Loren Hart’s Recent Comments

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  The march to end factory farming continues!

  Factory farming is an immensely cruel and destructive method of feeding ourselves. In a highly competitive capitalistic market with insufficient government regulation, corporations sacrifice the welfare of humans, animals, and the environment for the sake of collecting the profits necessary to stay in business. It's a terribly nasty race to bottom.

  Something can be done, however. And it is being done, thanks to organizations like the Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary, and millions of concerned citizens all across the globe. Though tens of billions of animals will continue to die each year after having suffered through entire lives spent on these horrible factory farms, there is good reason for hope.

  For one, we who oppose factory farming are right in doing so, and we know it. This inspires us to continue pushing on through whatever obstacles we face, and piques the interest of others. For another, it seems to me that most of  humanity is on our side. As more and more people learn what really happens on factory farms, the pressure to end these abuses will grow and grow until the government must act to create ever greater degrees of protection for those who are currently victimized by these systems. The current Proposition 2 campaign in California is one example among many of what can be achieved by the collective action of those of us who are committed to the creation of an increasingly just and compassionate world for all beings.

  Thanks Meredith for this great post. I, too, "am trusting Californians to vote yes on Proposition 2 and set the standard for animal, environmental, and food safety standards for the rest of the country to follow."

  Thanks for everyone's good work,
  Loren Hart
  Chapel Hill, NCOn California's Prop 2 could end the worst farm-animal abuses and set a national precedent posted 1 year, 3 months ago 6 Responses

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  Foie gras should be illegal all over the world

  Dear Grist community members,

  I believe it is a worthy goal for those of us who care about the world to do what we can to help create a future that is more compassionate, just, and loving than the present.

  In the kinder, gentler world that we all should be helping to create, there will be a greater degree of respect for the lives of animals. There will be no room for foie gras and other similarly cruel products.

  Whether the ducks and geese are force-fed or not, confining animals and then slaughtering them so that humans can eat them is unnecessary. Doing so makes a victim of the individual who is imprisoned and murdered, and victimizers of those individuals who perform and support such actions.

  It is time to abolish the production of foie gras, and all other forms of animal abuse, whether it is raising animals for food, for clothing, for entertainment, or for scientific experimentation.

  Towards a more compassionate world for all beings,
  Loren Hart
  Chapel Hill, NC

  P.S. Here's some information about foie gras that may be of interest to you.

  ==

  The Trend to Stop the Cruelty of Foie Gras Hits Speed Bump

  May 15, 2008

  From http://www.farmsanctuary.org/get_involved/update_fg_speed ... .

  Foie gras is produced by force-feeding confined ducks or geese enormous amounts of food--up to a third of their body weight-several times a day. A worker grabs each duck and, one by one, thrusts a metal pipe down his throat so that a mixture of corn can be forced directly into his gullet. The force feeding causes the birds' livers to swell up to 10 times their normal size and develop a diseased state known as hepatic lipidosis. As disease wracks their bodies, the ducks become unable to walk, stand or even breathe without extreme pain.

  The cruel conditions of force feeding of ducks and geese to produce foie gras is well known:

  *    Foie gras production has been banned in California andmore than a dozen countries, including Israel, formerly the world's third-largest foie gras producer.

  *    Scores of dining establishments (including 217 in Illinois alone) have removed foie gras from their menus, owing to the extreme cruelty involved in its production.

  *    Even top-notch chefs like Wolfgang Puck have spoken out publicly against the cruelty of foie gras production.

  *    Luminaries like Pope Benedict XVI and Prince Charles of England have spoken out against the cruelty of foie gras production--the latter banning it from royal menus earlier in 2008.

  *    In May 2008, the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production (comprised of experts including former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman and former University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Dr. Michael Blackwell) released a report urging, among other things, that the force feeding of ducks or geese be phased out.

  ==

  Prince Charles Bans Foie Gras

  2.26.08

  From http://blog.peta.org/archives/2008/02/prince_charles.php

  The Daily Mail just reported that Prince Charles has banned foie gras from royal menus and "instructed chefs at all of his royal residences to stop serving the dish." The announcement came after an activist in Bristol wrote to the prince about the cruelty involved in producing the stuff when she noticed that it was being sold in the royally appointed shop House of Cheese. Here's how Prince Charles' Deputy Master of the Household (i.e., the guy who writes back to you when you send a letter to the Royal Palace) responded:

  "The Prince of Wales has asked me to write and thank you for your letter about animal welfare issues surrounding the production of foie gras and your experience in Tetbury. I just wanted to reassure you that The Prince of Wales has a policy that his chefs should not buy foie gras. His Royal Highness was not aware that the House of Cheese sells foie gras and this will be addressed when their warrant is reviewed."

  That's about as big a boost to Britain's growing movement to permanently ban the sale of foie gras as you could hope for: If the few remaining establishments that are still selling the stuff won't take it from outraged consumers, they might want to think twice about ignoring a frickin' royal mandate. PETA's president sent a letter to the Prince today, thanking him for taking this compassionate stand, and we're hoping that this positive example from overseas will influence cities like Chicago to stand by their decisions to ban this cruel delicacy forever. Thank you, Prince Charles.

  ===

  Seeing is believing. For more information, please see the following videos.

  http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/Prefs.asp?video=foie_gras_U ...

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IWN8UGDyC0

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s-23fHnnP0

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u4OGbUVkHE

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds65Dl15qMw
  On Chicago overturns 2-year old ordinance banning foie gras posted 1 year, 6 months ago 14 Responses

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  Industrial animal agriculture should be abolished

  Dear Grist community members,

  I am happy to read of yet another study that is critical of the massively destructive industrial animal agricultural system. I also greatly appreciate the efforts of all of those at the Pew Charitable Trusts and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to draw attention to the serious human, animal, and environmental health issues that result from this monstrous business. And thanks to Grist for spotlighting this report, and for continuing to raise awareness about the problems inherent in industrial animal agriculture.

  I am deeply concerned, however, with the speciesism in both the report itself and with the Grist's response to it (http://www.grist.org/news/2008/04/30/ndstrlAg).

  What am I talking about? Well, for example, the Grist headline cries out "You Animals! Independent report calls for major reforms to industrial animal farming".  I'm sure whoever thought of this title thinks this is clever. And in a way, it is. But it is also speciesist, and therefore inappropriate, since the "You Animals!" part is apparently meant as an insult directed at those who are responsible for the many troubles caused by industrial animal agriculture. When we call someone an "animal" to insult them, it is an insult to animals. The person who uses this term seems to be saying something like, "Your actions are despicable. To do what you do, you must be less than human. You are like an animal."

  The fact that animals cannot understand or speak out against this insulting action does not make it tolerable, anymore than it is tolerable to call someone who has made a blunder a "retard." Whether or not someone with special learning needs understands or ever speaks out against this sort of speech, the use of this term as an insult is wrong. We can agree on that, I'm sure. Now, will you please join me in choosing not to use the word "animal" in ways that are meant to insult humans, and that therefore insult animals? Grist, we can do better.

  I also firmly object with the apparent premise of this report that animal agriculture -- in any form -- is an activity which should be allowed to continue.

  According to Putting Meat on the Table (page 33): Industrial Farm Animal Production in America: "The fundamental welfare concern is the ability of the animal to express natural behaviors--for example, having natural materials to walk or lie on, having enough floor space to move around with some freedom, and rooting (for hogs). Crates, battery cages, and other such systems fail to allow for even these minimal natural behaviors."

  There is, of course, a more "fundamental welfare concern" in regards to animal agriculture, whether it is industrial-scale or not. That concern is whether it is right for humans to be raising animals for food at all.

  I think it is clear that there is no argument sufficiently convincing in favor of the continuation of animal agriculture in the United States for us to allow this practice to remain legal. I am so convinced of this that I have joined with many people around the world in devoting a significant portion of my life to working to end animal agriculture through international law. Until this formal prohibition against raising animals for food comes into being, I believe we each have a moral obligation to choose a vegan diet.

  Please allow me to explain.  

  Many people have an idea of what it means to be vegan, but fewer, it seems, understand the underlying reasons that would lead someone to choose a diet that does not include animal products. I would like to briefly make clear some of the reasons that might lead a person like me - or you - to make this choice.

  There is much that could be said, but I will be brief. Here's the first part of the equation: According to the American Dietetic Association - the largest professional organization of nutrition experts in the country - well-planned vegan diets are appropriate for every stage of the human life cycle, including during infancy and pregnancy, as we grow into adulthood, and as we advance in age. That being the case, how it is possible to justify imprisoning, stealing from, or murdering animals for the purposes of feeding oneself?

  The second part of the equation is this: Animals are not rocks, machines, plants or any other type of unconscious matter. Indeed, it is absolutely certain that the animals whose flesh, milk, and eggs are routinely eaten by humans are taken from individuals who are able to feel pleasure and pain. Animals do not give these things to humans as gifts. As you know, many animals experience life cycles extremely similar to ours, including an embryonic stage, infancy, childhood, and adulthood. Many have siblings, friends, and eventually their own children. Each gorilla, elephant, pig, mouse, chicken, fish, horse, and dog who comes into this world leads a life that can go better or worse for them. The Golden Rule says that we should do to others as we would like done to us, and there is no good reason to ignore the interests of animals. Therefore, shouldn't we choose to do what are able to limit the amount of harm our lives cause to animals? And therefore, shouldn't we expect everyone who has the ability to choose a plant-based diet to do so?

  The fact that some animals eat other animals does not mean that humans should eat animals, just like the fact that some animals forcibly have sexual intercourse with other animals does not mean that it is acceptable for one human to rape another. Human morality is, of course, not determined by what other animals do.

  In spite of how a great many of us act at this particular time in history, animals are not made for us to be our food or slaves. Treating them as such constitutes a serious injustice on par with the great injustices that humans do to one another. Currently our legal system classifies animals are property. It is, however, just as wrong for an animal to be the property of a human as it is for one human to be the property of another. In certain cases, one human may be the guardian of another, but this is enormously different than being that person's owner. It is time that we change our laws so that animals are no longer classified as property that humans may own.

  On top of the good we can do to animals by choosing to not kill them or unnecessarily restrict their movement, choosing a vegan diet also represents a powerful contribution to the human family. No, I'm not talking about the numerous health and environmental benefits of a well-balanced vegan diet, although these are substantial, as you may know. Instead, I am referring to the benefits to humankind that accompany increased compassion towards other beings - human or animal.

  I assume that you seek a more peaceful world - for yourself, your family, your friends, and others. In search of peace, we must be peaceful. How can we desire peace for ourselves, while promoting violence to animals? That is hypocritical. If we participate in the harmful exploitation of animals - for example, by eating them or unnecessarily restricting their movement - we should expect this lack of mercy to come back to us and our loved ones in some way. This is clear, is it not?

  The following is less clear, however: Why do so many loving and peaceful people actively support violence by making animal flesh, milk, and eggs a part of their diet, when it is so easy and so right to do otherwise? Is it due to culture? Ignorance? Emotional disconnect? A lack of concern for the lives of others? What is it?

  In any case, it is certain that a vegan diet is better for animals and for humans. For any reason that one may give for not choosing a vegan diet, there is a compelling response to the contrary. If you have doubts, please do some investigating of your own. A few great resources to start with are TryVeg.com, WhyVegan.com, and PetaTV.com .

  Should you choose to further explore this issue of how we should relate to animals, you will be able to find many objections to the claim that we should all be vegan. This reminds me of how in previous years, many respected people argued that it was morally acceptable to enslave African-Americans, prevent women from voting, and beat children. Of course, these are three examples of practices that once were legal but have now been made illegal. In other words, these groups of individuals were eventually granted legal protection from harms which were once legal and widespread. Catch my drift?

  Due to a variety of causes, public opinion is changing rapidly in regards to how we interact with animals. Perhaps it would serve us well to consider how our grandchildren's generation will think of those of us who were slow to stop supporting the imprisonment, torture, and murder of animals. In contrast, how will they think of those of us who spoke up for the abolition of animal exploitation, and who showed our concern for the world by choosing a vegan diet?

  I would like to ask you now, if you are not already vegan, to please consider helping to create a more loving, just, and peaceful world by choosing to eat a plant-based diet, and to urge others to do the same. For all of us, animals and humans alike, I thank you. And please, do not be surprised if you find a vegan diet to be both easy and fun. I'm being serious! Based on the experiences of countless others, I don't think you need to worry that choosing animal-free meals means making a huge sacrifice anymore than not harming or stealing from other humans feels like a sacrifice to you. Instead, I believe you will find that acting mercifully toward all beings tends to feel pretty awesome. Truly, choosing non-violence is both liberating and empowering. But please, don't take my word for it. Try a few tasty vegan meals...and see for yourself!

  Towards a better world for all beings,
  Loren Hart
  Chapel Hill, NC
  lorenhart25@ hotmail.com

  A few last words...

  "I see a coming together of the many movements promoting non-violence and defending the vulnerable. For too long, people have viewed the Earth and everything on it as something to be exploited without limits. Now, many of us are beginning to recognize that our planet is not just a quarry to be pillaged and then refilled with garbage. This provides us with an incentive to promote a practical universal ethic- among these, that it's wrong to harm others who, like us, want to avoid pain and get some pleasure out of life....It seems to me that common sense suggests that our society will be upgraded by shifting from greed and macho violence to doing the least harm and the most good to other humans, to other animals and to our fragile environment." - Henry Spira, quoted in the book The Way of Compassion, a compilation of articles from Satya magazine.

  According to the United Nations, raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all of the cars, trucks, airplanes, trains, and ships in the world combined, and is one of the primary causes of the world's most urgent environmental challenges, including global warming, land degradation, air and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in their report Livestock's Long Shadow, 2006

  "My best year of track competition was the first year I ate a vegan diet." - Carl Lewis, winner of nine Olympic Gold Medals in track and field

  * Many thanks to "caniscandida" and "javaearth" for their earlier comments on this page, and for inspiring me to post myself.
  On Independent report calls for major reforms to industrial animal farming posted 1 year, 7 months ago 15 Responses