Animal Rights Extremism (page113)

Studies show that a worldwide "organic only" policy just won't work. The Scotsman notes, "Without high levels of fertilizer and pesticide use, the world cropping area of around 5.8 million square miles - equal to the land area of South America - would need to be three times larger to cope with increased food demands since the 1950s."

By capitulating to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ (PETA) animal treatment demands, McDonald’s has opened the door for PETA to try to exact changes in the way…

European nanny groups are attempting to build on fears of mad cow disease by implying that replacing the use of carcasses in animal feed (which many blame for the disease) with genetically improved soymeal is somehow just as dangerous to the public.

Indiana University student Chris Edwards has something to say to anti-choice nannies who want you to skip the turkey and eat only organic vegetables this Thanksgiving: "Animals are animals. They aren't people and never will be. Supposedly organically grown foods are nothing more than an elaborate scheme to separate wannabe hippies from their money. So enjoy your turkey and shut up."

Chefs Collaborative's Alice Waters tells Bon Appetit magazine about the importance of spreading the Chef's locally grown, organic-only food manifesto to children. "It's more important than reading, writing, and arithmetic." Waters wants schools to follow the Chefs' beliefs in shaping school lunch programs, and is hoping that a Chefs Collaborative-like lunch program will be adopted nationwide. ("Cooks in Bloom," Bon Appetit, December 2000)

Not long ago, we told you about Jeffrey Armour Nelson, of the Armour meatpackers, who now makes his living bashing meat and promoting vegetarianism. At that time, Nelson was attempting…

Thanksgiving without turkey and with only organic, locally grown, in-season vegetables? That's what some anti-choice activists like EarthSave's Howard Lyman, the Organic Consumer's Association's Ronnie Cummins, and Sustain's Jim Slama want you to have. They'll be discussing their plans for you in Chicago on November 18th, one day after a Washington press conference where the Center for Science in the Public Interest's Caroline Smith-DeWaal will tell us how much "danger" we're in when we eat our favorite holiday bird.

The animal rights campaign against large-scale chicken farms ("factory farms," they call them) is starting to resonate with the public, and the organic food companies are already capitalizing on the consumer concerns they helped generate. Unfortunately, the tradeoffs for "humane" open farms higher food prices, increased exposure to bacteria and unchecked chicken cannibalism seem to far outweigh the peace of mind that the organic companies are trying to sell.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals first campaigned against McDonald's animal welfare standards in its usual bombastic way. Then, as we told you several weeks ago, it targeted Burger King. Now the group is after Albertson's grocery chain and says it's looking for other victims. Who's next? ("PETA urges grocery chain to meet animal welfare standards," Associated Press, 10/25/00)

Kids at New Trier High School outside Chicago got tired of people disparaging meat eaters, so they formed a Carnivorous Club. More than 70 students have joined so far. "We are always hearing that meat is bad for you," said Mike Deheeger, 16, one of the two founding carnivores. "This was a chance to get the other side of the story."