Vegan brunch at Wil-Mar Center Sunday, June 30 from 9 a.m. -1 p.m.

Proceeds will go to Primates, Inc., a new nonprofit which aims to protect and serve primates.  The event will take place at Madison, Wisconsin's Wil-Mar Center, which is just off of Willy St. on the near east side.

http://www.meetup.com/Madison-Vegan-Drinks/boards/view/viewthread?thread=35812492

Pig wrestling is illegal in Wisconsin and should be stopped

Wisconsin law prohibits animal fights except those at rodeos, pig wrestling is illegal under state law, and carries fines to exhibitors as well as spectators.  Despite this fact, several localities sponsor these events.  If you are able to help pigs and hogs by preventing this arcane and cruel practice, please visit the following website and get involved:  http://www.nopigwrestling.org/the-law-4.html

Notice how these men literally throw the hog into a large metal barrel.

Paula Deen: "Every creature on this Earth deserves equal rights" #irony

It is incomprehensible to me that Paula Deen, a person who is both suffering from her food choices as well as profiting from the enslavement, abuse, and killing of animals, should go on national television and use the term 'creatures' to describe her feelings about equality among people of different races.

What the hell is she talking about?  Please someone show her the door to the exit...  

Jessica Williams on Paula Deen's recipes

"Paula Deen's words aren't hurting black people anywhere near as much as her recipes are." - Jessica Williams from the Daily Show on Comedy Central.

Watch the whole clip at http://www.hulu.com/watch/503522

Vegan Food Pyramid poster

Link: VeganFoodPyramid.com

Humane Society poll finds Wisconsin opposes wolf hunting 8-to-1

These results should give proponents of wolf hunting some serious pause.

Link: http://isthmus.com/article.php?article=40210

Turtle death reward at #DelevanWIS Golf Club tops $8000

Over $8,000 is reward money has been put up to find and prosecute the person or persons who ruthlessly attacked and killed a pregnant snapping turtle at the Delbrook Golf Course near Delavan, Wisconsin, on June 10th.

Link: http://host.madison.com/news/local/crime_and_courts/reward-in-case-of-turtle-beaten-to-death-tops/article_ac3cfee8-91f4-50c9-9f72-4b2c39febaa5.html

NPR highlights new study linking brats, hot dogs, bacon, and red meat to diabetes

The links between health and eating processed meat like bacon, brats, and hot dogs, as well as red meat, just keep getting more clear.  Recently it was cancer (carcinogens are present no matter how much seasoning is used or how you cook it), and now there is evidence linking these foods to diabetes.  The links of these foods to obesity and heart disease are also well founded.

I get that lots of people like to eat these culturally-based, salty, protein-rich foods.  But at what cost?  And aren't meat substitutes just as enjoyable to eat, and without the health, environmental, or ethical disadvantages?

Even if elimination of these products from the diet isn't possible, what about simply cutting down?

Link:  http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/06/18/192810562/hot-dogs-bacon-and-red-meat-tied-to-increased-diabetes-risk

Madison video project aims to discuss sustainability and food

While I am not sure this is specifically a vegan or vegetarian project, but it does seem to be looking at the relationship between factory farming and environmental degredation.  So that's cool.  And, I think one of the filmmakers is a neighbor, too.  Check it out at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1994617480/tasty-guide-to-a-healthy-planet.



More info: http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=40183

Mother Jones magazine takes on Big Ag in July issue

Check out the link below to the full article on factory farming in Mother Jones.

Link: http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/06/ag-gag-laws-mowmar-farms

Milwaukee aquaponics project in trouble

In theory, it sounds great... Create a way to raise fish and use their waste to grow veggies.  But you have to feed the fish something right?  And that is probably some other animal product.  Is it really worth the trouble? 

"The saga of Sweet Water “Organics” continues (VIDEO)" http://feedly.com/k/12BtnMw

Wisconsin legislature seeks to exempt University animal research from open records law

This is appalling. We need more transparency in animal research, not less. 

Link: http://allanimalsblog.org/2013/05/23/uw-madison-wants-to-protect-research-by-limiting-open-records-law/

PETA has new online game out where you can punch and kick animal researchers

There is a pretty gory and sad new game out from PETA.  I can appreciate that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is targeting young people with it, but I'm afraid that it is highly inappropriate for children and anyone with violent tendencies.  PETA should take the high ground on violence and abuse of animals, and not encourage or glorify violence against people.

Link: http://features.peta2.com/cage-fight-mma-game/

Chicago animal welfare nonprofit asks Goodman Center to improve chicken coop conditions

I was impressed by the tone of a letter written to the Madison's Goodman Community Center regarding its 'backyard chicken coop.'  It doesn't ask the Goodman Center to get rid of the coop, but rather instructs them on what can be improved or changed.

Link: http://freefromharm.org/animal-cruelty-investigation/backyard-chickens-in-peril/

Image of elephant fetus confuses abortion foes

While I am entirely pro-choice, I am also pro-animal-rights.  That is why I like this elephant fetus meme which is making the rounds on social networks.  Try posting it and see what peoples' responses are.

The Daily Show takes on #AgGag laws

Activists who take videos of animals being mistreated could be put on a terrorist watchlist.  (Link: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-june-11-2013/blowing-the-whistle-on-whistleblowers)

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
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Hundreds of pheasants dead in fire at Wisconsin 'sporting' complex

Except for the recent poultry processing factory disaster in Northeastern China, it has been awhile since I've heard of a poultry barn fire, but one took place last night at the Wern Valley Sportsmen's Club in Waukesha, Wisconsin, resulting in over six hundred pheasant deaths.

When making a statement, the club groundskeeper   said,  "It could have been a lot worse."  While it is hard for me to imagine anything worse, this much is true: poultry barn fires can often result tens of thousands of bird fatalities at a time.  I can only assume he was talking about property, or human life, and not about the birds.

Link: http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/authorities-called-to-five-alarm-barn-fire-in-genessee-b9931113z1-210975271.html

Group offers $1,000 reward for details on Delavan golf course turtle attack

The Global Conservation Group (GCG) is offering $1,000 to anyone who can help identify the person or persons responsible for a horrific attack on a turtle there.  The Delbrook Golf Course in Delavan, Wisconsin, said there were about 35 golfers on the course when the attack took place on June 10th.

Link: http://www.examiner.com/article/gcg-offers-1-000-reward-for-information-on-turtle-abuse

PBS NewsHour discusses genetic modification of animals

It was great to hear this story on the moral uses of animals on national news.

Link: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/06/when-does-genetic-modification-of-animals-cross-a-line.html

Mad City Vegan Fest is at Goodman Center on Saturday 10-5 p.m.

Be sure to stop by the Goodman Center just off of Atwood Avenue to see, hear, and taste what Veganism is all about.  I guarantee that you will learn something, feel something, and come away stuffed with great food.

Link: http://www.veganfest.org/

Poultry Factory Disaster in China: Over 120 workers killed

One of the worst food industry disasters ever happened this week at a 'model' poultry processing factory in Northeastern China, killing over 120 workers due to ammonia poisoning.  The factory processed about 100,000 chickens per day with a total workforce of 300-400.  The factory had been praised by officials as being one of the most modern industrial food processing facilities in the country. Slaughterhouse work is known to be one of the most punishing and dangerous jobs in the world.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/world/asia/chinese-poultry-factory-was-considered-a-model.html