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http://prefs.greenpeace.org/mail-links/clicks/23792.2561633.5409

This week, the Marshall Islands government will meet to decide how they vote at the International Whaling Commission.

Under pressure from the Japanese government, the Marshall Islands are widely expected to side with pro-whaling nations, This means that pro-whaling nations could resume control of the IWC. Japan expects the vote of the Marshall Islands to tip the balance.

This island country could hold the fate of the whales in their hands!

Don't let the Marshall Islands go down in history as one of the countries which brought about an end to whale protection.

Urge the Marshall Islands to vote with their consciences and save whales. Your message will go to President Kessia Note, Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerald M Zakios, and Chief Secretary Robert Muller.

Please provide the following information necessary to send the letter 'The world is watching: vote to save whales!'.

A message from Eleanor

There is no hope for Primates in the UK without a ruling in their favour from the EU. Please sign if you haven't already and forward! I know I have sent this before - but it is so frustrating to see the petition lack just 159 signatures.

Lots of love,

Eleanor


PLEASE COPY, PASTE AND FORWARD, CROSSPOST!!!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/580843335

Primates possess many qualities which were once considered solely human attributes. The central nervous system of Primates and humans is organized in almost the same way, and there are similarities between the social behavior, emotional needs and intellectual capabilities of humans and other Primates. Primates demonstrate the ability to reason, to exhibit friendship and altruism, to suffer fear and stress.

UK and EU legislation has been partially expanded to supposedly protect their specific requirements in the laboratory and afford them a 'higher' status than other animal species under Directive 86/609/EEC. The reality is, however, that this legal provision does not prevent thousands of primates each year enduring terrible pain, suffering and death in the laboratory. . Experiments that would be unthinkable if performed on human subjects should also be considered morally unacceptable when carried out on our genetic cousins.

Researchers use primates as 'models' of human diseases on which the development and progression of such diseases can be monitored and treated. However primates, like other animals, make poor 'models' and attempting to extrapolate test results from one species to another is a fundamentally flawed research methodology. Despite their similarities, there are also many significant differences between humans and others Primates.

The fundamental flaw underlying the research of human diseases in primates is that researchers can only attempt to artificially induce similar superficial symptoms of human diseases in Primates, which is very different from studying a naturally occurring disease in a biologically relevant animal i.e. a human patient.

Primates who are removed from their normal habitat, deprived of environmental stimulants and social interaction, make poor 'models' on which to record the 'natural' development of disease or infection. Like human beings, primates react very differently to disease or illness depending on their physical and psychological states.

The reality is, despite what the research industry would have us believe, primates do not provide a reliable 'model' of the human being. After decades of research on primates, scientists have repeatedly failed to make significant breakthroughs in fully understanding the onset and progression of HIV or AIDS, cot death, epilepsy, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease, or cancer - all human conditions which have been thoroughly, though pointlessly, explored through research on Primates.

The Japanese are still working to lift the ban on commercial whaling later this month. Below is a Greenpeace update on what's happening and how you can help.

Nick


For me, the oceans are fascinating, full of exotic and mysterious creatures – a world apart. But of all the creatures in the ocean, I’m not sure anything is more captivating and beautiful than a whale. And to me, nothing is as ugly or egregious as a whale slaughtered for profit.

I may not have been onboard the Esperanza with Nathan, stopping Japanese whalers from killing whales in the Southern Ocean, but I will be onboard the Arctic Sunrise in two weeks, when we try to stop the Japanese government’s efforts to take control of the International Whaling Commission.

We’ve been working hard to stop the slaughter of whales for what Japan calls, "scientific research." This year alone, the Japanese government performed lethal so-called research on nearly 1,000 whales – and then sold them in the marketplace. But if the Japanese are successful in their bid to reopen commercial whaling, the death toll for whales will climb even higher. That’s not only cruel and inhumane, it could send some endangered species spiraling back toward extinction.

I need your help to STOP the Japanese Government from winning a majority vote on the International Whaling Commission in 2 weeks.

Take Action Now Write to the governments of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Marshall Islands urging them to vote with the whales, not the whalers, at the upcoming IWC meeting. With the voting margins razor-thin this year, the Japanese have a good chance of winning a majority vote for the first time.This means that pro-whaling countries will control the agenda, and begin pushing to reopen commercial whaling.
http://members.greenpeace.org/action/start/103/?&ref_source=listswhaleaction

We can’t allow that to happen. Every vote counts, and we urgently need your help to reach these 3 voting nations with a strong message. Please, Take Action Now, and then encourage your friends and family to do the same.
http://members.greenpeace.org/action/start/103/?&ref_source=listswhaleaction

I’ll be in touch from onboard the Arctic Sunrise, and you can follow what’s happening on my blogs.

Sincerely,

Buffy Baumann
Ocean Campaigner

A message from Eleanor

We, the undersigned, will boycott the Red Lobster restaurant chain until it stops buying and serving Canadian seafood.

Red Lobster is the largest purchaser of Canadian seafood in the world. If they boycott Canadian seafood to help stop the Canadian seal hunt, then that will have a huge impact to help stop the hunt. Red Lobster, please join the boycott of Canadian seafood, and save the baby seals!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/445792465

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CANADIAN SEAL SLAUGHTER
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/1698315/

A message from Eleanor

Pigs are intelligent, friendly and loyal creatures - and are far superior in every way to the folk who treat them in such an inhumane way. Please sign against such treatment - it's time there was a campaign against this horrific practice.

Love,

Eleanor

I REALISE MANY OF MY FRIENDS WILL HAVE SIGNED ALREADY - BUT PLEASE FORWARD - WE NEED A FEW HUNDRED SIGNATURES MORE AND THEN SOME AFTER IF WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

End Cruel and Inhumane Factory-Farming Practice of Confining Pregnant Sows to Gestation Crates

Target: Bonnie Beaver, President, American Veterinary Medical Association

Sponsor: Musi Faisal, The Ethical Treatment of Animals and Environmental Protection.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/456219835

Imagine being shoved inside a small closet with barely enough room to move. Your feet begin to ache from the hard floor so you contort your body just enough to sit down. But after a while, this position offers no more comfort and you struggle to stand up again. The lack of room to walk or even turn around starts to atrophy your muscles, and festering sores on your feet make every movement agony. Now imagine spending six years like this-and you'll begin to understand what life is like for nearly 6 million pregnant or nursing pigs in the United States.

"Gestation crates” are miserably uncomfortable concrete-floored stalls so small that pigs inside them can’t even turn around. Although the scientific evidence condemning them as physically and mentally torturous for mother pigs is overwhelming and uncontested among scientists and veterinarians with animal welfare as their primary concern, the AVMA continues to support them. Sows in crates are forced into a constant cycle of pregnancy and birth and are never allowed to breathe fresh air, feel the sunshine on their backs, or know a moment’s joy or contentment.

In addition to torturing these intelligent animals into complete psychosis, the crates cause the sows’ bones and muscles to atrophy, and the pigs develop painful sores and lesions. Most of them are lame and very sick by the time they’re slaughtered. According to industry reports, more than 400,000 are crippled by the time they arrive at the slaughterhouse.

Clearly the AVMA would not remain silent were dogs so horribly abused, but pigs are smarter than dogs and just as sensitive and worthy of the AVMA’s concern. Unfortunately, pigs have anti-animal representatives in positions of power at the AVMA. The veterinarian who proposed the endorsement for gestation crates, Dr. David Madsen, is the AVMA delegate from the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, and he actually admitted in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association that the resolution was a response to animal rights groups’ objections to the use of gestation stalls.

The Monitor's View http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0602/p08s02-comv.html

Japan's export titans often get their way with their government. Right now they want senior politicians to end their controversial visits to a Tokyo war memorial that also honors war criminals - the visits are bad for business in China. But they should add this request: Don't overturn a ban on commercial whaling.

Japan has spent heavily to influence poor countries that are members of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). It just announced a fresh $410 million aid package to South Pacific nations. Its aim is to reverse a 1986 IWC ban that has allowed many whale species to begin a long, slow recovery. In mid-June, the 66 nations of the regulatory body will gather, and Japan is expected to succeed in winning the votes of many cash-poor IWC members. Overturning the ban requires a 75 percent vote, but Japan may first secure a 51 percent vote to conduct balloting in secret.

The prospect of the IWC allowing the slaughter of whale species not fully recovered has yet to raise much fuss in many antiwhaling nations. But it should, given the importance of whales in the health of oceans.

If the UN General Assembly or the US does not act soon, then a consumer boycott of Japanese products is needed. That will catch the attention of Japanese corporate leaders, who can then pressure politicians leading the pro-whaling campaign.

These politicians regard the ban as Western "culinary imperialism" aimed at Japan's tradition of eating whale meat. But the issue is conservation, not culture, and the Japanese data and arguments that many whale species are fully revived should remain suspect, and certainly not acted on in a secret IWC ballot.

It's not even clear if the Japanese people want to consume whale meat in large quantities. Less than 1 percent now eat the meat that is sold from the more than 1,000 whales Japan catches annually "for scientific research" (allowed under IWC rules). Some of the meat has ended up simply as doggie treats.

Emotions either against or in favor of whaling are usually strong. Many Japanese see hypocrisy in those who argue against the killing of such intelligent animals, but who also eat lamb or pig. Environmentalists see Japan as little concerned about nature's well-being beyond its shores. And the resurgence of nationalism in Japan - something its business chiefs sometimes oppose - may be behind this pro-whaling initiative.

Persuasion through facts and logic about the health of whale stocks are unlikely to prevail at the IWC, given Japan's long determination to overturn the ban for cultural reasons and its monied clout over weak members.

Some antiwhaling groups want the US to withhold support for a permanent Japanese seat on the UN Security Council. But that tactic is meaningless, given China's stance against Japan obtaining a seat.

Barring quick US or UN action, a temporary consumer boycott of Japanese products would carry the most certainty of saving the ban.

Forcing Japan to back down isn't a pleasant prospect. But neither is the risk of some whale species going extinct.

One side has to give, and for Japan, it's the easier give.

Full HTML version of this story which may include photos, graphics, and related links

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Copyright © 2006 The Christian Science Monitor. All rights reserved.


Informant: Teresa Binstock

A message from Eleanor

No Breed Specific Legislation in Illinois We, the undersigned, would like to see Breed Specific Legislation not become part of Illinois Law. Instead we urge the Illinois Senate to pass HR1026 and HJR101. HR1026 encourages individual municipalities not to enact breed specific legislation, but to target irresponsible dog owners with tougher laws that are enforced and to encourage programs that educate residents. HJR101 establishes a task force comprised of 17 members, including representatives from the veterinary community, animal control, a not-for-profit humane society, the American Kennel Club and an animal behaviorist. The purpose of this task force being to evaluate and make recommendations on how to best protect the public from attacks. It is our fervent wish that these bills are passed and enforced. Thank you for taking this into consideration.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/965771003

Die Regierung der Azoren setzte im vergangenen Jahr ein Verbot der Grundschleppnetz-Fischerei in ihren Gewässern durch.

Anders sieht es aus in den meisten Meeresregionen außerhalb von 200 Seemeilen - auf der so genannten Hohen See. Sie ist Gemeingut, und Regelungen zu ihrem Schutz existieren nicht. Eine Flotte von nur rund 300 Trawlern fischt hier mit gigantischer Zerstörungskraft. Sie durchpflügen täglich mit ihren riesigen, mit Eisenrollen beschwerten Netzen rund 1.500 Quadratkilometer Tiefsee, das entspricht einer Fläche von über 210.000 Fußballfeldern. Und nicht nur Fische gehen ihnen ins Netz, die Schleppnetze zertrümmern uralte Korallen, zerreißen Schwämme und töten jedes andere Meerestier. Wenn diese Beutezüge ungebremst weitergehen, wird die Artenvielfalt der Tiefsee in 15 bis 20 Jahren unrettbar verloren sein. Ein Verbot der Grundschleppnetz-Fischerei auf Hoher See ist die einzige Chance, die Tiefsee zu schützen.

Wir können diesem Treiben jetzt Einhalt gebieten! Vom 12. bis 16. Juni finden in New York die informellen Beratungen der Vereinten Nationen bezüglich des Schutzes der Meere statt. Dort muss die Europäische Union mit einer Stimme sprechen: für ein Sofortverbot der Grundschleppnetz-Fischerei auf der Hohen See! Um dies zu erreichen, bitten wir Sie: Fordern Sie Außenminister Steinmeier auf, sich für ein Sofortverbot der Grundschleppnetz-Fischerei einzusetzen. http://newsletter.greenpeace.de/d/r/381

Bitte setzen Sie sich mit uns für den Schutz der Tiefsee ein. Vielen Dank für Ihre Unterstützung!

A message from Eleanor

Every year The high School in Gillett, ARK play's host the annual Coon supper. Let's put a stop to this event! Each year 600-800 pounds of Racoon meat are served at this event. This is considered a political event, every polition in Arkansas must attend this event and eat Racoon meat.

"In most places, a politician has to kiss babies in order to succeed. Arkansas politicians have to eat raccoon.

The small east Arkansas town of Gillett doubles its population on the second weekend of every year as candidates and political junkies gather for its annual Coon Supper.

More than 60 years old, the event has become a required stop for anyone seeking or holding political office in Arkansas. Originally started as a fundraiser for high school athletics, it's now the ultimate meet-and-greet for the state's politicians"

We the undersigned hereby urge Gov. Mike Huckabee, Mayor Layton Mattmiller, and Gillett School District Supt. Johnnie L. Johnson to immediately stop this "fundraiser" and find other ways to support their school.

STOP THE ANNUAL RACCOON SUPPER IN GILLETT ARK
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/885544126