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FBI is probing vandalism at downtown restaurant

Animal Rights Activists are NOT the Terrorists in this country.

There is a great divide between people who think raising animals for food is right and good those that think it is wrong and bad. I respect both sides but choose to eat meat.

I don't respect this singling out of foie gras. I think it is because there are only a couple of foie gras farms in the USA. These protestors, or their leadership, think they can get a win against foie gras because they don't have a lot of resources. Foie gras farmers also don't bust out windows to get foie gras on the menus.

It has become clearer as the foie gras farmers have improved in communicating that research and observation by scientists and veterinarians show that foie gras farming does not harm the animals. The American Veterinary Medical Association has refused to declare foie gras production detrimental to animal welfare. And though we have the example of foie gras is legal to consume in 194 countries and every other city in the world. This misleading of young people regarding foie gras encourages violence against businesses and law-abiding individuals. The leaders of these people should be held accountable.

Anyone who would write the phrase, "foie gras farming does not harm the animals" has never watched this barbaric procedure.

A point of view supporting fois gras producution might similarly support Michael Vick and dog fighting.

One would hope that our species is evolving beyond this, and show compassion for all God's creatures.

Lets feed the aminal rights activists to the birds to make the foie gras. Nature made humans omnivores that is to eat both meat and grains. Seems to me that the activists are trying to fight natures selection. To me they ARE Terrorists.

Force feeding the animals causes their liver to swell and become inflamed. I once had my gall bladder swell and become inflamed. It was the most painful thing I ever experienced in my life. These animals are prey animals. They will not cry or yell when they're in pain so people don't realize they're in pain. It is barbaric. Plus, eating a fatty inflamed liver is bad for your health.

In August and September there were protests at several restaurants Austin, TX. There were several instances of vandalism. The leader of the protestors, Noah Cooper, told the press and authorities they had nothing to do with the vandalism. When the vandal was caught after being recorded by a security camera, he was, in fact, one of the protestors. Mr. Cooper, in posts on the internet, said that he admires and advocates violent direct actions.

This sounds very similar to the situation here. A brick through the window is a very inappropriate way of influencing people's thinking. Best of luck to the FBI.

I recently visited Hudson Valley Foie Gras in New York and spent an afternoon watching the feeding. I understand the American Veterinary Medical Association leadership did the same. I was shown an aerial map of the farm and told that I could go anywhere I wanted. I believe I was quite thorough.

From my direct observations and with the explanations of a veterinarian who accompanied us, I saw an unusual but obviously not hurtful process. The ducks were not in individual cages as I had been led to believe. During the feeding with the tube the ducks did not struggle or move away from the feeder. The veterinarian explained that stress or pain in ducks is measured by chemicals like adrenaline. The level of these chemicals is normal in these ducks.

I would guess most of the people commenting have not visited a foie gras farm. I have seen the pictures on the anti-foie gras websites and they do not look good. I went to see for myself and I did not see anything like that when I visited the farm.

Sharon

"I have always recognized the integral role more radical groups play in any social justice movement and I think quite simply that the Animal Liberation Front and other such underground groups have saved literally tens of thousands of animal lives, put animal-abusing industries out of business, and all without harming anyone and risking their own freedom. I find that respectable,"

The ALF has never harmed anyone? What a stupid comment.

The ALF has harmed property but not a single human. Unless you equate humans with property as you seem to equate animals? The birds have a tube shoved down their throats and food is poured in until the liver becomes sufficiently diseased and enlarged to be" tasty." At this point the birds cannot move around on their own. They are then killed. Which point of this process is NOT cruel and abusive? Oh, and "to char" - nature did make us able to eat meat, but nature also made us capable of making ethical decisions. This means that we can and should choose to avoid eating habits that cause harm to others, particularly when they are in no way necessary to our well-being. We do not need meat, therefore we should be making the ethical decision not to eat it.
Do you need help understanding the concept that just because we CAN do something doesn't mean that we SHOULD?

"Do you need help understanding the concept that just because we CAN do something doesn't mean that we SHOULD? "
you mean like destroy property and the livelihood of human beings..you mean like cut gas lines and risk the lives of others.. ohh I see.. we should do these things because we can.....
Heres' an idea.. have your canine teeth filed down or pulled. you don't need them do you?
I will make my own decisions about my 'eating habits" thanks you very much..go eat some grass.. or are you jsut smoking it?

Beckham is rationalizing criminal violence. I hope the FBI investigates him carefully. I have little doubt there is a link between the shadowy violent ALF members and their public mouthpieces.