NationStates Jolt Archive

So are you? I am.

Anyone else? Any (rational and informed) opinions on the organisation?

*raises hand*

So are you? I am.

Nope, and apparently I never will be:

"Amnesty International's position on freedom of expression is more restrictive than that which is legislated in some countries. The organisation endorses restrictions on hate speech, racial, religious or otherwise. In reference to the Muhammad cartoon controversy, the organisation stated:

'However, the right to freedom of expression is not absolute -- neither for the creators of material nor their critics. It carries responsibilities and it may, therefore, be subject to restrictions in the name of safeguarding the rights of others. In particular, any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence cannot be considered legitimate exercise of freedom of expression. Under international standards, such 'hate speech' should be prohibited by law.'"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amnesty_International
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGPOL300072006?open&of=ENG-315

"We oppose repression of political opinion by law, unless we disagree with that opinion," apparently. I might go with the ACLU instead, with whom free speech appears to be a principle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skokie#Controversies_and_tragedy), instead of a mere convenience. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACLU#Controversial_stances)

Amnesty International? Those fascists who only care about the rights of humans? Nah, I'm more of an Animal Liberation Front kind of person. Not a member (well, it's not an organisation that you can join as such), but I support there position of equality for all living things (including humans).

Amnesty International? Those fascists who only care about the rights of humans? Nah, I'm more of an Animal Liberation Front kind of person. Not a member (well, it's not an organisation that you can join as such), but I support there position of equality for all living things (including humans).

So, when can we expect you guys to start trying to make ducks pay their taxes, given equal rights imply equal duties?

Nope, and apparently I never will be:

*snip*
How terrible. I and the other Amnesty members I know do not share this position. Perhaps I should take it up with them.

Amnesty International? Those fascists who only care about the rights of humans? Nah, I'm more of an Animal Liberation Front kind of person. Not a member (well, it's not an organisation that you can join as such), but I support there position of equality for all living things (including humans).
You realize that (1) one of you radicals compared animals to black people which is offensive and (2) with that name, you are going to get banned from NS.

Anyway, the AI is hyprocritical organization. I really hate them.

A wretched hive of scum and villainy...

So, when can we expect you guys to start trying to make ducks pay their taxes, given equal rights imply equal duties?


Hey, last time I checked, you weren't paying your taxes to secure your rights. You pay them to make sure people maintain your roads, keep your schools functioning etc. When ducks require the use of the services, I will devise a method to force them to pay taxes. That's a personal promise to you.

Amnesty International's letter campaigns have resulted in the freedom of 44,000 victims of human rights abuse since 1961.

You realize that (1) one of you radicals compared animals to black people which is offensive and (2) with that name, you are going to get banned from NS.



Hey, one person doesn't represent the views of an entire movement. Besides, why shouldn't animals be considered the equals of humans. As far as I can tell, we all fulfil the same basic role, which is to procreate. Just because the cognitive functions of a human are more advanced than other animals does not mean that we are more important as individuals.

Also, genitals is an official term to describe the sex organs of an animal. Not offensive in the slightest.

EDIT: Sorry for the thread highjack. I'll leave things at that.

Hey, last time I checked, you weren't paying your taxes to secure your rights. You pay them to make sure people maintain your roads, keep your schools functioning etc. When ducks require the use of the services, I will devise a method to force them to pay taxes. That's a personal promise to you.

Taxes also fund the military, and Police forces, which in turn protect your rights. (Military from threats without, Police from threats within.)

Hey, one person doesn't represent the views of an entire movement. Besides, why shouldn't animals be considered the equals of humans.

Because they are unable to assume the same duties as humans. They cannot be expected to conform to laws , assume their duties of paying taxes for their use of public facilities and paying dues for use of private property [which is good, since I'm not allowed to sub-let my flat to the birds that nest under the roof anyway] or contribute to society in any meaningful sense. They are [i]obviously lacking the faculties to be our equals in any way, therefore considering them to have equal rights is perverse.

Or, to put it more bluntly; if a lion was walking around your street, would you argue it's perfectly ok since he has a right not to be arbitarily imprisoned just for being a lion and shouldn't be dealt with until he actually starts eating someone?

-snip-

Well, we do eat animals, so in that sense they are contributing to society by providing us with sustenance.

Not a member of amnesty international. I have a friend who is (also an officer of the UN FWIW) and she is currently representing their interests in a hotspot in Africa for a spell. My viewpoints on the U.N. and Amnesty Intl. and hers vary quite a bit but we both can agree that they do some great work and sometimes some awful or regrettable work. I suppose the only way to never do anything wrong is to never do anything. Amnesty does do things.

I respect her and what she does and try not to worry for her safety too much.

Amnesty International? Those fascists who only care about the rights of humans? Nah, I'm more of an Animal Liberation Front kind of person. Not a member (well, it's not an organisation that you can join as such), but I support there position of equality for all living things (including humans).

ALF and it's offspring groups are terrorists pure and simple.

They admit it openly on their own website.

As popular as those policies had been and despite the powerful effects wrought against animal abuse by their implementation it became clear from the ARM, HRS and JD that anger was boiling over at the all-too-slow rate of progress towards animal liberation. The third ALF policy was becoming strained, even amongst some dedicated ALF supports.
The arguments presented in favor of inflicting serious injury, even death, upon animal abusers were quite straightforward. Do you believe in animal liberation? Do you therefore believe that speciesism is as indefensible as racism? Did you support the African National Congress during its policy of armed struggle against apartheid? Would you support an 'armed struggle' by the ARM or Justice Department? Having answered each question honestly you may find some contradictions, it's up to you to resolve them in your own mind; even Gandhi said "Where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence".


http://www.animalliberationfront.com/ALFront/Premise_History/alf_summary.htm

Hey, one person doesn't represent the views of an entire movement. Besides, why shouldn't animals be considered the equals of humans. As far as I can tell, we all fulfil the same basic role, which is to procreate. Just because the cognitive functions of a human are more advanced than other animals does not mean that we are more important as individuals.

Also, genitals is an official term to describe the sex organs of an animal. Not offensive in the slightest.

EDIT: Sorry for the thread highjack. I'll leave things at that.
By the admins, it is. And are you claim that humans "basic role" is to procreate? So sad.

Not only a member but also a donator to it... unluckily not an activist, it conflicts with education too much. Maybe in my gap year.