Posted at 02:40 PM | Permalink
|
Did you know that in addition to being the award-winning director of
Platoon and
Born on the Fourth of July, Oliver Stone is a decorated Army veteran? He's earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Stone's interest in the military and his compassion for animals is what prompted him
to write this morning to Bolivian President Evo Morales thanking Morales for enacting
Bolivia's first animal-protection regulation. The Bolivian government banned the abuse of live animals in military training exercises after the release of
video footage that showed conscious dogs who screamed in agony as soldiers stabbed the animals' chests and heads with knives. In the letter, Stone says, "I applaud your efforts and thank you from the bottom of my heart. With this move, you have set a lifesaving precedent that we hope others will follow."
Considering that Stone was such an esteemed member of our armed forces, maybe the Department of Defense (DoD) will take note. People like Stone who have served in the military think that using thousands of live animals each year in trauma- and chemical casualty–training exercises is cruel and unnecessary. How many servicemen and servicewomen have to cry foul before the DoD follows in Bolivia's footsteps?
Posted by Shawna Flavell
P.S. Oliver Stone also contributed an essay to Ingrid Newkirk's thought-provoking book One Can Make a Difference. Buy it now!
Comments (7)
TAGGED:
Comments
Torturing, maiming and Killing animals in Military drills can turn soldiers into sadists and deadly sociopaths.
Posted by: Brien Comerford | April 15, 2009 07:56 PM
Oliver Stone should use his clout to pressure the US military to stop torturing and killing animals as well. Go Oliver!
Posted by: veganartist | April 15, 2009 09:42 PM
Awesome news. Way to go Evo.
Posted by: Brad | April 15, 2009 09:52 PM
THANK YOU OLIVER!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: CAROLYN | April 16, 2009 12:00 AM
Thank you Oliver Stone. Beautiful!
Posted by: lynda downie | April 16, 2009 02:19 AM
thank you oliver
Posted by: mariamartinez | April 20, 2009 08:34 AM
Thank you Oliver Stone.
Posted by: France | August 18, 2009 07:49 PM