The horror of factory farming has become evident to many of us. As a result we have chosen to eliminate beef and poultry from our diets. The dairy industry, however, has proven to produce unhealthy products, and contribute to the widespread, brutal abuse of countless, vulnerable animals.
The dairy cow does not roam freely in fields of green grass. Most dairy cows are "sentenced" the day they are born. Literally dragged from their helpless, protective mothers, calves are assigned to torturous veal crates or a steel and concrete prison where they will, tragically, live, and then, die an untimely death. The veal calves will suffer and be brutally slaughtered at about four months old. The dairy cattle will live their lives without the benefits of fresh air, sunlight, or the ability to interact in herds. They will be continually impregnated so as not to interrupt their milk supply. They will be painfully mutilated when their tails are docked and their horns removed. Both procedures are performed without the benefit of any type of anesthesia. Many will be injected with the Bovine Growth Hormone - which we will then ingest while eating our dairy products. These gentle animals will fall prey to various illnesses such as mastitis, and will then be forced to tolerate extreme pain along with the terror that is, daily, theirs. It is the employees job to "rip" calves from their mothers, perform painful procedures, shock, prod and beat these defenseless creatures. (video contains graphic images) http://milkiscruel.com/ Do we really feel that humans capable of doing this on a daily basis, without thought, are "good" individuals in all other areas of their lives? When this abuse goes unchecked and is, in fact, condoned or rationalized, is it right? Would you want anyone capable of this behavior to be your friend? Would you trust them? Yet, we rely on them to provide us with a product that we have been told is essential to our good health.
Another aspect to consider is the fact that humans are the only mammals that consume milk throughout adulthood. We, also, are the only mammal to rely on another specie's milk. The rule that we must drink milk is perpetuated from generation to generation. We fail to acknowledge it as myth. While we pride ourselves on so many other enlightenments, why do we fail to recognize the travesty of dairy farms, and the antiquity of our thinking that milk and other dairy products are necessary?
If you are a vegetarian, be proud. Consider, however, eliminating dairy from your diet. Soy products have become very available, and extremely palatable. There are many alternatives to chose from including Daiya Cheese www.daiyafoods.com/, Amy's products http://www.amys.com/ and other choices available at reputable locations such as Whole Foods http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/, and Trader Joe's http://Trader Joe's www.traderjoes.com/.
"Elsie", bell dangling, no longer roams freely and contentedly as we would like to think. Gone is the kindly farmer sitting on a worn, wooden stool gently coaxing "Bessie" to produce. These images are easy for us to perceive, and allow us to continue consuming dairy products but, they are not the reality. The reality is that dairy farms are harsh, torturous establishments where conditions can be barbaric and disease ridden. Now that you know, do not look the other way. Erase the image of the "happy cow" for they do not exist. Action not apathy is the key to kindness.
“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” MLK
Please be advised that the following video contains graphic, disturbing images
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr-EyIaXAD4
Peace.
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