Comments on: Thinking Pluralistically: A Case for Direct Action

By: WillyBoy

WillyBoy — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:19:49 +0000

Sorry guys, I just gotta tell you the monkey in your side bar looks as if he’s read the above article and is now hanging his head in abject shame.

Willy Boy (he was a relative. look him up)

By: WillyBoy

WillyBoy — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:36:39 +0000

What a massive circle jerk! Come on folks it’s not all that black and white. You name all of these “heroes” and applaud their tactics well here are a few more names to add to your list of “heroes”: The National socialist Party of Germany (NAZI), The Spanish Inquisition (and their lovely leader Mr. Torquemada)oh, and let’s not forget the leftists like Stalin, Mao and Mr Pol Pot’s cute little Khmer Rouge.
All of these people and “movements” had something in common. They ALL did what they did while covering themselves in the sanctimonious cloak of righteousness Each and every one of these people or groups EXPLOITED those of lesser intellect to achieve their goals and indoctrinated the young and impressionable to be their shock troops ie those who did the actual dirty work. The people you idolize do this for self aggrandizement alone and wrap them selves in the flag of “animal rights” to gather up all of the wing nuts who will adore them. You think Paul Watson doesn’t cultivate a cult of personality? You think Rod Coronado doesn’t get off on recounting his war stories to school children? These misfits wouldn’t be able to do what they do WITHOUT self aggrandizing! Hell they COULDN’T do it without the publicity they garner through their immoral actions. Yeah, I used the M word. I used it because we ALL know it’s true. One of the first lessons we learn as children is TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT. Your Mamas taught you that when you were 3. There is simply NO way to justify violence. You speak of a lack of innocence on the part of your opponents, you justify your behavior through the use of philosophical arguments and Latin quotes from ancient Christin texts. You use terms like “Non-combatants” and “Collateral Damage” all in an effort to dehumanize the “enemy”. Just like the Nazis, the Inquisitors, the KGB, the Stazi, the Khmer Rouge, just like Muslim extremists and Christian extremists and a host of other deceptive individuals and groups have done for hundreds of years. Yet, you KNOW that sooner or later the behavior of those who commit these acts will lead to the loss of human life. What will you say then? Will a 6 year old girl be collateral damage? Will a pregnant woman? A young Father? How will you sit there and tell their families that they died for a righteous cause? How many others are you willing to sacrifice to prove your point? You know, it’s all fun and games ’till someone looses an eye. After that it’s an eye for an eye ’till the whole world is blind.

By: scarlett

scarlett — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:18:51 +0000

You are right dean. The individuals who engage in animal exploitation for profit are not going to bow out gracefully. Whether it is vivisection or agri-business or the fur industry it is all about ego and money. Animals are simply tables and chairs to these people, just as the slaves in the South were property. The people in these industries are “gone” as far as I am concerned. In other words, there is no “discussing” with them and there is no “reasoning”. The individuals in these industries will not stop until they are forced to stop or are too afraid to continue. It is important to remember that the slaves were not freed due to some sort of cosmic awakening in which everyone instantly saw the evils of the practice. The slaves were not freed because of leafletting and potlucks and holding signs. There was a bloody war over it. The struggle for animal liberation is no different. The animals are the slaves of the world and we must fight for their freedom by any means necessary.

By: Dean Bracher

Dean Bracher — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:38:11 +0000

One person’s terroist, another’s freedom fighter. The actions of any Animal Rights Activist have to be put into the context of the actions of animal abusers of all types. Industry or individual, state approved and sanctioned.
The real violence is committed by those that kill and cause suffering to billions of sentient beings each year and will continue to do so until they are either stopped, the public change their consumer ways or the planet is gone.
Direct action as a just place in the war on “Terror”, that of destoying industries hell bent on killing and killing all types of animals. The real crime’s of silence and apathy are in allowing these industries and state’s to carry out state santioned murder.
Dr Steve Best is right in is use and description of what is needed to be done. There are other ways for animal liberation but right now is the time for action.

By: Lynn Sawyer

Lynn Sawyer — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:16:36 +0000

Utterly brilliant. I think that Steve is making real headway against the notion that only pacifist vegan outreach works (although I have no idea where the evidence for this dictat comes from). At climate camp in the compost toilets the campaign against Eon (who want to build more coal fired power stations) had put up posters saying that they were going after suppliers with a list and praising SHAC. Activists fighting arms dealers are turning up at their nice hotels and gluing up cash machines of banks associated with funding these filth who make money out of blowing living beings to shreds. No one is out for violence but if it is necessary to defend self or the defenceless then only an activist on the ground at that time has the right to decide what they should do often in heated and scary circumstances, no-one else.

By: CemC

CemC — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:07:22 +0000

Dr. Best and his writings have changed the way I look at the world.

By: Dominique

Dominique — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:55:48 +0000

There are many hero’s within this movement, and agree with Dr. Best that within this movement we need to agree to disagree on strategies for what is best to save the animals from this insane ongoing torture and murder. It is a nightmare relived everyday. Everyone that cares to be in this movement has something to offer, be happy with that and don’t criticize others for what they bring to the table. We need to stay strong, united and focused. Anthony Marr with Jan Haagasen plans are in the works to legally change the Anti-hunting laws that are unconstitutional, which may pave the way to get all the unconstitutional laws changed in the near future for Animal’s Rights. The laws were written long ago, by some very ignorant pro hunting people. Time to change this crap and move into a compassionate future. And with leaders such as Dr. Best, Anthony Marr, Jason Miller, Paul Watson, Dr. Elliot Katz, Coronado, Mann, Yourofsky, ect, we will eventually Win the Animals their right to live.

By: scarlett

scarlett — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:42:43 +0000

Absolutely.Gary’s is outstanding. I have not have the pleasure to see him speak in person but I watched his youtube clip today. Passionate and powerful, bringing the truth to the people, engaging them with thought provoking questions, planting the seed.

By: Camille Marino

Camille Marino — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:32:55 +0000

Yes, Steve is brilliant. We are so fortunate to have access to his work.

I have to add Gary Yourofsky to the list of heroes. Not only has he given everything for the cause, he’s part of our NIO family.

By: scarlett

scarlett — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:27:55 +0000

In addition Rod Coronado, Kevin Jonas (all the shac 7), Keith Mann, Paul Watson,all the shac POW’s, Barry Horne, Jill Phipps, Peter Young etc, etc and all the ALF/Justice Deparment activists. These people are the heros of our movement. They have given their lives for the cause.