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.

A typo slipped past me when I was posting this article, and not having access to editing tools for the site, I cannot correct it. I have requested help from LA IMC to correct the subject-very clash in the summary, but so far have received no communication or help.

I wrote, "Those who protest the "execution" of a dog or horse, but approve of slaughterhouses that processes millions of steers, pigs and lambs annually are wittingly or unwittingly, hypocrites."

Quite obviously, the sentence should read, "Those who protest the "execution" of a dog or horse, but approve of slaughterhouses that process millions of steers, pigs and lambs annually are wittingly or unwittingly, hypocrites."

Sorry for the typo that causes the writer and the LA IMC to look less professional. Were I able to correct the text, I would.

Moral of the story: Don't post hurriedly or when fatigued.

Thanks,

D. Grant Haynes