I’ve seen a couple examples of misguided anger in the last couple of days towards the passing of Prop 2. It’s certainly horrible that Prop 8 looks like it was defeated, but I know quite a few people who worked tirelessly on both campaigns. Discrimination, whether it’s homophobia or specisim, is awful in any form. I think that Michelle Cho from PETA did a great job summing it up in her letter to Samantha Ronson:

The passing of Prop 2 is a monumental victory that will afford millions of animals the
opportunity to stand up, turn around, and spread their wings, and it should be celebrated
by everyone who cares about animals. To all of us at PETA, and all the other animal
rights people who also protested the passage of Prop 8 by standing on street corners,
working the phones, and talking to friends and family about the bigotry of Prop 8—this
isn’t a “one or the other” situation. Abusing animals is always wrong, and discriminating
against gays is always wrong. We’ll continue to fight against the ban on gay marriage,
and we hope that we can have your support in our efforts to eliminate cruelty to animals.

Here’s hoping that Prop 8 still may find it’s way to a defeat this election year.

As I’m sure most are aware, Proposition 2 passed in California. Today’s Los Angeles Times has the best reaction I’ve heard so far:

The American College of Poultry Veterinarians, decried the measure as economically disastrous for California egg producers

Congratulations to The Humane Society and Wayne Pacelle. You can read the full LA Times article here.

Last week the Los Angeles Times published an editorial by columnist George Skelton and his conclusion after “research” into Prop 2. At the end of the article he comes to the conclusion that he is “for chicken compassion. But [he] feels more compassionate about the chicken farmer in this bankrupting economy” and the issue of ethics should be worked out “through the marketplace.” It was nice to see that The Times ran Jason Brancazio’s counter-argument in last Saturday’s “Letters to the Editor”:

By endorsing cage-free eggs at the end of his column, George Skelton implies that he finds industrial chicken-farming practices abhorrent. I disagree, however, with his counter-assertion that the marketplace is an appropriate arbiter of ethical issues. Would the marketplace ever have eradicated slavery?

When business losses are at stake, and when our legislators rely on businesses for campaign funding, only the ballot initiative process will allow a motivated minority to raise questions that merit statewide consideration.

You can read George Skelton’s full column here.

In their last push for funds leading up to November 4ths Prop 2 vote, the Humane Society Legislative Fund are sponsoring parties all across the US. It looks like the closest one to Los Angeles is at “Rick and Kelle’s Place” in Redondo Beach. Their fund raising goal is $2,000 and they are already half-way there. If you’re interested in going, you can get all the details and RSVP here. I’m sure they are nice people and would love to have anyone stop by that is a supporter of Prop 2.

Last week I was greeted with this short little video in my e-mail. In an animated 2 minute clip HSUS was able to sum up everything to hate about Prop 2.

The biggest issue I have with Prop 2 is that it promotes the concept of “Happy Meat.” HSUS is really pushing the idea that these animals are only one measure and opposable thumbs away from starting their own band. The first piece of information you are given on the the Yes on Prop 2 website under “Facts” is Prop 2 “stops cruel and inhumane treatment of animals.” Statements like that give the false impression that if this measure passes, the standards of factory farming will be changed so dramatically that it is now OK to eat dairy/meat. “You’ve done your part, now go out and reward yourself with a basket of New Original Recipe KFC Chicken Strips!”

What it really means is that animals are going from this:

To this:

I don’t know about you, but I still don’t see too many smiling faces in the cage free picture above. Oh, I forgot, they will still be debeaked, so they can’t smile. Woops!

There is one reason why I am voting Yes on Prop 2. The only benefit I can see is that it will add an additional financial burden on these factory farms. You certainly can’t count on Americans to change their behavior out of compassion, but you can count on them changing their behavior out of greed. Increasing the cost of production will in turn increase the cost at the grocery store. If there’s one thing Americans like, it’s their cruelty served to them as cheap as possible. So despite taking issue with virtually everything this bill stands for, I will still be voting Yes on California’s Prop 2 measure this November.

It’s that time of year – that’s right, elections are quickly approaching. And while this may possibly be one of the most important Presidential elections in most of our lifetimes I am here to remind you all that these elections are vital for another reason. All of us here in California will be voting on a proposition that has the potential to improve the lives of millions of farm animals. Prop 2, also known as the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, is a modest measure that would allow some of the most ill treated animals in our society the simple freedom to turn around, stand up & extend their wings. This Act would ban the use of gestation crates, veal crates & battery cages in the state of California.

Regardless on your views of animal rights and welfare, I hope we can all agree that the intensive confinement of calves, pigs & egg-laying hens is inhumane. As a veterinary student I have seen these intensive farming operations & I can tell you first hand that these methods are cruel & the animals do suffer. But if you don’t want to take my word for it, take a look at who else endorses this Act. To name just a few supporters of Prop 2: the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), the Sierra Club, more than 700 California veterinarians & more than 100 California farmers.

To learn more visit www.humanecalifornia.org.

Also be sure to check this out:

http://uncaged.yesonprop2.com/

This November 4th, make your vote count – and for those of you in California, make sure you vote YES for PROP 2.