Livin’ Veg

The Family Guy Takes On Animal Rights December 3, 2009

I don’t regularly watch The Family Guy but I certainly appreciate their satire and humor. Especially when they focus on topics that I’m particularly interested in. In their latest episode (Thanks to Ecorazzi for the heads up), they take on animal rights.

More specifically, Brian the family dog, accidentally hits and kills a dog with his car. He is overcome with guilt and turns himself into the police. However, he becomes dismayed when he realizes that people can hurt animals without repercussions from the law. Brian wants equal rights for animals and for humans to realize that animals are thinking feeling beings who need protection. So what does Brian do? He starts a local animal rights group and invites the entire town to take action against cruelty.

Does it work? Well, it’s The Family Guy so it doesn’t all go down like you would expect. But it does do a great job of pointing out the hypocrisy in our daily lives.

Watch it for free on Hulu now…

Note: the other story line about the house cleaner is, in my opinion, not very funny and kind of awful. I know it’s supposed to be satire, but sometimes satire just feels like poor taste.

Al Gore Takes On Factory Farming On SNL November 23, 2009

It was green week last week on NBC. Shows like 30 Rock, The Office and SNL made a point to incorporate environmental messages into their story arcs. Al Gore made an appearance on SNL and it was actually funny. (Is it bad that Al Gore being funny surprises me?)

Even better than his humor was the message. Politicians just aren’t getting the severity of the situation. What’s Al’s solution? Start acting crazy. It’s funny because that’s how it feels as an activist sometimes. That we need to act a little out there in order to get our message heard. That the scary facts aren’t enough to get the changes we need accomplished in a timely manner. Al Gore was funny because he hit on the frustrations of being an activist: people don’t always listen even when your points are documented by the best and brightest.

We veggies have often criticized the former VP for not advocating vegetarianism as a way to combat climate change. At least here he mentions factory farming as one of the culprits behind climate change. Thanks Mr. VP for your great skit.

The Shelter Pet Project September 30, 2009

The Shelter Pet Project is designed to give a voice to animals who live in a shelter and sit there waiting to be adopted. Through humorous video and audio it debunks all kinds of myths people believe about shelter pets. Many people believe animals put in a shelter are damaged goods - that they were abused, that they are dangerous. But that’s a sad stereotype. And even many animals who were abused continue to be loving and friendly, albeit a little shy.

Many companion animals are abandoned by people who lose their homes (especially over the past year). Others have to give up their dog or cat due to getting sick. An elderly person might pass away - then what happens to their animal? These animals don’t have a thing wrong with them. It’s just the unfortunate circumstance.

Take a moment and go to the Shelter Pet Project Campaign section and watch the videos. Listen to the audio. They are funny and poignant. Then on the Pet Project website click the share button and share it on Facebook, Twitter, email it to friends. Share it with whatever technology you use. Help spread the word that shelter pets deserve a home. Adopt!

Embarrassing Stories From Activists July 10, 2009

Before I get to the real post, I just wanted to let all of you ladies know that Ideali is having a huge online sale on Melissa shoes today from 11 - 1pm. Just click here today between those times and get awesome vegan shoes at a way discounted price. The link is from Daily Candy, the daily email that notified me about this deal.

Now on to the funny stuff. I checked these out yesterday and they are seriously laugh out loud funny. Jasmin Singer’s delivery of her most ridiculous advocacy story cracked me up. Then you’ve got Gene Baur and other great stories. If you want to laugh this morning you should check out this video.

http://www.vimeo.com/5445009

The Onion Euthanizes Gymnast Shawn Johnson June 18, 2009

The Onion posted something absolutely priceless. The title: Gymnast Shawn Johnson Put to Sleep After Breaking Leg.

If you want to start your day off with a smug smile, please watch this. It does what The Onion does best - pokes holes in common practices by comparing them to something outrageous. In this case, comparing putting a human down due to an injury to putting horses down when they get a racing injury.

I was having a bad day until I saw this. (Reading up on all the turmoil in Iran has been tough) This was a much needed break into the world of thought provoking humor. Click here or on the image to watch it!

Gymnast Shawn Johnson Put To Sleep After Breaking Leg