The Thursday, July 31, New York Times includes a powerful column by Nicholas D. Kristof headed, "A Farm Boy Reflects." (pA21). The column is in support of California's Prop 2, which Kristof describes as, "the most important election this November that you've never heard."
Kristof also calls it "a referendum on animal rights in California" and tells us, "Proposition 2 would ban factory farms from raising chickens, calves or hogs in small pens or cages."
While "small" may be a relative term, it actually bans raising those animals in cages so small that they cannot turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.
It is interesting that Kristof calls it an "animal rights" bill. In our movement there are some strongly held views as to what do and don't constitute "animal rights." And in society at large their are some strongly held beliefs about the radicalism of animal rights. Yet the proposition being discussed, while its effect could be one of the most far-reaching to date (California is the world's fifth largest supplier of food and agricultural commodities) proposes only the most basic level of animal welfare -- basic welfare standards that most citizens probably assume animals in this country already enjoy. In my experience, most people are unaware that all of our welfare laws, dictating how animals may be housed and treated, exempt animals to be used for food. They exempt all standard agricultural practices -- like the crating of calves to be used for veal. In our movement's experience with ballot initiatives, most people, given the choice, do not support those exemptions.
Those who have read Thanking the Monkey know that I believe that our species is evolving towards vegetarianism, as an ethically solid choice and an ever increasing environmental imperative, and that I enthusiastically support that evolution. But I, like many in our movement, also fully support every step along the way that eases the suffering of animals still being used for food. And when their suffering, their treatment at human hands, falls outside society's standards of decency, then we support changes in the law so that the law comes to reflect society's standards. It is therefore gratifying to see a column in an internationally renowned paper, written by an ex farm boy and current carnivore, which supports our stand against an industry that is pouring millions of dollars into defeating this basic welfare initiative.
Kristof's description of the animals raised by his family are heart-wrenching. He writes that because of the "unforgettable characters and obvious intelligence" of pigs, "To this day, when tucking into a pork chop, I always feel as if it is my intellectual equal."
I think his most affecting section is about the geese, who he calls, "the most admirable creatures I've ever met." He writes:
"We raised Chinese white geese, a common breed, and they have distinctive personalities. They mate for life and adhere to family values that would shame most of those who dine on them.
"While one of our geese was sitting on her eggs, her gander would go out foraging for food -- and if he found some delicacy, he would rush back to give it to his mate. Sometimes I would offer males a dish of corn to fatten them up -- but it was impossible, for they would take it all home to their true loves.
"Once a month or so, we would slaughter the geese. When I was 10 years old, my job was to lock the geese in the barn and then rush and grab one. Then I would take it out and hold it by its wings on the chopping block while my Dad or someone else swung the ax.
"The 150 geese knew that something dreadful was happening and would cower in a far corner of the barn, and run away in terror as I approached. Then I would grab one and carry it away as it screeched and struggled in my arms.
"Very often, one goose would bravely step away from the panicked flock and walk tremulously toward me. It would be the mate of the one I had caught, male or female, and it would step right up to me, protesting pitifully. It would be frightened out of its wits, but still determined to stand with and comfort its lover.
"We eventually grew so impressed with our geese -- they had virtually become family friends -- that we gave the remaining ones to a local park. (Unfortunately, some entrepreneurial thief took advantage of their friendliness by kidnapping them all -- just before the next Thanksgiving.)
"So, yes, I eat meat (even, hesitantly, goose). But I draw the line at animals being raised in cruel conditions. The law punishes teenage boys who tie up and abuse a stray cat. So why allow industrialists to run factory farms that keep pigs almost all their lives in tiny pens that are barely bigger than they are?"
After the description above, it is hard to imagine Kristof eating geese, but then I think most of us who have chosen vegetarianism went through some period in which we continued to eat animals while feeling squeamish about it. And the beauty of Kristof's squeamishness is that it is displayed in the New York Times for all to see. It may well have turned some readers from foie to faux gras on the spot.
The whole column is well worth reading and sharing. You'll find it on line at
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/opinion/31kristof.html
Please keep the discussion alive on the editorial page with letters to the editor. The New York Times takes letters at letters@nytimes.com. And please be sure not to use any comments or phrases from me or from any other alerts in your letters. Editors are looking for original responses from their readers.
I send thanks to the many folks who made sure we all saw the piece, and particularly to Paul Shapiro, who is working tirelessly and effectively as senior director of HSUS's factory farming campaign to spread the word on this initiative. Paul also forwarded a superb piece from today's Modesto Bee. While that is not so weighty a paper as the New York Times, the author, Jeff Smith, carries much weight as a former president of the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).
Proposition 2 recently gained CVMA support. While that should seem like a no-brainer, unfortunately the national organization, the American Veterinary Medical Association, has a history of standing neutral or in opposition to farm animal welfare propositions. After all, the organization is a trade association for veterinarians, some of whom make money from some painful procedures, not a welfare group for animals.
Smith explains,
"Few critics of Proposition 2 argue against it on the basis of ethics or animal welfare. Most argue on the basis of economics -- suggesting that Proposition 2 will make it tougher for farmers to remain competitive, while they ignore the growing demand for cage-free and free-range eggs. Nonetheless, I would submit that animal welfare ought be the focus of veterinarians and the CVMA, not economics.
"To date, the veterinary profession has remained neutral on topics like farm animal confinement, the use of anesthesia and pain medications for farm animals, foie gras production and ear cropping for dogs. When one acknowledges that these positions are clearly not defensible from a welfare perspective, the profession needs to say so instead of being deemed irrelevant or taken kicking and screaming to the eventual proper ethical outcome."
You'll find the whole article on line at
http://www.modbee.com/opinion/community/story/377131.html
You can comment at the bottom of that page, and the paper tracks the "most commented" items, so please let the editors see the public's enthusiasm for this topic by joining the discussion. And as those in Modesto will be voting on this proposition, please increase the issue's ink space by sending letters to the editor. The paper takes letters at http://www.modbee.com/1990/story/1354.html
Californians, please don't limit your letter writing to the New York Times and Modesto Bee. You have the most chance of being published in your local paper. Some local papers publish close to 100% of letters they receive, so why not make sure voters in your community read the good word on this upcoming proposition?
Please write. Always include your full name, address, and daytime phone number when sending a letter to the editor and remember that shorter letters are more likely to be published. If you have any trouble finding the correct email address for a letter to your editor, or if you would like me to give your letter a quick edit, I am happy to help.
Finally, I highly recommend Michael Markarian's recent blog on this issue, which discusses those in opposition to the bill. Headed, "Factory Farming Fakers Are at it Again," it is fun and eye-opening reading. Check it out at http://hslf.typepad.com/political_animal/2008/07/factory-farming.html OR http://tinyurl.com/5deqp7
Yours and the animals',
Karen Dawn
(DawnWatch is an animal advocacy media watch that looks at animal issues in the media and facilitates one-click responses to the relevant media outlets. You can learn more about it, and sign up for alerts at http://www.DawnWatch.com. You may forward or reprint DawnWatch alerts if you do so unedited -- leave DawnWatch in the title and include this parenthesized tag line. If somebody forwards DawnWatch alerts to you, which you enjoy, please help the list grow by signing up. It is free.)
Please go to www.ThankingtheMonkey.com to read reviews of Karen Dawn's new book, "Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way we Treat Animals” and watch the fun celebrity studded promo video.
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Date: Thu Jul 31 19:13:41 2008
