Please click on the photo above, to explore a virus in atomic detail.

We were sent an alert from a friend and fellow activist, who had received an email alerting the public about a biological research facility under construction. The email was from a man named Robert Cohen at NOTmilk.com. We needed to do our own research in order to find out if this nightmare was a reality. When we did look into it, we found out that it was horrifyingly true.

We all must spread awareness in regard to this incredibly disturbing news and speak out against the severe bio-hazard threat that it represents to all of us. Biological warfare is nothing new. The fact that governments are still seeking ways to rid their “enemies”(which shifts from day to day..and ofttimes, these weapons are employed against a government’s own people) through means of biological weapons, is a danger to every life-form on this planet. Plum Island, off of the New York coast, has been testing biological weapons for years.

What are biological weapons? Imagine, if you will, a virus so deadly that it has a 99% kill ratio. Imagine what would happen if this virus jumped the net and became global? Why would humanity believe that it can control a virus that has been around longer than a time when dinosaurs walked the earth and lived through every natural, or unnatural disaster inflicted on the planet?

Viruses have a deadly potential. They are some of the simplest and most resourceful life-forms. The fact that they have existed, evolving so efficiently for so long, should succinctly indicate to the “powers that be” that we have no control over biological weapons.

If, for example, the Reston virus jumped confinement and went airborne, everyone the virus made contact with  in the surrounding cities would be dead inside of 6 to 14 days, give or take the incubation and gestation period of said virus…everyone. Ebola virus is so hot that it can jump hosts from across a room. How? During the final throes of a host’s death, the virus looks for another host. It then sends the dying host into wild convulsions that spray blood, mucus and saliva everywhere. If you have a hang nail, and a drop of this lands on it…you will most likely be infected. Please research this information for yourself, prior to disbelieving me.

Viruses are seductive life forms, with an almost “inhumane” way of modifying to their environment; that being, their hosts, which they kill whilst infecting others. Viruses jump species at an alarming rate and for many, there is no cure…none.

Class 4 bio-hazard viruses are such that they are almost alien in their pursuit to seek out and destroy with complete indifference. You can not reason or beg for mercy from a virus. It is the perfect killing machine and its logic is set on autopilot. Everything evolves and eventually, given enough time inside of a host. a virus may even adapt adequately enough to form a rudimentary system of problem solving. What does this mean, exactly?

A virus can, in its simplicity, begin to evolve whilst living inside the host for longer periods of time. Eventually, it can evolve to form an autonomic awareness of the host, problem solving for more efficient ways to live throughout the hosts system, without a great deal of collateral damage being done to the host, until a longer duration of dormant activity can slowly weaken said host. During that time period, the host is interacting with other forms of life and the virus jumps through saliva, air and blood. It doesn’t even require the amount that would populate the tip of a needle.

The United States government is moving the lab at Plum Island, off of the island and into the Midwest. That’s right, off a contained island and into the “heartland” of America.

Where is this being developed for further testing? The Homeland Security Biological Animal Research laboratory is to be constructed at the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan, Kansas.

If a Level 4 Virus breaks loose in the middle of the United States, mad cow disease will be the least of the world’s problems. It is our opinion that government testing to sustain animal agriculture bio-hazard safety, is simply a rouse, anyway. The real reason for a military funded operation, will always have a connection to biological weapons research. They will be testing on primates, and there are few reasons to test on primates at a military research facility.

One obvious reason is to study Level 4 Class Hazard filoviruses like Ebola, Reston, AIDS(AIDS is actually a Class 2, which should adequately explain how deadly Class 4 viruses are) and Marburg. These viruses are the hottest on the planet.

Digging deeper into this terrifying reality in depth, researching in regard to the politically motivated activity connected to this issue, one could theorize that it coincides with the timing of several initiatives to silence activists, including, but not limited to, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act(states that if protesters lobby against federal buildings or businesses and cause said institutions any monetary loss, the protesters will be labelled in the same category as terrorists) becoming law during the Bush administration, with no opposition from the Senate, Congress and strangely enough, nor from the ACLU(who in fact, actually helped “tailor” the bill).

Furthermore, this facility will also be the first of its kind; a level 4 bio-hazard testing facility under the direct control of Homeland Security, and out of the hands of the United States Agriculture Division. This will signify that as a pseudo-military operation, they can technically take human prisoners as well, and house them at the facility. The possible ramifications behind this issue is mind-numbing.

Now, here is where it really gets scary. Aren’t there earthquake fault lines in Kansas? You bet there are! One of them runs right through Manhattan. Maybe you didn’t quite catch that, so we will repeat it. The United States government is building a level 4 bio-hazard experimental testing facility on a fault line in the “heartland” of America, where one of the largest earthquakes was in recorded U.S. history…in a state, also known to be regularly hit by extreme tornado activity…brilliant! Please click on the map below to see information regarding this location’s seismology status.

Viruses do not follow safety protocol. If a tornado or an earthquake hits that facility, or even if a researcher leaves a door open, a vent, a waste bag outside…we are effectively in serious trouble. That’s how simple it is to wake the “Sphinx from centuries of stony sleep and slumber towards Bethlehem to be reborn”. Please read Ryan Kath’s article(with video) discussing the issue for the sake of validity HERE…just in case you don’t believe us.

How can the United States citizens allow this extreme bio-threat to move forward? The Plumb Island lab should have been shut down long ago to begin with. Now, the government is creating a level 4 bio-hazard experimental testing facility on a fault line in the “heartland” of America, where one of the largest earthquakes was in recorded U.S. history, in a state, also known to be regularly hit by extreme tornado activity. Why would the United States government even consider doing such a thing and are American citizens in a constant state of slumber?

Please do not turn a blind eye to this severe bio-threat to life. This lab is a facility of mass destruction.

The team at,
AELLA

We have received extremely disturbing news from our friends at Sea Shepherd regarding the current status of the charges against Sea Shepherd founder, Captain Paul Watson. Costa Rica is indeed, requesting extradition and they plan to charge Paul with crimes relating to the incidents which occurred during the filming of the movie “Sharkwater”.

If world media reacts responsibly enough, they will report on this issue in the proper context, that being, as a politically motivated action made by the Costa Rica government. There obviously were no grounds for criminal charges and this warrant was ignored/rejected by Interpol. The German authorities should follow suit and discount any idea of extradition. Interpol’s statement to clarify the record concerning Paul Watson, which can be read HERE, reads as follows:

“On 2 March, 2012 INTERPOL issued a written statement to all 190 member countries making it clear that it would not publish a Red Notice seeking the arrest of Paul Franklin Watson because its Office of Legal Affairs was not satisfied that the request was in compliance with INTERPOL’s Constitution and Rules.

INTERPOL does not itself issue arrest warrants. At the request of a member country it can publish a Red Notice, or international wanted persons alert. A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant, nor can INTERPOL demand that any member country arrest the subject of a Red Notice.

Any enquiries relating to arrests of individuals should be directed to the national authorities where the person was taken into custody.”

Even though some within the Costa Rica government are calling for extradition, there are also legislators in Costa Rica calling for the immediate release of Paul Watson. The office of legislator Claudio Monge Pereira, a representative of Partido Accion Ciudadana (Civil Action), an opposition political party in Costa Rica, has issued a strong statement of support for Paul. Please read HERE.

Mr. Monge stated, “[…] in case Mr. Watson is extradited (to Costa Rica), he should be welcomed in a manner that he truly deserves, symbolically granting him the keys to our oceans, so that he can do what our governments are incapable of doing: to set things right once and for all! Freedom for Captain Watson, Defender of Marine Life!”

We still have until tomorrow to force Germany to release Paul. Please contact Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, the Federal Minister of Justice in Berlin, Germany.

Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger Federal Minister of Justice Deutscher Bundestag Platz der Republik 11011 Berlin Telephone 030 – 227 751 62 Fax 030 – 227 764 02

E-Mail: sabine.leutheusser-schnarrenberger@bundestag.de

Federal Ministry of Justice Mohrenstrasse 37 10117 Berlin, Germany Telephone: +49 (030) 18 580-0 Telefax: +49 (030) 18 580-9525

We also need to email the office of the Head Prosecutor at the Appeal Court in Frankfurt:

Dr. Guido Westerwelle
Minister of Foreign Affairs
FDP-Bundestagsfraktion
Platz der Republik 1
11011 Berlin

Tel.: 030 / 22771636
Fax: 030 / 22776562
E-Mail: guido.westerwelle@bundestag.de

Sample Letter:

Dear Ms Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger,

I was very concerned to hear that Germany has detained Sea Shepherd’s Captain Paul Watson for possible extradition to Costa Rica. I understand that the warrant for Captain Watson’s arrest is politically motivated and possibly due to an incident in which Sea Shepherd uncovered an illegal shark finning operation.

I support Sea Shepherd’s efforts to monitor and publicise illegal fishing and whaling around the world and recognize that some illegal fishing operations try to use international law to shut down the Sea Shepherd operations.

I urge you to consider the valuable work Captain Watson and Sea Shepherd are undertaking globally to highlight the dangers to our oceans in considering this extradition request.

Sincerely,

Your Name.

Please visit the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society website HERE or click on the photo of Paul above, to be redirected to their site.

For the oceans,
The team at,
AELLA

I do comprehend the public’s desire for a nice, cozy security-blanket, however, the difference between a corporate push, whether for or against “free-range” animal agriculture, makes no viable difference to life on this planet, including human life.

Corporate lobbyists for the animal agriculture industry, who have been proponents of both factory farming, as well as “free-range” procedures, flooding the public with propaganda for a number of years, are only one side of a very destructive coin.

The other side of that coin resides with the general public. People actually wish to be lied to. The simple truth of the matter is that regardless of where we slaughter animals or employ animal agriculture, all life on this planet began to severely degrade once the human population reached over 2 billion.

This reality is in direct relation to the way that we currently live as a civilization of exploiters of other life-forms. If only the general public would begin to wrap their minds around the fact that no matter where you exploit “livestock” animals, so long as the same demand exists for products derived from them, the same number of animals must be utilized to support the industry.

Obviously, this signifies that the same environmental stresses will not magically disappear, no matter where we employ animal agriculture. The main cause of environmental degradation linked to animal agriculture is, after all, based on the inordinate grain production and grazing required to feed the current number of “livestock” animals in the industry. That will not change under “free-range” conditions.

Likewise, so long as the same demand exists for animal-based products, the industry will employ similar brutal tactics to keep the supply up to par with the demand. Hormones will still be utilized, antibiotics will still be administered and animals will continue being subjected to abuse in order to cater to whatever human “need” for their flesh, lactation or eggs requires.

Truly, this is not a very complicated reality to understand. People, in general, simply do not wish to see the reality because a nice, cozy security-blanket feels so much better. Their own posterity is apparently not important enough for certain individuals to open their eyes, face the truth and alter their lifestyle.

When you peel back the layers of the corporate “spin” on animal agriculture, the insatiable desire amid the general public to continue eating animal-based products at any cost and the sheer lack of reason employed by all parties involved, what we can easily identify is a civilization of beings most willing to believe anything which informs them that it is acceptable to consume the future of their own posterity.

Anthony Damiano
Founder of AELLA

A very intelligent and caring 9 year old girl named Jamie D. Montalvo, has sent us a poem in regard to how she feels about the vast animal slaughter and environmental degradation currently plaguing our world. She agreed to allow us to share it with you.

Mother Nature Crying:
by Jamie D. Montalvo

Listen to the wind.

Hear the cries of my children.

Can you see?

Can you see what they’re doing to me?

Shedding their blood upon my face.

Help my children please.

My heart is breaking.

The tears I shed fill the rivers, lakes and seas.

Why don’t you love me?

Cry no more my children.

The day is near when I will wake.

Trembling quakes will come.

And those of you who hurt me will be beneath me.

Time and again, I have witnessed people who claim to be animal rights activists sharing the website links and Facebook posts supplied by the groups Humanewatch or Petakillsanimals, simply because they do not care for PETA or the Humane Society of the United States.

Animal rights, human rights and environmental activists need to consider what they are promoting, before sharing links from such sources. Activists of any kind possess absolutely no business giving more exposure to “Petakillsanimals” and “Humanewatch”.

I really could care less about how much someone dislikes PETA or the HSUS. Sharing these websites or their respective Facebook pages makes an individual no friend to the animal rights, human rights or environmental movement. Humanewatch and Petakillsanimals are both owned and operated by one of the worst human beings on the face of the planet.

Rick Berman owns and operates both of these endeavors. He is a corporate lobbying human-molester who’s twisted agenda is based solely on keeping your money flowing into the hands of life-destructive interests.

Rick Berman has helped to ensure that the United States minimum wage does not elevate.

Rick Berman has worked to bust unions.

Rick Berman has promoted that the mercury in fish really isn’t that bad for you.

Rick Berman has promoted that tanning beds are good for you.

Rick Berman has consistently attacked Mother’s Against Drunk Driving.

Rick Berman promotes that trans-fat might actually clean out your arteries.

Rick Berman has promoted second-hand smoke as being “delicious”.

When the Corn Refiners Association needed a lobbyist to promote their idea to change the name of high-fructose corn syrup to “corn-sugar”, who do you think jumped on the band-wagon?

Rick Berman promoted that living conditions of chickens in the agricultural industry have nothing to do with whether or not diseases occur in animal agriculture and therefore, battery cages cause no one any harm.

Rick Berman attacks any activist groups which revolve around human, environmental and animal rights that have the potential to cost corporate interests money.

The supplied information on any of his websites is “spun” at best. If you feel the need to attack PETA, do your own research in regard to the matter and do not use information supplied by Rick Berman. There is nothing that Rick Berman will ever do that is for the benefit of humans, animals or this planet and you are NOT helping animals by promoting Petakillsanimals. Quite the opposite, I am afraid. Rick Berman doesn’t give a damn if PETA kills animals or not.

Individuals who share links from endeavors like Humanewatch and Petakillsanimals are giving Rick Berman exactly what he wants; exposure necessary to hurt the activist movement. Any pieces of information supplied by Berman And Company should be shunned by all activist communities.

I am supplying the links to just a few of his websites below. Anyone with sense about them should be able to discern what Rick Berman stands for by simply researching these few endeavors. His own actions are more than enough to show everyone which corporate agendas this lobbyist stands for. Do not give him exposure by sharing ANYTHING from his Facebook pages or websites. Activists do not share spun information supplied by corporate lobbyists.

BERMAN AND COMPANY: bermanco.com

(A corporate lobbyist firm owned and operated by Rick Berman)

CENTER FOR CONSUMER FREEDOM: consumerfreedom.com
(The platform by which Rick Berman creates and promotes dummy non-profit groups like Humanewatch. Non-profit organizations are not legally bound to divulge their financial backing…think about it)

HUMANEWATCH: humanewatch.org
(Attacks the Humane Society because the Humane Society potentially causes animal agriculture and other animal exploiting industries to lose money)

PETAKILLSANIMALS: petakillsanimals.com
(Attacks PETA and for the same reason and if another animal rights group grew large enough, he would attack them as well)

FISHSCAM.COM: fishscam.com
(Argues that the mercury in fish isn’t that bad for you and you will one day be able to take your temperature with the fish)

SWEETSCAM.COM: sweetscam.com
(Argues that high fructose corn syrup is good for you)

ANIMALSCAM.COM: animalscam.com
(Attacks the animal rights movement in general because for obvious reasons, we cost corporations money)

LIVINGWAGE.COM/EMPLOYMENT POLICIES INSTITUTE: livingwage.com/epionline.org
(Ensures that the minimum wage for the average worker remains where it is because God forbid average people get a damned raise and cost corporations a dime)

ROTTENACORN.COM: rottenacorn.com
(Attacks ACORN because ACORN pushes for a higher minimum wage for the average worker)

Again, it does not matter whether or not you like PETA or agree with their actions. Use another source to promote your angst. Start by doing your own investigation. Please consider what you are promoting and stop the madness…

Below, is a letter in its entirety, from Rick Berman’s own son, David. The former lead singer of a popular New York City indie rock band called the “Silver Jews” posted this on-line message. David disclosed to his fans in this message, the shameful truth about his father:

“Now that the Joos are over I can tell you my gravest secret. Worse than suicide, worse than crack addiction:

My father.

You might be surprised to know he is famous, for terrible reasons. My father is a despicable man. My father is a sort of human molestor.

An exploiter. A scoundrel. A world historical mother******* son of a bitch. (sorry grandma).

You can read about him here:

www.bermanexposed.org

… A couple of years ago I demanded he stop his work. Close down his company or I would sever our relationship.

He refused. He has just gotten worse. More evil. More powerful. We’ve been “estranged” for over three years.

Even as a child I disliked him. We were opposites. I wanted to read. He wanted to play games.

He is a union buster.

When I got out of college I joined the Teamsters (the guards were union organized at the Whitney).

I went off to hide in art and academia.

I fled through this art portal for twenty years. In the meantime my Dad started a very very bad company called Berman and Company.

He props up fast food/soda/factory farming/childhood obesity and diabetes/drunk driving/secondhand smoke.

He attacks animal lovers, ecologists, civil action attorneys, scientists, dieticians, doctors, teachers.

His clients include everyone from the makers of Agent Orange to the Tanning Salon Owners of America.

He helped ensure the minimum wage did not move a penny from 1997-2007!

The worst part for me as a writer is what he does with the English language.

Though vicious he is a doltish thinker, and his spurious editorials rely on doublethink and always with the Lashon Hara.

As I studied Judaism over the years, the shame and the shanda, grew almost too much. My heart was constantly on fire for justice. I could find no relief.

This winter I decided that the SJs [Silver Jews] were too small of a force to ever come close to undoing a millionth of all the harm he has caused. To you and everyone you know.

Literally, if you eat food or have a job, he is reaching you.

I’ve always hid this terrible shame from you, the fan. The SJs have always stood autonomous and clear.

Hopefully it won’t contaminate your feelings about the work … In a way I am the son of a demon come to make good the damage.

Previously I thought, through songs and poems and drawings I could find and build a refuge away from his world.

But there is the matter of Justice.

And I’ll tell you it’s not just a metaphor. The desire for it actually burns.

It hurts.

There needs to be something more. I’ll see what that might be.”

Thank you for your courage, David…

Anthony Damiano
Founder of AELLA

In retaliation for the outcry against recent killing of wolves, hunters have been making a lot of noise, talking about plans in regard to physically harming certain animal rights activists. I find it rather interesting to note that activists are labeled as “lunatics” when they get upset over seeing the brutality that hunters inflict and sometimes yes, certain activists say some really stupid things in their angry state, even the occasional “noted” activist, however, let us place something into perspective here; hunters actually do have firearms and are known to kill living creatures with those firearms. Just about all hunters possess firearms, or perhaps bows, or traps, etc… It is just a thought, but I would wager that most animal rights activists do not possess firearms or bows…maybe bolt-cutters, ground-chalk, picket signs and red paint, but that’s about it.

Oddly enough, I have never physically threatened anyone in my years of activism, yet I have been physically threatened several times and some of those threats were clear death threats. I even have one still sitting in my Facebook mailbox, which was reported to no avail, as Facebook doesn’t give a damn about animal rights activists and obviously, neither do the authorities. Facebook didn’t even remove the person’s page. Surprised? I am not. Certain people apparently have rights, whilst others do not.

In any case, the hunters continue touting their many ridiculous excuses for killing animals. There are few that I despise more than “wildlife management”. Considering how well humans have “managed” our environment thus far, I would suggest that we “demote” ourselves from the “management” position. The only way to “manage” nature and wildlife is to leave it the hell alone. Any time humans interfere with the natural balance, it becomes tainted and destroyed. It actually makes me feel “dirty” on some level, when I realize that I belong to a gene pool gullible enough to believe the hunters’ fairy tales regarding how they can “manage” a balance better than nature can.

Furthermore, it is most certainly the fault of human interference, that any animal population problems may exist, if it exists at all. If any animal population has “over-run” a specific environment, it is because humans have put said species where it does not belong or destroyed the ecologic factors which keep that species “in check” and frankly, this is the tell-tale signature of hunter interference with the natural order. In most cases, hunters have eradicated their only competition, that being, indigenous predators, like wolves, whose burrows and environmental impact are essential for the generation of bacterial-life, as well as the growth of flora in any ecosystem. That, in turn, helps sustain the balanced food supply for many animal species, including the predator’s prey. Predators obviously, also control the population numbers of said prey. It is all part of an intricate web, specifically designed for sustainability and continuance, a system to which, we do not fit into. Again, when humans interfere, that is when problems arise.

Certain animals(not all of, but the majority) which populate in ecosystems where they do not belong, were specifically brought to those environments and intentionally populated by humans for either food purposes or for the hunters to sport-hunt. Animals that are the more favored prey of the hunters, which do not overpopulate on their own, like deer, are purposely well-fed annually with row upon row of well-placed deer-plot “goodies”, like deer-clover, for maximum procreation. Most people do not know that deer would not populate beyond their food supply, however, a doe’s biological make-up will actually abort a certain number of fetuses naturally, when the food supply is low. It is nature’s way of sparing her fawns from enduring starvation whilst keeping a balance in the ecosystem.

The hunters omit this information when offering their “services” to “amend” the imposed deer population issue near any community, however, they most certainly know about it. Obviously, the hunters will certainly swear that deer-plotting is only used as a lure-tactic, however, activists have indeed found whole plots of carefully maintained rows of many different deer “goodies” like deer clover in and near several parks that see an annual deer cull, well out of the hunting season.

Seeing as the hunters publicly admit to deer-plotting(something that Ted Nugent adamantly promotes to his many hunting fans), it is only fair that they also admit to being at least partially responsible for an “overpopulation” of deer in proximity to certain communities that annually experience an “overpopulation” of deer. I wonder if that would make the hunters responsible for, or perhaps responsible for adding to, if not causing the majority of, approximately 130 human deaths in deer/vehicle collision accidents each and every year? I have heard people blame deer for being the “most dangerous animal” to humans in the United States because of this particular statistic, however, who is really at fault when nature itself, already has a plan in place to keep deer population in check?

In my personal opinion, the hunters should not be permitted to deer-plot at all, at least until a real scientifically-led investigation of the circumstances surrounding deer-plotting, as it relates to deer breeding, are performed on a national level and proper statistical data can be collected. If, in fact, the halt of deer-plotting could reduce, if not remove much of the deer population “problem” that the hunters claim exists within a few years, should any evidence of deer-plotting not carry charges for the endangering of at least, human lives? It is something to consider and this is not “old news”. Activists have indeed, expressed their concerns about this issue in the past.

Perhaps, extortion could be added to the list of charges in certain cases for potentially causing any deer population problem in the first place, whilst the hunters offer their “services” to “amend” the very problem that they may very well be a party to creating? The fact that there have been no strict ordinances against the feeding of deer by hunters, or even an investigation into these matters, is very telling in regard to where the United States government’s allegiance resides. It all sounds like nature-manipulation for the satiation of killing-enjoyment, in my personal opinion.

Anthony Damiano
Founder of AELLA

Too often, have I heard particular excuses as to why certain individuals continue their animal flesh and/or dairy consumption. In specific, said excuses are rooted in the idea that human beings have always consumed animals, so therefore, it is either asserted that animal product consumption is a necessity for survival, or that it will always be a part of the human condition. This is an obvious fallacy as no animal products are necessary for human survival and quite frankly, if the vast exploitation of animals does not come to an end, then humanity will. The main concerns in regard to those who fear the vegan diet revolve around protein, calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12, all of which can be garnered from other sources aside from animal-based products.

The despair part of the “two-headed” monstrosity of an excuse generally leads an individual to make statements such as, “I eat meat because even if I didn’t, someone would still kill and eat the animals, anyway. What difference does it make if one person stops eating animals?” This is the most frustrating statement that an animal rights activist or a conscious environmental activist will ever have to listen to. The answer to this statement is that it makes all the difference in the world and no, animals that would have been killed, acres of rain forest that would have been shredded, had they consumed animal products all of their life, would not have been lost. As small an impact as it might seem, it is still making a difference and the individuals who stop consuming animal products, themselves, also become a positive example to others.

Going back to the initial part of the argument regarding our past, there are several dietary truths pertaining to what brought human beings to the place in evolution in which we currently reside. There are some missing “spaces” in the story, however, there are a few points that are scientifically proven. The answer is yes, obviously human beings have been carnivorous in the past. It is also true that there is even some scientific evidence to support the claim that the consumption of animal flesh increased the size and capabilities of the human brain. There is no discounting this from a physiological standpoint, however, simply because a factor existed in our past, that holds no credence to the idea that said factor belongs, or even possesses the capability to remain, a part of our future. I find it somewhat astonishing to note that whilst certain people are in a complete state of denial in regard to countless scientific statistics and facts which point to animal product consumption being a detriment to humanity, those very same individuals will cite the only possible scientific evidence in support of it, even though it doesn’t apply to modern homo-sapiens.

An obvious “crossroads” has been reached in human evolution based upon an extreme ecologic sustainability problem. A being of relative intelligence, such as those which comprise humanity, should be capable of recognizing that it is time to take the next evolutionary step, or simply die off, as a collective species. Is it so difficult to consider that the next step in human evolution is not one solely based on the flow of natural selection, as our primal and brutal past has dictated? What if the next step in our evolution requires that we make a conscious decision? Whether or not that decision is an educated one will depend on how imperative it is to us that we survive our folly-filled infancy.

Any creature in existence must either adapt and evolve in order to overcome adverse environmental stimuli, just as all species have done throughout Earth’s 4.5 billion year history, to stave off extinction. There are many individuals who do not have the courage to face certain current issues, the most pressing issue certainly relating to devastation that we have inflicted upon our surroundings and what that means for our posterity. Whilst I do believe that most humans generally do care, the propaganda machine has them mesmerized. If people would just take a step back from the situation and realize what kind of political power that corporations possess, not only over our legislature, but in the media, our educational system, in advertising, every aspect of society in general, then perhaps, it might become clearer to them. Unfortunately, the masses are so blinded that they care not what happens to the future of their own species and this will directly impact the survival status of all life on Earth.

It is difficult to understand the mind frame of a human being who says, “Well, there isn’t anything we can do about it, so I might as well just not worry about it”, especially when that person has children and grandchildren. Sooner or later, the question of whether or not we actually care about our children’s futures must arise. Do we wish to leave our posterity in ruin? Do we possess enough concern for the continuance of our species to actually alter the way that we currently live, or do we wish to become extinct? These are the only real questions that need answering.

Our animal product consumption, due to a massive rise in human population over the last two centuries, is quite simply, destroying all life on Earth. Fertile lands and rain forests are stripped bare with no possibility of regrowth. Inordinate amounts of methane and CO2 flow into our atmosphere. An unrealistic number of fish are utilized in “livestock” feed to go along with the massive amount of grain that we sustain animals in the industry with, whilst oceans acidify due to pollutants and temperature alteration, killing off coral reefs, which are the cradle of every scrap of life on the planet.

Some 40,000 human beings die of starvation as another 6,000 succumb to poor water source issues every single day, whilst we over-stress the planet to produce grain, half of which we feed to 53 billion animals that we annually slaughter for food purposes, when it requires 16 pounds of grain to produce just one pound of beef. The concerns regarding fresh water sources relating to animal agriculture are just as dire as food source issues, as it requires 2,500 gallons of fresh water to generate a single pound of beef. In retrospect, although flesh consumption may have helped humanity reach this point in evolution, it has also placed us in an extremely precarious predicament. The statistics point to the fact that we will go no further, unless we stop exploiting animals.

If the next step in human evolution is one that requires a conscious effort to evolve and a deliberate decision to change, is humanity up to the test? Can we overcome the basic rules that determine the “survival of the fittest” and evolve into something better than hairless and violent versions of primates connected to cellular phones?

I simply do not have the answer to that question. Again, with corporate influence being such as it is, I am not unaware as to why so many do not heed warnings or accept information which noted environmentalists and scientists around the globe have been trying to present in regard to the devastation that animal agriculture has been causing our planet. I simply find it frustrating that people can invent such ridiculous excuses in an effort to explain away a desperate need of facing the negative impact that animal-based product consumption has on the Earth and it becomes disheartening for many of us who understand.

Only through an evolution of compassion, by truly developing an extension of that compassion toward all forms of life on the planet, will we become “aware” enough to collectively alter our current path. It is an unfortunate fact that developing a compassion for all life will require something from those who see change as sacrifice, especially considering that many humans are extremely selfish. I will not claim to have all of the answers, however, I do know that without a serious shift toward a more compassionate understanding, there is little hope for human survival. So, the question remains. Do we rise above the apathy, or do we die along with everything else that we have been adversely affecting on this planet? When do the excuses stop?

Anthony Damiano
Founder of AELLA

I am not personally, a religious individual, yet, I am also not an atheist. I feel that there is a spiritual connection between all living things, but I can not allow myself to label it with any terminologies thus far invented by humanity. I can neither prove, nor can I disprove the existence of a god.

In regard to most religions, if the followers of said theologies acted toward all life in the way that their messiahs and prophets once did, the world might be a better place today, however, for the most part, they do not. Many people can not see past the confines of their own existence and personal desires.

Their specific belief of a god may reflect an all-providing and an infinitely-giving entity. Well, the Earth is not such an entity. What exists on the Earth by way of life-sustainability in what we see as “resources”, is quite finite.

That being said, I have no issue with a belief in a god, although, one thing that I can not and will not believe in, is a god who would condone a human failure to ensure its own posterity’s life-sustainability, which is what we will all be guilty of in the continuance of animal product consumption employed by a population of so many human beings.

Therefore, if someone does not even have the courage to inspect the information that we, as activists for life, are imparting for the benefit of human posterity and fully research the validity of said information for themselves, then what right do they have arguing in baseless fashion or invoking the approval of any god, whatsoever? This is why it is generally best to keep arguments based on factual scientific information, evidence and statistics…not matters of faith.

I do not need to hear what man has to say or has written about God. I do not wish to argue about whether God does or does not exist. If God does exist, I will only pray that more people begin searching for said god within their own hearts and that they cast aside selective compassion, opening the door to compassion for all life.

If God is watching, testing and judging, keep in mind that as a collective species, we are all failing one another quite miserably. If I, myself, can not find a way to reach those who refuse to hear, then along with everyone else, I am equally responsible for that failure.

Anthony Damiano
Founder of AELLA

An extremely upset friend recently told me that she wishes to put an end to the grinding of live baby chicks in the United States and plans to generate a petition against it. Many concerned people have asked about the effectiveness of petitions. I want to be clear in stating that petitions CAN indeed, be effective. We have used them in the past and laws have even been implemented with the help of petitions, however, try to keep in focus, what it is that you are petitioning for, who is signing the petition, as well as whom you are petitioning to. Not ALL petitions are effective.

Let us put this into perspective with a hypothetical political example. We will begin by saying that an unconstitutional bill has been proposed in Congress and you wish to fight it. The representative who proposed the bill is the head of some civil committee within Congress, composed of 6 members of Congress from around the nation, a committee which is charged with drafting legislation in regard to the subject matter to which you are concerned about. Well, if you attain 5,000 United States citizen signatures from all over the country on a petition against the bill, it really may not accomplish a great deal. However, if you attain 5,000 signatures from citizens who are responsible for voting said Congressperson into office, or perhaps even from the constituents(voters in their region) of all 6 committee members, that bill may never even see its way onto the Congressional floor for a vote. As a point of fact, if you include the phone numbers of said Congresspeople(the entire committee) in the petition and only 1 or 2% of the 5,000 constituents call the offices of these Congresspeople on a daily basis, expressing their distaste for the bill, I promise that you will win your fight. You may even impact the outcome of an upcoming election in a state that you do not reside in, simply by raising awareness among said state’s citizens.

In regard to my friends petition, I can not see the actual effectiveness as it is stated, other than to possibly raise some awareness in regard to the issue. If you make a petition that simply calls for the halt of the grinding of live baby chicks, who are you planning to petition? In all honesty, hundreds of thousands of baby male chicks are either ground up alive or discarded like trash to die more slowly, piled by the hundreds, even thousands, on top of one another in bins every single day in order to satiate the egg and chicken-meat industry. The majority of male chicks are basically useless to both industries, so they are considered to be “trash”. I can not tell you how hard I’ve cried watching documentary video of countless live baby chicks, freezing to death in garbage bins out in the winter cold. So, which is the more brutal scenario? Is there a more brutal scenario?

The point that I am trying to make is that the President of the United States has no current plan on informing the American public to stop eating eggs or chickens, which is what it would take to end such wanton abuse whilst the industry attempts to cater to the current demand for eggs and chicken flesh. There are no Congresspeople or Senators that have such plans, either. There are certainly no animal agriculture conglomerates who have any intentions on doing so. What this basically means is that generating a petition which calls for the halt of grinding baby chicks alive isn’t going to have the desired impact. Again, it may raise some awareness in regard to the truth revolving around the subject by getting people to sign it, but that will be the extent of the effect.

Even if you could, hypothetically, implement law against the grinding of live baby male chicks, will all of the baby male chicks now suffer in a different way? Will the industries that produce eggs and chicken flesh simply resort to other cruel “disposal” methods? Will all of the baby male chicks be dumped in large bins to starve and slowly die? I really am not attempting to cause anyone to be upset in regard to these questions, I simply would like everyone to think about the issue. Please remember that I personally do not eat eggs, chicken flesh or any other product garnered from animals, for that matter.

Perhaps, a united effort from the animal rights movement calling for government agencies to be more honest with the general public about the issue, as well as the issue’s cause, would be more proactive in turning people toward veganism, or at least, ending the consumption of eggs and chicken flesh? Maybe we should start becoming more politically demanding of the government, calling for them to begin funding more vegan-lifestyle teaching programs and groups.

This is our planet, too, vegans, and as U.S. citizens, this is our country, as well. It doesn’t just belong to the Republicans, Democrats and/or Independents. United States policies belong to and impact all United States citizens. Consistently reevaluating our strategies and using our time responsibly is imperative for progression. So, please take sincere care when using your time on campaigns like petitioning and make them really count. As an animal rights/environmental activist, your time is extremely valuable. Please use that time wisely.

Anthony Damiano
Founder of AELLA

Sign the petition, which will automatically email the Congolese authorities to halt exploratory oil drilling in Virunga National Park!

Message from Bantu Lukambo Managing Director & CEO at IDPE(Innovation for the Development and Protection of Environment) in communication with civil society living in and around Block V near Lake Edward in the Congo:

From IDPE:

On March 23 & 24 a meeting/workshop(atelier de reflexion) was held on the issue of oil development(exploration & exploitation) in Bloc 5 in the Albertin Rift by SOCO. The workshop took place in Vitshumbi, Ruthsuru, North Kivu.

The workshop was attended by local communities who live in and outside the Park, in the area of Block 5, local authorities and by CSO’s who fight to protect the environment, as well as local human rights.

9 NGOs took part:

Local communities were represented by fishing committees who are fishing on Lake Edward, and they also represented people who’s livelihoods are dependent upon the local natural resources that are prevalent in Block 5.

Concerning authorities, present were the Admin Chief de Vitshumbi, and several local chiefs(autorités coutumieres).

Civil society was represented by religious leaders, women, intellectuals and other community leadership that are mutually concerned about the environmental impacts pertaining to the issue.

In regard to the contract signed by SOCO with the DRC government, local communities are opposed to ANY and ALL forms of oil development(exploration and exploitation) in or on the outskirts of Virunga National Park or on Lake Edward.

The activities of SOCO are unchallenged in areas outside the Park, IF environmental national and international laws/regulations are respected and upheld. Also, only if all stakeholders(including local communities) can participate in these oil activities.

Referring to Congolese law; the local communities present/foresee the following problems occurring when oil development proceeds:

1. All forms of pollution that are generally associated with any oil exploratory procedures will affect the supply of food and other resources of the region.

2. Extensive water pollution of Lake Edward will occur and this will be devastating to the region. The severe desctrutive consequences will affect countless people and precious wildlife, as well as the environment, which is essential to our children’s future.

3. There will be conflict over water because the river Nile ends in Lake Edward.

We are aware of the consequences of natural resource exploitation. They are the basis of our fragile government and the conflicts in the eastern DRC. Therefore, we want the DRC government to take its responsibility to the people most seriously.

We also ask the DRC government to uphold its position “vis-a-vis” the international community in the light of all the agreements/engagements the government has with the international Community:

- UNESCO declaration 1972
- Etc…
- (And lastly they refer to the Kinshasa Declaration of January 2011 between UNESCO and the government.
We recommend:

1) To DRC government.
- Respect the national and international laws that direct the environment(al) issues.
- Revise the contract signed between the DRC government and SOCO for the exploration/exploitation in Block V, and let local communities participate in this revision process.
- Inform the local community on the content of the contract(production contract?).

2) To SOCO
- Respect international and national environmental standards in the extractive sector/industries.
- Make available asap a full social and environmental impact study, on the basis of FPIC.
- Take into account specific needs of local communities and the surrounding environment, including wildlife impact.

3) To international community
- Demand from DRC government to respect its international HR and environmental commitments made, in particular to protect/safeguard the WHS.
- Assist and support the Congolese civil society in their lobby and advocacy work to tackle/address the oil issues in the DRC.

4) To civil society actors
- Establish an exchange information and experiences between communities already being affected by oil development and the ones who are potentially being affected.
- Establish/promote synergy between all actors who work on the problems related to oil development

5) To local communities:
- Prevent division of interest between local communities who are all affected by the oil issue.
- Support dialogue between communities.
- Defend national and international agreed upon HR law.

Thank you for taking the time to read and share this message.

Bantu Lukambo Managing Director & CEO at IDPE(Innovation for the Development and Protection of Environment)