The Best Medicine on TV

The YES! on Prop 2 campaign launched two new television ads this week in California, showing voters statewide the cruelties of factory farming. The ads are narrated by two California veterinarians--Dr. Kate Hurley, professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Jeff Smith, past president of the California Veterinary Medical Association--telling voters that all animals deserve humane treatment, including those raised for food. You can watch the ads featuring Dr. Hurley and Dr. Smith, and spread the word to everyone you know in California.

Comments

[pacificbreeze]

I think these confinement practices need to stop this instant. Not in 30 or 40 more
years after there are a few more vegans and after billions more animals have
suffered all of their life without the opportunity to stretch a limb.

[AAPJ]

Exactly! I have no clue what fantasy world these extremists live in, but they can't seem to understand reality. Animals will always be used for food, but that doesn't mean the industry has a right to treat them with such disrespect. YES on Prop. 2 all the way!

[Michiko280]

This is such a critical event, the first time in history that people will be given the opportunity to vote to ban the most extreme intensive confining systems in existence. This is a giant step, and especially important because once California sets these standards then other states are expected to follow suit. Let us all encourage welfare reform and welcome the slippery slope towards less horrific treament of animals!

I am very excited to vote YES on Prop 2 in November!

[kkFBI]

We have vast power over animals, and with such power comes great responsibility. We can choose to be kind and merciful or cruel and abusive. Kindness and mercy are values that exemplify the best of the human spirit. Millions of Americans love animals, but many creatures still suffer, especially farm animals in factory farms that the public cannot see.
Prop 2 is such a modest and common sense reform that will allow the most basic humane treatment for 20 million farms animals in California. It is simply wrong to confine farm animals so tightly into cages that their bodies cannot move at all their whole lives, this causes them a lot of pain. We can help stop causing this pain to these animals by giving them more space to at least stand up, turn around, extend their limbs and wings. Prop 2 will provide the space these animals need to live a more comfortable life while they are alive. This is the least we can do for these animals who give their lives to us for our food.
Prop 2 encourages more local, sustainable, healthier, family farming. Prop 2 is better for our earth and our people as a whole.
Help us confront animal cruelty by voting YES on Prop.2 this November California election.

Please visit : www.YESonProp2.com

[AAPJ]

Mr. Francione --- I've heard just about enough from your types! You are an extremist to the highest degree!!! Do you not know we know what you're up to? --- This is about the individual animals sir! They don't know how many other ones are being slaughtered. All they know is that they are going crazy in intense confinement in chains and cages! You are anything but compassionate!!! Don't pull that crap! We've heard it all before and more than sick of the spin!!! How dare you!!!

[GaryFrancione]

And you think that Proposition 2 is going to help individual animals, do you? And when is that going to be? In 2015, when it comes into effect? In 2030, after years of litigation on the meaning of the various loopholes?

Honestly, the lack of clear thinking here is remarkable and frightening.

Gary L. Francione
Professor, Rutgers University

[AAPJ]

Yes, I do believe Prop. 2 is going to help the individual animals. One has to wonder what evil is lurking within your soul to even think to not fight against this atrocity and sin brought upon God's precious creatures!

What is this time factor you seem to be so obsessed with? You seem to think because it may take time to work that it's not at all worth addressing. That, to me, is not clear thinking. That is NEGATIVE thinking and that will get you nowhere Mr. Professor.

[EJosephLamp]

As a long time HSUS supporter, I have worked with this fabulous organization here in Maryland and elsewhere for many years. I have the utmost faith in Wayne Pacelle and his team who have worked their hearts out for this proposition. If Mr. Pacelle and his folks tell us this is the best shot we have for helping these animals, I am confident in his opinion and his strategy. I'm sure they cut the best deal they could. We rarely can get all we want in the political arena, and we have to start somewhere. Wayne Pacelle is a seasoned professional at this.
If Dr. Francione had concerns, then he should have aired them long ago to Mr. Pacelle and/or his designate and at the end of day, got with the program. I believe we are all on the same team here -- all for the animals. Now is not the time to attempt to derail what might be the best chance we have to institute change, albeit even if it isn't ideal.
Hang tough HSUS and be sure you know that Annapolis For Animals supporters like me and others are behind you all the way.

E. Joseph Lamp, Ph.D.
Professor of Speech

[GaryFrancione]

Proposition 2, the "Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act," is a bad idea. Consider only several of the many reasons.

First, Proposition 2 will not even come into effect until 2015. Proposition 2 has numerous exceptions and qualifications and even if it does come into effect at some point in the distant future, and even if it is enforced, it will result in no meaningful reduction in animal suffering.

Second, even if Proposition 2 comes into effect in seven years, it will do virtually nothing to provide meaningful protection for animal interests. Animals raised for food in California will still be tortured. The only difference will be that the torture will have the stamp of approval of the Humane Society of the United States, the primary promoter of Proposition 2, and other animal advocates who are supporting it.

Third, not only will Proposition 2 not provide meaningful protection for animals, it will actually make people feel more comfortable about continuing to exploit animals by misleading them into believing that they can now eat "humanely" produced animal foods. Proposition will increase animal exploitation and not decrease it.

The decision about how to vote on Proposition 2 is not one that requires that advocates choose between more animal suffering or less. It is a choice between continuing to promote the "happy meat" movement that is taking things in the wrong direction or getting down to serious animal advocacy that will really make a difference.

Gary L. Francione
Professor, Rutgers University

[patianneb]

So, it's best to do nothing?
The fact is that the exposure of these practices to the public at large has a huge effect in influencing buying habits, and that will accelerate change faster than anything.
Combining awareness with information on what these places to do the environment and first and foremost, the consumer's own health will also lead to change. Again, it is the consumer who can and will force change. The almighty dollar. Power of the pocketbook etc.
Is it perfect? Of course not. But just naysaying and hoping for miracles won't accomplish anything either, any more than insisting that vegetarianism or veganism is the Only Way.
I'm not sure what you mean by "serious animal advocacy" but I know from my own and personal experience that there are a great many serious animal advocates and organizations out here accomplishing wonderful things, one tiny baby step at a time.
P Bannister

[GaryFrancione]

I disagree with you. Efforts like Proposition 2 will do nothing--absolutely nothing--to "accelerate change." The entire "happy meat" approach that you endorse is merely making people feel more comfortable about animal use.

As for what I mean by "serious animal advocacy," I have been quite clear: creative, nonviolent vegan education. Such efforts will not, of course, resonate with everyone. But they will resonate with some. And that will have the effect of accelerating change.

Gary L. Francione
Professor, Rutgers University

The steps that are being taken are

[bondbabe]

I do agree that, as with all legislation, there are always too many exceptions, qualifications and loopholes and, again, the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act" will give people a false sense that "things are OK now" for farm animals. Nevertheless, it's a first step in the right direction.

We are a nation that consumes 1 Million animals every hour, a nation whose getting fatter by the moment, and, subsequently has little gray matter left.

We confine pigs, cows, calves, goats, sheep, chickens and turkeys in the most horrible, heinous conditions and slaughter them in slaughterhouses in the most inhumane and sub-human manner.

Lo and behold, yes, we are that grand animal-loving nation! As long as we give a $25.00 check to the HSUS, ASPCA, etc. every now and then to rid us of our guild, the world is alright!

Some of us, however, do go that extra mile and engage ourselves and, yes, some times it takes years to bring about change and change, according to Margaret Mead, great American Anthropologist has never been brought about by the masses, but a mere handful of people!

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
 Margaret Mead, American anthropologist (1901-1978)