Was PETA's Butterball turkey slaughter footage authentic or fake?

Question

If it's true, it's horrible:

http://blip.tv/file/77535

How exactly could someone become a vegan and still get the protein and other vitamins and minerals needed to sustain life? Is it an option for everyone, or only wealthier people.

Answer 1

It's true. It's been happening for a long time, sadly. However, I'd like to see more videos of the members of PETA actually looking like they wanna help the animals, rather than just showing off their footage of animal cruelty.

If you eat the right foods, and don't slack off, you can and will be healthy. Some people just don't know how to cook vegetarian foods, or they don't get support or any kind of help from others who eat meat. Everyone is used to the meat and can't think of other ways to live, which is so sad. The world needs more open-minded people. We have more judgmental and ignorant people, though. People think they have all the answers, but they know nothing still.

If you really wanna eat vegetarian food, you will do it. I'm not wealthy at all, but I'm a vegan. Many vegans need less hospital visits, so if you're gonna talk about wealth, you should ask the meat eaters waiting to be called into the emergency rooms or doctor's office. They're paying a lot of money to be going to the hospital so many times.

Answer 2

While I'm not a supporter of PETA, I have no doubt of the authenticity of their undercover footage.

PETA isn't the only group that has uncovered inhumane treatment of farm animals:

"Earthlings" is a feature-length documentary that shows similar footage of slaughterhouses.  You can watch it free on Google Video.

See more undercover footage at http://www.slaughterhousecam.com/

Bob Torres is an AR activist, the author of "Vegan Freaks" and "Making a Killing," has a PhD in Development Sociology and his undergrad degree is in agri-science... when he was studing animal agriculture, he saw that sh*t first-hand.  And he hates PeTA.

You can also read more in Gail Eisnitz's book "Slaughterhouse."

Veganism is an option for anyone who is willing.  The nutrients required to support human life are found readily in plant foods.  As for cost, veganism is actually a pretty cheap way to eat when you avoid the analogs... I cut my grocery bill in half when I went vegan.

Best of luck!

EDIT:

Bobby Bo, would you share with us the natural food sources of vitamin D?  Because from what I'm aware, every reputable scientist on this planet agrees that vitamin D is produced phytochemically in the epidermal layer of the human skin by UVB radiation from a molecule called 7-dehydrocholesterol.  Are all those scientists wrong?

And please tell us where B12 comes from.  Those same dumb scientists claim that it's produced by bacteria.  I guess cows must be getting THEIR dietary intake of B12 from eating chicken wings?

Answer 3

Yes it is true.  Factory farming is bad for animals, workers, and the consumer, but veganism is NOT the answer.    

The only way to truly end factory farming and make a food system that is good, clean, and fare is to support the local farmers who do the right thing.  There are many near you that you never new existed, you just have to look.  Slow Food is all about this, along with saving endagered breads of plants and livestock from extinction.  By providing a market for goods that are produced right, we make sure the farms that treat animals right stay open.  Cut down on your intake of animal products, but you, farmers, and workers can live healthier lives if you know where your food came from.  

Look for grass fed beef and range fed pork and chicken, not just organic and free range.  Check out the websites for the farms on the lable, and check out your local slow food organisation.  Here is what I use to find local farms in NC.  

http://www.ncchoices.com/

Going vegan is like trying to stop abortion by abstaining from s*x for life.  It wont work, and it is no fun.  

http://www.slowfood.com

I do not, and never will support PETA.  They are extremists and support terrorist groups and acts.  PETA runs a euthenasia program that kills animals needlessly.  Is the info on this sight true?  You can judge.   http://www.petakillsanimals.com/  

http://www.activistcash.com/organization...

Lastly, vegans have a hard time getting all their viamines since some, like vitamin B 12 only and vitamine D, only come from animal products.  Its best to at least have dairy.

Answer 4

Of course thats true! All those mass farming places mistreat the animals because they see them as just a "pto be sold and not something living and breathing like us humans and having feelings mentally and physically..........someone need to fling one of there behinds next to a wall till there spine comes out where has people humanity gone?!

Answer 5

Unfortunately this is true.  In Eric Eric Schlosser's book, Fast Food Nation, he talks about what this does to the people who work there.  There is a high level of domestic violence and drug problems amongst the workers.

Being vegan really isn't that difficult.  I've been vegan for 5 years.  I was very concerned at first so I got a software program and tracked all of my food intake.  I was actually getting more iron, protein and calcium than the RDA on my vegan diet.

Answer 6

a) I have no idea. I have no real desire to watch. The ways that food animals are treated can vary widely by company. Some eggs come from battery hens, some come from hens that live outside. The same goes for the birds for eating. Some live in little cages, and some get to live outside. If you're curious, you can write to/call the company to ask.

b) Vitamins are no problems. They are found in abundance in plant foods. The exception is some of the B vitamins, especially B12. That requires supplementation and/or enriched foods. As for minerals, they also are found in plants. Plant iron is a bit harder for the body to absorb than animal iron, but it can be done. Having some vitamin C with your spinach can help. Protein is also found in just about everything.

c) It's an option for everyone who has the desire. Honestly, if you avoid designer pre-packaged foods, it's probably cheaper to go vegan. However, it does take significantly more planning.

Answer 7

It's authentic, unfortunately. You can read more about the undercover investigation here: http://www.goveg.com/feat/butterball/but...

A Butterball investigator appeared on a documentary by filmmaker Matthew Galkin. The film is called "I Am An Animal" and it aired on HBO.

Vegans get all of the protein and nutrients they need by eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and grains. This site has a list of vegan foods that are high in protein, iron, and calcium: http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=08sourc...

The vegan food groups:

http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/f...

Yes, veganism is an option for everyone. Mock meats and non-dairy specialty products are on the pricey side, but they aren't necessary for good health. (You can use them just to splurge.) Staples like beans, rice, corn, lentils, sunflower seeds, tofu, etc. are cheap. Here's a list of cheap vegan meal ideas: http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=07budge...

Hope this helps!

Answer 8

Only PETA knows for sure. Everyone else is just picking the side they WANT to be true.

Vegans get protein from beans and nuts etc...and other nutrients from produce.....both cheaper than most meats, especially the beans.

Answer 9

Pro PETA posters will say it's authetic. those who see PETA for things other than being ethical will say otherwise. Those who are looking for further validation of their beliefs, whethter meat eating or vegetarian/animal rights will have their own different views.

Peersonally, I don't trust PETA as I don't trust any agenda and propaganda driven organization.

Veganism is a belief system. Obviously, people are able to follow it without any significant problems or difficulties. As in any beleif system, "success" or "failure" solely depends on the individuals personal objectives, commitment and dedication. Only you can judge yourself in this regard.

Plant foods offer the same nutrients that can be found in meat sources. Personal taste and preference and as I have said, beliefs is the only difference.