IOWA LEGISLATURE: CRIMINALIZING COMPASSION

Annals of animal subjugation—

Those who eat the meat of other [living beings] in order to satisfy their own flesh, they are definitely murderers [themselves], since without a consumer [there can be] no killer. — Acharya Hemacandra (12th c. Jain ascetic/scholar

Human dominion over non-human animals has been and remains the most savage, extensive and horrendous form of tyranny found in all of human history. For animals everywhere, especially those we choose to regard as born to be killed for food, entertainment and other “tradition-sanctified” ends,  every day is a day spent in a Treblinka.  This is hardly hyperbole. Even a brief trip to a slaughterhouse will open the eyes of the most indifferent witness. All of that institutionalized horror is hidden behind an elaborate edifice of lies and euphemisms. And defending the status quo we always find in the very forefront the hirelings of the corporate system: politicians at all levels, the mainstream media, and the p.r. prostitutes and lobbyists paid to confuse the issues and facilitate a continuation of business as usual. Rep. Annette Sweeney certainly seems to fit this description, something almost to be expected in an agribusiness dominated state such as Iowa.—P. Greanville

BY RUTH EISENBUD

The following was sent to Rep. Annette Sweeney, Republican representative in the IOWA state Legislature, regarding her effort to pass a law that would call for prison and a fine for anyone working undercover at a slaughter house to document excessive violence, abuse and torture. Sadly I just heard from a colleague, that the bill was passed by the Iowa house of representatives. It would still be helpful to write to Annette Sweeney and let her know that her cruelty is not appreciated.  Her email address is: annette.sweeney@legis.state.ia.us

At the foot of the article, we furnish our audience with the addresses of all the state reps that might have influence in modifying this disgraceful decision. Above all, spread the word via local and national media, and write any and all persons you deem capable of helping with this issue.

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Dear Representative Sweeney,

I am sending this to you well aware that you will not agree with or appreciate the point of view that animals are as worthy of the intrinsic right to their lives as humans. However, the following must be said, whether you have the compassion to understand it or not:

The underlying rational that allows for this carnage to exist and thrive is the biblical doctrine that man ranks higher in an arbitrary self-serving hierarchy: god/man/animal created to excuse violence to animals as justifiable and even righteous:

In other words: He who is of necessity cruel to animals can be regarded as a righteous individual.

So while you may justify her heartless position on biblical rhetoric, those with a more profound understanding of compassion, will view this position for what it is: the exercise of greed and power over the harmless and weak.

Who are the criminals?
Dominion with its mandate that man has the god-given right to harm and slaughter animals is cruel in and of itself. To further compound it with the abuses of mechanized factory farming and then attempt to cover up the horrific violence inflicted on harmless animals by criminalizing those who expose the evil begs the question: Who are the Criminals? Your attempt to criminalize compassion and assure that not even the tiniest measures of cruelty are spared the innocent victims has reduced violence and deceit to a new low. The decision to prosecute those who still have a conscience reveals the full depth of the failure of the Judeo/Christian tradition to extend compassion to animals. The following has provided you with a license to violate the sanctity of life for ALL beings and you have taken full advantage of these words to insure the most sadistic outcome.

Words that lead to violence
So, who then are the criminals: those who terrorize, abuse and slaughter harmless creatures, then seek to hide these dirty deeds or those who seek to protect the victims? You would do well to heed the words of a more compassionate view, which understands that all suffering inflicted on sentient beings is a sin, not a god-given right and privilege:

Reverend Andrew Linzey, Oxford University

The information in this letter is being sent to additional media, so that all are made aware of your complicity in the situation in Iowa:  The legislator in charge of protecting the perpetrators and subjecting those with the compassion and courage to expose the mechanized barbarism embodied by agribusiness is Representative Annette Sweeney. Please contact her and let her know that any attempt to criminalize compassion is unacceptable: annette.sweeney@legis.state.ia.us

Respectfully,
Ruth Eisenbud

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To: annette.sweeney@legis.state.ia.us
Subject: IOWA: Covering up the Dirty Deeds of Dominion
Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:36:13 -0400