The great hue and cry about Atlanta Falcon quarterback Michael Vick’s involvement in a pit bull terrier fighting organization--most especially his alleged “execution” of losing dogs--reeks of the usual hypocrisy that permeates American life and culture at every level.

Do not misunderstand me. I detest dog fighting, cock fighting, bull fighting, and even circuses--any human activity in which an animal’s pain and terror are utilized to entertain callous humans.

Personally, I would like to see Michael Vick and all of his dog fighting associates serve decade-long prison sentences.

But if those who are making the most noise about losing pit bull terriers being killed by various means at Vick’s Virginia dog fighting facility enjoy a good steak on Friday night--or a pork loin on Sunday--or lamb chops on Monday--they are guilty of conscious or unconscious hypocrisy.

The killing line at a slaughter house is no pretty sight.

The process of converting a healthy, living animal into a mass of bleeding flesh in a manner of minutes in order that the confirmed meat eater may enjoy a steak, pork loin, or lamb chop at his or her favorite posh restaurant is a painful and terror-filled one for the donor.

I invite you to read a first hand account of a visit to a slaughterhouse killing line--if you have the stomach and the honesty to face the specter of an industry you support with every hamburger, that is.

http://www.satyamag.com/aug06/edit.html

Paul and Linda McCartney said, "If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone

would be vegetarian."

Indeed.