Just finished watching this week’s “NOW” program on PBS about the
labor relations of the largest pork producer in the world, and I am
thoroughly disgusted with everyone involved with this
insensitive piece of journalistic garbage.
In an opening scene a plant worker is shown hunting quail (his
favorite activity). He is described as having fought in the Gulf War and
as patriotic. Later in the program he mentions that at one time he had
quit working at the plant in question, was earning three times as much
at another job, only to return to work at the pork plant again.
This program completely ignored the fact that pigs are intelligent,
have emotions, and feel pain. In a very matter-of-fact way, it was
mentioned that 6 hogs are processed every 10 seconds, or 33,000 per day.
This whole presentation was totally devoid of any reference to pork
coming from sentient animals; and no photos of a live pig or of the kill
floor were allowed to be taken. I wonder why? What was aired on TV was
footage of the pieces of these already slaughtered animals on the cut
floor.
So, I could hardly believe my ears when this plant worker said that
the company “values the hog and the processing of that hog more than
they do the safety and the well-being of their employees." Since when
does wholesale slaughter show that hogs are valued? Sure! Valued as
commodities only! Such gross twisting of the truth! Unbelievable!
Ecclesiastes 9:3 states: “…the hearts of the sons [and daughters] of men
[and women] are full of evil, and insanity is in their hearts throughout
their lives.” So true!
One would have hoped that the woman journalist who was allowed to
enter the plant, who witnessed the slaughter on the kill floor (that
management did not allow to be photographed), the guts, blood, and
stench, would at least have shown some compassion for those innocent
creatures, even though her main objective was to interview workers and
management concerning the possibility of unionizing. In my opinion it’s
not a matter of “them (the pigs) or us.” Every living being – both human
and other animal – deserves to be treated decently and with kindness,
and not to be slaughtered or exploited by anyone.
If I had any doubts about the Bible’s statement that Satan is the
ruler of this world (Ephesians 6:11-12), viewing this program has
convinced me of its truth.
But then, we must never lose hope when we hear all the lies and
distortions so rampant. Hebrews 4:13 makes it clear that everyone will
be held accountable by the Creator: “And there is no creature hidden
from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to
whom we must give account.”
