MNB reported yesterday on a Los Angeles Times story saying that “the California Department of Education on Thursday urged all schools in the state to temporarily strike from the menu any item containing ground beef, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture investigated claims that Hallmark Meat Packing butchered so-called downer cattle that are too weak to walk.
“A video released Wednesday by the Humane Society of the United States showed workers at Hallmark dragging downed animals by their legs or using forklifts and water hoses to force weak cattle to their feet, prompting the federal investigation.
“The USDA banned "non-ambulatory" cattle from the human food supply last year because inability to walk may be a sign of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease.”
And I commented: It is shocking to think that there could be more cases of mad cow disease out there than the government has said there are. The big victim in this, as always, will be consumer confidence.
MNB user Angela Trauth responded:
What is even more shocking here is your total disregard for Humane Society report on the suffering enduring by the cattle with this type of inhumane treatment of "downer" animals. You only seemed to be concerned about consumer confidence in the meat industry and make no mention of the animal cruelty allegations. This is not the first time I've seen a blatant disregard for balancing economic concerns with concerns for humane treatment of animals.
I am not some animal rights "nut", but am a thinking, caring human being that believes we can have both humane treatment of animals married with successfully business models - look at the recent example set by Chipotle for their meat purchasing policies.
I'm unsubscribing to your newsletter. Your lack of character in this area speaks volumes to me.
Well, I guess I should have described her as former MNB user Angela Trauth.
Maybe I was being insensitive in responding to one facet of the story and not the animal rights issue. But I’m not sure that I have anything to apologize for or defend here, though I will admit to ranting more about consumer confidence than animal cruelty.
Ironically, my position on this issue is pretty well described by the following sentence:
I am not some animal rights "nut", but am a thinking, caring human being that believes we can have both humane treatment of animals married with successfully business models - look at the recent example set by Chipotle for their meat purchasing policies.
In fact, MNB has consistently lauded Chipotle for its practices over the years.
However, Angela, I am glad you wrote … because you made a point that needed to be made, and I never object when someone wants to raise my consciousness – on any issue.
We’ll miss you.
“A video released Wednesday by the Humane Society of the United States showed workers at Hallmark dragging downed animals by their legs or using forklifts and water hoses to force weak cattle to their feet, prompting the federal investigation.
“The USDA banned "non-ambulatory" cattle from the human food supply last year because inability to walk may be a sign of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease.”
And I commented: It is shocking to think that there could be more cases of mad cow disease out there than the government has said there are. The big victim in this, as always, will be consumer confidence.
MNB user Angela Trauth responded:
What is even more shocking here is your total disregard for Humane Society report on the suffering enduring by the cattle with this type of inhumane treatment of "downer" animals. You only seemed to be concerned about consumer confidence in the meat industry and make no mention of the animal cruelty allegations. This is not the first time I've seen a blatant disregard for balancing economic concerns with concerns for humane treatment of animals.
I am not some animal rights "nut", but am a thinking, caring human being that believes we can have both humane treatment of animals married with successfully business models - look at the recent example set by Chipotle for their meat purchasing policies.
I'm unsubscribing to your newsletter. Your lack of character in this area speaks volumes to me.
Well, I guess I should have described her as former MNB user Angela Trauth.
Maybe I was being insensitive in responding to one facet of the story and not the animal rights issue. But I’m not sure that I have anything to apologize for or defend here, though I will admit to ranting more about consumer confidence than animal cruelty.
Ironically, my position on this issue is pretty well described by the following sentence:
I am not some animal rights "nut", but am a thinking, caring human being that believes we can have both humane treatment of animals married with successfully business models - look at the recent example set by Chipotle for their meat purchasing policies.
In fact, MNB has consistently lauded Chipotle for its practices over the years.
However, Angela, I am glad you wrote … because you made a point that needed to be made, and I never object when someone wants to raise my consciousness – on any issue.
We’ll miss you.
- KC's View:
