My response to the video ... Honestly, my response was just indifference. Not that I thought that everything that was going on at that farm was acceptable, but I have seen these undercover videos before and the response is usually the same. Most people are usually horrified, the company is horrified that the practices are happening and vow to take care of it, media focuses on it for a days news cycle, and then everyone goes out and purchases pork from the supermarket. That is the American response to so many horrific things we see in the media. It impacts us a moment, and then we move on.
No, the animal "mishandling" (that was the word they used) that was going on in this video was not the most upsetting thing for me. In my mind the most upsetting thing was the answer that the folks of Mercy for Animals came up with. Their answer ... cut pork out of your diet. How about this for an answer ... seek out a local farm that raises their pigs as pigs not production units and continue to eat great pork!
In fact (time for a shameless plug) we have bundles of pork available for sale right now. Our pigs were raised outside in the fresh air with access to water, feed (an all vegetarian diet for them so that should make Mercy for Animals happy), and of course dirt/mud. So, instead of cutting pork out of your diet I suggest just changing your purchase point ... (end shameless plug)
Sad but true. This is what makes me so angry about animal rights groups - their answer is always abstinence instead of a REAL solution. I used to call myself an animal rights advocate until I realized that most of them are more about adhering to an uneducated, cult-like set of beliefs so they can feel exclusive and morally superior rather than actually advocating for real-world solutions (aka supporting sustainable, pastured meat) to this kind of abuse.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like an unusual angle for FOX network. The commentator's at the end of the clip regarding the lack of standards in animal care prior to processing seems untrue. I wonder if they will be angling toward standards of livestock care in the future. IF so, it will probably be standards which benefit factory operations.
ReplyDeleteIts not that surprising from Fox, I don't think. The argument will be for industry-wide regulations in order to curb "rampant" abuse, but which only the large industrial scale operations will be able to afford. This saves big business from small and local competition, and it keeps the masses from having to be truly balanced and active in their diets.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the effort here! I think we're gaining momentum?
It is unfortunate that so many may be misled by this news report.
ReplyDeleteThere are thousands of farmers in our great Nation and we all enjoy good food in this country.
I enjoy life and appreciate those who provide the food stuffs that I enjoy.
I could not agree with you more, if people think that showing these videos is going to stop this kind of treatment you are wrong- and if you think not eating pork is going to change anything you are wrong- getting them where it hurts is right- never ever buy meat (and many other things) from the supermarket. Buy from a local farmer who raises only the amount of animals that his or her land can sustain. When you do that you not only help the farmer, you help the animal, your health and your community! Buy from local sustainable farms!
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