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A Mary T. Hoffman Commentary from All-Creatures.org

 

"Joyful Curmudgeon" An oxymoron?
No! I see all the beauty of God's creation and I'm joyful.  At the same time, I see all the suffering and corruption going on in the world, and feel called to help expose and end it so that we may have true peace and compassion.

 


Lies and Distortions – 16 December 2006
By Mary T. Hoffman

Just finished watching this week’s “NOW” program on PBS about the labor relations of the largest pork producer in the world, and I am thoroughly disgusted with everyone involved with this insensitive piece of journalistic garbage.

In an opening scene a plant worker is shown hunting quail (his favorite activity). He is described as having fought in the Gulf War and as patriotic. Later in the program he mentions that at one time he had quit working at the plant in question, was earning three times as much at another job, only to return to work at the pork plant again.

This program completely ignored the fact that pigs are intelligent, have emotions, and feel pain. In a very matter-of-fact way, it was mentioned that 6 hogs are processed every 10 seconds, or 33,000 per day. This whole presentation was totally devoid of any reference to pork coming from sentient animals; and no photos of a live pig or of the kill floor were allowed to be taken. I wonder why? What was aired on TV was footage of the pieces of these already slaughtered animals on the cut floor.

So, I could hardly believe my ears when this plant worker said that the company “values the hog and the processing of that hog more than they do the safety and the well-being of their employees." Since when does wholesale slaughter show that hogs are valued? Sure! Valued as commodities only! Such gross twisting of the truth! Unbelievable! Ecclesiastes 9:3 states: “…the hearts of the sons [and daughters] of men [and women] are full of evil, and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives.” So true!

One would have hoped that the woman journalist who was allowed to enter the plant, who witnessed the slaughter on the kill floor (that management did not allow to be photographed), the guts, blood, and stench, would at least have shown some compassion for those innocent creatures, even though her main objective was to interview workers and management concerning the possibility of unionizing. In my opinion it’s not a matter of “them (the pigs) or us.” Every living being – both human and other animal – deserves to be treated decently and with kindness, and not to be slaughtered or exploited by anyone.

If I had any doubts about the Bible’s statement that Satan is the ruler of this world (Ephesians 6:11-12), viewing this program has convinced me of its truth.

But then, we must never lose hope when we hear all the lies and distortions so rampant. Hebrews 4:13 makes it clear that everyone will be held accountable by the Creator: “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

Go on to: Separation of Church and State - 17 December 2006
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