The Factory Farm- Can you Handle the Truth?

  If you enjoy the occasional fast food hamburger, discount eggs, cream in your coffee or sliced cheese you need to watch this video.  Like I have said before - I am not a vegetarian - and I'm not an animal rights activist.   However, I do think every animal deserves respect and appreciation.  If you are going to eat something - you need to know where it comes from and how it was raised.  I don't think this video reflects all animal production facilities - but I also don't think it grossly exaggerates the conditions at some of them.   We all make choices every day.  Choices that impact our own well being- but also the well being of our communities and the creatures and plants that exist within them.   To ignore the inhumane conditions of meat production is to passively accept it and thereby pass your vote of acceptance.  

  While attending culinary school in Vermont my class was able to go to a country slaughterhouse.  The day we went the butchers were processing a dozen local sheep.  Each sheep was pushed down an enclosed trough and then abruptly blasted through the skull with a bolt-gun.  It was a gruesome sight which to this day has left me vivid memories.  The difference between watching those sheep die and watching the animals in this video is that the animals in Vermont actually led a normal and happy life up until the point when they were slaughtered.  They ran through the hills, ate wild grasses and flowers and socialized with the other sheep.   It was like a fairy tale compared with most of today's factory farms. 

  I have absolutely no ethical qualms with anyone who acknowledges where their food comes from and respects its source.   However, I cannot stand people who blindly accept their food supply with no regard for its origin.  Our ignorance as a society is the fuel for factory farming.  

  After watching this video I'm still not close to being a vegetarian- but I am more than happy to pay a premium for local meats produced by independent ranches.