I love a goofy holiday as much as anybody, but there’s nothing lighthearted about the cruelty inherent in the meat industry in “Bite into Athens’ ‘Meat Week’ festivities,” published February 1, 2010.

Chickens have their beaks cut off with hot blades. Pigs are castrated and have their tails chopped off. Cows are burned with hot irons.

Female pigs are forced to spend their adult lives in crates so small that they are unable to turn around,

Eight to nine egg-laying hens are crammed into a single cage so small that they can’t spread a single wing.

Such behavior could merit felony cruelty-to-animals charges if inflicted upon dogs or cats, but it is standard operating procedure in the livestock industry.

In spite of this, “Meat Week” co-creator Joshua Skelton calls vegetarianism the “dark side.”

You have much to learn, young Jedi. Master “The Force” by visiting peta2.com.

Drew Winter

College Campaigns, Peta 2

Norfolk, VA

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