Posted on 12/17/2004 5:43:13 PM PST by xjcsa
DES MOINES (AP) --- An animal rights organization is getting help from actress Bea Arthur in calling attention to what it says is the abuse of cattle at a kosher slaughterhouse in Postville.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, alleges that Agriprocessors Inc. has violated state law that requires the use of humane methods of slaughter.
PETA recently filed complaints with federal officials and the state, calling for the prosecution of Agriprocessors and the Orthodox Union, an international kosher certification agency.
ADVERTISEMENT HOW TO ADVERTISE » MARKETPLACE » In a letter sent Thursday to Orthodox Union leaders, Arthur, a Jew and longtime PETA supporter, expressed concern with the agency's reaction to allegations against Agriprocessors.
"The OU has defended the abuse at AgriProcessors, and I am concerned that it has not moved more quickly to publicly affirm that Judaism does not tolerate the kind of cruelty that PETA has documented," Arthur said in the letter, which was provided to The Associated Press.
Arthur encouraged the Orthodox Union to adopt the minimum guidelines developed by the Food Marketing Institute. Those standards provide for equipment, employee training and post-slaughter procedures to reduce the discomfort of animals who are killed without prior stunning, she said.
PETA's complaints of abuse came after a seven-week undercover investigation at the Postville plant, which is the world's largest glatt slaughterhouse.
Agriprocessors, along with rabbinic leaders, scientists and kosher certification groups, have defended the plant's slaughtering techniques.
No one answered the phone late Thursday at a number listed for Agriprocessors.
PETA spokesman Bruce Friedrich said the letter from Arthur, who starred in the popular television sitcom "The Golden Girls," brings needed attention to the situation at Agriprocessors.
"When Bea Arthur speaks, people do listen," he said.
It's that deep voice of his...
LOL!
But if you consider all slaughter inhumane, who cares what the rabbi says!
Oh yeah. Washed up, leftist TV people should be obeyed at all times.
Obligatory gratuitous Adrienne Barbeau image.
If the slaughter is inhumane, then the meat is not kosher by definition.
Like your picture more :)
Must ... keep ... hands ... on ... keyboard ....
"When Bea Arthur speaks, people do listen," he said"
Ummmmmmmmmmmmm.........no they don't!! At least not on purpose!!
Yeah that's been a big topic in the local press lately; it's the biggest employer up in Postville, and the controversy hasn't helped them any.
Tell us what Judaism says about the cruelty known as partial birth abortion, Ms. Arthur.
And then tell us with a straight face that you support it.
Why do leftists think their opinions count for anything more than chicken dung?
Good for you, Bea. Keep it up!
"When Bea Arthur speaks, people do listen," he said.
Back in the day I saw many a hog get its snout broken before loaded on the truck to go to the slaughter house. This was to keep them from fighting and ripping each other to shreds before getting to the slaughter hauz. They would hit them with a bat while in the loading shute. I wonder if the ole boys that performed that procedure are laying awake at night wondering what Bea Arthur thinks. If they had to listen to her rant they would probably break her snout as well.
as long as she doesn't go naked.
Those standards provide for equipment, employee training and post-slaughter procedures to reduce the discomfort of animals who are killed without prior stunning.
I don't understand why any "post-slaughter procedure" would in any way "reduce the discomfort of animals". Isn't the animal already dead?
hubba-hubba
Back in the day I saw many a hog get its snout broken before loaded on the truck to go to the slaughter house.
Not at the kosher slaughterhouse.
If she were so concerned, she'd be a vegan.
That old dieseldyke was gross during the days of "All in the Family" - I can't imagine how crinkled she must be by now.
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