Ballot Initiative Events in SoCal
October 31, 2007
Five upcoming info sessions for the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act ballot initiative:
Santa Monica
Mon., November 5
Westside Pavilion Mall, Community Room B
10800 West Pico Blvd. #312
Los Angeles, CA 90064
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Ventura
Wed., November 7
Century Downtown Theatre
555 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Marina Del Rey
Fri., November 9
6:30-9:30 p.m.
RSVP to director@humanecalifornia.org for the address and directions to this event.
Pomona/Claremont
Sat., November 10
Western University
309 E. Second Street
Pomona, CA 91766
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Mission Viejo
Sun., November 11
9:30 and 11:30 a.m. services
Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Congregation
25801 Obrero Drive
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
In other news, the fire that burned 38,300 acres and 15 homes in the Santa Clarita area, damaged the home of the Gentle Barn founders, and forced the evacuation of 60+ animals, some of whom are disabled and blind, was set by a kid playing with matches.
Every Monday-Friday after-school and Saturday/Sunday activity spent caring for these animals, starting yesterday and until you turn 21, seems an appropriate mandatory minimum.
The More You Know
October 8, 2007
Be careful out there!
Yes, there are confusing and competing initiatives being circulated in opposition to the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act. Yes, and yet again, one is parked over at the AG’s Office in a pending space and being touted as the “Farm Animal Protection Act.”
Hmmm … both that initiative and the “Pet Animal Protection Act” have the same proponent listed and the same contact information. Whoa, those animal advocates are really stepping up the game a little. Maybe. Not so much.
The “Pet Animal Protection Act” has all sorts of meaningful and wonderful provisions, including protecting animals as a “legitimate and compelling public interest,” making publicly-funded, government-operated shelters “obligated to taxpayers and community members to spend tax monies on programs and services whose purpose is to save and enhance the lives of animals,” mandating that they be open seven days a week for adoptions, humane euthanasia, a prohibition on convenience euthanasia, and the provision that “killing of savable animals in city and county shelters is a needless tragedy that must be brought to an end.” All fine and admirable provisions. Perhaps you’d like to sign the “Pet Animal Protection Act” initiative after you’ve carefully read it. Fine by us, we’re not implying that your shouldn’t or suggesting that you don’t.
But over and above our standard, complimentary Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid warning, we’re strongly suggesting that if you’re asked at the same time, or by the same signature gatherer(s), to “Oh, by the way, would you like to help farm animals, just sign this one, too …” please look very carefully at the materials those gatherers have for their farm animal initiative, including signage or banners, FAQs or summary sheets of the initiative, and particularly the sponsoring organizations listed by name on those materials.
Meditate on this famous quote: “If we put our [initiatives] together, we can think better!” Here’s another one: “I see dumb people.” Make sure you ain’t one of ‘em, because we’re pretty damn sure you wouldn’t want anything to do with helping United Egg Producers Certified 67 sq. in. of battery-cage space become the lawful basis for confinement of CA egg-laying hens.
Bottom line: if you don’t see Californians for Humane Farms, The Humane Society of the United States, and/or Farm Sanctuary listed as sponsors of the ballot initiative you’re being asked to sign, don’t get it twisted and Do. Not. Sign.
Our Button, Let Us Show You It
October 2, 2007
A little something to tide you over until you pick up yours. And The Tower Princess would like the world to know that she saw teh Wayne and, from what we could gather, had some sick dream last night, the details of which are pretty much unprintable except for the point at which he was wearing just the button, and everything after that was really just OMGWTFVEGANBBQ obscene.
Get Thee To A Ballot Initiative Rally
September 28, 2007
Monday, Oct. 1 is Day 1 of 4 in a multi-city kick-off for CA’s Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty ballot initiative (full text). 650,000 signatures in five months is totally doable. That’s basically foot traffic and parking lot circlers at any WFM and Chipotle, any day of the week. Get the lowdown on initiatives, how they work, and how you’re gonna work for this one at a rally of your choice:
Sacramento
Monday, October 1st
Sacramento SPCA
6201 Florin Perkins Rd
Sacramento, CA 95828
7:00pm – 10:00pm
San Francisco
Tuesday, October 2nd
San Francisco SPCA
2500 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94103
7:00pm – 10:00pm
Los Angeles
Thursday, October 4th
LA Animal Services East Valley Shelter
14409 Vanowen Street
Van Nuys, CA 91405
7:00pm – 10:00pm
San Diego
Friday, October 5th
Health Services Complex – Rosencrans
3851 Rosecrans Street
San Diego, CA 92110
7:00pm – 10:00pm
Contact Director@humanecalifornia.org for more info.
Update on AB 594
August 30, 2007
The latest activity on AB 594 — formerly titled “Pigs: tethering and confinement”– gives pigs the heave-ho in favor of Medi-Cal coverage of programs to help people quit smoking. We’d rather have seen Medi-Cal cover meat/dairy/egg-quit programs, but alas, such is politics. Perhaps the sponsor came to realize that this issue is really one of enforcement of existing CA law, or that a proposed HSUS co-sponsored 2008 ballot initiative to ban gestation crates, veal crates, and battery cages has a far better chance of passage. Get your nominations in on which big-name ballot supporter will be the CA hole card.
Why we need a ballot initiative to further define what is already a punishable offense begs the same question as why we needed an amendment to the Health and Safety Code to do the same thing. But once you actually get in a courtroom on a farm animal cruelty-related matter, you wise-up pretty fast and start initiating even faster. Break in your new non-leather walking shoes and no smoking on the job.
