Change in Views (Last E-mail unless you make the move)

July 27, 2001

Lately I've been reevaluating my passion for animals, and how far it extends.

I have been debating whether or not I'm still an animal " rights " activist. I

have been criticized, ridiculed, and lately I am feeling distracted and

disheartened by it. I believe that we are all entitled to our own beliefs,

and I believe that we have the right not to be attacked for what we believe

in.

No matter how much you disagree with it.

You bring your statistics, your documentation, but don't you dare bring your

emotion. You cannot threaten people to change, you have to make them think,

and educate them.

Lately I have been doing a lot of thinking and have decided to make a change

of venue as a result.

Although I know I will lose some of you as supporters, and may make some

people angry, I'm sorry but I feel that it is my duty to make this change.

From now on I will not classify myself as an animal " rights " activist. I will

be an animal welfare activist. I'm tired of the infighting, and splitting,

and I'm extremely tired of this violence.

We are supposed to be promoting compassion towards animals, but one needs to

promote compassion toward all living things. You can go around talking to

employees at HLS or Procter and Gamble, but when you go to their home or call

them at home, that's harassment, and we have no right to do that. That does

not promote compassion and it changes the focus from animals to violence.

I'm very sorry that I have to do this, and I am prepared to suffer the

consequences. I accept that I may lose your support, although I would still

like to have your support. Because I will not be physophically changing due

to this change in title, I just will not feel out of place calling myself

something I'm not.

I think that the animal rights movement has gotten out of hand, violence to

humans is not helping anything, it is giving a bad image to the public. I

will do everything that I can to help the animals, but I will not harm

another human being. I guess I'm just to compassionate to do that. Civil

disobedience and violence is not acceptable, and it should not be used as a

tool to attempt to force a change that may never come.

We have the right to our opinions and beliefs, and I am keeping them. I hope

that I do not lose your support in my compassionate fight to help animals,

but I am sorry if I do. This will be the last e-mail you will receive from me

unless you e-mail me and tell me you would still like to read my alerts. I

hope that all of you look at your animal rights views, and I hope you truly

believe them, and I hope you don't have to deal with the negativity I had to

deal with. Please e-mail me and tell me if you would like to continue

receiving e-mails from me.

Thank you!

Ryan Courtade

President

Love All Animals

2 Rio Vista Dr.

Ft. Thomas, KY 41075

(859) 441-3907

Toll Free: 877-395-5268 (8am-6pm, Sun-Sun)

Pager: 888-866-3678

To send an alphanumeric pager: http://www.beepwear.com/html/SEND.html

(859) 441-2956 (fax)

Ryan

http://www.loveallanimals.com

I support In Defense of Animals " They are not our property, we

are not their owners " Campaign

" Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed

citizens can change the world...indeed, it is the only thing

that ever has! " -- Margaret Mead

July 27, 2001

Amen!!! Great letter! Keep me on! Claire

Admin [Admin]Thursday, July 26, 2001 9:29 PMRyanSubject: Change in Views (Last E-mail unless you make the move)Lately I've been reevaluating my passion for animals, and how far it extends. I have been debating whether or not I'm still an animal "rights" activist. I have been criticized, ridiculed, and lately I am feeling distracted and disheartened by it. I believe that we are all entitled to our own beliefs, and I believe that we have the right not to be attacked for what we believe in. No matter how much you disagree with it. You bring your statistics, your documentation, but don't you dare bring your emotion. You cannot threaten people to change, you have to make them think, and educate them. Lately I have been doing a lot of thinking and have decided to make a change of venue as a result. Although I know I will lose some of you as supporters, and may make some people angry, I'm sorry but I feel that it is my duty to make this change. From now on I will not classify myself as an animal "rights" activist. I will be an animal welfare activist. I'm tired of the infighting, and splitting, and I'm extremely tired of this violence. We are supposed to be promoting compassion towards animals, but one needs to promote compassion toward all living things. You can go around talking to employees at HLS or Procter and Gamble, but when you go to their home or call them at home, that's harassment, and we have no right to do that. That does not promote compassion and it changes the focus from animals to violence. I'm very sorry that I have to do this, and I am prepared to suffer the consequences. I accept that I may lose your support, although I would still like to have your support. Because I will not be physophically changing due to this change in title, I just will not feel out of place calling myself something I'm not. I think that the animal rights movement has gotten out of hand, violence to humans is not helping anything, it is giving a bad image to the public. I will do everything that I can to help the animals, but I will not harm another human being. I guess I'm just to compassionate to do that. Civil disobedience and violence is not acceptable, and it should not be used as a tool to attempt to force a change that may never come. We have the right to our opinions and beliefs, and I am keeping them. I hope that I do not lose your support in my compassionate fight to help animals, but I am sorry if I do. This will be the last e-mail you will receive from me unless you e-mail me and tell me you would still like to read my alerts. I hope that all of you look at your animal rights views, and I hope you truly believe them, and I hope you don't have to deal with the negativity I had to deal with. Please e-mail me and tell me if you would like to continue receiving e-mails from me. Thank you! Ryan Courtade President Love All Animals 2 Rio Vista Dr. Ft. Thomas, KY 41075 (859) 441-3907 Toll Free: 877-395-5268 (8am-6pm, Sun-Sun) Pager: 888-866-3678 To send an alphanumeric pager: http://www.beepwear.com/html/SEND.html (859) 441-2956 (fax) Ryan http://www.loveallanimals.com I support In Defense of Animals "They are not our property, we are not their owners" Campaign "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world...indeed, it is the only thing that ever has!" -- Margaret Mead