July 20, 2007

Hi all,

 
A) Lawn & Garden "Pests"
B) Pet-Friendly License Plates
C) Michael Vick Indicted
D) CVA Leafleting
E) St. Louis Zoo Demos
F) Two More Veg & Climate Articles
G) Diet Study Misses the Point
 
A) Lawn & Garden "Pests"
Summer brings out the nasty side of "nature lovers."  Last week the Journal had a despicable story about "controlling" (read: killing) moles, and this week there are two stories about those evil rabbits and squirrels.  Mack sent in this one about university employees in North Dakota, who are shooting rabbits on campus; and Colleen sent in this op-ed piece concerning bunnies and squirrels. 
 
You know what works better than lethal weapons?  Bribery!  You give the critters something they would rather eat than your garden.  Putting apple chunks out every evening works wonders, as does a fresh supply of peanuts.  "Experts" tend to discourage the feeding of wildlife, but if you already have the creatures in your yard, you aren't actually attracting them; you're simply distracting them. 
B) Pet-Friendly License Plates
As we mentioned in last week's e-mail, the spay/neuter Missouri license plate is finally a reality.  A design has been chosen and everything is in place to get the ball rolling.  You can go to the website MoSHA (MO State Humane Association) for details on getting your plates.  (In case you see the signature line on the form and think that's where you sign, it's not.  That is where the official authorization representative signs.) 
C) Michael Vick Indicted
Atlanta Falcons quarterback, Michael Vick, has finally been indicted on the charges of dogfighting.  The NFL, and companies that endorse him, need to take action to show these charges are being taken seriously.
Michael Vick Indicted
Vick Ordered to Court
Tell Nike to Drop Vick
Tell NFL to suspend Vick (phone 212-450-2000, or fax 212-681-7573, or e-mail comments@nfl.sportsline.com) 
Tell NFL to suspend Vick (HSUS)
Tell NFL to suspend Vick (PETA)
Tell Atlanta Falcons to suspend Vick (feedback@fans.atlantafalcons.com)
D) CVA Leafleting
If you can spare an hour or so, the Christian Vegetarian Association has another leafleting opportunity.  Monday, July 23, at a Jeremy Camp Christian rock concert at the Six Flags Old Glory Amphitheater in Eureka.  The band's website does not list a time, but if you're interested, contact Joe at joseph.stephen@sbcglobal.net.
E) St. Louis Zoo Demos
There are two zoo elephant demos coming up.  There will be signs and a banner to hold, and leaflets to hand out.
Wednesday, July 25 AND Wednesday, August 22.  Both are from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, but if you can't stay the entire time or have to arrive late, please come anyway!
F) Two More Veg & Climate Articles
Save the Planet with a Vegetarian Diet
Eat a Steak, Warm the Planet
G) Diet Study Misses the Point
Researchers are bemoaning the fact that a seven-year study on diet and breast cancer didn't prove high fruit and vegetable intake to be beneficial.  What they didn't seem to grasp was that simply adding fresh produce to a diet that also includes meat and dairy won't be as effective as a high fruit and veggie diet without these harmful components.  It's telling that the women who ate mega servings of produce gained weight over the length of the study.  If you go on eating the way you always did except you actually add an abundance of foods--regardless of the type--of course you are going to gain weight.  This hits me as one of the dumbest studies ever.