Kerry Baker's Posts - Animal Rights Zone2024-03-29T04:45:35ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBakerhttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3145334125?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://arzone.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=2omc6h9br5x2c&xn_auth=noCounting world veganstag:arzone.ning.com,2013-10-21:4715978:BlogPost:1408722013-10-21T21:34:56.000ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBaker
<p>This is an ambitious project to try and confirm numbers of vegans. </p>
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<p>It takes really only a minute to do.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.theallanimalvegan.com/the-big-count/?goback=.gde_1065857_member_5797787582116937728#">http://www.theallanimalvegan.com/the-big-count/?goback=.gde_1065857_member_5797787582116937728#</a>!</p>
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<p>This is an ambitious project to try and confirm numbers of vegans. </p>
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<p>It takes really only a minute to do.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.theallanimalvegan.com/the-big-count/?goback=.gde_1065857_member_5797787582116937728#">http://www.theallanimalvegan.com/the-big-count/?goback=.gde_1065857_member_5797787582116937728#</a>!</p>
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<p></p>Urgent help needed for the Canberra kangaroostag:arzone.ning.com,2013-07-10:4715978:BlogPost:1325182013-07-10T08:22:39.000ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBaker
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<p>The Australian Society for Kangaroos has been in court this week trying to stop a cull of kangaroos indigenous to the area.</p>
<p>These culls have been almost annual, based on the ACT Government line that they are in 'plague' proportions. The real problem is that the area is the seat of Federal Government with head offices for public sector agencies, and the ACT Government relies heavily on the revenue it receives from the continual turnover in housing and the explosion of building…</p>
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<p>The Australian Society for Kangaroos has been in court this week trying to stop a cull of kangaroos indigenous to the area.</p>
<p>These culls have been almost annual, based on the ACT Government line that they are in 'plague' proportions. The real problem is that the area is the seat of Federal Government with head offices for public sector agencies, and the ACT Government relies heavily on the revenue it receives from the continual turnover in housing and the explosion of building has encroached upon native animal habitat.</p>
<p>An irony here is that the signature on the death warrant was from the only Greens member of parliament who is Minister for Environment as he holds balance of power. This on the same day that Australia is in the IWC arguing against the Japanese for their whaling.</p>
<p>I'm hoping with enough public outcry we can get this stopped still. If you feel so inclined please send an email to Shane Rattenbury the Minister concerned asking for him to stop the cull. The contact details are at;</p>
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<p> <a href="http://act.greens.org.au/people/shane-rattenbury">http://act.greens.org.au/people/shane-rattenbury</a></p>
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<p>I do however implore you to be courteous as threats, discourtesy and aggression will only have the reverse outcome to what we are trying to do.</p>
<p>The reality of these culls is that many more kangaroos end up desperately wounded, shot in the mouth instead of the head or body hits, who get away to die slow and horrible deaths. Many joeys are orphaned and escape to starve or be killed by foxes and so on. This is the largest slaughter of wildlife in the world, nothing to be proud of. I ask for your help and send an email to Mr Rattenbury seeking for this to be stopped. The tribunal allowed for over 1200 kangaroos to be shot by the end of July.</p>
<p></p>Apes bred for medical experiments in Victoriatag:arzone.ning.com,2012-11-25:4715978:BlogPost:1185112012-11-25T02:00:00.000ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBaker
<p>This was the headline article in the Sunday Age today, one of our major newspapers. While I am pleased to see it given such prominence it is nevertheless distressing to read what we all probably know or suspect, that 'ethics committees' and a bit of a joke.</p>
<p>For anyone who feels so inclined I think it would be appropriate to contact Monash University, and the National health and Medical Research Council which you can Google to express ourtage and be advocates for the…</p>
<p>This was the headline article in the Sunday Age today, one of our major newspapers. While I am pleased to see it given such prominence it is nevertheless distressing to read what we all probably know or suspect, that 'ethics committees' and a bit of a joke.</p>
<p>For anyone who feels so inclined I think it would be appropriate to contact Monash University, and the National health and Medical Research Council which you can Google to express ourtage and be advocates for the animals.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/the-monkey-farm-primates-being-bred-for-experiments-20121124-2a0gz.html" target="_blank">http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/the-monkey-farm-primates-being-bred-for-experiments-20121124-2a0gz.html</a></p>
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<p></p>Having a wistful momenttag:arzone.ning.com,2012-11-18:4715978:BlogPost:1178912012-11-18T05:38:40.000ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBaker
<p>One of my favourite poems by DH Lawrence. I was reminded of this today when a young woman in a shop squashed a spider on the counter just as I said 'DON'T" and before I could stop her. I said 'why did you do that?' and she asked what I'd have done with it and I said 'put it outside.' But I recalled being afraid of spiders as a child, my mother telling me I was afraid of them, and how long it took me to treat them respectfully. </p>
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<h2>Snake</h2>
<p><br></br> A snake came to my…</p>
<p>One of my favourite poems by DH Lawrence. I was reminded of this today when a young woman in a shop squashed a spider on the counter just as I said 'DON'T" and before I could stop her. I said 'why did you do that?' and she asked what I'd have done with it and I said 'put it outside.' But I recalled being afraid of spiders as a child, my mother telling me I was afraid of them, and how long it took me to treat them respectfully. </p>
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<h2>Snake</h2>
<p><br/> A snake came to my water-trough<br/> On a hot, hot day, and I in pyjamas for the heat, <br/>To drink there.</p>
<p>In the deep, strange-scented shade of the great dark carob-tree<br/> I came down the steps with my pitcher<br/> And must wait, must stand and wait, for there he was at the trough before<br/> me.</p>
<p>He reached down from a fissure in the earth-wall in the gloom<br/> And trailed his yellow-brown slackness soft-bellied down, over the edge of<br/> the stone trough<br/> And rested his throat upon the stone bottom,<br/> i o And where the water had dripped from the tap, in a small clearness,<br/> He sipped with his straight mouth,<br/> Softly drank through his straight gums, into his slack long body, <br/> Silently.</p>
<p>Someone was before me at my water-trough,<br/> And I, like a second comer, waiting.</p>
<p>He lifted his head from his drinking, as cattle do,<br/> And looked at me vaguely, as drinking cattle do,<br/> And flickered his two-forked tongue from his lips, and mused a moment, <br/> And stooped and drank a little more,<br/> Being earth-brown, earth-golden from the burning bowels of the earth <br/> On the day of Sicilian July, with Etna smoking.<br/> The voice of my education said to me<br/> He must be killed,<br/> For in Sicily the black, black snakes are innocent, the gold are venomous.</p>
<p>And voices in me said, If you were a man<br/> You would take a stick and break him now, and finish him off.</p>
<p>But must I confess how I liked him,<br/> How glad I was he had come like a guest in quiet, to drink at my water-trough<br/> And depart peaceful, pacified, and thankless,<br/> Into the burning bowels of this earth?</p>
<p>Was it cowardice, that I dared not kill him? Was it perversity, that I longed to talk to him? Was it humility, to feel so honoured?<br/> I felt so honoured.</p>
<p>And yet those voices:<br/> <i>If you were not afraid, you would kill him!</i></p>
<p>And truly I was afraid, I was most afraid, But even so, honoured still more<br/> That he should seek my hospitality<br/> From out the dark door of the secret earth.</p>
<p>He drank enough <br/> And lifted his head, dreamily, as one who has drunken, <br/> And flickered his tongue like a forked night on the air, so black, <br/> Seeming to lick his lips,<br/> And looked around like a god, unseeing, into the air,<br/> And slowly turned his head,<br/> And slowly, very slowly, as if thrice adream,<br/> Proceeded to draw his slow length curving round<br/> And climb again the broken bank of my wall-face.</p>
<p>And as he put his head into that dreadful hole,<br/> And as he slowly drew up, snake-easing his shoulders, and entered farther, <br/> A sort of horror, a sort of protest against his withdrawing into that horrid black hole,<br/> Deliberately going into the blackness, and slowly drawing himself after,<br/> Overcame me now his back was turned.</p>
<p>I looked round, I put down my pitcher, <br/> I picked up a clumsy log<br/> And threw it at the water-trough with a clatter.</p>
<p>I think it did not hit him,<br/> But suddenly that part of him that was left behind convulsed in undignified haste.<br/> Writhed like lightning, and was gone <br/> Into the black hole, the earth-lipped fissure in the wall-front, <br/> At which, in the intense still noon, I stared with fascination.</p>
<p>And immediately I regretted it.<br/> I thought how paltry, how vulgar, what a mean act!<br/> I despised myself and the voices of my accursed human education.</p>
<p>And I thought of the albatross<br/> And I wished he would come back, my snake.</p>
<p>For he seemed to me again like a king,<br/> Like a king in exile, uncrowned in the underworld,<br/> Now due to be crowned again.</p>
<p>And so, I missed my chance with one of the lords<br/> Of life.<br/> And I have something to expiate:<br/> A pettiness.</p>
<p><i>Taormina, 1923</i></p>Traumatised elephant tragedy in New Zealandtag:arzone.ning.com,2012-04-26:4715978:BlogPost:932022012-04-26T04:53:27.000ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBaker
<p>This story in the news today.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/environment/animals/panicattack-elephant-crushes-zoo-owner-to-death-in-trunk-20120426-1xmi1.html">http://www.theage.com.au/environment/animals/panicattack-elephant-crushes-zoo-owner-to-death-in-trunk-20120426-1xmi1.html</a></p>
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<p>It's incredible that they kept the elephant there while there was blasting going on nearby causing the elephant to suffer panic attacks. Yet another not surprising outcome from…</p>
<p>This story in the news today.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/environment/animals/panicattack-elephant-crushes-zoo-owner-to-death-in-trunk-20120426-1xmi1.html">http://www.theage.com.au/environment/animals/panicattack-elephant-crushes-zoo-owner-to-death-in-trunk-20120426-1xmi1.html</a></p>
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<p>It's incredible that they kept the elephant there while there was blasting going on nearby causing the elephant to suffer panic attacks. Yet another not surprising outcome from animal abuse.</p>
<p>Given she was sent to the zoo for emotional recovery in the first place, why did they leave er there one has to ask!</p>Remembering the fallen animals of war.tag:arzone.ning.com,2012-04-25:4715978:BlogPost:930252012-04-25T09:52:30.000ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBaker
<p>Today, April 25th, is Anzac Day in Australia when we celebrate the sacrifices of soldiers since WW1 to present day. It is a date that comes from the Anzac (Australian & New Zealand Army Corps) soldiers who fell in the battle at Gallipoli.</p>
<p>What is usually forgotten is the role that animals, in particular horses, played in the wars. The treatment they received however was anything but honourable.</p>
<p>The Australian Waler Horse is well known for stamina, courage and strength. …</p>
<p>Today, April 25th, is Anzac Day in Australia when we celebrate the sacrifices of soldiers since WW1 to present day. It is a date that comes from the Anzac (Australian & New Zealand Army Corps) soldiers who fell in the battle at Gallipoli.</p>
<p>What is usually forgotten is the role that animals, in particular horses, played in the wars. The treatment they received however was anything but honourable.</p>
<p>The Australian Waler Horse is well known for stamina, courage and strength. They were famously used in the Light Horse Infantry for example, and fetched a princely price from the British Government that purchased them in their hundreds of thousands. They were shipped to the Boer to later theatres of war. The shipping was cruel, the were transported from the East Coast of Australia around the southern coastline to Albany before continuing on to South Africa and Europe. They were not shipped with care, many breaking legs on the journey and many suffering swelling of the legs due to being in cramped conditions for extended periods. On arrival they were sent directly to battle without rehabilitation from the journey. In Africa, due to deprivation of their natural food, many ate a green plant that caused horrendous swelling of the stomach causing their stomachs literally to explode.</p>
<p>The famous Lord Kitchener was known for the horses he was personally responsible for causing their death, estimated to be 400,000 to die in the pursuit of victory.</p>
<p>In all wars animals suffer, whether it is by directly being used as these horses, or just being in the wrong place at the right time, or being deliberately killed so the advancing enemy wouldn't be able to have them as happened for example at Dunkirk.</p>
<p>On this sombre day of remembrance in my country, I acknowledge the sacrifices our soldiers made. But my thoughts are for the animals who had no choice.</p>
<p></p>Debate - Animals should be off the menu - features Peter Singertag:arzone.ning.com,2012-04-15:4715978:BlogPost:912872012-04-15T03:00:00.000ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBaker
<p>This has a duration of 55 minutes and was a debate in Melbourne. I'm not sure how long it will be available on the ABC website but here is the link.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/index">http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/index</a></p>
<p>This has a duration of 55 minutes and was a debate in Melbourne. I'm not sure how long it will be available on the ABC website but here is the link.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/index">http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/index</a></p>Dance anyone?tag:arzone.ning.com,2012-03-16:4715978:BlogPost:869532012-03-16T09:32:25.000ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBaker
<p>For the classical dancers among us, these vegan ballet slippers are just the thing!</p>
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<p><a href="http://cynthiakingdance.com/vegan-ballet-slippers/">http://cynthiakingdance.com/vegan-ballet-slippers/</a></p>
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<p>For the classical dancers among us, these vegan ballet slippers are just the thing!</p>
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<p><a href="http://cynthiakingdance.com/vegan-ballet-slippers/">http://cynthiakingdance.com/vegan-ballet-slippers/</a></p>
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<p></p>Article discussed on Australian TVtag:arzone.ning.com,2012-03-13:4715978:BlogPost:865002012-03-13T10:51:29.000ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBaker
<p>For interest. This article published in a magazine in Australia was discussed today on the ABC news channel.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3886378.html?WT.svl=theDrum">http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3886378.html?WT.svl=theDrum</a></p>
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<p>There are some insightful and interesting observations made here that relate to some of the discussions that have been going on in this forum recently.</p>
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<p>For interest. This article published in a magazine in Australia was discussed today on the ABC news channel.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3886378.html?WT.svl=theDrum">http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3886378.html?WT.svl=theDrum</a></p>
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<p>There are some insightful and interesting observations made here that relate to some of the discussions that have been going on in this forum recently.</p>
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<p>The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) has some interesting information speaking up against use of animals in research and preferring vegan to vegetarian diets in their FAQ's.</p>
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<p>See online at: <a href="http://www.pcrm.org/search/?cid=261">http://www.pcrm.org/search/?cid=261</a></p>
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<p>It is great to see members of this profession standing up for animals. In the meantime, vegans in Australia calling on the government to start renaming food…</p>
<p>The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) has some interesting information speaking up against use of animals in research and preferring vegan to vegetarian diets in their FAQ's.</p>
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<p>See online at: <a href="http://www.pcrm.org/search/?cid=261">http://www.pcrm.org/search/?cid=261</a></p>
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<p>It is great to see members of this profession standing up for animals. In the meantime, vegans in Australia calling on the government to start renaming food groups.</p>
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<p>See: <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/vegan-call-to-rename-food-group">http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/vegan-call-to-rename-food-group</a> 20120308-1um3k.html</p>
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<p>Some days are better than others (-:</p>
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<p></p>Another amazing discovery.tag:arzone.ning.com,2012-02-17:4715978:BlogPost:832412012-02-17T12:15:25.000ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBaker
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<p>A new species of chameleon. The natural world never ceases to amaze.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-15/tiny-chameleon/3831804">http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-15/tiny-chameleon/3831804</a></p>
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<p>A new species of chameleon. The natural world never ceases to amaze.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-15/tiny-chameleon/3831804">http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-15/tiny-chameleon/3831804</a></p>
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<p></p>Petition for tigerstag:arzone.ning.com,2012-02-15:4715978:BlogPost:829782012-02-15T11:39:57.000ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBaker
<p>This is an appeal to sign a petition for tigers. See details at;</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.tigertime.info/bantigertrade.html">http://www.tigertime.info/bantigertrade.html</a></p>
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<p>There are something like just 3,200 tigers left and they are being killed still for Chinese medicine and other products. Some are literally starved to death to make a wine, and the sight of such a beautiful animal so emaciated is indeed tragic. </p>
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<p>This is an appeal to sign a petition for tigers. See details at;</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.tigertime.info/bantigertrade.html">http://www.tigertime.info/bantigertrade.html</a></p>
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<p>There are something like just 3,200 tigers left and they are being killed still for Chinese medicine and other products. Some are literally starved to death to make a wine, and the sight of such a beautiful animal so emaciated is indeed tragic. </p>
<p></p>For scholarstag:arzone.ning.com,2012-02-15:4715978:BlogPost:831382012-02-15T07:21:54.000ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBaker
<p>This new network may be a good opportunity to share research and views about environmental and animal rights issues.</p>
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<p>See website at: <a href="http://www.ssrn.com/">http://www.ssrn.com/</a></p>
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<p>You will have to subscribe, which is free, to have a look but if you see under the news headings you will find a link to a new Sustainability Research & Policy Network.</p>
<p>I note they include vegetarianism in their examples of what might be useful, but see no reason…</p>
<p>This new network may be a good opportunity to share research and views about environmental and animal rights issues.</p>
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<p>See website at: <a href="http://www.ssrn.com/">http://www.ssrn.com/</a></p>
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<p>You will have to subscribe, which is free, to have a look but if you see under the news headings you will find a link to a new Sustainability Research & Policy Network.</p>
<p>I note they include vegetarianism in their examples of what might be useful, but see no reason why it can't be expanded to involve vegan philosophy. Might be one avenue to help make a difference.</p>
<p>I'll be interested to know what others think.</p>