Hell no, he won't CAFO

Edwards calls for moratorium on new industrial ag feedlots

Posted by David Roberts at 9:18 AM on 27 Oct 2007

I was going to ask why this didn't get more play, but then I remembered I had forgotten to post on it for a week, so I guess I'm part of the problem.

Anyway, Edwards apparently called for moratorium on new or expanded CAFOs. Is this not a big deal? As far as I know, Edwards is the only candidate to do this. (Sounds familiar.)

For story: Hell no, he won't CAFO
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Friends of the Earth got it right

Environmentalists thinking of supporting Hilary need to look back on eight long years of triangulation politics under Bill and try to imagine how there would be any differences under Hil.

Friends of the Earth's endorsement of Edwards was right on. Coming from North Carolina, he has seen some of the worst CAFOs in the nation up close.

The 5% Project

by JMG at 11:28 AM on 27 Oct 2007

And yet

And yet we also keep getting those "Cow Power" methane digester articles.

Don't you think thats kind of a contradiction?

-David Ahlport

by GreyFlcn at 11:29 AM on 27 Oct 2007

good start

John Edwards is concerned about two problems associated with CAFOs, the unfair pressure that they put on local small farmers, and the pollution that they cause. That is fine, and no less than what one would expect of so principled a candidate as Edwards.

Of course, there is yet another, far more ethically grave objection to CAFOs, which may or may not have occurred to Edwards, but which he certainly is not likely to mention in a state with a "livestock mentality": CAFOs are hideously cruel ways to keep animals in captivity.

As some of the political pundits say, it is probably a good thing that the primary season starts in Iowa and New Hampshire, because the candidates are forced to pass through small towns and talk with individual voters, something they are not likely to do in larger states with more TV markets. Nevertheless, the need to learn how to speak impressively before people in those states, especially Iowa, can be dangerously constricting.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 8:30 AM on 28 Oct 2007

An alternative to CAFCOs?

From the Madison, WI, weekly alternative paper, The Isthmus...

"To Kill a Turkey: If you're going to eat animals, shouldn't you be willing to do the deed?"

Bill Lueders, Wednesday, 11/21/2007

http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=1 ...

Mr. Leuders was also interviewed on Wisconsin Public Radio on Wednesday morning. I think he raises a very interesting and thought-provoking point.

by wiscidea at 8:10 PM on 21 Nov 2007

honesty

Thanks, WiscIdea, this is a great article. As much as I like Michael Pollan, he does not come across as really appreciating what he did, when he hunted, killed and cut up that pig (in "Omnivore's Dilemma"). But Bill Lueders plainly gets it.

As for Ken Wulf, I cannot imagine that anyone involved in the slaughter of animals could be more deserving of respect. I would like to meet him some day.

Some may argue that the answer to Bill Lueders's rhetorical question is not necessarily Yes. Well, OK then. But certainly everyone who eats meat should be willing to see the animal from whom he or she is going to receive meat being killed. And by law the slaughter of animals should be an operation that is entirely open and accessible to anyone who wishes to observe it.

One might think that John Edwards, the prosecutor opposed to the outrages of conscienceless businesses, would be interested in promoting such a cause.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 10:52 PM on 21 Nov 2007

Be kind to turkeys

Here is a sign of hope, an article about some good-hearted unusual people, with a reference to the animal welfare organization that specializes in farm animals:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/22/dining/22turkey.html?ex ...

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 9:19 AM on 22 Nov 2007

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