In the meantime, here are a couple more stories I've been meaning to blog about. I hope you'll settle for a digest version of my commentary. And stay tuned. You never know when something will set off my hot button and spawn a lengthy rant or possibly even a cogent analysis (it's been known to happen!).
New York Times: Pepsi and Coke Agree to Stop Financing Research That Uses Animals (Also: Reuters)
I mentioned the Pepsi announcement previously, but Coke has also come through as of last week and announced that they will no longer fund or conduct animal experiments, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, lending credence to the "domino effect" theory relied upon by certain organizations in going after worst corporate practices. Knock one down publicly, and the others feel compelled to follow suit in order to stay competitive (though I wouldn't be surprised if corporations that don't test on animals came out and said that they don't fund testing, either, "just so's you know").
According to PETA's Bruce Friedrich, it's on now to Altria Group (you may remember the company as Philip Morris Companies Inc.), which the org went after as a shareholder in 2005. If Altria is persuaded to drop testing, too, that would indeed be a huge victory, but don't hold your breath.
Los Angeles Times: Senate OKs imports of kangaroo skin (Also see stuff.co.nz)
Assuring that I will never again buy a pair of Adidas shoes (though, honestly, it's been years since I paid attention to the brand), the company has lobbied the California legislature to the tune of $435,693, asking lawmakers to legalize the import and sale of kangaroo skins so that they can sell shoes made from the marsupials' skin.
It's one thing to buy non-leather shoes from manufacturers who sell leather shoes, but who wants to buy shoes from a company that actively lobbies California to overturn its existing ban on certain flesh products so that soccer players can have lighter shoes? This needs little comment. It could have been directly lifted from The Onion. Here is a real quote from the president of the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team:
Because my team represents California in a highly competitive sport, I believe that the full array of soccer products should be locally accessible to and be available for purchase by our players here in California.I guess their highly paid, highly trained, world class athletes can't take an extra ounce of weight on their feet. Oh, wait, it appears they can... soccer superstar David Beckham,
the former English captain and the face of Adidas' soccer shoe line, finds himself in a precarious position just weeks before joining his new American club, Los Angeles Galaxy.I never thought I'd say this, but thank goodness for a Spice Girl.
Last year he announced he would wear a synthetic version of Adidas' Predator soccer boots, instead of styles made from kangaroo skin.
Beckham, whose Spice Girl wife Victoria is a devout vegetarian, made the decision after viewing graphic videos of the culling of kangaroos in Australia, including a joey being cut out of its mother's pouch and battered with a blunt instrument.
Remember that this bill hasn't passed the Assembly yet, nor been signed by Governor Schwarzenegger. If you're in California, speak up now!
Wrapping things up, SuperVegan found a cool new toy to play with, and I want to join in the fun. I know several dozen bloggers link back to AAFL. Check it out and, if you like, please add the widget to your sidebar of blog or website. You can customize the look a little bit to better match your own design.
As always, thanks for your support!
Labels: animal testing, fashion, kangaroos, sporting goods, sports
