I've never been particularly down with watching those puppy snuff films that PETA puts out, primarily because, to me, that kind of thing is heart/gut wrenching to see. Hell, I stopped reading The Jungle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jungle) because it disgusted me so, and I had no problems with The Penal Colony (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Penal_Colony).

So imagine my utter shock and dismay when I strolled into the office and saw this story (http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/02/17/usdabeef.recall.ap/index.html) playing on CNN. Sarah and I don't eat a lot of beef as it is, there being serious health risks associated with red meat, but after seeing the videos of how those cows were being treated, it was all I could do to a) keep my breakfast down and b) not immediately join PETA.

First off, whatever your thoughts on meat consumption, there are laws in place to ensure that animals destined for slaughter are treated ethically and humanely, not just because it's the right thing to do (they are, after all, giving you the gift of food), but because mistreated animals become susceptible to illness and disease which could be harmful to those who consume their products/by-products.

Secondly, how would you like it if someone broke your legs, prodded you with a shock stick and rammed you with a goddamned forklift? Because some part of me really thinks that you sick shits need to find out exactly what that's like...

I really hope that those involved in this twisted display of all that is wrong with mankind get what they deserve, either through the justice system or through karmic intervention. In the mean time, beef is officially off my diet, no longer just because of health reasons. Protests are all well and good, but boycotts hit 'em where it hurts, in the wallet.