[Saya]

Sorry for double post!

Originally Posted by Mealla

I definitely support better treatment of animals in human care, improvement of conditions in facilities that hold animals for food production, and substituting methods other than animal testing when available. I also could never be vegan or vegetarian personally (though I have no problem with other people choosing such diets). I do support organic and free range products whenever possible, however.

I think I"ve explained a million times on the board why welfarism is bullshit, but its true. Welfarism has been around for almost two hundred years and the conditions of animals that are meant to be "used", either for food, clothing or testing are worse than they've ever been. Other than outright bannings (like Russia's seal hunt) I never heard of a welfare legislation that made real change. The gestation crate ban came as most companies were abandoning the practice anyway for more economical methods, and still allows for the use of one for nine days before the sow gives birth, the foie gras ban in California gave the major producer there four years immunity, thereby dropping any animal cruelty charges agaisnt them, and gives them time to appeal. The few humane laws that are enforced have ridiculous sentences, for farm animals anyway because a lot of cruel practices are deemed necessary and normal. For there to be real help and change for animals we need to start respecting them, cease to support their suffering and abolish their property status.

My stance on the animal welfare issue stated, I have to say I admire ALF's dedication to their cause, but I don't approve of their methods by any means. I also think that it doesn't really further the cause. In the public eye, it turns environmentalists and animal welfare activists into terrorists and extremists, and it makes people less likely to take them seriously as a result.

They are not animal welfare activists, they are animal rights activists. They believe the animals shouldn't be in that position at all, they don't believe in "better treatment". Thanks to organizations like PeTA we already look like fools, and we'll try our best to repair the damage they have done, but ALF while famous does tend to keep a low profile, they're not out there in the public splashing blood on people or getting omnivorous women to strip for commercials that never get aired. I haven't heard of them hurting people (someone correct me if I'm wrong though, I really don't follow them) either so I'm not worried too much about them damaging the cause.