it’s a rebuke of my complicity. Every day I benefit from it I cheat people who’ve never wronged me; who I’ve never met.

I’m going downstairs now to the drugstore near my office, and I’m going to get some black electrical tape, and I’m going to wear it over my wedding band, and I’m going to tell people that what happened is wrong. I need to do whatever I can to fix this, so that when my kids are old enough to ask, I have a better answer than “No We Can’t.”

Alas, the Mr. and I don’t have wedding bands (we bought a minivan for traveling with the doggies instead), but perhaps we’ll don rings of black tape anyway. I invite y’all to do the same, whether you’re gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, hetero, married or single.

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Tagged: prop 8 proposition 8 action alerts protest glbt marriage rights human rights constitution marriage 2008 election join the impact november 15

Via Color of Change:

McCain-Palin rallies have started to look more like mob scenes than political events. The candidates keep asking “who is the real Barack Obama?” (a question that also kicks off almost every McCain television ad).In response, supporters have yelled “terrorist!” and “traitor!” And the venom goes beyond Obama–one McCain/Palin supporter shouted a racial epithet at a Black member of a news crew, saying “sit down, boy.”

McCain and Palin are going down a dangerous path. Watching some of their supporters being interviewed shows the kind of fear their campaign is stoking and exploiting.McCain and Palin are clearly in the driver’s seat. They’ve personally made it a point to use “terrorist” and “Obama” in the same sentence; they have surrogates repeatedly refer to him by his middle-name;and they keep pushing the discredited guilt-by-association smears that have long been debunked.

All of it plays on the much more sinister rumors in anonymous smear emails which claim Obama is Muslim, anti-American, and is somehow connected with terrorists. This strategy is powerful because Obama is Black, and it’s designed to make Obama’s race a disadvantage without appearing overtly racist.

As Americans of all stripes, we’ve seen how Barack Obama’s historic candidacy has moved our friends and family to have a more honest conversation about race in this country. It’s inspired a lot of people to step out of their comfort zone and confront racism in their own communities, with their friends, neighbors and families.

In the final days of this campaign, we can’t let a desperate John McCain and Sarah Palin drag us down. If enough of us act, we can create a powerful story in the media about Black people and our allies of all races standing together against race-baiting and fear-mongering coming from the McCain/Palin campaign. But it will take a lot of us speaking in unison.

Will you sign an open letter to McCain and Palin, telling them who you are and why you won’t let them move our country backward? ColorofChange.org will publish the letter and make sure John McCain is forced to respond.

You can sign the letter here – or check out Shakesville’s Obama Racism/Muslim/Unpatriotic/Scary Black Dude Watch, now at part 96; the latest entry hails from my current state of residence, Missouri. Fucking awesome, right?

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Tagged: color of change actions alerts 2008 elections john mccain sarah palin barack obama racism xenophobia war on terra godbags video brave new films

The five little terrier-mix dogs had been left behind on Galveston Island by their owner. Alone and frightened they watched as the storm surge began to rush into their home. As the water continued its relentless rise, they jumped to the top of a table and that’s where Houston SPCA rescue teams found them trembling and whimpering in fear. The high water mark was over their heads and our rescue teams knew in their hearts that these little dogs spent most of the night swimming for their lives. But they had a strong will to live and thanks to the Houston SPCA, they also have a second chance at life.

Houston SPCA rescue teams are in a race against time to safe innocent storm victims like these who were left behind on the Island to fend for themselves. Thousands of dogs, cats, horses, puppies and kittens, birds and other pets have found a safe haven at the Houston SPCA.

Sigh.

I have five dogs.

Four are what you might call “terrier mixes.”

The looong dog, standing on the leftmost corner of the table, kind of reminds me of Ralphie, our dachshund.

In fact, the whole group kind of resembles my pack. A bit scragglier, a bit scrappier, but…I can see it. Five little runts, just like my guys and girls. Five sweet, innocent, loyal, unconditionally loving little mutts. Five friends for life. Five reasons for living.

I can barely stand leaving them alone for a few hours: while I go to dinner, to the movies, or – dog forbid – out for the day.

Hell, I feel bad when I have to crate Kaylee in the bedroom while I take a shower in the next room.

So, how does one look at those sweet little faces…and leave them, alone, knowing full well that a hurricane is fast approaching? How?

And that’s not even to mention the creature who – presumably – was “living” in the cage next to the table.

I feel like I should clarify here that, yes, sometimes elderly, disabled, and impoverished animal guardians face obstacles in evacuating with their companions. Maybe that was the case here; maybe it wasn’t. After Katrina, the importance of preparing disaster response plans for both human and non-human animals alike became readily apparent. While the evacuation plans didn’t go off without a hitch in the face of Gustav and Ike, there were plans – not to mention plenty of forewarning.

This didn’t need to happen.

Our animal friends lost everything in the storm but hope.

Please check out the Disaster Relief section of this website to see what you can do to help the victims of Hurricane Gustav and Ike. I started accumulating disaster relief alerts and resources in the days after Katrina – and I continue to update and maintain the page(s) as a tribute to the thousands of animals that needlessly perished in Hurricane Katrina, as well as the many natural and man-made disasters since.

(Photo and excerpts from Houston SPCA’s “updates from the [Hurricane Ike] frontline”; post title lifted from this Kinship Circle alert.)

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts hurricane ike hurricane ike natural disaster disaster relief texas galveston pet companion animal dog canine my furbabies galveston island houston spca hspca flickr photos animal rescue

With few exceptions, the media figures who moderated the presidential primary debates focused on campaign gaffes, political tactics, and personal issues and, as a result, critical issues were pushed aside. While the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq raged, the mortgage crisis gathered steam, and nearly 50 million Americans continued to go without health insurance, the debate moderators focused on frivolous and trivial matters, far removed from the issues the public wanted to hear about.

Over the course of 31 debates and 2,300 questions, candidates running to be their party’s nominee for president were asked a total of:

* One question about warrantless wiretapping
* Two questions about declining wages
* Three questions about conservation and renewable energy
* Six questions about the growing crisis in the mortgage industry
* One question about how the candidates would keep the economy going if terrorists attacked our shopping malls

Sign the petition and tell them to Change the Debate

When you sign the petition, Media Matters gives you the opportunity to specify which issues are of particular importance to you.

They include:

* Abortion
* Afghanistan
* Civil Rights/Torture
* Crime
* Economy
* Education
* Energy
* Environment
* Food Safety
* Health Care
* Infrastructure
* Iraq
* Science/Technology
* Social Security
* Terrorism
* Trade

The one issue that ranks top on my list – animal rights – didn’t make the cut. Nor did a watered-down version, such as “animal welfare” or “animal agriculture.” The closest runner-ups are “food safety” and “environment.” Neither of which get to, ahem, the “meat” of the matter.

Nice try, Media Matters, but no dice. You’d think putting Palin on the ticket would bring animal issues – if not to the forefront – at least into the national consciousness. But I guess you’d be wrong, then.

Sigh.

I would say ::RAGE::, but I fear I’m too tired and cynical to get all that angry over this bullshit anymore.

Updated to add: you can find Media Matters’ report – Change the Debate: How Gaffes, Games, & Gotchas Dominated the 2008 Presidential Primary Debates – here.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts 2008 elections media matters msm debates election coverage environment wtf petition