Part 2: David Kirby on HuffPo "Is Obama Ready to Take on Factory Farming?"
Part Two: White House Realities
(Note: This is the second part of an essay adapted from David Kirby's upcoming book Animal Factory. To read PART ONE, please click here).
In 2008, Barack Obama was swept to victory on a national wave of desire for change -- change that included a coherent program for curbing many of the excesses associated with modern American animal agriculture.
Obama's Plan to Support Rural Communities appeared on the White House website in January, 2009, and read like a manifesto from grassroots groups trying to defend their vision of what a traditional, sustainable agrarian way of life should be.
David Kirby is author of Evidence of Harm, a founding contributor to Huffington Post and a contributor to Age of Autism. His next book, Animal Factory: The Looming Threat of Industrial Pig, Dairy, and Poultry Farms to Humans and the Environment will be released within the year and is available now for pre-order at Amazon.
Tackling what's wrong in this country means taking on corporations and removing their person hood privileges. Ralph Nader knows this is the root of the rampant corporate abuse which daily constitutes assault and battery of our health and well being.
But I think Dr. Wakefield got it right when he said more or less "corporate wrongdoing" is "corporate policy". Araina Huffington also points out how corporations get away with it:
Why It's Wrong When Wrongdoers Are Allowed to Admit No Wrongdoing http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/why-its-wrong-when-wrongd_b_350673.html
Posted by: michael framson | November 13, 2009 at 11:27 PM
About politicians being in the tools of whatever lobby organization. Well, of course.
You have to remember they are balancing everything. If the goal is universal healthcare (or not), the politicians most certainly need big pharma to go along with whatever side (vomit), so therefore, they have to allow big pharma some protection (double vomit). Therefore, big pharma is playing both sides (triple vomit).
It is exactly the same with EVERYTHING (including agriculture policies) and even the most mundane public transit subsidies to the most obvious Halliburton contracts via whatever federal contracting organization. I'm sorry, but is true. They (all of they) are playing a giant shell game. They (all of they) believe that they are on the right side (imagine any issue, e.g., cars vs. trucks vs. pedestrians vs. bicyclists vs. bus vs. freight train vs. passenger train vs. light rail transit vs. highways vs. bridges vs. tunnels). They have to deal the cards/play the game to get what they really are striving for.
I firmly believe that Obama feels that he is on the side of good and has America's interest at heart, as did Bush, as did every President that ever was or ever will be. Even though the actions, temperament, thoughts and deeds of certain Presidents are infuriating to me. That is only my opinion. Someone else out there will think that same President was amazing.
It's a game that they all have to play. Give a little, take a little. And, hopefully the true good guys win (again, read this from whatever perspective you think the good guys are - and on whatever issue).
Posted by: Henderson | November 13, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Our church (very liberal/respectful & thankful for all religions/very save the environment/stop pollution bent) has a movie series.
Food Inc. is on this season's roster. I will be emailing everyone I know to come to this movie.
http://www.foodincmovie.com/
So, much like one person at a time (what happened to our children/supplements/vaccines/genes/mito/it's not just autism/etc.). This is part of it - food/corporations/pollution (speaking to the choir here). So, on my dog walks/at parties/on the soccer field/in the hockey stands - food/corporations/pollution is part of it.
I'm sorry guys, I really view this as we are part of a movement. And, for me, that means one respectful and knowledgeable conversation at a time.
To that end, we need to purchase David Kirby's book (multiple copies - and while we are at it another copy or two of "Evidence of Harm"), and distribute it at Christmas/Hanukkah/Whatever Celebration floats your boat.
ABOUT OBAMA - It is NOT Obabma. It is our government and the different branches of power (Legislative/Executive/Judicial - and remember the Legislative is Congress/Senate. Then throw in all the entrenched organizations - like gee, the military, the FDA, etc.). It's called the Seperation of Powers - remember that from High School everyone?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powers#United_States:_three_branches
What a fantasy it would be if the President could go in and smite all the baddies and do whatever he/she wants, set the world right (our definition of what is right). Imagine that? How wonderful.
Now imagine if it wasn't our guy/gal. A nightmare.
So, back to the grassroots guys. That's us.
Unfortunately, the grassroots includes every other interest group as well.
Posted by: Henderson | November 13, 2009 at 09:37 AM
I don't believe the leaders of either party have the will or the ability to tackle anything difficult.
Posted by: MB | November 13, 2009 at 08:38 AM
'just a question..........how many books have to be written, how many articles have to published, how many dialogs have to be organized until ppl actually DO SOMETHING about factory farming???'
become president,...without power, there kis little you can accomlish...
Posted by: brian | November 13, 2009 at 07:13 AM
"The problem with Obama is he is in the pocket of Big Pharma - without going into everything he's done (wholeheartedly endorsing the vaccination of pregnant mothers with H1N1 vaccine being but one example)."
You're just a shill for Big Pharma aren't you? You don't like the flu vaccine because it means people won't need to buy some much Tamiflu! Bastard!!!
Posted by: Truthpuncher | November 13, 2009 at 05:37 AM
I have read the article which tells about the working of Obama and its decisions taken on the factory farming.I agree with the decision it should be regulated properly among all others.I agree with one of the review that Obama has long proven to be just another democract, a freshfaced frontman for the old regime.I want to know suggestion from others.
Posted by: cod liver oil | November 13, 2009 at 02:12 AM
just a question..........how many books have to be written, how many articles have to published, how many dialogs have to be organized until ppl actually DO SOMETHING about factory farming???
Posted by: john649 | November 13, 2009 at 12:46 AM
It's all in the way you look at it. I would like to see him being more independent in what he does, but when you consider all the people around him and different viewpoints, it is easy to be swayed when hearing so many viewpoints.
I don't see him as a typical Democrat of the past. He is more the current community organizer and isn't that what he started out to be, anyway?
Posted by: Martha Moyer | November 12, 2009 at 09:35 PM
David, First - perhaps a minor but notable disagreement: Obama was voted in by a 6% margin. If 3% of Obama voters had switched to McCain it would have been a tie. Hardly a "wave." More like a wavelet.
The problem with Obama is he is in the pocket of Big Pharma - without going into everything he's done (wholeheartedly endorsing the vaccination of pregnant mothers with H1N1 vaccine being but one example).
And, I have much reason to think Obama will stick to his Chicago-politician crooked ethics and go with any industry that makes him look good, and gives him more political and monetary support.
Why would you think otherwise? BUT, I AM all behind YOU! Thanks for your efforts.
Posted by: david burd | November 12, 2009 at 07:10 PM
The short answer is NO, anymore than Obama is prepared to take on Israels war crimes, big pharmas corruption of medicine, etc .
Obama has long proven to be just another democract, a freshfaced frontman for the old regime
Posted by: brian | November 12, 2009 at 04:01 PM