Letters
If there will be a turkey on your table this Thanksgiving, you can be almost certain that he or she suffered a miserable life and death for your brief pleasure. There are no laws for the humane treatment of turkeys on farms or in the slaughterhouse. (Neither chickens nor turkeys are included in the Humane Slaughter Act.)
In the wild, turkeys have complex language – more than 20 different vocalizations – and can recognize one another’s voices. Rescued farm turkeys show affection toward humans and, like cats, they purr when content.
But on modern “farms” – including organic farms – turkeys live their entire lives in windowless sheds with about 1 square foot of space per bird.
While wild turkeys can fly, farmed turkeys cannot. In fact, because they are bred for excessive growth, many cannot walk. En route to slaughter, 10 to 15 percent of turkeys die from suffocation (an accepted industry standard). Many others arrive in extreme pain with broken bones.
Because of the fast pace of slaughterhouses, turkeys and chickens are often insufficiently stunned before slaughter. Government estimates are that about four million birds per year are still conscious when dropped into the scalding tanks.
Conditions for organically-produced animal foods are no better. (The Vermont slaughterhouse that was closed this month after employees were filmed kicking and electro-shocking two-day old calves – who were too weak to stand – was one that slaughtered animals from local organic dairy farms).
Most Americans say that they care about animals, that they would never hurt or abuse an animal. The hard truth is that when you eat meat, eggs and dairy, you participate in animal abuse.
Thanksgiving – an expression of gratitude and a celebration of family and abundance – is the ideal time to consider going vegetarian.
In his book “Eating Animals,” Jonathan Safran Foer says this about a vegetarian Thanksgiving: “There is no turkey. Is the holiday undermined? Or would Thanksgiving be enhanced? Would the choice not to eat turkey be a more active way of celebrating how thankful we feel? Try to imagine the conversation that would take place. This is why our family celebrates this way. Would such a conversation feel disappointing or inspiring?”
Vegetarians know the answer. It feels good when our choices reflect our true values about compassion for animals.
Lori Patotzka lives in Clearlake.
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- Written by: Lori Patotzka
The Soper-Reese Fundraising Committee is grateful for the support of the following businesses and individuals who made generous donations to our annual fundraising event in the fall, held for the first time at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre. For our Harvest Moon Dinner & Dance on Oct. 3, the theater was transformed into a dinner/dance club and showcased another use of your performing arts theater.
We thank our major sponsors who include the Blue Wing Saloon & Café in Upper Lake, the Lake County Winegrape Commission and Ceago Vinegarden. Wineries, as always, were generous in their donations of wine: Brassfield Estate, Ceago Vinegarden, Gregory Graham, Six Sigma, Tulip Hill and Zoom Wineries. The Early Lake Lions Club provided an inviting cocktail bar for our guests. Applerain Nursery loaned many plants to enhance the ambiance of the theater, with florist Sabrina creating the beautiful centerpieces.
Shaun Hornby of Hornby Furniture Restoration was our auctioneer extraordinaire. Live auction items were donated by the following: Lakeport English Inn, Park Place Restaurant, Ann and George Linn, Enrico and Kris Frediani, Karl and Sharon Nicoll, Chuck Farrell, R.B. Peters and Kelseyville Lumber.
Silent auction items were donated by Brad Barnwell, Clear Lake B&B, T.J.’s Restaurant, Tom Jordan, Guy Strohmeier’s Auto Center, Mackey Tire, Buckingham Golf & Country Club, Disney’s Water Sports, Ciao Thyme, Steele Winery, Wildhurst Winery, Cindy Carr, Pieces Boutique, Hans Dobusch, Debi Freeland, Betty Lou Surber, the estate of Joan Holman, Lakeview Market and Edgewater Resort.
Lovely music during the reception and dinner was performed by Dan Meyer. Following dinner and the live auction, the Mendocino Jazz Band, under the direction of John Parkinson, played their big band music, to the delight of the guests.
The entire event was a success, thanks to our donors and those individuals and organizations mentioned above. We appreciate the support of this generous community as we continue the renovation of the Soper-Reese Community Theatre.
Nina Marino chairs the Soper-Reese Community Theatre's fundraising committee.
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- Written by: Nina Marino
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