Animal activists face 'domestic terrorism' charge in freeing 5,740 minks

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Animal activists face 'domestic terrorism' charge in freeing 5,740 minks

Associated Press in Oakland, California
Saturday 25 July 2015 14.41 BST

Two animal rights activists have been charged with terrorizing the fur industry during cross-country road trips in which they released about 5,740 mink from farms and vandalized the homes and businesses of industry members, the FBI said on Friday.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Joseph Brian Buddenberg, 31, and Nicole Juanita Kissane, 28, both of Oakland, California, and federal prosecutors charged them with conspiracy to violate the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act.

A federal grand jury indictment unsealed on Friday said the two caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages during 40,000 miles of cross-country trips over the summer and into the fall of 2013.

“Whatever your feelings about the fur industry, there are legal ways to make your opinions known,” US attorney Laura Duffy said in a statement. “The conduct alleged here, sneaking around at night, stealing property and vandalizing homes and businesses with acid, glue, and chemicals, is a form of domestic terrorism and can’t be permitted to continue.”

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/25/animal-activists-minks-domestic-terrorism-charges

[darkangel218]

1. I'm not surprised.

I used to live in an apt complex a few years back. One day in received a notice ( more like a warning ) that I am not to feed the stray cats in our complex any longer (they listed some bs reasons, that the food would attract wild animals, etc ). That same day I gave them my 30 day notice.

Fuck animal haters. It's disgusting what they are doing, only because they're incapable to feel for anyone other than themselves. Fuck them.

And those who think killing animals for fur is OK, fuck you too! We have developed enough technologically, there is synthetic fur out there. No one needs to kill a perfectly healthy and happy living being for "fur". Screw this shit.

[yeoman6987]

2. Going around destroying houses is not the answer

After 20 years in jail what was accomplished?

[darkangel218]

3. Not the answer, but at least they took a stand.

Would sitting quietly and let abuse go on be a better answer?

[darkangel218]

4. Oh yah, I forgot to mention.

They saved the lives of over 5000 innocent animals in the process. Well worth it, I say.

[Kali]

5. more likely they condemned them to worse deaths

releasing captive bred animals to the wild is not the feel-good action idiots imagine it is

[darkangel218]

6. Can you back up your statement?

Prove the animals saved ended up in "worse death".

I'm waiting.

[Kali]

7. lets see, 5000 weasels released in one area

what do you think the carrying capacity of small predators in that area is? and that would be for wild animals that KNOW what and how to hunt. these are captive bred that have been fed prepared commercial food all their lives.

most of them would be run over (ok, those would probably be fast and relatively painless), eaten by larger predators, and die of starvation. how humane.

edit, reread the article. not all released in the same area. point stands, releasing unadapted animals to the wild is still a death sentence for the vast majority of them.

[darkangel218]

8. Most of them would be run over". You don't know that. Maybe

Maybe most of them survived and are living happily ever after.

The ones who are the problem are the money greedy animal abusers, not the minks or the ones who fought to release and save them.

[Major Nikon]

10. You don't know the animals were abused either

Just sayin'

[darkangel218]

13. They were about to be turned into fur

You don't consider that abuse???

Jeebus Christ!

[Boudica the Lyoness]

15. I agree with you.

Some people think killing an animal is not abusive.

It's like people saying they are animal lovers and then it turns out they are hunters or eat meat.

[Major Nikon]

17. Do you really think that's the majority opinion on the subject?

[Major Nikon]

16. No more so than turning a cow into a Big Mac

Then again I never really understood how an animal has more rights the cuter it is.

[melman]

20. And that's wrong too

All animal abuse is wrong.

[Major Nikon]

22. Most people don't think so

Probably because defining that as abuse is a ridiculous notion. Are all omnivores and carnivores animal abusers as well, or just homo sapiens?

How many helpless animals do you think are murdered during field crop production? Do you think rodents are allowed to munch on crops to their heart's content? How about all those other little critters that are chewed up by farm machinery? Is this wrong? And if so what are you prepared to do in order to prevent yourself from contributing to it?

Food for thought.

[Orrex]

24. I would totally eat a Big Mac made from minks.

[BudahBelly]

27. That's Freakin' funny.

My day is made!!

[Scootaloo]

38. You can get the minkburger experience...

by spritzing your ground beef with a little ammonia before making patties, and then topping hte cooked burger with a whole tin of anchovies.

weasels are not food. For anyone. Ever. except hawks, because birds don't have much by way of taste buds or a sense of smell.

[Orrex]

46. Way to go, buzzkill.

Why do you hate freedom?!?!?

[Major Nikon]

47. I prefer spotted owl

[Orrex]

48. Who?

[Major Nikon]

86. What?

[NickB79]

26. These were domesticated weasels, bred their entire lives in captivity

It would be akin to releasing house cats into the wild; some will survive and turn feral, but many will die.

And even in mild environments where they have the best ability to survive, that survival typically endangers the local wildlife: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/minks.asp

In what must have seemed like a brilliant idea at the time, British animal-rights activists sneaked onto the grounds of a mink farm here during the weekend, cut through wire fences and gave 6,500 minks their freedom instead of a future as fur coats.

But the illegal act has backfired as few British animal-liberation missions ever have. Released into the rich countryside of England's southern coast, the thousands of minks have gone on a rampage driven by insatiable hunger and equally insatiable mink-like curiosity.

Domestic pets and farm animals — including cats, hamsters, chickens, guinea pigs and hens — have been pursued and killed. Wild animals — including the endangered water vole, a type of water rat — are under attack. Local fisheries are threatened.

And local residents, including the owners of a wild bird sanctuary where three birds were killed in mink attacks Sunday and Monday, have taken up arms. One of the dead birds was a beloved, 14-year-old kestrel named Spitfire who made countless educational trips to local schools.

[Orrex]

29. Proving that there's a right way and a wrong way to shake the weasel.

[Telcontar]

95. Oh my God, you did not just...I mean...but...

Wow

[Major Nikon]

11. Even in the unlikely event they did live it would be a bad thing

Feral mink populations undermine native species requiring animal control to trap and destroy them. So not only were they creating a hazard for the mink, they were creating a hazard for other native species.

I'm sure these so-called activists think they are doing a good thing, but their stupidity betrays their actions regardless of intent.

[Orrex]

23. At least they'll be warm

They're all wearing mink coats, after all.

[alphafemale]

30. These fools have no connection to reality.

They released domesticated animals to a slow death rather than a quick one.

If a few of them somehow survive to mate and breed they have loosed an animal into an environment unsuited to it.

If that happens, Yes, I would put the little shmucks in prison for life for environmental terrorism.

[Sunlei]

74. weasels always remain wild, hard to handle, they bite and are extremely aggressive in cages.

weasels in wild are also mostly nocturnal and eat all kinds of small things, bugs and such.

If they're released in 'the wild', they will go totally feral, wild, really fast, and never will show up at dinnertime at the 'weasel-farm' looking for their chow.

most of those fur farms look similar to the crappy worse puppy mills. They're also hidden in rural/wooded areas so the general public doesn't have to see the cruelty and filith and smell the stink of those "farms"

rows and rows of wire cages, suspended over bare ground. covered by some sort of crappy roof to keep the elements from 'damaging the live-fur. To release them just open the cage door and off they run.

The claim of 'millions in damages' is probably, mostly the loss of 3,000s? skins. full retail loss cost of course, so the Feds can lock up the "terrorists" for 40 years.

[Kali]

78. uh,

I am not defending the practice of fur farms, just pointing out that releasing captive bred animals is not the happy ending fantasy that animal rights fools think it is.

someone mentioned Disney - that about sums up the reality some of these fanatics inhabit.

[Sunlei]

81. weasals are an exception*. 'disney theory?',IMO,not 'fanatics' just ignorant about animals &

many people don't like it that laboratory animals suffer like they do.

*I bet they ran off into the wild and happy to be free at last and already met-up with all the other weasels that escaped from the fur farm over the past many years.

[restorefreedom]

75. would it be better to have an anal electrical probe?

cuz that's one way they kill them

drowning is another

they are better off takin their chances for a life.

better yet, don't allow this fur breeding for fashion shit to happen in the first place.

[Kali]

80. if it is fast, then the answer is yes

animals aren't homophobic so the horror of "anal" is likely anthropomorphizing something to create disgust in humans.

I suspect how ever they are dispatched is fast and hope that there is some regulation/knowledge of what is a best-practice, humane way of doing so. if not, that would be a better avenue to pursue than vandalism.

disclaimer: I don't have any real knowledge on the subject, I don't raise fur animals.

[restorefreedom]

82. death by electocution is inhumane

and they don t even try to make it less horrid cuz you know...just animals.

being out as previously captive animals is not good...ideally they would have been taken to sanctuary

[Kali]

96. it may be, I really don't know

like I said - if it is fast, then it is not

[restorefreedom]

97. a sad reality is

that the people who work at those "farms" are not animal lovers. they are sloppy and some are sadistic.

besides this is all for fashion. completely insane and should be illegal imo.

[Sunlei]

105. imagine hold a wild feral cat untouched by humans & shove a wire? Its the catch and restraint,

'alone' terrifies all wild animals and is not humane.

Like I said in another post, they don't shock them anyway, they do it cheaper with no handling of a fierce animal, plus no risk of damage to the precious fur from restraint and electricity. they drown them or use old dog pound-nazi 'trick', car exhaust.

[restorefreedom]

107. vile and repugnant

some of these poor things i would imagine could be quite docile if they trusted humans.

big mistake.

[Sunlei]

104. they just drown them because its cheap & easy. they're fierce to restrain, even with heavy gloves.

and no wild animal wants a electric wire shoved in their rectum.

And one can bet money that these filthy fur farms would never spend a dime to say.., spike their last supper with an anesthetic so the probe shove is 'humane'.

although some of the fur farms don't drown to kill, they do the -old dog pound nazi 'trick'-- they run truck exhaust to a sealed box full of their little wire cages for 20 minuets. to kill them.

I can totally understand why some people are passionately driven to try to save some animals. And I think to use Federal Terror Laws to lock them away for decades is wrong, bad law.

[alphafemale]

12. You are talking to someone whose understanding of nature is from Disney movies.

Starvation is not Happily Ever After.

On edit one of the replies actually used that exact phrase.

Absolute clueless skipping woowoo children.

[darkangel218]

14. Ignoring your insults, what proof do you have the minks "starved"?

They were released from many different locations, in 4-5 states. What proof do you have those animals starved?? You don't have any proof, you just chime in to throw some silly insults.
The alternative for the minks would have been a certain death.

[hifiguy]

18. They are gonna die in the wild, too.

Almost certainly much more slowly.

[darkangel218]

34. We are all gonna die. Just as you described.

Killing perfectly healthy wild animals for fur is unnatural and its abuse. No matter how many are try to paint it as.

[alphafemale]

19. It was still certain death just a longer more fearful painful one

Starvation is an awful way to die.

[darkangel218]

33. They wouldn't have starved. They were released in 4 , maybe more, different states.

All wild animals face starvation. Should we just kill them to prevent them "the suffering"??

[alphafemale]

50. Go watch another Disney movie.

That one where animals are kind to each other,

[darkangel218]

54. You go do that.

Maybe you would grow a heart.

[alphafemale]

76. You are clueless.

Nature is brutal.

[darkangel218]

83. No, you are the one who's clueless.

Nature doesn't kill to make fur ornaments. Ignorant humans do.

[alphafemale]

110. Nature kills for the joy of it.

Grow up.

[darkangel218]

111. Reading your posts in this thread, I say you're the one who needs to grow up

See ya in the lounge!

[alphafemale]

112. I know you are but what am I???? HAA!!! ni

[davepc]

113. Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

How many time-outs does Darkangel need to before she realizes that insulting other people who disagree with her (as she's been doing throughout this thread) will get her additional time outs? Please hide this. Someone disagreeing does not equal not having a heart. She is over the top and makes DU suck.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sun Jul 26, 2015, 05:45 PM, and the Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Rude and snarky, but does not merit a hide. There is no constitutional right to not have your feelings hurt.
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: This is an abuse of the alert system. This is a fairly mild exchange of give and take. Telling us that the poster has a history of "time-outs" is inappropriate, and should have nothing to do with this alert. No violation of CS.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: It was mutual and the alert sounds like a vendetta
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Oh get over yourself.
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: This post is no worse than several others in this subthread. While somewhat childish, I don't think it rises to the level of a hide.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[Thor_MN]

21. What proof do you have that captive bred animals can survive in the wild?

What proof do you have those animals survived?? You don't have any proof, you just chime in to throw some silly insults.

[Scootaloo]

31. Do you have any notion of how an ecology works?

Do you know what a mink is, what their habits, diet, and lifestyle are?

'Cause this is need-to-know stuff, in the context of the argument.

[darkangel218]

32. I do know that living in the wild is where they belong.

Not killed and turned into fur.
Is that too much for you to absorb?

[Scootaloo]

36. "The Wild" isn't a vacuum, darkangel

[darkangel218]

37. Who said it was a vacuum??

The wild is where wild animals belong, not dead around a human's neck, Scootaloo.

[Scootaloo]

39. You throw a bunch of hyperactive predators with bad instincts into the woods. What happens?

[darkangel218]

41. The woods is their habitat. Do you have a problem with that??

Should we take shark out of the water for being "hyperactive"???
Minks are wild animals, not domesticated. They belong in the wild. Too bad you have a problem with that.

[Scootaloo]

42. You really don't grasp the impact of introducing a bunch of alien predators into an ecosystem?

[darkangel218]

43. Oh FFS! Minks are now "alien predators"???

I have nothing left to say to you.

[Scootaloo]

49. These mink are

1) Mink are indeed an invasive species in many parts of the country because of their being farmed. Escapes and releases have resulted in ecologically destructive feral populations. it's an even bigger problem in Europe and south america, where they're completely non-native (in Europe, American mink outcompete and hunt the native European mink, even)

2) This means that mink - whether native wild populations or introduced feral populations - are not rare. They aren't even close to endangered. So anywhere that you are dumping "liberated" mink, is pretty much guaranteed to have mink populartions already there, if it's at all suitable habitat for the animals.

3) Which it might not be. Mink are semi-aquatic and dependent on flowing waterways. if this habitat is not available, you might as well toss them in the ocean and hope they become sea otters. What this specialized habitat dependency means... is that mink are also territorial. I don't think I need to explain to you how a medium-sized weasel might settle territorial disputes?

4) While the local mink and the introduced mink are tearing each other to shreds over living space, both groups are eating (or trying to eat - captive breeding isn't conducive to hunting ability.) Now you've put pressure on the prey animals of the locality. And that pressure and resultant scarcity is going to drive the mink towards non-regular prey. Which by definition has not evolved with mink predation as a feature.

5) Those mink are also being eaten. Foxes, hawks, and owls dine on mink. and you've just thrown a lot of food into the faces of these higher-tier predators. This is going to result in a population bulge for these guys, which is going to result in more pressure on their prey, including whatever mink survived the initial onslaught.

6) The expanded population of mink causes another problem - disease. Captive mink aren't famed for their immune systems (there is no breeding pressure for good immunity in captivity, after all) and minks, as all mustelids, are vulnerable to diseases like rabies, distemper, influenza, and parvoviruses. otters, those foxes, raccoon, etc are all also vulnerable to these diseases.

You seem to have this fantasy of kyoot widdle fwiffy-wuffy schnukkums frolicking freely in meadows and having adventures with its widdle buddies. What you're actually doing is endangering an entire fucking ecosystem by throwing gobs and gobs of new predators into the mix and walking away.

You don't like the fur industry? That's fine, neither do I. But given the choice between a fur farm and widespread ecological harm, i'll take the fur farm. Now if you have an option C, let's have a look at that.

[darkangel218]

55. Some consider feral cats an ecological problem ( because they kill birds)

Are you advocating we kill cats too? Just curious.

[Scootaloo]

56. I don't advocate dumping hundreds of cats in the woods and hoping for the best

[darkangel218]

59. I'm asking you if you feel the ferrals are an ecological problem?

You can't equate dumping cats in the woods with dumping minks in the woods, since cats are domesticated animals. I only want to know your opinion as far as them being "an ecological problem" , since that is what you are focusing your statement on.

?

[Scootaloo]

62. Feral cats absolutely are an ecological problem

And they should no more be dumped by the dozen in the woods than mink, because of this.

[darkangel218]

67. Feral cats are deemed as an "ecological problem" by the haters, no matter where they are

Thank you for clarifying. I know where you are coming from now.

[Scootaloo]

70. And by ecologists. But you know, you go do you. n/t

[darkangel218]

71. Cats are domesticated animals. Minks are not. Minks can only belong in the wild, as you know

We don't know if they lived happily ever after. There are no guarantees in life. Not even for humans.
The only thing we kniw is that they were saved from a certain death, and given a chance to life. And that is good enough for me.

[Scootaloo]

77. And there is no shortage of mink in the wild

They're far from rare, as I said. Everywhere that can sustain a functional mink population in the wild already does. Anywhere that doesn't have a mink population either can't support a mink population, or is an environment outside of their natural range.

If you throw gobs of farm mink into a place already populated with mink, you're creating an ecological disaster through the introduction of a new population of an already-maximized predator.

If you throw those mink into an environment that is bad for mink, they'll just die. They're picky about their habitats after all, and can only successfully live in certain environments.

If you throw them into a place that they can survive, but that does not have a mink population, you are introducing an alien, invasive predator that will undoubtedly cause vast harm to that ecosystem.

Simply put, this action shows an astounding lack of foresight - and a lack of awareness of the impact other, prior mink releases have had on environments (and ht mink themselves). All you have in this story is a bunch of ignorant humans wasting animals' lives - and possibly an entire ecosystem - in order to make themselves feel good.

[darkangel218]

87. There is no shortage of humans either.

What do you mean by "there is no shortage of minks in the wild"??
Should we save only endangered animals???

[Scootaloo]

101. I mean that habitats that can support mink, already have full populations of mink

Adding more mink to these maximized populations can only cause problems, for both the local mink, the introduced mink, and the surrounding ecology.

[tammywammy]

64. Feral cats are an ecological problem

Euthanasia doesn't work because even if you kill off a colony it creates a vacuum that other ferals fill.

The best way to help reduce the number of strays and ferals is a TNR program. I participate in TNR program and I make regular donations to a low cost spay & nuter clinic.

As much as I love animals, I do realize releasing animals that are not prepared into the wild is cruel, especially a highly territorial animal like a mink.

[Kali]

89. you have been unbelievably patient and factual in your replies

I hope others read and gain a little new information. the person you are talking too, though? waste of breath, as you can see by the deflection about cats instead of any acknowledgement of your clearly stated points.

[Sunlei]

79. probably the same thing that happened when the canned hunting farms "lost'' the first FERAL HOGS.

though I doubt we have to worry about weasels uprooting lawns or "sky cowboys machine gunning weasels from the chopper like they do with feral hogs, or dog packs tearing up a captured weasel for sport, like some 'hunters' do with coyotes for fun.

[Kali]

73. ecology, zoology, biology, physics, science in general, math, fermented malt beverages

much missing knowledge there

[darkangel218]

85. Yah, on your part.

[Telcontar]

98. Where did you learn debate?

Pee Wee Herman's School of I Know You Are?

[Kali]

100. !

[darkangel218]

108. In the DU lounge. Nt

[Archae]

25. In another thread on this same topic I said about the same thing.

I call them "Bambi animal activists."
They learned about nature by watching Disney's "Bambi."

Real fur is on it's way out, same way hats made from beaver pelts are.

[darkangel218]

40. If real fur was on "its way out", how come 5K innocent minks were on the death row??

Lol

[Archae]

57. Because some, usually the 1%ers, still like real fur.

But like I said, it's on it's way out.

Even if it takes another 20 years, it's still a far better way to phase out fur farms, than destruction, vandalism and cruelty to the "released" minks.

[darkangel218]

60. Obviously is not. You are so wrong in trying to give a stat of who is using it,

Since tens of thousands, if not millions of animals are killed for their fur every year.

Those animals have teh right to a chance to live out in the wild where they belong. They have the right to life and freedom, just like we do. They are not domesticated animals, they are wild animals.

[hunter]

72. I agree. These idiots need a long "time out."

They did not do these animals or the natural environment any favors.

I"m not ever going to buy a fur coat, but I've also eaten animals I've seen alive and do not expect our family dogs to be vegetarians.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

84. Someone actually alerted on your response.

AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Results of your Jury Service
On Sun Jul 26, 2015, 03:40 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

I agree. These idiots need a long "time out."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7012819

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Calling posters who disagree "idiots". Name calling is not OK. Hide it.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sun Jul 26, 2015, 03:46 PM, and the Jury voted 0-7 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The post is rude but appears to be in keeping with many of the others. I think you'd have to censor more than just this one to be consistent.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I believe he's talking about the people who did it, not anyone on du. Relax.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The alerted post refers to the people that released the mink.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Calling the activists idiots =\= calling posters idiots. Try reading AND comprehending before alerting.
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Do not agree with alert
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Looks like the poster is calling the eco-terrorists idiots. Is releasing 5K domesticated predators, raised in captivity into the wild some how more noble that the people that dumped pythons and anacondas into the everglades?

If they cared about the animals well being, why didn't the take them home, or foster them until a more humane solution could be found?

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[tammywammy]

88. At least it went 7-0.

Someone can't alert for 24 hours now.

[Kali]

93. !

reading comprehension FAIL

[Buzz Clik]

28. Nice all around attitude: "Fuck you, too!"

Hate much?

Try transferring your love of worthless, feral animals to human beings.

[darkangel218]

35. "Worthless, feral animals"???

Wow, now you did it.

Bookmarked.

It's obviously not me who's "hating".

[hifiguy]

9. The vandalism was monumentally stupid

but this is a bullshit use of "terrorism" laws. Which is to be expected.

[darkangel218]

44. I agree. Vandalizing properties was completely wrong. But they did it to save innocent animals

Which were about to be turned into ornaments.

They surely didn't deserve the "terrorism" charges.

[Kaleva]

51. Most of those minks probably starved to death or killed by other minks..

in a fight over territory.

[darkangel218]

53. You don't know that, only assume.

What is certain is that they would have been executed in cold blood , skinned, and their fur turned into coats.

Thank god they were released and had a chance to living free and happily ever after.

[Kaleva]

91. It is known that minks are territorial animals

It is also known that the average lifespan of a mink in the wild is about 3 years and most succumb to disease, starvation and predators. A large influx of hungry minks into a habitat could have a major impact on the local upland bird, rabbit and waterfowl populations.

[darkangel218]

92. Their lifespan is not an excuse for murdering them .

[darkangel218]

45. Thank you for this thread. We can see the true colours of some here.

And they can't ever take it back.

[tammywammy]

52. It was probably the attack on homes that escalated the charges. n/t

[Rex]

58. So...release minks back into the wild = domestic terrorists.

Aim your weapon at uniformed officers...

but that is different, he is not a Lefty so gets treated as someone above the law.

[darkangel218]

61. :( No shit Rex

It's sickening.

[Rex]

63. The double standard is puke worthy as are some of the replies in this thread.

Authoritarians hate Lefty. The pretend to hate Righty too, but you never see them outraged at Righty...just the people in their own party. They didn't make a peep about the LA shooter being a tea party fanatic or the fact that it was a crime again women.

They are why we cannot have nice things on DU.

[darkangel218]

68. +1

Only that they are so transparent, they can't hide anymore.

[Rex]

90. The way they ignore the obvious point of the title is amusing.

It's like they just don't want to talk about the double standard. No, this is all about minks doncha-know. Sure it is. Yep.

[darkangel218]

94. It's always the same, isn't it?

That I why I don't care about their nonsense anymore lol.
It's soemewhat amusing seeing what they come up with, to defend a non existing theory.

Out of here, to more exciting topics, than hearing wild animal lives don't matter.

Good to see you!

[Kali]

99. yeah, you should get back to the cute baby in the washing machine picture!

that had so much outrage potential for you!

[darkangel218]

109. You used to be good at this.

Lately, not so much.

[Kali]

114. Good at noting some of your "amusing" meltdowns?

Well, in all modesty they aren't hard to miss. Lots of people DUers have seen your schtick.

[TheBlackAdder]

65. Releasing invasive animals on geographies an issue, plus American Minks carry Canine Distemper Virus

.

While I like minks and other animals and once owned a farm that cared for rescue and elderly animals...


Releasing an animal into unknown surroundings might introduce a threat to local fauna. Such as the introduction of Asian Carp into the Mississippi, people releasing fish from Asian Food markets into the Hudson, bugs in furniture, foreign bugs and animals to control other bugs and animals. There might be no natural predators for the minks in the areas where they are released, causing a threat of overpopulation and risks to local wildlife.


Having owned hedgehogs, the African Hedgehog is allowed here, but not the European one. The European Hedgehog can hibernate while the African hedgehog goes into thermal shock under 70 degrees and nature acts as it's own control.


The American Mink is an invasive species which can easily catch and spread the CDV (Canine Distemper Virus), a virus that threatens all wild and domestic canine.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24604545


===


The gist is: Thought must be given to what is released and where they would be released.


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[kcr]

103. Yours is the point that matters.

I think the point in such actions is to damage the farms themselves and put them out of business. The argument that the minks will die misses the point because I don't think the primary intent is to rescue the actual minks themselves. It's shutting down the mink farms. Pointing out that it harms other wildlife might get at least some to reconsider. I hope it does, because the only thing that really makes a difference is systemic change. As long as there is a market and a system that tolerates that market, there will be mink farms.

[Sunlei]

66. Our gov. has used those anti-terror laws to put people away for 40+ years for damaging property.

The Feds also send in a bunch of Lawyers to make sure that property wrecker 'tree hugger' gets 40 years in the Federal Pen., mandatory sentences for Federal 'anti-terror Laws'

'Crimes' that would, in civil court be massive fines and probably, maybe? a little jail time and years and years of probation.

Those Federal new anti-terror laws are IMO, not used appropriately and are not good laws.

[darkangel218]

69. No kidding!

Why are not more people outraged bout this??

[KT2000]

102. releasing minks was common

It was all the rage to raise minks and everyone thought they would get rich. Of course that did not happen so they were released by people who gave up on the enterprise. They killed pets and other animals.
Using chemicals as a weapon should be prosecuted to the full extent. I have a feeling the people doing this do not consider the consequences of their actions. Their field of vision is very narrow.

[LiberalAndProud]

106. Maybe some here would be interested to know that

the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act was passed in 2006 by unanimous consent rules, Dennis Kucinich having walked off the floor after delivering his speech charging that the bill would have a chilling affect on free speech.

So in those days of terrah, congress introduced the word terrorism into an act which amended the Animal Enterprise Protection Act of 1992.

Putting the welfare of the released animals and the affected environment aside for a moment, is the outrage at the incendiary language of the bill (Terrorism), or the bill itself? Because I don't recall any discussion of it on DU at the time. I may have missed it or it may have been just one more outrage in a time of never ending outrage, but I don't remember it.

[Positrons]

115. Good...