 Zimmermann is a good man
Let’s be clear—Dean Zimmermann is neither bumbling nor lacking in cerebral accomplishment. So
why did he take a bribe? He didn’t. Why did he do special favors for a local developer? He didn’t. He never promised anything, he never delivered anything, his only “crime”was that he accepted a bigshot’s money—just
like Governor Pawlenty took $50,000 from some accomodating high roller. Remember that? Except Pawlenty is an Establishment toady. He’ll never in a million years be entrapped by that discredited organization known as the FBI. Hang in there, Dean!
Eskit
Minneapolis
Animal protesters targeted
If you care about animals, freedom of speech in this country, or both, please read on.
 I
am writing to you as a concerned citizen, animal advocate, and veterinarian,
to inform you of a bill that is pending in Congress right now, HR4239,
also known as the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. If this bill goes into
law, it would effectively make it a crime to engage in non-violent actions similar
to those employed by civil rights heroes such as Martin Luther King Jr., Susan
B. Anthony and Mahatma Gandhi if those actions result (albeit indirectly) in
loss of profits for the affected business(es). This law would make it illegal
to cause a loss of profits to any business which is considered an “animal
enterprise,” including factory farms, vivisection labs, circuses, fur
farms, and other businesses which routinely inflict unimaginable suffering on
animals who cannot speak to defend themselves. Even if the loss in profits to
the company results from peaceful protests, effective boycotts, or media campaigns,
under the language of this law, it could be interpreted as a violation which
could impose a hefty prison sentence of several years. This proposed law is
clearly unconstitutional and violates First Amendment freedom of speech.
If the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act becomes law, it will set a dangerous
precedent that may lead to even more repressive legislation being passed in
the future. It will lead to a “slippery slope” of increasingly repressive
laws which will hamper the ability of other social justice movements to speak
out without fear of unjust punishment. If we do not fight the passage of this
repressive and unconstitutional law, many people who care deeply about the plight
of animals abused for food production, fur, experimentation and entertainment,
will be scared or reluctant to speak out on their behalf and the animals will
suffer more as a result. I hope organizations working on behalf of animals,
as well as those dedicated to protecting First Amendment freedom of speech,
will act swiftly and without hesitation to fight the passage of this repressive
and unconstitutional law.
Here are some practical ways to help:
(1) Learn more about this law by visiting www.greenisthenewred.com
and reading Will Potter’s essays on the subject.
(2) Tell your friends and family.
(3) Write, call, or email your congressional representatives. Go to www.house.gov
to find your
local representative and your senators.
(4) Write to organizations such as the ACLU (www.aclu.org)
and request that this issue be made public. Write to animal advocacy groups
also.
(5) Organize an online petition.
(6) Pray.
Armaiti
Minneapolis
For more information about this legislagtion, animal rights in general,
and what you can do to make a difference, contact Dallas
Rising.
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