TURLOCK, Calif. – Hundreds of thousands of America’s dairy cows are being turned into hamburgers because milk prices have dropped so low that farmers can no longer afford to feed the animals.
You won’t find this AP story on the Real California Milk Web site amongst the Happy Cows merchandise, but if you are still in the mood after reading it, you can cast a vote in the contest to pick the next California Happy Cow, part of the California Milk Advisory Board’s (CMAB) integrated TV and Web campaign.
While People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sued the CMAB over this ad campaign and lost, they haven’t given up on the issue as you can see if you visit UnhappyCows.com
You bet the CMAB campaign plays on myth and fantasy. Cows don’t talk, and for the most part, they don’t frolic around in green pastures under a canopy of crystal blue skies with puffy white clouds. Nor do they parachute onto football fields like the American chicken fast-food chain Chick-fil-A Holstein hucksters. Not even in California.
However, dear gentle readers, I have digressed. When I saw the story this morning, I felt sad. You see I struggle with a love of animals and yet have chosen to continue as a non-vegetarian. I am rethinking this position, by the way, in case the more militant PETA folks decide to get after me for this inconsistency.
Still, we have another example of the trickle downturn in the economy. Mr. O, my hope needs a boost today as I pass shuttered stores and street corners with store-closing sign holders, and I think of the loss and the loss to come.
4 comments:
You and me both, Sheila. Too many storefronts here have the closed sign on their windows. I watch and wonder how many more will lose their livelihoods.
I have flirted with vegetarianism. Certainly, when I lived on the Island, fresh vegetables were easily found, and we had many more meatless menus than we have now, where fresh vegies cost an arm and a leg. It's ranching country, where I live, and meat is, for the first time in my life, easily come by, with gourmet cuts and lots of diversity. And cheaper than fresh vegetables, in some cases.
I like certain meats...not so much beef. But chicken, lamb and pork are often on the menu. And I've discovered some ranchers who use humane, hormone/antibiotic free growing methods.
I hope with all my heart Mr. Obama can turn the economy around.
Hi Sheila
We just got home I have a lot of reading to catch up on.........
I have been doing my life story, you could be intrested.
yikes. It's always something, isn't it?
Gees, cows, I think they frollick in thier minds. Obama has a full plate, and I don't mean beef.
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