The Chicken, The Egg, The Cruelty - Billions Sacrificed

what is in your breakfast

if it ever cried, ever lived

and sadly, died

is not food at all

for food is meant to

sustain

not bring about suffering,

heartache or pain

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Posted at Our Compass with the full story regarding the recent Mercy For Animals investigation into where McDonald's eggs (and all production eggs) are sourced. 

There is no system that can "serve" billions and billions without the sacrifice and bloodshed of billions and billions of others.

What Happens To The Male Chicks?

This study The Economics of Farm Animal Happiness rightfully says that there is an either/or scenario that eliminates the ability to be "humane"... That for profit - certain (most) animal industries MUST do things a certain way. 

"Sometimes it makes more economic sense to sacrifice the happiness of each animal, so that you can have more animals producing. Producers are not paid based on the number of eggs produced per hen, but rather on the total number of eggs coming out of the barn.”

Many attempt to eat only "cage free" eggs... But here are the USDA's standards for labeling FREE RANGE or FREE ROAMING: 

"Producers must demonstrate to the Agency that the poultry has been allowed access to the outside." 

In essence all this means is that if you are a hen inside one of these facilities - You're given the opportunity to fight your way through thousands of other birds to find the 2 x 2 foot opening that leads you to an exit into another fenced pen.  These exits may be arbitrarily closed for any reason and for any length of time for the "welfare" of the birds.  

The Truth About Free Range

And what happens after hens are no longer laying eggs is self evident:

If you are still eating eggs, dairy or meat - You'll find that these systems exist in every "food-animal" industry.  It is an inherent part of their economic profit... And "sacrifices" are made by everyone who's a part of it.
Sacrificed lives.  Sacrificed human decency.   

"Animal cruelty takes a million different forms and it takes billions of victims. What we do to the animals, we do to ourselves..." 

~Dr. Steven Best

I don't want to be treated as a drone or a widget... Or a consumption machine.  I want to be treated fairly.  With justice and respect.  And kindness. I don't want to serve or be "served"!  I have the choice... We all have the choice to refuse to participate in these bottom-line conveyor- belt systems.  But the victims... The ones who are units, given essentials but not comfort... Necessities but not freedom... Shelter but not safety... Care but not life... Cannot walk away and choose another course.  They are forced to endure to the bitter end.

If you've already made your decisions to change things for the better - I applaud you!  Now our message must continue till every cage is empty! Billions and billions of innocent lives are depending on us: 

Do not accept cruelty in any degree!  Go Vegan*

Cruelty to Cows - At the Dairy & At the Slaughterhouse

Cruelty to Cows - At the Dairy - At the Slaughterhouse -Here's the difference: At a "farm" cows and calves may sometimes be beaten with fists or poked with pitchforks.

At a slaughterhouse cows and calves are ALWAYS "poked" with stun guns.

ALWAYS blasted with 200 pound per square inch bolts to their heads.

ALWAYS have their throats slit

and are ALWAYS needlessly killed!

Please... ALWAYS remember this when you make your food choices -
Please... (always) Go Vegan.

EGG INDUSTRY ~ CHICKS IN A BLENDER ~ Go Vegan

This is NOT an isolated occurance... It is standard industry practice in the egg business... I think the "standard consumer reaction" is in order:

Mercy for Animals: Consumers have a right to know the truth behind egg production.

800,000 CHICKEN INFERNO - BIRDS BURNED LIVE FACTORY FARM HELL

Here we go again. July 10th - Amarillo, Texas: "An area egg company is still counting its losses after a fire destroyed several of its buildings in Farwell. Cal-Maine foods estimates four hen layer houses were destroyed and a fifth has severe smoke damage. 800,000 birds died in the fire that started Thursday evening after five". And as horrible as being burned alive is... folks will still insist that the animal foods they eat are raised and killed "humanely". Because we are all civilized and good people, who would never allow innocent animals to be brutalized, burned or butchered... Without kindness - Without compassion. Right.... Other fires: Thousands of Chickens Burned Alive Factory Farm Infernos 25,000 Turkeys Burned Alive

Beef - Wasteful, Environmentally Irresponsible, Cruel & Deadly

BEEF: It's what's wasteful: A huge recall of over 210 tons of recalled cow parts is said to be contaminated with deadly e-coli bacteria. 24 illnesses are being investigated by federal officials that may be due to the tainted JBS Swift Beef. Of course the obvious "waste" is in the need to have killed these cows to begin with - because consuming animal flesh is totally unnecessary. But I'd like to point out the secondary wastes involved in this recall. Each pound represents at least 6 times more in grain than what was fed to these cows... There is also the water required... to turn cows into marketable commodities: Over 1,500 gallons of water/pound. Then there was the fuel to transport the grain... then to transport the cows... The electricity to "process" their bodies; then to ship the killed/cut up cow parts, in refrigerated trucks to refrigerated meatcases... All to be shipped somewhere else - to be dumped in a landfill, along with the plastic and cellophane that this garbage was wrapped in... All an enormous waste. Not to go unmentioned, is the huge amount of cow flatulence and poop that contribute to harmful methane gasses. BEEF: IT'S WHAT ENVIRONMENTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE: Meanwhile, JBS is being investigated by the Brazilian government for “bribing of public officials, racketeering, corruption, fraud and collusion,” Greenpece called out the company for knowingly buying cows raised on illegally cleared rain-forest land. In a report titled "Slaughtering the Amazon" the group accused the Brazilian government of being complicit in the illegal destruction of the rain forest due to its hefty funding of the beef industry. Cattle ranching is responsible for about 80 percent of Amazon deforestation.

BEEF: IT'S WHAT'S CRUEL:

Due to extreme heat/drought conditions in Nebraska, thus far over 2200 cows have been found dead. These numbers are likely to climb. Of course, if the livestock/meat industry is growing/killing 6.4 million of these beasts... what's the big deal in a few thousand dying of thirst and dehydration?

If anyone were to leave a dog in a car during the summer, or unprotected in 100 degree temperatures... there would be cause for officials to cite them for "cruelty". Yet, on a feedlot, these "food animals" bear insufferable torment and agonizing deaths, with absolutely no vindication. In fact, since the feedlot owners aren't insured for such losses, the deadstock industry will get federal compensation for these cruelly killed cows, via cruelly sucking off financially taxed Americans, (again).

BEEF: IT'S WHAT'S UNHEALTHY: One of the biggest and most famous "beef" eaters was Dr. Atkins who weighed more than 250 pounds at the time of his death.... The Framingham Heart Study and the recent findings of Dr. T Colin Campbell's China Study, shows that diets high in meat and saturated fat increase risks for heart disease, colon & breast cancer, prostate cancer, rheumatoid arthritis risk, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, obesity, and a shortened lifespan.

Now... remember that little ecoli problem? Sure, you can bbq the poop bacteria out of the beef; but watch out for thoses high levels of cancer-causing heterocyclic amines (HCAs), that are found in grilled animal products! The top five worst foods to grill, according to The Cancer Project and The Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine are: chickens, steaks, pork, salmon and burgers.

So... don't be cruel, wasteful or ecologically irresponsible - and don't be unhealthy -

Go Vegan!

More Wasteful Animal Agriculture

Wasteful Poisonous Animal Agriculture

Life is So Cheap When You Eat Meat

Animal Cruelty - Slaughter of Cats or Cows - What's the Difference?

Here's a horrible story, according to Associated Press "18-year old arrested in Florida cat mutilations"MIAMI (AP) — A South Florida teenager was arrested early Sunday and accused of killing and mutilating the cats of his neighbors — a disturbing string of deaths that has horrified residents and shaken animal lovers in two Miami-area communities. Tyler Hayes Weinman, 18, was taken into custody at a party, police said. He was still being questioned at Miami-Dade police headquarters while authorities praised the arrest at a press conference Sunday morning." "I understand that pet owners feel very strongly about their little family members," Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson said. "Animals bring happiness and comfort to our lives. So, to see them so violated and mutilated just defies all common sense and it's painful for everyone involved. Thankfully, for this community, the terror has come to an end." The police said that some of the dead cats were missing fur — neighbors said some had been skinned — and appeared to have been cut with a sharp, straight instrument... He used tools to slice open cats' bellies and gut them, often throwing the carcasses in front yards where they were found by horrified pet owners. For more than a month, gutted cats with crushed skulls appeared on owners' lawns eyes had been gouged out and her snout cut off. Here are some comments from members in the community which I also wish to examine. A 77-year-old remarks that the boy's family must be in a sort of mourning, "It's like a death in the family, I'm sure." "Twisted and depraved, somehow really not right as a human being.'' "It's shocking to think that someone who lives right here and is our neighbor could do something like this." Someone else says they have a hard time picturing the teen as a serial cat killer."I don't think, the way he acts and his demeanor, I don't think he could physically do it." Yet, what if this boy had gotten a job at the local slaughterhouse? What if he cut the throats, dismembered and skinned animals all day? What if he enjoyed this job? Does this make a difference in their perception of what is evil? Do these people not see that they are paying others, even younger to do this deed... for a living... So that they may buy their packaged body parts of other animals in the grocery store? ''Cruelty is inhuman, no matter what form it takes. 'These awful scenes inflicted a great human toll.'' Yes it does, cruelty against animals has been closely linked to crimes against humans. And the kill floor at slaughterhouses has a 100% yearly turn-over rate. ''Our communities have been on edge for many weeks now because of the horrific and unspeakable slaughterings of many of their beloved feline pets.'' "I sincerely hope that with his arrest, the residents will feel relieved and their cats will be safe once again. It is expected that the vicious crimes that have plagued these communities will not be repeated.'' What if people would acknowledge that their cats are actually no smarter, or more aware, or more interested in continuing their lives than the cows, pigs and chickens that are brutalized every day? Would they see that they are responsible for the "horrific and unspeakable slaughterings" of those animals? Ahhh... but they will say that such horrors are a necessity. That we need this food of flesh to live. Yet, most would be told by their doctors to reduce/eliminate flesh consumption. Most might be obese because of a diet high in fat and animal proteins. Many are probably on cholesterol reducing drugs - or have heart conditions being closely monitored by their physicians. So the "necessity" is hardly a reason for justification. The choice for other foods is abundant in the grocery isles filled with thousands of healthier alternatives. This story clearly illustrates the moral dissonance society must face. And if a person avoids this reckoning aren't they guilty too? Just because your neighbors condone and mutually participate in a wrong does not make it right. Just because you avoid thinking about something doesn't mean you're absolved from responsibility, even if you are paying someone else to do the crime. "Hopefully he gets what he deserves." "He should go to prison for life". His bail has been set at $154,500. Still don't get it? Simon blow torches his dog:

Turkeys Die in Fire * Inhumane Animal Agriculture - Go Vegan

A fire swept through a large turkey barn in rural Cannon Falls, Minn. And like the other factory farm fire where tens of thousands of chickens were burned alive... 25,000 turkeys met this cruel fate by flame too.

Call me old fashioned... and I might be- but does being burned alive sound "humane"? I know, the industry and people who eat chickens and turkeys will say it was an "unavoidable accident". But it would never have occurred if the birds were not in those warehouses to begin with... If people did not eat birds they would not have to endure the fires... or the transport trucks, or the slaughterhouses.

For those who may not know... As inadequate and hypocritical as the "humane slaughter act" is - birds are excluded from any kind of "protection" under this "law". So, the chickens and turkeys fate might have been to be stuffed in crates with broken wings and bones; Or they may have been scalded while alive... Or many may have had their throats slit while still conscious.

Perhaps suffocating in smoke and fumes may be a merciful death after all? And if it is - what in the world does that say about animal agriculture and "meat" consumption?

Maybe it tells you... what it did me: Go Vegan.

Horrible Cruelty is Standard Practice in Animal Ag - Go Vegan

A new Mercy For Animals undercover investigation reveals shocking abuse at New England's largest egg factory farm - Quality Egg of New England (QENE) in Turner, Maine. The hidden camera video shot in early 2009 gives a startling glimpse behind the closed doors of one of the nations leading egg producers, exposing the rotten truth behind battery cage egg production heinous cruelty to animals. I can only call practices like this a sin. But we've seen it time and again on other egg farms where dying birds are left to languish. Or where it is common practice to slam baby pigs against the wall as a method of killing them... or even the familiar scenes of newborn dairy calves being left in wheelbarrows to starve or perish from neglect. This abuse to "food" animals is industry standard, not the exception. The only lives of any "value" are the ones that stay alive long enough to reach the slaughterhouses. And basically two kinds of people work in these sorts of places that treat living beings as garbage. Those who enjoy it and those who hate it. In either case, if you're purchasing animal products, you are supporting a monstrous situation. Indirectly you are hiring such people (who either enjoy animal abuse or who are repulsed by it) to do deeds no civilized person would condone. Thankfully, consumers hold enormous power in ending the exploitation of egg-laying hens. Every time we sit down to eat we can choose kindness over cruelty by adopting a vegan diet.

Don't be Fooled! All Meat = Harm * Deer, Dog or Cow * Go Vegan

Yeah... I agree! All you hunters out there stalking little Bambie and Thumper! Bad, bad people! Using your big guns on these innocent cute critters! That's just awful! And such actions deserve public admonishment!

Don't be an April fool. Make the connection. All animals wish to live - the pretty deer, the lovely cow, the cute pig and precious pup! It is not necessary to harm any of them - Go Vegan

Drover's Dreary Defense of Murder on a Factory Farm

And on the heals of Death on a Factory Farm... Summing up Drover's flim-flammed efforts of damage control:

Drover's: The bigger issue, of course, is that the film highlights the cultural divide between what is acceptable to livestock producers and what is deemed shocking to our customers.

The "divide" is that once the truth is exposed, livestock production is unacceptable to our culture... Yippee! We're evolving!

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things on a farm that are just not pretty.

We're being placated... Of course "death" is not pretty, but the flippant comparison to this kind of intentional, murderous killing is grotesque.

And people like “Pete” will continue to exploit that in an effort to promote legislation at the state and national levels that will make livestock production more expensive.

Really now, Pete wasn't "exploiting" was he? He simply provided information that was and is rightfully due to your patrons. Information that by the industry's own admission, is important to your customers. What does it say of an industry that criticises efforts to expose these truths? And what do we say of an industry who's only concern is blood money made from cheap meat? I'd say their industry is vile. And that their trickery for profit, is deplorable.

“Death on a Factory Farm” drew attention in an unflattering way to some issues livestock producers face everyday.

"Unflattering"? Boy if that's not marginalizing! "Some issues"... like whether to hang your pig or electroshock at the slaughterhouse? Both are entirely unjustifiable and equally as heinous.

In the end, the judge decided those practices were not illegal.

Of course nothing was illegal - there are no laws! In fact the very lawlessness (and secretiveness) of the "food animal" business is what allows it to exist!

That doesn't make them acceptable.

And I say that the whole of it is unacceptable from the breeding of "food animals" to their butchery.

We must continue to demand a zero-tolerance policy on animal abuse,...

"Demand"? Who are they demanding from? The very business that they are part of... That's shifty. Abuse" = to treat badly - I'd say killing would be defined within that concept. And let's fess up - the whole *meat* industry is about the killing - hangman or stun gun operator - It's what animal agriculture is all about, it's about victims.

and we must work every day as if “Pete” is watching with his hidden camera.

It's not really Pete that Drover's or the meat industry is worried with at all... Pete knows already... He"s seen and formed proper conclusions, he's vegan. No, the industry worries most over those who are watching Pete work and learning from what's on his camera. killer of animals - your product is very disposable... Go vegan

HBO DEATH ON A FACTORY FARM - CAGED PIG CRUELTY

HBO special Death on a Factory Farm airs tonight: And read about "Pete" who went undercover to film the inside workings of a "modern" hog barn. Try as some might there is no "happy meat" - It is a fantasy. Those who consume flesh should at least have the stomache to know how these animals lived and how they were killed. And if upon discovery that these practices are unacceptable, there's (literally) no harm in conceding that a vegan choice is the solution. We can evolve to the benefit of that which is of value to us... namely our survival and our humanity.

Meat Kids & Slaughterhouses - 4H Animal Child Abuse

Leave it to stories like this that can absolutely destroy an otherwise fabulous day.I'm speaking of an article concerning a 4H animal ag event, a "ham/bacon/eggsale":

The Lincoln County and Cabell Midland High School FFA and 4-H programs brought their meat products to the Pullman Plaza Hotel Friday, March 6, 2009, in what could be the program's last breakfast. In the meantime, a budding relationship between the two programs fosters teamwork and camaraderie. The undeniable smell of bacon (which by the way, smells exactly like human flesh) was the same as last year, and every table was filled with friendly people supportive of a good cause.

Friendly people? Excuse me... advocating the killing and eating of innocent animals... doesn't sound too "friendly" to me.

But unlike last year, an underlying somber mood permeated the room, as some realized that after 21 years the Ham, Bacon and Egg Show and Auction could be toast. (boo-hoo... anyone have a hanky?) Tighter West Virginia Department of Agriculture guidelines regulating educational based meat facilities is requiring the Cabell County Ham Bacon and Egg program (HBEP) to update its classroom at Cabell Midland High School to include meat processing. And that's going to cost a lot of money.

It's always a curiosity that the industry defines blood letting as a "process". If the truthful word is that offensive perhaps they should eliminate the practice?

"Out of 30 educational based food sites, all were in compliance, besides Cabell County," Cabell County Farm Bureau Secretary and Treasurer Thelma Stickler said. Funding must be in place before the Cabell County Board of Education approves the construction of a new facility. The program requires students to purchase and rear an animal. The animal is processed killed and the meat cut. The HBEP Cabell Midland facility does not have a meat processing operation, which means the meat has to be transported from an Ona meat processing plant. "Moving the meat from one place to another creates a risk for meat contamination," Stickler said. The new classroom will be a meat processing operation and not a slaughterhouse, she said.

Now that's good news - that the classroom will not be a slaughterhouse. But a little field trip to witness how the "process" works is in the plan, I'm sure. And oh, the silly worries of meat contamination... can't seem to shake those pesky little bugs! It's almost like nature kind of attaches warning labels just to remind us that animals are not "food".

The program needs $382,000 before October 2009, or this will be the first skipped breakfast in more than 20 years. Some of the students have donated proceeds from their products to the building fund, Stickler said. She is impressed with the students who are in the program, praising their work ethic, which requires them to often give up their weekends and weeknights to bring their product from the field to the auction.

They are bringing "their product" from the field to the auction???... You mean these kids are caring and raising the animal. That's what 4H does right? Children tend to living animals... Beside the obvious needs of shelter, food and water... they groom the animal, comb them, and perhaps even "pet" them. Of course the animal and the child bond... to hear otherwise would be unnatural. Often, the experience ends in heartbreak, tears and despondence.

4H officials, and old pros at this slaughtering business advise that "the first one is the hardest" and that kids will "get used to the *process*". Hey kid! You wanna make money don't ya? Don't want to wuss out and go all girly on us - do ya? The others are doing it... why can't you? What pressures for a kid. It's cruel, like everything else about the meat pushers.

Animal agriculture wants us to hear of the dedication - the "high ground" of the current and future "farmers" who provide safe (wholesome) and abundant *meat products*. I agree that a strong work ethic is to be commended... however, I vehemently challenge the "ethics" of the work... or the healthiness of dead animal flesh...

"Students purchase an animal and take it to the meat processing and packing plant."

Just like that. Kids buy a pig and take it to the slaughterhouse? But didn't the article just brag on their dedication? Giving up free time to tend to the pig? The administrators in 4H would have us believe that the kids just see the animal as a widget. Gosh, the kids I know see all sorts of special qualities in each individual animal... Kids identify with the uniqueness and specialness of a particular animal. They might gravitate to one because she's extra friendly, or cute, or shy, or smart... or funny. But animal agriculture wishes us to believe that it's only the body proportions the kids focus on. No need to look in her eyes - It's her fanny they're after... (right)...

After the meat is cut, the student gets two hams and two bacons. (yep... 2 butts - just like we have) They calculate the salt ratio and do a salt cure. After a drying process, the meats are cured from the salt. After the salt cure, the meat is trimmed so they have a uniform shape. After that final trim, they go into to a smoke house and are smoked for about half of a day.Students polish their bacon and ham and they are judged to see who has done the best trimming and the best cure, and who has picked the best animal with the largest hams.

I bet almost anything these kids would rather pet a live pig than "polish" a dead ham... and if not, you've made them monsters in your own image.

The free enterprise exercise creates opportunities for students to learn real world marketing - (Yep... this little piggy went to the market all right) and business skills. Allison Robinson has been participating in the HEBEP for about 11 years. Her ham was declared a "grand champion ham" at the 2009 show. (Wow)... The Marshall University freshman, majoring in sports marketing with a minor in broadcasting, credits the program for preparing her for her major. "I liked the public relations part of the program because it allowed me to talk to people," Robinson said. (she likes human people... but treats animal people like commodities) Robinson's experience paid off. Her ham brought $1,000 at the auction Friday. (I know this might sound suspicious here... but I've been to auctions - and I can spot a shill. It's also perfectly logical in their motivation... Put some irrationally high price tag on a dead animal part to show the kids that this is where their fortune is to be made... I see right through it and it's sickening.) The Lincoln County FFA Vice President Brittney Kiser appreciates the friendships and teamwork created between Cabell Midland program and Lincoln's. "We're best friends. We do everything together," she said. "We help each other with the Ham Bacon and Egg program, and also work together for the Cabell County Fair. We take all of our FFA trips with Cabell Midland," Kiser said. Cabell Midland student Fallon Black sees the relationship as mutually beneficial, with her school nurturing Lincoln's young FFA program. "We've taken them under our wing. They are our partners in crime," Black said.

"Partners in crime"... finally calling it like it is: "murder".

The new meats facility is projected to cost about $1 million to build, with about $600,000 already donated. A fundraiser is set for March 16 at the Steak and Shake in Barboursville. To donate...

To the 4H groups and all the kiddy animal agriculture programs... Your ilk encourages children to become desensitized. Your animal raising/animal killing lessons numb a future generation from ever connecting with the value and sanctity of life. It spoon feeds them violence and disrespect for beings who have a right to live, regardless of the profits (or tastiness) of their flesh. It normalizes a cruel and unnecessary act.

A wonderful way to raise funds and encourage responsibility for kids is to follow suit in what thousands of schools are now doing. Creating small gardens, planting seeds that nourish in more ways than one. $20 worth of seeds can generate $300 in veggies - without pig poop and without traumatizing kids! And if you think it doesn't matter... that these kids will outgrow the discomfort of the "process" - Stay tuned... I have personal insight of a 40 year old pig farmer who recently opted to be vegan - And that's a story I'll be happy to tell.

BAN CRUEL HORSE DRAWN HANSON CARRAIGES

In December I posted a video urging the boycott of horse-pulled carraiges. Here is the full length movie illustrating the many reasons why we should:

A Vegan's Voice on Animal Agriculture

There's a piece written in the Agriculture's Voice that delights to tell of favorite "things". Of course these "things" all are dead bodies & parts, made from tortured, murdered, INNOCENT, SENTIENT "BEINGS". The article goes on: "there are people who have different tastes." The well chosen word here is "taste", which is an effort to exclude any ethical consideration or debate. It is an attempt to minimize the "choice" not unlike the preference of a blue car over a red one.... or boxers instead of briefs. It continues that vegans have "good intentions" in their lifestyle choices. I agree that an ethic which attempts to avoid as much "unnecessary" harm as possible, is a good thing. Avoiding violence - is a good thing. And Ag's Voice says that they would "never shove meat, eggs or dairy down someone’s throat..." But certainly the meat industries are shoved down ones culture. It is a culture propped by the myth that one "needs" animals to live. Veganism exposes this myth. The article continues: "most farm animals are treated very well." Until they are needlessly killed that is... Even so, let's examine the "kind" treatment to farmed animals:

• Billions of day old "wrong sex" chicks smothered or ground up.
• Searing the beaks of billions of birds.Tail docking, teeth pulling, castration, teat removal, ear tagging, dehorning, ALL without anesthetic.
• Isolation, confinement, force feeding, drugs, artificial light, artificial food, artificial insemination.
• Living in your own waste.
• Unable to move a limb or stretch your wings.
• Unable to socialize or mate.
• Being raped. Being caged. Being tethered.
• Separated from your young at birth.

Animal ag defends that these practices are "in state-of-the-art, climate-controlled facilities"...

True, the dairy cow who has never seen grass, is probably housed in air conditioning. The pig who cannot turn his body is likely to be misted a few times hourly. And the caged chicken lays her miserable eggs on a fast moving conveyor system.

It is all so "civilized" indeed. Animal ag says this is "necessary to protect animals"... "from predators".... Fess up animal ag - it's about profits and units. And your animal killing, meat-eating culture is the animal's worst "predator".

As suggested in this article - I intend to tell all my friends and neighbors and anyone else who will listen about all the things that are done to "food" animals. I am going to send them to see videos. I am going to be a strong advocate for the Movement "afoot" which tells consumers they have other compassionate and healthier choices. I'm going to invite them to question the ethics and "need" of such cruel "choices" to continue. Animal ag is right about one thing: we are not going away. We are going Vegan.

Walmart Pulls China Rabbit Fur Animal Skin Slippers

Thank you Canada Walmart for pulling the Chinese-made footwear that contained real rabbit fur. Fur should be on the animal to whom it belongs not our feet or our bodies. People who live with rabbit companions in their homes know that they are sensitive, smart animals with individual personalities, just like the dogs and cats so many of us consider a part of the family. They make lifelong bonds with other rabbits and humans, they play with toys, and they can even learn to use litterboxes. But the hundreds of millions of rabbits slaughtered for their fur and their flesh every year aren’t so lucky. Like other animals “farmed” for their fur, rabbits—who are extremely clean by nature—are kept in tiny, filthy cages, surrounded by their own waste. They spend their entire miserable lives standing on the thin cage wires, never having a chance to dig, jump, or play. The methods of slaughter are no more humane—they are killed by having their necks snapped or having their skulls beaten before being strung up by the legs, often "skinned" alive.

HOMELAND SECURITY BIO DEFENSE MEAT ANIMAL LIVESTOCK LAB

Homeland Security Wants to Build Bio-Defense Lab in Kansas. This facility, once built, will continue to experiment, drug, examine, breed and kill thousands of animals to find ways to keep them healthy so that we can slaughter them for "food".

This proposed new defense lab will protect the livestock industry against the introduction of foreign animal and zoonotic diseases. Testing on animals for Foot and Mouth Disease, hog cholera, African Swine Fever, Rift Valley Fever, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, and other assorted viruses that effect livestock.

Ouch! from what I read those diseases really cause immense pain and suffering... And sadly, the animals are killed in the end - anyway.

30,000 different tests on "livestock" animals have been taking place at the current animal disease center off the coast of Long Island - a facility in operation since the 50's. The 840 acre Plum Island experimental lab's official statement is: "We work to protect farm animals, farmers and ranchers, the nation's farm economy and export markets... and your food supply."

Not hardly, I don't consider animals "food"....

In 1991, Plum Island's freezers (which contained polio samples), were threatened following a power outage. It's only been open to news media since 1992. And in 1995, the Department of Agriculture was issued a $111,000 fine for improperly storing hazardous chemicals on the island.

And the Department of Agriculture is responsible to pay whom for this violation?

In 2002 many scientists and government officials wanted the lab to close because the center did not merit its $16.5 million annual budget. Later that year the Disease Center was transferred from the United States Department of Agriculture to the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Of course there will be tests on anthrax as livestock are exposed to this threat daily from the spores on the vegetation they ingest.

Congressional law stipulates that live foot-and-mouth disease cannot be studied on the mainland as it is extremely contagious among cloven-hoofed animals, and people who have come in contact with it can carry it to other animals. Accidental outbreaks of the virus have occurred in 1978 in which the disease was released to animals outside the center, and two incidents in 2004 in which foot and mouth disease was released within the center.

Human animals can be infected with a strain of this disease - causing illness with headache, fever and possibly blisters appearing on the hands or feet, or in the mouth.

Aptly named: Hand Foot Mouth Disease...

Dr. Michael Carroll in his book Lab 257, alleges a connection between Plum Island Animal Disease Center the outbreaks of three infectious diseases: West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, and Dutch duck plague. Two years ago, Plum Island scientists analyzed horses that were dying on Long Island and found the West Nile virus that mysteriously turned up in mosquitoes in the New York area.

Hummm... Unfortunately, Plumb Island operates at only Biosafety Level 3 and Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-9 mandates a facility capable of level 4 biosafety capabilities. The proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) would research biological threats involving zoonotic, "high-consequence" livestock diseases. There will also be a National Veterinary Stockpile containing sufficient amounts of animal vaccine, antiviral, and therapeutic products to appropriately respond to the most damaging animal diseases affecting human health and the economy. This new disease center will protect the nation's food supply, insuring that livestock owners investments are protected.

With a $650 million price tag to American tax payers I have to ask why are we footing the bill to protect the interests of cow ranchers and pig farmers? I run a business too, no one "secures" my interests with tax dollars. And my business doesn't even risk exposing anyone to deadly zootonic disease. Nor does it perform painful needless tests and cause injury to innocent animals... What about the taxpayers, who don't consider "animals food" - And who thrive on a plant based Vegan diet?

Oh not to worry, this new facility will also include A National Plant Disease Recovery System. It will be studying wheat smut and soybean rust... Which by the way, are a main "feed" staple... for livestock.

source:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/02/20040203-2.html

http://www.dhs.gov/xres/labs/editorial_0762.shtm

http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=19400000

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2008/2008-12-26-092.asp http://cattletoday.info/anthrax.htm

No Holiday for Carraige Horses - Christmas Compassion -

We picture this romantic scene: And here is the reality: As you can see these horses lead a very sad life... After years of labor in some other "life" they "retire" to a traffic-congested concrete city... Pulling an exhausting burden in the blistering heat and frigid cold. For most of the day... till the end of their days. After age, injury or illness leaves them "unproductive", their depleted bodies are hauled hundreds of grueling miles to slaughterhouses in Mexico or Canada. There they succumb to the last of brutalities and are butchered into *meat* for Europe and Asian markets...

So during your holiday travels... if you happen to think for a moment that a nice ride around the park would be pleasurable - please think again at what cost to whom? Happy Holidays. Please consider going Vegan.

Joaquin Phoenix Christmas Vegan PETA Video

Joaquin Phoenix Christmas Video Choose compassion: Go Veg

Gwyneth Paltrow Celebrates Thanksgiving with Sacrificed Carcass

I see this particular holiday as a time of mourning... No other occasion demands the specific sacrifice of one particular species of animal to represent "tradition". And when one considers the brutalization... the fear and painful slaughter of these beautiful birds... it's clear that this "holiday" is hardly a "celebration" at all. The tortured carcasses placed as a centerpiece on a table meant to represent "happiness" and thankfulness... Well, it's all quite absurd - really...

Paltrow obviously finds animal murder "acceptable" under certain conditions:

Sarah Palin video with Slaughtered Turkey

Of course Sarah is totally out of her league - she's much more comfortable with the moose, polar bear and wolf killing... But looks like this time - plain old turkey bloodshed will have to do: