It has been quite a year.
Even in a span of a year, a lot about me changed and I can only enumerate what comes into mind as I’m writing this:
my hair (it’s straight now, 
) — hahaha, it’s really the first thing that came to mind
) — hahaha, it’s really the first thing that came to mind
my clothes – I’ve lost some weight so I had to get rid of some of my clothes
aside from the material things, there are also stuff at the other side of the spectrum:
family – though I am living away from home for school, I noticed that my siblings and I have grown closer and I have watched them mature and grow physically; my parents are still around to watch us grow and hopefully witness us be like them (if not better); I thank God for giving me a family that I belong to.
friends – being away from my friends made me realize how much they mean to me; though I do not express it easily, I am very thankful to have met them and I hope that bonds formed will be immortalized by time
independence – I didn’t think that I’d be more independent than I was a few years ago when I left home to study somewhere else.
responsibility – a product of independence.
intellectual capacity – though this is ‘theoretically’ infinite, learning more (academic) makes it larger than it was before
emotional maturity – I cannot explain my views in this post alone but I know that my perspective of relationships have changed dramatically
I thank everyone who shared this wonderful year with me.
Most of all, I thank God for giving me another year to enjoy life.
Hoping we all start 2010 right,
Any time an animal rights or welfare article comes out in a prominant publication like the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal…or Forbes (eh, rarely), I will usually find it on one of my friends’ Facebook profiles, either as their status or as a Note with a few others’ comments below it.
So yesterday I came across this one from the New York Times journalist, Nicholas Kristof: “Humanity Even for Nonhumans“. He is well-respected and prolific, and I was very please to see him take up the topic of legislative protection of animals and the general animal rights issues this inevitably brings to the conversation. I took some issue with his interviewing Peter Singer, however, as Singer is not a lawyer, a legislator, or even a law professor. Singer is a philosopher and an ethics and philosophy professor at Princeton. Philosphy is grand, I do believe, but it is limiting as far as using various principals in every day life. When it comes to animal rights, philosphical beliefs that Singer subscribes to, most of which I do as well, come unraveled, however, at a certain point. What is left to do then? I assert then one analyzes law and focuses on the very things that Kristof began his piece with.
And hence…
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Date: Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Subject: Letter, response to Humanity Even for Non-humans
In response to Nicholas Kristof’s article today, “Humanity Even for Non-humans”:
Thank you, Mr. Kristof, for paying some time and attention to this topic and noting that the rights of animals are indeed of greater importance to more people now than ever.
I thought it odd, however, that, though he referenced Bentham’s assertion ‘…can they suffer?’ as principal for himself, Peter Singer said he was “unsure about shellfish”. I would assume he’s aware of the practices of commercial fishing and the suffering that other animals, including mammals, endure as consequence.
But then again, this is why Philosophy is impractical and needs Law to bring it to life.
Your piece did not pay attention to the enforcement gap hindering the effectiveness of humane law in America. Because this exists, free-range farm workers may continue inhumane practices, unmonitored. This is very important in our deciding whether or not to eat produce from these places.
While I’m glad you wrote on the topic and cited the increase in protection of animals through legislation, I hope you will write a second piece and get the opinion of a law professor or legislator who knows about Prop 2 and has practiced in humane law. In a way, there is a point where Philosophy stops and Law takes over.
Next op-ed, Cass Sunstein?
Courtney Kistler
Rational Animal
New York, NY
(212) 933-1688 or (419) 261-0223
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Numbers and stats supporting argument above re. commercial fishing practices:
Description of the actual fishing practice that continues to kill off marine life including sea mammals and endangered species like all six species of America’s sea turtles: http://oceana.org/north-america/what-we-do/stop-dirty-fishing/about
Some factory farm / animal issues to read up on:
Battey-caged chickens: http://www.hsus.org/farm/camp/nbe
Fois gras: http://www.hsus.org/farm/camp/ffa
One of the best resources for like…everything: http://www.farmsanctuary.org/
As many of you know, Sadie Blackstar is Rational Animal’s pit bull ambassador. Well, 
there is another Sadie who probably came from a similar background as our little Blackstar. A pit with somewhat distended glands under her belly, Sadie probably had puppies recently and was thrown away. She was rescued from the euthanasia list not the day of but the HOUR of what would have been her death. A couple I am friends with had seen her at the Brooklyn AC&C a few days prior and inquired with me last Saturday night. I was shocked, because I knew she was to be put down the next morning — less than 12 hours from the time I learned they were interested in her. When I told them that she was to go down, they decided to foster her.
Through United Action for Animals, I was able to put a hold on Sadie; she was spayed Monday morning and I picked her up on Monday evening. Turns 
out the couple’s landlord objected, even though he had said they could have a dog in their apartment not long before.
out the couple’s landlord objected, even though he had said they could have a dog in their apartment not long before.Thankfully, two roommates that live on the Upper East Side were able to step in for the couple, who are good friends of theirs, and foster Sadie. She is doing well, getting along with other dogs, even was fine around my cats.
“Sweet Sadie is an American Staffordshire, about 2 years old and approximately 38 pounds. Can you believe someone dumped this adorable girl in a high kill shelter?? To make matter worse Sadie later found herself on the euthanasia list due to shelter over crowdedness. Thankfully she is now safe with her foster parents, but still needs a “furever” home. Sadie is great on a leash and terrific with other dogs (small and 
large). She is even fine with cats. Sadie is able to remain calm and collective amidst city noises and distractions, so she would be a perfect city/apartment pup. Sadie requires exercise and would be a great running partner for someone. Her sweet nature attracts many a dog lover at the park who also comment on her pretty face and loving eyes To meet Sadie, please contact United Action for Animals at 212-249-9178 or info@ua4a.org. Our adoption fee is $150. Sadie is up-to-date with routine shots and spayed/neutered.”
large). She is even fine with cats. Sadie is able to remain calm and collective amidst city noises and distractions, so she would be a perfect city/apartment pup. Sadie requires exercise and would be a great running partner for someone. Her sweet nature attracts many a dog lover at the park who also comment on her pretty face and loving eyes To meet Sadie, please contact United Action for Animals at 212-249-9178 or info@ua4a.org. Our adoption fee is $150. Sadie is up-to-date with routine shots and spayed/neutered.”
If you are interested in Sadie, contact United Action for Animals. Remember that a dog is a big responsibility and requires monetary resources as well as energy devoted to his/her life. Adoption is not an impulse buy- the process is exactly that — a process. For the safety of the rescue group, the animals, and the adopters, an application and interview are pretty standard.
Please spread the word about Sadie, and always — always! — ADOPT, don’t shop.
