roberts@polya.STANFORD.EDU (Paul Roberts) (04/27/88)
What can you do if you are unhappy about these things ?
I wish I knew. Here are a few ideas:
First off: Read the book ``Animal Liberation'' by Peter Singer. It is
extraordinarily well-written and well-argued, and apart from chapters
two and three it is NOT horrific.
There are a variety of organisations you can contact. I don't know
much about them, but you could get some of their literature and decide
for yourself whether or not they are `fanatics', `crazies', etc. Judge
for yourself; don't believe me or anybody else. Two addresses I have
to hand:
People for the Ethical treatment of Animals (PETA)
P.O. Box 42516
Washington D.C. 20015 Tel: (202) 726 0156
`In Defense of Animals'
21 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, CA. 94925 Tel: (415) 924 4454
There are some bills pending before the House of Representatives.
You could write to:
Congressman Henry Waxman, Chair
Sub-Committee on Health and Enviorment
Capitol Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
and express your support for either of the following:
THE INFORMATION DISSEMINATION RESEARCH ACCOUNTABILTY ACT (H.R. 1708)
introduced by Robert Torricelli. This bill would establish a national
center for research accountability to conduct comprehensive searches
of published literature to ascertain whether research proposals using
live animals should be funded. It would help stop duplicative and
redundant animal experiments.
THE CONSUMER PRODUCTS SAFE TESTING ACT (H.R. 1635) introduced by
Congressperson Barbara Boxer of California. This bill forbids federal
agencies from considering the results of LD-50 tests in their
evaluation of product safety. It also promotes the use of alternatives
to animal testing.
You might like to write to your US District Congressperson and support
the HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 287 introduced by Congressman Luhan of New
Mexico. This resolution would help stop puppy mills by putting
pressure on the USDA to inspect kennels and pull licenses.
Progress IS being made, albeit painfully slowly.
``For the triumph of evil, it is only
necessary that good people do nothing.''
- Edmund Burke
``Say not the struggle nought availeth,
The labour and the wounds are vain,
The enemy faints not, nor faileth,
And as things have been they remain.
If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars;
It may be, in yon smoke concealed,
Your comrades chase e'en now the fliers,
And, but for you, possess the field.
For while the tired waves, vainly breaking,
Seem here no painful inch to gain,
Far back, through creeks and inlets making,
Comes silent, flooding in, the main.
And not by eastern windows only,
When daylight comes, comes in the light;
In front, the sun climbs slow, how slowly,
But westward, look, the land is bright! ''
- Arthur Hugh Clough (1819-1861)