This is a video recording of the talk I gave in the opening plenary panel at the US National Animal Rights Conference, on July 10, 2014. I was asked to speak on the meaning of animal rights, and I contrasted it to animal welfare, contextualized both in the setting of modern capitalism, and underscored the subversive and revolutionary nature of animal rights. I hope you enjoy it.
Reblogged this on Fahrenheit 451 Used Books and commented:
Progressive Books & Blogs fah451bks.wordpress.com
Right On Dr. Best!
Applauding loudly. Steve you are a mensch.
Excellent, as ever, and brilliant communication skills – you don’t frighten people away, and definitely hold their interest and prompt further thought. A lot of people have commented on this talk and I just wish that they would voice those positive comments here. The ‘truth’ is out there Steve. And is in alignment with yourself!
I speak as I find and have found Steve Best to be one of the most sincere, dedicated and effective activists I have met…
This talk is a clear and perfect example of your brilliance and passion.
Your work speaks volumes and is invaluable to a world in total crisis. You are a gem! May you always continue on your journey of bringing the truth to light. I am so proud and honored to know you, you inspire me everyday.
Your speech as always was powerful and enlightening.The dedication,kindness,sympathy,tenderness and courage you have for the helpless leave a deep sacred impression in my soul
Steve, you deserve a medal – nay, ten. In the “first” world country of Australia, thousands of kangaroos are slaughtered every night and joeys in the pouch are bashed or stomped on. Joeys at foot who escape, die of cold or starvation or are devoured by wild dogs.
Australia’s diabolical trafficking in live animals is a horrendous nightmare and a cause for insomnia. Livestock exported to the Middle East and South East Asia are tormented and tortured. Any critter than can hobble aboard the ships that fly the flags of convenience and spew filthy bunker fuel across the oceans, are cash cows for sadists.
Some 2.6 million critters have been dumped overboard, unable to endure passage on the high seas. In the destination countries, eyes and flanks of hapless animals are stabbed, tails broken and electric prods shoved up the anuses and on the genitals of bellowing beasts. Meanwhile mobs run amok, salivating, jeering and baying for the blood of terrified critters. This atrocity is a state-corporate crime against animals and an unwitting public that was duped for some three decades yet the carnage continues. All hail to the whistle-blowers though they remain impotent in the face of evil. I am truly ashamed to call myself an Aussie.
http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/revealed-the-real-conditions-on-live-export-ships/
http://banliveexport.com/investigations/
Shed tears of inspiration at times, got up and shouted at other times. You’re the most prescient intellectual of our time, fuck Chomsky or Hedges, you’re on the boat.