Weekly Newsletter - August 21, 2014
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. Film Review
  2. The August Issue of The Peaceable Table is now online
  3. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
  4. Lecture series in San Francisco

1. Film Review
 
Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret
2014, 90 min
 
This powerful and well-done documentary demonstrates that animal agribusiness is ruining the environment, depleting resources, and condemning billions of humans and nonhumans to misery. Leaders of environmental groups know the facts – the effects of animal agriculture have been well documented. Yet, they have largely ignored one of the leading, if not the leading, causes of global warming, water pollution, air pollution, and land, energy, and water depletion. Why?
 
To answer this question, Kip Andersen sought answers from leading animal protection groups. Many refused to be interviewed, and of those who did respond many wouldn’t or couldn’t answer his questions. He had more luck with former employees of these groups, who acknowledged the obvious – the donor base for these groups doesn’t want to hear about how they should eat differently. In other words, in order to keep the money coming in, these groups betray their core mission to protect the environment.
 
Howard Lyman offers another reason – people are afraid to confront animal agribusiness. He and Oprah Winfrey were sued by Texas cattle ranchers for violating Texas’ “food disparagement law” when they discussed concerns about Mad Cow Disease. Lyman and Winfrey prevailed in court, since food disparagement laws (currently on the books in many states) are blatantly unconstitutional. However, the Texas cattle ranchers achieved their primary objective – to discourage criticism of their product – because the cost of defending oneself against such a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) is prohibitive.
 
Perhaps a greater concern is the 2006 Animal Enterprises Terrorism Act, which regards as “terrorism” any act which illegally disrupts an “animal enterprise.” What makes the law particularly dangerous is that it includes “intimidation” among proscribed actions. Perfectly peaceful protests that animal abusers claim are “intimidating” could be regarded as criminal activities.
 
It is becoming increasingly dangerous to be a prophet and speak truth to power. As Cowspiracy demonstrates, we shouldn’t count on the environmental protection movement to serve this role.
 
- Stephen R. Kaufman, MD

2. The August Issue of The Peaceable Table is now online
 
Contents include:
 
The Guest Editorial Essay, "What Would a Chicken Say? Single-Issue Campaigns and Abolition/Vegan Advocacy" by Karen Davis offers a compassionate answer to the question whether working to improve the condition of suffering farmed animals now actually blocks the ultimate goal of animal liberation.
 
From one of the NewsNotes we hear the good news that foie gras has been banned in India!
 
The Recipe section offers a delectable spicy cheeze dip recipe from the website of a new book, The Gentle Chef.
 
One of the Book Reviews by Robert Ellwood tells the true story of how a seeing-eye dog named Calvin helped to heal the heart of Max, a blinded survivor of the Holocaust / Shoah.
 
To read this issue, go to The Peaceable Table, August issue.
 
Toward the Peaceable Kingdom,
Gracia Fay Ellwood
Editor
 
P.S. Quaker Animal Kinship, the sponsor of Peacable Table, has no regular sources of income except the pockets of the members and one faithful neighbor. We would welcome donations of any amount for advertising, printing, and other expenses. Look for the "Donate to the Peaceable Table via PayPal" button at the top of the issue. Or, checks may be made out to Quaker Animal Kinship and mailed to Robert Ellwood, Treasurer, 14 Krotona Hill, Ojai, CA, USA.

3. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
 
Making Godly Differences in the World

4. Lecture series in San Francisco
 
There will be a multi-religious, vegan series of dinners and talks in San Francisco, Wednesdays, September 3 - November 12. To learn more, go to Faith Traditions and Living Plant-Sourced Diets.

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