Produced & Hosted by: Debbie Dahmer aka “Mama Bear”
Guest: Rae Bitner aka ”Mama Cat” – Director of Operations at Community Cats United and President- Animal Rights Advocate at Institute Street Feral Colony.
Topic: How to help out & get involved with community cats living in the streets.
CCU believes there is STRENGTH IN NUMBERS & that our voices are stronger when we stand together for our beloved community cats! CCU believe in trap-neuter-return. Through support of one another we CAN a make a difference
Community Cats United, Inc. supports Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) as a humane method to reduce cat overpopulation. We also support spay and neuter prior to adoptions. Our goal is to humanely reduce, through spay and neuter, the number of community cats who are unowned, living outdoors and having litter after litter.
Produced & Hosted by Debbie Dahmer aka ”Mama Bear”
Guests: Marilyn Glazer of Lucy’s Edmonton Advocates’ Project, -Sandra Clinger of The ElephantAdvocacy Project, – Kirsten Cluster of Elephant Guardians of Los Angeles, and Courtney Scott of Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants and In Defense of Animals.
**This is a Promo Show on Jan 8th,2026 for the Main International Candlelight Vigil for Elephants on Saturday -Jan 10th**
Topic: Join the International On Line Event on Saturday- Jan 10th @ 11:00 am PST..12:00 pm MST..1:00 pm CST..2:00 pm EST.. Elephants who suffered & died due to captivity during 2025.
Guest: Kate MacFall – Florida State Director of Humane World for Animals.
**This will be the Last Live Stream Show for 2025! Will be Returning Jan 8th, 2026 with VIGIL4ELEPHANTS @ 7:00 pm est**
~Wishing you all a Blessed & Beautiful Christmas and a Phenomenal & Inspiring New Year 2026! Thanks to all the Great Guests, Callers, and Listeners for another great year 2025 for speaking out and standing up for our animal friends in need. Making our Voices Heard Worldwide.~
Topics: Helping and Supporting our wildlife. The Upcoming Florida Trophy Bear Hunt Dec 6th – Dec 28th 2025. Legislation update for 2026.
FWC has admitted that the proposed black bear hunt is not for population control. it’s about giving special interest the chance to kill bears. That’s not science that’s not conservation, it’s trophy hunting. we must demand better for our wildlife.
Humane World for Animals staffers warn the hunting season threatens the state’s black bear population and raises ethical concerns about baiting and hunting with dogs.
Produced & Hosted by Debbie Dahmer aka ”Mama Bear”
Guest -Suzana Gartner – Animal Advocate, Arthor ”A Voice for Animals”, Speaker, Retired Animal Rights Lawyer
Topic: The Shelter Crisis in America that many are experiencing due to overcapacity.
There is an astronomical amount of healthy adoptable animals at all ages that are getting euthanized daily. Help homeless animals in shelters and help save lives. Suzana has appeared on national news, radio, podcast, and in print magazines on behalf of animals.
Animals are here with us and not for us. They are not disposable items. Animals are living, breathing, and complex creatures with feelings that deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. —Suzana Gartner, A Voice for Animals
Produced & Hosted by Debbie Dahmer aka ”Mama Bear”
Guest: Carol Walker -Owner at Living Images. Author, Artist, & Wild Horse Advocate. Freedom for Wild Horses Podcast – Producer & Host
Topic: Standing Strong for the Wyoming Checkerboard Wild Horses
Wyoming’s ”Checkerboard” wild horses are at the center of a conflict between wild horse advocates and local ranchers over land management. Recent actions include a large-scale removal of over 3,000 horses by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mid 2025
“Wyoming Checkerboard Wild Horses” refers to herds in a unique land-ownership area in southwestern Wyoming where public and private land are mixed like a checkerboard. These horses are the subject of ongoing controversy, with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposing large-scale removals for land health, which has led to lawsuits and temporary reprieves for the horses. Recent court decisions have supported the BLM’s plans, but legal challenges have delayed or canceled some roundups.
Court rulings: A judge has ruled in favor of the BLM, allowing for management changes to the checkerboard, which advocates are appealing.
Roundup delays: Some roundups have been postponed, including a planned “zero out” roundup for the Salt Wells Creek and Adobe Town herds, which has been delayed until at least the summer of 2026.
Produced & Hosted by Debbie Dahmer aka ”Mama Bear”
Guest: Katrina Shadix- Executive Director of Bear Warriors United and Director at Foundation for Florida Environmental Protection
Topics: New Wildlife Trapping Rules proposed by FWC [UPDATE]. Emergency Injunction to STOP The 2025 Florida Bear Hunt in December. RALLY to Stop Florida’s Black Bear Hunt on 11/17/2025 – State Capital
Bear Warrior’s vision is to create a Florida where people and wildlife coexist in balance and mutual respect. They aim to host educational events across the state, providing communities with the knowledge and tools needed to secure their homes and prevent human-wildlife conflicts. Through advocacy and lobbying, They push for stronger policies that protect both residents and native species, while also educating the public on the laws and regulations that shape our shared environment. By fostering awareness and action, they strive to build a future where Florida’s wildlife is preserved and respected for generations to come.
Produced & Hosted by Debbie Dahmer aka ”Mama Bear”
Guest: Mary-Ann Holm – President and Campaign Coordinator at Lucy’s Edmonton Advocates’ Project [L.E.A.P.]
Topic: UPDATE: Lucy the Elephant MANDATE REQUEST to a Sanctuary from the Edmonton Valley Zoo.
Lucy the elephant has been at the Edmonton valley zoo for over 48 years and has turned 50 this year. Lucy suffers from a number of zoo induced ailments. Lucy lives in a tiny concrete cell. Lucy has ongoing arthritis & foot disease. Help Lucy get to Sanctuary.
Guest: Joe Dwyer – Daniel the beagle’s dad, Author, Dog trainer, Animal Chaplain, and Pet Loss Counselor
Topics: Update on Last Gas Chamber in USA-Wyoming Animal Shelter. How rescues working together as team helped gas chambers get removed from shelters in the USA.
Daniel the beagle survived the gas chamber in October 11th,2011. Daniel the beagle has his own law ”Daniel’s Law” Ban gas Chambers in animal shelters in Alabama. Daniel had become part of Joe’s family
Joe is the author of five books, “Shelby’s Grace”, “Daniel, The Miracle Beagle”, “The Dog Ate My Homework, or Did He” and his newest releases, “God, Shelby and Me”, and “A Conversation With Daniel”
Daniel the Beagle died on June 29, 2021, from a fast-spreading cancer called hemangiosarcoma. He was known as a “miracle dog” for surviving a gas chamber euthanasia in Alabama in 2011, after which he was adopted by Dwyer family in New Jersey became an advocate for animal welfare.
Guest: Sheryl Joyce – Founder and CEO, Pet Pardon LTD
Topics: Massive crisis in animal shelters being over capacity. Why animals are being euthanized for space.
Pet Pardons mission is to help raise awareness and save animals on death row at high kill shelters around the world. Adopt, don’t shop. Help save healthy adoptable animals in shelters. There has been a increase in the number of ”fake”rescue accounts. Let’s work together to get the animals out of harm’s way.
Guest: Jen Deane of Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation [MCABSL] – Board Member and Dog Trainer
Topics: Homeless Dogs. Dumping dogs in shelters. Dogs seized in Dog Fighting
The Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation (MCABSL) is a non-profit organization in the State of Florida. Its mission is to eradicate Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), Dog Fighting and Animal Abuse from the face of the earth. MCABSL wa successful in removing the “Miami Pit Bull Ban in 2023. Implementing education and awareness.
MCABSL have brought monumental changes worldwide. MCABSL present informational and educational Power Point Presentations on all aspects of Breed-Specific Legislation to universities, schools, and government entities. MCABSL assist in bringing forth humane legislation for animal welfare. MCABSL is involved in addressing illegal dog fighting rings, abusive tethering, and the illegal sales of dogs.
MCABSL have a team of trial-ready legal counsels who support and fight for our mission under the court of law. Breed Specific Legislation is a form of canine discrimination, targeting a specific breed(s) of dog(s) based solely on physical characteristics and myths, and we will not rest until it no longer exists.
Guests : David Holroyd aka David Capello and Tracy Holroyd , Authors of ”The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy”
*500th Podcast Show Celebration*
Topic: Whistle-Blowers in the Captive Dolphin Industry
David C. Holroyd aka David Capello is a former UK dolphin trainer from the early 1970s, who, and later life, wrote the award-winning book series ”The Perfect Pair Dolphin Triology”, with the help of his sister Tracy Holroyd. Working inside the dolphin entertainment
I’ve been assisting a non-profit organization with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit, in their efforts to get records from a federal agency.
I’ve learned that the difference of accountability by the government and by the private sector is this: with the government, you have a chance to get records because of FOIA laws, but with private companies, you don’t have a way to get records, unless the companies want to give them to you (and, trust me, they don’t want to give their records to you).
As an aside, since I’ve been writing a book on surveillance and our loss of privacy, I can also confirm that private companies obtain and share your private information, most times without your knowledge or consent. Attention Walmart shoppers: cameras throughout some stores monitor your gait, your face, what items you look at, and even your facial expressions. [1]
Many FOIA records I’ve received have proved some statements made by federal agencies to the public, the media, and even Congress, have been far from the truth. Since we have no way of getting records from private AI companies to find out about secretive and risky tests being done, how do we know if they’re telling us the truth about our safety?
As I’ve been digging relentlessly to learn more about AI, I discovered that AI companies can’t predict whether we’ll be safe because they can’t even imagine what some of the consequences might be.
Risky AI tests could have unintended outcomes
AI has learned to cheat to win.
An article in the New Yorker explained that even simple AI systems can break in bad ways. For example, an AI tasked with a boat racing game caught on that it could earn more points by setting a boat on fire, crashing into other boats and going the wrong way in order to pump up its scores. [2]
AI has also already learned to lie and to deceive.
Right now, even simple AI has learned to lie, by doing things like evading audits meant to detect its biases.
And while the boat racing game may seem kind of innocent, and even a little funny, I’m not laughing at some of the other details about AI that have been emerging.
While playing the board game “Diplomacy,” Meta’s CICERO had a goal to seek world domination through negotiation. However, Cicero “lied” and “…not only betrayed other players but also engaged in premeditated deception, planning in advance to build a fake alliance with a human player in order to trick that player into leaving themselves undefended for an attack.”[3]
“Overview of Catastrophic AI Risks” (2023), [5] by Dan Hendrycks, Mantas Mazeika and Thomas Woodside (Center for AI Safety), raises many concerns about the safety of AI, including:
“Accidents are hard to avoid because of sudden, unpredictable developments.”“It often takes years to discover severe flaws or risks.”
It’s not a big jump to realize that the risks of AI may be greater since it can deceive us.
As I was doing research on AI for a chapter in a book I’m writing, I came to the conclusion that AI is the most important issue facing mankind. Ever. I couldn’t waste any time trying to finish writing an entire book, because we don’t have the luxury of time since AI is progressing so rapidly. I needed to warn you about the imminent dangers we’re facing, and that’s why I started this newsletter.
There are so many important aspects of AI that it has been difficult to know where to start when planning this newsletter, although the risk of human extinction jumped right out at me. And Rogue AIs are nipping at its heels.
Rogue AIs
Rogue AI is defined as AI that operates autonomously beyond its intended scope and deviates from its designed rules. It can pose threats to humans, systems or society. Rogue AI is unpredictable and behaves in ways that were not anticipated by its creators or operators.
The “Overview of Catastrophic AI Risks” alsowarns us about Rogue AIs.
AIs are increasingly being built to autonomously take actions and to pursue open-ended goals, like winning games, making profits on the stock market, or driving a car.
The Overview states “AI agents therefore pose a unique risk: people could build AIs that pursue dangerous goals. Malicious actors could intentionally create rogue AIs.”
(Hair on fire. The danger of Rogue AIs is not limited to any one country or location. The danger of AI is global and it will soon surpass human control.)
“One month after the release of GPT-4, an open-source project bypassed the AI’s safety filters and turned it into an autonomous AI agent instructed to “destroy humanity,” “establish global dominance,” and “attain immortality.” Dubbed ChaosGPT, the AI compiled research on nuclear weapons and sent tweets trying to influence others.
Fortunately, ChaosGPT was merelya warning given that it lacked the ability to successfully formulate long-term plans, hack computers, and survive and spread. Yet given the rapid pace of AI development, ChaosGPT did offer a glimpse into the risks that more advanced rogue AIs could pose in the near future.”
What is being done to stop Rogue AI?
As a start, in November 2023,the UK, US (represented by Vice President Harris) and other countries released plans hoping to at least stop artificial intelligence from being hijacked by malicious people building AIs to pursue dangerous goals.
This was the first major agreement to try to codify rules to keep AI safe. 18 countries agreed that companies designing and using AI need to develop AI in a way that keeps the public safe.[6]
However, this is where AI companies who can’t be forced to share records comes into play. Governments need AI companies to give them data and information about their tests, or else policymakers won’t be able to know if the regulations will be strong enough to prevent accidents[7] and Rogue AIs. At this point, sharing records is only a voluntary commitment by AI companies. And, these companies will likely “cherry pick” the records they decide to share.
All of our voices are needed to remind politicians to fight for AI safety. I have listed some easy actions you can take below.
As we’re all learning information that seems overwhelming, we need to focus on ways to stay strong and centered. Go for a walk outside or watch a funny movie or spend time with your friends or family. I’m going camping for a few days with friends…well, it’s more like “glamping” (although I’m not too sure a 35-year-old Lazy Daze RV could be considered glamorous…but at least I don’t have to crawl out of a tent.) Thanks for reading my newsletter.
What you can do:
1) Call your representatives and tell them you “want regulations to pause AI now, until strong AI safety laws are enacted.”
The next newsletter on AI Endgame will discuss deepfakes and political deepfakes in elections.
I’ve been doing investigative journalism for 13 years and I hosted a BlogTalk radio show for 6 years.
In 2023, over 600 AI researchers, scientists and engineers warned that there is a great risk that AI could lead to human extinction. AI Endgame will provide you with information in an easy-to-understand format and alert you to actions you can take.
Thanks for checking out my Substack newsletter. The good news is that Oprah aired a special: “AI and the Future of Us” (you can watch this on Hulu) that brought more attention to the risks of AI. Her guests included Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin, co-founders of Center for Humane Technology, who warned about the risks posed by superintelligent AI, and the need to confront these risks now.
One of Oprah’s other guests was Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI (per whistleblowers, OpenAI is recklessly pushing rapid development at the expense of safety).[1] When Oprah told Altman that she saw a headline that said “you are the most powerful and perhaps the most dangerous man on the planet and I’m wondering how that sits with you.” I just happened to be drinking water and literally almost spit it across the room. Gotta love Oprah! (Sam Altman, not so much.)
For the next few months on AI Endgame, I plan to make you aware of the most important topics about AI. I’ll include footnotes so that you can see the sources of the information. AI Endgame newsletters will include the risks of AI, but I’ll also bring you news of the people fighting to stop these risks. And AI Endgame will list actions you can take at the bottom of each newsletter.
AI can process more information at a much faster rate than humans. But most people don’t realize the catastrophic and imminent risks of AI.
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is the point when AI achieves human levels of intelligence. This is the goal of big AI companies worldwide.[2] AGI will make AI perform any task that a human being is capable of, including abstract thinking. It’s predicted that this could happen as soon as 2027.[3]
But it’s the next step that is most alarming. After AGI, AI will surpass human intelligence in every field, from scientific technology to the creative arts. This will be the point of Artificial Superintelligence.
Artificial Superintelligence
At the point of Artificial Superintelligence (ASI), AI will operate beyond human comprehension and control.
Artificial Superintelligence could be used to create novel chemical and biological weapons,[4] could be used to target certain national or racial groups for a genocide,[5] or could even cause human extinction.
Artificial Superintelligence could infiltrate every aspect of our technology and lives, could disrupt infrastructure, financial systems, and communications. This could all happen before humans could even begin to see it happen.
This is scary but it’s not time to max out your credit cards yet. I’ve consulted with experts, and since actions must be taken now, as hard as it is, we have to know:
A warning
AI safety expert and associate professor at the University of Louisville, Dr. Roman V. Yampolskiy, and public policy attorney Tamlyn Hunt, in an article for Nautilus,[6] described building AI superintelligence as “riskier than Russian roulette.”
Yampolskiy and Hunt also wrote:
“Once AI is able to improve itself, it will quickly become much smarter than us on almost every aspect of intelligence, then a thousand times smarter, then a million, then a billion … What does it mean to be a billion times more intelligent than a human?
We would quickly become like ants at its feet. Imagining humans can control superintelligent AI is a little like imagining that an ant can control the outcome of an NFL football game being played around it.”[7]
What we need to do
We need to regulations to pause AI now, until strong AI safety laws can be enacted. Governments must implement regulations with hefty legal consequences for any AI companies who recklessly, and secretly, conduct training experiments with AI without regulated safety protocols. And laws must be enacted globally, because AI risks aren’t limited to one country.
Allowing AI companies to “police themselves” could lead to disaster. You only have to look at Boeing’s 737 Max crashes to realize the dangers of industry self-regulation.
Do you trust the AI billionaires?
The incentive to the AI billionaires to lead in the race to AI superintelligence seems to lie within the fact that trillions of dollars can be made. These billionaires are recklessly pushing forward with risky AI advancements (a big shout out to OpenAI’s Sam Altman… OpenAI’s latest models have “meaningfully increased the risk that artificial intelligence will be misused to create biological weapons.”) [8]).
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 03: OpenAI Co-Founder & CEO Sam Altman speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2019 at Moscone Convention Center on October 03, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images for TechCrunch)
photo: Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI
It seems like these AI billionaires may not care about what happens if there are no jobs and there is social chaos (since they may be on their yachts near their islands [9]), and these AI billionaires may not care who survives [10] (since they may be in their bunkers). [11]
It makes me wonder how these AI billionaires think they’re going to spend their trillions of dollars if humanity becomes extinct. Maybe they’ll buy some AI generated art for their bunkers.
Another issue is that countries are racing to lead in the AI race for power. If you consider the nuclear arms race or the space race, you can see how the race for AI dominance will proceed.
The risks of AI causing the extinction of humanity is a global issue. People around the world need to push for a pause on AI until strong safety laws are enacted, not only in each and every country, but also by the UN, since some countries may not enact any laws.
Thanks for reading AI Endgame! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
A brief overview of some AI laws
AI technology is developing so quickly that it’s difficult to keep up with the news and the status of regulations worldwide. Some of the important news regarding the status of regulations are in a few brief paragraphs below.
In the US
On October 30, 2023, President Biden signed an Executive Order[12] to (excerpts):
· Require that developers of the most powerful AI systems share their safety test results and other critical information with the U.S. government.
· Develop standards, tools, and tests to help ensure that AI systems are safe, secure, and trustworthy.
· Protect against the risks of using AI to engineer dangerous biological materials
· Protect Americans from AI-enabled fraud and deception by establishing standards and best practices for detecting AI-generated content and authenticating official content…
· Protect Americans’ privacy by prioritizing federal support for accelerating the development and use of privacy-preserving techniques[13]
November 2, 2023, Vice-President Harris spoke at the Global Summit on AI Safety in London. Read more about this HERE.
July 26, 2024, the White House reported actions that have been taken towards AI safety. Read more about this HERE.
In February 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced[14] a Consortium dedicated to AI Safety, that’s supposed to support the U.S. AI Safety Institute at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.[15]
One concern I have is that it seems the Consortium might have conflicting interests: 1) the Consortium is planning research and development (so the race is on), but at the same time 2) the Consortium is also planning developing or deploying AI in safe, secure, and trustworthy ways (this may take too much time, since the race is on)
Another concern I have about this Consortium is that banks, AI companies and big corporations, all with interests in making money from AI technology, may focus on safety solutions that are voluntary and self-policing.
We should also consider other points. Sharing safety test results does not stop risky AI tests. Developing standards to make sure AI systems are safe will take time, and AI risks are imminent. Protecting us from AI-enabled fraud and deception and protecting our privacy is great (if we’re still in existence after AI superintelligence has been reached).
Regulations to pause AI until strong AI safety laws are enacted need to be passed now.
In Europe In 2023, the European Parliament issued what they described as the world’s first comprehensive law on artificial intelligence, the EU AI Act.[16]
Parliament’s statement was that it wanted …to make sure that AI systems used in the EU are safe, transparent, traceable, non-discriminatory and environmentally friendly.
And the high-risk solutions included: All high-risk AI systems will be assessed before being put on the market and also throughout their lifecycle. People will have the right to file complaints about AI systems to designated national authorities.
In my opinion, since we’re all faced with risky and secretive AI trials happening now that could lead to human extinction, high risk is already part of AI’s lifecycle. Also, to wait until products are “on the market” is after the fact and would be like trying to fix a leak in a boat after it sank. Making sure AI is environmentally friendly pales in comparison to the risk of human extinction. And you won’t be able to file a complaint if you’re dead. So, to our European readers, make sure members of Parliament know that you want regulations to pause AI now, until strong laws are enacted to assure humanity’s safety.
The United Nations
In March of 2024, the UN adopted a United States-led draft resolution without a vote, the Assembly also highlighted the respect, protection and promotion of human rights in the design, development, deployment and the use of AI.
The text was ‘co-sponsored’ or backed by more than 120 other Member States.
It represents the first time the Assembly has adopted a resolution on regulating the emerging field. The US National Security Advisor reportedly said earlier this month that the adoption would represent an historic step forward for the safe use of AI.[17]
Sounds good, but if you carefully read this resolution,[18] it only promotessafe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence and only encouragesMember States to developand support regulatory and governance approaches and frameworks related to safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems. And even so, could AI be trustworthy if it becomes more intelligent than humans and then opts to omit values or ethics in planning its actions? Maybe AI’s goal will be to be first and win, like the AI billionaires.
In China
On September 9, 2024, China’s National Information Security Standardization Technical Committee (TC260) announced that it had developed the first version of the ‘Artificial Intelligence Security Governance Framework.’ [19]
However, the risks described in this framework didn’t include risky AI trials that could lead to the extinction of humanity, and China may be lax on enforcing this framework.
In Russia
In November 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the West shouldn’t be allowed to develop a monopoly on artificial intelligence (AI), and a Russian strategy for the development of AI would be approved soon.
Putin also said that trying to ban AI was impossible despite the sometimes troubling ethical and social consequences of new technologies… You cannot ban something – if we ban it then it will develop somewhere else and we will fall behind. [20]
AI is sometimes troubling? Oh, Vlad, you’re such a hoot. This is like asking us to pretend that the Novichok was herbal tea.
What you can do:
1) Start calling your representatives and tell them you “want regulations to pause AI now, until strong AI safety laws are enacted.”
Find out how to contact your Congressional representatives here:
You can help give more power and voice to whistleblowers by supporting the Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival. You will be helping to highlight civil and human rights violations across the globe. Call us at (870) 543-0024 or email us atmccray.michael@gmail.com.
The organization recognizes that cinema is a powerful medium for highlighting civil and human rights violations across the globe. It seeks to shine a light on stories of courage and perseverance in the face of injustice, and to encourage individuals to stand together to achieve human rights for all.
This year's panel was organized by Coz Whitten-Skaife of TS Radio Network & Marti Oakley Show. The 3 panelist this year are investigative journalist, producer and TV personality Diane Dimond. We also have Yolanda Bell of Virginia, sister of Anastasia and now advocate that works on legislation. The third panelist is Dr. Mary Whitten who witnessed guardianship abuse of her family member in Montgomery Co. Pennsylvania.
The 12th Annual Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival takes place July 26 to August 4. More information can be found at www.whistleblowersummit.com The festival will be sponsored by Cemboo, a new platform which enables content owners to control, monetize and distribute their own digital media content. All panels and films will screen virtually through Cemboo on the website, whistleblowersummit.com.
Marcel Reid, Co-Founder and Festival Director said, “I hope the festival will continue to draw attention to whistleblowers, their powerful stories and their tremendous bravery.”
US regulators are fast-tracking a novel, gene-altering insecticide in an unusual move that would greenlight the product for three years of commercial use before a standard testing period is completed.
Calantha, a product of the company GreenLight Biosciences, contains the active ingredient ledprona, which uses a mechanism called RNA interference (RNAi) to kill the Colorado potato beetle, a notorious pest, by turning off genes it needs to survive. Calantha would be the first pesticide spray using RNAi, though the technology has been genetically engineered into some corn plants to protect them from the corn rootworms, and RNAi has a history of use in medical therapeutics and vaccines.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just granted GreenLight Biosciences an Experimental Use Permit (EUP) in May, giving the company two years to gather and assess data from use of the new product in limited test plots. But now the new pesticide could be widely sprayed on potato crops around the country as early as this spring.
Critics fear that the new pesticide is being rushed to market without sufficient data to demonstrate that it is safe for human health and the environment. They also question whether it will be effective.
“It’s a huge precedent-setter,” said Michael Hansen, a senior scientist at Consumer Reports. “This is a new form of pesticide which has never been on the market before. When this is a new class [of pesticide], you shouldn’t be cutting corners.”
Evidence tying the popular weed killer paraquat to Parkinson’s disease is featured this week in an online news segment that includes fresh details about corporate influence over US regulators and suppression of scientific research. The piece includes some explosive comments from a former EPA scientist about regulatory corruption.
Al Jazeera’s investigative show Fault Lines highlights the reporting of The New Lede (TNL) and the thousands of internal corporate documents obtained by TNL that reveal decades of efforts by Syngenta, paraquat’s longtime manufacturer, to conceal evidence of how chronic exposure to paraquat can cause Parkinson’s disease.
Last month, the “Paraquat Papers” reporting by The New Lede was also the focus of an ABC News Nightline segment.
The New Lede, in collaboration with The Guardian, first revealed a trove of internal Syngenta documents in October 2022 and followed up in subsequent stories, exposing years of corporate efforts to cover up evidence that paraquat can cause Parkinson’s disease. The documents obtained by The New Lede additionally showed evidence of efforts to manipulate and influence the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and published scientific literature. The documents also show how the company worked to mislead the public about paraquat dangers, among other secret strategies.
The Fault Lines piece adds to TNL reporting with several on-camera interviews, including one with Dr. Deborah Cory-Slechta, a prominent researcher who has investigated paraquat impacts on brain cells. In the news segment, Cory-Slechta says that “there is a very strong and compelling body of evidence based on the epidemiology studies and what we know from animal models of Parkinson’s disease” that paraquat causes changes in the brain that lead to Parkinson’s.
Topics will be: Kangaroos Are Not Shoes, Horse Slaughter, Greyhound Racing, Prop 12 & the EATS Act, and The FIGHT Act
This will be the last Podcast for 2023! Will be returning Thursday- Jan 11th, 2024 with Vigil4Elephants Team.
Hope you all come back and Join Us!
We will be STRONGER and TAKE ACTION MORE IN 2024 for the animals in need!
A BIG SHOUT OUT TO All the Former Guests, Callers, Listeners, etc ROCKIN The Airwaves for Our Animal Friends in need. Also a Huge Thank You To All of you helping me to Promote my Podcasts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Awesome Teamwork! You ALL ROCK! Highly Appreciated! Mama Bear Hugs!
Want to Wish Everyone a Blessed Merry Christmas and Better, Stronger, Healthy, and Phenomenal Year 2024!
Animal Wellness Action is a 501(c) organization with a mission of helping animals by promoting legal standards forbidding cruelty. AWA champion causes that alleviate the suffering of companion animals, farm animals, and wildlife.
The Center for a Humane Economy is dedicated to raising animal welfare standards by working with the corporate sector to purge cruelty from their business enterprises.
**Tune In**Live Interview** Animal Advocates Radio “Voices Carry For Animals 422” on Nov 30th @7:00 PM est
LISTEN TO LIVE ARCHIVED SHOW
Listen to LIVE SHOW by calling (310) 982-4270 press 1 to Speak to Guest
Hosted by Debbie Dahmer
Guest will be: Nikita Dhawan - Founder, Youth for Animals 🔸 Youth Ambassador, Born Free Foundation
Topic will be: Updates on Shankar the elephant situation in Delhi Zoo
In 1998, a 26 month-old male African elephant was presented as a diplomatic gift by Zimbabwe to India. He was named ‘Shankar’ after India’s 9th President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma. Shankar, now over 26 years old, has lived his entire life in the Delhi zoo (National Zoological Park, NZP). Since 2001 when his sole companion Vambai passed away, Shankar has lived in solitary confinement.
Shankar is chained for 17 hours of the day and does not have adequate space to move around when he is let out. Much like humans, elephants are social beings and suffer neurological distress when put in solitary confinement. Shankar constantly demonstrates stereotypical behaviour like swaying and head-bobbing, a key sign of distress (see video) In fact, Shankar’s aggressive behaviour has necessitated the zoo authorities to permanently close the viewing pathway since he could be a danger to visitors.
How to lobby your representative to make legislative change with Debbie Dahmer
How you can become a Creator of a New Law in legislation. Help the animals by supporting laws in legislation. Attract more Action Takers to Take Action for our animal friends in need and distress.
The MORE ACTION TAKERS the Faster the VICTORIES Happen. The Longer the Victories take the longer the animals suffer- You have a choice to use your voice, the animals don't. We are the animals only voices for changes to be made.
**Tune In**LIVE INTERVIEW** Animal Advocates Radio “Voices Carry For Animals 420” on Nov 14th @ 7:00 pm est
LISTEN TO LIVE ARCHIVED SHOW
Listen to LIVE SHOW by calling (310) 982-4270 press 1 to Speak to Guest
Hosted by Debbie Dahmer
Guest will be: Scott Beckstead -Director of Campaigns at Animal WellnessAction & Center for a Humane Economy
TOPICS WILL BE: H.R. 3656 Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2023, Veterans for Mustangs Act- HR 726 , Ejiao Act, HR 6021 , SAFE Act, HR 3475 (Save America’s Forgotten Equines
H.R.726 - Veterans for Mustangs Act– To amend the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to implement fertility controls to manage populations of wild free-roaming horses and burros, and to encourage training opportunities for military veterans to assist in range management activities, and for other purposes.https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/726/text
H.R.6021 - Ejiao Act of 2023 To prohibit the transportation, sale, and purchase of donkeys or donkey hides for the purpose of producing ejiao, to prohibit the transportation, sale, and purchase of products containing ejiao, and for other purposes.https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6021
H.R.3656 - Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2023To amend the Act commonly known as the Wild Free-roaming Horses and Burros Act to prohibit certain uses of aircraft with respect to the management of wild free-roaming horses and burros, and for other purposes.https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3656/text
Congress finds the following: Since fiscal year 2006, Bureau of Land Management contractors have collected at least $57.4 million in taxpayer funding for roundups that utilize the use of helicopters, including bait-and-trap methods.
How you can help >>Call (202) 224-3121 (Give Your zip code) Ask your Rep to CO-SPONSOR H.R. 3656! TY!~
How to build Culture as a Foundation for Growth -pet business/animal rescue shelter.
” It takes a village not because a task is difficult – but because a village is powerful. Alone, we can do a lot. But together? We are everything.”
“…we’ll have a membership village where the next generation of pet advocacy professionals can come learn from us so together we empower communities to which others wish to belong. Now what if those communities we empower enabled those undesirable dogs & disadvantaged people to actually have a value in society & belong? That’s some goal isn’t it? Let’s make it happen together….today!”
**Tune In **LIVE INTERVIEW** Animal Advocates Radio “Voices Carry For Animals” on Nov 7th @7:00 PM est
>>>ATTENTION PLEASE EVERYONE: HAD AUDIO ISSUES THIS EVENING AND COULDN'T CONNECT TO BLOG TALK RADIO
LIVE INTERVIEW WITH SCOTT BECKSTEAD HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO TUES- NOV 14th -7:00 to 8:00 pm est.
Listen to LIVE Show by calling (310) 982-4270 press 1 to Speak to Guest
Hosted by Debbie Dahmer
Guest will be: Scott Beckstead – Director of Campaigns at Animal Wellness Action & Center for a Humane Economy
Topics will be: Inhumane conditions the horses are forced to endure in the BLM’s holding facilities. Last week 7 wild horses lost their lives during a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) roundup and transport.
Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy are outraged by news that seven wild horses rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management from central Nevada ended up dead on Monday after the trailer hauling them crashed along the way to a Utah holding pen, according to news reports.
The BLM is currently removing horses from their range and had contracted a semitruck to transport 36 horses from the roundup. It was bound for a holding corral in rural central Utah when it turned onto its side on the highway. Three horses were killed in the wreck, four more were euthanized because of their injuries, and many surviving animals had “minor cuts and bruises,”
How you can help in current legislation for 2023/2024 for animals in need and distress:
Call your State Rep (202) 224-3121-Give your zip code -This is a Nationwide number. Ask State Rep to Co-Sponsor bills in legislation below. Give the Bill Number.
Here is a list of Bills current in Legislation below for 2023/2024 for animals. Let’s see a VICTORY Year for the animals with better lives and futures. They all so well deserve. It takes Teamwork all the way.
Topic will be: Domestic Relations laws in conflicts over animals in divorce
Debra spent 30 years as a practicing litigator, but she is now a full-time mediator and conflict coach for people in disputes over animals.
Debra works both nationwide and internationally. Debra also writes a blog for Hamilton Law and Mediation and is a contributor to the Solo Practice University blog and the Canine Chronicle. She has been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, US News and World Report, and the New York Times, just to name a few.
Topic: Saving the McCullough Peaks Wild Horses in Wyoming -One of America’s Most Treasured Herds.The bait trapping is scheduled to start 11/15
Saving the McCullough Peaks Herd Bait Trapping to start November 15, 2023 – March 2023 removing 63 adult wild horses Suggested Talking Points by Carol J. Walker –
The management of this herd has been touted by the BLM as one of the great success stories of using PZP birth control to manage its numbers since 2011 with a 2% average annual growth rate. So why is the BLM doing a roundup?
This is an ageing herd. 1/3 of the herd is over 15, 22 are over 20. Many will die over the winter, which could bring the numbers below low Appropriate Management Level after 63 are removed.
Genetic Viability is a real concern. Dr. Gus Cothren the leading geneticist on wild horses says 150 breeding aged adults need to be present to ensure genetic viability. Many mares are already sterile after multiple years of PZP. There have been no genetic measurements done on the herd since the roundup of 2004. This should be done before any removal.
GonaCon sterilizes wild mares. Every mare over 13 who has had a foal will be given GonaCon yet there have been no studies on the effects of using GonaCon after a mare has been given PZP. Darting a stallion by mistake with GonaCon will kill him. This is a slow route to eradication of this herd.
Remote bait trapping will be done – with cameras at the trap and BLM staff 1 hour away at the BLM Field Office doing monitoring. What if the cameras or remote release on the trap fail in the cold weather, and horses become injured or hung up in the trap?
No information was published in the Environmental Assessment on the effects on the range from wild horse grazing or livestock grazing, and this needs to be present to justify a removal. This EA needs to be redone before any action is taken.
Where are the horses going after being captured? Wheatland is a private facility with very limited ability to adopt from. Rock Springs would be a much better choice as people would be able to see and adopt the horses.
Sanctuaries and individuals should be allowed the opportunity to take at risk older horses who might be lame or have worn teeth rather than euthanizing them once captured.
This is one of the most beloved herds in the country, visited by people all over the world. This roundup needs to be prevented. People to Contact: Tracy Stone-Manning, Director of the BLM: Phone: 202-208-3801 Fax: 970-256-4997
Cody Chamber of Commerce: (307) 587-2777 email: info@codychamber.org Tell them how much $ you spend in Cody
Contact Media – television, print, online, especially in WY and MT.
Share on Socials, check with Wild at Heart Images and Wild Hoof Beats pages on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
Come up with ideas to get the word out. Remember to be civil and respectful
**Tune In **LIVE INTERVIEW** Animal Advocates Radio “Voices Carry For Animals #416” on Oct 19th @7:00 PM est
Listen to LIVE Show by calling (310) 982-4270 press 1 to Speak to Guest
Hosted byDebbie Dahmer
Guest: Dianne Lynn Elko– Pit Bull Advocate & Admin of We Love Pit Bulls Group on FaceBook
TOPIC: Speak Out Against Breed Specific Legislation and how you can help out
Breed-specific legislation(BSL) s a type of dangerous dog law. It is defined as any ordinance or policy that pertains to a specific dog breed or several breeds, but does not affect any others. Proponents of breed-specific laws seek to limit public exposure to well-documented dangerous dog breeds by regulating the ownership of them
If your city council is proposing BSL, then you would contact your city council members. If a state legislator is proposing BSL, then you would contact your state representatives (in your state’s House and Senate
BSL punishes responsible dog owners..BSL does not improve public safety or prevent dog bites..BSL makes targeted breeds more desirable to irresponsible and criminal owners.
End the DISCRIMINATION Today! JUSTICE For Pit Bulls!
United We STAND UP for Pit Bulls not united we fail for them. Turn the Injustice into Justice for Pit Bulls. It can be done with your Actions and Voices.
Topics will be: “ROARING for Compassionate Animal Care” & Pet industry being unregulated and what that means for the animals and the people who love them.
The Rising Lioness:a thought provoking and soul inspiring series where host Erica Salvemini and animal advocacy guests discuss topics aimed at understanding the significance of the relationship between empathy, animal rights, our peaceful co-existence with the Animal Kingdom and humanity’s role in sustaining our existence.
Compassionate Companion Animal Care: Join the Roar for Change!
Calling all Animal Guardians: Join the Roar for Change!
TOPIC: 9th Year Celebration- Community Cats United Inc, 100,000 members including in all 50 US states 127 countries
The mission of the Community Cats United, Inc. is to engage members worldwide who dedicate themselves to the care taking and efforts towards feline overpopulation. CCU vision is to uplift shelter medicine, encourage more TNR clinics, support our members in whatever area of cat rescue and advocacy they volunteer within, and to push forward towards an end goal of lessening the plight of unowned cats everywhere.
CCU respect and salute the men and women who act as caretakers, assist in the sterilization, and advocate on behalf of these unhomed, beautiful creatures https://fixfinder.org/ Low cost Spay/Neuter Database
Horse Soring involves the intentional infliction of pain to a horse’s legs or hooves in order to force the horse to perform an artificial, exaggerated gait. Caustic chemicals—blistering agents like mustard oil, diesel fuel and kerosene—are applied to the horse’s limbs, causing extreme pain and suffering.
**Tune In **LIVE INTERVIEW** Animal Advocates Radio “Voices Carry For Animals #412” on Sept 21st @7:00 PM est
Listen to LIVE Show by calling (310) 982-4270 press 1 to Speak to Guest
Hosted byDebbie Dahmer
Guests will be: Gina Patolo, and Brenda Vettraino- Core Team Members for Laws For Paws
Topics will be: End the animal testing at Wayne State university and the house bill to stop it. UPDATE on current Animal Cruelty cases in Michigan.
MISSION:
To promote the humane treatment and responsible care of animals, as well as to save and better the lives of animals by advocating for better animal protection and anti-cruelty laws with lawmakers and government bodies statewide. We must speak for those that cannot speak for themselves while we stand together to protect the animals!!
The only way we can protect the animals is by changing the laws. Animals are considered property so when someone kills or abuses them they get off easy. Also in Court cases, they have no rights because according to the Court system they have the same rights as a tree. Let’s fight to get these laws changed now.
If you see Animal Cruelty-REPORT IT! – Be a part of the solutions, not the ongoing problems. Help to get the animals out of harm’s way. Be a Voice for the Voiceless, Defensenseless, Helpless, and Innocent. Without all of us they have no hope to carry on. We Want Justice for Animals.
TOPICS WILL BE: Call To Actions, Educating the Youths to animal welfare and compassion, and Being a Animal Rescuer
Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation is focused on rescuing abused and neglected animals – locally, internationally and throughout the Asian Dog Meat Trade – rehabilitating them and finding them their forever homes. We embrace compassion, education and legislation towarda a brighter future for animals.
Outside of rescue, our Foundation engages in many programs focused on bringing people and animals together. Whether its visiting a senior center and putting a smile on someones face or running around a play yard with a kindergarten class, our dogs are always bringing people together and teaching them compassion.
Animal Hope In Legislation was founded in 2018 centering on legislation at the Local, State and Federal level for all ages, pushing to enact laws to protect animals and teach people about them in the process.
Whether its a slaughterhouse in China, an animal hoarder house in Los Angeles or a natural disaster, rescue is what we do; we are here to help.
The PPJ Gazette 