Happy Vegetarian 6 Month Cheers to My Friend Klem!

Last year on November 15th, I had the good fortune to stumble on Klem's 365 blog. He's a remarkable photographer... and does many clever things behind and in front of his camera. But this day, his posting was about something entirely different, but still a matter of importance to him... He spoke of cruelties surrounding today's "modern" animal systems...

It was an earnest post... followed by an equally sincere one the next day - about caged hens. After this was a week of photos of him preparing and enjoying veggie meals. He only intended this vegetarian experiment to last 7 days... But today he marks his official 6 month celebration!

During these months I've enjoyed keeping up with his antics, his juggling, his travels, his work, and his work with student photographers... I've been privileged to share through his blog, his accomplishments large and lesser; some somber moods and some zany pranks. Always with a positive attitude and a zest for adventure. Yet, Klem is also a deep thinker and seeks a fairness that others turn a blind eye to.

It takes courage to publicly announce your opinions on unpleasant, but widely accepted practices. Klem did such. And on occasion he faced ridicule... probably many more times than what could be read on his blog. Nonetheless, he has risen above petty insecurities others are too small to face. He is a hero to me because he stands on his own judgments - and because his judgements are rational... and compassionate.

Happy 6 healthy months Klem! It is an honor to know you - and call you friend.

Dairy Dumpster Dives! Culling Cows for Cash...

A collapsing dairy industry has over 100,000 female cows going to slaughter earlier than scheduled. They are being sold at bargain basement prices... According to the L.A. Times: "Slumping international demand combined with an American public ordering fewer cheese pizzas has turned the milk market sour." "Some farmers say fast action is needed. They're dumping their milk on the ground to draw attention to the crisis. Many are burning through their life savings hoping to survive the slump, and others are exiting the business. Two have committed suicide." I know this is tragic... But isn't this the voice and will of international demand and the cheese pizza buying public? Haven't we all heard that the dairy industry is valid because of Happy Cows, and "consumer choice"? "A 42-year-old dairy farmer outside Filer, Idaho, planned to participate in another milk dump on May 31. But he fears he may not be in business that long. For five months, he hasn't made payments on the roughly $800,000 he borrows annually to buy feed for his herd of 1,000 cattle. He said his bank is forcing him to sell his herd to pay his debt." Ouch! $800,000... But we've bailed out cars... I'm quite certain we will bail out cows as well.

The USDA hoping to buoy wholesale prices, recently bought 200 million pounds of excess powdered milk to filter through the school lunch program. And has implemented a new program that will pay farmers to slaughter their entire herds.

Adding to a depressed market, I have no doubt that it does not help the dairy industry that a majority of the U.S. population is lactose intolerant, and that milk is responsible for many other health issues, it's also a threat to the environment, and is brutal to the animals.

There are far too many healthy alternatives to allow them to continue to "milk" the American taxpayers.

Get the Facts on Milk

Animal Agriculture Uses Religion to Defend Killing Rights

In a continued critique of Mr. Jamison's views I can add this...

Another issue that I find extremely offensive about Jamison's flippant dismissal of Animal Rights as a non-sequitur... Does he infer that:

Pythagoras, Bentham, Singer, Regan, Amdur, Salt, Baird, Francione, Descartes, Kant, Diderot, Darwin, Hume, Hobbs, Gilligan, Guyer, Habermas, Jamieson, Frey, Lewis, Nagel, Locke, Schweitzer, Thomas, Taylor, Rousseau, Adams, Martin, Austen, Best, Burns, Butler, Carson, Marcus, Frost, Erskine, Keats, Mill, Moore, Hawthorn, Napoleon, Paine, Shelley, Shakespeare, Wilberforce, Franklin, Gandi, Lincoln, Aquinas, Goodall, Chomsky, Dawkins, DeGrazia, Aristotle, Aquinas, Davis, Plutarch, Assisi, Shaw, Muhammad, Buddah, da Vinci, Einstein...

and countless other philosophers and scholars who studies and wrote about Animal Rights were and are just wasting their time? The idea here is things are not written in stone when it comes to animals and how we interact with them. If it were, there would not be so many questions left unanswered. There are many bibles and religious edicts... They are all compilations gathered by humans with human interests. Is it too impractical to believe that this scenario may have happened?

In the beginning man ate everything... plants, animals, insects... perhaps even dirt. Eventually, man evolved enough to be able to grow his food... And perhaps it became distasteful for some to kill animals which they clearly saw as being like them. Animals are born, they breath, they bleed... they suffer and die. Perhaps many people began to become ill after eating killed animals... and saw this as a "message" from God to discontinue the practice? Indeed, they did not "need" animals any more for food, as they were beginning to farm their staples. But... what happens when the rich kings, and livestock owners have a culture gaining momentum that frowns upon the killing of animals? Surely their riches and wealth were in jeopardy. Indeed, maybe even a Christ-like person saw the selling of animals as evil and made a big fuss over it on the temple stairs? This Christ-like person preached that violence and bloodshed were wrong.  But how do you kill a living being without the two?

So, these kings and livestock owners then call upon priests who will shift the tide... with proclamations "from god" - that the killing and eating of animals is "sacred". And that it is man's "entitlement"... and actually his "duty". Who can argue with priests... with messages from God???  It was then that material wealth subjugated the innocent to a herding culture - sealed in a holy decree of "permission" to sacrifice... A social license to enslave, exploit and destroy others.

As told by man - it's a "god-given right" to use nonhumans... How convenient too that man could create an invisible criteria such as a soul, to further the myths along.

Well this is just one possibility... And since there is no proof otherwise - it just might make sense.

But the question here is... is it necessary now? Necessary for anything... other than the financial aspect? There is nothing that meat has nutritionally that cannot be gotten from a plant based diet. There is nothing about animal agriculture that is to the good for the eco-system - So why, if not economics... are we still using animals for food? Minister Jamison says that "God commanded that we eat animals"... And that he "commanded" the sacrifice of 2 - 3 million animals during the passover - Sounds like a good old fashioned profit motivated "cull" to me.

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We have the free will to decide what's right or not...

Go Vegan

part 2 of 3 part 1 of 3

Pseudo Religious Agri-Biz Plays God with Animal Rights

Why do animal matter? This issue was discussed by minister Jamison in an Agri-Talk podcast... Jamison says that our concerns about animals have already been decided through our rank on the food chain. He says that man's privilege of might makes it all a done deal...

So according to Jamison, since we can spin a wing nut - we are justified in all we do to animals... Man's might deems it, and no further investigation is required.

I disagree. I think it's precisely because we've evolved both physically and intellectually that we have a duty to examine to every degree our influence on others. I believe we are all connected. And that we live on a planet meant to be shared with others... not ravaged for our own frivolous fancies.

Minister Jamison also said that the bible has told him that any and all use man has of animals is sanctioned by God... But we know that there are many bibles and many different beliefs of what God intended in regards to our treatment of animals. And too there is "free will" which enables us to question what our relationship with other living beings should be.

So the idea that "animal rights" has already been settled is far from true. In fact, as we become more enlightened and our social progress expands so does our interest in establishing justice for those who are being exploited. Even as a "non-theist", I would think this is exactly what any "god" would want man to do.

Furthermore, our increasing knowledge of the intelligence and emotional complexity of animals raises questions regarding what constitutes a just relationship between animals and humans. These concerns are a responsibility to discover, not only to animals but to ourselves... It is our duty to ourselves as a species... the most "entitled" one at that, to seek proper ethical solutions in our universe. This task is charged to everyone regardless of their faith. An objective, fair and rational position must be established in regards to animals, or we are doomed to remain with a club in our hands and our feet stuck in primordial goo.

But since Preacher Jamison has chosen a religious vent I'd like to argue a few points with him regarding what he believes is his favor according to "god". Using this "license" is supposed to put to rest any questions... "Anything goes" according to what was written, or (might have been) said 2,000+ years ago.

But I think it's dangerous to leave a topic as important as killing another being... unquestioned. In fact, the taking of an other's life goes against all religious teachings, of all cultures. It deserves serious deliberation and debate. It is against the primary mandate - The First Order... A Commandment of Highest Consequence... "Thy Shalt Not Kill".

Unfortunately we're such a clever species that we manage to disregard that first rule with an assortment of footnotes that make breaking it okay... Animal killing is the biggest *exception* that come to mind... And the reason we give for killing 10 billion animals yearly in the U.S. is for replaceable food. But Minister Jamison says that God gives us accolades for doing such.

Yet, there are other views, Christian ones as well... According to the King James version

Genesis 1:29: “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” And if this is true... that we can thrive on a Vegan, plant based diet... and that the innocent creatures we slaughter is totally unnecessary... then God is hardly pleased at all...

There are also the Essenes, who believe in the Gospel of Peace. And some Christian scholars have concluded vegetarianism to be the more consistent ethic with respect to the spirit of Christ's teachings. http://www.ivu.org/history/christian/christ_veg.html

There is also the fundamental ethical virtue of the Jains of India, Ahimsa. Which translates roughly into non-injury to living beings or dynamic harmlessness. http://www.ahimsa.com/

Buddhism, and Hinduism also believe in non violence to all... These theologies are in line with a God who is loving and does not want any of creation to suffer.

But modern factory farming and the unnecessary butchering of animals is in opposition to what people respect as the wishes of God... Neither is the Christian ideal of the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd does not harm his flock... he protects it. Animal agriculture defiles the first mandate, and does so for the lust of money, and physical pleasures. It also causes damaging consequence to the environment and human health. And through meat eating sins, and agri-business excesses, it also neglects his fellow man... who starves for want of the grain that is fed to fatten animals instead.

So as to the debate of why animals matter, it is becoming increasingly clear that this topic has a place in the social justice considerations of not only Christians, but to all. Animals are in the scope of man's moral concern, regardless of how Minister Jamison seems to think that evolution has dealt the cards.

Finally, he says that animal rights advocates will appeal to people who have no knowledge of the doctrines of their sect. That these "unguided" people will be lead to believe that a compassionate God would not be pleased with selling flesh on the temple stairs. And on this Mr. Jamison, I agree with you whole heartily.

Rebuttal to Jamison/religion part 1 of 3

Agri-Talk

Animal Rights History

Buddhist Refugees Find Slaughterhouse Jobs

CHEAP LABOR = CHEAP MEAT

As our economic woes seem to worsen... and unemployment rates continue to rise - It's interesting to note that the JBS USA meatpacking plant will be hiring refugees from Myanmar (a small country the size of Texas, on the outskirts of China). These newcomers are scheduled for a meeting that will discuss their language, beliefs and culture. 85% of Myanmar citizens are Buddhist. In 2007 there was a peaceful protests which ballooned over several weeks, and Buddhist monks joined the throngs of protesters when government troops used force and wrongfully imprisoned demonstrators. So doesn't it figure - that these ravaged and disadvantaged people should make their way here to find jobs in slaughterhouses? I know there are those that will say that at least it's better than where they were... but how "fair" is it here anyway... working in a meat packing plant? According to the National Average Wage Index the average person earns $40,405.48/year. Contrast this with the offerings of any slaughterhouse - which is $17,820 per year. I don't know why they just don't call it "minimum wage"... unless of course it's even less than minimum wage after deductions are made for the worker's clothing, equipment and safety supplies. And although the industry claims it prefers to hire high school grads... it's doubtful that these refugees from thousands of miles away will even speak English - but they are hired nonetheless. A meat packer's job would include the use of several kinds of knives, cleavers, and saws... they might be "stunners" or "stickers".... Or they might be further down the bleed rail where they will pressure steam the animal in an attempt to remove e-coli bacteria from the hair before evisceration. Other chemical are also used in this stage including acid washes, sodium chloride, chloride dioxide, potassium lactate... but these are used sparingly as they are damaging to floors... oh yeah, and also to the workers using these chemicals. But this is what it takes to get cheap meat to the plate... Willing desperate workers, fair wages slave labor, and happy animals captive, terrified, murdered beings. Two kinds of people work these jobs... the ones who have no choice because they are impoverished... and those who actually enjoy it. Either way, if you're eating meat, they are in your employment. End the cycle of exploitation... Be mindful... Go Vegan.

Compassion for Animals is a Social Justice Issue - Go Vegan

A diverse group of animal advocates give a united voice to the founding ethics that drive the work of the national animal protection organization, Mercy For Animals.

Animal Ag Wounds Mothers - Offends Life

This image is a sad one. I can hardly think of anything that's more cruel than to keep a new mother separated from her young... Yet, this is what the industry calls "animal friendly comfort". Every instinct tells her to care for her baby... Just as a human mother wishes to touch, smell and hold her infant. But as the photo shows, she's imprisoned - unable to fulfill any natural desire. It's heartless to deny this maternal instinct. To prohibit contact - And sadder still, for this is all she has. This is the sows whole world... that of mothering. It's not like a human mother... who would have the distractions of a shopping list, or a book, or a telephone call. In contrast, the animal's entire being is centered on experiencing this inborn need... to mother. The industry says this system prevents injury to her young and keeps them "protected" from her because she would crush them. But of course without enough room for even her own body, how could she avoid accidentally harming them? Left to their natural habitat a mother pig would gently kneel on her front legs and with great care, she would lay down to allow her young to suckle. But then she would also have selected an area free from predators with sufficient forage; she would have had straw for bedding... a place away from her nest to defecate and so forth... This would all be natural to her just as the salmon know to spawn upstream. But nothing of what is natural exists in today's "modern" farms. Their practices, and our acceptance of them have caused shame to the human species... We've defiled the nurturing earth with an infestation of factory farms, manure lagoons and slaughterhouses. And we certainly have shown contempt to the devotions entitled to mothers. The industry has made machines of the female body... exploiting sows who will never share affections with their young... hens who will never hatch a chick... and don't even get me started on dairy! With reverence to motherhood and deep respect for the bringers of life -

Happy Mother's Day. And please - Go Vegan.

Barbara Walters Vegetarian View - Thanks to Molly the Cow

According to the New York Times a 350-pound heifer escaped her trip to the slaughterhouse via the streets of Queens. She was pursued through the city streets until after about a mile she was captured:

"The heifer went through a wide gate into the front yard of a house. She then went to the back of the house, crossed a weedy patch, climbed over some broken cement pieces and got trapped in the space between the fence of one house and the stone wall of another. Officers eventually lassoed the animal with a rope, witnesses said. The police said a tranquilizer dart was fired at the heifer to subdue her. Adam Khan, 47, a truck driver who lives in a house near where the calf was captured, said the episode “tells you something.” The heifer, he said, “didn’t want to get killed.”

Of course this is true... every being wishes to continue life. Molly is no exception. A poll was conducted at the New York Daily News which shows that 83% of the respondents also took empathy with the calf. Including Barbara Walters who in reaction to the poor cow's plight, announced on The View that she's contemplating a vegetarian diet.

The results of this poll is no surprise... Similar studies consistently show that people are not in favor of promoting an animal's death. Why is it that we then can look away from the billions who are slaughtered every year?

Perhaps Ruth Harrison said it best:

If one person is unkind to an animal it is considered to be cruelty, but where a lot of people are unkind to animals, especially in the name of commerce, the cruelty is condoned and, once large sums of money are at stake, will be defended to the last by otherwise intelligent people.

So too it is that we look upon one animal with compassion but simultaneously ignore the billions of others in a much worse fate.

We can and should be mindful of all... for surely no being wishes to be killed, and there is no need to do so. Go Vegan

Healthy Vegan & Vegetarian School Lunches

We shouldn't have to "petition" our government officials to provide healthy school lunches. Unfortunately there's a very large meat and dairy lobby that has been quite successful in preventing such. Wyntergrace Williams, daughter of Montel Williams, speaks out in favor of vegetarian school lunch options in this new television commercial. Won't you sign and forward this petition to help get better foods in schools?

End Suffering - Cruel Animal Agriculture - Go Vegan

This little girl in the video is wise beyond her years - Go Vegetarian... Go Vegan.... Please eliminate or reduce your meat consumption... For your health, for the planet - for the animals.

Bacon Flu - A Rose By Any Other Name... Would Still Stink

WHO changes flu virus strain name from swine flu And that's yesterdays news - But this morning, as I was watching television - I saw the same information scrolling across the screen. The scroll said: "Who changes flu virus strain name from swine flu... Queens school closed due to swine flu." Still... a rose by any other name - still stinks the same. But it makes you wonder if anyone is listening to the rules?

Manure lagoons are environmentally safe. Pigs on factory farms are healthy. Confining them is for their welfare. Slaughter is humane. And swine flu is H1N1 - Bacon Flu

Go Vegan