Comments nikki has made

  • McCain & global warming mitigation

    I'm not sure who's noticed, but although he has a decent environmental platform thus far, this campaigning Arizonian Senator did NOT vote for this recent energy bill that just got SQUASHED by the Senate last week - FYI.....what gives?On Presidential candidates answer dumb question about global warming posted 1 year, 11 months ago 12 Responses

  • cat's don't hunt for food...

    i believe we're on the same side, here, but studies have shown that cats attack prey for reasons beyond sustenance...

    one in particular had a number of cats in a room eating food from bowls.  some mice were brought in,  the cats quit eating, bopped and killed the mice,  then went back to eating....On Umbra on cats and birds posted 2 years ago 72 Responses

  • the bigger picture

    Ok...at the end of the day, the fact remains that humans are sprawling out, into natural areas at an alarming rate.  We don't travel alone...we bring a multitude of issues for wildlife and environments to deal with:  pollution (noise, light and chemical included), destruction and of course, our domesticated professional hunters - the cat.

    I live with 2 cats, both were out-doors prior.
    Neither one appreciated being kept inside, and I don't blame them...

    They've since adjusted and unleash no harm on our environment, and are subject to nothing that could intentionally, or accidentally, harm them.

    It does suck to be kept inside, but the harm outweighs the good.  As Umbra said, nature has a balance, of which cats are no longer a part of - - they're typically well cared for with veterinary care and vaccinations (some of which are only partly effective and the cats can catch diseases from wild animals, regardless).

    Sending them out the door unleashes a fury unknown by local wild animals.

    As for not seeing dead birds everywhere, there could be a number of reasons...one being that, if the bird's able to get away with minor scratches or cuts, they'll die a slow painful death due to the immense bacteria in cat's saliva, and are likely hiding as most dying wild animals are.

    For yet another example of human selfishness, cats were domesticated nearly 4000 years ago in Egypt - like it or not, they're are responsibility now.

    We know better and must do all we can to minimize our negative impact where we can - and this is one way.

    As for not defending the insane number of cats that are euthanized daily, most animal activists do (I know, I am one).  To build on this topic, a LARGE number of these feral cats are created by UNFIXED OUTDOOR CATS - full circle....
    On Umbra on cats and birds posted 2 years ago 72 Responses

  • ..special interests....

    When investigating the goings-on within many (if not most) wildlife agencies, one would find that a majority of the commissions are sat by hunters or are of close association -  this is a fact.

    It is also true that Aldo Leopold, as well as Teddy Roosevelt were both hunters, as well as environment enthusiasts.  I recall upon the passage of Aldo's message in Sand County Almanac, that he had an epiphany about the lives of predators while looking into the dying eyes of a female wolf, and realizing the wrongness of her death - that there's a level of respect that she and other wild animals deserve.

    It is true that deer populations grow seemingly without bounds when there aren't natural predators around...apparently, so do humans - - let's point fingers as to who's more destructive.

    I agree, people across the board are far removed from nature - - and this needs to change.  Our cultures "values" are manifesting themselves in continued destruction of said "nature".  What harm would come from a gentler and more compassion approach to interacting with nature?  None - for all involved.On Less hunters mean less funding for conservation, states find posted 2 years, 1 month ago 11 Responses

  • YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!

    ...what's wrong with this picture:

    "...allowing novice adults to try hunting without a license, shortening safety courses, and, in Oregon, instituting a Mentored Youth Hunter Program".

    This is absurd...there are likely a number of reasons people are shying away from this blood-thirsty "sport"...it's BEYOND unnecessary and makes most people cringe at the thought.

    There are a multitude of contributions to conservation made by camera-hunting paraphernalia, camping/permitting/admission fees, conservation group land acquisitions and private donors.

    To entice people to this egregious activity by shortening safety courses and targeting children is shameful and dangerous, to say the least.

    Supposedly, Chaney had whatever required training and managed to shoot his friend (not to mention countless others that have succumbed to friendly-fire or accidents...) - do we really want INTENTIONALLY uneducated gun-toting people running through the sparsely-located and ever-shrinking wild lands?  No....i'm thinking not so much.

    Hunting's not necessary for human survival and wildlife suffer enough of our (in)actions...we're driving them to extinction with habitat loss and pollution..sharp-shooting one-by-one shouldn't be included to the mix....On Less hunters mean less funding for conservation, states find posted 2 years, 1 month ago 11 Responses

  • Allow me to point out the cow in the room!

    Folks, at the end of the day, the facts are that A LOT of our current/past activities have and continue to negatively impact the planet....
    Deciding what's convenient to correct is not an option - selfishness and instant gratification are what got us in this mess to begin with.  Responsibility and action are how we need to react.
    Think outside the bun...humans have and will continue to survive on a plant-based diet.  There are MANY nations that don't have a Wendy's and Purdue farm anywhere near them, and have sustained themselves...period.
    We're designed to live off grains, fruits and veggies...just because we CAN consume meat and animal by-products doesn't mean we SHOULD - let your blinders fall off and notice that ALL corrective measures must be taken.
    Earth hasn't had to deal with all we've emitted - ever...heed her warning while your improvements still count.On Umbra on meat eating and global warming posted 2 years, 2 months ago 41 Responses

  • to snickwah....

    hi!  i applaud you for contributing to sustainable living....and not partaking in the egregious acts of factory farming (FF)
    i agree with your monoculture statement...as a recent recipient of a bachelors in wildlife ecology and conservation, i've learned quite a bit about the detriment to the environment/soils/crops when unsustainable practices are engaged in....lands going fallow for a time is imperative, as well.  i - too -am aware of the abundance of processing soy goes through...clearly not the "miracle food" we'd all like it to be....

    as for ethics and sustainability relative to animal agriculture, the current day FF techniques fail with flying colors.  please follow the link below to the Humane Society of the United States website for quotes from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the environmental degredation and contributions to climate change afforded by FF....

    http://www.hsus.org/farm/news/ournews/earth_day_livestock ...

    I haven't read your suggestions, but am currently reading Pollan's "Omnivores Dilema" that follows the multi-step process of corn, beef cattle and chicken (i'm not quite 1/2 way through it....there'll be more nail-biting as I go, i'm sure).

    i, too, thought animals would be needed for crop production to be chemical free and sustainable, until I looked into the links I refer to above....where current evidence exists and shows crops thrive without any animals or chemicals....On Umbra on sustainable meat posted 2 years, 3 months ago 32 Responses

  • Veganic farming- Yeah!

    Excellent, amc89!
    Thank you VERY much for the input!
    I'm working with a clean energy organization, which includes alternatives to green house gass emitting practices...which your links provide evidence to support!
    On Umbra on sustainable meat posted 2 years, 3 months ago 32 Responses

  • More for Meg.....

    I briefly searched the web for insight on the vegan farming issue, and this site seems to break it down cleanly..
    http://www.thevegetariansite.com/env_veganorganic.htm

    This site offers additional information..
    http://www.veganorganic.net/index.php?option=com_content& ...

    As for omnivorous farming practices, from what I hear, the Polyface you refer to is the best bet.  

    I applaud you for inquiring and pursuing the open range option that smaller family-type facilities practice.  Where my values about non-human animal consumption differ from yours, I am truly appreciative of your contribution to humane treatment and environmental respect.  The animals involved, your family's health and our Earth are all better off for it...On Umbra on sustainable meat posted 2 years, 3 months ago 32 Responses

  • comments to meg about veganism

    Hi meg!  
    I can't speak for all vegans, but I am one.  

    As for your "using animals" comment, my basic premis behind being vegan is the reality that humans don't have to use them to excel in life...non-human animals should, on all accounts, be afforded the right to live their lives as a means to their own end...
    just because we can utilize them and their resources doesn't mean we should...
    i do realize that in todays day, it's impossible to partake in any event that doesn't contribute to their use...our entire culture has booomed because of it!
    i hold firm that if we were to shift (obviously not any time soon....) to a culture that lives in harmony with all living creatures, a means to do that sustainably would be determined...but since little if any attention's been given to it, there have been no solutions (that I know of).
    again, i can't speak for all vegans...that's just my input...
    thank you for posting the question in a friendly, non-discriminatory way....  =)On Umbra on sustainable meat posted 2 years, 3 months ago 32 Responses

  • the guise of organic & free range

    big industry - again and still - is finding a way to prey on the compassion of their consumers...
    please do research on free range/organic and what they actually mean...

    i can back up anthony11's facts,here....while eating out or purchasing mass-produced animals/by-products, you can guarantee that those individuals were abused, and in conditions that pollute our environment.

    regardless of the much needed humane treatment of these animals, look into the links between their treatment and healh conditions for those who eat them http://www.pcrm.org/news/health021218.htmlOn Umbra on sustainable meat posted 2 years, 3 months ago 32 Responses