Meat Industry Is Scary
Dear Editor:
I have no fear of all the goblins, the witches, or even the evil clowns
lurking on Halloween. What really scares me are the latest reports about
the meat industry.
Like news of pig farms dumping millions of gallons of pig feces into
North Carolina's water supplies during Hurricane Matthew. Or of
saturating their neighborhoods with windborne fecal waste spray. Or of
animal farming accounting for more greenhouse gases than transportation.
Like recurring media exposes of horrific atrocities against animals on
factory farms. Or of subjecting slaughterhouse workers to crippling
workplace injuries at slave wages. Or of exploiting farmers by
controlling prices.
Like repeated reports of studies linking consumption of animal products
with elevated risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other
killer diseases. Or reports of the meat industry bullying health
authorities to remove warnings from dietary guidelines.
Now, that’s really scary.
I fought back by dropping animal products from my menu, and my local
supermarket has rewarded me with a colorful display of fresh fruits and
veggies, as well as a rich selection of plant-based meats, milks,
cheeses, and ice creams. I am no longer scared, though I still fear for
my friends and neighbors.
Sincerely,
Otis Streicher
471 Chester St.
Ogden, UT 84403
213-596-0228
References for the Editor
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/feb/18/halve-meat-consumption-scient
ists
www.rollingstone.com/feature/belly-beast-meat-factory-farms-animal-activ
ists
www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/cutting-red-meat-for-a-longer-lif
e
www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/the-truth-about-red-meat#1
www.thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/10/08/3709976/dietary-guidelines-wont
-include-sustainability/
