Guest guest Posted January 19, 2002 Report Share Posted January 19, 2002 Dear group members, Heifer International is a Christian organization that " helps " impoverished people by giving them animals to use for agriculture. To date they have " donated " 4 million animals -- including cows, goats, chickens, sheep, geese, pigs, rabbits, ducks, llamas, and buffalo -- to people in 115 countries. Their program has attracted high praise from influential publications such as The Washington Post, The Houston Chronicle and TIME Magazine, as well as support from a host of celebrities, including Jimmy Carter, Susan Sarandon, and Ed Asner. Potential supporters are encouraged to browse through Heifer's " Gift Catalog " for an animal or animals to " purchase " , or, if they're super keen, to organize a " Living Gift Market " (see below). Anyway, given that animal agriculture (even small scale) is notorious for contributing to soil erosion, soil degradation, deforestation, desertification, water contamination, water depletion, ozone layer depletion, global warming, a host of degenerative diseases, and, last but not least, the exploitation, suffering and death of animals, I find the Heifer initiative one of the most digressive, misinformed, and misdirected " charitable " programs I have ever seen. For this reason I am asking you, if you also find this program disturbing, to contact Heifer International and let them know how you feel. URL: www.heifer.org Email: info Phone: (800) 422-0474 Thanks for your consideration.. Joseph From their web site: Living Gift Market Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas with One! A Living Gift Market is an alternative way for members of your congregation to shop for friends and family & #8249; while helping to end world hunger. At the Market, shoppers " buy " alternative gifts of animals, such as chicks, goats, sheep, rabbits, pigs, fish, bees and heifers. These animals, along with training in their care, are then given to low-income families around the world. A typical Market is held in a large room, such as the fellowship hall, or outside. Tables or booths representing different animals are prepared by various groups or classes. Some folks have dressed as rabbits; others bring in live animals such as goats, sheep and chicks. Imagination is the only limit! Shoppers " buy " an animal in honor of a friend or relative and send the recipient an attractive card describing the gift of hope being given in his or her name. Care2 make the world greener! http://www.care2.com - Get your Free e-mail account that helps save Wildlife! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2002 Report Share Posted January 23, 2002 Has anyone done any research on Heifer International? I was recently added to their database and now receive their catalog on a quarterly basis. I'm conduting several experiments involving the sale of personal information. Utne Reader sold my name to several database companies, most of which turn around and sell my name to even more database companies. I'm certain that Heifer was in the loop. The catalog is full of photos of animals and smiling kids in third world countries. http://catalog.heifer.org/index.cfm > --- Claudia Delman <cdelman wrote: > > > > > > > > > Please forward... > > > > > > > > > Their default message: " I invite you to join me > > in fighting famine in > > > Afghanistan. Go to Oxygen.com and learn how you > > can make a difference. " > > > > > > My message: " Go to Oxygen.com and voice your > > disgust with this > > sponsorship. " > > > --------- > > > Send A Chick To Afghanistan > > > > > > http://www.oxygen.com/topic/specials/fightfamine_20011220.html > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Send FREE video emails in Mail! > http://promo./videomail/ > Send FREE video emails in Mail! http://promo./videomail/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2002 Report Share Posted January 23, 2002 > I don't think complaining to Heifer will accomplish much -- I would focus on > trying to enlighten any companies/media outlets that support them. Animal rights activists have been contacting heifer to tell them that animal agriculture is not sustainable for many years. Activists should be aware that some animals can be fed scraps and inedible plant matter that humans can't use which makes small-scale animal agriculture more sustainable. In the U.S. (and in much of the world), not much animal ag is done this way. Instead, animals are fed grains that humans could either eat directly or upon land which humans could grow other food. When people contact them, they shouldn't just assume that animal ag in any form isn't sustainable, or your comments probably won't be taken seriously. If anyone has analyzed what Heifer Project does in detail, I'd be interested to see more about it. It does seem that there could be a better way to feed people. Instead of shipping them animals, you could ship them food, but that would mean shipping them food on an ongoing basis which could be very expensive. It doesn't seem like their land can grow enough food for them to eat or they wouldn't be in their situation to begin with. Jack jacknorris 4622 Cowell Blvd Davis, CA 95616 530/297-4004 http://www.veganoutreach.org Humanity's true moral test, its fundamental test, consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals. And in this respect humankind has suffered a fundamental debacle, a debacle so fundamental that all others stem from it. - Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2002 Report Share Posted January 24, 2002 I've heard stuff 'bout Heifer before, but never bothered to look too much into it -- i'm not sure how much misinformation I can handle all at once without getting too frustrated. But I did take a look at their website, which prettymuch confirmed my preconceptions. It looks like these people could really use a lesson in sustainable agriculture. Their time would be better spent helping these people learn to harvest their own fruits, nuts and vegetables. There's plenty of evidence that a plant-based diet can support a lot more people and is far healthier, so why waste valuable resources feeding livestock? I don't think complaining to Heifer will accomplish much -- I would focus on trying to enlighten any companies/media outlets that support them. - Carla Brauer karrotqueen AIM: Herbivore 4 Life " You must be the change you want to see in the world. " (Gandhi) .... so, what are you waiting for? caft.org | vegan.org | idausa.org | envirolink.org | animalliberation.net | indymedia.org | earthfirst.org | purefood.org | kpfa.org | living-foods.com | projectcensored.org | ran.org | gwbush.com | thehactivist.com | infoshop.org | adbusters.org | primatefreedom.com | bankofamericaKills.com | furkills.org | neimanskills.com - Vegan Dolphin Tuesday, January 22, 2002 7:49 PM Re: Heifer International Has anyone done any research on Heifer International? I was recently added to their database and now receive their catalog on a quarterly basis. I'm conduting several experiments involving the sale of personal information. Utne Reader sold my name to several database companies, most of which turn around and sell my name to even more database companies. I'm certain that Heifer was in the loop. The catalog is full of photos of animals and smiling kids in third world countries. http://catalog.heifer.org/index.cfm > --- Claudia Delman <cdelman wrote: > > > > > > > > > Please forward... > > > > > > > > > Their default message: " I invite you to join me > > in fighting famine in > > > Afghanistan. Go to Oxygen.com and learn how you > > can make a difference. " > > > > > > My message: " Go to Oxygen.com and voice your > > disgust with this > > sponsorship. " > > > --------- > > > Send A Chick To Afghanistan > > > > > > http://www.oxygen.com/topic/specials/fightfamine_20011220.html > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Send FREE video emails in Mail! > http://promo./videomail/ > Send FREE video emails in Mail! http://promo./videomail/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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