The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » elephant

Fall’s Positive

joshuakatcher — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:53:43 +0000

• I like this organic cotton crewneck sweater from EDUN. $258 EDUN is a contemporary lifestyle brand founded by Bono and Ali Hewson with the mission to encourage trade in Africa and build awareness of what is possible there.

• Portland General Store's grooming products are worth more than a few bucks. From rhassoul mud cleansing balls and whiskey and tobacco aftershave to smelling salts and plant-based fragrances - their vegan range is suitable for any rugged gent. *Not all their products are vegan, please read the labels. All listed below are vegan:

• We're not kids anymore. The truth behind forcing animals to perform in the circus is as sickening as it is silly. We know that an elephant is a huge, intelligent, emotional animal whose needs and desires far exceed what an abusive and confining life behind bars and balancing on balls can provide. Our pal Gary Smith takes a stab at the most horrible show on earth, Ringling Bros in his new article. Check it out why circus' using animals are indefensible. • Black & Noir's offers this 100% organic cotton twill jacket in gray, made in Canada. $412

Crayola Terrorism, Vick Fights Eagles, and SolarRolls

TheDiscerningBrute — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:57:20 +0000

• Michael Vick will now fight with Eagles instead of dogs. After doing jail-time and anti-dogfighting campaigns with the HSUS and PETA, Vick has returned to the NFL and joins the Philadelphia Eagles. Will the Eagles be able to dodge the press about this, and furthermore, was it a wise decision when they already have an amazing QB Donovan McNabb, and considering Vick won't be allowed to play for another seven months? What do you think? • Speaking of Fighting Eagles, get this organic Loomstate tee at 25% off! For Kaight's third anniversary, enjoy 25% off all purchases through Aug. 31. Online customers use coupon code "three" to redeem at www.kaightshop.com. • Raise your hand if you think Crayola supports "terrorism". Today, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), Civil Liberties Defense Center (CLDC) and civil rights attorneys will make oral arguments before the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California that the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) is unconstitutional. The AETA is being used for the first time since its passage by Congress in 2006 to do exactly what civil rights advocates feared it would do - criminalize activities protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution - activities like writing slogans in chalk on the sidewalk. How can you help? Join CCR in protecting our basic constitutional rights by writing a letter to the editor of your local paper about the AETA. . • SolarRolls are not eco-friendly sushi. Meet the first flexible solar panel. Waterproof and durable, this gadget gives you portable electricity anywhere there's sun. You can charge your car battery, run a video camera, or use it to power cell phones. The possibilities are endless. Starting at $295 . . . • An elephant known as Jewel, who IDA has been working to rescue for over two years, was attempted to be confiscated from her abuser by the USDA. Her abusive handler, Will Davenport - who has a history of abusing animals and violating the endangered species act in the illegal purchase of elephants Tina and Jewel from the Cole Brothers Circus. Read the whole article.

Fresh Friday Finds

TheDiscerningBrute — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:06:34 +0000

1. Mrs. Palin is not the only one going on a shopping spree. According to the Caucus (NYT Blog), in addition to Sarah Palin's $150,000 shopping spree, "Consider also the $4,902.45 charge at Atelier New York, a high-end men’s store, presumably for Ms. Palin’s husband, Todd, the famous First Dude." 2. Rickshaw ZERO This 'Zero Waste Messenger Bag' is manufactured to produce absolutely no waste. It's nylon design also makes it 100% recyclable. For a mere $50, if you need a good bag, this one's got your name on it. Mark Dwight, Rickshaw founder and CEO, explains "We took a three-pronged approach to this design – eliminate manufacturing waste, minimize the supply chain footprint, and make the bag from a single material." Dwight is a student of William McDonough's Cradle-To-Cradle sustainable manufacturing philosophy, and wanted to create a mono-polymer product – in this case a "pure-play in nylon". "This entire bag can go right into the shredder for recycling into carpet or some other nylon regrind product," explained Dwight. 3. Timberland's "Earthkeepers" Shoeline Still Stuck in the Leather-Trap. Is it possible to have 'eco-leather'? Not so much. It is possible for leather to be made with less toxic chemicals, but that does absolutely nothing to counter what the top United Nations climatologists have deemed the #1 cause of global warming: animal agriculture AKA meat & dairy production. Combine that with problems of land degradation, climate change and air pollution, water shortage and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity from raising cattle. With leather being "the most economically important byproduct" of the meatpacking industry, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report, you can't have leather without the rest of the whole mess. Timberland's use of recycled materials, and organic canvass is a big boot-step in the right direction, but they've got to lose the leather! Check out their uber greenwashed site here: Earthkeepers. For more on leather check out THIS. 4. Vegan DHA Finally! A completely vegetarian softgel, fish-free source of DHA! DHA is an important brain nutrient and, with diet and exercise, has been found to support a healthy heart. Low levels of DHA result in reduction of brain serotonin levels and have been associated with ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, and depression, among other diseases, and there is mounting evidence that DHA supplementation may be effective in combating such diseases. Get it at your local health food store! 5. Suki Toner! There's no shame in a man getting that supple glow. Suki's concentrated balancing toner is made with white willow salicins, vitamin C, and polypeptides, and it's my new favorite product. It's great for after shaving, or for sensitive, dry, or acne-prone skin. 100% vegan, not tested on animals, and organic. . . 6. Juicy Couture Pledges to go Fur-Free! Click HERE to thank them.The company has pledged to PETA that they will no longer sell fur, starting in 2009. Also, get involved in Fur-Free-Friday this year! 7. Halloween Candy! Cosmos' Vegan Shoppe has a nice selection of vegan Halloween Candy including chocolates, gummies, almond and peanut butter cups, and candy drops. There' still time to order for the 31st, but hurry up! 8. Greener Printer I just had my new business cards printed at a wind-powered facility that uses vegetable-based inks and recycled paper. Why settle for anything less? Next time you have a print project, check out GREENER PRINTER.

9. EBAY Bans Ivory Sales

eBay has just announced that it will be instituting a global ban on the sale of elephant ivory products. eBay’s decision was announced just hours before the release of IFAW’s latest investigative report showing Internet trade in wildlife poses a significant and immediate threat to the survival of elephants and many other endangered species. Thank eBay for Banning All Trade in Ivory

10. Tomorrow starts 'Wold Go Vegan Days'.