Prop 2 Passes!!!

“With the passage of Prop 2, California becomes the 5^th state to outlaw gestation crates (joining Florida, Arizona, Oregon and Colorado) and the third to outlaw veal crates (joining Arizona and Colorado).  Perhaps most significantly, it becomes the first state to ban battery cages for laying hens, who are killed in far greater numbers than either pigs or calves.”

That’s what awaited me in my email inbox this morning, courtesy of Farm Sanctuary.  How exciting is that!?  No longer will chickens in California have to live like this:

And with California’s lead, the rest of the nation’s egg laying hens might also have a chance to someday live free of cages, able to spread their wings and turn around – such modest requests, really.

I am very excited about this, and want to thank all the animal advocates who worked so hard to make this happen. I know the folks at HSUS and Farm Sanctuary have been working tirelessly to make this a reality, and how wonderful that they have another success under their belt!

To read more about Prop 2, check out these links:

Farm Sanctuary Action Alert: Success on Prop 2!

HSUS: Californians Make History

HSUS President Wayne Pacelle’s Blog: The People Have Spoken

Read Full Post »

New ‘Yes on Prop 2’ Commercial

For a blog that’s about factory farming and animal rights, I realize I haven’t said much about one of the biggest anti-factory farming campaigns going on right now: Yes on Proposition 2 in California.  If passed, Proposition 2 would end the practice of cramming farm animals into cages so small the animals can’t even turn around, lie down or extend their limbs.  This would apply specifically to hens used in egg production, calves raised for veal, and sows during pregnancy.  Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and Oregon have passed similar laws, but if Californians vote yes on Prop 2 on November 4th, the ripple effect across the entire country could be substantial.

I guess I’m not sure why I haven’t said all that much about Prop 2.  Part of it is that it seems like such a no brainer to me that I can’t believe there are so many organizations and individuals who aren’t supporting it. I mean, honestly: requiring that animals can stand up, lie down, turn around, and extend their limbs is really kind of asking for the bare, bare, bare minimum.  And yet there’s so much opposition?  Who are these people anyway??  Oh look, here’s who they are–click here.  You can see all the lovely organizations who oppose this legislation, and also learn more about instances where they’ve been in legal trouble for animal cruelty and/or environmental offenses.

Anyway, the HSUS came out with a new ‘Yes on Prop 2’ Commercial.  Check it out & send it to everyone you know in CA.  This ballot initiative is important, and I will be sorely disappointed if it doesn’t pass!

Read Full Post »

Dreaming of Veal?! Blech!

Last night I had a very strange dream in which people kept trying to get me to eat veal. VEAL! They’d put it on my plate at dinner time, wave it in front of my face when I was doing dishes, and follow me all over telling me how delicious it was and how I really should try it. It was raw and dripping with blood and I kept running away from them, because all I could picture when I looked at it was this:

Ugh. I hate those pictures, and even more, I hate the reality of those pictures.

You know, even when I was an omnivore, I can’t remember a single time I ever ate veal. The idea of eating it now makes me want a throw up a little.

At any rate, why in the world would I have such a dream?? Certainly it is not that I want to eat meat – especially not veal – of that I am positive. Has anyone else had these kinds of dreams after going veg*n? I realize that a lot of people think that dreams don’t really mean anything, but I tend to think there is something there – some symbolism or message, even if it’s a really weird dream. Maybe after my disagreement this weekend, my subconscious was just reinforcing my choice to be vegan? Any suggestions are welcome! Unless you are going to suggest that I’m really creepy.  I hope this dream doesn’t make me really creepy, although I fully realize that it might.  I’m not creepy, I swear!  (If I have to say that, maybe we have a problem after all….??)

Read Full Post »