One of my favorite songs is Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth." I am not sure why, but I find the music calming, but at the same time, it makes me reflect on what is really true and important in my life. For some reason, the lyric, "We better stop, hey what's that sound/Everybody look what's going down" seem to fit the mood of my last wrap-up post.
Although I believe the song was meant to bring both sides together in a sixties' protest, the meaning of this lyric applies to my reason for writing the blog. Of course, beyond the reason of completing it for my course, I wanted to give people information that would make them stop and evaluate Factory Farming in our country.
Early one cold January afternoon in 2007, I read Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. After I read the chapter on the meat-packing industry, I had an epiphany. I decided that after what I had read--about cows being slaughtered in inhumane ways and meat cutters forced to work after serious injuries, plus the unsanitary practices of this industry--I would no longer eat red meat. I have never looked down upon anyone who makes a choice to eat red meat, but I cannot eat red meat after what I know. What I find surprising is that several years earlier, I had read the classic, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, but I kept on eating red meat. In addition to reading Fast Food Nation, I would recommend reading The Jungle as well. My point is that everyone must make choices about what is right in his/her life, but I think that having knowledge is a powerful tool to help one make those choices.
I would also like to note that I realize that people on a budget cannot afford to spend more on organic or cage-free eggs, and I totally understand that as I too have a strict budget. I want to stress that I do not what to impose that everyone should stop eating animal products as this is a highly personal decision.
So, for what it is worth...take some time to find out how factory farming is affecting the environment and food safety. Also, take into consideration the treatment of farm animals and farm workers.
I do hope that everyone who took the time to read this blog learned something about Factory Farming. I have enjoyed writing the blog as well as the reading the comments.
I have compiled a list of websites for you to check out if you found a topic of Factory Farming you would like explore:
Food Safety:
Pasteurized Eggs:
Animal Welfare:
Environmental Issues:
Vegetarian Information:
This blog is prepared by a paralegal student as a class project, without compensation. The content of this blog contains my opinion, and is offered for personal interest without warranty of any kind. Comments posted by others on this blog are the responsibility of the posters of those messages. The reader is solely responsible for verifying the content of this blog and any linked information. Content, sources, information, and links will most likely change over time. The content of this blog may not be construed as legal, medical, business, or personal advice.