Treatment of farm animals

Farm wife Marcia Gorrell wants us to believe that she and other factory farmers are treating their animals humanely (11/17, Opinion, “As I See It: Horror stories don’t reflect America’s farming excellence”).

While employed by Merck, I visited many modern farms. The standard practices that Gorrell defends as being based upon sound research would disturb most people.

History has taught us that we humans have the capacity to close our hearts to suffering and injustice when we benefit or have become desensitized.

I think Upton Sinclair was speaking directly to Gorrell’s predicament when he said, “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”

Gorrell asks if it’s in our best interest to change these abhorrent practices. Yes it is! Diets rich in meat have been associated with more cancer, heart disease and kidney disease. They use more fossil fuel, create more greenhouse gases and pollute our water. When meat prices rise and we eat less, everyone will benefit.

JoAnn Farb
Lecompton Kan.

Comments

[Pub 17]

Cool. Any photos?

[Tom K]

What makes them the experts? They don't know a thing about animal husbandry. They just scream and shout and run in the nude.

[Pub 17]

I'VE tried to get people in the spirit of the thing by getting naked on the Plaza for PETA, but only the police showed up and they remained fully clothed, except for removing the pepper spray from their belts.

[Stifled Freedom]

Pub17, I am not interfering. I am trying to establish when and where so I can be there. These nude campaigns never seem to happen when I am around.

[Pub 17]

Shut UP, People Are Dumb. Do you really want to interfere with snotty little private-school rich girls who're willing to voluntarily shuck their skivvies in public for any reason whatsoever? Are you CRAZY?

[Stifled Freedom]

JoAnn, are you going to appear naked on the Plaza for PETA?