- animals
You already know I'm not a fan of factory-farming McDonald's – well it turns out, I'm not alone.
The fast food mega-chain recently asked customers to tweet their favorite McDonald's stories using the hashtag #McDStories and the campaign backfired in a big way. there were no happy memories in sight- instead, people tweeted their worst horror stories! Here are some examples:
After about an hour, McDonald's pulled the plug on the Twitter campaign, because their feed was flooded with negative hype.
This is kind of amazing – so many people eat there and seem to accept this establishment as normal, so to have this happen is a huge win!
What do you think this means? How can so many people eat there daily if there is so much negative feedback – do you think times are a-changin?
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- 34 Responses
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- Sara Hassan
- Jan 31, 2012
- 27
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- First name Last name
- Feb 1, 2012
- 28
I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that many people have become so estranged from their food source that they don't know that eating is supposed to be a delicious, nourishing, safe, beautiful, natural experience. Colorful, vibrant, alive.
In today's modern world, eating amounts to gut-fill which contains as few calories as possible (how does that fuel someone???) and as much entertainment (i.e. stimulation) as possible. Doesn't matter what it actually IS or who prepared it...
...ana
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- Kelsey Best
- Feb 1, 2012
- 29
I used to work at McDonalds when I was in highschool, and I can tell you some horror stories. Someone once returned a salad because it had a dirty latex glove buried in the lettuce. I saw managers go from handling money to handling food without changing their own gloves. I've seen stuff hit the floor and still be served. I was once yelled at by a manager for trying to dump out four hour old coffee that was apparently "still perfectly fine". Places like McDonalds are managed by undereducated people and employed by mostly high school students who are too afraid (like I was) to say anything about the disgusting practices that went on there. I often said that McDonalds was my motivation to graduate college, so I wouldn't be stuck working there forever. Even though I would still eat the fries from time to time, I swore off buying anything from McDonald's after I read about the horrific things they do to egg laying hens, as well as the rest of the poor animals who died for the golden arches. I refuse to be an advertisement for them by carrying around even a Mcdonald's cup. Fuck McDonalds.
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- Sarah Little
- Feb 1, 2012
- 30
I loved your passionate post, Kelsey! I feel the same way. McDonalds is absolutely disgusting.
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- Wendy Golden
- Feb 1, 2012
- 31
I raised my two girls on really healthy, whole food. When they entered grade school, though, they came into contact with the whole fast food crowd. Sometimes, a friend's parent would take them. Soon, they started asking for the kids' meals. I told them that I would take them up to once a month if they could tell me, honestly, that the food tasted good. They looked at me as if they hadn't even thought about the taste. It was just cool to eat there. With disgust, I brought them to McDonalds and got them a kids meal. I sat with them as they ate it and asked how it tasted. They both said the same thing...it was was gross. They never asked again to be taken to McDonalds, Burger King, etc.
If you let them decided for themselves, kids can make some very good decisions. Of course, if they had liked the taste...I knew they wouldn't. :-)
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- Stephanie Leybourn
- Feb 1, 2012
- 32
I couldn't have said it better than kind lifer, Janet Vandenabeele!
It's true! I get condescending questions everyday on why I'm veggie! I work for Tijuana Flats Burrito Co. and everytime I order my veggie black bean burrito without cheese or sour cream, atleast one of the cooks makes a comment about "how Im going to die", if I remain veggie. I don't even bring the fact that I'm vegetarian up, and they still poke fun at me! And like I would take health advice from the cook who smokes, dips, and takes steroids on a regular basis and flaunts it. Sometimes no matter how nice you are and just smile and say nicely, that "my diet is actually very healthy, and i get all the nutrients I need", they will still attack you. I should be the one making comments to them, about how they are ruining my planet and promoting cruelty to innocent animals by consuming meat! But that definitley won't get me anywhere, so I have learned to just ignore the ignorant ones who bash me for doing what I truly believe is the best for my health and the environment!
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- Yana Galperin
- Feb 1, 2012
- 33
I think this is certainly evidence of a big shift that is happening and big shifts yet to come; however, there is still a huge problem. Though changing our diet, health, and lifestyle so that we can live experientially and be a walking example of what we are talking about, we must become active in making this sort of thing accessible to the public in the form of both knowledge and food. If anyone has watched Food Inc., read Fast Food Nation, or a combo of both/other similar works, it's obvious that McDonald's is a staple for many as they cannot afford anything better both with their time or their money. How are we helping educate them? More importantly, how can we make a kinder diet more accessible to them? It's great to be the philosopher, observing changes such as this one all day, but we must take the next step at this pivotal moment and begin springing into action.
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- Steve B
- 6 hours and 58 minutes ago
- 34
This is great, so funny to hear that it backfired. On the "Super Size Me" DVD we rented, there was a long interview with the director, I think, as part of the special features, and for me that interview was a much bigger eye opener than the movie itself. Really when you think about it, McDonalds basically "brainwashes" consumers (and kids, to make them customers for life.....i.e., Ronald McDonald, which is kind of sick when you start thinking of it that way) into thinking that this crap is actually food, and then people get "addicted" to it. Same with a lot of big business advertising. I felt pretty duped when I started to understand that advertisers were influencing my choices so much, and in the food business McD's is one of the worst. Going veg and cutting my fast food intake to almost zero was one of the best things I could have ever done!
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A friend forwarded this to me and I wanted to share it here in case any kind lifers are looking for a new best friend. If you are thinking of adopting, Koa might be just what you're looking for, so check out his story below:
Koa is an 8-year old Pure Breed Belgian Shepherd. He is a neutered male, up to date on his vaccines, and in perfect health. He is brilliant, gentle, athletic (fast as hell), loyal, protective. This is the breed that the police and FBI use.
I adopted Koa at 2 months, a rescue. He was fearful, cowering, and is now prideful and courageous. He grew up with a brother Lab Retriever, and a cat, but they've been separated by divorce. Koa has separation anxiety, so until he is comfortable in his new home he needs to be around people. He is all about attachment, which is beautiful. But he's not the kind of dog to be left alone all day and night. He will try to escape to find his guardian. He's not aggressive AT ALL. But, I'd say he's perfect with children 5 and up, who don't pull ears, poke eyes, etc. He loves people and is good with dogs and cats. He is completely trained.
This is a prize dog. Anyone would be lucky to have him. I am broken-hearted at having to give him up.
Koa sounds like a wonderful dog and a great companion – plus it doesn't hurt that he's trained and good with kids and other animals. If you or anyone you know has a home that's right for Koa, shoot an email to peterlandesman@mac.com expressing your interest.
And remember, if you're thinking of bringing a pet into your home, no breeders, no pet stores- adopt and save lives!!
Have a great story about rescuing a pet? Share your experiences in the comments below.
To help out, and find out more about animals in need, check out Much Love Animal Rescue.
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Just wanted to share this adorable video! Do your dogs like baths this much? Mine sure don't!
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Animal Place is a farm animal and dog sanctuary in Grass Valley, California. This sanctuary is unique because it’s in the heart of California’s agriculture belt, where countless dairy farms and other big ag operations dominate the landscape.
Animal Place is doing its part to take a stand against factory farming with a number of positive programs. Here are a few:
- Fitting rescued lamb Carmen with a prosthetic leg
- Music in the Meadow event
- 5-H campaign for “Humane Choices”
- Food for Thought educational program encouraging veg diet and Veggie Club sharing yum vegan recipes
If you live in Northern California, be sure to pay Animal Place a visit. You can also make a donation, foster an animal, or adopt here.
What’s your favorite animal sanctuary?
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Mercy for Animals recently completed an undercover investigation into a McDonald’s egg supplier, and their hidden cameras reveal rampant cruelty in two different facilities. Hens in tiny battery cages, male chicks getting stuffed into plastic garbage bags, and generally careless handling by workers at the facilities are just some examples of what goes on behind the scenes. I’ll spare you all the details, but you can read more and watch the video here.
Of course, this isn’t something McDonald’s wants anyone to talk about or know about, so it’s up to us to speak out against the abuse. We can help by asking McDonald’s CEO Jim Skinner to impose a 100% cage-free purchasing policy in the United States, as he already has in Europe.
I’ve already signed a letter that MFA sent directly to Mr. Skinner. Here’s how you can help:
- Sign this petition
- Embed the MFA video or share it on Facebook
- Make a donation to Mercy For Animals
- Stay committed to a kind diet
How else can we help others understand the truth about factory farming and fast food?
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The city of West Hollywood is leading the way in animal rights legislation yet again! They’ve just enacted a ban on the sale of fur clothing – the first of its kind in the nation. What this means is clothing retailers will be barred from selling garments made from animal pelts or skin containing hair, wool, or fur. The ordinance makes an exception for leather, vintage pieces and furniture – so it's not perfect, but it's definitely a huge step in the right direction! It will go into effect June 30, 2012.
How exciting is this? Are there any great animal rights laws pending where you live? Tell us how we can help you get similar laws passed where you live in the comments below.
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For all the animal lovers among your friends and family, what’s a better gift than an animal adoption that lasts for the whole year? For families who live within driving distance of a sanctuary, an animal in need they can go visit anytime is a wonderful gift.
Farm Sanctuary has posted their annual list of adoptable animals for this holiday season, so I wanted to share:
Noel
($25 per month or $300 annually)
Jane
($35 per month or $420 annually)
Dandypants
($10 per month or $120 annually)
Agnes
($25 per month or $300 annually)
There are many other animals in need as well – go to Farm Sanctuary’s website to sponsor or make a donation. Gift recipients will be mailed an adoption certificate, color photo and details about scheduling a VIP tour to meet their new adopted friend. You can also shop for gift items in Farm Sanctuary’s store here.
What sort of kind gifts are you giving this season?
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“Shark Shoot Fiji” is a special airing at 9PM this Sunday, December 18 on the Travel Channel. Photographer Mike Muller follows eight different species of sharks in their natural habitat – using super high tech underwater cameras. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m looking forward to checking it out. I know Mike is super duper passionate about this. So, if you’re curious about the lives of sharks, or you can’t wait until Shark Week, check it out, and let me know what you think!
What are your favorite animal shows on TV?
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The issue of experimentation on chimps is one that breaks my heart. They are so close to us. And even if they weren't, they are amazing beings.
One way in which they are not similar to humans, however, is disease expression. Evidence has shown that when medications are tested on chimps, the results are not repeated in human subjects. For example, a drug that controlled HIV in chimps failed to do so in humans. So why are laboratories still performing cruel tests on these sensitive, emotional beings? Some scientists once thought that chimps made ideal test subjects because their genome is similar to the human genome, but evidence is mounting that chimps just don’t react to medications the same way humans do.
Ethical considerations aside, it just doesn’t make sense for the medical community to continue spending huge amounts of money torturing chimps.
How You Can Help
Support The Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act (H.R. 1513/S. 810) by writing to your representatives. Here is a summary of what the bill entails:
- Phase out the use of chimpanzees in invasive research in both federally funded and private laboratories
- Release the more than 500 federally owned chimpanzees to sanctuaries
- Prohibit future breeding of chimpanzees for purposes of conducting invasive research
Let’s all promise to write a letter this month. Strength in numbers! Consider this kind act your holiday gift to all the great apes in captivity.
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Photo Credit: Chimp Sanctuary
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