Righteous Pork Chop

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone,

I saw Nicolette Hahn Niman on KRON this morning. She has written a book called Righteous Pork Chop. She is against factory farming, but believes that animals can be raised and slaughtered humanely for meat and considers herself an environmentalist. She is married to the Niman of Niman Ranch but I think she is a vegetarian. She believes in returning to older,smaller systems of farming, reducing the need for medications and causing less pollution. Does anyone have some insight on all of this? I am not sure if it is a way to justify the exploitation of animals or perhaps a small step in the right direction.

Have a wonderful day!

Susan

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

 

Susan, I think what you describe of Righteous Pork Chop, that "animals can be raised and slaughtered humanely", is essentially the welfare perspective -- better conditions for animals, but they still are for humans to (ab)use, whereas the animal rights (vegan) perspective eschews using/exploiting animals.

 

As to whether it's a "perhaps a small step in the right direction" ... well, that really is an individual viewpoint. For the individual animal, certainly they are more comfortable in a small family farm environment than in a factory farm, and I can't think of anyone who would deny that is a small step in the right direction. However, there comes a time when the animal in both situations is slaughtered.

 

For myself, I see the ideal, long-term solution is having more people who eat entirely/strictly plant-based foods, not animals. Therefore, I set aside time every month to help create veg*ns by leafleting, distributing information on factory farming and compassionate & cruelty-free vegan recipes.

 

Read more about the Leafleting Leprechauns who distributed 1500 Vegetarian Starter Kits at the St Patty's Day parade earlier this month. For anyone interested in joining in this type of advocacy, our next Have a Heart, Go Veg Leafleting is scheduled for Sat, May 2nd in SF (see link below). Elizabeth has also been leafleting at the Menlo Park/Palo Alto Farmer's Markets (see event calendar for details)

 

For the animal rights perspective, see our 5/3 philosophy discussion, link below.

 

Cheers,

Tammy

 

Don't miss out on these awesome Bay Area Vegetarians events!

05/02 Have a Heart, Go Veg Leafleting & Lunch - SF 05/03 Food for Thought Book Club: Animals Rights Philosophy & Picnic - SF

DIY Spice Organizing Perfect Brown Rice Sri Lankan Vegan Curries for Two - today or read it on GenerationV.org