We, all of us, are animal lovers. We do not believe animal torture is considered free speech. We believe that if someone records, or is recorded, torturing animals that it should be used at their trial for animal cruelty, not protected because of free speech. Animal research or feeding other animals, such as snake, is not the same as setting a kitten on fire, or torturing a small animal because someone does not value it's life.

We value all life, human and animal and we believe that not only do the animals being video taped being tortured is not only cruel and should not be protected by free speech and freedom of the press, but should be prosecuted and encure jail time. We come from all walks of life, we come from many belief systems and, no, the majority of us are not vegetarians and we do eat meat. We understand and recognize that animals must die, as this is the natural order of things. However, when an animal is torture for human amusement, some, if not all of us believe the punishment should fit the crime. While we understand that we are not trying to get heavier fines or penalties for those who have chosen to needlessly torture an animal, again, this is not for research or for the feeding of another animal, but for human amusement, we do feel that it should not be protected either.

Free Speech is this petition, it is the right to say that I think so and so is wrong, or to say they are a bad person, but it is not the senseless torture of animals. Whether we are referring to rats, dogs, cats, or reptiles, they are all living creatures and all deserve to be treated with respect. Animals teach us, they comfort us, they enrich our lives, they can entertain us, but not at the expense that is at the heart of this issue. We ask, again, that not only are the torture of animals for human amusement not protected by free speech or Freedom of the Press, but those videos be used to prosecute and convict those who have chosen to torture animals for their own amusement.