21ST CENTURY ABOLITIONIST

SIMPLY HERE TO INSPIRE CHANGE

I think for a lot of westerners the idea of slavery is pawned off on the idea of it being "over there" somewhere across the ocean --- happening to people who live differently. (Not true. It's right here in the U.S. of A.) Somehow the idea that it might be a cultural thing keeps it from being a real thing and keeps it from being an outrage. This is one (incorrect) theory anyway. If it's cultural, then it's sort of excusable even if we don't get it. It's like how a generation of Americans grew up in the 1960's mesmerized by the pages in a National Geographic magazine where seeing bare breasted African women with their men clad in loincloths all dancing around a fire pit was just what they did over there.

For most Americans, it seems the whole concept of slavery died out in the 1800's. Any discussion of it now as a 21st Century "thing" just isn't sinking in. If it did sink in, people would be outraged. They'd be so outraged they'd demand slave free products be provided by every company. They'd shake down massage parlors. They'd go after the truck stops. They'd be attending rallies en masse. Laws would protect the victims versus criminalizing them. Information would spread faster than Michael Jackson's untimely death and action would follow. But there is no mass outrage. There is little demand for slave free products. Most people have heard somethingerother about slaves and something about fair trade. But it's a shoulder shrug mostly. (A little too much indifference if you ask me. On the other hand, there are a lot of ills in the world. I get that it can be totally overwhelming.)

Perhaps some have heard something about kids in the cotton fields and working the cocoa farms. But that's what they do over there, right? The family needs the money so let the kids work, right? (OMGosh NO!!! And I will rant on about that in other links.) To top it off, I think a lot of westerners are struggling to maintain their own lifestyles so quite frankly there isn’t enough time or energy to get dragged down by something as dark and seemingly hopeless as slavery. (Of course, I don't see just the misery. I see how we can change it. I have hope. Really. I devote much of my "free" time and more to that end by building and writing for my website, all for the hope that something good will come from this.

Speaking of good, the good news here is that if you've actually read this page to this point, you're someone who's likely going to change this world in wonderful ways. I mean it. Few will ever read this stuff. Most of my friends never have. I might get an accidental click here and there on a page or two, but since I'm not talking about Hollywood stars, who's having sex, who lied, or telling you how to lose weight and how to look younger.... well.. this just won't make it very far. (Thank you for your time if you have read this much.)

Moving on....again. Here’s one more statistic. After illegal drug sales and arms trafficking, human and animal trafficking are the most profitable criminal activities in the world, generating over $40 billion annually. The sale of humans and animals are fueling a whole underground world of illicit activities including terrorism.

As for animals, thousands upon thousands are dying senseless deaths each year from heartless, greedy poachers. Elephants are killed to supply the insatiable demand for ivory. (Yes, it's still banned, but it's still craved.) The U.S., in particular, has a killer appetite for ivory. Tigers and rhinos are vanishing at alarming rates to supply the demand for superstitious medical remedies in China. (The tiger penis is served up in elite Chinese restaurants for $5,000 a plate for its beliefs in “Viagra” results.) All kinds other species are killed for their pelts (fur and leather), while so many others - birds, reptiles, and all kinds of animals -- are sold into captivity as exotic pets for the entertainment of humans. Find out how you may unwittingly be supporting both human and animal trafficking.....

LIVEHONESTLY.COM brings you headline news, as well as important information that doesn't make the front pages. Sometimes it'll be news that's been long forgotten before it ever got noticed. I hope you'll bookmark this site and visit frequently. I welcome you to learn something you didn't know and to please share your thoughts, offer suggestions, ask questions and send me news stories. I'm here to learn too.

Bulls to the Sea

Javea Bous a la Mar
"Bulls to the Sea"

Picture this. You’re in Costa Blanca Spain. It’s early September. You’re seated in a spectator stand amidst a large, drinking crowd. A man-made beach separates you and the other spectators from the open sea. A 9-day festival called Javea Bous a la Mar aka “Bulls to the Sea” honoring Our Lady of Loreto is just about to start.

You gaze out to sea while waiting for the bulls to arrive. You may or may not ask who is this “Lady of Loreto”? Loreto refers to the house in which Virgin Mary was born. The story goes that a band of angels scooped up the little house from the Holy Land, and transported it first to Tersato, Dalmatia in 1291, then to Reananti in 1294, and finally to Loreto, Italy where it has been for centuries. Popes have always held the Shrine of Loreto in special esteem, and it is under their direct authority and protection.

But if you know this little bit of history, you’re probably only a handful or less who do. No one is there for a history lesson. Yes, the festival is steeped in tradition, but that’s not the point. It’s party time. The bulls – up to six – arrive by truck and get deposited into a secured area under the stand. The fun (or if you’re the bull – the horror) is about to begin. The bull’s horns are lit on fire followed by a single firework going off. Ah, yes, the fun of it all.

The burning bull reacts the way you might imagine. He’s panic stricken, terrified, and runs from the pain of his burning horns. He’s berserk and runs out into the open sandy area, where if things aren’t bad enough, a band of local lads run around further agitating the poor beast. Their aim is to bait him to attack them near the waterfront so that he will fall into the sea. He’s not supposed to die. He’s just supposed to entertain. Horrifically, the torture of animals as entertainment dates back thousands of years. (Look for my upcoming article about the history of circuses.)

Very sadly at this year’s “Bulls to the Sea” one bull gave his last performance. A spectator reported that after one of the bull’s horns was lit it took no more than five minutes for the animal to dive into the sea, and due to its extremely fatigued state it was unable to stay afloat and all efforts to revive it were in vain. It died in the sea. What else is there to say? There are no words to describe this outrage. I leave you with your thoughts and possibly a little heavier heart.

One last thing. Er... make that two last things. If you want to stop this atrocity of lighting bulls on fire at festivals and bullfights, log onto Change.org and sign a petition. It’s free. It’s quick. And it has the power to carry your voice along with thousands of others to be heard by the people who can stop this. My last thought is a question. From what I read, this festival didn't always include burning the bull's horns. But how does this festival (bull burning or not) of chasing a bull to dive into the sea honor the Virgin Mary??

MOTORCYCLE TRIP THROUGH VIETNAM

Check out my travel story of exploring NE Vietnam on motorcycle. Visit my website: http://www.livehonestly.com/

Click on the ME tab and a drop down box will appear. Enjoy!

Click on the ME tab to go to other travel stories of my solo trip through Asia for five months. Check out the photos of my trek to the basecamp of Mt. Everest, ziplining in northern Laos, mahoot elephant training in Thailand, delivering school supplies in Laos... and more.

VISIT MY WEBSITE: www.livehonestly.com

I won't be writing a blog here. Please go to http://www.livehonestly.com/ where I have 2 ongoing blogs. One is a photographic and philosophical story of my life in a cabin located at 10,000 feet in the mountains. If you're an animal and nature lover stay tuned. Lots of fun pictures have been posted on my website and more to come. I'm preparing to "winter in" at my cabin where the roads aren't plowed and the snow will easily reach an average of six feet.

The other blog is called BLOG FOR CHANGE in the drop down box under Abolitionist. I post articles and updates under this section about human and animal trafficking.