Humanitarian Perpectives

The Council Animal Advocacy (CLAW) undertake a host of worthwhile causes, as a participating group and thus, wish to state at the outset, we make no claims or seek no recognition, indeed, we applaud the tireless energy and countless hours and money that numerous compassionate individuals and organizations across North America are devoting toward achieving the same goals we seek; it matters not whom actually may succeed in convincing a “law maker” to amend or adopt specific legislation, unless of course it is clearly a “one person/organization” achievement.  We expect, in most cases, many dedicated people across the spectrum have tried and in time, success is achieved, thus, we share with all the satisfaction of achieving any improvements for Animals that results in more humane treatment.

We have a no tolerance for the indifferent, apathetic or lazy among us; “there are none so blind as those whom will not see”; many well known and respected humanitarians have tried for years to bring awareness and compassion to the world but maybe none says it more eloquently than Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1048) who said, “The greatness of a Nation and its moral progress can be judged by the ways its Animals are treated.”

 

Following are some additional remarks made by other well known humanitarians:

 

Edmund Burke, “Evil will flourish when good men & women stand by and do nothing.”

Rachel Carson (1907-1964), “Until we have the courage to recognize cruelty for what it is – whether its victim is human or animal – we cannot expect things to be much better in this world….We cannot have peace among men whose hearts delight in killing any living creature.  By every act that glorifies or even tolerates such moronic delight in killing we set back the progress of humanity.”

Mark Twain (1835-1910), “I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn’t…The pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further.”

His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet (1935- ), “Killing Animal for sport, pleasure or adventures and for hides and furs is a phenomenon which is at once disgusting and distressing.  There is no justification in indulging in such acts of brutality.”

William Ralph Inge (1860-1954), “ We have enslaved the rest of the animal creation and have treated our distant cousins in fur and feathers so badly that beyond doubt, if they were able to formulate a religion they would depict the Devil in human form.”

Jeremy Bentam (1748-1832), “The question is not, can they reason? Nor can they talk? But, can they suffer?”

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), “Vivisection is a social evil because if it advances human knowledge, it does so at the expense of human character.” /“Atrocities are not less atrocities when they occur in laboratories and are called medical research.”

Thomas A Edison (1847-1931), “Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution.  Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are all savages.”

Leonardo DaVinci (1452-1519), “ I have from an early age abjured the use of meat and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.”

Alberts Schweitzer (1875-1965), “Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.”

Henry S. Salt (1851-1939), “In spite of all the barriers and divisions that prejudice and superstition have heaped up between the human and the nonhuman, we may take it as certain that, in the long run, as we treat our fell-beings, “the Animals”, so shall we treat our fellow men.”

Margaret Meade, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Ruskin, “He who is not actively kind, is cruel.”

Lincoln, “I care not much for any man’s religion whose Dog and Cat are not the better for it.”

George F. Evens (1938 –), “The progress of society toward displaying courageous, compassionate leadership towards Animals Rights and the commitment to end their suffering at the hands of man, is only limited to the imagination and conviction of individuals whom respect life and thus afford meaning and dignity to all, to display the moral conviction to do what is right and not just “politically expedient” or continued uncaring ignorance and indifference.”