Beef it's called nutrition

The attacks on Natural Resources continue. Isn’t it unbelievable that we must relentlessly tell the consuming public the truth about the essentials of life. To start with, one fundraising group saw an opportunity to capture headlines in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

"The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is calling for the cancer society to cancel its inaugural Cattle Barons' Ball here and in the 50 other U.S. cities where the fund-raiser has been held annually since the 1970s."

Quote from PCRM president Dr Neal Barnard, "It's no different than if the ACS held smoking marathons to raise money for lung cancer research."

So is there any doubt about where this campaign is heading. If you are not sure, check out Activist Cash and you will get the whole picture about these people. Also if you would like to send a letter to the editor of the Atlanta paper here is the address letters@ajc.com.

"Meat consumption is just as dangerous to public health as tobacco use … It’s time we looked into holding the meat producers and fast-food outlets legally accountable."
— PCRM’s Neal Barnard in a September 1999 U.S. Newswire press release, urging a federal lawsuit against “Big Meat”

Winter is coming

The closer we get to “coat weather”, the easier it is to get emotions stirs about the clothing business. This is a form letter that one fundraising group has sent out for people to send to the New Hampshire Program. This type of thing happens every day. I just want to share with you how well organized these groups are. Below is the factual information from Fur Commission. Teresa Platt is always on top of these issues and that is why fur sales continue to set new retail records each year.

The Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program should not be a forum for the slaughter of wildlife. I am dismayed to learn that the New Hampshire Trappers Association annually donates a fur coat to the scholarship recipient. As a bridge to higher learning, your program ought to feature ethically responsible gifts.

Coats derived from wild animals mutilated in steel-jawed leghold or conibear traps do not project intelligence or sophistication. I strongly encourage the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program to stop providing a public relations vehicle for the cruel and barbaric trapping trade.

And here is the factual information from Fur Commission USA.

Furbearing Animals are More Plentiful than Ever
No furs from endangered species are sold in the United States. Fur sold in the U.S. comes from one of two sources: from fur farms or from trapping regulated by state governments. As wildlife habitat has given way to civilization, it has become vital to manage animal populations not only for the protection of people but for the survival of the animals themselves. That's why trapping is recognized, endorsed and regulated by government as an important element in proper wildlife management.

Consumer Polls

If you want people to believe what you think call it a consumer poll. How do people compare the resources of plant to animals and why? Thought you might find this Washington Post article of interest.

WASHINGTON - Consumers generally support tinkering with plant genes so crops will produce inexpensive medicines, but they are less comfortable with the idea of modifying animals for the same purpose, a new survey says. Eighty-one percent of 1,000 Americans interviewed for the poll by the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology said designing biotech crops to make affordable drugs is a good idea, but just 49 percent of them believe genetically engineering animals for drugs is a good idea.

"As you go up the evolutionary ladder, people are less comfortable with genetic modification of any animals," said Michael Rodemeyer, executive
director for the Pew Initiative, a research group.

What a hypocrite…


On Tuesday this week, I shed some light on Jason Sheehan who wrote a ridiculous piece in the Denver Westword. Click here to read Loos Lips Sept 16, 2003 but the segment I want to remind you of is where he said this.

"And even though this was a piece made explicitly to shock and disgust meat-eaters like me -- using only worst-case examples to shame us into thinking twice about picking up that warm, greasy bag of double cheeseburgers on the way home -- I can't entirely fault the PETA folks for their fervor. They may have chosen only the worst, only the most graphic and most disgusting images they could find, but there's truth in them. Ugly and vile as the film is, I think everyone should see it. I think third-graders should be made to watch it before lunch.

Jerry Heidelk from Grand Island, NE has earned my Weenie Roaster Award for this correspondence he sent to Sheenan.

As Mike Rosen states we don't need to apologize for being on top of the food chain!

I have worked at a packinghouse in Sterling, CO and the propaganda they are showing you is not what happens.

The U.S. processes 135,000 cattle every day.

Do you really think this is how they do it?

After working in a plant I went from eating steaks well done to now ordering them RARE.

PETA is no more than a domestic terror group.

Sincerely

A Proud Producer of Beef
Jerry Heidelk

And the response back from Sheenan..

Jerry,

Exactly my point. Thanks for standing up for the other side. I've spent some time in slaughterhouses and processing plants. I know what goes on there. And I know that when your processing beef in the six-figures a day, there's no time for some slouching dude with a butcher's saber to give Bessie two in the chest. PETA is biased, but they are throwing a very bright light on a very small and dark corner of the industry.

I'm still eating meat. I'm still eating it rare. They didn't change my mind, but all I wanted to do is make people think a little before they ordered their next 99 cent McDonalds cheeseburger.

Hey, can we print this letter? I've gotten a lot of things from PETA activists, but not many speaking for the other side.

Thanks,

~Jason Sheehan

It is obvious that this guy will say what he thinks you want to hear. He certainly wants to hear from “our side” so send him your letter. Jason.sheehan@westword.com.

Radio Icon

Kansas State is proud to announce this, click for entire link.

RADIO NEWSMAN PAUL HARVEY TO DELIVER FIRST K-STATE LANDON LECTURE OF THE 2003-2004 SCHOOL YEAR

MANHATTAN -- One of the nation's best known radio newscasters will kick off Kansas State University's 2003-2004 Landon Lecture Series. Paul Harvey will present a Landon Lecture at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at K-State's McCain Auditorium.

"Paul Harvey is a radio icon. He is one of the foremost newsmen in the business," said Charles Reagan, chair of the Landon Lecture Series. "His hallmark programs, 'News and Comment' and 'The Rest of the Story,' have established him as one of the world's most listened-to broadcasters."

I hope someone asks Mr. Harvey about his subtle anti-animal agriculture messages. For example, on April 28, 2003 when he glorified Ingrid Newkirk, co-founder of PETA, for her willingness to go to extremes for getting people to pay attention and motivate people to respond “to our otherwise senseless undemented sadistic torment and torture of our planets other animals”.

I have that on tape if you would like to hear it in his own words. And just this very morning, when speaking about hurricane Isabel, he planted a seed about the hogs, chickens and turkeys affected in hurricane Floyd.

Good luck, Mr. Harvey. You may need it in the great livestock state of Kansas.

Advocates for everything

We need representation! Every day it becomes glaringly more apparent that the wolves, the trees, the bears and even the soil have plenty of representation. But when are the stewards of these resources going to catch up? It seems that people are moving down the food chain. Oh, but that is the goal isn’t it? Read this piece from Missoula, MT. The judge’s comments about property rights concern me a little. Click here to read entire piece.

Initiative 143 did not strip Montana game farmers of their constitutional rights by outlawing the hunting of captive elk, deer and other "alternative livestock," U.S. District Judge Sam Haddon has ruled.

Indeed, game farm owners have no "absolute or unfettered right to operate an alternative livestock ranch as they see fit," Haddon said. I-143 "advances legitimate non-illusory state interests in protecting Montana wildlife."

And on this same morning I read this excellent column by Joyce Morrison in Illinois on the subject of property rights. Click here to read entire column.

"Rural cleansing" may sound like a tale from the Old West to some, but not to present day property owners who are being removed from their land in the here and now. Many of these people are said to be "willing sellers" but many times are forced to become "willing." property because of controls.

Daily I receive e-mails telling of people being moved from their land by some ridiculous land grab of a government bureau or an environmental organization. If these folks are not removed, they are often prevented from doing anything with their property because of controls.

The need for speed

Why it is we are a society that feels the need for speed? I don’t know but last week I attend my first auto race and watched a car powered by E-85. Tim Schwanke from Springfield, MN had that car. Check out his website. Now I find this race car being made out of cheese. Yesterday I spoke to the Upper Midwest Dairy Industry Association. The power of cheese continues to race on. Check out the I Love Cheese website.

Keep your eyes on Kellogg's/got milk? #5 Car! On May 3, a brand-new Cheese paint scheme was unveiled at Terry Labonte's running at Richmond International Speedway. Fans also witnessed the unveiling of the "World's Cheesiest Car," a to-scale replica of the #5 Chevrolet made entirely out of Cabot Creamery Cheddar!

Al Capone’s playbook

Most of you will have a tremendous amount of trouble believing what I am about to tell you. David Erickson is a county commissioner in Dodge County, MN. He understands the purpose of county commissioners. When a farmer submits a request to build or expand their operation and answers all of the questions properly in order to prove they are protecting the environment and meeting all regulations, Mr. Erickson is willing to say YES. Well, some Dodge County anti-agriculturist cannot stomach that. Sunday morning David woke up with hog manure in his yard, a dead rat hanging from his door and a sign that reads “Resign or Die”. Why do we spend our money removing the oppression in Iraq? What are we doing about it here at home? I have interviewed Mr. Erickson and it will air on Loos Tales. If you would like to hear it, email me and I will send it to you.

Greatly Disturbing

This article appeared in the Denver Westword published Sept 11, 2003 and it concerns me greatly. If you have not seen the “Meet your meat” video put out by PETA, you should. This disturbs me because of where this “journalist” started and ended up. Read entire article by clicking here.

Jason Sheehan writes a dining column called "Bite Me." The current one includes a discussion of PETA's "Meet Your Meat" video:

"When the Alec Baldwin-narrated Meet Your Meat, a DVD from PETA, arrived in my mailbox the other day, it looked like money in the bank -- an easy couple of column inches poking fun at the Hollywood star and lefty mouthpiece, then closing with a brief screed on how much I hate it when celebrities try to tell me how to live my life. Of course, being a good little journalist, I
figured I'd better actually watch the thing first.

"And even though this was a piece made explicitly to shock and disgust meat-eaters like me -- using only worst-case examples to shame us into thinking twice about picking up that warm, greasy bag of double cheeseburgers on the way home -- I can't entirely fault the PETA folks for their fervor. They may have chosen only the worst, only the most graphic and most disgusting images they could find, but there's truth in them. Ugly and vile as the film is, I think everyone should see it. I think third-graders should be made to watch it before lunch.

Sex sells

I have seen a lot in the past year. The most memorable moment, without a doubt, is when the fifth grade students at an elementary school in Manhattan, NY that told me they were animal rights activists. Where does that come from? I have a very good example right here.

Read here about the Liberation Now website promoting The National Student Animal Rights conference taking place Nov 3-7, 2003 at American University in Washington DC. Take a look at the speakers list for this conference. I have pulled out the work of Carol Adams who is speaking for the third straight year. She is an author. Her topic is “The Sexual Politics of Meat”. Below is a brief look at what these kids are hearing.

Sexualized fragmentation. Fragmented body parts of animals who will be eaten depicted in such a way that thoughts of women as sex objects are clearly evoked as well. Breast and thighs advertised on menus, as well as specific examples like "We serve the best legs in town," draw upon the patriarchal fixation on women's bodyparts.

Animals feminized/sexualized. Animals presented in poses and clothes human females are represented in our culture (svelte legs, a "chick" in high heels, often animals posed like women, animals who are four-legged made to appear both "sexy" and bipedal, animals in bikinis). "I ate a pig..." Exactly who are they referring to?

Back-entry shots of both animals and women. In pornography, back entry shots are constructed to convey both women's accessibility and imputes to them an "animal-like" nature, that is, "animal-like" in a speciesist culture, a view that sees women as desiring being sodomized; sometimes animals who are seen as consumable are positioned that way as an invitation to consumption.

Connecting flesh eating and other forms of animal oppression to prostitution and pornography ("strip", "buck-naked", "Live Nude Lobsters!", and the "Happy Hooker," etc.).

So what are the students saying about this?

"A lot of the analogies she made...they seem like things that were always out there we just never connected them in our minds."

--Student at the University of Michigan, quoted in the Michigan Daily.

Sometimes grandpa’s way isn’t the best way

This year I attended the United States Sorghum conference for the first time. I came away from there wondering why we don’t plant more acres of sorghum in this country. Since that time, I have made it a practice to ask farmers why they don’t. The best answer I have received is “I don’t like it”. I bring it up today because I want to reiterate that sometimes we need to look to new options. From National Grain Sorghum Producers newsletter last week, please consider this:

The Kansas State University Department of Agronomy is establishing the Center of Excellence for Sorghum Improvement at the university’s Manhattan campus. Research aimed at developing new, improved varieties will also be conducted at the school’s various research fields around the state, including the north central field near Belleville and its agricultural research center at Hays. “Grain sorghum is one of the most important dryland crops in the Central Great Plains of the United States,” says Dave Mengel, agronomy department head. “With water increasingly coming into focus in agricultural policy, and given that farmers in the central Great Plains are concerned about waning supplies in aquifers, sorghum is in a unique position to be a leader in this new agriculture evolution.”

National Farm Safety and Health Week 2003

Securing Your Farm Future Through Safety and Health…Kids Are Key!

Earlham, Iowa - AgPRonline - Sept. 12, 2003 - In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the third complete week in September as National Farm Safety and Health Week. Since 1987, Farm Safety 4 Just Kids has been proud to help support farm safety efforts and help raise awareness about children and youth during National Farm Safety and Health Week.

Today, Farm Safety 4 Just Kids is proud to have communities across the nation celebrate farm safety during National Farm Safety and Health Week. The theme from the National Safety Council in 2003 is, Securing Your Farm Future Through Safety and Health. Farm Safety 4 Just Kids is making kids key to a safer future of agriculture through a staff traveling road show and local “Kids Are Key!” walks.