I don't understand how they can do things like this and get away with it. It just doesn't seem possible

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/02/17....ap/index.html

There's a red link in the article to view the video showing the abuses of the animals that resulted in the beef recall. I've never seen anything like it. Never I just wanted to scream when I saw it! Or to shake someone and ask how they could do this, what were they thinking? What kind of human can do this and sleep at night? HOW can this happen?!

Because as you know, there is a complete disconnect between animals from when they are slaughtered to when they touch someone's lips. Who cares how it got there or in what state it was in if you weren't there to see it? And we buy that artificially dyed pink red meat at the grocery store because, hey, it has got that lovely color (even though it's fake), so it must be fresh, right?

I'm continually disgusted, not just by these industries and our continued allowance of these atrocious (and barbaric) practices, but the fact that such cheap, poorly processed meat (what is it? Grade F?) is the first to be sent to our schools. Our schools! We do not hesitate to feed it to our children. Argh! No wonder my dad refused to let his children eat it! At the time, I always cursed him and my mom for it, but I thank them now.

On a side note, I have been vegan for exactly one week and it's a switch I haven't regretted once. I feel fabulous, physically AND mentally and when I hear about this stuff I don't miss it one bit. I know one week is nothing, but it has also felt like nothing, too.

///soapbox.

Okay something weird. I'm not an expert on cattle by any means but those looked like dairy cattle to me. I've never heard of them being used for meat. They should have been put down.

I believe dairy cattle are also used as meat since factory dairy cattle tend to have a very short lifespan. It is hard for dairy cattle to take the abuse of factory dairy for very long. Since this is meat used for the school programs, I wouldn't be surprised that they would use used up dairy cattle.

It makes me a bit sad not only because of the abuse but because the recall will just mean more cows slaughtered.

My hope for the future is that eventually people will have their blinders lifted as we have had ours.....

Junebug41--- very very proud of you. Being Vegan has made me proud of myself, I hope you feel the same.

Oh my gods... I wanted to throw up when I saw that video. How can any human being just sit there and think, "Oh, its just my dinner for tomorrow. Steak has no feelings." I want to beat those workers! How can this article just briefly say something about the cruelty? It's just as horrendous as all the health hazards, if not more so.

I'm currently transitioning to vegan as soon as possible. Just bought Veganomicon and Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World. I want to be completely vegan by the fall, and this video only tells me why I'm doing it. Vive la Vegan!

Thank you I had the day off today and had a blast "playing" in my kitchen, coming up with menu plans. I just had a 4 day shoot where the food was nothing but pizza, sandwiches, and fajitas and I was not tempted in the slightest. This has been a remarkably easy transition so far.

The pretzels, on the other hand...

I watched a little of the tapes this morning on the news and it was just so digsuting. The part that made me the most upset was watching them being pushed around by forklifts.

The sad thing is that these abuses occur all the time. I have seen footage that is MUCH worse.

What were they thinking? They WEREN'T thinking. Sociopathic behavior such as displayed in the footage is prevalent. One doesn't have to hold the rod to harm the creature...a fork is just as deadly. There are so many people unconsciously AND consciously participating in cruelty like this and far, far worse.

It's one of those sad situations where ignorance perpetuates harm, cruelty and suffering and silence is consent!

To those who say such happening are an isolated incident or simply propaganda, I can only say that the fact that it happens EVER is reason enough for me to know that veganism is the ONLY option for those wanting a clean conscience.

It's an added bonus that there are environmental and health benefits to the vegan lifestyle too!

junebug - Congrats on your decision! I've found it rather easy as well.

This came up in a staff meeting this morning, a co-worker thought I would be particularly interested in the news story. I honestly replied that the footage is no worse (in fact more mild than some) than other footage I've seen in documentaries ("Earthlings" and "Meet Your Meat" come to mind) and internet videos. Anyone who thinks is an isolated case is sadly mistaken.

Dairy cows are generally slaughtered after spending 4 years as dairy "production units", even though their natural life span is close to 20 years. After 4 years the cows are generally of more "value" to the farmer as meat than as milk producers. The farmers do need to get the best return possible on their "investment", after all.