Dear Belly,

Once again you've cheered me up. Thank you. As I've said before - you're heart is as big as all outdoors - and as for being "rough around the edges," well, diamonds are "rough" - but look at how they're valued. And you, believe me, I value even more.

I only wish that I could get through to the people at PALE - because I think their cause is an excellent one, and as I said, I did not mean them any harm.

I also think that they need all the support they can get - and a little change in their attitudes might work wonders for them. They need to take off their blinkers, and see that not everyone is against them afterall. But insulting people doesn't help their cause. From now on I must admit I'll really think twice before I get involved in any of their threads...

Hi all
Thank you all so much - how much nicer everyone has been (except one exception whom I shall ignore) since my last post. Foxy, I am so sorry to hear of your troubles, and I hope 2008 is bright and hopeful for you. Please do not abandon us. If you have some philosphical differences with PALE, perhaps we can address those here so that you do not feel alientated. It IS a worthy cause that PALE is fighting and perhaps we should remember the cause/s more than the personalities if they are the issue. It is about the emotion and passion people feel about gross animal abuse, and no-one is able to put that into better perspective than PF.

PF, thank you again for your continued contributions, and I will be guided by you as far as strategies go. Dickie, you always present reasoned arguments supported by facts and research, so thank you too.

If one were to consider how easily researchers can be bought, we need look no further than Hassall and Associates and its two reports on the contribution of the live export trade to the national economy. The 2000 report claimed the industry supported 9,000 jobs. At the time of writing, Peter Frawley was the former Chair of LiveCorp and a Director of Hassall and Associates. The figure of 9,000 jobs was easily discounted by independent experts, who stated that the reality was closer to 3,000.

Now H&A has put out a new report extrapolating the 9,000 figure to 13,000, and included are doctors, dentists, hospitality, government and port authorities employees, and others whose jobs would continue to exist without exporting live animals. This was also apparent in the first report. Go figure. I got the reports from MLA's website. Also, extensive research on caged hens cannot all be erroneous. I have hens from a battery farm who attest to that.

Happy New Year, everyone. Let's make this the year that makes a difference.

Nicky

“In other words, the chook does not possess the “cognitive” skill to care”

Most of this conversation has been about pigs. Did you know that a pig has the cognitive ability of at least a 3 year old child? Maybe you can look at chooks crammed in a cage and think, well they know no different so what does it matter?
I spend a lot of my day with pigs (the four legged variety) and the intelligence of these animals still amazes me even now. They have the most incredible range of vocalisations that once you spend time around them, you learn to understand quite well. I do actually use some of those sounds myself to get them to do what I want. (they tell me my accent is not that great, but they get the gist)

Each voice is unique too. Outdoor sows synchronize feeding time, in order to ensure that piglets from other litters do not steal the milk of others. Can you imagine the site and sounds of a paddock of sows singing to their young while masses of little piglets scrabble across the field in the direction of their mother’s voice squealing in answer all the way.

I rely on the pigs intelligence to train them to fit in with our management system. I have changed things many times as we streamline our operation, and at most it takes 2 days (or 2 times) for them to learn something new.

Pigs also have very unqiue personalities. Some you cant help but be taken in by, and they damn well know it! We have many visitors here and there is one particular sow that is garanteed to get a special treat from most. She uses her soft voice and expressive eyes to suck them in every time. Their eyes are just like human eyes you know.

cont ...

Intensive pig farming probably disturbs me more than most because I have such a first hand knowledge and understanding of pig behaviour. How anyone can justify those conditions by saying they are in the best interest of the animal is beyond me. Those who just don’t care are defective humans in my book.

You can lump me into the ‘loonie animal welfare’ group if you like. If a loonie is someone that has respect for living creatures then I am proud to were that badge.

I am no soft touch though, I run a commercial operation and send pigs off for slaughter every week. I know that they lived a very happy and quite natural life though and that doesn’t just make me all warm and fuzzy inside, it helps the bank balance because a happy animal produces better, is of much higher quality and flavour and the meat from these animals is so much more wholesome than that produces in factory farms aided by the over use of all sorts of drugs.

Pigs are more intelligent than dogs. I see people on another thread raging about how dog owners should be licensed because of they way they treat their animals. If you think of a pig as a creature that is more intelligent than your own toddler, is it still ok to treat them so appallingly?

Foxy

My "venom" was directed at you as a result of your unprovoked attack on the author of this thread and other like-minded posters.

I do not dabble in political correctness, however, I hope that I engage in frankness and honesty.

I sincerely regret that you have succumbed to cancer. This is also an area which holds my interest.

You see Foxy, I am confident there is a link between the intensive farming of animals and the prolific emergence of cancers in humans and animals.

I've been a member of a government appointed committee investigating industrial chemicals and pollution, the complex details can be debated in another thread.

I have conducted many years of intensive research into the 20th century use of chemicals, industrial pollution and the subsequent health impacts.

I assure you that the officially documented evidence is concerning, more particularly the cover-ups by governments and the industrial barons who wish only to protect their vested interests.

This is the philosophy for those who believe in the "free market."

Those opposed to the humane treatment of factory farmed animals often vehemently attack the people who expose the unethical practices of those who pollute at the "big end of town" where they continue to use communities and animals as cannon fodder.

I can assure you Foxy that the food chain on which we depend for survival is now seriously contaminated, not only from atmospheric industrial depositions of lethal chemicals but from the bio-accumulative concentrations of agricultural chemicals.

The deliberate, prolific use of chemicals into our food chain must cease.

Any progress we can make towards improving the life of farmed animals will see a mitigation in the serious health problems afflicting humans and their eco-systems.

May the blessings of good health be yours for the New Year and beyond.

"The earth does not belong to man; Man belongs to the earth.
This we know.
Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth.
Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it.
Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.

Ah! didnt have the heart to post over PF words.



PF- " Perfect'

Nicky

Stop on.

Yes lets be guided by PF.

Nicky said
Now H&A has put out a new report.

Pale replies-
They also have a “slight credibility problem” according to AWB witness and according to the ALP care taker of ALP Federal Agriculture Minister.


Dickie- No pressure. When you are ready. Under PF guidelines re Labels- and we will talk about Parliament and media- When it’s convenient for you...
Thanks. I agree- We shouldn’t disclose all on OLO..


To Foxy Belly, Foxy C,
Foxy has it ever occurred to you that Dickie is onto your health Problems? All of them?

A few words from the Foxy?
"Yabby you may well be right but after a life time of activism let me assure you it Carry's no weight".
Pale-
"Good" then we hope to have no strikes of busses, planes, trains, nurses etc in the next three years!
. Is that A promise? You really must learn to keep Shy off the key board. He’s a naughty puppy who tells pokies. Just as well he doesn’t wear a shirt! and we are fond of Pokies ah.
Big Kisses and hugs- [for Sky Of course.] BTW Green is the flavor of shirt color for 2008.
. Now be good and read some of the links about intensive cruelty PF and Others put up. There’s a good boy.

Strippers Union
strippersunion.ca, The official site of Strippers Union.
www.strippersunion.ca/ - 19k - Cached - Similar pages

Crikey!Does this mean we get a discount at the next AWB sitting?
Ok guys the old bushy is off for a Bundy.
But you knew that didn’t you Yabb`s. What the matter KS got your tongue?

To Last words from Dickie and thanks from the animals for her heart mind and spirit for 2008=

Happy New Year to all compassionate friends and strangers and May the goodness and kindness of humanity be extended to the defenseless.

Dickie, Nicky PF we salute you.

PALE in Conjunction with RSPCA QLD thanks you for your tireless efforts