Meghan Swinkey’s characterization of animal rights organizations and activists, expressed in her letter to the editor (Extreme animal rights group not good fellowship sponsor, SN 7/7), is a perfect example of the fear mongering and scare tactics that constantly plague any dialogue when individuals attempt to legitimately discuss the needs of animals.
Swinkey’s portrayal of animal liberationists invokes a similar mentality to that used to intern Japanese citizens during World War II and incite a fear of communism in the 1940s and 1950s. These innocent groups of people — who history has been vindicated — were smeared and terrorized because of an exploited fear held by the American people, much like our current fear of terrorism.
Supporters of an animal rights ideology merely believe that the capability of animals to experience pain, fear and suffering as well as pleasure, excitement and joy is, in many cases, equal to that of humans and therefore should be given consideration equal to our own pain and pleasure.
Simply because an elephant cannot communicate its physical and psychological needs does not mean it does not probably suffer from severe arthritis and stress disorders in a cement zoo enclosure.
And even though a deer cannot explain to us that being stalked and shot is a terrifying and painful experience, we should infer that, like us, all beings want to live.
Denying the ability of suffering, no matter the species, and that that suffering deserves equal consideration, shows a real ignorance of animal welfare for an MSU veterinary medicine student.
Mitch Goldsmith,
social relations and policy sophomore, Students Promoting Animal Rights
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