Illustrating the dangers of the federal government's war on "domestic extremists," animal rights activists are being prosecuted under a capacious definition of "terrorism."
I'm the investigator named in this story, who led the collaboration with Mr. Walker to expose and ultimately end this atrocity, and now face a felony and "ag-gag" prosecution, and FBI investigation, as a result.
Animal ag is perhaps the most devastating invention in human history, and this situation lays bare the depravity of this system for the world to see. Exposing the most egregious animal torture imaginable has resulted in all manner of repression against those who speak up, while it's the powerful entities inflicting the abuse that call the shots.
Please support our work by spreading the word about DxE's Whistleblower Helpline program, where industry workers (or anybody at all) can anonymously submit information about abuses to workers, animals and the environment, which we will consider for further investigation and publication via press and social media.
An excellent, well-researched report, and unfortunately the analogy with the PATRIOT act is less a prediction and more a statement that night follows day. Unfortunately, both the left *and* the right mainstreams are enamored of these laws. And the bodies that traditionally prized liberties, such as the ACLU, are now largely focused on other things.
The free speech, free journalism current in the West is as small as it's been in my time on this earth, and it's shrinking fast. Dark days are ahead and I'm not sure what can be done.
Articles like this, at least, give us a fighting chance of knowing what we're up against.
"...there is no reason to believe it, and every reason to believe the hunt for 'domestic terrorists' could eventually be turned against anyone with the will and the means to effectively confront those who hold concentrated political and corporate power — including through strictly non-violent means."
Any organization attracting enough attention to itself by even non-violently opposing the powers that be will find itself targeted and infiltrated with agents provocateur who'll find some fool in the mix, and convince the half-wit violence is the only solution. A provocateur will create a plot, then charismatically convince the "pepega" to agree to it. Once the target raises a finger to initiate action in furtherance of the plot, the early morning arrest and government dog and pony media show ensue. It doesn't matter the government formed the plot, conspiracy law doesn't care. This is highly effective at taking down entire organizations through defamation and fear.
Ignoring the moral issues around animal euthanasia, the major problem is the use of highly contentious subject matter to justify government overreach. The outrage factory we call the media is working hand in hand with the government to expand their powers in return for access.
That any reasonable number of people unreasonably believe new domestic “anti-terrorism” laws aren’t sought to suppress threats to the ruling class is testament to the public’s ignorance.
Not that it’s entirely the public’s fault, given the pitch and volume of the propaganda.
But it is still striking that so many expect anything out of our current system that is what it’s sold to be, after so much out-in-the-open evidence to the contrary.
I actually don’t have a problem with Iowa Select Farms Ventilation Shutdown, but I do have a problem with persecuting Lucas Walker as a “terrorist” for this. I also don’t like the use of “public outrage” against legal activities as a way of making some practice “de-facto illegal”. Let Iowa Select Farms justify what it does, and if the public doesn’t like it, lobby lawmakers to ban the practice.
“But in the wake of the January 6 MAGA Capitol Riot, progressives, in particular, have gained an appetite for more.”
Well, I tried to prove you wrong and instead found a bunch of videos of AOC calling for more censoring of independent journalists so they can stop nagging her about her poor decisions and the lies she’s told. So, right you are mister! 🥵
Thank you for reporting on the this topic. I am so grateful to the whistleblowers who put themselves at great risk to do the right thing. I've long wondered where civil libertarians were on ag-gag laws.
These lawmakers know that the more people see the truth behind factory farming, the more disgusted they will be with the current state of affairs. And many people are happy being lied to so they don't have to face the truth. They can just keep eating cheap bacon burgers.
I can't wait until lab-grown meat puts these merchants of misery out of business.
The State has no right to stifle speech. It does have the right to protect residents' property and privacy. We need some balance here. I run a business out of my home. Should a whistleblower have the right to enter my home without my permission and put up video cameras in bedrooms, bathrooms, living room?
I've dealt with whistleblowers in various roles; I've been a whistleblower, going to my employer's Board of Directors to call out the CEO for deceptive accounting and advertising. I resigned as I left the Boardroom, knowing my time was over. I didn't trespass, set up electronic surveillance without the consent of those being recorded. Whistleblowing is an honored act; breaking laws designed to protect property and privacy is not. Report what you wish, just get your information without trampling on my rights in the process.
I like the idea of "Outside Voices". This proposed legislation is reprehensible, and I'm wondering when the general public will finally understand that "for your protection" means "capricious government control over individuals". And what that pork producer did was sadistic. I understand the problem they had, but their solution was, possibly, the most inhumane solution conceivable.
Great work Leighton, thank you.
I'm the investigator named in this story, who led the collaboration with Mr. Walker to expose and ultimately end this atrocity, and now face a felony and "ag-gag" prosecution, and FBI investigation, as a result.
Animal ag is perhaps the most devastating invention in human history, and this situation lays bare the depravity of this system for the world to see. Exposing the most egregious animal torture imaginable has resulted in all manner of repression against those who speak up, while it's the powerful entities inflicting the abuse that call the shots.
Please support our work by spreading the word about DxE's Whistleblower Helpline program, where industry workers (or anybody at all) can anonymously submit information about abuses to workers, animals and the environment, which we will consider for further investigation and publication via press and social media.
The URL for our Whistleblower Helpline is DxE.io/Whistleblower
An excellent, well-researched report, and unfortunately the analogy with the PATRIOT act is less a prediction and more a statement that night follows day. Unfortunately, both the left *and* the right mainstreams are enamored of these laws. And the bodies that traditionally prized liberties, such as the ACLU, are now largely focused on other things.
The free speech, free journalism current in the West is as small as it's been in my time on this earth, and it's shrinking fast. Dark days are ahead and I'm not sure what can be done.
Articles like this, at least, give us a fighting chance of knowing what we're up against.
Such laws are intentionally open-ended so that they may be used to target anyone that the establishment of the day doesn't like for whatever reason.
Only a terrorist could be against this, right? You're not one of them, are you?
"...there is no reason to believe it, and every reason to believe the hunt for 'domestic terrorists' could eventually be turned against anyone with the will and the means to effectively confront those who hold concentrated political and corporate power — including through strictly non-violent means."
Any organization attracting enough attention to itself by even non-violently opposing the powers that be will find itself targeted and infiltrated with agents provocateur who'll find some fool in the mix, and convince the half-wit violence is the only solution. A provocateur will create a plot, then charismatically convince the "pepega" to agree to it. Once the target raises a finger to initiate action in furtherance of the plot, the early morning arrest and government dog and pony media show ensue. It doesn't matter the government formed the plot, conspiracy law doesn't care. This is highly effective at taking down entire organizations through defamation and fear.
Ignoring the moral issues around animal euthanasia, the major problem is the use of highly contentious subject matter to justify government overreach. The outrage factory we call the media is working hand in hand with the government to expand their powers in return for access.
That any reasonable number of people unreasonably believe new domestic “anti-terrorism” laws aren’t sought to suppress threats to the ruling class is testament to the public’s ignorance.
Not that it’s entirely the public’s fault, given the pitch and volume of the propaganda.
But it is still striking that so many expect anything out of our current system that is what it’s sold to be, after so much out-in-the-open evidence to the contrary.
I actually don’t have a problem with Iowa Select Farms Ventilation Shutdown, but I do have a problem with persecuting Lucas Walker as a “terrorist” for this. I also don’t like the use of “public outrage” against legal activities as a way of making some practice “de-facto illegal”. Let Iowa Select Farms justify what it does, and if the public doesn’t like it, lobby lawmakers to ban the practice.
Like a Catholic writing about the Pope, there should probably be a disclaimer that the author is a hardline vegan given the context.
That aside, it is an interesting article. Appreciated the details on following the money/influence trail.
"...the hardening of state power, made possible through organized collective hysteria." Now there's a phrase worthy of much plagiarism.
“But in the wake of the January 6 MAGA Capitol Riot, progressives, in particular, have gained an appetite for more.”
Well, I tried to prove you wrong and instead found a bunch of videos of AOC calling for more censoring of independent journalists so they can stop nagging her about her poor decisions and the lies she’s told. So, right you are mister! 🥵
Thank you for reporting on the this topic. I am so grateful to the whistleblowers who put themselves at great risk to do the right thing. I've long wondered where civil libertarians were on ag-gag laws.
These lawmakers know that the more people see the truth behind factory farming, the more disgusted they will be with the current state of affairs. And many people are happy being lied to so they don't have to face the truth. They can just keep eating cheap bacon burgers.
I can't wait until lab-grown meat puts these merchants of misery out of business.
Excellent journalism. Thank you all.
The State has no right to stifle speech. It does have the right to protect residents' property and privacy. We need some balance here. I run a business out of my home. Should a whistleblower have the right to enter my home without my permission and put up video cameras in bedrooms, bathrooms, living room?
I've dealt with whistleblowers in various roles; I've been a whistleblower, going to my employer's Board of Directors to call out the CEO for deceptive accounting and advertising. I resigned as I left the Boardroom, knowing my time was over. I didn't trespass, set up electronic surveillance without the consent of those being recorded. Whistleblowing is an honored act; breaking laws designed to protect property and privacy is not. Report what you wish, just get your information without trampling on my rights in the process.
My God. Are we this depraved? There has to be a more humane way to solve this problem. Disgusting.
I like the idea of "Outside Voices". This proposed legislation is reprehensible, and I'm wondering when the general public will finally understand that "for your protection" means "capricious government control over individuals". And what that pork producer did was sadistic. I understand the problem they had, but their solution was, possibly, the most inhumane solution conceivable.
Wonder if Chuck Schumer is considered a domestic terrorist, along with Maxine.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/schumer-threatens-the-court-11583368462
Nothing like living in this brave new world where justice is blind and the rule of law applied equally to all. (That’s sarcasm, if you didn’t guess.)