From Rosie and Tillie: Ojai SpokesPigs Alert
This morning we learned of a news report that the United States Army is planning on using our own brothers and sisters -- live pigs -- in a new training exercise.
What kind of training exercise could that be? we wondered. At first we worried it might be something like chasing live pigs, or wrestling them, or capturing them and tying them up or or some other cruel and insensitive practice.
But then we learned the real reason.
The live pigs are being shot with M-16 combat rifles so that the medics-in-training can have some real live bodies torn up by rifle bullets to practice their skills on.
The Army says our brother and sister pigs have nothing to worry about, because the pigs will be anesthetized before they are fired on with M-16 rifles.
Somehow that did not make us feel any better about it.
We know that in this world today the life and feelings of a pig count for less than dirt. We know the medics must be trained to encounter the most appalling conditions of war.
But we pigs are mammals just like you humans. We have a heart and skin and lungs and blood and a very finely developed brain and nervous system.
You would never let dogs be shot like this, would you? Well, we pigs are just as intelligent and sensitive as dogs, even though most of you don't keep us in your houses as pets.
The army even admits it will be traumatic for some of the soldiers because the pigs remind them of their own pets at home.
If you agree with us that this "training exercise" is very very cruel and unnecessary, there is a way you can protest it, and here is how:
Take Action: URGENT: U.S. Army Shooting Live Pigs in Trauma Training on July 18
(Even though today is July 18, unless people protest, the army is bound to repeat this travesty!)
Click here: Army to shoot live pigs for medical drill - Yahoo! News
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Rosie and Tillie
Ojai's SpokesPigs
Meet Rosie and Tillie, Ojai's First Spokespigs
http://www.ojaipost.com/2008/02/_meet_rosie_and_tillie_ojais_f_1.shtml



Comments (28)
suzina, these meg & telie blogs are getting a bit long-in-tooth. ya?
Comment #1 Posted by: eddie | July 18, 2008 09:29 AM
hey eddie,
It's Rosie and Tillie, not meg and telie, ya?
I for one don't find anything long-in-tooth about calling attention to our government shooting up live pigs with assault rifles, ya?
But it sure is easy to dismiss the concerns of those who are voiceless. ya?
Comment #2 Posted by: david | July 18, 2008 10:38 AM
eddie, Rosie and Tillie are wonderful spokespigs who bring important issues to the forefront that need our attention. They are lucky to have suza. I signed the petition. You go girls!
Comment #3 Posted by: Lisa Snider | July 18, 2008 11:34 AM
Eddie, are you kidding?
Comment #4 Posted by: F. Zappa | July 18, 2008 11:53 AM
Eddie, we hope that you read the article so that you understand why we must speak out.
Thank you for your support David!
Thank you, Lisa, for your kind words and for signing the petition.
Comment #5 Posted by: Rosie and Tillie | July 18, 2008 04:16 PM
And thank you F. Zappa for questioning Eddie.
We love to laugh but this is no laughing matter!
Comment #6 Posted by: PS | July 18, 2008 04:25 PM
Where can I go to get my poodle clipped in Downey?
Comment #7 Posted by: bill fusion | July 19, 2008 09:32 AM
Thank you David for setting record straight! Eddie is a cloved-hoof ignoramous!!
hayasoizqu dai!! do you see???
Comment #8 Posted by: Anonymous | July 19, 2008 12:00 PM
Aisepray Esusjay! away emorrhoidhay
Comment #9 Posted by: OV babe | July 19, 2008 12:26 PM
My son and I watched a terrible game show at a hotel once where pets were competing against each other for a prize. There were 2 dogs, a bird, and a pig. The b-celeb's would then judge them after each 'trick.' The weirdest part of all was how intelligent, how thoughtful this pig was, yet no matter what this pig did, the judges we're blind to it. They praised the parrot and dogs (the animals they don't eat) and they treated this very brilliant pig and their owner like the animal was unable to learn. So glad my fam is veg.
Comment #10 Posted by: wfmama | July 19, 2008 01:05 PM
In chinese astrology, Pigs are the most versatile of all the animals and are often overlooked for their broad range of talents.
Comment #11 Posted by: Porky | July 19, 2008 01:54 PM
They taught a pig to shot a gun in Minnestoa...
Comment #12 Posted by: Bud | July 19, 2008 02:53 PM
To wfmama (Comment #10) we are thrilled to read your brilliant observations!
To Porky (Comment #11), we are absolutely astonished by the accurate depigtion of the pig in Chinese astrology!
CHINESE HOROSCOPE PIG
Contrary to its rather negative reputation in the West, the Pig of Chinese Astrology may be the most generous and honorable Sign of the Zodiac.
Pigs are nice to a fault and possess impeccable manners and taste. They have so much of the perfectionist in them that others may be inclined to perceive them as snobs, but this is a misconception.
Pigs are simply possessed of a truly luxurious nature, one that delights in finery and riches (in surroundings, food, lovemaking and otherwise).
This Sign believes in the best qualities of mankind and certainly doesn't consider itself to be superior.
Pigs also care a great deal about friends and family and work hard to keep everyone in their life happy. Helping others is a true pleasure for the Pig, who feels best when everyone else is smiling.
A Pig with no one around to appreciate its giving nature is a sad sight. Pigs are so magnanimous they can appear almost saintly; this can lead some less-than-well-intentioned souls to stomp all over this Sign, and the bad news is, the Pig will take the blows!
Pigs make great companions in part because of their refusal to see the more negative or base qualities in a partner, but that rose-colored view can lead to this Sign's allowing itself to be taken advantage of.
Contrary to their seemingly benign dispositions, however, Pigs can be quite venomous in response to being crossed by a lover, friend or business partner.
Pigs are highly intelligent creatures, forever studying, playing and probing in their quest for greater knowledge. They can be misinterpreted as being lazy, however, due to their love of reveling in the good stuff; this Sign could happily spend hours on end making love, napping, taking a long bubble bath or dallying over an incredible spread of rich foods.
Pigs tend to make wonderful life partners due to their hearts of gold and their love of family. Even so, Pigs can be rather exclusive, choosing to spend time with those who will appreciate them most and ignore the rest of the populace.
Pigs would do well to realize that there's more to life than being needed. When they open up their world to a diverse group of people, they will truly bloom.
Is this cosmic or what?
Comment #13 Posted by: Rosie and Tillie | July 19, 2008 03:25 PM
Bud, (Comment #12) you can teach a pig to carry things in his or her mouth, like a towel, and bring it to you when you get out of the tub. We Googled "pig shoot gun" but all we got was a bunch of sites for pig hunters and the one about the army shooting pigs for practice. Very depressing! Can you reference your claim?
Thank you,
Rosie and Tillie
Comment #14 Posted by: This one's for you Bud | July 19, 2008 03:48 PM
The headline, "Army shoots live pigs for medical drill" went around the world. Despite opposition by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and other groups, the Army proceeded to shoot live pigs and treat their wounds in a medical trauma exercise Friday in Hawaii for soldiers headed to Iraq.
Some wonder why if the army wants soldiers to see gunshot wounds first-hand why not have them spend time at a big city hospital where they have real-live shooting victims?
Sadly, the army appears to have conducted similar drills with other animals in the past, and plans to continue this cruel outdated training in the future.
Comment #15 Posted by: Suza | July 19, 2008 04:18 PM
Oh Suza!
Would it be fun if Rose and Tellie made a CD -- like Alvin and Chipmonks. I'd sure buy it!! HOW FUN!! You could sell it on the PosT and Radio Ojai...
Comment #16 Posted by: Clare Imbuse | July 19, 2008 07:08 PM
I saw it too Suza on Fox News(aka "pippy the pistol packing piglette")it was shooting at other pigs.
Comment #17 Posted by: Anonymous | July 19, 2008 07:20 PM
This is so unnecessarily sick and cruel, I can only hope that the army will have a change of heart. Thanks for posting this, Suza.
Comment #18 Posted by: KAYLA CAPPER | July 19, 2008 08:36 PM
I appreciate the concern for the voiceless. Does that concern include unborn children?
Comment #19 Posted by: Chad | July 20, 2008 07:28 AM
Eddie -- you vile heartless toad! We need weekly blogs from Rose and Tillie !
Comment #20 Posted by: Brie' | July 20, 2008 09:44 AM
No Chad, this a progressive blog.
Comment #21 Posted by: Anonymous | July 20, 2008 09:46 AM
Does that concern include unborn children?
Does your concern include the billions of children who have already been born, regardless of their color, religion, and nationality?
Comment #22 Posted by: just wondering | July 20, 2008 10:10 AM
Dear Chad,
Yes, our concern includes unborn children.
Rosie and Tillie are spayed. There are too many unwanted pigs in the world.
We understand and share your concern for the unborn. I (Suza)have discussed the rights of the unborn child with my parents and other members of my extended Christian family, which includes two pastors and several missionaries.
When I was 18 and faced with an unplanned pregnancy, many people who had my best interest at heart advised me to have an abortion. I decided to keep the baby in spite of the fact that it meant facing the full wrath of my Christian father who, ironically, is against abortion.
Fortunately after the baby arrived my family was supportive and helped me to raise my son.
Not every woman faced with an unplanned pregnancy has the support system that I had.
Ideally every child conceived would be wanted. And if they are not wanted, those who oppose abortion would be willing to adopt them.
The sad fact is that we are living in a world were approximately 40,000 children die every day of starvation and/or curable infectious diseases.
My concern for the unborn does not ignore the fact that thousands of children starve to death each and every day.
More than half the world's children are suffering the effects of poverty, war and HIV/AIDS.
My concern for the unborn includes assuring them a healthy and safe childhood.
My concern for the rights of the unborn child comes from a global perspective.
If you are interested in having a respectful dialogue about this important issue please visit:
http://www.pro-truth.net/081-dying-children.html.
Comment #23 Posted by: Suza | July 20, 2008 10:33 AM
Sorry, the above link was not copied correctly. This one should work:
http://www.pro-truth.net/081-dying-children.html
Comment #24 Posted by: Suza | July 20, 2008 10:41 AM
To Just Wondering (Comment #22),
Thank you for asking this burning question.
That is really the heart of the matter!
Comment #25 Posted by: Rosie and Tillie | July 20, 2008 10:59 AM
No harm or disrespect intended by my question. It was just something that occurred to me as so much passion was being expressed for the well-being of these pigs.
Suza, thanks for sharing your story.
Why is there the assumption that if one cares about the unborn that they don't care about other issues (poverty, starvation, disease, the environment, peace, etc.)?
Comment #26 Posted by: Chad | July 20, 2008 08:56 PM
Thank you for your response Chad (Comment #26).
You asked, "Why is there the assumption that if one cares about the unborn that they don't care about other issues (poverty, starvation, disease, the environment, peace, etc.)?"
That's a fair question. I don't think those of who responded to your original comment assume anything. We are asking if your concern for the unborn includes the fact that millions of children are brought into the world under the most horific of circumstances.
http://www.chrf.org/?gclid=CMOXqpmg0pQCFRwsagodihGBkw
40,000 children starved to death or died today from preventable causes. 40,000 will die tomorrow and the day after...
Comment #27 Posted by: Suza | July 21, 2008 05:38 PM
thank you, Suza. i'm horrified.
for those on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21496183994&ref=nf
Comment #28 Posted by: evan austin | July 24, 2008 05:58 PM