The Day the Singing Stopped

The mission: slaughter 3,000 to 5,000 starlings. Where? Franklin Township, New Jersey. Who funded this? The USDA, meaning, us...the tax-payers. The reason: to aid a farmer who, according to USDA spokeswoman Carol Bannerman, "has a variety of livestock, and the birds would eat the seed which takes food away from the livestock, costs the farmer money. Also, as the birds eat, they excrete droppings into the food left for the livestock to eat." The killing method: the pesticide DRC-1339, which the USDA claims is inert once it is eaten by the birds and becomes metabolized. Well if the government says it's safe, it must be so, right? Read more of this unbelievable story, which has many of us in the Garden State up in arms.

UPDATE 1/29: Our friends at PETA have issued an Action Alert, urging supporters to contact Janet Bucknall, New Jersey Wildlife Services State Director, USDA, and ask the agency to stop the use of DRC-1339 immediately and find humane flock-control methods. Contact her at: janet.l.bucknall@aphis.usda.gov

Learn more.

"And birds go flying at the speed of sound, to show you how it all began.
Birds came flying from the underground, if you could see it then you'd understand" - Speed of Sound, Coldplay

An Action for Change at the U.S. Department of Agriculture

"What do you plan to do with all your freedom?"
the new sheriff said, quite proud of his badge
"You must admit the land is now in good hands"
yes, time will tell
Scarlet's Walk, by Tori Amos


One month ago, the future was still uncertain, and people were abuzz with personal and political activism. Now that major change has come to Washington, we cannot sit on the sidelines idly and miss this opportunity to lobby for a drastic shift of how farm animals are treated, or more appropriately, mistreated. Farm Sanctuary has a simple form letter you can fill out, urging the Obama administration, in the letter's wording "to appoint a Secretary of Agriculture who supports humane agricultural policies and will guide the Agency in a new direction, one that includes sustainable, organic farming and healthy, plant-based diets available to all Americans."

Armchair activism has benefited widely from the World Wide Web. Simply fill out your name, address, and e-mail, and your voice will be heard. What are you waiting for? Visit today.