Warning for Animal Lovers

[Toad_Passenger]

I put this episode on the DVR solely because of Michael Pollan. Ever since watching Food, Inc., I have been trying to read and absorb as much of his stuff as possible.

I'm not a vegetarian, but Pollan's works have made me think of my meals in an entirely new way. I completely agree with his assessment that there are ways to continue to eat meat, and do so in a completely conscious way, without contradicting your own moral code.

I'm lucky enough, as Oprah pointed out, to have the ways and means to purchase my poultry & pork products (we rarely eat beef) from a local farmer, who uses completely natural "grass" diets for all of his animals. I've met the farmer several times, and he loves what he does, and strives to learn new ways to farm (most of them are actually the 'old' ways).

That being said, the only part of Oprah's episode I didn't like was when Ms. Freston kept trying to interrupt Mr. Pollan while he was trying to make a very valid point (and was actually complimenting her book at the same time). He was trying to say that her book does a good job at explaining to people how to ease into Veganism without replacing meats with processed/refined foods. I've seen this happen a lot myself, and Oprah even admitted that she went "straight for the bag of potato chips." For whatever reason Ms. Freston got a little agitated at the remarks, which seemed to run contradictory to the stereotypical "calm" vegan.

Anyway, it's an interesting debate, and I thought all sides were presented very evenly. I do wish, though, that Ms. Freston would have answered the question that was brought up about what to do with the 1000's of farmers out there, and how they would be affected if everyone were to go vegan.

 

[VBsHustla]

I saw the episode and was kind of offended. Obviously Oprah had to select her guests pretty carefully, but I thought it was unfair to give Michael Pollan and the Cargill rep so much speaking time on an episode about veganism. And then to only show footage of people hating the food (all of which was processed junk food.) Bright, colorful salads and vegetable based vegan meals look so much more appetizing!

The last few minutes looked promising, but everyone just immediately ignored Kathy Freston's comments about the poultry industry. I was very upset when she started giving a pretty profound speech about how it doesn't sit right with her to allow her appetite to matter more than the pain and suffering of another being, and all Oprah had to say to that was "but they don't suffer." I think Oprah should do a little more research.

 

[anniemae]

I watched it, and parts were very difficult. I had to change the channel a few times. The rep from the processing plant was trying to make it sound like the slaughter of the cows was such a pleasant exprience. I was kind of irritated with her, I kept thinking "are you serious?"

We all know where meat comes from, it's just that we don't always want to acknowledge the "messy" part of it. We just happily go into the store and buy the meat all wrapped up in plastic and ready to cook. We just don't think of a cow getting a bolt shot through it's head.

It was definately eye opening.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Dang it, I only saw the end. However I get the jist of it, plus I looked over Oprah.com and got some of segments.

I am glad Kathy Frestone said the process is gradual. After looking at the recipes and grocery lists on Oprah's site it seems so daunting to make a total switch to vegan.
I would be switching for personal health reasons.

I don't like the mass production of food however not prepared to argue it as it is one of our anchors of industry in America.

Hell, they are fighting to overturn the puppy mill vote here in MO and I do NOT want to even think about "dog food processing". That has to be the height of disgust.

Consumers just have to keep pushing for "rights". I want to know where my food comes from and the processing info.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I couldn't watch it yesterday. I can't find it on Hulu or her website (or couldn't the last time I looked). Does Oprah put her episodes up anywhere to watch?

Also, for those who have watched Food, INc. (I watched last night on Netflix thanks to this thread), I have a couple of questions. When it showed the vet doing something to the cow's stomach, there was a white "port" looking thing that appeared to leave an opening for the vet to see into and the cow appeared to be unsedated. Does anybody know what this is?

Also, they "showed" the slaughter of the pigs. It appeared they were all swept by some kind of wall and then the next scene they were dead. How exactly are they killed?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Also, they "showed" the slaughter of the pigs. It appeared they were all swept by some kind of wall and then the next scene they were dead. How exactly are they killed?

I believe the floor is electrified.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

a cow getting a bolt shot through it's head.

It was definately eye opening.

I believe the law is that the cow has to be rendered unconscious before slaughter. Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen.

There was video footage (undercover, of course - otherwise we would never have seen it) at a veal plant in VT last year which showed veal calves being butchered without being rendered unconscious. Some of them still had their umbilical cords attached. One calf was shown having his leg cut off while he was fully conscious, and when he lashed out, he was kicked and beaten. Workers were also pourng water on calves heads to intensify the electric bolt to the head. And oh yes, the owner of the facility was one of the ones beating the animals. Absolutely sickening to watch (I forced myself to sit through it) but these are things that people should know are happening to our animals used for food. (The plant was shut down by the USDA until "corrective action" could be taken. You can google it if you want to see the footage. )

We think these animals are treated humanely, but it's a misnomer. Especially in the "factory' plants, where there is pressure to keep the lines moving (time is money). This is part of the reason we have germs like ecoli in the beef supply - fast moving production without care taken to clean equipment and remove contaminated meat from the line, etc. Workers who don't comply are fired.

 

[gingajane]

I eat beef that is locally raised and butchered and try to get pork as local as possible. There is plenty of food in America, so Vegetarians do not offend me, eat the way you want. I do not like to be preached at about this topic(speaking to Oprah, not you my fellow posters). There are good farmers out there with good, wholesome products. There are local butchers that are backed by decades of honest practice. There are choices. Not all meat comes from feed lots.

 

[Cat0727]

I saw the commercial for her show last night and I won't be watching since I'm a huge animal lover and can't handle things like that. It's great she's taking a week to spend time on the subject, though.

 

[bicker]

Some sources do inflict less cruelty than others. I prefer no cruelty to "less cruelty" and that's simply not available in the United States anymore.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Can someone direct me to where or how I can watch the show? I missed it yesterday.

 

[gingajane]

I will agree that there is no way to eat an animal without killing it, however, there are many places that can take the animal quickly. I guess I am middle of the road(which is a lonely place). I do not approve of cruelly treating the slaughter animal, however, I am in favor of family farms that tend to their animals carefully. Not a popular stance in today's times. Corporate NO..family YES!

 

[Hootiss]

I will agree that there is no way to eat an animal without killing it, however, there are many places that can take the animal quickly. I guess I am middle of the road(which is a lonely place). I do not approve of cruelly treating the slaughter animal, however, I am in favor of family farms that tend to their animals carefully. Not a popular stance in today's times. Corporate NO..family YES!

Actually, stone crab claws can be eaten without killing the animal.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

I still eat meat. The only thing that I refuse to eat is pork. I love pigs way too much.. ever since the movie Babe he reminds me too much of a dog.

 

[rie'smom]

Some sources do inflict less cruelty than others. I prefer no cruelty to "less cruelty" and that's simply not available in the United States anymore.

Let me preface by saying that I do not eat meat. I do eat seafood but no fish.

What would you classify as no cruelty? My sons hunt and they and my husband do eat game. They kill the animal with 1 shot. Would you consider that no cruelty? You can't talk the animals to death. We have to face that the majority of people will still eat meat.
Just curious as to what you mean.

 

[amyren]

Also, for those who have watched Food, INc. (I watched last night on Netflix thanks to this thread), I have a couple of questions. When it showed the vet doing something to the cow's stomach, there was a white "port" looking thing that appeared to leave an opening for the vet to see into and the cow appeared to be unsedated. Does anybody know what this is?

I'm not 100% sure bc it's been a while since I watched Food Inc but I think they have ports into one of the cow's stomachs in order to monitor E Coli levels. I'm pretty sure this is in the film just after they talk about how todays cows live on a diet of corn rather than grass. Grass provides natural enzymes to fight E Coli while corn does not. This is why lots of today's beef is crawling with the bacteria.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but this is what I remember from when I watched the movie just over a year ago... just after going vegetarian.

 

[Polyluvr]

I love meat~ all of it

and I can honestly say I really don't care how they get it.

It's not my pet or anyone's pet so It doesn't matter to me; and I even wear fur.

Bur good for Oprah for presenting a topic that a lot of people have an interest in~ just not me.