Animal Ag - Unanimously Incompetent and Universally Cruel

Such fine "stewards" we are... So considerate of the lives in our care.  We the species who is privileged with the capacity to feel empathy.  We who can appreciate the value of life.  We who possess the knowledge to live by principals based in reason and fairness.  But something must be amiss in Russia... And even with it's cohorts here in the U.S.

Figure this... A "poultry" farm in Russia has put 400,000 baby chicks to death.  An additional 600,000 have died of malnutrition and the lives of 3 million more chickens remain imperiled.  Seems there's some kind of financial (or political) mishap on this farm...


Meanwhile, Russia has just authorized the 2011 import quota of 350,000 tons of chicken parts... No doubt most will be shipped from the U.S.  


When this bizarre situation plays out further it becomes even more worthy of ridicule:  The chicks and birds will die in the frozen temperatures, being dumped just outside the barn that was to be their only home during their micro-short lives...

Yet there will be chicken pieces... That will travel frozen, for thousands of miles. . . I dunno --- How much fuel does it take to ship 350,000 tons across an ocean? 


Ah yes... Such fine stewards our species is.  As long as we don't examine too closely our world, and animal agriculture's hand in it, it might appear to make such perfect sense.  But once you look it's plain to see it is terribly mismanaged even in the most practical sense of good economic theory.  Instead it's run by a pitiful Three Stooges version of the Keystone Cops... Too bad the innocent must pay for the greed and ignorance of those "in charge".


Of course we don't need to ship, kill or eat chickens under any circumstance... Please consider a compassionate alternative.  Go Vegan

On Shepherds and Peace - Our UnHoly Harm to the Innocent

I'm not about to tell anyone what their faith should or shouldn't be... I'm fine with anyone's beliefs as long as they don't harm the innocent in the practice of it.  Seems this should be fair enough to the most devout, orthodox religions to those who are non-theists or agnostic.  Everyone following one simple (golden) rule:
To Not Kill... To not steal lives from Others... To not cause harm.

I can't think of a better example of the righteous and just protecting innocence more than shepherds who guard a flock from harm.  The "good shepherd" who keeps the lambs safe from predators.  In artist's renderings time and again the lamb is shown with the Child as a symbol of peace and a promise of care.

 THE LAMB WHO MADE THEE
ARTHUR HUGHES 

Virgin and Lamb by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

William Bouguereau L'Innocence

And when the man known as Christ was born... It was shepherds who were first told of the blessed event.  A heavenly "shepherd" heralded by the earthly ones.  And this all would be a lovely story... If only the earthly shepherds were truly protecting the guiltless flock from danger... If they were truly guarding the innocent from predators... Rather than being predators themselves.  But we know that the sheep then, as now, are "livestock".  And now, as then, are enslaved for the use and predation of man...    

It is because of this, that I know who the honest protectors are... I know they are the few who liberate the innocent, seek The Truth and live by the Light of Justice.  I know they are the peacemakers... And I offer homage to them.

Salutations to all who deliver the innocent from injury!  Accolades to the warriors of peace! And Goodwill to those who leave violence off their plates.  For this is sincerely abiding by the word of go(o)d.

No one will betray their faith if they refuse to kill or eat animals... Please choose compassion.  Go Vegan.

Open Rescue

Christmas 2010 - Livestock Roasting on an Open Fire... A Burning Question

IS MEAT, DAIRY & EGGS HUMANE?

I sure know the answer to that! In Saskatchewan, Canada 190 dairy cows were burned alive.  Dozens of cows were found by the barn door attempting an escape:

And in Syracuse, NY  70 cows, several pigs, sheep and horses were also killed in an inferno.  And tens of thousands of animals have also been burned alive in the past.


Now here's the irony that I also know is true... Many people will spend more time worrying about burning their toast than they will about this kind of "accident".  Many people will say, "It's a shame... But these things happen."  Some would say that these were "only" "food animals" anyway... Most will turn their heads, close their minds and harden their hearts to such stories.  For if they didn't, they might have to focus on what the final minutes of these animal's lives must have been like.  They might have to deal with the reality that these events occur on their behalf.  That the death of these animals, whether by fire or bolt gun, or blade is all done by their consent and payment.  


It's true that many wouldn't care to know about innocent life killed in such a brutal fashion.  Nor would they want to think about the violence in their meal.  They use a word to condone every step on the way that animals are bred, raised and slaughtered for them.  They assure themselves with this word... arrogantly fashioned on the name of our very special species... They call their meat "humane" to ease any discomfort of what might otherwise appear to be harsh or cruel.  They know that to kill without reason is wrong... But they add footnotes and disclaimers as to who might be eliminated from their exclusive criteria and why.

Now if YOU find YOUrself defensive about YOUr food choices... YOU could choose to be generous with your compassion! In the spirit of the holidays, there couldn't be a better time to re-examine the virtues of kindness and empathy...

Here's a start: YOUr family is important to YOU... These animals have families and babies too. YOU value YOUr life... These animals cherish their lives as well.

Food does not have to include flesh, blood or bone to be nourishing and satisfying...

YOUr celebrations will be just as rewarding and valid without the sacrifices... And the "burnt" offerings.

Please- Give a gift to YOUrself on this season of joy- And choose to be truly humane.

I Found Them! Almost a Million Stolen Dairy Calves - Cow's Milk = Murder

Calves Stolen From Another Minnesota Dairy (cow)

With just a slight tweaking one can see the depth of another reality... 

"We walked all over the yard for about a hour and a half looking for them, and we couldn't see 'em or track 'em anywhere, so we figured they were probably taken," the new mothers said.

And the theft of these precious baby calves happens about 944,200 times a year... That's about 152 million pounds of infant remains... Many calves upon entering the slaughterhouse will desperately try to suckle the fingers of the hands that lead them to the kill floor.

These male dairy calves are almost worthless to the industry - They cost more to feed than their "value".  Yet they mean everything to the mothers from whom they were stolen from. Please do not participate in this vile treachery.  Choose to be meat and dairy free. 

Food Safety - Less Animal Meat, Milk & Eggs is Better - None is Best...

The Senate approved the Food Safety Modernization Act.  But the bill would not apply to meat, poultry or processed eggs, which are regulated by the Agriculture Department.

Many people like to cite the problems with peanuts, spinach and produce... Most contaminated by the unprecedented growth in factory farms and "overspraying" of manure.  Let's remember that  Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7 are three of the main causes of food related illness and all are related to animals.  Here's a quick reality check regarding animal and "meat" products:

76 million cases of foodborne illness in the US every year are caused by "bugs" are from "farmed" animal pathogens.


So how well is the USDA doing in regulating food safety?  Better yet... How wise are the choices that people are making regarding their health?

We can thrive on a plant based diet.  The more you remove animals from your plate the better.  "None" is best... And certainly the most compassionate option.