Human rights and animal rights

 But just as the Endangered Species Act has long outlived its usefulness, the move to equate animal rights with human rights is a complete nonstarter for us. -- Merced Sun-Star, March 28, 2012

 

The Sun-Star's position seems to be that human rights ought to be brought down to the present level of animal rights. Our response to that is just because Sonny Star, the gigolo press, wants to stand up to its knees in manure 24/7/365 doesn't mean we do.
 
Badlands Journal editorial board
 
3-28-12
Merced Sun-Star
Opinion - Our View
 
Our View: PETA's 'Happy cow' lawsuit is pointless
Animal rights group seems more interested in publicity than in the welfare of livestock -- or human beings.
Our news pages have chronicled the continuing legal struggle between People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and California dairy farmers. Reporter Joshua Smith reported that lawyers for the animal rights group argue that the milk board representing dairy farmers has presented no evidence to support its campaigns that depict, in a positive light, the health, comfort and safety of the state's dairy cows.
A state Superior Court has ordered farmers to answer questions about the accuracy of the "happy cow" campaign.
Our response? Haven't we all got more important things to worry about?
 California cows happy? PETA demands more evidence
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 Sure, we want cows and chickens and other livestock headed for the supper table to be treated humanely. And we think the folks who know best about that treatment are the ones who spend 24/7/365 with them -- farmers and ranchers.
Earlier this month, reporter Smith told of state water regulators who found more than 50 decomposing cow carcasses at a Merced County dairy. The operator could face fines and a referral to the state attorney general's office. We strongly support enforcement of laws to prevent that sort of abuse.
The PETA people may be genuinely concerned for animal welfare. But just as the Endangered Species Act has long outlived its usefulness, the move to equate animal rights with human rights is a complete nonstarter for us.
Doesn't common sense tell us that it's in the best interests of the farmers and ranchers themselves -- so they and their families can make an honest living -- to raise livestock that meets both legal standards and consumer taste?
Capital Press, an ag advocacy website, put it best: "Our suspicion is that PETA's main goal doesn't involve the welfare of dairy cows so much as to generate publicity for itself."