| A quick guide to the Maltese animal rights "extremist" A Maltese animal rights extremist is an interesting creature. He/she respects the rights of all animals and before doing anything that might harm them, directly or indirectly, he/she actually...wait for it...thinks! More amazing than this, the actions which follow the thinking actually reflect his/her rational conclusions on whether the action is absolutely necessary and whether it justifies harming non-human animals. Thus, the Maltese animal rights extremist does not stop caring about animal suffering or animal rights when the animals in question taste good, are not cute, would provide a beautiful garment to wear, would provide loads of pharmaceuticals or cosmetics, would provide entertainment, or would boost one's self-esteem by hitting on a less powerful being. The Maltese animal rights extremist also refuses sponsorships or adverts from animal abusers for any of his publications or activities because he/she actually values justice and morality more than money! For the above reasons, the Maltese animal rights extremist goes vegetarian or vegan because this reduces or eliminates non-human animal suffering, apart from being a healthier diet to follow; he/she stops wearing animal skin or "fur", which along with "factory-farming", result in unnecessary animal suffering; opposes vivisection which involves the imprisonment, torture and killing of non-human animals; opposes zoos and non-human animal circuses knowing that both are animal exploitation and involve kidnapping, imprisonment and suffering, and knowing well that there are alternative means of entertainment and education; and has a higher self-esteem, because unlike some people, he/she does not need to pick on weaker beings to prove him/herself strong. Strange creature, this Maltese animal rights extremist! A thinking being who actually uses one's mind and puts justice before profit or comfort! The end is near...someone should stop these rational, unselfish creatures! Some things you should especially be extra wary of: 1. The Maltese animal rights extremist might actually not be a bomb wielding terrorist. He/she might actually be one of your friends, colleagues or family. 2. The Maltese animal rights extremist has a terrible habit of actually presenting valid arguments which make you feel guilty. If you are not very careful, he/she might influence you into becoming a caring rational individual too. One way to avoid this terrible outcome is to simply say that he/she is an over-sentimental extremist. This usually works. If it doesn't, seek psychiatric help. 3. The Maltese animal rights extremist also has a terrible habit of caring about humans as well as non-human animals. His/her example in daily life might expose you more to being attracted to his/her way of life and attitude, and thus risking becoming an animal rights extremist yourself. One way to avoid this is by convincing yourself that the animal rights extremist cares more about non-human animals than humans, even though you may know that this is not the case, and that the extremist cares about both. But if you repeat to yourself this lie long enough, chances are that you will begin to believe it. 4. Another nasty thing about the animal rights extremist is that he/she is living proof that there is an alternative to animal exploitation and that ethical treatment of animals is possible. One way to ease your conscience is by telling yourself "some animals also harm other animals, so why shouldn't we?", even though you might know that we are supposed to be rational creatures and in normal circumstances do not need to harm non-humans. When thinking about non-human animals, it may also be useful to think of carnivore animals who need meat to survive, and not vegetarian animals who, like us, do not need meat. It will also be helpful to forget that we are animals ourselves, and to separate living beings into two categories: Humans with rights on one end, and all the other millions of sentient creatures with no rights (simply because we have decided so) on the other end. |
 |