Thanksliving....
When I started Shop For Rescues it was because I wanted to find a way to save dogs, cats and horses… and the truth is that in spite of all of the things I was thinking about, like being altruistic, useful, etc., I was very much in the dark.
Recently I had an experience that changed my life and what that experience did was strip away every rational, justification and intellectualization I had about my relationship to all around me in the Universe; I can no longer ignore the countless ways most animal’s suffer and the justification that its for the benefit of humankind; it is very real and it’s not ok.
As such, I have decided to swallow the red pill, and am of the belief that it’s not ok to use/manipulate/exploit/kill/destroy animals.
I’ve made a decision that I’m not going to go through my life with the belief that although the very present earthly existence is unfortunate for them and be OK that its advantageous for me.
I’ve realized we wear them, eat them, use them for entertainment, experiment on them, and like everyone else, had been told my entire life that we can’t exist without them.
And the worst part of it all? The understanding that they’ve done nothing to deserve such. We do not need to do anything to them to survive. We abuse them in ways so egregious that one and all should be begging the Universe for forgiveness.
For this very reason Shop For Rescues has become cruelty free.
I made a decision to not sell animal based products so if one seems to find its way onto the site please let me know because it’s accidental; I’m doing the best I know and am at best a work in progress.
So after several periods of prayerful consideration…
I personally believe we are nearing a point where things just vanish (animals)… that there are nor will be goodbyes… just a void… silence… horrible thoughts… there will be nothing that any of us can say or do and there won’t be a way to bring any of them back because it’s too late… and reality… that we won’t be able to turn back time…
I fear the emptiness… the incomprehensible sadness and abject demoralization… I am terrified of a complete separateness from the Universe and what lays beyond my synthetic knowledge… To me that is Hell.
I personally don’t like that all of the animals being used in and for science are used without regard; they are put through only what can be considered abject horror and all of the animals, each and every one of them experience tremendous pain and suffering.
I don’t like that animals are used for clothing where they’re brutalized by workers who often skin them while they’re still alive. How is that acceptable?
And factory farming? I mean I can’t even begin to describe the horrors. The factory farming industry strives to maximize output while minimizing costs and does so always at the animals’ expense.
I do not like knowing that the giant corporations that run most factory farms make money by squeezing as many animals as possible into tiny spaces, regardless that many of the animals die from disease and infection.
I do not like knowing that when the animals have grown large enough to slaughter or their bodies have been worn out from producing the milk or eggs, that they and the animals raised for food are crowded onto trucks and transported for miles through all kinds of weather extremes, typically without food or water and upon arrival at the slaughterhouse, those who survived the transport have their throats slit while they’re still conscious and others are put through some other torturous life ending process.
I now ask myself where is the balance and who stops the giant corporations? Who stops the pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers and retailers? Where is a line between necessity and pure greed? When does the need for a sizable ROI for shareholders become second to saving life… enjoying life?
Who stops TPTB (the powers that be) from destroying everything for a self serving system of commerce that’s failed?
I now understand that the abusive and oppressive treatment of animals is the result of “speciesism” … something my friend Sarah has relentlessly pounded into my consciousness.
I ask myself now where have all the flowers gone?
Hegemony serves the purpose of normalizing oppression and allows for it to become entrenched in social reality. Hegemony makes oppression seem normal, natural, and necessary.
I have to admit, to me, denying an animal the basic right of freedom and welfare by virtue of their species is as oppressive as denying people the same rights because of a social identity.
We have the ability to create commerce based ventures to provide them with their own space/place. If you’ve ever seen a calf with its mother you’d understand… and you don’t have to speak a language to understand…listen with your heart, not your ears.
So, I believe if one continues to take the blue pill, the disastrous effects of animal exploitation will contribute to humanity’s end; that we are on our way to becoming extinct, soon to be destroyed by ecological degradation, human starvation, and violence.
We are about to reap what we sew…
What I can tell you is that there is consciousness that can help humankind develop the skills to respect one’s self and others, and that there is a way to develop critical thinking, and inspire empathy and compassion. Ask questions, demand answers. Look to your innermost self.
I don’t have the answers but I’m willing to be accountable and change my behavior.
Some I know have recognized how we’ve contributed to animal exploitation and the connection to racism, classism, and other forms of violence and hierarchy; some of us have admitted to ourselves and to other human beings the exact nature of our wrongs and are attempting to amend our actions and behaviors because it’s not only the right thing but because we understand it’s the only thing to do.
I personally don’t care about your flavor or politics, but pay attention…. Here is a bitter pill…
The biggest lie perpetrated in society by TPTB, whether by education, Congress, the Banking system and the MSM (mainstream media) is that nature’s protection is secondary to the more important tasks of increasing economic growth, creating jobs, enhancing the competitiveness of industry or keeping prices low.
I believe only you and I can make the difference. I believe there needs to be some kind of change to bring balance… strategic thought… real solutions… a change in how we spend our money.
Let’s put the MSM and political theater aside and accept that mankind has become absolutely reliant upon the decisions made in boardrooms, with bankers, and with politicians.
Let’s accept the brutal truth; that today's top environmental problems of climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse are actually the consequences of mankind's greed, selfishness and apathy.
Let’s accept the fact that everything that has been built in today’s modern human society, with all of its so called benefit and luxury, is and has been always provided by nature and it’s Mother Earth that will have the final say…
And here is an augury of things to come…eventually, everyone, banker and politician alike, will begin to question how global environmental risks will affect the macroeconomic performance of countries, sectors and financial markets.
So, armed with the facts and the understanding of the personal impact our actions can create, with respect and compassion for all living creatures, and a sincere desire for the eradication of oppression, let’s begin with how we spend our money and know the Universe and what lays beyond our synthetic knowledge can offer methods for dismantling the violence and systems of hierarchy within our culture.
If you are Vegan, Vegan in your heart, conscious, spiritual, religious, agnostic, atheist, human, please realize that you can become part of the change that’s needed to stop the direction we’re all headed towards. This is holy.
Please stop supporting businesses with your money that kill and support the hegemony that currently exists.
If you don’t support the actions of businesses attempting to create a new system start thinking about that special place you’ll hold in all of the emptiness and silence.
Eric