Rethink #Thanksgiving : A New #Tradition of #Compassion

Check out these great resources and solutions. Life should not be torture for turkeys. 

----- Forwarded message ----
From: Lia Wilbourn - Farmed Animals Campaign Coordinator, In Defense of Animals <info@idausa.org>
Date: Wed, Nov 27, 2024, 2:31 PM
Subject: Rethink Thanksgiving: A New Tradition of Compassion
To: 

It doesn't have to be this way.

Did you know that wild turkeys can live up to ten years in their natural habitat?   How old do you think the turkeys on dinner tables across the country are when they are killed?   The truth is shocking: most are slaughtered at just 12 to 19 weeks old! I'm Lia Wilbourn, Farmed Animals Campaign Coordinator at In Defense of Animals, and I'm writing to you because this single fact underscores an important truth: turkeys, like all animals, are individuals. They are not commodities for our traditions—they are sentient beings who experience joy, pain, fear, empathy and love.   A Tradition in Need of Change   Each Thanksgiving, over 46 million turkeys are slaughtered in the United States alone. For 99% of them, their short lives are spent in darkness, crowded in sheds, unable to spread their wings or walk without pain. They are mutilated and selectively bred to grow unnaturally large and fast, enduring broken bones, heart failure, and constant discomfort, before being sent to slaughterhouses.   But it doesn't have to be this way.   When we focus on what Thanksgiving is meant to celebrate—gratitude, community, and connection—it becomes clear that these values are deeply misaligned with the exploitation, cruelty and slaughter imposed on turkeys. Why is it that the presence of feathers, talons, and beaks invalidates their right to experience freedom, joy and a life free from harm by humans?   Would we tolerate this if it were done to a group of humans simply because they spoke a different language or looked different from us? Of course not. It's time to extend the same justice and compassion to turkeys and all animals.  Justice and Compassion Is The New Tradition   Let's do unto all animals as we would have them do unto us. Let's create traditions rooted in common decency and kindness, not violence.   Here are some ways you can make a difference: Discover Their Stories: Learn the truth about these amazing animals and what they face in animal farming in my recent blog, Honor Turkeys and Celebrate Thanksgiving with Compassion. Witness Their World: Watch My Life as a Turkey on PBS—a true story of a man who raises wild turkeys from hatchlings, forming bonds that forever change his understanding of these incredible birds. Watch Here. Explore Plant-Based Alternatives: Delicious, compassionate options like Gardein's Plant-Based Roast, Field Roast Celebration Roast, and Tofurky Feast make it easier than ever to celebrate with the nostalgic and traditional flavors you love without the cruelty and killing Connect With Us for Support: Thanksgiving can be challenging for animal advocates. Meet with kindred spirits who share your values in our Animal Activist Online Support Group on Nov. 28. Watch Our Recent Webinar: Join the enlightening discussion on vegan advocacy featuring Dr. Faraz Harsini, CEO of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection, and myself. Watch Here. Start Your Vegan Journey Today: Download our free Vegan Starter Guide  for making the transition to vegan both easy and delicious. Let's Change For Them   This Thanksgiving, and every day, let's rewrite the narrative. Together, we can honor all human and non-human animals by not taking part in their exploitation and death. With so many incredible plant-based options and supportive resources available, it's easier than ever to leave animals and their milk and eggs off our plates.   By making new choices, we send a powerful message: gratitude doesn't have to come at the cost of someone else.   Thank you for standing with us and the animals.   With hope and determination, Lia Wilbourn Farmed Animals Campaign Coordinator In Defense of Animals P.S. Change is easier than you think! With delicious plant-based options and support from resources like our Vegan Starter Guide, you can celebrate Thanksgiving with joy, fairness, and compassion for all animals. Become an Animal Advocate today for just $5 a week! SAVE LIVES Make In Defense of Animals part of your estate plans. GET STARTED   1020 B Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 | Tel: 415.448.0048 In Defense of Animals © 2024 All rights reserved. unsubscribe | Donate

Bellingham WA: More Dwellings for Humans Near North State Street Roundabout

October 13, 2024 - photo by liz marshall 

On 10/12/2024 KPUG1170.com published a summary of construction planned at or around the 800 block of North State Street: 

https://kpug1170.com/news/297792-new-mixed-use-apartment-building-planned-for-bellingham-as-demolition-begins/

October 13, 2024 - photo by liz marshall 

October 7, 2024 - photo by liz marshall 

On Jun 25, 2020 NWCitizen.com published an informative story by Richard Conoboy about proposed development of the site:

 https://nwcitizen.com/entry/state-street-creamery-reborn-sort-of

August 13, 2024 - photo by liz marshall 

The roundabout area is also a deer crossing.  Black-tailed deer have been around about here 10,000 years. 

June 25, 2021 - photo by liz marshall 

UK: Horrific crimes against well-respected elder while walking his dog Rocky

 Anti-social behavior in children and teenagers should never be overlooked, dismissed, or enabled.

#UK #FranklinPark #Leistershire
Boy, 14, held on suspicion of murdering 80-year-old man in Leicestershire

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/sep/03/five-children-arrested-over-murder-80-year-old-man-in-leicestershire?CMP=share_btn_urlmurdering

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#World : Elephant Day & World Elephant Week

August 12 is #WorldElephantDay and the week is #World ElephantWeek 🌐

There are many ways to help save wild and captive elephants from abuse and extinction.  Many esteemed nonprofits are requesting financial contributions this week to support sanctuaries, rangers, veterinary care, transport, forest conservation, lawsuits and more. There are actions we can take such as signing petitions and congregating in peaceful protests on behalf of captive elephants.  We can write our representatives, avoid tourism that involves elephant exploitation, and drink elephant-friendly tea. The following is one of the appeals in my inbox. It is from David Daballen who is Director of Field Operations for Save the Elephants which is headquartered in the UK. Please consider and share his message, or search to help your favorite organization.  

----- Forwarded message ----
From: David Daballen, Save the Elephants <donate@savetheelephants.org>
Date: Mon, Aug 12, 2024, 4:02 AM
Subject: The bulls are back in town

The bulls are back in town ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

No images? Click here GIVING PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE A CHANCE World Elephant Day   Safo (above) and Malasso (pictured below) - two young bull elephants from Samburu National Reserve - are walking along a route in northern Kenya that their ancestors would have taken centuries before them. These important ancient migratory routes connect elephants and wildlife to rich habitat and potential mates. But this route isn't the lush green savanna, you might imagine. Instead, these intelligent and sentient beings are walking through a bustling, noisy town.  People are understandably afraid.  And the young bulls are vulnerable. It wasn't so long ago that tension was at breaking point in this very town. Another Samburu bull, named Anwar, was tearing down fences and destroying property here in order to find food during a serious drought. Conflict between elephants and people is a ticking time bomb across the African continent.  Elephants are suffering. Bulls, females and juveniles are being killed or injured during clashes with people. People are struggling as elephants more frequently move through farms and urban areas, destroying grain stores and raiding crops. And in some parts of Africa, having to be moved off airport runways and away from foraging in rubbish dumps. Fortunately, for Malasso and Safo, they are under the protection of the Save the Elephants' Rapid Response Unit. Closely patrolling the town and surrounding areas, the unit is working with the local community to guide everyone (elephants and people) safely through this tense situation. But not every elephant across the continent can have a team of pachyderm bodyguards by their side.  That's why today, on World Elephant Day, we are asking for your help to create peaceful coexistence and reduce conflict between people and elephants. Liz, can you make a gift to give peaceful coexistence a chance? With your support we'll keep training as many communities as possible on how to deploy life-saving tools (like beehive fences) that will allow them to live safely alongside pachyderms. Your generosity will help secure the spaces elephants need to safely connect to their habitats, allowing them to roam freely with reduced conflict situations. MATCH MY DONATION Your gift matched What's more - a generous donor has offered to match every gift made up to a total of $12,000 for peaceful coexistence, between now and midnight tomorrow.* Each gift will have a direct and meaningful impact on fostering harmonious coexistence between elephants and people. Thank you for believing in a future where elephants and people can live in harmony.  David Daballen Director of Field Operations P.S Can you make a gift for World Elephant Day to help foster harmonious coexistence between people and elephants?   *Each gift kindly sent between now and midnight (PDT) 13 August up to the total value of $12,000 or equivalent currency will be matched - meaning your gift will stretch twice as far for elephants.     Photos by Jane Wynyard   Copyright © *2024 Save The Elephants, All rights reserved. Save the Elephants is a UK Registered Charity no. 1118804 You can update the types of emails you receive, or unsubscribe (we'd be sad to see you go) in the preference centre below.

Global: Consequences of Animal Agriculture

Glen Merzer has a brilliant,unique style in presenting the facts. Here is a brief podcast re the climate crisis that we have caused, and how to fix it. (For future reference, I keep the "Real Truth About Health" feed in the sidebar to my blog under "A Few More Favorite Feeds)