It is much the same with horses, whales, and dolphins - or any other privileged species ...

It is much the same with horses, whales, and dolphins - or any other "privileged species." However, that privilege reveals the strength of cultural norms while, at the same time, simply speaks of different use traditions.

Some cultures use dogs as companion animals, hunters, racers, family members, living ornaments, items for "show" - but they are not generally used as food. Other cultures see dogs as "livestock."  ~  Dr. Roger Yates  

I subscribe to Vegan Society co-founder, Donald Watson's notion that ...

I subscribe to Vegan Society co-founder Donald Watson’s notion that people have to be “ripened” to new ideas – just as they had to be “ripened” to the new idea of veganism. I therefore believe that people are quite capable to taking on board the idea that nonhuman animals are rightholders. The fact that people may be rather befuddled by the terms “animals rights” and “animal rights violations” merely suggests to me that we have not used that language nearly enough, and we are failing in our “ripening” duties.  ~  Dr. Roger Yates  

Maybe in the future political campaigning may be productive, but ...

Maybe in the future political campaigning may be productive but that time is way off as yet – politicians are followers, not leaders, animal abuse will have to be much weaker, and politicians much less connected with animal exploitation before we can influence parliament. ~ Dr. Roger Yates

There is no better thing ~ EVER ~ than getting someone to live as a vegan ...

There is no better thing ~EVER~ than getting someone to live as a vegan for animal rights reasons because vegans fight animal persecution 24/7. They don’t eat animals or drink their juices or watch them perform or buy them as pets. If we are looking to do something NOW, what better than to talk to people about veganism for the animals’ sake? ~ Dr. Roger Yates

Being vegan now is a piece of cake ... but ...

Being vegan now is a piece of cake ... but I think there are factors that can still make the idea rather daunting for some individuals. These may be related to peer group pressure, social class, family relations, geographical location, and so on. I guess existing vegans need to be sensitive to such issues and I think it is a mistake for those who went vegan easily to simply assume that everyone can have the same trouble-free experience. ~ Dr. Roger Yates

The fact that people may be rather befuddled by the terms "animal rights" and ...

The fact that people may be rather befuddled by the terms “animals rights” and “animal rights violations” merely suggests to me that we have not used that language nearly enough, and we are failing in our “ripening” duties. ~ Dr. Roger Yates

For those people who do not believe in a rights-based approach ...

For those people who do not believe in a rights-based approach informed by animal rights theory, I respectfully suggest that they not use the term “animal rights” which is best used by people who actually believe that animals have rights. ~ Dr. Roger Yates.