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	October 16, 2003

ANOTHER ANIMAL CRUELTY HORROR -- WHILE CANADA'S SENATE WAFFLES OVER ANIMAL WELFARE REFORM The waffling of the Canadian Senate over Bill C10(b) -- the act to reform Canada's animal cruelty law for the first time since 1892 -- must be held at least partly responsible for the horrific and despicable tragedy at Wood Lynn Farms' six Ontario 'facilities', where 10,000 sick and diseased pigs were found in conditions that are nearly indescribable. This operation was until recently Canada's largest pig breeder and exporter, and it was a customer complaint -- not any action from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, which self-regulates its members' behaviour -- that led to the discovery that has so traumatized inspectors and veterinarians treating the dead and suffering animals that some will need psychological counseling. Just the facts: Heaps of dead pigs piled behind barns Thousands of dead piglets in manure tanks Dead piglets being eaten by rodents Dead pigs throughout many of the facilities in various stages of decomposition Sows giving birth amongst other pigs, resulting in piglets being trampled and eaten by adults Extensive cannibalization Many pigs in such poor condition that they had to be euthanized immediately On arrival at one location, a Wood Lynn Farms Limited contractor attempting to kill a pig by beating it with a metal pipe Generally filthy and wet conditions in many areas, and inadequate food, water and bedding Charged are the following individuals (the company is bankrupt and hence will face no charges): James R. Long of London, Ontario; Ryan Long of London, Ontario; Kevin McHardy of Lambeth, Ontario; Martin Dewild of Wyoming, Ontario; George Kahiri of London, Ontario; Victor Aideyan of London, Ontario; John Bazilli of Waterford, Ontario. Because Bill C10(b) has been blocked by the Senate, none of these people will face jail time or major fines. In fact, under the prevailing 1892 law that defines all animals as 'property', these scum will be allowed to own a commercial farm operation again in as little as a year. Long continues to run a pig 'genetics' operation whose online newsletter is allegedly read by 70,000 pig farmers. I can't tell you how upset and angry this makes me. This is the type of incident that turns reasonable people into animal rights extremists. As I reported earlier, a powerful lobby of factory farmers, hunters, and animal laboratory owners has worked hard for years to ensure the unelected Canadian Senate blocks the very modest Bill C10(b) despite the fact it has been passed three times by the elected House of Commons. Incidents like this are the result. They show how effective 'self-regulation', which the lobby says is preferable to the 'dangerous' regulation of C10(b), really is. This lobby, and the Senate, have blood on their hands, and should hang their heads in shame for allowing this to occur, with virtual impunity for the perpetrators of this horrendous crime. 11:41:43 AM  trackback []  comment []

ORGANIZED RELIGION, ORGANIZED CRIME The story above (the story that will follow if you're reading this by RSS feeds) has filled me with such rage that I have to vent. I was listening yesterday to a heart-wrenching song by the excellent Canadian jazz/rock singer/composer Marc Jordan. The song is called Little Lambs and it's about the sexual and physical abuse of children at many Orphanages in Catholic Quebec and other provinces at the hands of the church, over many years. It pretty well summarizes what I think of organized religion, including the current dreadful pope. The song never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Damn these religions that tell you if you confess your sins you're absolved of responsibility. Damn the lawyers and the politicians and the executives who allow corporations and organizations and despicable individuals to destroy lives and inflict unbearable cruelty on the helpless. May they all suffer the fate much worse than hell: to face at the moment of their death the faces of children, full of loathing and disgust for what these worthless and pathetic excuses for human beings did during their pitiful, warped, wasted lives. Little Lambs On the highway - blinding snow An hour North of Montréal All night long the bells were still Children rocking in their cells Tell me that your love is true And I will give my heart to you Jesus don't leave me alone A little lamb without a home. Down the hallways like a fire Priests would come drunk with desire In the silent night I cried For the things that they denied Say your rosary for me Get right down upon your knees Jesus left you all alone A little lamb without a home. So I dreamed of sailing ships And families out on Sunday trips Pillows for our heads of eiderdown Don't forget to say your prayers Pray that you belong somewhere Jesus left me all alone A little lamb without a home. Father Roy sits in his chair Cups his hands and says his prayer But tonight his tears fall down like rain Let the walls come falling down Let the flood cover this town Jesus leaves us all alone Little lambs without a home. So now I've cried twice in 24 hours. Sometimes the sheer impossibility of ridding this world of pain, violence, suffering and cruelty becomes almost too much to bear. 11:40:14 AM  trackback []  comment []

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