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. ;)

Philip Wollen - Less Formal But Just As Intense: Go Vegan

Just in case you can't get enough of Philip Wollen - He collaborated with David Coles a little more than a year ago to create the video below.


Coles says "If you want to unleash intelligence - Unleash your compassion."


And in speaking of factory farms, slaughterhouses and other killing institutions that nonhumans are subjected to Philip Wollen says "These vile, hideous torture chambers must be torn down. They have no place in civilized society."


As a philanthropist Wollen recalls that at forty he decided to give away all his wealth with "warm hands and die broke". I don't think that will ever happen though... With such immense kindness he's sure to remain the richest man on Earth!


Get rich quick! Unleash the vegan in you!

Winning Words For Liberty... And Ethical Compassion

The best bloggers on the internet have posted this amazing speech from the most important debate there ever was! I'm not about to pass the opportunity to add it here as well - Especially on this July 4th day which is supposed to commemorate liberty and freedom.


This perceptive and gentle man Phillip Wollen, extends the concept of justice to all beings. And I celebrate his vision!

Full transcript here.
Full debate here.

Now, like everyone I love a good debate when reason and truth get to shine! It's particularly enjoyable too when someone reveals the flaws in the (loser's) arguments. This youtuber does just that in 3 other videos aside from the one below:


It's clear for all to see - This vicious war humans have with other animals is just a struggle like the one fought against British oppression 200+ years ago. And countless other challenges in history. They were tough fights... But they were won! And so will this effort to a more equitable world see victory as well! It's just a matter of persistence, courage and time.


Thanks to all who live in the most efficacious way towards that goal... Towards the fairness of autonomy that all should have!

Animal Rights Debate With Ag Rep - Compassion vs. Utility

Unforeseen demands in my personal life will briefly restrict my on-line activities... I know there are comments previously left that I have not responded to yet... I know my friends will bare with me as I regroup.  


But in the meantime I want to post this very important news about an event that will take place (tomorrow) on the morning of July 14th.  


Two of the most effective advocates I can name, Gary Loewenthal and Colleen Patrick-Goudreau will be interviewed by animal agriculture spokesperson Trent Loos on his show Loos Tales.


For those who might not know (and where have you been?) - Gary Loewenthal is one of the founders of Compassion 4 Animals and the very successful Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale is his brain child. 


Vegan cookbook author and speaker, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau hosts the ever popular Food for Thought podcasts that is a gateway for those who want to learn how to be Compassionate Cooks.


Our movement not only has the power of truth on it's side, but some of the most articulate, passionate and thoughtful advocates we all could ever hope for... Gary and Colleen are the finest among them.


This interview will be posted here after 10AM and will be available for one week afterward.


I think it's unanimous, that we all hope reason and all it's rewards makes it's presence known and understood for the good that it is.  


On the other hand, Mr. Loos will endeavor to convince his audience that the issues of animal killing are not all that serious... He will compare activists to Hitler and say we are  "driven by guilt". He will use words like "respectful harvest" and reduce lives to the "production" purposes he (profitably) sees fit.  He will suggest that the old social norms are acceptable and ought not to be challenged.That has always been the carnist's mantra.  But the very idea that this "first" debate is occurring proves that to be all wrong.  

This discussion on the severity of animal killing will only escalate in the future, as this topic is brought to the light of critical thinking minds.   In academic halls, public libraries, shopping malls and employee break-rooms - May the conversations be civil with human enlightenment as it's goal, as the voices of the invisible are finally heard! 

Animal Ag Jolley Meat DEBATE request #5

Animal Agriculture wishes to tell their story... (so I hear yet again). -

Animal ag activist Dr. Dave tells Jolley at Cattlenetwork: "If the meat and poultry industries don’t grab the bull by the horns and tell the whole story, those special interest groups will own the stage and continue to frame a one-sided debate in their own well-known terms."

Well I don't know about the horns... has anyone ever seen what they do to those poor cows when they remove the horns? OUCH! And he continues: "With most people several generations removed from any relationship with farming, there comes a disconnect that anti-ag groups have skillfully exploited."

Wait a second, if we're talking "exploitation" - the needless slaughter of 10 billion+ animals a year might qualify for that... not to mention the ones that don't even get to become your gastronomicaldelight. And he asks: "Are hogs and cattle routinely poked, prodded and generally abused by cruel and thoughtless people? Does a chicken breast or a pound of ground beef really start out on a shrink-wrapped foam tray in the supermarket meat case?"

Well, he's got that right... no - they start off as beautiful beings with an interest in their own lives. Believe it - animals want to live! They have no desire to become your steak, your chops, wings or pate'. They just want to live their lives - the ones you forced them to be born into.

Dave and Jolley say that certain groups "do not want us to eat meat. Period. They do not care if that meat is produce conventionally, naturally or organically. If it is meat, they don’t want us to eat it. "

And here... I beg to disagree (again). I really have no concern over what you put in your body... rocks, tree bark, asphalt. Anyone of course, may consume whatever they wish...

It is the needless killing that is objectionable.

So, if one wishes to troll the interstates for fresh road yummies - have at it! Although it would be respectful to maintain sanctity of the body - if it's flesh you must have - bon appetite!

Finally, animal ag suggests that they strike one minute "elevator conversation"...

I do that all the time! Yep, when I'm on line at the grocery store and someone behind me is holding a package of chicken body parts - I make sure they know how the birds are raised... When I was buying a cd - I told the clerk about the sad song that was played on a Youtube video showing calves separated from their mothers... When I was at the library, a woman was checking out a child's nursery book "the 3 little pigs" - I made sure I told her about the Hormel incident. We all know about those minute messages - don't we?

So... animal ag folks, please don't shy away from an open debate with an Animal Rights activists! I'm certain you want to "get your story told"... Set the time, pick the elevator - I'll see ya there! I'll even bring my vegan literature!

Debate requests: Request #4 Request #3

Request #2 Request #1

jolley

ANIMAL AGRICULTURE "DEBATES" HSUS

Well... I called it - first the cattle folks did an interview with PETA... Followed up in a strategic effort with another animal "welfarist" agency - HSUS.

Both organizations committed to allow animal exploitation - only in a *nicer* way... Their mantra being - to make animals as comfortable as possible before we haul them to the slaughterhouses to be stunned, knocked out, eviscerated, and "processed". They're in favor of kind "humane" murder. These interviews are meant to put consumers at ease with their conscience. Making folks feel warm and fuzzy, that their actions are in line with their values. Seems that 95% of people consider animal cruelty "wrong". Except when it comes to justifying their meat consumption - then all standards fly quickly out the window marked "hypocrisy" - landing flat on the pavement of cognitive dissonance. Animal agriculture still doesn't get it... If they desire "moral high ground"... (fat chance) - they must enter into dialogue with Animal Rights (Vegan) Abolitionists as I suggested here, here, here, here and here... Oh! and here too!

At issue should be not "how" to use animals - As long as they are "commodities" the industry will find endless ways to convince the public that "how" they are using animals is "humane". Instead the focus needs to shift to the "right" to use them at all. This is the starting point that needs to be addressed. Animal Rights vs animal exploitation - that's the debate that needs to be heard.

Label this "Debate Request #6"

Industry Desperate to Dupe Consumers - Meat Animal Propaganda

So now animal agriculture and the meat industry are doing a documentary to show "the culture of care and compassion" regarding the way animals are made into "food".

Television documentary challenges animal welfare perceptions: "Consumers want to know more about the people who produce their food. "

It is not that people are moving away from knowledge of how meat "food" is produced - it's that they know more now how animal "meat" is made. It's the internet - it's Youtube - it's newspapers. ***********It's stories about caged pigs and hurricanes. It's about crippled cows. It's about horse slaughter. It's about tortured chickens.

It's about law suits from residents who can't drink their water or leave their houses for the contaminated water and stink of the air.....It's the hormones, the pharmacuticals, the rodentcides and pesticides.....It the studies that link "meat" to cancers, diabetes and obesity******** Heck, it's the whole industry people are turning away from - not just the pathetic mistreatment of animals.******And it's not that people don't know "enough" - it's that they know *plenty*.

It's about knowing that it's not neccessary - there is a better way: Go Vegan

ANOTHER OPEN CHALLENGE TO THE MEAT "FOOD ANIMAL" INDUSTRY

Good news - it appears that the meat and animal agriculture is anxious to have a debate on the many issues concerning their product. As you can see they strongly wish for their positions to be heard so that consumers can continue to trust the institution and know that their choices are sound and made in an informed manner. If you are also concerned and would like to encourage an open debate with the animal agriculture industry - I suggest voicing such desires on any of these sites. Perhaps if the general public, vegans and those who consume meat products request a debate enough times... The industry will designate representatives and establish what type of forum for their position to be heard and argued. If you also wish to "throw the down the glove" and encourage such open debates you can say so here: http://www.beefusa.org/theitimeline.aspx http://www.meatami.com/ht/d/sp/i/205/pid/205 http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/nationaldairycouncil/press/spokespeople http://www.meatpoultry.com/Feature_stories.asp?ArticleID=95568 http://www.beefboard.org/consumer/checconsumerinformation.asp http://www.theotherwhitemeat.com/aspx/contact_us/ http://www.feedstuffs.com/ME2/dirsect.asp?sid=6528350201674E2EABA42647049B59EC&nm=Contact+Us http://beefitswhatsfordinner.com/contact.aspx http://www.fb.org/index.php?fuseaction=young.members http://www.conversationsoncare.com/contact.aspx http://beefinstitute.org/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=2&Itemid=69 BTW - since there are so many "pork ambassadors" and "beef ambassadors" that represent the industry it would be no problem to set a national agenda addressing differing views.