On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 19:42:16 -0600, Gary > wrote:
> I'll stop buying
>pork for now, and let publicity and legislation catch up to this, then
>I'll consider buying it again.

Gary,

A few things...while they had video of this happening at this
particular factory farm, it by itself proves nothing. I'll bet nearly
every industry could find people that are just plain mean. The
difference? These folks are mean, and have the job of killing animals,
so they did it poorly.

Second, regardless of the PETA release date, a little research shows
that this incident happened about August 2001...according to the
criminal complaint. The manager was charged with 4 felony counts of
animal cruelty. He pleaded no contest, and is on supervised probation
awaiting sentencing (max 5 years +$500 per count...not enough I
suppose, but a start). He is no longer employed by Seaboard Farms. The
DA (this happened in Texas County, OK) is considering charges for the
other workers seen in the video.

Civil suit was brought by the Sierra Club, and was settled in January
of 2003 (the details of the settlement were not released).

And if you are willing to believe it, Seaboard Farms press releases
point out that as of June 2003, they were "setting a new industry
standard" by implementing 3rd party, unannounced inspections of their
facilities by Farm Animal Care Training and Auditing (FACTA) LLC.

So...disturbing to be sure, but this link a couple years too late to
be an immediate issue with that particular agency, who appears to be
cleaning up their act.

Bob

P.S. As you suggest, the right thing isn't to convert to
vegitarianism, it's to ensure that these farms manage their animals
properly.