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so i found out today that the Ringling Brothers, Barnum, & Bailey circus is being fined a rather large amount of money for apparently being in violation of some law about endangered species, i.e. asian elephants. this is so absurd, i can't believe they're actually having to pay them.

before you jump my case about animal rights, because trust me i love animals, let me explain. my uncle has worked for Ringling for like...over 20 years, not sure on the exact number. i've literally been around the circus, know several people there on a somewhat more personal level, and have been allowed behind the scenes with my family my entire life. so, i'm not saying these protestors are bat-shit crazy because i like animal abuse. i am completely against that. they're bat-shit crazy because there is no abuse to be protested and assume silly things so they can get other people in trouble.

again, i've been behind the scenes too many times to count. they keep their animals in better living conditions than a lot of people live in. i actually helped give one a bath once, but anyway. Ringling even has a program where they're helping to bring back the asian elephant population and releasing them back into the wild when they're ready.

so why the FUCK protest them? i'm sorry, but its bullshit. you don't get mad at someone for having a pet dog and teaching them to do tricks. its kind of done in a same way. they don't make it like "oh, if i don't move like this, they're going to hurt me" its like "oh, when i go this way, i get rewarded". jesus christ, people are so dumb. and PETA, not sure if that's actually who sued them it only said an animal rights group but they're been there before, anyway, PETA are some of the biggest hypocrites. they got mad at the obama fly swat video. really? a fly?? they're hypocrites, they have rescue shelters, and thats all good, but most of the animals in THEIR shelters are put down. that goes entirely against what they claim to stand for.

i'm feel like i'm barely making sense now, i'll wrap it up.
people need to learn actual FACTS and then they can go put all this wasted time and effort into protesting something that ACTUALLY needs to be protested or that ACTUALLY is a problem.

PETA overdoes it quite a bit.

People are so much more itchy about animals being mistreated rather than about humans; it shocks me quite a bit.
Anyway.

As long as the species are taken care of, I don't see why there should be a problem. Unless it's an endangered specie and that other people are willing to find a way to use that speciman elsewhere, for the good of that said specie.
I understand your point fully. Unfortunately, I'm afraid not all people would though.

Suddenly my eyes are open
Everything comes into focus, oh!
We are all illuminated,
Lights are shining on our faces
We are, we are blinded !
We are, we are blinded !

This is so true, just look at Peter Singer.

Well I can't really comment because I don't know what they're being accused of or any evidence or whatever, but it does intrigue me because circuses history, and even up to today are highly known for mis-treating animals. Which is disturbing because they're beautiful. I saw one video of a RB hitting the elephants with an electric thingy for no reason, the one time, which looked pretty bad but you can't always find real evidence or that to see if it was legit though it really looked it. So.. Can't really comment because I don't know, I love circuses but it is insanely hard to enjoy them at the same time because you never know for sure..

Btw, will your family adopt me? <3

Little white flowers will never awaken you, not when the cold depths have all but overtaken you.

Dearest, The days are all so long,
and in the shadows I spend them all.
My heart and I long for slumber.
Slumber I'm caressing you, I bless your touch, I lust for you.
Slumber you are not a dream, Not as much as you seem.
- Joao <3

Whoa! Don't dis Singer man!