I hope this site becomes a place for dialogue and the exchange of ideas. I want to raise consciousness about issues and stories that don't always make the headlines. I believe that global awareness makes a person smarter and ultimately more human. I'm grossed out by what some "news" outlets masquerade as news. It seems that so many of these outlets cover international stories only when there's catastrophe or war. It's a shame.
There are so many fascinating people doing important things out there. As a journalist I've been blessed with the opportunity to travel all over the world. I want this to be a place for everyone to find out about people and organizations that I've encountered that are doing good work. I'd like to share some of my experiences and invite all of you to share your thoughts and stories you think should be told. Let's expand our horizons together!
North Korea A trip to one of the most isolated countries on the planet
Child Trafficking: India In India, there are millions of children who are being forced to work as slaves.
There is certainly no shortage of issues that should demand our attention, but here’s a list of some that I think are of vital importance. Please share with me your thoughts on these and issues that are of concern to you.
My most profuse apologies for the irregularity of my blog entries of late. I've had a crazy-ass travel schedule.
So I have a report airing on the Oprah Show this Tues, Oct.14. Its focus is a California ballot initiative that seeks to provide better treatment for animals that will enter our food supply before they are slaughtered: Proposition 2. For the most part, the animals that will be affected are egg producing,
caged battery hens, sows (female birthing pigs), and baby calves used for veal. Many people think,"if they're inevitably going to killed for food, who cares how they're treated before?"
Never having ever visited farms from which eggs and pork products are produced, I visited a couple standard ones and I can't say that I'll ever think the same way. That's because I didn't think about it all before this assignment.
Let's face it, we are the fattest, most overfed nation on earth. We consume more food than any other country in the world and we pay the least for it. We want cheap food and we want it now. We live in a culture of mass production. Our grocery stories are so overly stocked and immaculate that we end up throwing away tons of perfectly edible food every single day. Though Americans certainly eat a lot, we produce way more than we can possibly consume--this absolutely includes animal products.
When I visited the caged egg and pig farms, I was shocked by how efficient, mechanical and computerized everything was. They were literally churning out product at rapid-fire pace...animal product. I must say that it was hugely eye-opening to see 90 thousand hens under one roof. There were 6 to a tiny cage, all on top of each other, fed antibiotics--covered in feces. It wasn't exactly, the wide-open space farm that I envisioned.
In the case of the pig farm, it was nearly a thousand pregnant sows under one roof, in individual stalls that don't permit them to as much as turn around--this is how they will live for their entire lives until they're slaughtered. Beyond that, they are all artificially inseminated, genetically engineered to grow bigger, longer and to be less aggressive. They "produce" an average of 100 pigs a day. This is what we are putting into our bodies when we eat bacon--a science experiment. Now, I'm no expert and for all I know, the unnatural items they are putting into our food supply may be good for us--but I would have liked to know about it.
Therein lies my problem. We are so hell bent on cheap food, that we haven't cared where it comes from and what goes into it. There's really nothing natural about our standard meat products--they're not even birthed naturally. Anyone who says that it is anything other than the wholesale factorization of living things is fooling themselves.
I met an 80 year old organic, cage free farmer who happens to be a strong Christian. I asked him what he thought God would think of what's happening to animals. He said, "God gave us animals to eat, but I don't think he would have wanted to see us do what we're doing to them."
Didn't He-God-also say, "take only what you need." Was he not talking about Americans?
This experience hasn't made me I quit eggs or pork, but my consciousness and interest certainly has just been raised about where our food comes from and what's put in it--even the things that we couldn't imagine being so drastically altered: living things.
I also can't help but wonder what would happen if we just produced less. Would we need to run the animal/meat industry like factorized machines? Might we waste less? Might we be less...fat? Would that be so bad?
I think your blog is wonderful and the expose work you are doing are serving a much needed outlet of information about issues we would most likely NOT hear about readily so please keep up the wonderful work but I am concerned about one issue, please don't misunderstand my question as I am not criticizing but merely asking......in your article you said you were shocked about the deplorable conditions these animals were living in and questioned the practices but yet it was not enough to convince you to stop purchasing the products they produce..." This experience hasn't made me I quit eggs or pork, but my consciousness and interest certainly has just been raised about where our food comes from and what's put in it" ......I am wondering what is it that you need to see to convince you to stop purchasing and supporting these companies, how much abuse is the right amount that will help you decide that this is too much? Do you realize how much influence you could have to help improve these animals lives and stop this kind of animals abuse by joining those that refuse to be a part of this industry by refusing to purchase or support these companies.....A vegan with immense public exposure would be such a great and wonderful role model for others.....just a thought..... since you have a great deal of influence and publicity exposure, you could REALLY make a difference here.
again, thank you for your wonderful work
As long as you have the expose and the power
Posted by Carol on December 15, 2008 11:51 AM
Lisa-Great Job as always. Exposing factory farms has been a mission for me! It concerns me that Oprah advertises companies such as Tyson who clearly torture animals. I really hate hypocrisy!! The video can be seen at http://www.exploreveg.org/do/weekly-update/2008.01 .17.html Could you please do an expose' on Monsanto, and companies that clearly pollute our planet & force out small farmers. Their genetically modified seeds allow our foods to be grown by being saturated with their deadly herbicide products. With Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s already linked to pesticides we really need to do something!! Please read this Vanity Fair article. http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/0 5/monsanto200805 Please help!!
Posted by Sydni Mose... on October 17, 2008 11:22 AM
Definately a job well done.... I applaud Oprah and you for informing the general public of significant issues that are often overlooked. I saw the PETA undercover video of egg farms, that portrays the horrors that these poor chickens endure. There is no escaping the truth when you view it with your own eyes. I was aghast! In Oprah's show the chicken cages were so tidy, and the stall with the pigs were amazingly clean, but I do believe that your visit there prompted them to show their industry at it's best. I also thought that the tenor of Oprah's show on Prop. 2, was very mildly handled. What is going on in our meat and egg production farms is so in-humane that we as civilized people should be demanding that as caretakers, the animals live with an assemblance of dignity before being slaughtered, packaged, presented in our markets, and served for dinner at our kitchen tables. Every time that we pick up a pristine package of meat, we should be reminded of what the animal endured. I wish that both you and Oprah had clearly voiced your own opinions, speaking out harshly and in defense of animals that we torture. As a nation we should buy animal products that we know come from reputable farms that allow them to graze and peck and nurse from their mother's in a natural habitat. The more we buy from organic farms, buy cage-free eggs, and buy meat from local farms, the more the meat industry will have to comply with humane treatment of animals. A few more dollars added on to your grocery bill is well worth it. Let your purchase power do the talking. Support similar propositions in your state. We are a nation of animal lovers and can't ignor what we now know.
Posted by Kelly Hey on October 16, 2008 11:00 AM
Thank you for that eye opening, stomache churning report! I have chosen this topic for a college essay, and would like to know if the free roaming organic chickens are slaughtered the same way the caged farm chickens are?
Posted by Julie Ferr... on October 15, 2008 6:38 AM
Lisa, I just want to THANK YOU for going on Oprah and exposing the realities of factory farming and the way we treat animals. I continue to be amazed at how many people are not aware of this. I admire you so much for choosing this career - you inspire me.
Posted by rosemary on October 15, 2008 5:21 AM
seeing another animal suffering makes me feel as if it is me suffering. So who would stand up for me.... I hope someone would! Factory farming is barbaries beyond words.! My consciousness can hardly take it. Buy buying any meet, egg or diary we are all contributing towards the suffering of these poor defensless creatures. we are Just as guilty in my opinion as the person who kills them directly. Listen to your consiouness it will tell you the truth!!
Posted by Cyndi Smit... on October 14, 2008 9:49 PM
Lisa, I worked with Wayne Pacelle on the 2002 Campaign in Florida which did pass. I thank you so much for showing how food animals live their lives. While I am a vegetarian I realize that society will continue to eat meat but if animals were treated the way that they were on the "cage free" farms, it would be much more humane. Oprah and you did do a great job, but animal abuse runs rampant on "factory farms" which was not shown on the show. I guess it is better in a way as many people would turn off the tv as many people "Don't want to know". I sincerely hope this Proposition passes. In Florida, there are still eggs and pork and beef, unlike the "factory farmers" said that there would'nt be anymore. It is a shame that profits override humanity in this world. thank you again
Posted by sharon on October 14, 2008 9:14 PM
Great work, It's really good to know what we put into our mouths, where it comes from, how it's produced. For we are what we eat. It's all linked to the environment and the beautiful earth we live in. If we infect ourselves with unhealthy foods, we infect the planet! It's refreshing to see real insight into what is being done behind the scenes so we can make the right choices, for our health, the environment and our dear Earth! Thanks to Oprah and you! Thanks so much! Please get more of this information out there, you'd be helping millions of people make healthy choices, ethical choices, compassionate choices! Thanks! Sharon
Posted by on October 14, 2008 7:58 PM
Well, as I've previously stated on this blog, I post a lot at Penny Arcade (where I'm known as Gosling). They have a thread on ballot initiatives, including California's slate, and the consensus- including that of Californians, the people voting on the proposition debated on Oprah- seems to be that they'll vote No, against the space requirements.
The thread can be seen here, I bring up the Oprah episode as best as I was able to follow at post #115. (It includes a part where someone mistakenly tells me it's for the state Constitution, which got me switched to No for a second because this is regular-law territory but not Constitution territory, to switch back to Yes when re-informed that it's for the health and safety codes. If you mentioned that on the show, I must have missed it.) You're welcome to chime in there if you wish.
Nice job, Lisa. I am a caterer and it's my mission to let people know where their food is coming from (who grew it, what conditions, etc.), yet I keep finding out about other reputable businesses in my town that present themselves as "sustainable" and they buy directly from the factory farms. I am so excited about the fact that people like you and Oprah, who have incredible reach, are bringing this information to the masses!
The NYT put out a great "Food Issue" of their magazine this past weekend, which included a letter to the next president about what to do to change our food systems. I highly recommend checking it out: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/magazine/index.html.
Thank you Lisa!!
Posted by MaryF on October 14, 2008 4:56 PM
Thank you so much, Lisa, for telling it as it is. We are the only public voice the animals have. It should be apparent to anyone with a heart and brain bigger than their stomach and/or their greed that no animal should be subjected to the horrific conditions of factory "farms." There is no valid justification for them. They are plainly inhumane - they should be illegal.
Posted by cafoodie on October 13, 2008 5:23 PM
I am interested to see this particular show as the preview already suggests a one-sided look. How many farms did you visit? Was it truly representative of the industry or just one bad apple? And shame on the person who told you that a sow is kept forever in a gestation crate. Not true. The sow must be kept prior to farrowing (the act of giving birth) and after in the crate as she will, and not intentionally, sit on her young. There is a considerable size difference between a sow and a baby pig. Would you agree? The crate is for the safety of the sow and the new born baby pigs. Once the pigs are big enough to be on their own, the sows are taken out of the crate. I am shocked by the number of people who take what they hear on TV and view on YouTube at face value. Use the internet and do a little research. And research both sides. Make an educated evaluation and don’t believe everything you see on the internet and TV.
Posted by on October 14, 2008 9:38 AM
What are your feelings about the pigs being kept in cages with not even enough room to turn around, not to mention chickens in the same situation to get big and fat!
I believe the show will be intended to seek out the ones who are treating the animals in an inhumane manner, as some internet videos have proven. How else has this issue been brought to our attention? I'm sure that most producers are not cruel uncaring people that only care about mass production!
Lisa and Oprah!! Superwomen!! ha ha Does anyone else expose what we really need to know in our society like these two? First puppy mills...now the big one - Factory Farming. Thank God, this totally uncivilized, and horrible part of society never talked about and only scene on youtube videos is being brought out into the forefront of society. The United Nations just supported "eating less meat" to curb global warming -http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,183 9995,00.html - so it looks like the tide is slowly turning...As the saying goes "the beginning of the end" - we can only hope! Hopefully the show awakens people like it did Lisa, then they can start on their "world peace diet" for their "diet for a new america"!!! peace to all, and to all a good night...
Posted by on October 12, 2008 10:55 PM
I can't believe this show is going to air right now. A few weeks ago I was just browsing videos on youtube and came upon the video of dogs and cats being skinned alive in China for their fur. I was shocked and horrified, and subsequently have not been able to eat meat since then. I have since been reading a lot about our food supply, and the treatment of animals in the process. Again I was appauled. Way to go Lisa! Hopefully this will be the first step to some to greatly needed changes to factory farms all over North America and abroad.
Posted by on October 13, 2008 12:49 PM
I don't think I'll be going quite as far as going vegetarian. Even if I tried, this is not the town to try it in- it's your basic McDonald's/Culvers/KFC/Pizza Hut/Subway culinary wasteland. We had a few Chinese places, but all but one got driven out of town.
That said, though, I think it would be nice to have some sort of official certification as far as how the meat you serve has been treated before slaughter. Something you'd have to stick in the front window, like the results of a health inspection. It wouldn't be an outright ban, but what it would do is give a powerful incentive to companies to... well, not do what Lisa caught them doing.
Obviously a place like KFC will continue to kill chickens- if they don't they have nothing to sell. But if the customer has some sort of assurance that the chicken had a rich, full life prior to its consumption, that helps immensely. If the customer, however, sees 'This establishment does not treat its livestock in a humane manner' on the front door, there will be those people that get squicked out and go somewhere else for lunch instead. And that would get KFC's attention.
Everytown USA is the same. We all have McDonalds, Burger King, Chinese and Italian take-outs, etc. Even if you just decided to cook a vegetarian meal a few times a week, it would make a significant difference. KFC does not have to buy their chickens from factory farms that torture animals. And torture is what it is, nothing pretty about it. Yes, you are right, there should be labeling for pork, beef, veal, chicken and turkey that the animals were treated humanely. We should spend the extra few bucks to buy organic range free meats, chickens and eggs.... We could afford it if a few of our meals were vegetarian. We could and our consciences should demand that we do.
Wow I am so excited for this show. I hope that it brings a light to all of those who didn't know before. I became a Vegetarian about 4 years ago just for this reason. It makes me sad to think of what is going on to all of these animals and for most of us it is happening right in our back yards. If there is any thing more that I can do to help please let me know!
Posted by pat on October 10, 2008 7:10 PM
You've been doing such amazing work lately Lisa...then again, you've always amazed me. This is so emblematic of this time and I'm afraid we are suffering the consequences.
Posted by Melissa on October 10, 2008 4:44 PM
Thank you for this report, and I'm going to tell everyone I know to watch. I've been hoping for a very long time that someone would bring light to the cruel practices behind some of our ("Americans") favorite foods.
Posted by on October 10, 2008 3:04 PM
And it's probably not going to get any better, at least in the next couple months. Remember Thanksgiving's coming up and I don't need to tell you how that holiday operates. You've heard of "Black Friday"? The retail term for the day after Thanksgiving when everyone rushes to stores to buy their Christmas presents? The grocery section has its own term, "Black Wednesday", to refer to the day BEFORE Thanksgiving.
And lucky Wal-Mart unloader me gets to see every last bit of that merchandise enter the store. There's been so much lately that we don't even know where to put it all anymore. You would have a fit if you saw our back rooms at around 8 PM, after we've gotten it off the truck but before it goes to the sales floor. And that's not even counting the carts and carts full of expired fruit that ends up in the trash compactor every night because nobody bought it fast enough.
Oh, yes, one last tangentically-related note: we started getting Christmas merchandise in in August.
Posted by Lisa Ling on October 10, 2008 9:57 PM
mtvcdm, thanks for your insights. I was hoping you'd comment here as you have such an "inside" perspective.
There is a fantastic documentary called "Our Daily Bread" which was on HBO recently. It graphically shows how animals are treated and slaughtered, and continues to show how they cut them up for shipment. I recorded it to DVD. The entire documentary has sound, but no spoken words. It is a real eye-opener, as I am sure your Oprah report will be.
again, thank you for your wonderful work
As long as you have the expose and the power