Page 38 - Effable Encounters

Power to the Creatures!

whole basis of that movement was called into question by its
intended beneficiaries. As articulate adults, many of the more
thoughtful spokesfauna concluded that they wanted rights beyond
those accorded to human children, to wards of the state, to slaves or
pets. Their premature statements alarmed many in the power
structure, and public sympathy for the cause declined. Conservative
religious groups, clinging to a humans-only theology, were quick to
assign a diabolical origin to the demands for political rights. Those
responsible for the shameful destruction of public education were
afraid their competence would come under discomfiting scrutiny if
the highest levels of animal intelligence and academic competence
were acknowledged to be above those of the lowest human levels.”
“So they should have kept quiet, biding their time? Is that what
you’re saying?” Ingrid asked, her face devoid of mockery.
“Yes, he is,” said Bert. “I know he’s in charge, and we have to fall
in line, but I think it’s damned revisionism. A lot of people were
disillusioned when those visionaries were silenced. Those of us who
supported that definitive position, including me, saw it as the moral
high ground the animal rights movement should be occupying. I have
since come around to a grudging acceptance of Karl’s strategy: work
from the inside, take over the organizations legally and then promote
our agenda. But if it doesn’t work, I know a lot of animals who will
not take it lying down. There could be blood in the streets.”
“Oh, that would be terrible!” Ingrid showed emotion for the first
time. Karl realized her compassion could prove a weakness in the
long run, but it had its uses.
“Exactly,” he said soothingly. A true revolutionary leader had to be
a charismatic salesman, and Karl was close to having Ingrid under his
spell. He sensed she was not an infiltrator, and that her loyalty would
not waver before she had carried out her mission.
“Now, listen.” Karl fixed them all in his unblinking gaze, one at a
time. “Bert and I are known activists. Any nomination we make from
the floor would arouse the suspicions of the reactionaries. That is
why you, Ingrid, will propose that Alison be added to the new
advisory board. Don’t worry about a second. We will have several
supporters planted around the hall ready to be heard above any
objections. Bert and I will immediately make a statement to the press
that we are against Alison, that she is soft on the substantive issues of

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