Activists Want Chimp Declared a 'Person'

[Kadie]

Activists Want Chimp Declared a 'Person'
By WILLIAM J. KOLE, Associated Press Writer

Friday, May 4, 2007


(05-04) 13:50 PDT VIENNA, Austria (AP) --


In some ways, Hiasl is like any other Viennese: He indulges a weakness for pastry, likes to paint and enjoys chilling out watching TV. But he doesn't care for coffee, and he isn't actually a person — at least not yet.

In a case that could set a global legal precedent for granting basic rights to apes, animal rights advocates are seeking to get the 26-year-old male chimpanzee legally declared a "person."

Hiasl's supporters argue he needs that status to become a legal entity that can receive donations and get a guardian to look out for his interests.

"Our main argument is that Hiasl is a person and has basic legal rights," said Eberhart Theuer, a lawyer leading the challenge on behalf of the Association Against Animal Factories, a Vienna animal rights group.

"We mean the right to life, the right to not be tortured, the right to freedom under certain conditions," Theuer said.

"We're not talking about the right to vote here."

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/05/04/international/i092416D75.DTL

[TwilightGardener]

1. I thought this thread was about Bush...so disappointed.

[Fridays Child]

2. Seriously, me, too.

[lonestarnot]

10. LOL

Me too! :rofl:

[Kurovski]

22. You folks are not alone in this.

[acmavm]

3. Hells bells, I did too. I guess it's just obvious...

[TwilightGardener]

Maybe we should start our own thread: Democrats want Bush Declared Brain-Dead.

[damntexdem]

20. No, no -- that would be deceptive:

it would suggest that he once had a functioning brain. ;-)

[TwilightGardener]

25. ...

:toast:

[kimmerspixelated]

13. I love it!

I haven't heard, "Hell's Bells" since my parents were both alive! You just brought back some memories!

[acmavm]

24. Well, thank you. Isn't it funny that things that can give you that warm fuzzy

feeling? Little things like a phrase or an aroma.

[melody]

4. Glad I'm not the only one

Poor chimps ... their good name forever linked with El Idiota.

[TwilightGardener]

5. Yes--he has forever sullied the honorable "chimp" name.

[TygrBright]

6. So did I, and I was wondering, 'Why, since he doesn't act like one...' n/t

[Exiled in America]

14. lol me too!

[DesertRat]

15. Me too! LOL

[etherealtruth]

16. Add me to the list as well ...

Really and truly ... all that came to mind was the "person-hood" or lack there of, of THE "Chimp"

[Kadie]

17. .

:7

[havocmom]

7. Let's start with person-hood for people

Seems female-type people are at risk of being owned all over the globe.

[Kurovski]

23. Excellent point. (nt)

[piedmont]

8. Sorry, but I'll never consider the current president as a person. nt

[dave_p]

9. "We're not talking about the right to vote here"

And why not? If it's good enough for war-crazed Republican fundies, it's good enough for Hiasl.

[bamacrat]

11. Thought this was about Bush as well.

Primates are not people, if this goes through then I want my dog Bear made a person before he dies.

[nealmhughes]

12. There actually a movement for "personhood" for apes: chimps, orangutans, gorillas.

Some taxonomists have also urged putting them in genus Homo.

After all, Fluffy the Persian and a sabre toothed cat are both in felis.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

18. Tell Them To Go To The Supreme Court. They Declared Him President, They Can Declare Him A Person Too

if they want, I guess.

[damntexdem]

19. That's ridiculous, disgusting! Who could possibly want to accord personhood to ...

Dubya? ;-)

[orpupilofnature57]

21. A product of aristocratic Inner breeding ,He'll out snoot heir Majesty...

...And couldn't carry her purse.

[KamaAina]

26. Bad idea. Watch out for the slippery slope.

First we declare chimps to be people. Next thing you know, they'll be running for office... :P

[Solly Mack]

27. I'd rather have Hiasl in the oval office than Bush

[monmouth]

28. Rush stated on Friday this must be a liberal idea...lol...n/t