You know, I rowed over to the island to see the whole conversation. To their credit they didn't approve of the tactics. But once again their stupidity trumps all. Feed lots and factory farms are terrible. We all know that but right now there's no other alternative to provide affordable, nutritious food to millions of people. Unless we mow down all their precious protected forests there simply isn't enough "free range" to accommodate the millions upon millions of cows needed to provide beef to consumers. Of course, beef prices would rise which would hurt another of their protected groups, "the poor". Several days worth of protein rich meals can be had from a chub of ground beef.
However, there is a solution for those who object most vehemently. I've yet to go into any grocery store that doesn't have over priced free range, organically grown beef, chicken, pork, lamb, whatever. It's not necessarily going to save a cow but I'm sure it will make them FEEL like they're saving the planet one bovine at a time. And if they really want to pay more than lip service to helping their local family farm they can go to eatwild.com for local meat, realmilk.com for raw organic milk (both places usually list eggs, honey and other farm goods available). Craig'slist is great for eggs as are feed stores.
As long as they make sure they don't buy eggs from "vegetarian" hens. Hens are not vegetarians and if they free range they're going to eat grubs, worms, bugs and the occasional dead rodent (my Buckeyes even hunt mice). In order to keep them UNnaturally vegetarian they have to keep them confined in a place where they have no access to fresh grass, seeds and other chicken delicacies. I suppose they could free range on concrete...
Cindie
