Using My Imagination For a Vegan Chipotle

By now I'm sure every one's seen or heard of Chipotle's Scarecrow video. When it first came online, there was a shout-out from fellow activists and youtubers to keep the dialogue open and to make attempts to keep our thoughtful voices and views heard. 



If you scan the discussions that took place in the last few days, it's evident that ranchers, and those in the industry feel this video is a betrayal to the "responsible" way they "raise food". The GMO issues weren't debated half as passionately as the ones regarding "humane" animal use. This is encouraging.

A lot of viewers also had their hearts shattered at the image of cow #53281. I think these sad few frames in particular made people question not only the harms done in meat consumption... But those very dark ones, hidden by the "happy-cow" dairy industries.

Now there's a lot of people wondering what Chipotle's angle is in this campaign... I don't assume for a moment to know the inner workings and figurings of any large corporation. Of course their end is to drive more business into their doors... But aren't the future customers they're appealing to plant eaters? The beginning is ugly and shows miserable animals being used and the story ends in a meal served that could very well have been vegan. 

For as beautifully arranged as the music is... As picturesque as the fresh pepper on the vine appears... As magical as all these visually artistic scenes are - There's no chance that a vision of a better tomorrow could ever, ever include snuffing the life from our beautiful fellow Earthlings. That's simply beyond any one's imagination of paradise. I'm hoping for the real deal... There's nothing to it! 

Cultivate kindness. Go vegan. ;)

On Having Faith In Kindness

I wanted to post this video after the high holy days of Easter were over. I didn't want it to be lost in the mix of other religious festivities. And yes the disappointments too, as many of us will agree that most religions haven't been particularly kind to nonhumans.

But I'm pleased as I think you will be too, that the interview with Father Frank Mann is nonsectarian and the biblical reference to any god is mentioned only once in regards to his idea that we should be treating others with justice.

Father Mann has created a Tablet Forum to explore the ethical dimensions of our society's relationship to animals. The first event is scheduled for May 10th and will host the NYC free premiere of Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home, an award-winning documentary about farmers and their change of heart about animals.

Be sure you check out the Australian premier of Peaceable Kingdom.

Change only the name and this story is about you. ~Horace

So no matter if you just got done celebrating Easter, Passover or if you hold no faith in any deity, it's fine to know that you won't betray your beliefs if you choose to be kind.

Singing in the New Year for Animal Rights

Four years of experience and witnessing what happens to our nonhuman friends has taught me that the bad news makes it's way no matter what.  
Still, I wanted to begin 2012 on a somewhat rare but harmonious note of positive energy...

In case you didn't see this article from Green Planet, 2011 What a Year for Veganism, it documents how much can change happen in a year.

There's also this Mercy for Animals post that spreads the news on declining meat consumption in the U.S. 


And according to this Google Trends graph - The word vegan (and hopefully all it's implications) is gaining social grounding as well.


One can research and find all the data they want about any subject that effects life on this planet... But I can only speak from my own personal experience of observing a s-l-o-w but steady awakening of important issues that fly under a vegan banner.


Each year I've met more people who acknowledge the negative implications of "livestock" and who have reduced their meat intake... More who have a daughter, grandson, sister or neighbor who is already "veg".  Music to my ears!


Rightfully so, from puppy-mills to whaling - rodeos to labs... Non-human rights are being re-evaluated as an important issue in our social progress.

What all this means is that whatever we're doing we must stay at it.  We must press harder... Perhaps even to the point of putting to end the infighting that distracts our rhythm from the goal we want to achieve.  If I've ever done so before - this year, I want to stop singing off-key about what other activists are doing wrong... And just focus on what I can do right.


Obviously our tasks are monumental... My belief always has been and still is that it takes many, many voices to fill the choir.  As long as everyone's message is to work towards animal liberation - to end this horrible carnage... They are singing my song:

Thank you to everyone who's voice is in the choir!  May 2012 bring us all comity in the name of those who we all speak for. 

Fresh! Animal Rights Activism On The Web!

Following VeganElder's lead of introducing an impressive new blogger - I'm thrilled to add a few myself...


Many know Shelley Williams for her energetic and gutsy videos.  From her first video a year ago Earthlings: Dear DIARY, I'm COWardly to her most recent one Are You PERFECT, Shelley hits the high notes with passion, humor and irrefutable sense.  Impossible to choose... But this is one of my favorite videos with a remarkable 65,000+ views:
Sick of Vegans' Opinions:


I don't know how she manages but Shelley has also found the inspiration to create another form of advocacy by way of her new blog Oppress THIS.  You'll love her welcome message! ;)


And speaking of extraordinary talents dedicated to our nonhuman friends- Sarah Kiser has picked up the charge of speaking for dairy cows at the newly formed (resurrected) blog: Dairy Cow Diary.  


Sarah is also an accomplished artist and has used her creativity to urge ethical living in these videos.


Needless Suffering exposes the contradictions in our animal-"loving" but animal-eating culture.  The innocent visuals contrasted with the blunt truth should haunt anyone who willingly swallows the "humane" myth.



And there's also A Diary of an Animal Lover who's amazing crew of fur-companions help in a clever way to tell of her vegan journey...


Also James E. McWilliams, author of Just Foods has begun blogging at Eating Plants.


Yes, I'm sure there's dozens of new voices, new advocates, new bloggers and unique methods getting the message out... And while online activism is never meant to replace the one on one interactions that we have throughout our public life... It sure is comforting to see our numbers grow!  

How To Do Animal Rights On The Internet

Kudos to those who dedicate their time (their lives) to getting the truth heard!
The web was meant to be an information highway - Let's help close the roads to the slaughterhouses down by making good use of it!

Gentle Mercy Rescues Calves & Children - Healing Through Kindness

A happy update from the Mercy for Animals E6 investigation! Four beautiful calves have been rescued and placed at The Gentle Barn.  Gentle Barn is a unique haven where refugee animals help human kids heal from their own wounds of misfortune, neglect and/or abuse:

"We believe that our animals are particularly healing with these children. First of all, the animals have all been abused before coming to The Gentle Barn. Relaying their stories to the children allows them to identify and relate to the pain of the animals. Often times the children share similar pasts. Secondly, as they see that the animals are safe here with us, the children begin to open up, as they too feel safe. Finally, we believe that animals, with their unconditional love and non-judgmental attitude, can often times reach kids more deeply and effectively than people can. As the children learn to love the animals, they simultaneously learn to love a part of themselves. As they learn to understand the animals, they learn to understand a part of themselves."


I believe the injuries inflicted to animals and children stem from the same source... It makes total sense that their mutual experiences will help each the same, to become whole again.

*****************************

Roy, Ari, Mercy, and Bob represent 10,000 calves in JUST this ONE facility with thousands more just like it... When you're in the dairy isle - Remember these babies torn from their mothers. Remember that their food AND lives were stolen from them! PLEASE, please - You would not deliberately make a victim of any human child - Please don't make victims of the nonhuman ones either. There are countless alternatives...

Eat Gently. Live with Mercy. Go Vegan.

Farms That Harm - Farms That Feed * Blood VS Food

I always wished that there was something I could call those in animal "agriculture" that more closely defined their trade... After all, I do LOVE the fine people that grow the food which nourishes me, and they are very different than the ones that breed animals for blood, bone and flesh.

So I'm very grateful that John Sakars made the clever distinction between the two...

And what about these people who work the "nice" harms?  They will say that the animals are very happy and well cared for... The man who raises cattle enjoys seeing the "cycle" of life --- But that "life" is abruptly ended at a mere fraction of it's potential.  How is that "life"?  The woman is always "awed" to see that new mother cows know exactly what to do... And of course her family "eats like kings".  What an odd, warped world these "nice harmers" must exist in.



Now after undercover investigations like the most recent one from Mercy for Animals, these harmers come out in full rank to defend that their businesses... They will say that most places take great "care" of the animals they "love".  We've all seen and read this countless times.  They will also say that they encourage transparency and encourage questions... This may be so initially, but in my experience once the conversations get too "uncomfortable" they will discontinue them.

Case in point - A little more than a year ago Mercy for Animals conducted yet another investigation on a dairy farm.  I engaged in a conversation at the "Dairy Goddess" site and after posting a few comments of unwavering disagreement - The discussion was "closed". 

And just last week a few advocates participated in a debate on the Farm and Dairy site.  The "last word" was had by eliminating the "reply" button.  Well! Guess that's one way to win an argument!

There are many other instances of this hiding-habit of the harmers to shut down verbal exchange - But thus far, a conversation is allowed an open forum on this Brandi Buzzard site.  In fact I'm encouraged to share this with other advocates so that all views can be considered.  If anyone's interested here ya go:
Still No Excuse: Owner of E6 Ranch Steps Up

Finally anyone who's been reading my posts for a while knows I'm keeping a running tab of the "food animals" raised "humanely" who have perish live in burning infernos:
From Farm to Fridge and Fire Along the Way - Got Mercy For Animals?
Mooving Along to Burned Cows - Cash Cows & Viral Video Cows
Farmers Aren't Practicing Birth Control - Your Husbandry & Proliferation Is Killing Us!
And so I add 4,800 pigs killed in a fire in northeast Iowa.

I know without a doubt these pigs were being tended to by harmers... Not farmers.
So please... Support your farmers - Eat all the fresh fruits and veggies that you know are better for you and kindest to the animals.

E6 Hammered Dairy Calves - Butchered Cows - Who's Responsible?

By now everyone has seen the gruesome footage of dairy calves being bludgeoned with hammers and pick axes at the E6 Cattle Company in Texas.


Here is the full release from Mercy for Animals for those who haven't...

The "owner" claims that now all employees have been trained in "proper" animal care in accordance with what the dairy industry recommends: Gun Shot, Captive Bolt, Barbituate Overdose, Throat Slitting, or Electrocution.  Yeah... That's "humane dairy" for ya...
 
Now in this interview Trent Loos says that the footage is "tough for anybody, even in agriculture to watch".  Loos also insinuates that the employees were coerced to use blunt force rather than the rifle to kill these calves...  The question was put (at 2:20): "Did you know anyone was using a hammer to perform euthanasia on these animals?"  Owner Kirt Espenson says "I did not. They had a rifle". And then the interview get's kind of splicy sounding... Hummm

And here from Pro News7 in Amarillo "He acknowledges his employees did not have adequate training. He credits that because he had a lot of employees quit and he was accepting basically anyone who was willing to work.
Espenson also told Pronews 7 that all his employees were given a .22 rifle but they, instead, chose to kill the calves in the malicious manners shown in the video.

Additionally, Espenson felt that the undercover worker from Mercy For Animals had some type of influence on the employees."

But doesn't the second video footage above (at l:10) show that Espenson was asked "So the hammer's okay if we don't find the rifle"?  And Epsenson responds that it is.  He just walks away unconcerned and detached from the process about to occur.  Still, he wants to "accept full responsibility" for his employees that were "poorly trained" and who had a lack of knowledge of the proper procedure.  

Doesn't that remind you of the Conklin Dairy owner caught on video shoving a downed cow yet saying the violations were just in hands of one rouge employee and encouraged by the undercover investigator?  Doesn't animal ag usually claim "alleged abuses" and "doctored footage"... It's always the undercover agent or the employees it seems.  Yet these are the favored labor force! Usually (illegal) immigrants that are so desperate they are willing to do the unthinkable just for a greenback and a chance to stay in the U.S.  Dairies depend on these people so much that they even want to give them licenses even if they are here in the U.S. illegally.  That's why dairies, all of animal ag and slaughterhouses hire these individuals.  Because they will do the work that needs to be done if people insist on having  milk/eggs and meat.  That means if you buy these "cheap" products YOU are responsible too!

These calves never got to feel the warmth of their mothers, never got to nurse or be nuzzled... Never got to experience the specialness that all babies deserve - Instead they were assaulted, battered and murdered in the most horrific way imaginable. Killing calves, killing cows, no matter what methods are used is barbaric.

That said, these poor calves are now in peace and released from the clutches of butchering men. What kind of society pays people to do this??? Whether it's throat slitting, electrocution, a gun or a bat - Who needs cow's milk this badly??? Please - whatever empathy you have for these innocent ones - Wean yourself!

Florida Videos of World Peace and Amazing Raw Nut Milk

Recently I wrote about a proposed law that may be implemented here in Florida, prohibiting the filming of certain subject matter... And that would be sad and wrong to restrict freedom of speech and personal liberties of private citizens.

But here's a short video Will and Madeleine Tuttle also took here in Florida last February.  Apparently this was taken just days before Will's presentation that I was fortunate enough to attend.  The theme of his talk, and his lovely piano compositions, leave no doubt that he is guided by a loving and compassionate light.

Celebration by Madeleine Tuttle

I was also very happy to have spoken to Madeleine again... As an artist in transition, I admire her ability to capture images of our fellow creatures in such a tender way.  

Finding the video posted below I also learned she is an accomplished flutist as well.  The talents of both Will and Madeleine certainly reflect the abundance that they know the world offers.  Our movement and the message of extending respect to the animals is blessed to have such voices of enriching reason on our side...

I'm so glad they came to Florida and also happy they filmed Madeleine's preparation of her awesome raw nut milk... Enjoy!



Want a Soyabella of your own?
Want to read The WORLD PEACE DIET book?
Want nonviolence in your life? Go Vegan! :)

Mooving Along to Burned Cows - Cash Cows & Viral Video Cows

Adding to the toll of animals burned alive I note the 100 dairy cows burned/killed in a Pa. barn fire.  Apparently this wasn't the first fire either... A neighbor was grateful human lives were spared... Because every "thing" else can be replaced.  And gosh she ought to know because her family operates a cow-slave facility too!

And apparently excess heat at the dairy cannot only kill "things" but also reduce profits... Now here's something I know the farmers will pay close attention to.  It seems that cows will become less productive at temperatures exceeding 68 degrees... So it's recommended to cool "high-producing cows at a lower temperature."  I find this extremely disturbing though, in record-breaking summer heat I know in my house and many others, we try to minimize the use of energy... As it's not only wasteful but expensive.  Let's see, humans opt to live in 78 degrees and cows are kept in 68. Perhaps that's because the dairy industry makes so much money???

Whoa there!  Now if that was the case - Why is it that budget strapped Wisconsin, that is now cutting back salaries and employment to teachers is also granting the dairy industries "Tax Credit Extensions"? Hum... They don't seem to have their priorities in order at all!

Okay... Let's take a break from the serious fatalities, global climate threats and political corruption for just a moment.
Take a look at the logo for National Dairy Producers Organization.
You know... Even Hugh Hefner had the decency to opt for less-offensive "bunny ears" as the "playmate" symbol.  But I tell you these teat pulling cow-hands just have no shame!



I know they try hard... They really do!  Mega-giant Dairygold explains all about their Corporate Social Responsibility. With 60 pages of stats, graphs and economic figures- there's 2 whole paragraphs dedicated to the very important issue of animal "welfare".  Gosh sakes! Could they spare the ink???

Perhaps they are depending on world of mouth via YouTube to explain how it's so very important to remove the calves from their mothers immediately... All for the calves "welfare".  For the calves "safety" they are taken from their mothers.  For their "safety" they are fed milk "replacements."  For their "safety" they are tethered so they cannot interact with other calves.  Seems they forget very quickly about their "safety" when it's time to process their tiny bodies into veal.  It's just nasty deceit, isn't it?

Finally, speaking of videos of cows - And humans speaking for the cows... The World Society for the Protection of Animals is launching a campaign "Not in my Cuppa" that intends to keep cows out of factory farms and on the fields.  It would be a much more worthy campaign if the message was to leave the cow's (milk) alone altogether.

I could go on and on about how "Molly" would still be heartbroken having her babies stolen from her.  How even in the field, she'd be "retired" after a fraction of her life.  And how 3 of the 4 calves she'd give birth to wouldn't live much longer than a few months.  I could tell you - But I think Shelley Williams speaks much better on the cow's behalf:

Go Diary Free and you can wash your hands from the whole ugly business of "cow's milk." :)

Farmed Animals - Caged Slaves - Surviving on Food and Water

We keep hearing from animal growers that they provide adequate food and water... It's always the water and food --- Food and water.  As if that's all that a living being needs or desires... Not so!


This vet talks about how vital access to fresh air, space, earth, dirt and insects are to these hens... And why their combs and wattles are so pale without them.  They were being deprived of that essential part of nature that everybody requires: Sunshine!



OPEN RESCUE: HENS
Imagine denying anyone of sunshine?!?  Certainly, no one has been raise to find this kind of treatment to animals acceptable.


5 hens rescued 6 months ago... What about the billions bred and killed since? - After a miserable life in the dark... 


If you're not vegan yet... Why not???

Mercy for Animals Ohio Dairy Investigation - Kicking Calves for Cheese

Oh - Oh! What did the dairy industry go and do now??? Forceably impregnate cows? Steal calves milk? Take babies? Send them all to slaughter? OH wait! All that's "legal"!

But beating cows in the face with crowbars, stabbing them with pitchforks, breaking their tails, and punching, throwing, and kicking calves is not...




All this for the sake of a little cream in your coffee?  A bit of fat ladden "cheese" on a pizza?  This is "humane" "food"?  Please reconsider what you will tolerate as a decent human being - Go Vegan

Are You REALLY Eating Eggs??? Didn't You See Those Poor Hens In The Video???

I don't want to promote "cage free" eggs... And there's much more than "factory farms" that I'm against...
But undercover investigations such as this must be part of the plan to expose the truth:



And the truth is... We don't "need" eggs... We don't "need" to imprison chickens (or cows, or pigs, or goats, dolphins, camels, lions, or any BODY) for our frivolous wants.  We just simply need to Go Vegan.



It's not that hard!  It's the morally right thing to do!  So what's stopping you???

VIDEO FOR ALL UNREASONABLE MEAT EATERS

Sometimes you just have to get blunt to counter the irrationality spewed by "anti-vegans":

Beef CheckOFF! ~ Vegan Soapbox Video ~ Animal Rights Heroine

Elaine Vigneault of Vegan Soapbox has always been an inspiration to me! Her Animal Rights blogs:

Kangaroo Elaine

Selling Compassion

Meat Peeps

Her youtube vlogging and

her devoted Vegan Outreach activism...

I'm honored that I inspired her in the creation of this compelling video:

I don't know that anyone can say it better than Elaine... But I'll try:

GO VEGAN!

Provoked Loves Her Vegan Family & Animal Rights Community!

Not "better"... only "different". The boy says: "I never thought about it before... No one ever told me". Well that was my story till you wonderful VEGAN ADVOCATES reached me! :) So grateful that you did! {{{hugs}}}

Double Scoop Videos - Crippled Dairy Cows - Starved Calves

Here's two videos regarding the wretched treatment of dairy cows and calves: The first comes from New Zealand - And the moderator is very concerned because this might hinder the opinion of NZ: "How can New Zealand continue to advertise itself as 100% pure after the dairying boom has created so many factory farms that poison the land and harm animals?" My first instinct is to chuckle at his choice of wording: "pure". Really? Artificial insemination... raping an animal and keeping it as your "slave" - "Pure"? Not hardly. And the other point about the "harm" to animals. Before New Zealand's "factory dairies" --- Didn't they send the unwanted calves and "spent" cows to slaughter? I say being butchered is causing "harm". What about you? The second video was filmed in a Pennsylvania dairy: But animal agriculture will always want to say that these are "isolated" instances... That (most) farmers "love" their animals and always provide the best of "care" to them. Typical representation and denial - here's what Troy Hadrick over at Advocates for Agriculture had to say: "As with most of the videos that are released from animal rights groups, we only see an edited version of the entire story. The only thing we know for sure is that there were some crippled cows at this dairy. How they got they way and how they were handled afterwards is unknown. Hopefully the entire story is available in the near future. What we do know for sure is that the vast overwhelming majority of livestock producers care for their animals. Never before in the history of animal agriculture have we had the tools to provide so much care for our livestock. If the dairy cattle in the video were receiving an inadequate level of care then that situation needs to be resolved immediately." "Edited video"? Sure... and maybe a little cgi? R-ight. This stuff is raw in every sense of the word. "Some crippled cows" - How they got that way is obvious, there whole lives were spent in constant gestation... Their bones and bodies were depleted of every bit of calcium... Their udders were infected from the constant milking machines... Literally sucked dry for human adults to nurse themselves on... "How they were handled afterward?"... I'd bet my house and contents they weren't "cared" for by a vet but rather by a bolt gun. And finally... "If" - "If" the cows were neglected/abused? From the time each was born, has been an eternal condemnation of use and "abuse", made possible by the loving "care" via the common practices of animal industries. I say that even under the *best* of circumstances, the dairy industry stinks... Stealing babies from their mothers just so humans can steal the cow's milk is not anything remotely resembling "care" or "love". Or anything that any "decent" person would wish to contribute to - once the facts are known... You know them know... Please... Go vegan - It's the right thing to do.

Live Vegetables vs Dead Animals * Vegan Biology 101

Biology 101

Animal - Vegetable - Mineral

In response to: "Yeah, but you kill vegetables."

Rocks and Minerals are not alive - they do not feel pain. Vegetables live and grow - but lack a central nervous system. They do not feel "pain" nor can they suffer... However, animals are made of tissue, organs, blood, nerves, senory receptors and neurons which transmit physical experiences.

But you don't have to be a genius to know all this... it's quite simple: In other words... if I cut the pepper... it will not hurt the pepper... The only reason I may need a bandaid - is if I accidentally injure myself. Are you with me? And even though this pepper has been cut, removing it's very core and "heart" did not cause it to suffer... But the cow heart... came from an animal... And like all animals was capable of being hurt. Removing parts of animals causes them pain and death. Now, to make it clearer for those who still might have difficulty grasping this: Ask a child... or anyone who wishes to avoid causing harm... Who's more likely to go "ouch!" if you remove his body parts? This guy: Or this one? The best of science (and common sense) tells us that veggies don't feel pain. Therefore causing no pain or suffering, we can indulge to our optimal health and pleasure, on a plant based vegan diet.

Joaquin Phoenix Christmas Vegan PETA Video

Joaquin Phoenix Christmas Video Choose compassion: Go Veg