Livin’ Veg

Op-Ed Argues For Making Farm Animals Even Closer to Machines February 22, 2010

I’ve read a lot of stupidity during my time involved with animal rights. A lot of people defending foie gras, factory farms, animal testing, etc. But on Friday I read the most idiotic argument ever. The funny thing is, it was posed as a solution for the inherent cruelty in our factory farming industry. What was the solution? Genetically alter animals so that they can no longer feel pain. That’s right. If they can’t feel pain, then treating them like dung becomes a little less grotesque. At least that’s the opinion in the article.

Writer Adam Shriver says in his opinion piece titled “Not Grass Fed But At Least Pain-Free:”

If we cannot avoid factory farms altogether, the least we can do is eliminate the unpleasantness of pain in the animals that must live and die on them. It would be far better than doing nothing at all.

Rather than actually fighting for real change (especially when humanity is the problem here) he’s saying that the animals should be the ones to change. That we should change them so drastically to better suit our needs that they barely resemble animals anymore. But he ignored the fact that pain isn’t the only abuse that makes factory farming cruel. The animals are aware. They are intelligent feeling creatures. They will still go mad from the boredom of being kept in a cage. They will still long for freedom or, if not freedom, then how about enough room to turn around or take part in some of their natural behaviors. A few people in the comments I saw said that the animals would probably injure themselves by banging against the cage to get out. What’s to stop them if they can’t feel pain?

This article, although it’s pretending to pose a solution for the suffering of animals, is actually just a shill for big ag. It’s trying to justify our disgusting treatment of animals by taking even more away from them. They take their lives. Now, they want to take the parts of them that make them what they are. Their ability to feel.

Mercy For Animals Dairy Investigation On ABC January 28, 2010

Mercy for Animals just released footage of their latest investigation. What’s the topic? Dairy farms. ABC gave them great coverage showing the inhumane treatment of dairy cows. I normally avoid the video…it’s too hard to watch but this, because it was on primetime gets the point across without spiraling a person into a state of depression and anxiety.

They talk about milk’s fabulous marketing campaigns with happy healthy cows and people. The reality is perpetually pregnant cows, tail docking without pain relief, open wounds, violence from the workers towards the animals and little or no space to move for the duration of their lives. Click here for the full story and video or visit Mercy for Animals for more information. Note, the footage on the MFA site is going to be way more graphic than the footage on ABC.

Repost the article to your facebooks, twitters and whatever else you have. The truth about dairy should be shown to the masses. We can help spread the word!

Number Of Farm Animals Killed Drops! January 21, 2010

In Vegan Outreach’s weekly newsletter, I received some fantastic news.

Here it is:

“The total number of land animals killed for food in the U.S. in 2008 was down 0.6% from 2007, at 10,279 billion, despite a 1% increase in U.S. population, according to data extrapolated from the USDA.”

The population went up but the amount of animals slaughtered went down. That’s pretty remarkable. With more veg options available in pretty much every super market, and health reports released daily on the benefits of eating less meat, people are taking notice and changing their habits. I don’t know about you but so many people in my life have reduced the amount of meat they eat for health reasons. Some have gone completely veg for ethical reasons.

I remember seventeen years ago when I was eleven, being a vegetarian was a little more fringe. We had no sexy vegan shoes (just payless) and no whole section in the super market devoted to our needs. Soy milk is now a staple in many people’s homes. So are veggie burgers.

What’s my point? We’re doing good work. The message is getting through. Lives are being saved. Keep up the great work and take a moment to pat yourself on the back. You’ve earned it. We all have.

An Open Letter to President Obama November 30, 2009

An Open Letter to President Obama:

Dear Mr. President,

Last Wednesday, in keeping with the annual Thanksgiving presidential tradition, you performed an act of compassion by pardoning a turkey the day before Thanksgiving. Sure, it’s just symbolic, but for one shining moment, it gives a face to all of the birds who are slaughtered for food, especially for this particular holiday. It forces people to see these birds as thinking feeling beings, instead of what they will see the following day on their plates - food.

However, I was thoroughly disappointed by the speech you gave that made light of the consumption of turkeys.

You said:

Today, I am pleased to announce that thanks to the interventions of Malia and Sasha — because I was planning to eat this sucker — “Courage” will also be spared this terrible and delicious fate. Later today, he’ll head to Disneyland, where he’ll be grand marshal of tomorrow’s parade.

Putting aside the fact that you continued your predecessor’s inhumane decision to send the birds to Disney instead of to a facility like Farm Sanctuary that can actually care for the bird’s needs, your jokes about the fate of so many turkeys who are tortured and killed on factory farms was in poor taste. When performing an act of compassion, is it necessary to make fun of the recipient?

So let me for a moment deconstruct why you might have chosen comedy as opposed to heartfelt gratitude when speaking about the animals you eat as food. After all, you aren’t alone in making jokes about the deaths of farm animals in reference to them being a tasty meal. We’ve all heard them before. But why all the joking? I believe that people use jokes to separate themselves from the act of eating an animal that if they saw in person, they would probably want to pet rather than kill. You have an even tougher job for all the omnivores out there. You are pardoning a turkey and giving a face and name to a creature that the citizens of the USA have to feel good about eating the next day. What better way to shrug off a life than by dismissing it with laughter? What could be a real moment of connection with a farm animal is turned into an absurd PR stunt, all for a few chuckles and to dismiss the responsibility we have towards the animals raised for food.

I’m hoping I’ll be seeing seven more turkey pardons from you. So you’ve got time to get it right. (I’m crossing my fingers next year you’ll both nix the jokes as well as the Disney adventure.) I also beg you to look into the turkey farms in this country and reflect on how we as Americans treat the animals so many people eat. You can start here by reading up on the treatment of birds specifically.

Thank you so much for your time.

Happy Holidays.

Ali Berman

PETA Thanksgiving Ad And Have A Happy Holiday November 25, 2009

PETA’s tactics don’t always sit well with me, but this Thanksgiving ad is, in my humble opinion, pretty darn great. It does something similar to the COK ads that air on MTV. It brings to horrible truth about factory farming to the dinner table. Maybe share it on your facebook or twitter today to get the word out there?

Now, I wouldn’t recommend talking about factory farming at the table tomorrow. But if your uncle Monty can’t stop making fun of you and your beliefs, perhaps see if there is a possible conversation to have once all the eating is complete. I feel like in an omnivorous family, it’s statistically unlikely that no one will make a comment about your veg living ways. Unless they got it all out of their system years ago.

Here is the PETA ad for your viewing pleasure. I will not be blogging tomorrow so please have a Happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Celebration Roast Perfect For Vegan Thanksgiving November 11, 2009

I’ve said this before, but feel the need to say it again every holiday season. Celebration roast by Field Roast is amazing! It is the absolute perfect faux meat for the fall/winter holiday season. Pair it with homemade cranberry sauce for the perfect mix of savory and sweet. It’s stuffed with butternut squash, apples and mushrooms and will work great for your vegan and omni guests. And it’s super easy to make so you can focus your time and energy on sides, desserts and your guests.

And while we’re talking about Thanksgiving, right now is a perfect time to donate to a farm sanctuary and help save the life of a turkey. So many turkeys are killed this time of year. Maybe even ask your guests to bring a bit of cash and have the donation go to saving a life. Thanksgiving should be a time of joy, and what’s more joyful than giving life:)

Factory Farming Featured On “Bones” November 9, 2009

Don’t you just love it when mainstream television takes a controversial animal topic and brings it to the forefront? That’s what the tv show “Bones” did last week by investigating a murder on a factory farm. They even show Farm Sanctuary’s footage of real factory farming and give tons of information on the practice throughout the episode. The characters comment repeatedly on the deplorable conditions, the adverse health effects the farm causes in the community, and the horrific smell that makes it difficult for the community to do anything other than live in stench. One of the show’s characters is so upset by the things she has learned about factory farms that she tries to raise the money to save a pig. While many other characters think she’s being unrealistic in her desire to save one animal when billions die every year, it’s a nice addition to the plot and gives a face to the animals people only normally see as food. (She brings a picture of the pig around with her as she tries to collect money and says Look at that face!” Yes everyone. Please look at that face. That’s the face of your bacon in the morning. Well, probably not you as this blog is called Livin’ Veg but you know what I mean.)

The lead actress Emily Deschanel is a vegan, Farm Sanctuary supporter, and over all awesome AR advocate. I’m sure she had something to do with the episode’s content.

Watch the entire episode on Hulu.com for free…

Bad News For Farm Animals In Ohio November 4, 2009

Yesterday Ohio voters were swayed by big agribusiness and their proposal to “protect” farm animals.  It’s a bit confusing so read below to learn a bit about issue 2:

Ohio voters will hit the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of an agribusiness-backed proposal that would amend the state constitution and create a board of political appointees to act as arbiters of what constitutes proper treatment of farm animals. In the eyes of its critics, the heavily favored measure, called Issue 2, represents the meat industry’s preemptive strike against a fledgling nationwide movement toward humane food production.

The big AR orgs didn’t fight too hard against it. In fact HSUS released a statement saying exactly why they were putting very little money into Ohio. Wayne Pacelle said this: “By packaging Issue 2 as pro-animal welfare and pro-food safety, the architects of the ballot measure went a long way to assure its passage.”

So instead of wasting money on Issue 2 in Ohio, they are instead going to focus on getting Ohio to phase out veal crates, battery cages and gestation crates through different methods.

Big agribusiness won yesterday. But that doesn’t mean the fight is over.

In other totally depressing news, (not AR related) Maine decided to say screw civil rights yesterday. The Maine voters repealed the law legalizing gay marriage. We should not be able to vote on civil rights. Or we end up with garbage like this. So upsetting.

HSUS Uncovers Cruelty at Vermont Slaughter Plant November 3, 2009

HSUS released an undercover video of calves raised for veal being horrifically abused. It was so despicable that state and federal officials shut the plant down to investigate further. I do not recommend watching the video. It’s graphic and appalling and in my opinion best reserved for those who don’t know about the cruelty that happens on factory farms. If you’re on this blog, I assume you are familiar with what goes on. But if you want to watch the video, you can see it here.

Even if the video is too horrible to watch, it’s important to know what the footage revealed. Brace yourself:

In one scene, a worker attempts to skin a calf who is still alive, directly in front of a USDA inspector. This government official tells the worker, on hidden camera, that if another USDA inspector saw this, the plant would be shut down, but he allows the abuse to continue. In another scene, the slaughter plant’s co-owner, who has claimed in press reports that he had no knowledge of cruel treatment at his facility, is shown shocking downed calves with electric prods in futile attempts to force them to stand. Prodding one calf to stand up, he says to the animal, “There ain’t nothing wrong with you, sh*t box.” At one point he jokes that one of the staggering calves “looks like you on a Friday night,” referring to the USDA inspector, who laughs at the co-owner’s joke.

I’m assuming after reading that, you want to do something to help. Click here to help protect other calves from facing the same cruelty. A couple clicks of your mouse could make all the difference for these animals.

The Simpsons Halloween Episode Pokes Fun At Evil Meat Practices October 21, 2009

On The Simpsons Annual Halloween special, they did a skit on a new kind of burger. “The Burger Squared.” Why is it squared? Because it’s made by cows who are killed, fed to other cows, and then those cows are killed and made into a burger. They turn the cows into cannibals. What happens when they do this disgusting practice? The people who eat it are contaminated and turn into “Munchers.” Munchers are basically zombies.

I thought it was a great episode and successfully poked fun at the heinous things humanity does to farm animals. Also, the risks we take when we eat foods made by irresponsible factory farms. Making the people zombies was funny but the real consequences of eating tainted meat aren’t so silly. Mad cow, e-coli, etc.

When Lisa hears about the burger she says that it’s an abomination. Marge responds and says, “Now Lisa, you’re a vegetarian but these cows have made a different choice.” So great! Obviously farm animals (and domesticated animals in general) have no say in what they eat. It’s up to humans to care for them. And the fact that cows are herbivores makes this episode all the more great in its disturbing satire. Thank you Simpsons for continuing to tackle big issues through ridiculousness. You’re awesome.

Watch the episode for free here!