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A bird's eye view of the vineyard

offsite link Alternative Copy of thesaker.is site is available Thu May 25, 2023 14:38 | Ice-Saker-V6bKu3nz
Alternative site: https://thesaker.si/saker-a... Site was created using the downloads provided Regards Herb

offsite link The Saker blog is now frozen Tue Feb 28, 2023 23:55 | The Saker
Dear friends As I have previously announced, we are now “freezing” the blog.? We are also making archives of the blog available for free download in various formats (see below).?

offsite link What do you make of the Russia and China Partnership? Tue Feb 28, 2023 16:26 | The Saker
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Public Inquiry
Interested in maladministration. Estd. 2005

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offsite link Joe Duffy is dishonest and untrustworthy Anthony

offsite link Robert Watt complaint: Time for decision by SIPO Anthony

offsite link RTE in breach of its own editorial principles Anthony

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Public Inquiry >>

Human Rights in Ireland
Promoting Human Rights in Ireland

Human Rights in Ireland >>

Lockdown Skeptics

The Daily Sceptic

offsite link Is Data Always the ?Absolute Truth?? Mon Dec 30, 2024 17:12 | Joanna Gray
"Data is the absolute truth," said Nigel Farage recently. "Oh Nige," says Joanna Gray, "don?t be so gullible." Data is like the kitchen drawer: an incoherent mass of things that seemed useful. What we need are principles.
The post Is Data Always the “Absolute Truth”? appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Thousands of Council Staff Allowed to ?Work From Beach? Mon Dec 30, 2024 15:00 | Will Jones
Thousands of council staff have been allowed to work from the beach in locations such as Barbados, South Africa and Thailand since the pandemic despite six authorities?declaring bankruptcy in that time.
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offsite link Asymptomatic Spread is Still a Myth Mon Dec 30, 2024 13:00 | Dr Clare Craig
In 2020 anyone claiming Covid was like influenza was branded a conspiracy theorist. Yet now we hear demands for masks and social distancing for flu. But asymptomatic spread is a myth for flu as well, says Dr Clare Craig.
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offsite link ?Green? Scottish Ferry Emits Far More CO2 Than Old Diesel Ship Mon Dec 30, 2024 11:11 | Will Jones
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The post ‘Green’ Scottish Ferry Emits Far More CO2 Than Old Diesel Ship appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link The Students Silenced by ?Woke? Ideology on Campus Mon Dec 30, 2024 09:00 | Toby Young
On British university campuses, all students are expected to toe the radical progressive line on issues such as gender, colonialism and the Israel-Palestine conflict. But some brave students are fighting back.
The post The Students Silenced by ?Woke? Ideology on Campus appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

Lockdown Skeptics >>

Anti-hunt group offers large cash reward in bid to catch illegal stag hunters!

category national | animal rights | press release author Wednesday December 07, 2011 19:09author by Hunt saboteurs Report this post to the editors

The Association of Hunt Saboteurs is offering a substantial cash reward in our bid to help enforce the ban on the despicably cruel practise of carted stag hunting
Saying no to hunting cruelty
Saying no to hunting cruelty

The Association of Hunt Saboteurs has just announced a reward of One Thousand Euro for information leading to the arrest and conviction of illegal carted stag hunters.

We have taken this unusual step because, despite the ban on carted stag hunting enacted last year, we believe that the cruel bloodsport is continuing in the Midlands. We have extensive evidence to support this concern and our belief that the ban is not being properly enforced.

The AOHS monitoring of hunts continues this season, as being the second year since the ban the Ward Union Stag hunt have issued their usual Meet Card signalling their intention to meet and to ride out twice a week until March.

It is almost impossible to follow a stag hunt closely as they usually begin on private land and are fast and unpredictable. Sometimes an outlier is hunted,{ a deer left out from previous hunting days or on purpose}other times a stag is carried to the release area. Up to 60 cars are usually blocking the roads in the area but the numbers have diminished since the ban.

Having succeeded in outlawing Stag Hunting after more than 20 years campaigning we want to ensure the ban is effective in stopping this cruelty. Similar to the situation in the UK, it is also left to the hunt saboteurs there to get evidence of illegal hunting. We have issued this 1000euro reward as many locals are regularly giving us accounts of hunting in their area. However for fear of retaliation, this stops short of reporting their findings to Gardai. We need the locals to help us and find great support for the new legislation. Two cases being brought against the Ward Union by local farmers for trespass were dropped when the ban materialised.

We want enough solid evidence  if this ban is being breached to ensure a conviction. We will be distributing flyers seeking information in the Meath area. We appeal to local people to be our eyes and ears. All Gardai have been notified now of the existence of the ban, we had problems last year in two Stations who were not aware of the updated legislation.

Despite a drag hunt taking place last Saturday from Kiltale with about 46 riders reports have been sent to us of riders chasing and releasing stags on other occasions. We ourselves have given video footage of a stag being hunted to both the Gardai and the National Parks and wildlife Service following last year’s hunting season.

 

Bernie Wright,

PRESS OFFICER ph 0872651720

Related Link: http://www.tinyurl.com/downloadbhd

Protest against hunting barbarism
Protest against hunting barbarism

author by Good ideapublication date Sat Dec 10, 2011 03:02author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Hope this works.

author by Orlapublication date Sat Dec 10, 2011 12:24author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The AOHS deserves congratulations for its sensible and mature approach to illegal stag hunting . Thanks to all at Indymedia Ireland as well for allowing AOHS the space to bring this matter to the attention of the public.. It’s really up to us all , whether as professionals in the fight against crime, as members of our local communities or as concerned individuals , to stand together against those who commit these sorts of illegal acts .

Just remember , if you are out driving or walking in the countryside and see anything of a suspicious nature , or if you come across something you think may be illegal , report your concerns to the gardai as soon as you can . Although surveillance plays an increasingly important role in modern policing methodology , monitoring equipment and cameras by themselves are not enough . An Garda Síochána still needs the active assistance of the public in bringing the perpetrators of crime to justice. It’s never a good idea to leave the reporting of crime to “somebody else” , because one day that “somebody else ” may be yourself !

In this day and age , we are all affected by crime in one way or another , whether directly as crime victims or indirectly as taxpayers . With dwindling Garda resources , cutbacks and even the closure of some garda stations in remoter areas of the country , the public is increasingly vunerable and needs to be sensibly vigilant to crime and its consequences at all times . You can report incidences of illegal stag hunting ,or any other type of illegal activity , by telephoning your local Garda station or by dropping in there for a chat . Alternatively you can contact the Garda Confidential line at any time .

Ring the Garda Confidential Telephone Number 1800 666 111.
• Ring Crimestoppers using the confidential free phone number 1800 250 025.

Reporting a Crime?

The following web page explains how to report a crime to An Garda Síochána and what happens after you have made this report. The information provided includes advice and guidelines from An Garda Síochána and its criminal justice system partners, including the Courts Service and the Director of Public Prosecutions. You can find further information on the work of these agencies by accessing their website through the Useful Contactssection of the Information for Victims area of the An Garda Síochána website.
http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=7979&Lang=1

author by Hunter Fisherpublication date Sat Dec 10, 2011 21:44author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Would you crowd of interfering so and so's stop trying to ruin our rural lifestyles - go sort out some city drug, prostitution, robbery, rape.  Country pursuits are a great way of life.

Next thing you know I'd be a criminal for taking photos like these!

A good days work!
A good days work!

author by smalldickpublication date Sun Dec 11, 2011 16:39author address author phone Report this post to the editors

does killing beautiful wild animals with your big gun and hi tech fishing equipment make you a big man?
People like you are just bullies relying on the lack of protection given to other species to brutally kill them.
Big man.

author by Damien M - PWpublication date Mon Dec 12, 2011 12:55author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"People have been hunting with dogs for thousands of years, I dont use or need any gun."

True, but I doubt they were doing it for amusement or 'sport'. Twas the landed gentry who donned ridiculous looking garb and saddled out.

author by Rational Ecologist.publication date Mon Dec 12, 2011 17:14author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Hunting animals for sport, I think is another representation of the value system of our insane culture, however, that is not to say that hunting per se is a natural thing. Predation and hunting is natural. I was a vegan for 20 years, however, my health has suffered as a consequence due to specific nutritional defeciencies(b12, iron, insufficient protein). I would suggest that the meat industry is both morally and ecologically disastrous. I was reared on pheasant, wild rabbit and fish, combined with our own veggies. Hunting for "fun" is the pursuit of the sadist. There are no easy answers to this one. I feel very conflicted myself. I know what I would do. and have done, if I saw a fox hunt on my land: I would stop it and call the Gardai for tresspass.

author by Getting twistedpublication date Tue Dec 13, 2011 00:12author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Hunter Fisher. May I take my hat off to you. Your points are so pointless it brings a smile to my face.
And now that it looks like you're trying to distance yourself from your original posts,  it just gets better. 


So you're saying you don't hunt for sport? But you do like to take pictures of animals who have been killed and post them on public forums.
You also have come onto this thread and told the thread poster "Would you crowd of interfering so and so's stop trying to ruin our rural lifestyles". This thread is hoping to stop the illegal chasing of a deer raised on a farm by a pack of dogs, scores of horses and some people who like to dress up like clowns.
Posting snuff pictures and defending the ward union sport hunting suggests that you do like sport hunting?

Of course in Ireland, no type of hunting is necessary and all types hurt the animals. Whether hunting occurs in the wild is hardly a point. Humans are supposed to be able to tell the difference between right and wrong. Most of us think it's wrong to hurt an animal where there is no need.

So Hunter Fisher, I can only assume that because you make this comparison with wild animals so readily that you don't shop, don't live in a house, don't have central heating, don't drive, don’t involve yourself in modern human society.  I do wonder where you got the PC, camera and eletricity though!! Or is it that your pointless point is that you want to have the best of both worlds?

author by Misterd - Napublication date Tue Dec 13, 2011 02:36author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Noble effort I must say. I agree illegal hunting is horrible but some illegal hunters are at it wholesale which means there is a market for this. Should be traceable system like with pork and beef. To secure a conviction needs a lot of proof. Seeing some shoot a deer ain't enough. You would need to report every last little detail to the national parks service and they would need to find the deers carcass. Even if they do find it the shooter can just claim he shot it somewhere else where he was licenced. I guess only real way is if you can get a Garda there before they leave with the deer. Just lastly I do agree with culling. Where I live if not kept in check deer with jump right into your car on the road so for safety I agree with keeping numbers in check but only from a road safety point of view

author by Hunter Fisherpublication date Tue Dec 13, 2011 09:45author address author phone Report this post to the editors

@ Getting Twisted.  Well you must have been well on it.

"Posting snuff pictures and defending the ward union sport hunting suggests that you do like sport hunting?

My first post says nothing pro or anti stag  hunting or coursing - read again and you'll see I said Next thing you know I'd be a criminal for taking photos like these! - meaning that you city slickers should butt out of rural affairs before ordinary folks are not allowed to hunt on their own lands.

Its not a snuff picture its an everyday occurence and my heart bleeds for your worry over wild animals, if its any consolation the springer only cacthes about 1 in 3 birds but he's better at the rabbits.

I do live in a house and I do shop, I just don't buy mass produced/processed rubbish.

I'm assume that after you got twisted last night you'll be needing a "hair of the dog" by now, so goodbye and slainte.

 

author by Cruelty to animals posing as sportpublication date Tue Dec 13, 2011 13:55author address author phone Report this post to the editors

This hunter, and others like him, all have one thing in common: they only think of cruelty as sport when others are on teh receiving end. Not one of them would put himself in the place of his victim. What contest is there when an armed man pits himself againsta bird or an animal? It's not sport because the creature has no chance whatsoever.

The hunter gets a kick from watching dogs hounding a hare or fox and harming or killing these animals. Yet no hunter would enjoy the sensation of teeth sinking into his posterior or any other part of his body, or the pain associated with being disembowelled. But they think it's great craic when it happens to another creature.

The stag hunters are trying to get around the ban. Anyone who reports an illegal staghunt will be doing a service to our persecuted wildlife and helping to counteract the twisted concept that cruelly killing or tormenting an animal amounts to "sport".

 

Hares in captivity awaiting the terror of the coursing enclosure
Hares in captivity awaiting the terror of the coursing enclosure

The "sport" of foxhunting
The "sport" of foxhunting

The "sport" of hare coursing
The "sport" of hare coursing

author by JoeMcpublication date Tue Dec 13, 2011 17:26author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"The hunter gets a kick from watching dogs hounding a hare or fox and harming or killing these animals"

Hunters enjoy the fraternity of riding around the countryside with other hunters, tradition, getting drunk, telling sexist jokes ,farting arrogantly in public, fantasizing about being what Brendan Behan called the “horse aristocracy “ and things like that . There probably are some out-and out- sadists in the hunt community - perhaps there are more of them than in other sections of the population - but I've known hunters who are not like that at all .Painting lurid caricatures of your opponents may help motivate the already-convinced but rarely convinces anybody else .

Most hunters don’t actually get their kicks out of causing suffering to the animals they hunt anymore than meat-eaters take a sadistic pleasure from the knowledge that they are eating parts of what was once a live sentient animal every time they go into McDonalds. It’s not the pleasure taken in causing suffering to animals, but the indifference towards that suffering that is the main problem.

author by Elsie - One of IMCpublication date Tue Dec 13, 2011 17:54author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Hi Folks,

We've no problem with you disagreeing with each other; we encourage healthy debate here. However, can you please leave the abusive comments off the site and stick to good old fashioned arguing.

Thanks,
Elsie.

Related Link: http://www.indymedia.ie/editorial
author by Damien M - PWpublication date Tue Dec 13, 2011 23:42author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"Most hunters don’t actually get their kicks out of causing suffering to the animals"

Er..yeah they do. Or do they cover their eyes just at the last minute as the fox is being ripped to shreds? Do they nip off for that brandy just as the terriers are sent down the foxhole?

I disagree that eating meat is sadistic, this is a ludicrous assertion and warped logic and something to be expected from the cultured gent.

"It’s not the pleasure taken in causing suffering to animals, but the indifference towards that suffering that is the main problem."

So go on then, why not drag hunt? Anyone that has seen a vixen play with her cubs and then contemplates killing thjem for amusement is sick. Do you sport hunters somehow blame society for allowing this perverse sadism to exist, in turn allowing you to fulfill this evil fancy? Must go now, there's a jolly old fellow in tight pants and a red jacket pattin me on the back telling coarse jokes and what a great lad I am. Tally ho!

author by Rational Ecologist.publication date Wed Dec 14, 2011 10:59author address author phone Report this post to the editors

To kill and be killed in order to maintain the homeostasis of the greater biological community is natural and necessary. Animals have to kill to eat, there's little point offering a quorn sausage to a Cheetah, however, I do make a distinction between a quick kill to eat and the long sadistic ritual of the hunt. The paternalistic, male/human expression of domination and control. Look at the parallels with male-perpetrated Domestic Violence. That is the embodiment of who has the power and who doesn't. However, other species like the Orca and the cat(large & small) display a proclivity for cruelty(anthropromorphising?). To elevate humans or indeed to deify us to being at the top of some hierarchy is to, in effect, remove us from Nature. That then leads to the eco crisis we are confronting. Has anyone read 'The Vegetarian Myth' by Lierre Keith? She has been verbally abused by Vegans for her point of view, despite having been a Vegan for 20 years. It is not black and white, however, I do despise Coursing, fox hunting and so on.

author by JoeMcpublication date Wed Dec 14, 2011 18:34author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Danien, I'm certainly not a supporter of fox hunting . You'll never get your message over if you keep ascribing the basest of motives to people who disagree with you .

author by leftypublication date Wed Dec 14, 2011 19:57author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"Animals have to kill to eat, there's little point offering a quorn sausage to a Cheetah, however, I do make a distinction between a quick kill to eat and the long sadistic ritual of the hunt."

regarding the "quick kill", thats not the whole truth at all in the realm of wholesale animal slaughter for food. Thats the illusion perpetuated by the food corporations that they'd like the little kiddies of their customers to believe along with the tooth fairy and father christmas. When was the last time you visited a slaughterhouse?  or a factory pig farming or factory chicken rearing establishment?  Death is just the merciful slow release at the end of a horrible period of continualf suffering that often doesn't go quite as planned due to cost efficiencies in the process. you need to google and check out the vids.

But we are more than just animals. We are sentient human beings. Omnivores. We have an extra bit of brain at the front that other animals don't have which allows us to create systems of philosophical ethics, studies of right and wrong, to empathise with the unnecessary suffering of other creatures. Surely with that great gift also comes RESPONSIBILITY?

Or do we just see all that then let our selfish desires override all our great awareness?

And how much WORSE than the lowly fox or other animal predator, driven largely by necessity and instinct does that CHOICE to ignore what we know in favour of self gratification make us?

That is the tragedy of humanity. We have been given the means to know what is the better action, to be more enllightened than other animals. But we CHOOSE to be as cruel and violent as they are, not out of survival and necessity as drives them, but "because we like the taste with sage and onion stuffing. "

What a devastating indictment of mankind that truly is.

All this is not just some abstract moralisation either.  Xmas is upon us. We are about to engage in our annual orgy of slaughter of millions of factory farmed turkeys, reared mostly in the manner previously alluded to. Capitalism guarantees that corners are cut on the welfare of the voiceless to save money.

Ask yourself, Is that what I am?  Do I really want to be a part of this?  As an omnivore, Do I actually need to get my nutrition in this manner?. Reject the selfish morality and lack of empathy of "hunter fisher" and his ilk. Lets try and rise out of the swamp just a little. Our indifference to the treatment of the voiceless we like to eat and our indifference to the treatment of our own species are not altogether unrelated!



http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/1122016/....html

just to give you some idea how widespread our "humanity" is. US factory farm data.
just to give you some idea how widespread our "humanity" is. US factory farm data.

a typical factory farm landscape.
a typical factory farm landscape.

a closer view of the voiceless animal inhabitants of one of our innumerable auchwitz's
a closer view of the voiceless animal inhabitants of one of our innumerable auchwitz's

just one inhabitant. up close.
just one inhabitant. up close.

mmm...tasty with sage and onion stuffing. Our simple argument for discarding ethics. and a withering indictment of humanity.
mmm...tasty with sage and onion stuffing. Our simple argument for discarding ethics. and a withering indictment of humanity.

author by The insiderpublication date Wed Dec 14, 2011 20:31author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I am intrested in spilling the beans on all I know about fireldsports...Who do I contact???

author by squealerpublication date Wed Dec 14, 2011 23:06author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Insider, if you are really serious, (which I sense you may not be)
then just post an informative article here.
The reward is a cleaner conscience and the knowledge that you are shedding light on practices that debase humanity and yourself along with it, and you may save the lives of beautiful wild creatures that might otherwise be killed unnecessarily for "sport" by these bozos.

author by Rational Ecologist.publication date Thu Dec 15, 2011 09:36author address author phone Report this post to the editors

In my first post I wrote the following: "I would suggest that the meat industry is both morally and ecologically disastrous". I don't eat factory-farmed food both from an animal welfare and a health point of view and indeed an environmental point of view. I think that small amounts of meat in an omnivorous diet is the way to go. I was a vegetarian for over two decades, mostly for ethical reasons, however, it does have health implications, I'm afraid. There is no defending factory farming or bloodsports, however, in my posts I was trying to explore the subject in an open-minded fashion. To say that animals do not have an ethical dimension or are "lowly" smacks of human chauvinism. I happen to believe that animals do have complex emotions, language and social life. These are the reasons I regard myself as being a lover of animals.

author by leftypublication date Thu Dec 15, 2011 19:45author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"however, it does have health implications, I'm afraid."

Personally I haven't eaten meat since the age of 12, and with no health problems. In fact I'm in excellent health (i'm nearly 50)
Saying you can't go vegan / vegetarian without health problems is untrue IMHO and amounts to a standard line from the meat industry PR brigade.  You just have to eat a balanced diet. Its just habit after a while. So I would strongly disagree with this assertion. But you do need to read up on nutrition a little bit so you know what you need to eat to stay healthy if embarking on being a vegan or vegetarian. However its quite easy to do these days. And its actually cheaper than eating meat too IMHO.

As to the comment about animals exhibiting complex behaviour, I agree. Never said they didn't.
But we do have some more brainpower and that extra gives us language and the ability to empathise and write and read complex ethical analyses and with that ability and added awareness comes an extra responsibility to be ethical in our actions. IMHO Choosing not to do the "right" thing is worse than not having a choice and doing the wrong thing. In practice, The extra brains don't seem to make us any better. In fact they seem to help make us more cruel and destructive. But we do have the potential to be better.

As for factory farming, eating locally grown organic animal produce is light years ahead of eating factory farmed produce in terms of ethics. If you must eat meat then thats the best way to do it IMHO so I applaud your choices mr R.E.

Whilst very laudable, You don't need to be perfect or a stringent vegan to make a difference. Every attempt to be more ethical in your eating habits is better than no attempt. Reduce your meat intake, Have meatless days, eat only locally farmed animal produce, shun multinational food corporations offerings, eat only free range eggs, etc etc. Its all good.

I think we agree on far more than we differ on mr R.E. 

all the best
lefty

author by Rational Ecologist.publication date Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:40author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Hi Lefty. I think it is pretty clear that we are largely in agreement. I would urge anyone who is thinking of going down the vegetarian route to invest in a few good books and recipe books. I myself eat very little red meat and eat fish sparingly, the majority of the week, I eat veggie supplemented with some high quality eggs. It can be done but it requires vigilance, particularily for women as there may be a higher demand for iron. Good quality fruit and veg' are vital. Cheers.

author by The insiderpublication date Fri Dec 16, 2011 20:09author address author phone Report this post to the editors

But no I do nothing anymore without good cold cash!! I dont give two flips about "beautiful creatures" or clean consicioussness or whatever other rubbish.Cash is the name of the game.. And after reading what these bozos are offering a thousand quid????....Forget it! Pity as I could give them quite abit of info on illegal practises and criminal activity involving dog fighting, and it being done under the cover of a humane association sponsored by animal lovers in the midwest which involves drugs and a cheif superintendant.

author by Trees for the Forestpublication date Sat Dec 17, 2011 09:29author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The Insider, if what you're saying is true then I'm suprised you missed the contact details on the article. But here they are again. "Bernie Wright, PRESS OFFICER ph 0872651720" ....That's IF what you are saying is true and not just an excuse to stir something up.

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