More on the Hunting Gyrocopter Tragedy

by Kim W. Stallwood Posted on March 17, 2009

The man charged with the murder of Warwickshire hunt supporter Trevor Morse is 54-year-old anti-hunt campaigner Bryan Griffiths of Bedworth.
He appeared before Nuneaton magistrates on Thursday accused of killing Mr Morse at Long Marston Airfield near Stratford on March 9. Mr Morse, 48, from Alderminster, Warwickshire, was struck by a gyrocopter-a small, privately owned helicopter-at around 3pm. He suffered serious head injuries from a rear propeller and died almost “immediately” the court heard. The collision was caught on video camera by an eye witness. Mr Griffiths, a heating technician, is a member of an animal rights campaign and has worked as a volunteer hunt monitor, liasing with police. He was remanded in custody to appear at Warwick Crown Court on March 23. Another man was arrested after the incident and was later released on bail pending further inquiries.

Long Marston Airfield gyrocopter death: Man accused is animal rights campaigner

You can write to Bryan Griffiths at:

Prisoner number XW 8892
Hewell Prison
Hewell Lane
Redditch
Worcestershire
B97 6QS
UK

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ASI Diary on Scientific Research or Propaganda

by Kim W. Stallwood Posted on March 17, 2009

Check out my post, Objective Scientific Research or Subjective Scientific Propaganda?, at the Diary of the Animals and Society Institute.

The study assessed 21 books, including Henry Salt’s Animal Rights, Ruth Harrison’s Animal Machines, Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation and Mary Midgley’s Animals and Why They Matter. After analyzing the books’ contents (that’s 4,562 pages) they determined that 56.9 percent (2,598 pages) were “concerned primarily with the ethical/moral questions regarding the use of animals by humans.” No surprises there, then. The authors then went on to consider the 1,680 pages (36.8 percent) that were “critical of the various ways in which we exploit animals.” They found that the majority of these pages focused on animal research. Not that surprising, perhaps, given that animal experimentation is generally recognized as a major area of concern. Then, Nicoll and Russell take us on a scenic route of arbitrary and unrelated issues in order to park their thesis where they want it.

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Vegetarians ‘get fewer cancers’

by Kim W. Stallwood Posted on March 16, 2009

A vegetarian diet may help to protect against cancer, a UK study suggests. Analysis of data from 52,700 men and women shows that those who did not eat meat had significantly fewer cancers overall than those who did. But surprisingly, the researchers also found a higher rate of colorectal cancer – a disease linked with eating red meat – among the vegetarians. Writing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition the team said the findings were worth looking into. Although it is widely recommended that people eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day to reduce their risk of cancer and other diseases, there is very little evidence looking specifically at a vegetarian diet.

Vegetarians ‘get fewer cancers’

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Obama Stops Downers

by Kim W. Stallwood Posted on March 16, 2009

In addition, the President also announced two other measures to protect the American people. The Department of Agriculture will close a loophole to prevent diseased cows from entering the food supply. And, the government will invest in the FDA to substantially increase the number of food inspectors and modernize food safety labs.

WEEKLY ADDRESS: President Barack Obama Announces Key FDA Appointments and Tougher Food Safety Measures

Congratulations to every national and local group and every activist who participated in this campaign!

This victory reminds me of Lord Houghton and this statement.

Animal welfare is largely a matter for the law. This means that to Parliament we must go. That is where laws are made and where the penalties for disobedience and the measures for enforcement are laid down. There is no complete substitute for the law. Public opinion, though invaluable and indeed essential, is not the law. Public opinion is what makes laws possible and observance widely acceptable.

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