I’ve just returned from the Taking Action for Animals (TAFA) in Washington, DC. I thank everyone for its professionally organization, impressive attendance (about 700) and providing inspiration, information and practical advice. (I did not attend FARM’s AR2006 conference in August because I no longer professionally or personally support it. This is because all attempts by me and many others to persuade the organizer to make much-needed improvements were rejected.) Singer Nellie McKay and artist Patrick McDonnell showed during the Sunday evening gala it is possible to unite art with a message without compromising either. I attended TAFA to represent the Animals and Society Institute and spent most of the time at our booth. I was not able to attend the plenaries or the workshops. But it’s always great to see respected colleagues and beloved friends — some of whom were both!
I participated in a panel, “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword,” with Martin Rowe, Cat Clyne and Joseph Connelly. Afterwards, a lady approached me to say that she was introduced to animal rights when she received a subscription to The Animals’ Agenda. The magazine was her epiphany. It’s gratifying to receive such feedback four years on from its demise. But TAFA had one major flaw: the food. It was disgusting. There’s no other way to describe it. Well, yes, there is: inedible. My mantra (well, one of them) is that a well-fed meeting is a happy meeting. It was shameful that TAFA’s meals were so bad. This was also the second year boxed lunches were used. Please find another way. The large cardboard box and the plastic containers we’re incredibly wasteful.
