From: jjozwiak@shearson.com (Jenny Jozwiak)
Subject: The World According to Me/Response to Greg Popken
Reply-To: jjozwiak@shearson.com
Organization: Lehman Brothers, Inc.
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 15:13:27 GMT



Greg:

You seem, by what you have said so far, to be a reasonable sort. (Except the stuff about burning up the dog to avert murder)  I do understand your
point of view.  However I do have a different take on these issues.  For instance,
if an animal is used for a surgical experiment, well, then after the experiment is
completed, repair the animal and nurse it back to health.  Dont discard it, or kill
it if it is still alive.  Treat it with care, kindness, and respect.  Thank it for
helping you with your research.  RESPECT.  That is what I am talking about.  Now, 
you probably think I'm nuts.  I dont care.  I think that some doctors/researchers  have a horrible attitude, not just towards animals but even when it comes to they way they treat PEOPLE.  

Anyway, as far as a child being maimed because of the actions of ALF, that is too bad. 
 I dont condone that or any behavior that hurts innocent people for any reason except as
 self defense. I dont give a damn about property damage though.  To me a life, life comes first. As far as drawing the line I am not sure yet where to do that. 
 Again, creatures do kill/use other
creatures for their surrival.  That IS a part of nature.  But the way in which "man-
kind" uses other creatures (because as you may have mentioned before, we are 
supposedly more advanced intellectually ) is both excessive, cruel,
and disrespectful. Because governmental standards are so lax in regards to the way animals are treated ie: "grown" for food, used, hunted for sport/fur and
other businesses, one can only hope each person in their heart "does the right thing".
My standards can not be imposed on others though I would like them to be.  I am trying
to be realistic about this now.  I do feel we can get more accomplished by dealing with
these matters in a realistic way, as opposed to idealistically.  However, I must say that
if I were put in a situation, for instance in Africa, and I stumbled across a warehouse ofchimps in cages that were going to be transported from their home,   
to the US for experiments or for zoos, I would do everything in my power to free
them and get them back to the jungle. My heart would tell me that that was the right thing
to do.  I would break any laws to do it. 

 There were/are some pretty fucked up laws around.
There were laws, (not so long ago) making slavery legal, allowing children to work at
the age of 8 or 9 in coal mines, allowing husbands to beat their wives, not allowing
the woman or black man to vote, or  not being able make love to your SO in the manner
of your choice, etc.  Some laws need to be changed. I am a good person.  I make my own
rules and try to live by them.  (please dont mention a Ted Bundy or some nutcase who
decides its ok to kill women and eat them). Sometimes, you just have to take a stand even if it is not popular or "legal".
There are slow ways to change the world in plodding legal ways, and that is good. But
sometimes there is simply no time.  Only focused action is called for.  And if along the
way, I make some mistakes, as I'm sure I will being all to human, I will try to learn fromthem.......


There is, I believe deeply, a spiritual nature or conciousness in all life forms, an
energy if you will, and I believe we are all interconnected in mysterious and not so
 mysterious ways....for instance the  eco system and the delicate balance of nature. 
I believe that many major problems we humans are now facing on this earth are due to
the lack of acknowledgement of this and spiritual retardation.  Technologically we are
very advanced but spiritually (not talking bout religion) we are shriveled.  I can only
hope that you, as an intelligent person, will no poo-poo what I am saying, but consider
it.  What I am saying is not new age. It is a very old concept.  And I do think it 
touches these issues in dealing with nature and "wild life" AND people.......


Jen

       


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