An animal or even a human as a "thing" is at the foundation of Baconian logic and modern science. Judge Fahey's hope that "we will not be able to ignore" the issue of disregard for the preciousness of sentient life, seems outweighed at the moment by atrocities in Gaza being swept into narratives by political actors affecting the behavior of police on campuses, by design. Naomi Klein pointed out there's "idolatry" happening. Education itself is premised upon control and disabling of free thought, by the standards of Bertrand Russell and Fichte. So here's this world we're born into, where you try and be a person by all the lights you possess, and even if someone acknowledges you, you can't spare them the inevitable sense of despair that comes of things being in such disrepair. I like that you find simple comfort sometimes with the rescues you do, which I see as the right circumstances for anyone to be in.
Very elegantly put. And I understand the despair. But look at the longer arc, and change seems inevitable. Even the fact that students in the US are mobilizing for children thousands of miles away is evidence that something is shifting in human culture.
Either way, thank you for your compassion and thoughts
I can see that! Having said that, it's not the tone I'm looking to build on this newsletter. What do you think of commenting in a way that's less hostile? I don't mind you being hostile to me, but not going to allow it towards other users.
Common sense seems lacking a lot in the world today. All life is here because the creator breathed life into us to live whether animal or human. The same life force for animals ,not a different one ! How can anybody believe that animals are not sentient when they show love ? Wake up ffs people !
This is such an important argument! Personhood is a construct, and I completely agree it's time we extend it to animals. I've followed your rescues and trials, and your work is so important. As a fellow lawyer, I appreciate how you're using the legal system to push for change!
I'd like that a lot! I'm hoping to attend AVA this year, so maybe I'll see you there. And yes, it's been a labor of love -- I can't wait for it to come out!
Humans and non-humans, we are all animals who share the same planet and who Must have access to the same basic rights. Thank you, Wayne, for your fight for Animal Legal Personhood !
My impression is that many people only have a vague knowledge, much less understanding, of what's in the Constitution and the Amendments. I think activists would need some talking points to get them started, and eventually comfortable, in constitutional activism and argument. Activists could be laying the groundwork so when the question of animal personhood does come up in court cases, the general public is already familiar with the terminology and hopefully onboarded with the intent.
Yes. We have lost our way to become a society rife with anxiety, depression, physical disease, mental unwellness. And, we lash out as a result. A great part of this unraveling relates to a profound disconnect between the way we are living and the way our minds, bodies, and souls have evolved to live—in direct connection with the natural world. These are our brothers and sisters we're talking about. In my watery world, there are efforts to grant fundamental rights to rivers through a Unversal Declaration of the Rights of Rivers. Further, the countries of Columbia, Canada, New Zealand, and even the US, have granted legal personhood to specific rivers. Perhaps there's a model here? And, where I sign in support?
Love the idea of linking new freedoms to old traditions that people already support. An ask that departs too much from established norms is easily rejected. However, showing the progression of a people rising to their better selves sounds both exciting and doable.
Millions of chickens were cruelty slaughtered and more animals will be killed because of the fake bird flu. These horrific slaughters are designed to drive up the price of chickens and eggs but even more so, to establish fear of a non existent virus in order to make billions of dollars foisting a bird flu vaccine on an ignorant, fearful public. Despite the horrendous slaughter of chickens I heard not a peep from the animal welfare groups. It is a sad fact that many vegans, animal rescuers, and even antivivisectionists believe in the Pasteur/Rockefeller fraudulent germ theory and will stand by and watch animals slaughtered so pharma can convince the public these animals carry a non existent virus that "could spread to humans." That animals will be slaughtered to become ingredients in vaccines and become test subjects for these toxic vaccines does not bother many animal activists. After explaining the fraud of the germ/virus theory to the public for 25 years. It is gratifying to see that more and more people are understanding that the terrain theory is the truth. But the resistance of animal people to understand this truth and reject the germ theory is unfathomable. They should be embracing a truth that would save the lives of hundreds of millions of animals.
Information about the fraudulent Pasteur germ theory and that fact that these viruses that cause a plethora of fake pandemics have never been isolated is readily available to anyone who cares to look. Pandemics are invented to sell vaccines. Educating yourself is the cure for pharmaceutical industry propaganda and brainwashing - but only if you want to know the truth.
We are animals too. Give all sentient beings person hood. Not property.
Indeed!
You wil always have my support and that of countless others. Keep forging ahead with this, Mr. Hsiung.
Thanks Angela!
An animal or even a human as a "thing" is at the foundation of Baconian logic and modern science. Judge Fahey's hope that "we will not be able to ignore" the issue of disregard for the preciousness of sentient life, seems outweighed at the moment by atrocities in Gaza being swept into narratives by political actors affecting the behavior of police on campuses, by design. Naomi Klein pointed out there's "idolatry" happening. Education itself is premised upon control and disabling of free thought, by the standards of Bertrand Russell and Fichte. So here's this world we're born into, where you try and be a person by all the lights you possess, and even if someone acknowledges you, you can't spare them the inevitable sense of despair that comes of things being in such disrepair. I like that you find simple comfort sometimes with the rescues you do, which I see as the right circumstances for anyone to be in.
Very elegantly put. And I understand the despair. But look at the longer arc, and change seems inevitable. Even the fact that students in the US are mobilizing for children thousands of miles away is evidence that something is shifting in human culture.
Either way, thank you for your compassion and thoughts
This seems harsh...
I can see that! Having said that, it's not the tone I'm looking to build on this newsletter. What do you think of commenting in a way that's less hostile? I don't mind you being hostile to me, but not going to allow it towards other users.
Common sense seems lacking a lot in the world today. All life is here because the creator breathed life into us to live whether animal or human. The same life force for animals ,not a different one ! How can anybody believe that animals are not sentient when they show love ? Wake up ffs people !
Lacking but the world is coming around!
This is such an important argument! Personhood is a construct, and I completely agree it's time we extend it to animals. I've followed your rescues and trials, and your work is so important. As a fellow lawyer, I appreciate how you're using the legal system to push for change!
Thanks Elizabeth! Hope we connect sometime to trade legal theories. Saw you're writing a book, which is exciting!
I'd like that a lot! I'm hoping to attend AVA this year, so maybe I'll see you there. And yes, it's been a labor of love -- I can't wait for it to come out!
Endless days of despair as my thoughts are ever clouded with the pain and suffering of animals! Is there ever going to be change for animals?
Humans and non-humans, we are all animals who share the same planet and who Must have access to the same basic rights. Thank you, Wayne, for your fight for Animal Legal Personhood !
Thank you Maria
My impression is that many people only have a vague knowledge, much less understanding, of what's in the Constitution and the Amendments. I think activists would need some talking points to get them started, and eventually comfortable, in constitutional activism and argument. Activists could be laying the groundwork so when the question of animal personhood does come up in court cases, the general public is already familiar with the terminology and hopefully onboarded with the intent.
This makes a lot of sense! Maybe we need a simple outreach guide for folks who are trying to support and talk about the right to rescue...
Yes. We have lost our way to become a society rife with anxiety, depression, physical disease, mental unwellness. And, we lash out as a result. A great part of this unraveling relates to a profound disconnect between the way we are living and the way our minds, bodies, and souls have evolved to live—in direct connection with the natural world. These are our brothers and sisters we're talking about. In my watery world, there are efforts to grant fundamental rights to rivers through a Unversal Declaration of the Rights of Rivers. Further, the countries of Columbia, Canada, New Zealand, and even the US, have granted legal personhood to specific rivers. Perhaps there's a model here? And, where I sign in support?
To restore rivers? Agreed. Don't even get me started on water rights...
Love the idea of linking new freedoms to old traditions that people already support. An ask that departs too much from established norms is easily rejected. However, showing the progression of a people rising to their better selves sounds both exciting and doable.
Millions of chickens were cruelty slaughtered and more animals will be killed because of the fake bird flu. These horrific slaughters are designed to drive up the price of chickens and eggs but even more so, to establish fear of a non existent virus in order to make billions of dollars foisting a bird flu vaccine on an ignorant, fearful public. Despite the horrendous slaughter of chickens I heard not a peep from the animal welfare groups. It is a sad fact that many vegans, animal rescuers, and even antivivisectionists believe in the Pasteur/Rockefeller fraudulent germ theory and will stand by and watch animals slaughtered so pharma can convince the public these animals carry a non existent virus that "could spread to humans." That animals will be slaughtered to become ingredients in vaccines and become test subjects for these toxic vaccines does not bother many animal activists. After explaining the fraud of the germ/virus theory to the public for 25 years. It is gratifying to see that more and more people are understanding that the terrain theory is the truth. But the resistance of animal people to understand this truth and reject the germ theory is unfathomable. They should be embracing a truth that would save the lives of hundreds of millions of animals.
Thank you for sharing, Britt!
Information about the fraudulent Pasteur germ theory and that fact that these viruses that cause a plethora of fake pandemics have never been isolated is readily available to anyone who cares to look. Pandemics are invented to sell vaccines. Educating yourself is the cure for pharmaceutical industry propaganda and brainwashing - but only if you want to know the truth.
You are quite aggressive, my friend!