Make a Diffrence

Fido, Fluffy, or Furless—What’s the difference?

By Laurel Long

Imagine, if you will, that your beloved Fido or Fluffy is locked in a cage so small she or he can’t easily stretch a single leg. This sensitive animal will suffer painful mutilations without the reprieve of any painkillers or anesthesia. For up to two years, he or she will “live”—and possibly die—in this cage. At the end of this period, Fido’s and Fluffy’s only repayment is a premature and cruel death.

If such abuse were forced upon billions of dogs and cats each year, the outcry would be enormous. The truth is, the scenario described above is very much the hell endured by 300 million egg-laying hens in the United States, each as capable of feeling pain as our much-loved cats and dogs.

Indeed, egg-laying hens trapped in “battery cages” on modern factory farms are so intensively confined they cannot even flap their wings. Many may also be starved for up to two weeks, in order to jolt their battered bodies into yet another laying cycle. As chicks, the tips of their sensitive beaks are seared off with a hot metal blade. For the rest of their short lives, the birds never feel the earth under their feet or breathe fresh air. Not one can roost, nest, perch, forage, let alone walk more than a few steps.

If tremendous suffering were unique only to the egg industry, it would be outrageous enough. But, unfortunately, the animals who produce our meat and dairy products are also abused by industries that put their drive for dollars over the well-being of other living beings. The example of “food” chickens comes to mind. Although these birds are not crammed into wire cages, they never step foot out of the huge, dim, sheds they inhabit. To maximize profit, the birds are bred to grow abnormally heavy—the equivalent of a two-year-old weighing 349 pounds, according to the University of Arkansas researchers! Obviously, this unnatural bulk strains the birds’ bodies, making it difficult for them to walk, yet easy to break bones or suffer from crippling leg disorders. The abuses they suffer “on the farm” are virtually endless, and their final hours aren’t any better with cruel catching, stressful transport, and, finally, a gruesome death.

It may seem more likely that animals slaughtered for food would be treated abusively since, obviously, they lose their lives, but wouldn’t cows used solely for milk production be treated less inhumanely? The answer is an unfortunate no. A calf born into the dairy industry is separated from his or her mother within a day or two of birth, a painful undergoing for both. If male, he will be sold to the beef or veal industries. If female, she will join her mother on the dairy line where she will endure an almost constant cycle of pregnancy and birth. Milked by machines, she may develop mastitis, a painful infection. After her milk production wanes (typically by age five) and she is deemed useless to the dairy industry, she will be slaughtered and her body will be ground for hamburger.

Perhaps upon reading of these atrocities you will have a similar reaction to that of countless others—shock and sorrow, but wondering what one person can do to help these animals. First, remove your financial support for the murderous industries by nixing meat, milk, and eggs. If you need help in making the transition, order a free Vegetarian Starter Guide from www.TryVeg.com. The next best thing you can do is get active. Educate others about the horrors of factory farming, write letters to the editor, distribute brochures…the possibilities are endless. As Edmund Burke said, “Nobody made a bigger mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.”

FEATURES	With that notion in mind meet eleven-year-old Patrick McKay. Motivated by stories on the news, in reference to children being bullied, Patrick took on an inspirational project directed at helping his peers learn positive defense mechanics. He has documented a years worth of work on video in an attempt help children and parents alike learn to affectively deal with issues off bullying. After seeing instances of such harassments in school, he decided to use his knowledge and experience in martial arts to create his video titled "The Bully Factor", the first in his "Best Defense" video series. The video takes a "FOR kids-BY kids" approach to appeal to young people while helping to educate at the same time. His defense approach takes advantage of varying styles in martial arts using basic easy techniques to help children take a stand against ambush without hurting the aggressor. The video's purpose is to help instill confidence and knowledge in children, who get targeted as punching bags; It doesn’t advocate violence. Patrick hopes to make the videos available in Youth organizations, libraries and schools across the states. The second edition of the Best Defense video series is currently in the works and covers issues related to ‘abduction’ hence it takes a slightly more aggressive approach to fittingly battle tougher situations.	Patrick is has earned the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt, as recognized by the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. He has also studied Northern Chinese style Kung Fu.

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"If my videos and/or seminars help to keep just one child safer, then all the time I have invested in this is worthwhile". — Patrick McKay	Aside from us Patrick has also received recognition from the following people:
		<> President and First Lady George W. Bush <> Former President Bush <> Maryland State Governor Robert Ehrlich <> Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley <> The United States Congress	<> The united States Senate <> The House of Representatives <> The Presidential Physical Fitness Council <> The Points Of Light Foundation
		Patrick has been an Assistant Instructor at Martial Arts Schools. He also enjoys competing in tournaments and has won several trophies and medals for his talent and skills. Furthermore his efforts have earned him recognitions as Baltimore's first child recipient of the "HomeTown Hero" award.
	The 'Bully Factor' (according to the production company that worked with Patrick) won the prestigious Communicator Award. Chosen for distinction among instructional video out of about 2,800 entries received from 48 states and 11 countries. The Video also received the Aegis Award for "Production and Instructional Excellence".

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	It's takes compassion and conviction to turn ideas into worthwhile projects


	Bullies create havoc in our society, sometimes its just minor riffs on the playground while sometimes it escalates to something far more serious. As such it is particularly essential for young people to be equipped with the knowledge and capability to protect themselves from unwarranted intimidation.