 5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe. Editor's Note: Matthew Prescott is food policy director for The Humane Society of the United States. As food policy director for The Humane Society of the United States, I have the privilege of working with people all over the country taking steps to help farm animals every day. Fortunately for the animals, one needn’t be a full time advocate to help make things better for pigs, chickens, cows and other farm animals. Here are five small ways to make a big impact toward building a more humane food system. Five Easy Things You (Yes, You!) Can Do To Help Farm Animals: Matthew Prescott If each American simply chose to go meat-free just one day a week, more than a billion fewer chickens, pigs and other farm animals would be caught up in the factory farming system each year. The Humane Society of the United States advocates an approach of reducing the amount of animal products in your diet, replacing animal products with plant-based options and refining your choices by being a conscious consumer and seeking products with a higher welfare standard. As more people de-emphasize meat in their diet, it’s no surprise to see Meatless Monday programs taking root in households, schools, hospitals and restaurants. Meatless Mondays , a popular international movement that promoted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, offers a great opportunity to celebrate a fresh take on eating in a way that people can feel good about. 2. Ask your legislators to support farm animal welfare reforms Right now, there are bills pending in Congress (H.R. 3798 and S. 3239) that would offer some protection to hundreds of millions of egg-laying hens. Amazingly, in an all-too-rare case of adversaries finding common ground, most animal protection groups and most egg producers jointly support the legislation. But other factory farming industries - like the industrial pork and beef industry - have voiced opposition. 3. Support the movement to let pigs turn around Fortunately, major food companies that purchase vast quantities of pork are taking a stand against this abuse. Since February, The HSUS has helped leading food companies announce policies that will require their pork suppliers to give pigs some freedom of movement and socialization. Taking this stance are some heavyweights in the food industry, including McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Kroger, Safeway, Denny’s, Sodexo, Oscar Mayer, Kraft Foods, Sonic, Cracker Barrel, Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s and Baja Fresh. Despite all of this, there are some major pork producers that refuse to budge, and continue defending lifelong immobilization. You can help pigs today by using resources on our site to take action and let your voice be heard. 4. Encourage food businesses to switch to more humane products Next time you are at your favorite restaurant, ask if the pork comes from factory farms that confine pigs in gestation crates, and if they do, explain why this concerns you. If they don’t have a veggie burger, ask why not. Every time you ask these questions, it plants a seed that can grow into significant change. 5. Get social! Let your online friends know you care Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down. |
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I will be enjoying meatful monday's, thank you very much.
The author failed to mention supporting small farmers who take good care of their animals by buying meat at farmers' markets or directly from the producers.
It cracks me up how people get so mad about any article that suggest they be less lazy. These are modest suggestions on how to slightly improve the lives of the creature we use for food, not animal liberation proclamations. The author does not even take a stance on whether animals should be used for food or not. People get upset about animal welfare issues for the same reason they get upset about environmental issues or about ones concerning products made in sweatshops: because if they agreed there was a problem that would mean they were inclined to actually DO something, or heaven forbid CHANGE something about their life. Oh, the unspeakable horror. Of course its easier be hyper-sensitive, angry, and ignorant...that way you can go on buying your Nikes made by 4-year-olds, eating your meat from confined animals, and filling landfills with your recyclables. Problem solved.
You said it, Alyssa, thank you.
Well said Alyssa.
Brilliantly put Alyssa, and right on target.
Agreed. People choose lazy and ignorant. Things need to change and we need to get off our butts and do something.
I like what you said Alyssa. Couldn't have said it better ;)
Why should we be taking food advice from an organization who seeks to abolish the entire animal agriculture industry? Go meat! :)
What proof do you have of that? He's not even talking about abolishing the industry, just enjoying a meatless Monday. Good heavens.
Do your research on HSUS. They're taking small steps. The end of animal agriculture in America is their ultimate goal.
I am well-versed in their work and their philosophy. You would do well to consider your research sources, many of which are facades for agri-business interests.
I am a meat eater. Who cares if it means these animals suffer less and can lead more fulfilling lives then let them try. There is no way America will stop eating meat but animal welfare is a huge issue and anyone who has a heart will agree.
Sad that one story about making the lives of animals a bit better has whipped people into a frenzy. What does that say about us? Calling vegans "retards?" What purpose does that serve in the broader view of the misery that we cause when we create factory farm situations? This commentator is simply raising awareness and providing alternatives. I'm sorry that's so terribly threatening, and also so terrible that we've had whole treatises written about why vegans are terrible people and why we should eat meat. We obese Americans could all do with a little less meat (note, I am not threatening your lifestyle by recommending you become a vegan) and a little more awareness of other creatures besides ourselves.
I am not vegetarian or vegan but completely agree. People should be willing to give up some meat if it means the well being and happiness of another creature. A lot maybe even most humans are just selfish, lazy, and care about nothing but themselves and their desires it seems. It's good to see there are some people out there who care and are willing to try to do something for something other than themselves.
That explains why every vegan I know is a complete and total retard.
Oh, Snorlax, it's only Tuesday and you're already out trolling. Wow, you have an entire week to spread your nonsense. Goodie for you!
A lack of proteins form meat can result in lower brain function as we see in many vegetarians. People do not know they are suffering from reduced brain function, since they get a feeling of well being, making them think everything is fine.
Myto Senseworth, vegans and vegetarians get plenty of protein. You should do your research before you start posting your rather disturbing thoughts.
I did. I stand firm on my comments.
Yet you are claiming a lack of proteins in the diets of vegetarians and vegans. Okay ....
There have been studies showing that babies born from & breast-fed by vegan mothers are developmentally behind their non-vegan peers.
From Amy Joy Lanou, senior nutrition scientist, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine:
"Well-planned vegan diets are healthful for pregnant mothers and their infants, as well as for older children, according to a large body of scientific research ... Studies have found that vegan children are within the normal ranges for weight and height, and I personally know vegan mothers and vegan children who are healthier than many of their omnivorous peers."
I'm sorry, but it's insulting to accuse others of "low brain function." What do you hope to accomplish here? Do you think insulting people who believe differently from you is going to promote your cause? I think if vegans and vegetarians feel fine, they probably ARE fine. At least they're well-researched on the topics they post about.
Now, now, Now. Vegetarians, as a group, are no more well-read than carnivores or omnivores. Just because you research doesn't means your statements are true. Your point about insulting others lost it's sting with your last sentence. Try again.
Umm No, I would say to you, umm no. My comments shouldn't have broadened out like that, you're right. They were directed at one misinformed poster. However, I do think that healthy vegans have done careful research, and their posts about their lifestyle contain way more information than many, MANY of the posts from carnivores (what do you mean: people who eat meat only?) and omnivores, who often just rail about "city dwellers," "liberals," and "people not minding their own business." Kind of like Myto Senseworth. Perfect example!
You are full of it! It is a proven scientific fact (do some more research) that humans were never intended to ingest meat and have a big problem processing it. There are many other sources of protein. You are proof that meat eaters have diminished brain function.
Don't eat meat? Look ...I am diabetic. I eat meat and vegetables. As far as my health otherwise, I am the oldest living male in the family, lowest cholesterol, and now no meds for my diabetes. Go ahead and eat like they say and die early from stupidity. We are humans and we need meat. Soy products are bad and I mean bad for your digestion. Most soy products should be banned and replaced with meat products.
Myto Senseworth, are you a doctor or a nutritionist? Are you a scientist? A researcher? Obviously not. What basis do you use to say soy is bad for you? I'll agree that our soy isn't the same as the fermented soy previously used in Asian countries, but other than that, you're not making much sense. Also, calling people stupid for their eating habits isn't exactly going to sway them to your side.
I also have health problems that prevent me from going meat-free, however I don't have any issue with others being vegan or vegetarian, or promoting animal rights. What's wrong with eating a different way?
Go ahead and complain until all of your meat products are imported........ And you think animals in this country are treated badly...........
We should be so lucky. At least some of the European countries have stricter regulations regarding the use of growth hormones and antibiotics, while other countries are progressive enough to have banned the production of foie gras.
Now. I agree with you on this one. I think Austrailia has the best beef. It's the Asian countries that worry me.
When I clicked on this I thought it was related to helping farmers and ranchers through the drought.
Typical pile of PC propaganda (translation: road apples). The HSUS and their ilk, like PETA, want everyone else to take their Walt Disney version of animals as gospel and go vegan or some other Hollywood approved diet. Get real, people. If you want to eat veggies, eat veggies, but don't preach to those who don't choose to go that route and use horror stories for support. I do love animals of many kinds – they look great on the plate with the salad, potato, and corn on the cob.
And, your a pig!
"You're a pig." If you're going to stoop to slinging insults, at least use the right words.
they look as great on a plate as cancer looks in your colon, eat away my friend. With the combination of antibiotics, manure, E.coli, and myriad of other adulterants, it wont take long...enjoy
mmmmmmm.................. E-coli!
That's funny. I got e-coli from eating a spinach salad in California. No more raw vegetables for me.
E-coli comes from the digestive tract of animals (and humans). Most likely, you got it either from the workers, or gasp, from the run-off from a meat-producing farm.
Ignorance and arrogance is what you exude Mr. Leo.
The fact that you fail to recognize that animals suffer and feel very much like you when you are hurt or threaten speaks loudly of your principles. That’s the whole point, I do not care if people want to eat meat, but I do care when people kill animals with vengeance or make them suffer doing so.
Your bully attitude just shows the lack of humanity, education and décor, that’s what I despise the most of people, therefore this note.
Matt – great article! I wish you had considered adding a #6 – buy local meat if possible (rather than factory farmed), and consider visiting the farm where your meals were raised. I am a small farmer that raises lambs. My sheep are pasture-raised, hormone and antibiotic free. I am not certified organic, but my pastures have only had organic fertilizer applied. My farm is open to potential buyers who want to see how their meat was raised. No confinement crates or feedlots here! My prices are very competitive with what you'll find in the supermarket. I don't raise cows or chickens, but I try to buy ground meat, steaks and chicken from local farmers who do.
I grew up around farm animals and based my education and career around them (mostly pigs, but beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep and poultry as well). I fully appreciate and respect the farm animal life that is taken to sustain my own. I have seen and worked on some really bad farms AND some really good farms and I still eat meat and milk with nearly every dinner. I try to source the meats, eggs, and dairy I buy from SPCA Certified farms because certified farmers must meet humane standards for raising and killing their animals, like pain control for painful practices, ensuring comfortable housing, prompt treatment of injuries, not weaning young too early, making the animal unconscious and insensible to pain before killing it, etc. No, it is not a "perfect" system, nor will it ever be. But there will always be people who eat meat, and there will always be animals who die to be eaten by people, for as long as humans exist on this earth. I think as long as we all have a little compassion and respect for what's on our plate and how it got there, that's a step in the right direction.
PS – a "natural death" is not always a humane death either.
Well put.
Very well said. :)
Please do not take the Humane Society of AMERICA as a company that helps animals on a grass roots level. They provide NO money or help to local shelters or animals. They are a lobby, that is it. They don't get their hands dirty or actually physically make a difference, just talk a lot about it. Just realize who you are listening to when we are preached at by them.
Meat-free just one day a week is spot on. For centuries, this has been the rule for Roman Catholics, and is still held in many parts of the world. That's why it is called Fish Friday. I know many would like to go back to that, not necessarily eat fish, but no meat. We shall see. Besides, who wants to cook meat in this heatwave?!
Not sure what your point is. They may not give money to local shelters, but they create many programs that benefit shelters across the country. To me, cruelty is cruelty: the information can come from HSUS, PETA, or the ASPCA. I'm not going to discount it just because a national group isn't funding my local shelter.
So, we should "listen" to the animals themselves...?
Thanks for a nice commentary. Not sure why people are getting so inflamed about this particular commentary, but indeed, the insults are, as usual, being slung at anyone who's interested in animal welfare or possibly either not eating meat or cutting back. One less piece of meat on our plates isn't going to hurt us obese Americans, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with being concerned about animal welfare and wanting to make their living conditions, at the least, tolerable.
Yes there is something wrong with it. I'ts called mind your own business and stop suggesting what I should and should not do. Animals suffer that's the way of nature. Having empathy is one thing, living in unbearable guilt for something you can't control is another.
johna, you're not entitled to use the word "empathy" as you clearly have none, nor any compassion.
you're clearly a first-rate A-hole.
i really hope you didn't have kids, but if so, that you die promptly before you can ruin their humanity as well.
Yes I do have kids, way to post a civil reply you have shown your third grade mentallity.
"...you're clearly a first-rate A-hole. i really hope you didn't have kids, but if so, that you die promptly before you can ruin their humanity as well."
YOU decide who has empathy and/or compassion, and show your lack of same in the above quote. I think you just showed who the real "first-rate (leftist elite) A-hole" is. Mind your own damn business.
Obvoiusly I hit a nerve with you. Do you live with unbearable guilt over the plight of animals, because they do not live out thier existence in the setting of a Disney movie. Learn to live in the real world, I have empathy for other creatures, but I won't shed a tear because an animal gave it's life so I can eat. If you want to give up that luxery so be it, but regardless even a vegan lifestyle is responsible for the killing of millions of animals every year through agricultural practices. That's all right though 'cause you gotta eat right?
Way to go a–hole. You suck and I only hope the next time you wish someone to "die promptly" it isn't aimed at another human being, but said as a prayer over the meat you are about to consume at your next meal...just change the wording to "I pray you died promptly so that I may live".
Johna, cruelty is something we can control. We created this situation with industrialized farms - we can certainly control it or work on it. So guess what? I'm not going to mind my own business!
What you do is fine what irks me is when peopkle such as yourselves make suggestions what I should do and that is where I draw the line and say mind your own business.
BTW, you can't control cruelty you can only police yourself. People who are cruel will be cruel regardless what you do or the laws you put in place.
Johna, of course we can (at least) attempt to police cruelty. We have anti-child abuse legislation, anti dog fighting legislation, etc. No, you can't be everywhere at every time, but you can at least try, in a civil society, to have some laws to protect those who can't protect themselves. I know you're not ranking on me personally - it's a touchy subject and I get touchy too - but I don't think we should just throw up our hands and say, "Well, we can't do anything about that."
This person is nothing more than a hack troll looking to bait people. Just ignore him/her and they'll go away when the sunlight hits them.
God put the animals on earth for humans, not the other way around. I will support animal rights when people support (unborn) human rights.
I don't believe that. You bible-thumpers really need to get a grip. You use your lame "god did such & such" constantly to justify torture & cruelty. Just go away & shut up.
Okay, because some people don't do exactly as you think, you will then remove your support of compassion toward animals? It's better to think independently. You can be pro-life and pro-animal welfare at the same time.
Guess NOONE will ever accuse you of having empathy or compassion for a "weaker" species....and it's not something I would be proud of if I were you.
johna first of all we do have control over it. Many big companies have made big changes because people said and did things to make that change happen. Only lazy, ignorant , apathetic jerks will just sit down and say "oh nothing I can do" and continue to do or say nothing. Even if its just writing an email or letter to a company is better than nothing. Change can and will happen if we get off our butts and make it happen!
PS you posted your statement on the internet which now makes it everyones and anyones business. ;)
Seriously.. I have visited a pig farm, and is not pretty.. I think the writter does have a point..
Well I've watched coyotes rip apart a fawn and that wasn't pretty either, but shit happens. Animals and humans are not on the same level, but that is what a lot of animal rights activists believe.
That doesn't mean we have to mimic their behavior. A coyote eats a fawn so we're supposed to create cruel living conditions in CAFO farms? Huh?
humans are animals, johna
First of all there is a HUGE difference between taking an animal down for survival and causing it pain and keeping it in a crate and causing physical harm and suffering to an animal for a long period of time without reason or cause. We can still eat our meat without causing major suffering to any animal. How can you even compare the two? That's just willful ignorance.
"Most of us know that eating large amounts of meat is bad for our health"
On the other hand, a well educated minority knows there's absolutely nothing wrong with meat consumption as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
These vegetarian zealots will happily spread misinformation at every chance they have to spread their religious beliefs.
Hi Sy. Just to be clear, we're only advocating eating meat 6 days a week instead of 7. Doesn't strike me a position that's too extreme. :)
@Matt - people are going nuts about this one little op-ed piece. Is it such a terrible threat to just skip meat one day a week? Or be concerned about animal welfare? Thanks for your post :).
C,mon Matt you're being disingenuous, if you had your way you would ban the consumption of meat across the board. That is the ultimate goal of the hsus.
Prove it.
When you get to be old like me, your comment would not make an impact on my life style. The cholesterol levels will!!!.. So from seven days of meat, I am at two meat days and one fish day.. And the rest is broccoli and Brussels sprouts.. yuck..!!
Corn, carrots, candied yams. And ice cream has calcium.
For God sakes!! Matt you eat meat six days a week? May the lord have mercy on your soul..!!
Many Catholics already do not eat meat on Fridays...once Canon law but now only during Lent here; in other parts of the world, there is still no-meat Fridays year long. Many would like to go back that and that is the recommendation from the Vatican. I personally try to, but sometimes do other penance instead.
A vegetarian diet has nothing to do with a religion, Sy2502. Why so threatened? Nobody's going to grab the steak out of your hands, no worries.
Why don't we stick you in a tiny box for the rest of your life where you can't move your legs or arms and breathe fecal matter and get your nose and ears bitten off my other pigs? Oh, and get beaten and tortured! I hope you get reincarnated into one of those chickens, cows, or pigs that have to suffer all throughout their lives just cause some ass wants to have a big mac for dinner. I dare you to TRY not eating meat for one week and see how amazing you feel after.
Since you have such a hostile attitude, need I remind you that humans do the same dam thing to unborn persons in their mother's wombs. Ever see a picture of an aborted human with the limbs torn off? These so-called cruelty to animals is NOTHING compared to what we do to the unborn.
You're being ridiculous.....most abortions don't occur in that fashion. And why do you believe that human beings have more worth than other animal species?
First of all abortion causes no pain or suffering to the embryo. The embryos brain isn't developed enough to feel pain and suffering. And abortion has nothing to do with peoples diets. Take your religious pro-life views concerning pro- life matters concerning abortion to a christian forum or better yet to yourself. ;) This has no comparison and nothing to do with the inhumane ways we treat animals.
cruelty is not a belief...calling it out and advocating against it is honorable
you're confusing nutrition and animal welfare...scientific fact: humans can get all the nutrients they need from plants
You sound like you are suffering from a poor diet. You need more meat. It improves brain function.
I am amazed at the ignorance of human society. All this talk of industrialized family farms and the poor care of the animals. I grew up on a family run hog and grain farm in the 60s and 70s. Farmers care deeply about their animals, no matter what the size of their operation. There has been so much improvements to the facilities that all animals are housed in today that they are much better taken care of when I was farming with my parents. We constantly fought diseases and vacccinated often. Given better housing conditions for the animals, there is now less vaccines and antibiotics necessary. Just like any other business, the size of our farms have grown to better capture scale of efficiencies and this helps keep food costs down. I would like the Human Society to quantify for us the additional cost per dozen eggs, per pound of meat, gallon of milk, etc. that their policies or wish list will cost the American consumer. If our American Farmers have to go all organic or operate as the Amish, this country will not be able to afford to eat let alone produce enough for everyone to eat. I wish these morans would put their attention and efforts towards child abuse, women abuse, etc as our farmers are taking care of their animals and farms just fine!!!
I'm guessing you've seen Food Inc.? And your OK with that. I, on the other hand would like to see Monsanto out of American agribusiness completely.
Oh, yes, they're taking such good care - in industrial farm conditions - that we've come up with: battery cages for hens, forced molting for hens, gestation crates for pigs, the abuse of downed animals, confinement of calves for veal production, and terrible slaughterhouse conditions, to name a few problems. I'm not saying it's that way on a family farm at all; I'm sure there are plenty of farmers who do care about animal welfare. Also, you bring up a strange point - we CAN care about these issues and, also, issues like abuse of women and children. Being concerned about animal welfare doesn't preclude concern about other issues.
killing animals for profit isn't caring about them
I wish I could find the info, but there have been some studies that show people are willing to pay more for cruelty-free meat.
no such thing as "cruelty free meat" unless the animal died a natural death
Good point. I just think we'll always eat meat, so the best shot is to try to improve the conditions of the animals we consume. I'm not saying I agree with it, but it's reality, unfortunately.
God didn't give us canine teeth for nothing. Our mouths were made for eating meat, and fruits and vegetables (preferably together).
I'm one of them. I will not knowingly purchase any meat that comes from a factory farm. And I do wind up paying more and I don't care.
Absolutely with you, Boo. I grew up on a family farm and we raised our own meat. We were taught from a very young age to protect and care for our animals as best as we could. Now when my husband and I eat meat, we buy from small farms and have no problem paying more for healthier and more humanely harvested meats. Most of the public can eat this way by cutting down on the amount of meat they consume and use humane meat as a complement or a treat. Part of why we are so unhealthy in this country is because we eat too much non-nutritional junk, and not enough good food; vitamin-filled food. A range of fresh vegetables, fruits, and sparse high-quality dairy and meat is a very good diet. One can also do well meat and dairy free, if they choose to do so. It's so interesting that we, as a nation, are overfed, yet malnourished.
Every time I eat an animal I enjoy it. The more you people protest it the more it makes me want it, just because I'm tired of people such as yourselves telling me what I should and should not do. Mind your own f-ing business!
No one is telling you what you should or should not do. In fact, what meat eaters should praise about this article is that at no point does it advocate vegetarianism. This article is about what meat eaters can do to improve conditions, which emphasizes that meat eaters are capable of compassion too. There are more humane ways to consume meat.
Thanks, Tess, sensible response. It's not a threatening article at all and people don't have to read it and they don't even have to agree.
In order to eat meat, an animal has to die. No one can eat a live animal.
if you saw someone beating a dog or child, would you intervene or just "mind you own f-ing business"
How can you have any pudding if you don't beat your meat?
I love Pudding..!!
Let's see, there's Yorkshire Pudding (you need beef juice for that). There's blood pudding (Wiki it). Which would you like?
God gave Moses permission to eat animals.
Pass the A-1 sauce. Steak it is whats for dinner.
Another suggestion on the list should be to buy from local farmers who treat their animals humanely.
Yes!!
a step in the right direction, but in the long run you're kidding yourself
Adam and Eve did not eat the animals they named. They were given dominion over them to take care of them – not eat them. Their children did the same thing. It was the decendents of cain that started killing and eating animals because the earth was cursed to them and not produce crops. Check it out – it is written in ancient texts!
Animals are some of God's creations placed on the earth for man's enjoyment – not his dinner table.
yeah right... if I go by your recipe I have to believe Adam and Eve's Kids were product of incest, and so on they committed incest to populate the earth.
What else did your imaginary friend told you?
Is it truth that Jesus had lamb shops at the last dinner? But he did not have the mint sauce.. can you confirm that?
Leviticus 1 (New International Version)
The Burnt Offering
1 The LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting. He said, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.
3 ” ‘If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the LORD. 4 He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. 5 He is to slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and then Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and sprinkle it against the altar on all sides at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 6 He is to skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. 7 The sons of Aaron the priest are to put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. 8 Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat, on the burning wood that is on the altar. 9 He is to wash the inner parts and the legs with water, and the priest is to burn all of it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD. 14 ” ‘If the offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to offer a dove or a young pigeon. 15 The priest shall bring it to the altar, wring off the head and burn it on the altar; its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar. 16 He is to remove the crop with its contents and throw it to the east side of the altar, where the ashes are. 17 He shall tear it open by the wings, not severing it completely, and then the priest shall burn it on the wood that is on the fire on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD. :) Just a few bible verses for you jlns.
Hey Hogman – Adam and Eve did not eat the animals they named. They were givin dominion over the animals to take care of them – not eat them. Their children did the same thing. It was the decendents of cain that started killing and eating animals because the earth was cursed to them and not produce crops. Check it out – it is written in ancient texts!
Animals are some of God's creations placed on the earth for man's enjoyment – not his dinner table.
repost just for fun- 14 ” ‘If the offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to offer a dove or a young pigeon. 15 The priest shall bring it to the altar, wring off the head and burn it on the altar; its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar. 16 He is to remove the crop with its contents and throw it to the east side of the altar, where the ashes are. 17 He shall tear it open by the wings, not severing it completely, and then the priest shall burn it on the wood that is on the fire on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.
GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT article!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope people really do pay attention and read this and actually take this advice!
So... are Wolves animal abusers too ?
Only if they're Werewolves..
From Washington Post, comments on gestation crates:
"A 1997 report of the Scientific Veterinary Committee of the European Union — where a gestation crate ban will go into effect next year — noted that because 'overall welfare appears to be better when sows are not confined throughout gestation, sows should be preferably be kept in groups.'” Likewise in 2008, the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production, after 21 / 2 years of research, recommended “'the phase-out, within 10 years, of all intensive confinement systems that restrict natural movement and normal behaviors, including swine gestation crates'.”
We don't assume that anyone pays attention to our earlier comments, but, to clarify: For generations one of the traits many small herds of cattle have been selected for is a calm disposition. That causes peace and thrift in the herd as it recognizes the farmer as the provider of necessities. That doesn't mean farmer needn't be aware of herd attitude which can get stressed because of dogs and other natural predators or "Oh, my gosh, where did my calf lay down while I ate?" anxiety. Good cattle have better things to do than chase farmers.
'busters teechur' seems to be too busy looking for faults in wording of the message, to get the message.
nothing else seems to make a point with buster...
Welcome to this week's episode of 'Bickering With Vegans'...
The ONLY reality show where every episode is exactly like the previous episode...
Your exactly right. But its sure funny to watch play out.
Well, if we all stop eating meat, we will really have a food problem...because you activists won't let us kill them. they weill need to continue to be fed for their natural lives, using food that otherwise could feed humans???? In the end there will not be any animals because there will be no reason to have them. Round and round we go!!!!!!!!
Hogman this doesn't say anything about stopping eating meat, just reducing the amount and treating animals in an ethical way. This is really a no-brainer unless you are totally ignorant and heartless.Of course this is the standard conservative kneejerk reaction to any article about animals so i'm not surprised.
I hope that HSUS paid dearly for this ADVERTISEMENT!!!!!! SHAME on CNN for making this look like a news article.
HSUS has nothing to do with animal shelters, they give almost nothing to us. They are lying to america with every ad they air. They spend their money on lobying, more commercials, salaries and pension funds, and frankly, disinformation. Whether you eat meat or not, don't take any of what they say as anything but a lie.
Sheltermom?
right.
And I'm an astronaut...
Ridiculous post, so-called petsheltermom. Attacking the HSUS isn't going to make your case ... but what case are you trying to make? That animal cruelty is okay?
It's an op-ed piece, Hog Man, and I must say, a well-written one. Why are you against the implementation of humane farming practices?
I gladly acknowledge opposing opinions, but I can get caught up in the passionate debates concerning these issues.
Yes, "legally," Americans have a right to do whatever they please. I, however, have the right to inform the rest of us of the consequences of their decisions.
Yes, I agree that meat consumption is not the only reason that Americans are suffering through an obesity epidemic. Nevertheless, there have been countless studies pointing to the negative health effects of meat, particularly red meat. Many of us are too busy with our daily, hectic lives to pay much attention to our health.
I feel that it is the responsible course of action to enlighten these people, try to persuade those who disagree with me, and also be a voice for the voiceless millions who are languishing in facilities around the globe that exploit them.
When I see an injustice, whether it is committed against people or animals, I like to speak up. You are entitled to your opinion, too, and I hope that I did not make you feel that I do not respect it.
Super. Pass the pork chops, shut your yap, and MYOB. I do so hope that you respect all of that.
vchick knows nothing of "more hungrier" and less about more better or Sam. As for Rags' description of butchering in ones own kitchen, not real. Until modern times everyone knew how meat was processed for the table. When we were children, the butchers worked in view of the customers and would slice whatever cut of meat the customer ordered, directly from the carcase. The only nightmares we had of cows were of being chased by mean ones, when we brought them in from pasture to be milked. Most farm livestock has No interest in cuddling up to us as a good cat or dog would like to do. Large amounts of time must be spent to tame them gentle enough to be shown and judged at fairs. Abused animals do not thrive. A few don't thrive no matter how one works to help them. If allowed, some would bully and batter the calmer ones, and the farmer, to death if allowed. They need to be shipped days ago, already. Almost none seek human contact. We nurture fiber animals now, and grieve for a few who wanted to be pets and became very old. Our top-heavy, distanced culture would be hard pressed to explain itself to the sensible folk it came from.
Eating meat is morally wrong, extremely unhealthy, wasteful, and unreasonable (considering the ethical, self-destructive, and environmentally destructive factors that are involved).
I understand that traditions are hard to break, but in 1865 the U.S. broke one well-entrenched yet unjust and abusive way of life that existed in the South, and we can do it again.
Apologies for the misplaced duplicate comment.
You are a sick person comparing eating meat to slavery! Biblically, man has dominion over the animals, and this includes the right to eat them. I am sure you disagree. However, we humans have a responsibility to care for them properly, both ethically, and a well-cared for animal will be more productive for the farmer. I respectfully disagree with HSUS position on sow crates. I grew up with sows on pasture. I saw how they bullied out the weak ones. Crates reduce mobility, but do not make them completely immobile, as described in the article. If they did, they would not be able to walk from gestation to farrowing. They can stand and move back and forth. Crates allow the caretaker (farmer) to more readilly observe the condition of the animal, and provide the correct amount of feed and care to EACH animal INDIVIDUALLY. Modern animal housing facilities also allow for the animals to be warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. HSUS is using this debate to raise money for their officers, and stable of lawyers. I am sure some deeply believe what they are doing is "right" for the animals, but as the overall tone of the article alludes to, but doesn't say, is that many of these folks are VEGANS, which is their right, but they are doing whatever they can to force their lifestyle on everyone else...which is not right!. I don't force them to eat meat, they should not try to force me not to..either by choice or by making meat too expensive for anyone but the wealthy. This is already happening in Europe. The animal housing laws in the UK have caused a 50% reduction in the amount of pork produced there....the cost is simply too high for the farmer to raise them. So THINK about the consequences before you "buy in" to the HSUS line. Urge your friends and neighbors to contribute to their LOCAL humane society, which does care for stray and abused animals, unlike HSUS, who gives less than 1% of their $130 million budget to direct care of animals.
So.... just because the Bible says so does not make it right.
Don't forget that your bible also says that if you offer your daughters to strangers so they can rape them, you're a really cool guy.
How about the tradition of judging others' morals at which you are so adept. Can you spell h-y-p-o-c-r-i-t-e?
Eating meat is morally wrong, extremely unhealthy, wasteful, and unreasonable.
I understand that traditions are hard to break, but in 1865 the U.S. broke one well-entrenched yet unjust and abusive way of life that existed in the South, and we can do it again.
- Meat eaters risk serious and sometimes fatal illness from trichinosis, salmonella, mercury poisoning, and clostridium perfringens gastroenteritis.
- Consuming meat, eggs, dairy food, and animal fat increases one's chances of suffering heart disease, atherosclerosis (hardened and narrowed arteries), high cholesterol, stroke, peptic ulcers, colon cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, osteoporosis, kidney disease, and even lung cancer.
- Those who suffer from angina and other cardiac diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney stones, diverticulosis, gall bladder disease, peptic ulcers, diabetes, asthma, and hypertension have been shown to benefit by switching to a vegetarian diet.
- Our bodies have not evolved in a way that would make it natural to eat meat. The human intestinal tract is anatomically very different from that of natural carnivores, such as dogs and cats. Carnivore bowels are short and straight with smooth walls that guarantee short transit times. Human bowels are long and winding and full of pouches with deeply puckered walls. Wolves and other natural carnivores have highly acidic saliva and digestive secretions designed to dissolve the bones of their prey, whereas human saliva is highly alkaline, and human digestive secretions are far less acidic.
Source: creighton . edu
- The teeth, facial structure, and digestive system of humans do not closely resemble those of natural omnivores, such as bears. Rather, our teeth appear to be designed for the grinding of grains, vegetables, and fruits, and our intestines for their digestion. So human physiology suggests the evolutionary history of an herbivorous species.
- The dentition, facial structure, and digestive system of humans do not closely resemble those of natural omnivores, such as bears.Rather, our teeth appear to be designed for the grinding of grains, vegetables, and fruits, and our intestines for their digestion. So human physiology suggests the evolutionary history of an herbivorous species.
Really? Seems to me that many of the recent food recalls were on VEGETABLES, ORGANIC ones at that! Think CA lettuce. CO cantelope, etc. etc. The swine induistry has eliminated trichinosis in modern production buildings. The risk is still there, but very small in outdoor raised animals. There are other diseases that modern production has basically helped eliminate. Modern production are better for the animals and for the safety of our food, contrary to what HSUS would lead you to believe.
Modern production methods are better for animals? Really? Come on.
Fine. Enjoy your tofu and bean sprouts. Meanwhile, hand over that rib-eye in your shopping cart.
Fact: Unhealthy eating (in large part caused by meat consumption) is dragging much of our population down. Vegetarians avoid many health issues faced by meat-eaters, thus living longer.
- The United States has the most sophisticated medical technology in the world, and one of the most temperate climates, yet it is also one of the highest consumers of meat and animal products in the world, and has one of the lowest life expectancies of industrialized nations.
- The cultures with the longest life spans in the world are the Vilcambas, who live in the Andes of Ecuador, the Abkhasians, who live on the Black Sea, and the Hunzas, who live in the Himalayas of Northern Pakistan. These people also enjoy full, active lives, working and playing at 80 and beyond. All three groups are either totally vegetarian or close to it; meat and dairy products combined account for only 1½% of the total calories of the Hunzas, the largest of the three groups.
(source: creighton . edu)
you obviously have a knowledge above and beyond the average troll........I am still listening....However, why don't you tell the rest of us who you are or what you represent, because your rebuttals and information are professional. Don't be so arrogant and treat the rest of us like pawns.
I represent myself and my own views. Being a little articulate and passionate does not make you a "troll" or the pawn of George Soros.
Buster, look at these facts for a change and LEARN.
I almost wish you had not referred to Soros, because that is not part of the equation this evening, unless you think it is. I know the math of it all........fuel, fertilizer, animalgrowthperLB, because I pay for it. Like I said earlier it will be a comprimise dealt to all as far as food production for the planet (well I kind of mentioned that between the lines) and tonite we will not solve the problem. I do know that being militant will never solve the food problem which we will face. Good night. The exchange was good for me. (and we didn't get intothe rape of the oceans)
- The Russian Caucasians, the Yucatan Indians, the East Indian Todas, and the Pakistan Hunzakuts are other peoples who live in harsh conditions, but they subsist with little or no animal flesh and have life expectancies of 90 to 100 years, some of the highest in the world. They are one of the best examples of how vegetarians (or at least people who avoid meat to a great extent) can bypass many of the health problems faced today by average meat-eating Americans.
.....or perhaps it is because there is not enough meat available...at a cost..either in labor or monetary denomination. Perhaps some meat would allow them to live LONGER!!!!!
Science by observation is not science and is not valid. Observation is only a means to create postulates that can then be researched by the scientific method (contols, tests, replicates, etc.).
Do us all a favor and move to Russia, the Yucatan, East India or Pakistan. Thank you.
Oh yes... extremely unhealthy. That's why the life expectancy in this country continues to rise even though you obnoxious vegans are in a clear minority.
http://humanewatch.org/ Get the truth on the HSUS
HumaneWatch is a group founded by Richard B. (Rick) Berman. Berman is a former labor management attorney and restaurant industry executive who currently works as a lobbyist for the food, alcoholic beverage and tobacco industries. Read: big business, big agribusiness, the very group that feels threatened by HSUS.
Hi everyone! I came across this article today in my email and thought I would take a chance to respond. My husband and I are beef farmers from the Midwest and I wanted to share some statistics with all of you that will kind of answer some questions that seem to be coming through in the comments.
- 98% of farms in the United States are family OWNED and OPERATED. I am not sure why the terms factory farms keep getting thrown around, but keep in mind that nearly all of us are families and are a far cry from a factory.
- Also, cattle that you may think of living their lives in feedlots actually spend nearly their entire life on green pastures and spend the last 4 to 6 months in a feedlot. The reason cattle are raised in feed lots and not simply roaming on pastures is because feeding them the last few months in a feed lot is more efficient with less resources, such as land, feed, and water.
My husband and I take a lot of pride in what we do, we are considered one of the larger farms in our area and I can ensure you that we take excellent care of our animals. Our beef are tended to first thing at the start of every day. We monitor their feed rations accordingly and give them antibiotics when they are sick.
As Americans we have the right to choose. To choose meat or to not choose meat and I think that is important to remember, that no matter what, it is our choice as individuals. That choice is something I value. I support our local farmers, but I also buy from the grocery store. I believe in supporting all types of farmers and truly value the choice that I have. I don't think the answer is to take away meat, I think the answer is to simply make the choice for ourselves.
If anyone has any other questions about farming and food visit this website (www.FindOurCommonGround.com). I am a CommonGround volunteer and I spend a lot of time talking about life on our farm and how much we value the life we have and enjoy providing a safe, healthy, and affordable product to consumers.
"Family-owned" means nothing, or very little at best. The abusive owners of a factory farm might be a father-son duo of animal-killing barons. What difference does it make?
Honestly, now it's just my opinion..but it makes a huge difference to me and the farmers I know..We are not factories. We are people that love what we do. I think it is unfair to assume that because some farmers abuse their animals that they give all farmers a bad name. I, in no way what so ever agree with animal abuse and I believe that the farmers that do unspeakable things to their animals deserved to be punished, but please don't let the bad seeds give us all a bad name.
My core point is that your entire line of work is abusive in and of itself.
If someone adds sadistic physical mistreatment to that, which "some" farmers do, then they are even more deserving of serious punishment.
I believe what we do is not an abusive profession, at all.. I honestly don't think anyway I portray what we do will change your mind. But, I hope you will be more open minded to farmers and ranchers.
Morgan, "legally," you have a right to choose. However, animals never consented to being exploited and tortured for you to make a living. Therefore, your "ownership" of the animals on your lot is illegitimate. They are living beings that feel pain like we do and are far more similar to humans than you might imagine. Who gave you the right to have your way with them?
I think to say "we have our way with them" is a bit far fetched. Our animals are treated with respect. Not to mention the fact that animal abuse isn't something that occurs at every single farm. I often tell people it is unfair for you to assume I don't treat my animals respectfully since they may have heard of another farmer who mistreated theirs. If we want to argue on the feelings of pain, okay...some would say that plants feel pain. They are living, breathing organisms and react to sunlight and touch. Some would say talking to plants or playing music only helps them grow better, therefore portraying they have a reaction to the emotion of love. But, we eat them. Again it goes back to choice. But what choice should we make then? If both are considered living organisms.
Morgan, there is clear PROOF that animals feel pain. No evidence of that same kind has ever been applied to plants. Structurally speaking, they are not CAPABLE of feeling pain; their anatomies are not complex enough. Avoid using unrelated arguments to take away from my key point. Animals and people are far more similar than most people realize. To enslave and exploit the former is a ridiculous indicator of the cheapness of society's morals.
If you are kind to your animals, you deserve an honest "thank you." However, at the heart of what you claim to do is a serious injustice and an abomination that mankind has yet to overcome.
I am not trying to take anything away from what you are saying. But, I am intended to my opinion as you are intended to yours. There has been research on plants and emotions and their reaction to tropisms.
I also realize when someone is so close minded they refuse to think of the other side of the argument. You are very much against meat eaters and anything to do with raising meat for consumption. You are so busy pointing fingers and making what you believe are the right decisions for everyone. You have been commenting about meat and how bad it is for your health...then you don't eat it. But you don't have the right to tell others not to. It isn't meat making America obese, it's Americans making themselves obese. It's a matter of making healthy choices, however the individual takes that is their choice.
Like I said there isn't a whole lot of reason to continue commenting to you at all because you refuse to see the other side. And that's okay, you have the right to your opinion.
I gladly acknowledge opposing opinions, but I can get caught up in the passionate debates concerning these issues.
Yes, "legally," Americans have a right to do whatever they please. I, however, have the right to inform the rest of us of the consequences of their decisions.
Yes, I agree that meat consumption is not the only reason that Americans are suffering through an obesity epidemic. Nevertheless, there have been countless studies pointing to the negative health effects of meat, particularly red meat. Many of us are too busy with our daily, hectic lives to pay much attention to our health. I feel that it is the responsible course of action to enlighten these people, try to persuade those who disagree with me, and also be a voice for the voiceless millions who are languishing in facilities around the globe that exploit them. When I see an injustice, whether it is committed against people or animals, I like to speak up. You are entitled to your opinion, too, and I hope that I did not make you feel that I do not respect it.
Did you know that alfalfa screams when it's harvested. You heartless cad!
Morgan,
Good try, but I'm not sure that we will be able to sway the crowd who constantly demonizes those of us who eat meat. I tried to go without meat for awhile in my teens, supplimenting with other forms of protein. I ended up in the hospital with a doctor telling me that I needed more protein.
I too live on a family farm with a cow/calf operation, though probably less that what you have. We have around 70-80 cows. Our days are filled with immense joy (who doesn't love seeing a newborn calf take his first few steps?) and incredible sorrow. I watched my husband suffer a debilitating back injury for six months last year because he refused to give up saving a 400 pound calf from drowning in a drainage ditch that it had slipped into. I absolutely know that our cattle feel because they respond to us. During the hour it took us to free the calf, its mom and several other cows huddled together and watched us work, much like a human and her friends would look on as her child was being saved.
I walk through the herd talking to the ladies all the time.
This conversation is all about respecting the other's opinions. If they don't want to eat meat, that's their choice. I'm not going to force them to do it. But, they shouldn't be demonizing the ones who do eat it just because it goes against their beliefs. The beauty of this world is that we all can choose to believe in different ideals. The curse of it is that sadly we don't always respect that other people have a right to their own beliefs.
May everyone have peace in their beliefs at the end of the day. I know I do.
Thank you, Morgan, for trying.
A figure I saw was that there are 750,000 cow/ calf farms in the US average. 40 cows per farm. Why do we rarely hear from.these farms in the media?
Because that is not news. It does not create controversy. It does not sell adspace. Mnay of these news folks do not care about facts. They, too, even the good ones have been removed from the farm for too many generations. Thanks to Morgon for trying, but animal rights zealots are not "educable" on this subject. Many hold animals at a higher level of existance than humans, because "we should know better". I think we do know better...a well-balanced diet, which includes appropriate amounts of nutrient dense MEAT is the healthiest. The obescity crisis is about too many calaries and too little activity. Davis tries to blame meat, others blame high-fructose corn syrup, others blame too much junk food, others carbs. etc.
Most of the meat we consume comes from the large factory farms, something like 90 percent, per figures from the USDA. Those are the places organizations like HSUS are targeting, not small family farms.
If you ended up in the hospital after giving up meat, you did something wrong, cymom611. There are plenty of sources of protein besides meat.
Like the 'right to choose' whether we get ammonia/meat slime with our burgers?
Thanks, Morgan. Unfortunately, we seem to be mostly getting our meat from industrialized operations. Calculation based USDA ag census: "Factory farming now accounts for more than 99 percent of all farmed animals raised and slaughtered in the United States," from Farmforward.com.
Hi, Morgan. I just had to respond to your comment. I agree that most farmers treat their animals well keeping in mind that they are being raised as a food source! I'm from rural vt and a lot of backyard farm animal raising is the norm. These animals are cared for the same as any pet. People should applaud farmers like you who do care for their animals.
Morgan, thanks for your post. I went on your site and found some very vague language and a few shots of a video in the animal welfare section - it wasn't very informative or in-depth, more like a misty-eyed advertisement. No real facts, statistics, or, even, crate measurements. I think I'll stick with the hard facts from groups like the HSUS.
Eating meat is unnecessary. In fact, it is a dietary luxury.
Not only is meat production wasteful, it makes no sense that someone would sabotage their own health by eating it instead of far healthier (and often cheaper) alternatives.
Natural selection will weed out the worst meat-eaters. 300,000 people die every year in America due to obesity-related health issues.
Do yourself a favor and reduce the amount of meat that you eat or, better yet, eliminate it from your diet altogether.
Do us all a favor and shut your foolish pie hole.
Fact: Meat production is unhealthy and, in many cases, even dangerous to people who live nearby. Furthermore, it is environmentally destructive (harming everyone in the community).
- Livestock manure mixed with nitrogen from artificial fertilizers produces harmful nitrates which pollute groundwater and cause nervous system impairments, cancer, and methemoglobinemia (“blue baby” syndrome).
- Cattle feedlots are a dangerous source of organic pollutants, accounting for more than half the toxic organic pollutants found in fresh water.
- Cattle play a prominent role in global desertification as a primary factor in all four causes of it: a) overgrazing, b) overcultivation of the land, c) deforestation, d) improper irrigation techniques.
(source: creighton . edu)
Davis, You need to stop drinking this VEGAN coolaide. It has warped your mind, already. You seem to only believe the science on one side of this arguement. A couple years ago the UN released a study, which you would have loved...along the same lines you mentioned above. Then a few months later...they had to retract it....as they found that someone had manipulated the data to the extent that the conclusion should have been the opposite!!!! Animal agriculture was not causing all the problems as you describe above. Apparently Creighton, is just as unblievable as PEW. It is disgusting that PEW also falsifies their data, yet still gets credibility..because people don't know better. FACT (as you say) PEW came out with a scathing attack on Animal Agr. from an environmental standpoint. Then, some of the scientists, who PEW had hired, used their own money to purchase an ad in major East coast newspapers to refute the PEW report.
PEW had hired them to do reasearch, which they did, and had peer-reviewed. However, their conclusion was not the result that PEW had preconcluded, so their report was not included in the PEW Report. Instead, PEW chose to cite nonpeer-reviewed data that backed their preconceived analysis. This is SHAMEFULL!!! IF you are supposed to be a respected scientific source, then you have a responsibility to use accurate, peer-reviewed sources when making your conclusion!!!!!!
Hog Man, I don't think Davis is interested in facts. I think he just likes typing words that only use one hand.
How about a LITERACY CRISIS? Calaries? Obescity? Shamefull? You people are SCARY.
Fact: You are an idiot.
Davis I was wondering if you could give us more information about your sources from creighton.edu? Could you give me the exact articles you are quoting from?
There has been quite a bit of discussion about meat eating and it seems most of it revolves around the issues of how animals are treated and obesity. I can testify to the treatment of cattle in our feedlot. We have hosted numerous non-farm people to our farm to learn about what we do and how we do it. Some of you would call us a factory farm because we have a feedlot. Like other farm folks that have contributed comments we, too, are a family farm with employees and believe it or not we do have standards in the beef business of how we care for cattle. http://www.explorebeef.org
Many of us have decided to take our story to the city because there is much confusion about agriculture. http://www.findourcommonground.com
When we want to talk about diet it is important to remember the increased sugar intake that has occurred over the past 40 years. A diet high in refined sugar is a leading cause of obesity. http:// http://www.obesity-info.com/2012/04/sugar-make-you-fat.html
The human body needs to eat protein. Beef animals eat grass and grains and convert feed to protein.
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/why-you-need-protein-in-your-diet.html
I am giving just a few sources to encourage positive dialogue as we all continue to use the farmer motto "figure it out" in problem solving. We try to find the root of the problem before jumping to conclusions so that the response can be a long-term solution.
When you go to the grocery store be grateful for the food choices we have in American thanks to the 2% of the population that chooses to bring you that food! http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/CollegeRelations/AGRICU.htm
My vegetarian friend suggested a video for me to watch one time. It was called "If Slaughterhouses Had Glass Walls Everyone Would Be Vegetarian." So disturbing.
Fact: Meat production is illogical and wasteful.
16 to 21 lbs. of grain and soy are needed to produce 1 lb. of beef. 6 to 8 lbs. of grain and soy are needed to produce 1 lb. of pork. 4 lbs. of grain and soy are needed to produce 1 lb. of turkey meat. 3 lbs. of grain and soy are needed to produce 1 lb. of chicken meat
(source: creighton . edu)
People around the world are starving because some of us choose to use our grain as part of meat production instead of converting it into more directly edible foods.
This is blatently false!!!!! At least until this years drought?.....there is plenty of food. It is hameful that politics and transportation/distribution are the real problem. I am not sure about the future, if the human population increases to 9B. In reality meat is a much denser, higher quality foodstuff, People crave it for more than just taste!
I'm from India and I'm a lifelong vegetarian. My heart cries out for these voiceless animals. I know I'm as helpless as them.
But, what I find absolutely encouraging is that I hear voices in this country – pro animal and anti meat. I used to wonder if I'm weird to think so much about the animals. But, I'm now convinced others have similar feelings.
What I find totally abhorrent is the Jewish and Islamic practices of letting the animals bleed to their death without any anesthetic. It's barbaric. That way, Christians are much better – at least they don't have such religious requirements about their meats.
And yet the Bengal Tiger is on the endangered species list.
We should pass a ban on those ritualistic methods of killing animals in addition to laws that provide greater oversight of farms (especially factory farms) and slaughterhouses everywhere in America.
Such a law already came into being in the Netherlands.
You may be correct. A meat eater might die from heart disease or cancel. You may be incorrect too. We might just as well get hit by a train or shot by George Zimmerman.
Well, since you appear to be in the same disgusting category of s c u m as criminals like Trayvon Martin, I would not doubt that you would be shot in self-defense by a law-abiding citizen. Anyway, most people die of natural causes. Meat-eaters life shorter lives on average.
Hmmuh. Hmuh.
I smell Republican. No. Ron Paul. That;s it. ;D
I hate being brusque in the way I say things, but there is no other way around this issue.
Those who consume meat can enjoy high cholesterol, a greater risk of dying due to an unexpected heart attack and/or a form of heart disease, a stroke, cancer, and/or another obesity-related ailment, and a shorter lifespan.
Load up on the steak. Darwin wins.
In other news, Spinach/tomatoes, apples, jo momma being recalled due to E. Coli deaths. 3 children dead.
Go on....
In other news, an estimated 300,000 people will die this year due to obesity-related health issues.
I can assure you that none – or very few of them – were vegetarians or vegans. Most were probably meat-eaters.
As most of the world's population is.
In other news: of the 100% of the people that cross the street, someone will get run over. Also, 100% of the population dies of something.
Your argument makes no sense. You are a troll.
Jdizz is making perfect sense. You couldn't hold up your side of the argument and resorted to name-calling. That's why you didn't make the cut for the middle school debate team. Try again when you get to high school.
In all likelyhood, they consumer too much sugar and corbohydrates!!!!! If they had eaten meat and fat...like Adkins diet, they might still be with us. Also, not one person has mentioned that diet has little to do with cholesterol that is problematic. Our body produces most of the bad stuff....it is genetic. Yes there are all sorts of studies. These are fairly recent, I think. Some actually believe that if you eat too little cholesterol, your body will produce too much of the LDL. If it senses more in your blood, it will not produce as much. Let's be honest and tell both sides of the story.
How do you think the E. coli gets on the spinach/tomatoes, etc? Poor human handling and use of bad fertilizers, etc. E. coli doesn't naturally grow on tomatoes or spinach, so your argument is completely void.
Research "The Human Skin". Your mind = blo wn.
Are you implying that the human skin is a normal, natural environment for e. coli? We're not talking about Staph or Strep.. E. coli isn't a natural flora of the human skin.
"it doesn't naturally grow on humas...."? Your gut is full of ecoli! ...and you think it will grow on chemical fertilizers? PLEASE wake up.
He's talking about waste runoff, Hog Man, as in the waste runoff from a farm, which might contain e coli.
We can also enjoy our food.
That's a subjective statement. Who are you to say people that don't eat meat don't enjoy their food?
I had some really tasty bacon for dinner tonight along with a couple of juicy fried eggs. I don't care how the critters it came from were treated nor will I ever. Animals are on this earth for humans to exploit for both food and labor.
Karl, you are an ignorant troll who comments just so he can stir the furor of others. I will not give you the attention your parents and peers denied you. Sorry.
You just did.
HA!
A heartless comment- animals, like small children are helpless, and have no voice. Maybe when you are old someone will treat you the way animals are treated!! You are sick!
Perhaps at some point in your life, you can look face-to-face into the eyes of a hungry lion, about 10 feet away...then you will sense true "heartless". They are thinking of you as LUNCH!
Welp yall have fun arguing. Its an arguement that neither side will ever win because we are both too hard headed to see the other persons view. But have fun.
I am irritated all of the uninformed people thinking gestation crates for pigs is bad. Has anyone who says they are bad, seen what happens if you do not put the pigs in a gestation crate. THEY EAT THERE OWN AND OTHERS YOUNG. Is it more humane to keep a pig in a crate for a short time while they are nursing or let little pigs get eaten alive? Stop all the BS about things unless you know and have been around what you are talking about.
I am just glad they haven't decided to go after farrowing crates yet. Those are the ones that protect the piglets, not so much the gestation stalls. We can probably get by without the gestation stalls, but we must have the farrowing crates.
Don't forget sows will attack each other.
Yes we can "get by" without G crates. But why should we have to? The science is pretty clear that they are at least as good, if not better for the animals. The fighting etc. in pens can be really bad. In the end, we OWN these animals and should be able to care for them as we see fit, not as some folks that don't think anyone should eat meat think we should house them. OOOOOOPPPPPS I forgot....they don't think we should house them at all!!!!!!!!
I hope as an animal scientist you will not buy into this loose-housing craziness. Been there...done that. We had loose housing, indoors, and had poor results and went to crates. Everybody, especially the sows are happier. When we first moved off pasture in the 80's, we had freestall sow pens. The sows almost all walked in off pasture, and went into crates (it was their choice). They could have stayed in the pens, but they chose to be in the crates. I presume because they felt safe. Other sows didn't bug them, etc.
Howdy Hog Man. Nice post. And yeah we could probably get by without the G Crates but all those poor little piggies will die because of it. There is even research now that is being published to suggest that the sow will kill the 3-5 smallest/weakest piglets to make sure she can feed the others. Pretty interesting resarch.
No slaughterhouse manager or big farm owner cares about pigs or their young offspring. Their reason for using gestation crates is to spend the least amount of money possible and cram as many profitable pigs into their property.
Why wouldn't we care about our animals? They feed our families and the world... they are our livelyhood. Have you ever seen the blood bath of a sow going after her babies? It is truly awful. The babies are completely helpless and are eaten alive. We don't use crates to harm the mothers but to protect both mother and babies.
Why are farmers always picked on by you vegans? We are trying to make an honest living with the resources God gave us. Yes, there are a few crazies who mistreat their stock, but there are people mistreated every day. There are far more of us out here trying to be stewards of what God has put on this earth for us to use for the good of mankind.
If you don't want to enjoy meat... that is your loss, but don't point your finger at us for using the resources we have been given.
The mere fact that you take ownership of and exploit sentient beings for a quick buck is disgusting. Stop trying to paint industries that exploit animals as benevolent "stewards of God." You are all in it for the money. You could give a flying f*** about your cows, pigs, and chickens.
I understand that you are being paid with blood money, but at least be a little more realistic.
Gestation crates themselves are abusive. How would you like to be caged in your own muck like an African slave?
Your remark about "a few" who abuse their animals is a gross understatement. Animal cruelty in industries that exploit animals for money is far more common than you think or are willing to admit.
A lot of animals kill their own young on occasion. Lions, chimpanzees and even humans. Should we keep humans in small gestation crates until the mother has been proven not to have postpartum depression? Why do it to other animals?
Doctors give mothers bed rest for a month, I see no difference. The pig can stand up, stretch, and eat since this is only for a short time.
Why don't we stop the insults, kiddies, and make some positive suggestions. Here are a few: 1) Eat meat from local small farmers where you know the animals are not factory-farmed 2) Buy grass-fed beef at the supermarket 3) Buy organic and cage-free eggs 4) Buy chicken and other meat not treated with antibiotics. 5) Don't eat meat every day. I only eat meat or fish 3 or 4 times a week and I don't miss it a bit.
Hello Mimi,
I for one would like the farming industry to get together and come with a way to show what really goes on during the course of a day. I mean like someone going to farms, knowingly not being employeed by the operation itself and recording what goes on. I believe that if this happened it would open alot of eyes as to how animals are raised today.
I agree. We need to set up a live video feed that allows us to monitor every inch of every slaughterhouse and large farm in America. Only then will we be able to know the truth and prevent abuses. (Of course, that is unrealistic.)
Today my son was up at day light. He walked out into the pasture and made sure every cow and every calf was accounted for. It's hot and the flies are out this time of year so we check for pink eye. He made sure the water tank was full and all the bovines were looking healthy.
The cows were grazing and the calves were nursing. Not very exciting. It is fun, in the cooler part of the day, to be out there because the calves are active. They will follow you then all the sudden just take off running the opposite direction. Goofy little things.
In the heat they head to the trees for shade. Then back out for grazing as the temperatures cool. My husband and I were out in the evening, checking the herd over again, checking the grass conditions and opening gates into more pasture. We've got a new bull coming at 6 am so we wanted the cows up to greet him. I am sure some of them will be very happy to see a bull.
While we were out there we cut down small cedar trees. The dirty things will take over a pasture. The bugs were biting but not too bad. Since it is still pretty hot we were sweating quite a bit. Ranching and farming is a dirty job.
There you have it. Not exciting television is it?
"Rancher," not everyone runs a small, "family" farm like you. Watch footage filmed at slaughterhouses and you will get a dose of reality. Even if your story is true, you do not represent the majority of farms or animal-related industries.
Davis, how do you know rancher's ranch is small? We feed 18,000 and this is the story of our day. We have three hands that help us make sure everyone is happy by the end of the day. You see one bad story on TV and assume that we are all evil. We are trying to steward the land and animals God gave us to use. Don't insult my hard work...
You are an industry stooge who is spreading lies, "Erica" the "Farmer." There are MANY cases of animal abuse on farms EVERYWHERE, not just in the news once in a while.
By the way, three farm hands is hardly enough to take proper care of 18,000 animals.
Many hog farms are now doing this. If you want to see how contented these animals are all day long (yawn) watch http://www.realpigfarm.com. This is a 24/7 stream from a friend of mine's farm. One vew is gestation, the other farrowing.
These animals sleep most of the day, are protected from each other. Properly fed well-balanced diets. Individually cared for. Etc. Some may still not like crates....but what you see is real. We have nothing to hide.
Most of the HSUS videos are obviously staged, and frankly, the cameraman should be prosecuted. Even in cases of unstaged abuse, these folks let it go on, often for months, by their own admission, just to get a better video. wouldn't it be better for the animals if they discussed with their dupervisor the first time the observe it? They never do this...just let it goon until they can get the footage they want, and then let HSUS make it viral, just to get more money for the organization. This proves they don't care about animal welfare, or they would follow the protocols most have set up in their farms to deal with abusers.
I couldn't find the live video, just some marketing stuff that actually showed some pretty crowded areas, stuffed with animals. Glad I don't make my living off of that kind of misery.
I actually agree with mimi
God does not exist. Animals evolved alongside us by chance. Therefore, God could not have supported meat consumption.
You could also make the argument that a benevolent God would not support the gruesome abuses taking place in factory farms and slaughterhouses.
A benevolent God would make decisions based on facts.
Tell me any parent that can control their adult kids, and I will show you Hitler.
Show me a parent that allows people to make decisions for themselves, and I will show you someone who resembles God's thinking.
Read the Old Testament. God gave instructions to cripple the horses after a battle.
your a troll
"your"? Guess English word usage wasn't your first choice of electives at the trailer park.
when did you tell your Mom you failed philosophy class
Buster, your troll-like tactics are far too common on this site. You are a mental midget and you cannot defeat people who support compassion for animals in a debate, so you are forced to resort to insults. Anyone with common sense can recognize your way of distorting the truth in an honest exchange.
Davis.....ok...maybe I am not as articulate as you....first, and I have seen from other posters this word "troll" ...explain...apparently everybody is a troll...and additionally explain to me what it is that you represent...Ii think I know and that is someone that does not eat meat ?? and this aryticle that has spawned all of this last hour is that of abusing animals. I know that soemone like you abhors any agriculltural raising of animals but I can assure you that my cattle are not in anyy way miistreated nor are any cattle of anyone I know. Gloves are off please explain I am listening.......my vision is comprimised
A troll is someone who does not contribute to any reasonable exchange by simply putting out lies, distorting the truth, and getting people angry without participating in the debate in any meaningful way.
What I want is for both sides to present their evidence without acting like children. Unfortunately, if you act like a child, I will have to stoop to that level, too, by pointing out your mistakes.
The only way to end animal cruelty is to take on the s c u m who benefit from it financially and to enact stricter punishments for those who are caught, in addition to laws banning gestation crates and other inhumane methods of keeping farm animals in one place.
I agree with you 100%....The "gestation crates", I have to say this the first time I hve heard of them. Other crating of animals I am veryy much against. I am a person who has lived a life of raising beef animals in open range. Your side of the argument has always been an issue. Yours is a way of life and I do honor it. It has been a problem addressing the eating of meat with those who do not and a comprimise or rather (the moderation of diet) needs to met for the future of food for the planet......hopefullyb I have elevated from troll....(in case you did not see below< the stoiry about my dog was not comjured up)
I was glad to see that "trolls" have been elevated to those that don't contribute to an arguement. I have always thought that one was labelled a TROLL if they disagreed in any way with the very left-wing, liberal ideas promoted in blogs like this. Anyone that disagrees with these folks is labelled a troll or an "indiustry schill". I am glad I can put in my 2-cents worth without having these labels applied to me.
If it was not intended for us to eat meat, God would not have put it on this earth.
you are so ignorant.
PC, I agree.
I am going to keep eating meat all I want because I know facts about what goes on in everyday livestock production. This guy knows little.
Oh Ok. Sorry I know why now. He is a member of HSUS. No point in arguing with these people.
If you knew as much as you claim and you were an Average Joe without biases or links to the meat industry, you would probably be disgusted to the point of reconsidering your meat consumption. Nice try. No one with a brain is fooled by it.
Davis notice the name I use to post on here. There is a reason. I actually am involved in the animal industry have been my entire life. I use my education to sort out what information is "staged" and what actually depicts the way animals are actually raised and taken care of.
You cannot ignore real-life abuses.
Stop trying to say that the thousands of videos of animal cruelty filmed in large farms are mere hoaxes. There have been legal investigations, arrests, and widespread controversies as a result of REAL footage recorded secretly by activists. You cannot deny the truth.
I don't honesly think Davis that you have a clue what you are talking about. The last undercover video I watched that was released by either PETA or HSUS showed PETA or HSUS workers who were hired by the farm/ranch mistreating the animals. Not actual lifelong workers for the farm.
You have no proof that the abusers were PETA or HSUS employees. That is a baseless accusation and a distortion of facts.
In fact, there is no reason to believe that the abusers were activists. If the farm cares about its animals, why does it not monitor them and make sure that its employees treat them properly? How can such abuse go on without them knowing or caring?
@Davis,
I know for a fact, that these animal rights groups can not be trusted to tell the truth! My uncle's Chestnut Horses were stolen off his property, beaten, starved, and and abused, by one of these groups!
They did it to claim he had done it!
Thankfully, he had had recent vet visits, and photos of his beloved horses, as well as the neighbors knew him much too well to believe that crap.
It went to court, and by the time the thieves were forced by the court to produce the animals, they were in so bad a condition, all but two had to be put down. That broke my Uncle's heart, and he no longer raises horses.
Don't you DARE tell me they care for the animals. To them, it is about power and influence, NOT the welfare of the animal, that really matters.
Look up the public financial records of groups such as PETA. They spend enormous amounts for protests, advertising, politics, and lies, but not ONE ACRE purchased for animal habitat, wet lands, raising and releasing Game animals (quail, rabbits, pheasants, ducks, ect.) That is all done by hunter/ conservation groups such as Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and many others. Just as Hunters Against Hunger groups feed the hungry, the homeless, and the poor.
I have viewed many of these so called "truth films" shot by these groups about the evils of hunting. As a lifelong hunter of more than 35 years, I can clearly and easily see what has been faked by non-hunters. So far, I have not found ONE group of animal rights people, that can be believed, trusted, and respected. NOT ONE!
You want to help animals? Join a conservation group such as Pheasants Forever, even if you don't hunt, you could be an asset. But join PETA, you are part of the problem.
I have been eating less meat lately, in particular, red meat and pork. I still eat fish and seafood, however. I especially don't like to eat pork~ pigs are far too intelligent. I eat chicken on occasion, however. I think chickens can still be considered 'vegetables'. That said, maybe I'll become a piscatarian.
Reduce your meat consumption and enjoy the long-term benefits.
By the way, I find your "vegetables" comment about chickens to be quite strange.
The chicken comment was meant to be funny ~ actually borrowed it from someone who is a vegetarian. Ah, well.
Why do you think eating fish (especially wild caught fish) is somehow morally better than consuming animal protein that was produced specifically for human consumption. Our seas are becoming dangerously over-harvested. Many fish stocks are being rapidly depleted. Believing that you can harvest any wild animal (including fish) in sufficient quantities to satisfy the protein needs of the burgeoning human population shows a total lack of understanding for how wild populations work.
Yawn. Farm animals are FOOD.
I agree. But cruelty is cruelty.
I'm a conservative, definitely not a PETA type. But I'll tell you what, having grown up on an Iowa farm and seeing how livestock is raised today makes me sick. No, I'm not talking about the average family farmer but I do point out the huge hog confinement lots, cattle confinement lots, and chickens. They are so jammed together it is pathetic. To avoid the disease that accompies close confinement, they are shot up with every conceivable innoculation and growth hormone. Pathetic, let them roam or don't raise them!
I am glad that someone in the political middle recognized what you did. It's time for common-sense laws that end the excess abuses but also keep reality in mind.
I can agree with you, John, BUT "reality" should mean phasing out meat production over time as the population
transitions to healthier lifestyles and the number of farm animals is made to decrease. A smaller number of farm animals
and animal-related facilities is easier to regulate, allowing the government to better enforce anti-cruelty legislation and
improve the living conditions of these animals.
I like meat. I don't eat beef all the time, but it is hard to beat a good, thick, bloody ribeye, just off the grill, hot on the outside and just warm in the middle.
If your tastes – not your rational mind – controls you, then that is quite a tragedy.
Mark, you may miss the pasture lifestyle, and not appreciate modern production, but your analysis about overcrowding, antibiotics, hormones, etc. is just false. You have bought into the HSUS/PETA mindset. We had to use more antibiotics when we had animals all outdoors and on straw (farrowing). Hogs are not fed hormones. Anitibiotics are onlyu used strategically..sometimes proactively to prevent disease...which is much better than waiting until some are sick and dying. We know when they will become infected with certain things, by our records and experience, and can prevent it!
STOP EATING THEM>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
More for US!! The majority of humanity, that is.
Enjoy your heart attack in the near future, meat eater.
Eat right, work out, don't smoke or drink, abstain from sex.......die anyway.
Eat right, work out, don't smoke or drink, abstain from "da goodness of da beav".......die anyway.
It's entirely possible to eat meat in moderation, and maintain a very healthy lifestyle that will allow you to live well beyond the average life-expectancy.
Yes, but it has been indicated over time that vegetarian and vegan diets are far healthier than your average diet, which incorporates some amount of meat.
Dan – I don't doubt the health benefits of salads. But present the proof of the more swaying l parts of your claim.
Meant Davis. All this meat is making my brain decay.
That is not surprising. Red meat, commonly eaten by a large number of Americans, is extremely unhealthy. Look it up on Google and you will find countless reputable studies that support my argument.
well "mad Sam" since I excersize regularly, don't think so....
I doubt that the amount of exercise performed by the average person (the "Average Joe") is enough to stave off the effects of high cholesterol, being overweight, obesity, heart disease, etc.
Besides, some people actually care about things other than themselves. They think with their rational minds, not their taste buds.
There are plenty of appetizing meals that do not contain meat, by the way.
What a crock! If the HSUS would spend some of the money they collect on animal care instead on advertising to get more money all animals would be better cared for. Also are you willing to pay more for your food? That is what will happen if some of these crazy laws are passed and there will be more starving people in USA!
Actually, it would be far more efficient to feed everyone in the country based on a vegetarian diet. Ending animal exploitation would only make the country healthier and – quite possibly – even wealthier; there is no reason that people would starve. In fact, if you use a utilitarian approach and think in terms of efficiency, many pounds of non-animal matter are needed to produce one pound of meat, so producing meat is wasteful and illogical.
Elaborate on "non-animal matter".
Vegetation, i.e. not meat. You should be smart enough to understand that.
I am actually interested in your thought, not your argument. How much of your salad do you think was fertilized with da caca? I know it has to have been at one point, hence the wash. I loves da salad, not da poo. But with slices of t-bone on top
Savor your carcass flesh and its high fat content. Go ahead. Then do us all a favor and die of a stroke.
Easy there, Sam. I would not wish death unto any meat-eater, but I do take offense when trolls stir up trouble just so that their side of the argument benefits from the confusion.
Mad Sam has made his feelings known, and they are respected. It's the facts that are missing.
Troll, listen up: Mad Sam has a point. We can't turn a blind eye to severe abuses forever. He may be on the fringes, but at least he values some sense of justice.
at least someone on here knows what they are talking about. thank you.
SAmmy baby, STAY AWAY FROM MEAT! I'll take your share. Stay outta my way, I'll stay out of yours. capiche?
Yes, but that animal matter is very energy dense, so the trade off isn't as significant as you are implying.
Sorry, but food is not just pounds. Meat, especially RED meat is a more concentrated form of nourishment that contains more protein and other vitamins and minerals that are often difficult to obtain through veggie diets. This too, is well documented in the literature. Without it, one must often have to consume "dietary supplements", which may or not be chemical based (oops), and some may acutally be extracts from animal by-products, meaning without we meat-eaters...you might not be able to get the supplement you need for survival and health.
Hear!! Hear!! That is right on. HSUS's ads are very misleading and make it sound like they are running animal rescue facilities and such when in fact, they are radical animal rights activists with a very extreme agenda and they actually use their monies to attempt to influence legislators, and interfere with the democratic process.
Plenty of groups and individuals use lobbying tactics and are still a healthy part of the democratic process. The NRA (which I like, sort of) is one of them.
BUT...NRA is very forward about what they do. HSUS collects millions $19.95/month at a time, by advertising (which takes obout 45% of their budget) that implies they directly help care for animals. All you see is sad-eyed cats, dogs, etc. This actually takes money from local shelters, because many donors contribute to HSUS, thinking they divide up the money to local shelters. I can't believe some gov't agency cannot stop this FALSE ADVERTISING. I think HSUS, too, realizes they are pushing the envelope. Recently I saw an extremely small disclaimer along the lines that "HSUS is not related to local humane societies. However it is so small and short, that I had to pause my 42" TV to read it. This, to me, indicates that they know what they are doing is wrong! Why not put the disclaimer in readable type, and on long enough for people to read...or better yet, have the misguided movie star vocalize such at the end of the ad?
How about the severe mistreatment of various types of animals (go to YouTube), cows and pigs that are slaughtered improperly (without being stunned first or being killed even when they are sick), etc?
Steve, the evidence is overwhelming. The meat industry may be strong, but it cannot hide facts. Anyone who denies facts also has no concept of reality.
Michael Vick.
Many of these abuses are "staaged". Others are not common practice, but are never-the-less filmed by a infiltrator of HSUS. None of these folks have followed proper protocal of contacting the supervisors or even local authoritiesm as they are "required" by law to do. They simply watch and wait, take illicit films, and give to HSUS, who then exagerrates and edits and puts to it music (minor chords–ominous sounding). Just look at some of the angles that these are taken at.
BTW there was a case a few years ago where a guy was hired by HSUS/PETA to pay elephant handlers to abuse the circus elephants as he filmed them. I think it was Ringgling Bros., but don't remember took them to court. The money trail led back to one of thses groups. The mistake was he was living way to high for his "pay grade". I think he is now in jail.
You can tell allot about a country by how it treats its animals. We exploit nearly everything on our planet, breathing and not! I eat meat, but I buy free range meat. If an animal is being raised solely for food, at least let it have some contentment out of its life time. Besides, all the fear the poor animals feel is excreted into their systems just like with us humans. In return you eat the meat flooded with not only antibiotics and other chemicals, but all the stress hormones.too!! If you truly cared to find out what is in the factory farm meats, you'd never eat it unless you are on a suicide mission!!
The Matrix amazed me on this point. Humans are a parasite. We will destroy this planet. We will consume it. We are responsible for it and all it contains.
Uh, oh. I think that's what God told us in Genesis. Ooops. We need to take care of it, and each other.
Thanks, troll, for pointing out that many humans behave parasitically. Not all. MANY.
Not everyone on the planet has proven himself or herself worthy of life. Just look at your average criminal, child predator, or animal abuser.
It's a fact that we are parasitic. How many trees have you planted to account for the anything you have printed or read? How many heads of lettuce have you replaced your salad with? Christmas trees? Eggs? Chicken? Radishes? Tomatoes? Steak? Burgers? Oil (LOL)? Glue?
Shall I continue or have you done your part, parasite? Replace and nurture what has been given to you.
I have contributed in MANY ways and MANY places, from here to my parents' country in South America.
Examples: Guarding sea turtle nesting sites as part of a months-long voluntary community service program, planting trees in forested areas that have been clear-cut in the Pacific Northwest and parts of Brazil, working in the U.S. Coast Guard and catching criminals of all types off the coast of Florida, being a street cop in Miami and catching the worst kinds of s c u m on Earth, being a volunteer with several local groups that have found and reported illegal fishing nets in local waterways, and the list goes on.
I have done more than you will ever do, troll.
You know nothing about me or what I have done. Stop calling me names, or I'll tell mom.
Nice work, by the way.
What an excellent example of a mental midget who lacks compassion ...
Pam, you are obviously an HSUS troll or are extremely misguided. If you want to see "contented animals" just look at the sows in their crates on the following website. This is areal farm, and they stream a part of their gestation and farrowing barns for everyone to see...24/7..unjless there is some sort of internet problem.. They are proud of how they care for their animals. These sows are extremely content and comfortable. They would be fighting if not in crates. Your comments about antibiotics, etc., etc. are extremely misguided and come right out of the HSUS "playbook". Antibiotics are expensive, and are only used judiciously. Your desire for free-range is you choice, and I have no problem with that. Just remember that those animals also carry risks of disease that are avoided with indoor production. They also have the fear of predators, weather extremes, etc. Both methods of production are acceptable to the animals...they are just different. You should not disparage (sp?) one over the other.
http://www.realpigfarm.com
How about the severe mistreatment of various types of animals (go to YouTube), cows and pigs that are slaughtered improperly (without being stunned first or being killed even when they are sick), etc?
Dang it. While I agree that both chickens and cows should not be in tiny pens and live short lives in squalor, and that no one should eat the horrible product of antibiotic-injected beef, I grew up on a farm around cows and chickens. And the idea that these animals are some kind of downtrodden Disney characters is ridiculous. Cows are as dumb as a bag of bricks, and chickens have the sentient presence of a moth. They aren't intelligent and responsive like your dogs and cats, folks. Sorry, but that's just the doggone truth.
To anyone who cares about sentient beings (living things like you and me that feel pain like we do), their intelligence level matters very little. After all, would you abuse or somehow mistreat a mentally challenged kid just because he is not as smart as most of us?
We do care about them, and for them. During snow storms, wtc., we trudge to work. We get no vacation time or weekends off. they are alot of work We care about them and for them. then they are properly and humanely stunned and killed and processed for for their meat. it is true that we make use of every part of a pig but the squeal. Period.
I find it hard to believe you worked on a farm. Pigs are way more intelligent than dogs and considered second to chimpanzees. The reason you might not perceive them as smart as a dog is because they are motivated by food and not your approval. Cows are not as smart but certainly outwit a cat.
Yep. I grew up there and worked with the animals from the time I was of any use to my father, which was at a pretty young age. We didn't have pigs, so I have no knowledge of them. But I've heard that they're smart.
Maybe I was hasty with my comment, but I think two things set me off:
A lot of folks are full of sympathy for such talk, but take no action–and devour meat every day–which is fine, because humans are omnivorous. Still, they don't seem to realize that there's a death involved–and that the slice of protein they consume is a cut-up chunk of an animal, wrapped up in plastic. People have no connection to the actual source of their meat. I remember the first time I held the halter of a young steer that was killed–to be butchered. The butcher used a bolt gun, and the suddeness of it shocked me. The man held the gun to its head and there was a sound and the animal crumpled to the ground, and then the butcher slit its throat, and hauled it up on a frame to let the blood drain out. I knew my father expected me to have no reaction, so I stood tall, but in truth I wanted to vomit, because I felt the life go out of it, just like that.
The other thing that set me off is the smug face of the writer at the top of the article, so self-righteous and confident. There's something really annoying about that look. It's the look of someone who hasn't had much strife and pain yet in their life. You need a better look than that if you're going to stand around and tell people that they're bad, and then tell them what's truly good for them.
To all those who show disregard for the suffering of other creatures with their pitiful comments, I wish you nothing but misery in your own little lives.
You are either Atheist or Baptist. Which one am I close to?
OH PLEASE...what do you eat RW.....and what is the suffering of other creatures...let us not forget the plants or the bug that splatters on the windshield
I hope someday you are so injured that you wont be able to move and your dog will get hungry and eat your face.
I don't think you are understanding me. I don't mistreat animals. And if I was injured my dog would not eat my face because he is dead. I had to put him to sleep after a three year battle with diabetes...it was the worst day of my life. I should hope you would understand everything I have fought back with tonight but it is ok that you can not.
Buster, I have a feeling that you are a troll and that you just conjured up that story.
Nice try at getting some sympathy for your side of the argument.
Uh no Davis...I didn't conjure up that story...I miss very much my dog...He was a person with me every day for 14 years and rode in my truck sitting up in the passenger seat. In my small town people always knew it was me cuz buster was sitting in his seat....more I could say about him but pointless
Nice sentiment, but I think you're thinking of your Gramps. 'Cause Gramps would never say "cuz". He would kick your boohind for the misspelling.
And the grammar reminds me of them "Prince of Nigeria" e-mail scams.
This individual clearly has not been on a modern family farm and mistakes many of the actions on a farm as cruelty. I encourage folks that before they believe such drastic accusations that they take the time to do their own research, talk with a farmer or even tour a farmer. Farmers want to be apart of the conversation. HSUS has only one goal in mind and that is to stop animal agriculture.
Tell the "farm families" to make a living based on something other than the exploitation of sentient beings.
F
*
*
K
the "innocent" farmers.
obviously you have no concept of reality. but fortunately there are people that actually do want to know facts.
Steve, open your eyes. Heart-wrenching cases of abuse are EVERYWHERE.
thanjks for your input as mine was a little confrontational......I have seen this misguided dialouge for years and it really angers me...
How can you "tour a farmer"?
Jokes aside, it must be recognized that unspeakable abuses occur almost every day at farms where animals are raised. The Internet is full of videos confirming this.
I would encourage you to look in your local community for a farm. If you are in an urban area I can understand that it would be a bit more difficult but contact some of the state organizations. There are always farmers who are willing to bring people to their farm and explain what they do. Do you have some specific examples of what you think farmers are doing wrong?
How about the severe mistreatment of various types of animals (go to YouTube), cows and pigs that are slaughtered improperly (without being stunned first or being killed even when they are sick), etc?
Steve, the evidence is overwhelming. The meat industry may be strong, but it cannot hide facts. Anyone who denies facts also rejects reality.
Laura....you are uninformed.
Buster, you are uninformed and narrow-minded to such an extent that you purposely ignore the other side's arguments and evidence.
Yes, because everything you read on the internet is true.
@DK: Great. Are you telling Laura to completely ignore thousands of cases of recorded animal abuse simply because they are available to everyone on the Internet?
Are you implying that every single instance of animal abuse recorded on a farm has been faked?
G T F O of this discussion until your IQ goes up, numbnut.
DK, if you were not so narrow-minded, you would at least recognize the great extent to which animal abuse occurs at supposedly "legitimate" facilities like farms.
There are several you tubes where family farmers have posted their farms. I live in the heart of agriculture and the vast majority of us don't abuse any animals. The argument that a very, very small minority abuse livestock so all livestock production should be banned is totally irrational. There are pet owners who abuse their pets so should all of us be forced to give up our pets? Same logic. But that is a goal of HSUS to ban all animal ownership.
HSUS is the same group that takes in millions of dollars every year but only spends 1% or less on animal rescue.
Well, I could show you how, depending on what you look like! HAHAHA
Steve the problem is that the majority of the food Americans eat does not come from a "family" farm. It comes from feed lots and factory farming. Almost all of the chain stores and restaurants purchase from these Big Agri. The point of the article is to get people to educate themselves as to where their meat comes. Is it a factory farm where pigs are held in gestation crates or is it a family farm where they can actually graze on a pasture and are not fed corn.
98% of farms are family owned.
That is an enormous lie. Very few farms are owned and run by small families.
I don't know exact nimber, but far and away, farms are owned/operated by farm families. I see the commenter now wants to debate the size of the family....apparently you have to be a "small farm family" to be OK. What is wrong with several siblings working together on a larger family farm, that can use many of the efficiencies of the "mega farms".? Do you need to be inefficient to be considered a good "small family farm"?
CNN is this truly news worthy? Oh by the way you have forgotten to tell your readers that by doing all this that they will be forced to raise meat prices again. We are already facing a market that is going to increase due to the drought conditions in the midwest. It amazes me that you only report the side of the story you want told and not the entire truth. What has happened to responsible journalism?
Yes, Kevin, this is newsworthy.
I prefer to engage in an ethical debate that sits at the core of human nature rather than talk about Jersey Shore or an insignificant story about someone five thousand miles away.
Davis, Who the hell said anything about Jersey Shore or some event 5000 miles away. The liberal media is doing another hit and run story to see whatever will stick. The liberal media does a hit and run story on whatever and whoever they take aim at to make rules for the masses good. I'm calling bullsh*t they have literally destroyed a company where I live and displaced a couple thousand workers in four different states with no consequences to them by telling outright lies. I personally believe in responsible journalism and you believe in fairy tales take off your rose colored glasses.
Hi there,
We do in fact present the POV from both side, on a regular basis. You just happened upon one side's turn. Come back later this week for the response from a farmer, and dig into the article here: http://eatocracy.cnn.com/category/news/business-and-farming-news/farms/
Kat Kinsman - Managing Editor, CNN Eatocracy
Why is it there are more groups that are concerned with the health and well being of animals than there is for the health and well being of humans? In my opinion as long as the meat I eat is dead when it hits my plate at my table I dont care what happened to it while its alive.
How despicable of you.
Be glad. You are among the ranks of the ignorant and cruel of this miserable world.
You "do not care what happens to it before it hits your plate."
By that same logic, could I serve you one of your own family members for dinner? What if that relative was abused and decapitated beforehand? Ah, yes, you would not care.
You only care for living beings that are like you. What a load of selfish krap.
Once again you prove your lunacy. Congratulations, you're number one... no wait... number two is much more appropriate.
Krisagi, to answer your question, you're looking to openly at the article. It was posted to bring awareness to this topic, not to belittle all others. If you don't like the content of this thread then, by all means, go away.
*too openly*
Ways to Clean Up America and the World
- Make animal cruelty a capital crime, regardless of age
- Give most prisoners and dangerous offenders lethal injections and use prison funds for our system of education
- Phase out meat production and pet breeding over time (until both are eventually eradicated, leading to a world with fewer abused animals)
- Use "advanced interrogation techniques" on terrorists as an example for all to see
- Ban hunting, but lessen restrictions on civilian firearms ownership for the purpose of self-defense (a nationwide "Stand Your Ground" law should be enacted and state prohibitions regarding specific firearms should be overturned)
I can't wait until you're President. So I can be proud to defect to Argentina.
But don't worry. Asst. Manager of Little Caesar's is all I have to worry about.
- Use violent prison inmates as test subjects and ban animal experimentation
- Legalize limited amounts of certain illegal substances and place their sale under government control
- Criminalize bullying in schools
Ahh. The last point speaks volumes.
oh,there it is...as bad as bullying in schools can be...I bet you got bullied and the big boys pulled your pants down and spanked ur pencildick
Buster, go ahead and spew whatever nonsense you want. I am not a basement dweller who makes his money off animals' suffering.
we don't have basements around here....so you live in a city somewhere that does...I can assure you I llive on high ground...some would say way up high on the hog...and the next time you do eat a soybean product it is very possible it came from me.......bon appetite you silly person
Buster, what a nice way to stir up trouble. Good job, troll. Your attempt to incite further insults from Mad Sam will hopefully lead to failure.
Additional notes:
- Seriously invest in alternative energy sources
- "Liquidate" all sex offenders
- Legalize limited amounts of certain drugs and put their sale under government control
- Make bullying an offense punishable by up to 6 years in prison
- Enact sanctions against countries where severe, systemic abuses of animals are well-documented
Nice name, Jdizzle. I can't wait until he becomes Fuhrer either. I will enjoy serving his army and wiping s c u m like you off the face of the Earth. Enjoy your last decades, troll.
I care about this issue a lot. I fired off angry emails to Costco because one of their suppliers was caught abusing pigs and Costco pretty much shrugged it off. Here they are pretending to be a somewhat ethical company but when they had the opportunity to flex their muscles and do the right thing, they did nothing. Thank you for the work you do Mr Prescott. I'm happy you are suggesting people cut back vs going vegan which isn't realistic for most people.
Random e-mails will never make any noise, hence class action lawsuits. You sound like my idiot Dad, believing his e-mail to Obama was actually read by the president, all proud he sent one to him. If you want something revolutionized, start a revolution.
Good luck, as vegetarians are the extreme minority – worldwide, hence the angst.
"my idiot Dad" you sound like a wonderful person, your Dad must be proud. Anyway, considering I've been a member for a decade and spend thousands every year, someone did take the time to write an email back with follow ups. They asked for my name and the number on my card so I wasn't some random person. Unfortunately there isn't enough people following this issue and it doesn't always get reported in the media. If more people had known I'm sure more emails would have been sent to them.
You just proved my point.
you didn't make a point. Just blah blah blah. Honestly I don't know why people like you and Kevin write nonsensical responses to everyone. Have you ever considered writing your own comment instead of boring others to death under their comment?
Lila, I'm sorry but this isn't reliable or even truthful reporting you sight one incident of animal cruelty and think it's Costco's fault?
You would rather see animals free range and then you would be critical when they were out in the cold during the winter months and you think thats humane. This is just another attempt by the Humane Society, Peta and Liberals to impose their radical views on the minority. Time to take off your rose colored glasses and know the facts that you won't hear at CNN.
Blech, what a bunch a blathering drivel. Try to educate yourself on this issue. Kroger and Safeway(both are listed above) came out immediately against the farm in Iowa that was caught abusing the pigs, Costco gave a weak response.
You alone will change the world Lila.
Many people have changed the world by themselves.
Your attempt to demean Linda and her attempt to contribute to a noble cause has just ended in FAILURE.
to the "moderators".....Why did my response get bumped off the air?..........I would say another liberal effort to keep the truth from being shown..........Please oh please all of you tofu eaters.go to Wikipedia and read up on fertilizer that grows the soybean that your beloved edamame is grown from...this article is irrresponsible and the animals being treated lilke this are raised by immigrants who have brought to this country the kind of methods indicated in the article. Don't cuss a farmer or a rancher with your mouth full of food.
You typed in a word that triggered CNN's word filter and caused your comment to be blocked.
Shove the tin foil hat where the sun doesn't shine, numbnut.
no you numbnut...me not numbnut...you dumbdumb too
Mad Sam is right and your response was flaccid – source considered.
hmmmm. ... time to go hunting ... they live the ultimate free range all their lives
What a load of crap.
Mensa must have really lowered their standards.
just a comment....i am a waitress and when i ask a table of 20 people if they want seperate checks, they tell me it will be just ONE ticket...and when it's time to cash out, it was all seperate!!
YES CNN! YES YES YES! May you continue posting articles like this on your main page? PLEASE??!!! You've done a good thing!
I have been in agriculture all of my life and the only "thing" I see that needs to be prosecuted is the person who wrote this extremely iresponsible article. However.........If "person who wrote article" wants to prosecute someone, go to the thousands of illegal immigrants who have brought to this country ways of raising animals as they do in their home countries. I can refer this bleeding heart asshole to the Texas Animal Health Commision to show him how they deal with those kinds of violators everyday. Other than that, don't cuss a farmer or a rancher with your mouith full of food.
As you sow, so shall you reap. As much suffering you inflict on others, you will be allowed to suffer yourself. There is perfect balance in the universe. If you can arrange for animals to live a decent life before being slaughtered, you will be afforded the same privilege in some future life.
I agree. Treat your livestock with respect. Appreciate them, and pray to God they were healthy when you make a good roast, the protein is needed for more work tomorrow.
Farmers are the most appreciative bunch of nature that I've ever been a part of. Vegans seem to despise it. Like an anorexic eating a cupcake,
"I know I need it to live, but.......NOOOO!!"
1. Change your diet. - I'm not on a diet. I eat whatever I want, and so should you. I regret that my body wants meat - not a lot, but I know when I want meat. Obsessively removing meat completely from a human diet is contrary to nature and qualifies as an eating disorder.
2. Ask your legislators to support farm animal welfare reforms - They will throw money at the problem, and not get satisfactory results.
3. Support the movement to let pigs turn around - This is a shameful practice that should simply be outlawed. Criminal charges are appropriate.
4. Encourage food businesses to switch to more humane products - They don't want to hear it. They are out to make money, and they look at the bottom line. If that seems short-sighted, yes, and that's the way they think. They're in the chain but they have no influence over farming practices. They will also lie to you, and say that they get their items from farms that use animal-friendly practices, and then where are you? Please don't make yourself a pain in the butt.
5. Get social! Let your online friends know you care - Bleat. I generally ignore do-gooders and people with a "cause" online. I cannot take this advice.
Reed "The Story of B" and learn why the agricultural revolution is destroying us. One might say this is Crazy Eddie thinking - just when we need food in greater quantities than ever, along comes someone who wants reform, but in fact, the whole system is unecological and unsustainable, and we have a few generations at most before it collapses. So, this effort to improve the lives of farm animals, however noble, is not only doomed to fail, it is built on the assumptions that led to bad farming practices in the first place.
HSUS is a scam. They take your money and keep 90% and only use about 10% for helping animals . None of it goes to your local shelters like their ads say.
Ok so you think the HSUS is a sham. Don't you still think that animals should be treated humanely?
Almost there, HSUS keeps over 99%, less than 1% is used for animals. They are under investigation in at least 12 states. They are being sued on multiple accounts. In South Dakota, they illegally removed dogs from a reputable breeder and then they treated the animals so poorly that many of them died at the hands of the HSUS.
The best thing we can do to help farm animals there is one thing start eating bleeding heart environmentalists
The day is NOT that far off when meat products will be synthesized in industrial plants rather than obtained from living creatures - That last practice being pretty awful if you bother to actually face up to it ! ! ! .
I know that sounds fantastic - but how would you like the task of explaining the details of your life today to some folks living in, say, 1875 ? ? ? . You would be put away into the nearest Funny Farm ! ! !
"What you can do to help farm animals"
Eat 'em!
In many states, most farms are family owned, or "corporate" in that they formed a family corporation to protect them from onerous death taxes. Farming is hard work, and producers are not just under appreciated but ignored. However, without farmers there would be no food, clothing, shelter or, increasingly, fuel. Want to do the best for yourself and your family? Become an educated consumer. Know where your food comes from, shop locally and eat seasonally. Then get to know...REALLY KNOW...more about agriculture. Then you have the tools to make informed decisions about what you put in your body and your environment. One American farmer feeds more than 122 people. They live and raise their children where they work and do what they do because they love it. And they know healthy, happy animals are stronger and more productive. I know these things because I'm a city girl who fell in love with farming, and was open to learning every side of this story. Give it a try.
Thank you! Well stated!
Work Union for a Better America
STOP the Obama-Pelosi War against Medical Marijuana Patients –
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Move to Schedule 2 – thank you.
"One American farmer feeds more than 122 people"
That is the myth the agricultural industry wants you to believe. One farmer may live on a lot that produces enough of one commodity to feed many (e.g. 122) people. But what you don't realize is that modern farming uses a lot of off farm inputs like diesel, fertilizer, computers, bio-engineered seeds, and of course the entire transportation and handling system to move the product from the farm to the table. The truck driver, the computer scientist and chemist are all part of this value chain that enables the farmer to survive. Farmers need those other people as much as we need farmers to grow crops and raise animals. Without other sectors of the economy, farming as we know it today would not exist.
Fail. Those are the people that develop the seeds and fertilizers. Farmer brown is a customer of theirs, and they him. Mr. Brown lacks Beaker in his tractor cab.
Jim:
I said one farmer feeds 122 people. The supply chain you outline employs one in 22 Americans. Truckers, manufacturers, scientists, grocers, box makers....all are jobs provided by agriculture. It remains the economic backbone of many U.S. States and supplies food for the world. Someone else said it in this thread...don't complain about agriculture with your mouth full. Fill your brain with accurate information and make your own decisions instead.
This is awesome! Animals deserve so much better than life on a factory farm. Thanks for posting, CNN.
Om nOm nOm NOm NOm Nom,pass the bacon cheese burger please.With a side of chicken wings/
And gizzards! OOOOMMM NOM NOM NOM!!!!
While I will freely continue to eat meat, I do advocate for the humane treatment of animals–whether they're bred for the market or not. There is absolutely no reason why the animals we consume must be made to suffer. We should be thankful for their life and treat them accordingly.
Seriously? You folks think this guy is an expert? My bet his brow never sweats feeding and watering livestock. This country needs to be grateful to the farmers and ranchers who work hard every day to feed you at a relatively low cost. This country has not been hungry in a very long time. Why don't all of you get out there and figure out a way to produce just SOME of your own food. You might actually learn something valuable.
There are plenty of people who raise much of our food – such as me, though we mostly eat vegetables and grains – who agree that many animals are raised today in inhumane conditions.(Read "Mad Cowbow" by Howard F. Lyman to get a sense of the twisted and cruel treatment many animals are given in animal "factory farms." As well as the unhealthy meat that too often results.) And, whether or not you eat meat, or raise your own food, I believe there is a strong ethical argument to treat animals with dignity and let them live natural lives before being slaughtered for food.
People wouldn't even think of killing their pet dogs and cats etc., and yet have no
hesitation about killing cows, pigs, lambs, and chickens. Switching to a plant based diet is
the kind and humane, and healthy, thing to do.
WOW! How sweet! Would you like a job?
I would. Neither of you have been truly starving before, have you?
Bye, bye, Mittens! Hello, dinner! We stay alive another day! Maybe in time to cure a cancer, which my dog and cat are bothe completely capable of.
Digest that, b!txches
Yes, you are so correct...no one thinks of eating their cats or dogs as the same as eating cows, chickens or pigs...poor little guys The poor abuse they endure to make it to the table... I have 3 boys that i live with and they have no clue of the difference even though I am vegetarian....though I would love to be vegan. The torture, the violence and the inhumane ways are put into the universe and in turn are returned to us. We all wonder why we have torture, violence and other atrocities,,,Remember what you put out to the universe returns to you.....including the treatment of animals...God love them all!!
Ah, the ignorance of American vegetarians. How hard are you lobbying against the child sex trade in Cambodia? The violent theft of food from 8 year olds in war-torn Somalia?
Get real. You make me sick.
Ah, the ignorance of American vegetarians. How hard are you lobbying against the child $ex trade in Cambodia? The violent theft of food from 8 year olds in war-torn Somalia?
Get real. You make me sick.
While it's true that in real survival situations, I might be more willing to dine on you than on MY dog, or even possibly your dog, YOUR cat is certainly fair game (and I have to say that cat is quite tasty; sort of sweet and very tender).
I say we should show farm animals how much they are appreciated by feeding and housing them-and, when that's over--serving them with an appropriate, non-screw-cap wine. :D
As food policy director, why doesn't HSUS have any live model of how to profitably raise animals for food? There are recommendations, but none that include outdoor or 'humane' meat...and from the comments here it doesn't matter how animals are treated if they're used for food at all. If that is a reflection of the HSUS view, then it does seem like elimination, not reduction, might be a better choice of words. I would think with millions of dollars in assets there could be a farm set up, perhaps on HSUS owned property that shows how it can be done. When might we see such a thing?
Thanks for reading, everyone! To answer some comments and questions I've gotten from folks:
1. Yes, there are many farmers out there doing a job. Most (and by that, I mean more than 98%) comes from factory farms though.
2. You can follow me on twitter at @MatthewPrescott to learn more.
3. Thank you – I've never been told I look like Jim Brewer before. I guess that's a good thing.
Thank you for a reasonable article. Well done.
Jdizzle has good goggles.
Matt, you are factually wrong! I am a farmer and have been all my life. Stating stats like you just did, is why we have the problem we have. Sure, as with anything there are bad apples. However, most all farms that raise livestock go above and beyond when it comes to the health and well-being of that animal. In fact, most farmers take better care of their animals than do city people with pets! Small farms across the country are the true suppliers of the meat industry. As the animals grow into differnet periods of age, they are sold to more specialized components of the livestock industry which insure proper nutrition and environmental conditions. When those animals are butchered, they might be at what you call a "Factory". However, many farmers had a lot to do with getting that animal at market. None of the large beef companies ever witness a calf being born! Why don't you write a article on how many babies are killed each year in this country from abortion. Talk about horrible living conditions. However, you most likely support that baby being killed. However, a pig in a building is beyond the pale right?? You make me sick. You have no idea of what you talk about. Use your writing skills to make a difference that matters.
Rodney, you have valid points, but I also sense an aura of the local cafe farmer talk in your post. We all respect the local farmer, but some (farmer's) don't realize whom they're selling to. These are the same cats telling you how the economy works over breakfast at Aunt Emma's Diner. I am so glad the internet have made bored farmer's wives voices that much louder.
98% of farms are FAMILY owned. Get the truth about HSUS go to humanewatch.org.
Matt: 98% of American farms are family owned small farms. Please refer to the 2010 U.S. Ag Census for stats: http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/
bTW, shows for the first time in decades that the Ag sector is growing, in large part due to local and sustainable ag efforts. Get to know those farmers, support them with your food dollars, and GET EDUCATED. Oh, I already said that.
New census coming in 2012. If you are in any way associated with agriculture, even part-time, do your part and fill out your census.
Don't expect humans to stop eating meat, but Factor farms are horrible places for animals. It's not like years ago when small farms, let their animals run lose, live stress free and just 'be' till it was time to kill them and eat them. These animals suffer almost everyday of their lives. Therefore, I support the Humane Farming Assoc. as well as eating only meat from Certified Humane farms. These animals give their lives to us, the least we can do is treatment them decently!
You are being brainwashed! You also state that animals use to "run loose", are you kidding me?? Stay in the city. We have no use for people like you who cannot think for themselves. I suppose you support abortion don't you. People like you think it is fine to "butcher" a late term unwanted baby because someone did not have enough common sense to use birthcontrol but yet you put a chicken in a cage and you are outraged. Something wrong with that picture. Oh, just so you know. You are paying about 3 times more for buying that meat just because the package says it is from some "nice" heavenly farm where the animals enjoy a life of luxury. Give me a break.
I fully support a woman's right to an abortion until the moment labor sets in. By granting personhood to a fetus, you take the personhood away from the woman. You take her bodily rights away from her. A woman should not be required to risk her health to keep something alive. After all, the entire population is not required to give blood or organs to keep others alive. I'm not required to give up a kidney so a child can live. I'm not required to donate part of my liver so an infant can live. Why should a woman be required to let a fetus grow inside of her?
Do yourself, and the world, a favor and go vegan! It is better for the environment, your health and the animals. There are so many cruelty and animal-free products out there to choose from these days, it's not as hard as you think!
Honestly, if the biggest concern is the planet, we humans need to just die out – we're the only major problem to the ecosystem. However, I bet you think that your life is still worth more than a vegetable you eat (else you wouldn't eat it). In the end, live life responsibly, enjoyably, and in moderation.
Um,IF I want to chow down on dead animal flesh,then I will.In fact,I like eatig pigs while they're still alive and squealing
Squealing as a pig, barking as a dog, meowing as a kitty, there is no difference... They are all part of this universe....are you willijng to eat your pets?? No, they why woudl you treat or eat other animals in this same manner???
News flash!!!! Eating a plant is also eating something that was once alive but now is dead. Your a moron!
Dude looks like Jim Brewer.
Matthew, my hat goes off to you! Thank you so much for posting this important information. I wish more people in the USA and around the world had the same heart as you do. I agree with you whole heartedly and will do my very best to do my part. I highly encourage everyone to watch the documentary Frankensteer. I watched it through Netflix. It gives a true picture on what goes on at some factory farms in the USA. Healthy animals will produce healthy food!
Keep up the good work buddy! We need more people like you!
Stop eating meat. Simple and effective.
Stop telling people what to do. Simple.
Stop telling people what to not say.
I have stopped eating meat 3 years ago, I feel great, it was easy to keep, there tons of other food to eat, never felt better, I wish I have done it years ago.
Meat keeps me regular and keeps the Glade people in business. Do NOT go in there!
I am creating jobs. And works of art.
Leave it to an american to not care where their food came from. A cow that was raised on grass and able to exercise their muscles tastes magnitudes better than a cow raised on hormones with atrophied muscles and saturated with adrenaline.
If you imbeciles dont care about the animal then at least care about the quality of meat (which directly connected to the treatment of the animal). Animals are what they eat. Im sick of MY choices being limited to this garbage grade meat with pink slime added because YOU bozos dont have the slightest concern for quality or taste.
Who are you yelling at? I think you need a drink. Or a Xanax.
They figured you're a nitwit and needed the extra volume to sink through your thinker than normal but denser than ever, skull
Who is saying they don't care where their food comes from? I don't see that anywhere in the article.
No one if forcing you to eat pink slime... just buy from local farms and butchers you trust.
I do, and I'm just fine.
I'm a vegetarian. I don't push my views on anyone, although if someone asks, I'll let them know.
- Why eat animals when I can stay healthier without eating meat? It all started when I found out how disgustingly some farm animals are treated, and now I am healthier than I used to be. I am very thankful to have been lead onto this path. I do sometimes eat fish, cage free eggs and organic milk. I also cook meat sometimes for my family, although I replace the meat with vegetarian meat whenever I can for them and they can't tell the difference. A lot of times my son who is 5 is asking me for a Veggie Burger rather than a regular burger, I believe we have to start giving our children more meatless choices to truly change the direction of a nation. A vegetarian diet is a much healthier choice for our ecosystem as well.
Intelligent people know that, but don't often practice it. Sorry about the kidney issue. I do try to support the farms that do farm humanely.
You dont make friends with salad!
You dont make friends with salad!
You dont make friends with salad!
My husband and I both have 3rd stage kidney disease. Although we eat some meat we try to be careful!! In studying
about this disease we realize that the kidneys filter all protien in our bodies. By not eating meat we can keep our #s up.
Kidney disease is on the increase and there are not enough kidneys to go around. Dialasis is terrible and at the Dr.'s office I watch these people come and go that spend hours taking the treatment. So Baconlover have all the meat you want and don't have any sympathy for the poor animals and know that God is watching and He did not put animals down here to be abused and maltreated! Maybe that is why there is kidney disease. One day when you go and have a
blood test and your GFR shows to be 59 or lower you will know you have kidney disease. Maybe you already have it
and don't know it. God says the good man tendeth his beast. Being careful in TEXAS
Hmm. Interesting post. Thanks for sharing. It is unfortunate you cannot partake in a balanced diet of meat and other stuff ( iforget what things are that aren't meat). Stay well.
Keep in mind, though that the way your comment is worded may mislead some to believe meat will cause end-stage renal disease. Peace.
Having pork ribs tonight. This article's made me so much more hungrier now.
"More hungrier"?
Thanks for displaying your admirable intelligence, both with your asinine statement and your shoddy grammar. Clearly you don't want to think about anything too much...hence your complete emotional detachment from the plight of these poor animals. Something tells me if you had to actually hunt the food you eat, you'd have a heck of a lot more respect for the animals from which you derive your sustenance. Shame on you.
That's the way porkers talk. Live with it. :-)
Something tells me "you are what you eat" applies to you, Sam.
But bacon tastes good....pork chops taste good
And both are loaded with saturated fat. Which your body does not need.
Got it?
Pork chops are actually very lean.
Pork chops are cut up dead animals. Go get some road kill, it's just as good for you.
Just saying they're lean. And no need for roadkill, I have a local farm.
Ever read the back of the peanut and sunflower package?
Got it?
Ms. Spencer's comment is a sign of the defensiveness that Mr. Precott's perspective will draw out. Prescott did not accuse all farms and farmers of harmful practices. He specifically and exclusively focused on factory farms. My son is a small farmer raising grass-fed beef under humane conditions, limiting his operations to only what is necessary to feed his local network of customers and himself. To suggest that Prescott is uneducated is off the mark, given his role as chief food policy officer at the Humane Society. I followed one his recent lectures at Yale on this topic, and now he is well informed. Thanks to CNN for this story.
The ideas presented are not bad ones, and not extreme. Decent article.
Could probably easily a part-time vegetarian without even trying. Veganism, never.
So do it! Hypotheticals don't help anyone. :)
Seriously should have known this came from The Humaine Society. Propaganda and misinformation abound!!
Seriously! That house bill that they are sponsoring? Rubbish. Best case for a laying hen in SIXTEEN YEARS is a mere 12 by 12 inch square. Pathetic. People need to know their farmer, eat less meat, and ask their legislators to enact REAL change.
Livestock are property just like a TV or a refrigerator. God tells us that animals have no souls, so I'll have my bacon with a side of gravy. God says I can!
Gxd says you should eat Kosher and not eat Pork. Belief in Jesus does not exempt Xtians from obeying Gxd's laws. Jesus was a practicing Jew.
If your god does not care how animals are treated then he surely is not worth worshiping.
Believe what you want, but it's troubling to see people use their god to justify their seemingly inhuman acts. The bible was written by men, after all. Don't take instructions from it verbatim.
Oh, have you heard that from talking to God personally?
Right, like YOU have heard from your god personally yourself.
At least I don't use an imaginary god as a justification for anything I do.
Actually, the Bible says we are stewards of the earth and the animals, and that we are charged with caring for them and looking over them. I'm not religious, so I don't buy into Christianity, but if you believe in religious ideals then it would be mighty hypocritical for you to believe that we needn't treat animals with dignity and respect.
'Cause HE wants you home sooner than the rest of us.
What can I do as a citizen....eat them.
I recently stumbled upon one of those undercover videos inside a pig farm and wow. I'm not eating pigs ever again! Poor things, terrified and crushing their own babies. It's IN-HUMANE of us to treat them like that, I don't care if they are "just animals".
Like Paul McCartney always says, " If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian".
I butcher my own meat in my own kitchen every few months, and my whole family, who sees this, eats it and loves it. Mr Sir Singer McCartney isn't anything more than a singer.
"I butcher my own meat in my own kitchen every few months, and my whole family, who sees this, eats it and loves it."
That kitchen must be a mess. I can picture a large steer being slaughtered in your kitchen with blood and guts all over the place.
Who cleans the kitchen later? You or the whole family?
How do you rid the kitchen of the stench? Or do you not notice because you have bragging rights?
Actually he's a brilliant business man, plays seven instruments, took care of his wife during her breast cancer, has great kids and has enough intelligence to know that humans-drum roll please-even they they have big brains, shouldn't devour/kill animals just because we can.
And butchering in your own kitchen? Very chic. Do your kids have nightmares?
No, they know where their food comes from. They know that an animal has to die for them to eat meat. They know that there aren't any hormones or chemicals in their food. As far as chic, who the hell are you? If it weren't for a farmer, how would you eat? Like most of the armchair philosophers here with their morally superior agenda, you wouldn't.
and sarcasm about cancer?
Even small pig-raising operations, the ones without crowding problems and where pigs are treated humanely, routinely use "gestation box"-type rigs, simply because mama sows do tend to lie on their babies and kill them. It isn't intentional, and it isn't caused by nervousness or stress . . . it's just what happens sometimes if the mama is allowed to lie down with freedom anywhere she wants while her babies are still nursing. The little ones simply scamper all around, and when the mama does decide to lie down, it is a big event! They are very heavy animals, and the babies are very small.
As for treating animals humanely . . . Terry Pratchett put it best in one of his Tiffany books (_The Wee Free Men_?), where he had a character telling her granddaughter that we are as gods to the animals. We order the time of their birth and the time of their death. In between, we have a duty to them. As someone who comes from a farming/ranching background, I thought that was a very good summation.
How disappointing, but not surprising, that HSUS is advocating for supposedly better treatment (although it usually doesn't really equate to that) instead of advancing a plant-based diet. The first suggestion heads that way, but the others are just more ways for people to feel better about consuming products made from the bodies of tortured animals, no matter how less small the cage is. Such hypocrisy.
to those who comment that animals shouldn't be treated like humans, think about what you are saying. so only humans should be free from torture and death? Why? Because they can think and speak? What about humans who are less smart, or who can't speak? No one is suggesting animals should get their driver's license or go to school, or anything as ridiculous as that. But non-human animals should be allowed to live free of torture and molestation because they can feel, and for that reason alone. And there is no necessity for humans to consume animal products, a plant-based diet is completely healthy for the human body and it's better for the planet.
Where I agree with you... there are a LOT of people who will simply NOT give up their meat. That's okay... but we do need to treat animals better. It's deplorable what they do in these processing plants... it makes me ill. We should have free range EVERYTHING!
Sorry, free range, not enough. Hey guys...everyone run around for a few months and THEN we'll chop your heads off! Great- I feel so much better now and lots to look forward to!
Quite the ambassador, Char.
I just call it like it is. No discussions needed
And that is why your tact will never get off the ground.
I'm already flying, and so are my family and friends who have turned the corner to make their (and the animals) health better. seem to have hit a nerve and that's the whole point to make you think that maybe there is a better way to live and eat.
If I were related to you, I would probably give up meat to shut you up too.
To the rest of the world, you are merely an annoyance. Your yapping only aggravates omnivores and enforces their habits.
Sorry you can't have me . I am already taken.
Free range hogs have trichinosis, a deadly worm, among other parasites. Hogs can not sweat so they need to be protected from the heat. Hogs will sunburn so they need protection from the sun. Hogs don't have fur so they need protection from the cold.
Free range poultry are feed for coyotes and other varmints. They also will eat anything. A favorite food of free range chickens is the manure of other animals.
I have a degree in ag. I raise cattle. I have raised hogs, ducks and chickens. Free range seems like a nice term for the uninformed to use. It gives a visual of happy animals but it is not safe or practical.
Matthew's article had more influence than your extreme ranting will. You are so engaged in your cause, that you don't realize that extremism from vegans do more to work against your purpose than a moderate stance.
I look at someone who says "Try to go meat free for one day a week" and say "Hey, no problem! I can do that easily."
You say "Give up all meat and animal products, including your shoes and car seats!" and I say "No way, Josè."
The line has to be drawn somewhere: plants are living, breathing organisms that cannot consciously think or speak either, but that doesn't stop people from eating them. Your salad is alive when you eat it. So I'm not sure that "it doesn't have to think or speak to be saved" is the criteria you should be arguing in favor of.
Eat mor chiken ! Oinkers are my favorite though, yum yum.
Lowering the demand for meat in the U.S. would be a tragedy for farm animals, prices would fall and open up an entirely new consumer group, the poor and third world countries. Exports would increase from meat being affordable to the poeple who simply can't afford it now. Dumb idea.
I'm not sure I understand. The animals are better off because they suffer and die to feed americans, but will be worse off if they suffer and die to feed people in other countries... I'm confused.
Demand would actually increase. Once could afford meat and realized how good it was they would demand more and we would need to farm more animals. A few computer models have been developed that show that if we reduced our demand for meat, world consumption would actually RISE!
More animals will be dieing and suffering. If you consider one animals death as big a tragedy as millions of animals, well, I guess my point is moot.
Yep that's what was said. Thoughtful isn't it?
It's impossible to eliminate meat production. My point was keeping the volume of animals slaughtered down. Maybe I'm naive about how to eliminate meat in the world market.
Mr. Prescott, I would highly recommend that you come to the midwest and live for awhile before you judge all farms. Not all farm animals are treated poorly but I will say that we do make our living raising/selling and butchering cattle. You sound very uneducated in your article and generalize a great deal – I must say, you really have no idea what is really like on the other side of being a farmer and making a living and treating animals with respect.
What a bizarre comment disgustedvet. Denying them life? If the animals are not bred due to lower demand, they simply don't exist – ever. And therefore are not abused. They're not 'denied' anything. I really hope your logic is better than it seems. Apologies if I've missed it or if you really mean to be satirical.
This is all good advice, thank you CNN for reporting on this. I wonder if some of the others who posted on this actually read the article. I hope you will do some specials on how poorly our food animals are treated. All it takes is a little bit of effort from all of us and we can change the world for the better.
As a farmer myself, I resent your assumptions about how farm animals are treated and can see that you have not been involved in farming at all. HSUS is nothing more than a front for fund raising. Check them out-you've seen the commercials for all the animal shelters they run, right? All those kitty cats and dogs they are keeping? Look at where their money goes...for commercials to show you all those kitty cats! Do some research, see how many shelters they run, and maybe visit a farm before you complement all the knowledge you gained from their propaganda.
http://humanewatch.org/
Another very easy way for meat-eaters to cut consumption without even eating meat is less often is to avoid eating more than one kind of animal per meal. People can live without bacon burgers, turducken, chicken cordon-bleu, etc.
I have been vegan for 9 years. Its a healthier way to eat, and you harm none.
This guy has got the heart but ain't got the jest of things. I agree 100% with him cause he's on the right track. He didn't say one word about mass chicken raising. Birds in the local supermarket may be only a half year old – 10 per 10 square feet and allowing no time to grow the flavor. Real chicken coq au vin is lost in this country; 90% of the people in North America who've order this dish have never REALLY eaten it. Pigs in cages? – Now that is just wrong. Do that to a cat and see what jail that'll land you in. And cattle, don't start me up on cattle. What is pushing these type of methods are the mega production houses. They tell contractors how and when to grow and how much. And this type of control has all but wiped out family farms. Buck their system and go broke. Its happened to more than 75% of farmers in the last 30 years.
It's enough to make a guy shrug off the super market and have a better excuse to go do some hunt'n. What a great excuse to buy a new rifle...honey, we are going to save so much on grocery bills... And for many, its TRUE!
Is anyone aware that there is an edition of Joy of Cooking that has recipes for Crow, Possum and Ground Hog? They are referenced under Critters.
Now this reminds me of a story about a White House chef I knew, with a French cooking background, that occasionally enjoyed serving unsuspecting guests crow... Never said if it was served to a president though.
Oh dear. I'll just tell you that the animal with the most parasites is the white tail deer.
I'd love to go vegan (can't because of other people, but that's a different story), but I don't want to end up like the wiener that wrote this article. Pompous...
I think I will start with being vegetarian for a few days a month. Few things bother me more than the suffering of helpless animals, though being a carnivore I won't cast the first stone.
Headline is somewhat deceptive. They say help and save animals by not eating them. There is not a huge market for food animals as pets so these animals will not be born if there is no demand. I guess you could say you are "saving " them by denying them life.
The best way to treat a pig is with cole slaw and BBQ sauce. These busy bodies that want to control the food chain need to be turned into soylent green.
... with apple sauce too?
1221, you are a waste of blood.
I became a vegetarian about a decade ago, after seeing a video of pigs in a factory farm. I'd followed a on-and–off vegetarian diet in years previous, but was never comitted to it until I saw those pigs.
People who joke about animal abuse do not deserve space on this earth.
Not all animals are mistreated. The problem with YOU people (I'm using that b/c YOU people always go after US people) is that you assume all farmers/ranchers/butchers/etc are the same, and probably without ever stepping foot on a farm. It's amazing how an opinion about farming can be made from an urban setting behind a computer screen.
Killing is killing whether it's urban or on a factory farm or a farm with wide green pastures. Killing is killing.
Yes, I totally agree!! Why to people think it's okay to eat pig but not dog???? There is NO difference!!! They are all mammals that care for their young ....give them another billion years and they will evolve to our thinking. Watch how the animals are treated and the kill process and then decide if your personal pet would be okay with this. Please eat veggies!!!
Fiona: That is why I despise people like you. You place livestock above humans. I've encountered enough of you loons to know where the real waste of space is. I'm going to have a hamburger now and think of you.
not above humans, equal. We are all living, breathing, sentient beings!
Really? Did you really think at all before typing your comment? HOW is she placing animals over people. "People like you" are so ridiculous. And you just had to throw in the hamburger remark. Weird.
Better treated animals means better tasting food nitwit. Thats the problem with american food, you have no respect for the food you eat and thats why all you get are substandard chains serving up bottom barrel mass produced food while other countries have incredible food on every corner fresh from local farms.
Another vegan pushing their view on others. Animals shouldn't be abused, but they also shouldn't be treated like humans.
why not?
Because they're not humans?
How about just treated kindly....you know...not eating them or wearing them around your neck? I am sure they would appreciate that. They are sentient animals.
They are bred and raised as food.
FYI- Extremism only pushes people in the other direction. Stop defeating your own cause by being preachy.
Bred and raised as food. Bad argument...living creatures should be allowed to LIVE. That' why they are ALIVE.
They're alive to be food. All living things are something else's prey. Circle of life.
Gosh I hope I'm not someone's prey. I don't want to be worn around your neck or swallowed down your gullet.
Not sure recommending people eat meat 6 days a week instead of 7, or that pigs be able to turn around, counts as "extremism."
Matt- Char is a vegan. That is what she advocates for, nothing less. A few lines up, she states that Cage Free and Free Range aren't good enough.
I think that is extremism. Not basic animal rights, humane conditions and a reduction in meat consumption.
Mmmm...not extremism. It's called just living. Really simple.
It just seems like until the "big day," the least we can do, is to treat animals well. Doesn't it?
Great ideas!! Thank you.
nice to see an article such as this on CNN...
Eat them.
I can think of a few ways to improve the lives of farm animals.
Yes bubba I am sure Deliverance is your family's Christmas movie.
I support PETA – People eating tasty animals.