They say that, if you don't have anything nice to say, you shouldn't say anything at all. In some cases, that's very true. But in the case of factory farming, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to just sit around acting like everything's okay. I mean, more than 99% of this country's farm animals are raised in cramped, unsanitary industrial situations--everything is actually the opposite of okay.
factory farm
noun: a large industrialized farm; especially : a farm on which large numbers of livestock are raised indoors in conditions intended to maximize production at minimal cost
The lives of factory farm animals are, needless to say, horrible beyond explanation. No love. Hormonally-altered feed. No family. No freedom. Daily abuse. Come to think of it, their lives aren't even "lives" at all--they are merely existences that are (literally!) on a conveyor belt headed towards death.
On the left is a factory farm that is viewed as more "progressive" because it has sunlight. Honestly, sunlight is viewed in the industrial farm world as something "special" when in reality it's simply a bare necessity that all farm animals should have regardless of where they are. On the right is a free-range farm. Animals roam freely, get to have families, and, though it is still sad to see them go, have at least had lives. Where would you rather your food come from?
The good thing here is this: we have the power to help end factory farming. We have the ability to say something--even if it isn't nice--because the animals can't say it themselves. If we stop buying industrially-produced meat products and start supporting free-range farms, etc., then we can make a difference and aid in the elimination of factory farming as commonplace. It hurts all of us (Swine Flu, anyone?), and since when should money be the determining factor in health and happiness?
<3 Frances
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