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9/1/2005 ---POST WIDE---
In the wake of Recent Events I wanted to issue a statement for all of MY SUPPORTERS here in SAN DIEGO, Nationally and Yes WORLDWIDE. Many of you have sent wonderful letters, money and books. Locally you have carried signs and SHOWN UP faithfully to court dates and fundraisers. I can honestly say that it TOUCHES ME DEEPLY.
Since our Dago Activist Community came under attack there have been ups and downs in terms of betrayals and solidarity. MOST of you have stood strong to resist this GRAND JURY REPRESSION. At this point I have already SPENT 40 DAYS IN PRISON TO DEFEND the ACTIVIST COMMUNITY. Some of you were at Rod's Lecture or maybe just friends were there. I am doing OK living in this PRISON the system CAN NOT break me.
ALL I ASK, you don't have to protest, you don't have to write a letter, ALL I ASK is you READ this essay from beginning to end. I am not asking for much. PRINT THIS OUT. UNDERLINE things - Take it seriously.
If the MONTH PLUS detention of Activists merely remaining silent (and also DEFENDING our Right to FREE Association) is not enough to convince you of the BRUTAL repression of this country...the LAST COUPLE DAYS in New Orleans should have.
THE FACIST nature of the GRAND JURY is CLEAR to Activists who have watched homes being raided at gun point and secret courts. As the DEVESTATION ROLLS across New Orleans the truth comes to be more apparent, the victims of this disaster are people OF COLOR and the POOR. While the city was able to vomit out its ruling class the poor have been left to SLOWLY DIE.
Just last night the facist capitalist thugs showed their true nature by calling the POLICE OFF SEARCH AND RESCUE and put them in charge of protecting the materials of the capitalist system. Here in San Diego as the disaster unfolded the Emperor Bush out did 'my pet goat' by playing Golf in Coronado. While he mentioned the suffering briefly his main agenda remained unchanged. Defend the Imperialist invasion of Iraq and scare the public into submission.
Is anyone surprised that the reaction was so slow? On 9/11 the victims at the Trade Center and the Pentagon, the RULING CLASS, he took his time here because the people most affected (in his opinions) DO NOT DRIVE his capitalist system forward.
In many ways this storm, but especially its aftermath are what Malcolm X would have said are the chickens coming home to roost. Many have been shocked by the looting and violence – Why? Some have compared this to the behavior of a third world country. That is insane. There was no widespread looting in Thailand AFTER THE TSUNAMI. The looting is a projection of the Greedy Insanity of capitalism. And, as our government (too busy stealing Middle Eastern countries) lets people die, who can blame them?
The lack of support and the small number of rescue helicopters should be a CLEAR INDICATION just how little the government cares.
The other this fits the Malcolm X saying is how the storm happened. As temperatures RISE around the Globe and the Gulf boils, storm after storm has hit LAND. There are many things at the root for the climate change issues. I would like to take a few minutes of my time in jail to connect these dots.
THE SINGLE MOST DESTRUCTIVE wreaking ball to the planet and one of the factors driving hurricane Katrina is the Global Hunger to consume products derived from Animal Exploitation. I know I sound like a nut case to many of you but hear me out.
Think of the sheer number of animals it takes to feed the planet a meat based diet, to provide milk and eggs to all the homes, restaurants, hospitals, schools on and on. Each of those animals requires feed and created waste. NO OTHER INDUSTRY even comes close to the pollution that these food industries create. Grain that gets wasted fattening up animals could have fed starving people.
Most important to this day's topic is the amount these industries consume fossil fuels. In the past, I have highlighted the connection to the wars for oil. Some of you didn't think that was enough to give up a meat habit.
The reality us this, suffering becomes undeniable when the news cycle haunting images over and over. Activists complain often that they can't get people to pay attention to the misery they combat. We as Vegan Activists deal with this blind spot even from our allies. Despite the overwhelming evidence we have shown of the benefits of Veganism. Despite the BRUTAL INHUMANE conditions that innocent animals endure. Despite the damage to our fragile ecosystems…Despite all this many of you are still not Vegan.
The letters and the protests are great, however if you want to show true solidarity – the best way to do this is to take us seriously. If you are not vegan, at least consider it. Take HALF AN HOUR EACH DAY and research it. If you really want to show solidarity with us that is the BEST WAY.
A slow quiet Vegan Revolution has the power to change not only the physical aspects that create misery in our world, but change the way we view justice and our personal responsibility for our actions.
There was a saying in the labor movement, Remember we're in here for you. If you wont consider veganism do it for the Right REASONS. The poor suffering in NOLA or for the animals.
Solidarity Forever,
David A.
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you've got to be kidding me
p o'd
What nonsense.
adversary
Thank you David. I am a mother. I want my daughter and her friends to have a world full of life and beauty to grow old in. In keeping with that love for her and her generation I try to live a life of integrity and do my part in sustaining all life. I also try to live the values I preached to her in words. “Be kind. Care about your neighbor. We are all connected and all life matters greatly.” The threats to that, in no graded order: pollution, classism, racism, greed. George Bush and all his cronies exemplify greed, selfishness, cold-hearted murder here and abroad.
In Iraq, we continue the massacre. Here on reservations and in cities we continue our founding fathers' genocide. On the streets we rape girls and women. Bush goes golfing. He calls on us to increase volunteerism. He goes golfing. He talks about the natural disaster in New Orleans but it was a human-made disaster (U.S. government-made to be more specific). Global warming, bad urban planning, Bush cut needed funds to prevent this disaster which had been forecast for many years. Funds and action were begged for to avoid the inevitable flooding. A lot of the areas flooded were inhabited by people averaging 7000$ a year in income—people trying to feed families on that budget leaves little energy or hope for organizing. Not that it was their job. And they did try to get attention to avoid this... Their pleas were ignored and the flood came, and as David noted, the poor and indigent were left to rot. Then in an attempt to alienate allies the focus from the government shifted to protecting the city from “looters”. We have enough money and technology to have saved all of those people. We did not. Then we want to blame, shame, and shoot them for looting. Looting often meant taking food and goods to attempt to live another day or two. I have often wanted to see George Bush and his cronies live in Cabrini Green (20 years ago in Chicago) or another housing project, for one year with no outside help. He is not compassionate. He is not even a good actor.
So I try to do the right thing. Even when the government refuses to respond, over and over, to our cries for mercy on the planet's living. I try to buy used goods whenever possible. To buy or grow organic when I can (to decrease use and need for pesticides and protect my body). I drive with forethought--planning errands and day-day life so I use less gas. I share my resources with those who need them (medical knowledge, food, time, counseling...). I feed hungry and homeless people, work to end violence against women. Try to be a good friend. I interrupt racism and homophobia whenever I hear it.
I have been vegetarian for many, many years. A few months ago I lessened my cognitive dissonance, living my values with a little more integrity. I went vegan. It makes me happy to know I am taking each step in my own time as best I can as I learn more, to be part of the solution. I am a professional working mother. At different stages I was more or less active...but always on an upward trend. It feels good. The vegan-part of good living took a long time to understand and longer to take the step. It seemed irrelevant for a long time. Then it seemed too hard. It is neither. David outlined the reasons it makes sense. He and other vegan activist have inspired me for years. Their integrity is a joy. I don’t want to hear about who is talking to whom. I can see it now, “well he talks to …who did blah-dee-blah…” And who are you to say all this. Do you live a perfect-mistake free life? If so please elaborate on that in your note along with your criticism. Or, do you keep learning and growing and try to do the next right thing as you learn what that is?
A note of hope to those who want to try but think it is too hard. I thought this vegan stage would be much harder than it is. I live in a professional community of middle-aged friends. It is not a progressive area and not full of coops. But I have been able to make this change well, and I am eating better than ever and feeling more connection and integrity. There is a lot of support available. I just learned to make the best hot chocolate! I am not a martyr and do not support martyrdom. I think that there are some things worth doing that may not be comfortable. So anyway, this part is not bad--lots of surprises have appeared like Whole Soy Swiss Chocolate --Frozen Cultured Soy! It is rich and the best frozen yogurt I ever had. It won’t give me mad cow disease nor pollute my body with hormones or residue pesticides. I can eat it knowing no animals died to make my food and that I am not contributing to gross misuse of land.
Thank you David, I read your note, and I send my heartfelt hugs to you and others who walk your talk.
Yvon.
yvon
Where was David's solidarity with Peter after he knowing and willingly allowed a snitch to enter the animal rights movement and endangered many others who were kept from the truth of who Justin Samuel really was?
v
While I was previously vegetarian for 4 years in my short life for similar reasons cited by David A., and I acknowledge the destructive capacity of the animal-based agriculture industry, there is regardless very little to be done in effectual opposition to the corporate stranglehold it has on the nation and world. America is just too addicted to its obesity to give up meat in any future timeframe.
Sure, veganism and vegetarianism are philosophical defiance, the industry regardless consists of many multinational corporations with powerful political lobbies.
First of all veganism represents such a minimal minority of the population; I support veganism/vegetarianism for personal/health reasons, but anyone who thinks they're saving the world or destroying capitalism by converting diets is either naive or just idiotic.
I support peace/human rights activism and am a staunch libertarian, but all too often activist movements lack factual, empirical data to support their claims, and are simply brainwashed by the left.
I've been to my share of protests, but just know this...politicians don't give a fuck. They either ignore peaceful protest or discredit protest riled by police incitation.
Sean
david you have some nerve calling for solidarity, do you even know what it is?
and where's all this support you talk about, someone must be lying to you
i hope your not going to make another shirt for yourself and put malcom x again,
and speaking of malcom x, you think he would support your snitch culture?
WORLD WIDE SUPPORT
I don't know what the whole deal is. I read the whole article like he asked ever so politely for me to do. I feel like he was using his position in the prison system to stand from a pedastal and preach his propaghanda. If I didn't know any better it would seem like he actually enjoyed his position and the handouts he was getting.
Spreading vegan propaghanda is one thing, but requiring people to research it for half an hour everyday is rediculous. I personally am a vegan who feels ashamed to be associated with people with such dogmatic views. You need to grow a bud of personality and step off your pedastal.
unsure of this whole mess
I think it is bullshit for people to make attacks towards David. He is in jail right now. You don't have to agree with him but with that there is no need to attack him. Why don't you take the time to attack the people who testified to the grand jury.
I don't agree with David on every issue and have had many arguments with him. However I do know that David knows what solidarity means.
And this is coming from a Marxist-Lenist Communist who is not a vegan.
Respect the work of which he is doing.
He needs everyones support right now. And for you to sit here on the outside and attack him while he is in jail is so fucked up.
Pete
justin samuel who he whole heartedly supported?
solidarity like he showed peter when he did not support him and basically gave him a slap in the face by supporting justin who testified against him?
yeah david really knows what solidarity is, he's in solidarity with no one but himself
john
Hi, all. I don't knock you for your zealousness, nor for your beliefs. I can sympathize with your plight, and the barriers in your way. However, if I may ask of you this. With all the victims currently suffering, from under handed tactics, in the country, and the world. How is it you have found moral high ground taking up the cause's of the live stock being bred for human consumption. HAVE YOU STOPPED TO CONSIDER THIS...IF We were to stop the killing of these animals, would we stop after we have killed the last of what has already been born into captivity. There by virtually making them extinct in a matter of years? An alternative to that perhaps would be to just stop killing them, and keep them as pets maybe? Or should the ranchers be forced to care for all their current livestock until it dies of natural causes? Shall we, say cut off their grain supply, and divert it to all these starving people, Simply leave them to starve to death? Well, I guess the most humane and politically correct thing to do would be to appropriate some land, and make it into a refuge for them. Hire an onslaught of more over paid Government bureaucrats to over see the project. Then of course we must allow these animals to be able to procreate, for the survival of their kind. Hhhmmmm I am curious how much, more grain, they would consume, if they were to keep multiplying, without having the current constraints, that are presently hindering their growth as both a species and a minority. I don't mean to be the brother grim here, nor the un-reformed scrooge. It's just that I think if you really sat down and thought about all these problems you think would be so easily solved, if all the world would be as humane as yourself. That you would find that for every one problem you solve with your simplistic answer. There, would likely be, at the very least, three more created by the rippling effects of your course of action. If you truly care about humanity, and ending in-humane torture. You should stick to the topic of non consensual testing, and flat out brain washing of human subjects, to do the will of those who have judged, themselves, and their morality, to be far superior, then the vast majority of the planet. Remember the McDonald Massacre's in the 80's. How about Columbine, or the school in Oregon following that. Did you know there was one prior to Columbine. The Youth that committed that terrible act, survived the ordeal, though his plan was not to survive it, or so I believe. So, I think due to that fact, and the fact that, it took place in Arkansas(Clinton's home state), we heard very little about that incident. The young man did an on camera interview why in the custody of the Arkansas State Authority's. During the interview he told the investigative reporter, that interviewed him, that he had heard the devil telling him in his head to do it over and over again. I, myself am no longer left unable to find answers to, why such senseless violence takes place. I remember during the 80's when the three, or four, different incidents at different McDonalds and/or other like establishments(not sure if they all were at McDonalds or not), as well as, a couple incidents involving U.S. Postal worker's were headlined, over, and over, night, after night, on the news. No one could make sense of why some one would do such horrible things. Myself, I thought about it constantly, trying to make sense of it all. I didn't want to take the ever popular, and easy way out. Just excepting that the world was full of crazy, evil people. That, perhaps simply ate, one too many, pieces of junk food that day, or had been looked at, by one too many passing strangers that day, and decided screw it. I am going to kill until I run out of my life's breathe. But after thinking about it, trying to make sense of it. I was left with a very confused state of consciousness. So eventually I took the same path as nearly every one did. The world was full of whacko's, accept it, get used to it, and move on. I now know that this is indeed the truth, ONLY THE CRAZY, EVIL PEOPLE, WE THOUGHT HAD STRIPPED US OF OUR SENSE OF BEING REASONABLE SECURE DUE TO A COMMON SENSE THREAD THAT WEAVED US ALL TOGETHER AS A SOCIETY NO MATTER HOW LOOSELY. WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PLANNING, OR THE PLOTTING, OF SUCH EVENTS. WHICH WERE CONSTRUCTED TO PRODUCE A FAVORABLE CHANGE IN THE WAY THAT OUR COMMUNITY AT LARGE KEPT POLITICIANS, AND THEIR ULTERIOR MOTIVES IN CHECK. THEY DESIGNED THESE, MIND NUMBING TRAGEDY'S, TO TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT OFF OF THEIR UNDER HANDED DEALINGS. SO THEY COULD BE LEFT TO WRITE NEW LAWS TO BETTER SUIT THEIR AGENDAS. WITHOUT, THE PUBLIC'S SCRUTINY TO INTERFERE WITH, THEIR FLEECING OF AMERICA(NOT TO MENTION THE FURTHERANCE OF THEIR CAREERS). HOW? DO I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE? BECAUSE, I AM CERTAIN THAT I WAS TO BE ANOTHER, OF THOSE NEWS STORIES, STAR PERFORMERS. I NO LONGER LOOK BACK AT THE McDonald'S MASSACRE'S, OR THE POSTAL INCIDENTS, AND WONDER, WHAT COULD OF DROVE THESE MEN,{THAT, GAVE LITTLE, TO NO CLUES, PRIOR TO} THEIR PERPETRATION OF SUCH HORRIFIC CRIMES. NOR DOES SUCH DISTURBING TERMINOLOGY AS, ''I'LL GO POSTAL ON YOU'', OR ''SUICIDE BY COP'', HAVE ME, SOME WHAT SICK TO MY STOMACH, AND UNABLE TO CONCENTRATE(ON EVEN THE SIMPLEST TASKS), BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO FIND A LOGICAL REASON, IN WHICH TO HOUSE THESE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN CALLED BY SOME AS, ''THE HORRIFYING SIGNS OF THE TIMES''. I know why these men did what they did. They were blind sided, sucker punched, conned, scammed, manipulated, and driven to the very brink of insanity and beyond. This is what you should focus on. For, if we do not correct these evil ways, in which these individuals are going about bringing changes to the world(a world that was not actually all that bad a place till they made it seem so, I might ad). Then me might not want to change the living, and working conditions of the cows, chickens, and pigs. Unless of course you don't mind them cows, chickens, and pigs, having a higher place within that fascist capitalistic hierarchy than yourself. Which could ultimately lead to your ascendants being repressed by the very ascendants of those cows, chickens, and pigs you emancipated from their internment camps. I am sure you all would like to know just how it is I have come to know so assuredly, what the vast majority of the population has not known. One reason and one reason only. I was/am an intended victim, that which by the sheer grace of god, a stubborn streak and very head strong will, and probably as much as anything, just plain old, dumb luck. Both, survived, and surmised, their scheming, and manipulations. Read more about it at the following two URL's.
 http://journals.aol.com/farworsethenezra/testimonial/
http://hometown.aol.com/h8s2d8needsam8/mindcontrolhp.html
THANK YOU, FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ, WHAT I HAD TO SAY CONCERNING THIS MATTER. PLEASE TELL SOME ONE ELSE WHERE TO FIND THE INFORMATION AS WELL.
SINCERELY, AND FROM THE HEART!
TODD LAFON
 TOLDU67@AOL.COM
Todd Lafon
 e-mail:: TOLDU67@AOL.COM
 Homepage:: TOLDU67@AOL.COM
Where was David's solidarity when he was yelling at fellow activists subpoenaed for this Grand Jury? I understand the man is in jail, but he made that choice.
Being a vegan is admirable, but a 'quiet vegan revolution' doesn't speak to me. I'm sorry.
David should decide exactly what he is standing up for. It would make it easier to support him. Is it Rod Coronado, animal rights, the 1st ammendment, the 5th ammendment, veganism, the San Diego activist community ???
M
his ass in now on the line and that's all that matters to him, he didn't care about peter till peter got caught, now there's all this attention and all of a sudden he doesn't support justin
or does he
questionable
why is everyone spending so much time criticizing David? Look at the big picture, regardless of what you think about David, the issues he is talk ing about ARE real, so spend some time researching what you can do to make a differnce; not on how to make David look bad.
felicha
e-mail:: ishie385@hotmail.com
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