THIS SITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. PLEASE COME BACK IN FEB 2010.
-- Introduction to Peter Singer
Peter Singer is a prolific scholar known for his work on many issues of philosophy and politics, but most notably animal rights. His most famous book is called Animal Liberation, which I will discuss quite a bit here. Throughout the book, Singer uses classic logic. I will discuss his arguments at length but for now will share one simple quote: "All the arguments to prove man's superiority cannot shatter this hard fact: in suffering the animals are our equals."
-- The Facts of FACTory Farming
This is the part that most people simply do not want to face because the reality is so horrible. I plugged along as a vegetarian for 25 years, because I was in denial about dairy and chicken farming. I have been forced to face it, and here will provide resources for those who are ready or wiling to do so. I am gathering facts and trying to decide how to present them. Do I present them the same way PETA, a very respectable organization does? I will certainly link to such organizations, but may use some of my own writing and narrative prior to subjecting you to the pictures that make most people numb. It much easier to believe those nightmare images are hyped up and that the animals we eat are still living a pastoral life on the farm.
For now, I'd like to share the most basic fact of FACTory farming, which was inadvertently written by Charles Darwin, vegetarian and the scientist known for discovering evolution. He writes, "There is no fundamental difference between man and the higher animals in their mental faculties.… The lower animals, like man, manifestly feel pleasure and pain, happiness, and misery." Therefore, when raised in boxes, stenche, unable to move, to socialize, to have a quality of live, when feeling pain -- both physical and emotional -- those animals feel just as we would in those conditions.
Although his influence on our culture is immense, factory farming betrays every sentiment of the scientist who ssaid, "The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man." I contend that our torture of them is the most foul.
Also, for now, I want to introduce you to a tremendous resource which explores factory farming (as well as most issues on my site) with clarity, diversity, and depth. It is called, simply, Vegan Outreach. Please dare to face reality and spend some time really thinking about the words and images you will encounter here. These images are not intended to merely to shock -- they are certainly not the worst -- but to provide very real and practical information:
http://www.veganoutreach.org/whyvegan/animals.html
-- Euthanasia and Using Animal as Utilities
This is a section of the site I will develop at a later time that deals with the cruel, unnecessary, and excessive use of animals in science, for clothes, and as fabric.
-- Killing People: Methane and Global Warming
For human interests, this is the most important section. According to my survey findings so far, people seem unaware that the methane produced by factory farming is the leading cause of global warming. Other than using chemicals and processes that make the animals, and therefore us, sick, the global warming, which factory farming so significantly contributes to, is destroying the earth. Is your steak really worth that?
Again from Vegan Outreach: http://www.veganoutreach.org/whyvegan/environment.html
From Neal D. Barnard, MD, President, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, "The beef industry has contributed to more American deaths than all the wars of this century, all natural disasters, and all automobile accidents combined. If beef is your idea of 'real food for real people,' you’d better live real close to a real good hospital."
