“Calling yourself an animal rights activist is a glorified way of defining yourself as a domestic terror threat.”
Feb 2nd, 2007 by Will Potter
If I posted every quote, every blog post, every web hit of activists being smeared as “terrorists” and “eco-terrorists,” I’d never get anything done (and you all would probably stop reading very quickly). I guess you get numb to it after a while, and in some ways get used to the scare-mongering. But this one really struck a nerve. The Hillsboro Free Press published an oped by Dan Suderman on Wednesday. The very first line reads: “Calling yourself an animal rights activist is a glorified way of defining yourself as a domestic terror threat.” He goes on to say, “Yes, some animal rights groups advocate violence to protect animals and people have been killed.”
Unsubstantiated claims and sweeping inaccuracies (what the hell is the “Animal Liberalization Organization”?) may pass under the radar on most blogs, but this is a local newspaper. I’m not shocked at all by Suderman’s rhetoric. But I think this should raise some red flags, both about how low journalistic standards have sunk and how pervasive and accepted “eco-terrorist” rhetoric has grown.
Thanks for making that point, Will. I saw that same “article” and was surprised it was actually published in a newspaper and not just a posting on someone’s blog.
By the way, thanks for all you do. I’m a contributing writer to Satya Magazine (see http://www.compassionatecooks.com/word/satya_sept_06.htm and http://www.compassionatecooks.com/word/satya_oct_06.htm), and I really appreciate the all you do on behalf of civil liberties.
All the very best,
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Founder & Director
Compassionate Cooks
http://www.compassionatecooks.com
I submitted a comment about this article just after it appeared on the Internet. I said the article is full of inaccuracies. Note: the newspaper did not post my comment. Guess the Hillsboro Free Press is not so “free” after all. Censorship and the dissemination of false information reigns.
I’m curious, do you really believe there is no terrorism in some displays of “activism” regarding animal rights?
Many animal “lovers” have set fire to buildings, destroyed people’s homes, and yes, they have injured and killed people in the name of saving animals. Why don’t you admit that, then move forward with trying to squelch those factions of your movement instead of rationalizing the negatives?
Allow some semblence of reality and common sense to permiate your work. We all love animals. Most are great with A1 or barbeque sauce.