Tonya Kay is an actress, TV personality, professional dancer and danger artist living in Los Angeles. A vegetarian of 28 years, vegan for 18 of those and raw vegan for the last 11, Tonya Kay pioneers the green health movement with appearances, publications and green media (available at 
| Circus Elephants, Part 2: Cole Bros. Circus |
| Tuesday, 04 October 2011 00:00 | Written by Tonya Kay | Blog Entry |
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The Story Changed Here's what they themselves "said" in typing (all dates are from 2009; the italics type is my emphasis; the words in brackets are there to protect the identity of the Unnamed Journalist): The Email Trail Renee Storey, Vice President of Administration of the Cole Bros. Circus, 8/19: "As always, we welcome people who have interest in animal welfare and a sincere desire to learn more about the training methods and animal husbandry practices of circus animal caretakers ... Unfortunately, the people who forward complaints about circus animals are those who base their opinions on what they have read on the internet, as published by organizations such as PETA that embrace a very radical agenda, one more concerned with success—by any means—than with truth. We invite people opposed to use of animals to visit our animal compounds and speak with our trainers. As you know, the complainers prefer to adhere to their preconceived notions, lest discovery of the facts disappoint them." Georgia's Unnamed Newspaper publishes Unnamed Journalist's article about circuses, the focus of which is positive alternatives to circuses. Neither specific circus conditions nor specific circus names are mentioned in the article. After Publication Invitation Accepted Dan Baltulonis, 9/13: "[Unnamed Journalist], I appreciate you taking me up on my offer. For the policy info & "legal" issues I will have to set up an interview with our VP of Administration, Renee Storey. She has all of the updated facts & information. I will send your e-mail to Renee Storey." Unnamed Journalist, 9/13: "... thanks for doing all of this on a Sunday. Nothing would please me more than to write a shining review for your circus. Let’s start with the performing animals' health records. I’d like to review those in the meantime." Dan Baltulonis, 9/13: forwards Cole Bros. Circus Animal Care Policy. Invitation Revoked And thus a third interview with Cole Bros. Circus personnel is offered then retracted. What My Story Has Become How awkward that Renee Storey, Vice President of Administration of the Cole Bros. Circus describes her and Cole Bros. staff actions perfectly in her insults aimed at those "opposed to the use of animals (in circuses)." How interesting that Craig Snedikel, Fire Marshal of the Township of North Brunswick, felt comfortable enough with Cole Bros. Circus staff to reveal that he was seeking information to "shut these people up." Who are “these people”? His community members? Is he seeking ways to shut his community up? Anyone reading this should be insulted—whether they are opposed to animals in circuses or not. I tried to write a story presenting opposing viewpoints on the use of elephants in circuses. Instead I wrote an article on transparency evasion and social pacification. As a writer, I'm not evaded. As a human, I'm not pacified. Rather, a frustrating revelation like this enlivens me to action. I have the resources at my fingertips to discover truths that mainstream newspapers won't publish. I am empowered by my inner voice that knows how to cut through the shit and read the perspective of the journalist rather than the words. I am inspired by other writers, reporters, bloggers and tweeters who use their pens and keyboards as tools to express the unpublished point of view in this new age. Let’s get these articles to the people who need to read them. This is our time to stand up and forever change the stories we tell. Go to Circus Elephants, Part 1: Seeing With Newly Informed Eyes Help the Earth, Spread the Word: Share this article with family and friends by clicking on the "Email This" or "Share This" links below right. Additional resources: [Sign up to be notified each time Tonya publishes a new Clean and Green Everyday blog entry on EcoHearth.– Ed.] [See a complete list of writing by Tonya Kay on EcoHearth.com or visit her Clean and Green Everyday blog. – Ed.]
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Written by Frank William S. , October 15, 2011
Thanks so much Tonya for writing this article. I am also shocked that Cole Bros. couldn't set up an interview with you and Unnamed Journalist. Thanks for sharing these e-mails.
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Written by Tonya Kay , October 05, 2011
Don, thank you. I donate to the Performing Animal Welfare Society http://pawsweb.org and have attended two of their Visit The Elephants days as well as their Annual Anniversary Gala one year - amazing organization/sanctuary really doing the outreach work!
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I agree totally, GJohnson, that if we are cold in our hearts enough to cause another life form to suffer, it is that same cold space that allows the infliction of suffering on children and other victims of violence in human culture. Personally, I see a direct correlation between my value of the preciousness of life and my desire to support all forms of life. Do I not value myself or my own life if I use violence towards another? I venture a yes. Cmyers, isn't that a shame? Why must people be dismissed as "PETA" activists for being concerned about acid being poured on the elephants we are watching in the circus? Any human being with feelings, education and consciousness would be concerned and more so, outraged. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Cole Bros Circus. Suzanne, you will see in the first paragraph that Unnamed Journalist is the writer I teamed up with, whom would prefer to keep their identity secret. Since we worked together for a duration, I will respect that. You can use my name as the author of this article, however.
Written by cmyers , October 05, 2011
"Craig J. Snedikel, Fire Marshal of the Township of North Brunswick, New Jersey, 8/19; "We are getting more than normal amounts of calls from humane society members ... in regards to the way the elephants are treated ... Can you provide information ... to shut these people up."
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Sounds like Mr. Snedikel needs to hear from a few more "of us." This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Written by Suzanne Carlson , October 05, 2011
Thank you for this thought-provoking and extremely telling piece about the Cole Bros. Circus. Can you clarify what you mean by "unnamed journalist"? The article reads as if you were the person trying to get the information, so why insert this puzzling deletion? Love the article, just don't quite understand if you were corresponding with the circus or someone else that you worked with. Thanks!
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Written by cmyers , October 05, 2011
I am not a reporter nor was I seeking an interview with John Walker lll who is Cole Bros head elephant handler, but I did approach him when Cole Bros Circus was passing through the Gulf Coast States. We had a 10 minute animated conversation. I caught him off guard when I showed him a picture of Delhi the elephant he poured formaldehyde on her infected from feet and reminded him of his past USDA charges and fines.
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Like you, I was accused of being a member of PETA and getting all of my misinformation from them and the Internet. I am not a member of PETA but I have read Cole Bros USDA reports, violations and court documents. The most revealing was the elephants downcast eyes, mouth gaped open, heads hung down, swaying and the look of hopelessness on the elephant’s faces.
Written by GJohnson , October 04, 2011
Awesome aricle! The underlying problem is that the circus industry is a dominator-culture. The world is now saying no to all forms of autocratic rule. Animal abuse is just one type of abuse. Dr. Frank Ascione just received a $1.5 million grant from the fed’l govt to further his research on the connections between animal cruelty and human abuse/violence. All forms of abuse destroy, not only individuals, but our social fabric. More research here: http://violacb.webs.com/ & http://tiny.cc/a-triad
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