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Welcome to Other Nations…offering information, inspiration, and support for human beings working to end speciesism. http://www.othernationsjustice.org/
Recent Comments
Re: “Responsible meat”
How tiresome are these self-indulgent, conscience-driven pieces coming from proponents of (fill in the blank with some manner of exploitation) who search their souls for a moment, examine ramifications beyond themselves in brief passing, then do exactly what benefits them. (In addition to this one, I recall one defending the illegal construction of a visitor center in Wilderness and another about living with the threat of predators after building a house in their habitat).
This writer had an epiphany when she learned about CAFOs--but it was a self-serving epiphany filled with convenient rationalizations. "My desire to understand the life cycle of an animal" - The life cycle? This pig's mom was intentionally bred for profit, and Ms. Bell prematurely ended his life! "...his job on earth was nearly complete." Sadly, these words simply reflect the speciesist attitude that defines the status quo bottom line: treated well or treated badly, animals are nothing more than commodities for human use and consumption. Their "job" is to fulfill our desires.
"It wasn't easy, but I decided to be present at his slaughter." How good of Ms. Bell to make this sacrifice after betraying his affection. "I thanked both him and Elton..." Gag. Perhaps worst of all, "the respect he deserved." Given the choice, what do you suppose Eddie would have rather had--thanks, respect, and a bullet--or to continue living? Why is it so hard for some to understand that sentient animals--all of us--value our lives?
Look, I agree that the pig lived a good life. But "socially responsible meat" exists in the self-delusions of speciesists who won't admit that they're dominated by mere appetite and willing to kill for it. Philosopher Theodor Adorno said, "Auschwitz begins wherever someone looks at a slaughterhouse and thinks: they're only animals." That goes for when the knacker's truck rolls up, too.
Re: “Flash in the Pan”
"... selling used-up horses rather than paying to keep them alive is a logical choice."
It is not a fact that old, "used up" horses go to slaughter. According to the Chicago Tribune, "The horse slaughter industry doesn't "euthanize" old horses — but precisely the opposite: Young and healthy horses are purchased at auction, often by people misrepresenting their intentions, and sold to slaughter plants..." http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-04…
If there are too many horses, it's because too many horses are created by breeders in it for the money. Industries like racing, rodeo, showing, etc. along with irresponsible small-time breeders create and cull with impunity (see Forbes, "Racing Industry Silent About Slaughtered Thoroughbreds" at
http://www.forbes.com/sites/vickeryeckhoff… ).
80% of Americans oppose horse slaughter, a brutal and bloody business. Check here for graphically-honest descriptions and images
http://www.horsefund.org/horse-slaughter-i…
The NM slaughterhouse mentioned in Ari's piece was originally a cattle slaughterhouse; it was shut down by the Feds for heinously inhumane practices. You can read about what one bull endured on his way to death here, in "A Tale of Two Horses" at http://www.othernationsjustice.org/?p=7857
This post that brought more traffic to the Other Nations website than any other. Please read it and learn how you can support the SAFE Act, a bi-partisan effort in both houses of Congress that will end the bloody, inhumane prospect of horse slaughter once and for all.
Re: “Flash in the Pan”
I've heard--on many occasions--that people who have viewed the documentary "Earthlings" have changed their diets and their lives literally overnight (watch it here http://earthlings.com/ ). Paul McCartney said, "If slaughterhouses had glass walls, we'd all be vegetarian."
But they don't have glass walls--because the corporate exploiters know for a fact that consumers wouldn't, couldn't, won't tolerate seeing the hideous conditions and cruelty sentient animals are forced to endure in the nation's factory farms. Ag-gag laws suppress undercover whistleblowers and protect the unconscionable but business-as-usual animal cruelty built into the meat and dairy industries.
As you say, Ari, "evidently the hunger for meat overpowers any remorse the meat eaters might feel." Generations of consumers have been thoroughly conditioned (brainwashed?) by grossly-subsidized "cheap" meat, by clever marketing blitzes (I'm lovin' it), by hidden suffering behind no trespassing signs, by dead animal carcass enmeshed with religion and tradition (think Easter ham, Christmas roast, Thanksgiving turkey, 4th of July hotdog, Santa's glass of milk).
In short, The Animal has been removed from The Product, and we no longer see the cow, chicken, or pig in the Whopper, the bucket, or the McRib. To top it off, beloved icons like the Peanuts Gang shill for dairy cruelty ( http://www.othernationsjustice.org/?p=5972 ) and the Olympic rings put the stamp of approval on McNugget broiler misery ( http://www.chickenindustry.com/ ).
Interested readers can access powerful undercover videos and a page full of excellent resources at Other Nations' Factory farming/CAFOs page http://www.othernationsjustice.org/?page_i…
Re: “Animal rights”
That link again:
http://www.othernationsjustice.org/?page_i…
If that doesn't work, visit Other Nations at http://www.othernationsjustice.org/
You'll find the circus animal exploitation page under "issues" in the menu bar.
Re: “Animal rights”
Not really sure what "PETA people" Mr. Hartman is talking about--that seems to be the standard pejorative label for anyone who objects to animal abuse, and that takes in an awful lot of Americans. But don't take his word for it--or mine. See for yourself. Visit Other Nations' circus animal exploitation page where you'll find links to a broad array of resources, including shocking undercover videos (yes, a few PETA links are in there-- they have done an excellent job pulling together the federal USDA animal welfare violations committed by traveling circuses). If you have time to watch only one video, watch Animal Defenders International's "No Fun for Elephants" to learn what goes on behind the scenes. Please, take the time to learn more about this worldwide controversial issue. Then, when you're done, scroll all the way to the bottom of the page for a game: Set Leo the lion free!
http://www.othernationsjustice.org/?page_i…
Re: “Equine overload”
"I don't know if all of the commenters hear are vegan; but, if you like red meat from sources other than CAFOs, the animals must graze."
According to the Atlantic, factory farming produces 99% of the meat that people eat. To suggest that grazing on our public lands provides an accessible alternative source to factory farmed misery meat is misleading, at best.
And I, for one commenter, am vegan. Anyone who'd like to explore further this just, compassionate, and healthy way of living, you'll find resources (some local to Missoula & MT), faith-based links, and inspiring videos here http://www.othernationsjustice.org/?page_i…
Link to Atlantic article: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/…
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Re: “Flash in the Pan”
Alf said: "Do you protest as loudly and emotionally the same conditions and treatment for other livestock -- such as cattle, sheep, hogs, goats and poultry -- headed for the same fate ?"
Yes.
Wm. B. said: "i see lots of complaints but no real solutions to the problems the system is facing..." Really? Several solutions are offered in these comments. 1) get exotic livestock off the public range 2) birth control 3) stop domestic horse overbreeding, making adoptions more likely 4) stop native predator eradication 5) sanctuary
Kate: " maybe it's time that we all became a little repulsed with the lack of dignity and respect shown to the animals we eat on a daily basis."
I agree (but I would say "a lot repulsed"). However, horses are no more intelligent than pigs, a billion-plus who suffer in this nation's factory farms. Intelligence shouldn't be the standard for who gets killed--sentience should. Jeremy Bentham (born 1748) famously said, "The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?"
BTW, if you dare, you can watch horse-eater Sappington (whom Ari mistakenly identifies as the owner of Valley Meat) execute his horse (both edited and unedited versions are available) at the aforementioned link to "A Tale of Two Horses." Bon appetit.