Comments on: De-Sensitivity Training

By: Fahimerss

Fahimerss — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:52:50 +0000

This is a joke, right?

By: Lane

Lane — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:38:50 +0000

Hi Autumn, Agreed, that's what our petition is all about. We're hopeful that someone like Oprah, who has mass appeal, can enlighten people. She's got an audience who's willing to listen... But the question is, does she want to know?

By: Autumn

Autumn — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:53:29 +0000

In our state it is a crime to abuse an animal or kill a domestic animal. But it is perfectly legal to do that to a cow, pig or goat. I cannot understand why people buy this crap about some animals are for food and some are for pets. Why do Americans gross out thinking of eating a horse but chomp down on cows? It is almost a visceral response if I challenge ominovores on eating meat. They dont want to know where it came from and dont care.

By: Lane

Lane — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:35:02 +0000

Hi Nicole,
I’ve been meaning to read that book, but I still haven’t gotten to the China Study. (Awaiting me as I write this – thru Inter Library Loan).
It’s interesting that you comment this book moved you most toward veganism. We’ve found that over the last 10 months, it’s been the literature on animal abuse that has had the most profound influence on us. Jane is always saying how she doesn’t think she’d ever be able to get past what she knows now and eat a hamburger.

By: Nicole Gustas

Nicole Gustas — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 06:38:50 +0000

Michael Pollan addresses this in his book “The Omnivore’s Dilemma”. He notes how awful the factory-slaughterhouse methods are for the psychology of the humans who work there – and discusses how difficult the USDA makes it to construct something that is more humane both for the humans and the animals.

Despite the fact that his book is geared toward omnivores, it’s probably the book that moved me most toward veganism.

By: Lane

Lane — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:58:24 +0000

Hi Jennifer,
Yes, I believe there is a link…. but I don’t necessarily agree with the correlation of children who abuse animals to slaughterhouse employees. Children are still developing so it makes sense that they would outgrow or continue to grow their behaviors. Whereas adults most likely have their moral compass already developed. I believe that working in a slaughterhouse will have deleterious effects if they are already inclined to violence (whereas children will be influenced by what they see). Of course, I have no psychiatric training whatsoever, so I could be completely off base here.

Sat — Thanks for the recommendation. I haven’t run across their blog before and I’ll be sure to check back.

By: Sat

Sat — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:00:27 +0000

The always though-invoking “Vegans of Color” blog (http://vegansofcolor.wordpress.com/) was discussing something similar recently. There has been some interesting parallels drawn between our treatment of animals and our treatment of minorities. If you don’t already do so, I would suggest subscribing to their RSS feed.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:16:30 +0000

compassionatecooks.com has a great podcast on this very thing. one episode was about someone who used to work in a chicken slaughtering facility. the name and number escapes me, but it’s a great podcast in general and you should subscribe.

i really do think there’s a direct link.

we’ve known for years that children who torture and kill pets and other animals often grow up to do the same to humans. it’s only logical to assume that adults who are forced to torture and kill animals for 40+ hours each week year after year are going to do the same to humans, as well.

it’s horrible and shameful.