DENMARK: Organic chickens have harder lives than
battery equivalents
15 Jun 2001
Source: just-food.com editorial team
Many of the Danish organic henhouses are breeding big animal welfare problems. Poor food, illness, lack of medicines,
the extraction of feathers, cannibalism and stress are all factors that contribute to the 2000 statistic that put the death rate
for organic /free range chickens at around 16%, a figure three to four times higher than that for battery hens.
Batteries meanwhile have good hygiene, a low death rate and limited problems with plucking out feathers and
cannibalism.
The Danish Animal Welfare Council (Det Dyreetiske Råd) told newspaper Jyllands Posten yesterday that batteries
can be a better alternative to free range: “The problem is that animal welfare is not necessarily better in the alternative
systems than in the batteries. The DDR has found that there are big welfare problems in all of the egg production
systems.”
Professor Peter Sandøe, chairman of DDR, calls it a choice between various evils: “In the current production system there
are big problems […] enriched batteries are an acceptable alternative […] but it is still unnatural.”
The DDR has pointed out that some of the problems in free-range chickens was that they been bred to live in batteries.
Strict organic rules also mean that infections tend to lead to death because they cannot always be treated with
antibiotics. Predators may also attack the chickens and bad husbandry sometimes undercuts the organic ideals of animal
treatment.
Sandøe admits however that making stricter rules for hen welfare in Denmark would not help, as the country would then
be flooded with cheaper imported eggs. He asked for less “organic” ideology and more pragmatism in organic egg
production.
By Penny Leese, just-food.com correspondant
======================================
by Dr. Ridgely A. Mu’min June 11, 2001
"The Talented Tenth"
"Where, oh where did the "Talented Tenth" go?
They got lost somewhere in the masta’s snow.
Some of the talent was lost up their nose,
The other was lost on designer clothes,
But one thing is plain to see,
It all left the community.
Thirty-five to sixty-five,
The lost generation,
We sent them off to college to get an education,
But all they found there was basic training at the grooming stations for the masta’s plantation.
They even took their cap and gowns
To the other side of town,
Leaving their communities and businesses and institutions behind,
Running after that acceptance they would never find.
They were not accepted on the white side,
And too ashamed to come back on the black side.
Where, oh where did the "Talented Tenth" go?
They got lost somewhere in the masta’s snow."
(Poem by Dr. Ridgely A. Mu’min (c) 1998)
W.E.B. Dubois envisioned that the 10% of Black Americans who acquired the skills and/or education that enabled us to succeed in the larger society would eventually "come home" and use our tools and talents to build a bridge between the Black "haves" and the Black "have-nots." This, to a large extent, has not happened. Instead many in the Black community rightfully complain about how our rich ball players, movie stars and professional class do not use their wealth and influence to support the Black community.
What do these names have in common: Angela Davis, Ron Karenga, Naim Akbar, Leonard Jeffries and Asa Hilliard? Answer: they are prominent Afro-centric thinkers, writers and educators who all teach at "white" colleges.
Name for me any nationally known or prominent Black thinkers, writers or outstanding educators teaching at historically Black colleges or universities? Your difficulty in naming some may indicate that Black colleges are not "allowed" to be the meeting place of free Black thinkers with young Black minds.
What do these names have in common: Michael Jordan, Bill Cosby and Julius Irvin? Answer: they are very rich and successful ball players or entertainers who have had a parent or son violently killed.
What do these names have in common: Ertha Kitt, Paul Robeson, Arcenio Hall,Craig Hodges, Tavis Smiley, Muhammad Ali and Louis Armstrong? Answer: they are very successful entertainers or sports figures who paid a price for speaking the truth or showed support for a controversial Black leader.
Ms. Kitt’s career came to a sudden about face in 1968 when at a White House luncheon hosted by Lady Bird Johnson, Kitt spoke out against the Vietnam War. For many years afterward, she would be blacklisted by many in the U.S. entertainment industry and would be forced to work abroad."
Paul Robeson: In 1950 the U.S. Department of State revoked Robeson's passport, ensuring that he would remain in the United States. "He was black-listed by concert managers." Why? Because he dared visit Russia.
Arcenio Hall’s late night t.v. program was cancelled soon after he had Minister Farrakhan as a guest. Craig Hodges, the three point shoot-out king, was cut from the Chicago Bulls soon after he gave a $500 donation to the Nation of Islam. Tavis Smiley was fired from BET because he did a controversial documentary. Muhammad Ali was stripped of his heavy weight title because he refused to fight in Vietnam. Louis Armstrong had to flea to Europe after telling Pres. Eisenhower that he needed to personally escort the little Black girls to school in Little Rock.
Now many may argue that these are just isolated cases, but according to "Pavlo’s Dog" theory, even a dog can be trained with the right "carrot and stick". First you "allow" a few, the "Talented Tenth" to slip out of the gate, get used to the fame and riches, then you make an example of a few who dared to reach back "without permission" to let a few more out.
Here in Americus, Ga. this "game" of ‘talented tenth control" is playing itself out again. This time it is a well respected medical doctor, Dr. John Marshall, who dared to step outside the box and bridge that gap between the "haves" and the "havenots". For his leadership in the local NAACP, the starting of a newspaper and helping Black employees at Sumter Regional Hospital file EEOC complaints, he was kicked out of the hospital. The hospital administrators and the "Uncle Tom", both black and white, doctors are now faced with a $25 million lawsuit filed against them by Dr. Marshall.
Some may argue that suing the hospital may hurt the availability of health care or jobs for the Americus area. So what? So-called white folk constantly "shoot themselves in the foot" just to keep their slaves in line. Personally, I think that he needs to raise the stakes to $100 million, just to make a point and bring some pain. This "making an example" game that they have played with Black people for 400 years needs to be reversed. A little taste of their own medicine may be good for them but it definitely will be good for our other trapped "Talented Tenth" trying to find their way back home.
This is how they play. So now we must make them pay. Let my "Talented Tenth" go!
(For more articles about Dr. John Marshall go to:
http://www.muhammadfarms.com/News-May13-19.htm#Eggs
http://www.muhammadfarms.com/protest_march20l.htm )
Peace, Doc
==========================================================
Subject: Black Women and Their Weight
- Is It an Issue of Beauty or of Health?
Recently, I got on the scale and my eyeballs almost
popped out of my head. While not fat, at 5'8" and 158
lbs., I am the heaviest I have ever been in my life.
It wasn't so much the weight that bothered me but the
fact that stuff is not as compact as it used to be.
The older I get, the more I find that bulges are
appearing in places where I don't want them, skin is
starting to sag in places that should be firm, and
everything I eat is finding a home in the upper three
inches of my thighs! On one hand, it is depressing. I
remember the days when I fit into a size 5 dress and
could eat anything I wanted without gaining so much
as an ounce. On the other hand, I'm not worried. My
cholesterol and triglyceride levels are great,
and I don't have high blood pressure or diabetes. My
stamina is good and I still look marvelous (thanks to
control-top stockings and push-up bras).
Plus, I sometimes think, "Black women are naturally a
bit heavy. Aren't we?" Whenever I find myself
thinking that way, however, I always wonder -
"Is that the case or are we black women just using
that as an excuse to be overweight and out of
shape?". According to researchers at the Johns
Hopkins University Center for Health Promotion, heart
disease is now the leading cause of death among black
women, who are reported to be the most sedentary
group in the United States. In addition, African
American women have a 33 percent higher death rate
from coronary heart disease than white women, and a
77 percent higher death rate from stroke. If that
wasn't bad enough, almost half of black women are
overweight, compared to 33 percent of white women.
Why is this true? I use my own family as a perfect
example. Like many African Americans, I come from a
family who loves to eat. Sweet potato pie, cheese
cake, baked macaroni and cheese - you name it, we'll
eat it. To make it worse, I also love to cook. The
two can be a deadly combination. Though I have begun
to exercise and cook healthier meals, my family
doesn't help much. When I used to live in Maryland, my
cousin Wayne thought it was his responsibility to
take care of me. Though I was almost thirty years
old and had lived on my own for ages, Wayne always
acted like I wasn't getting enough to eat. I can hear
him now, "You need to put some meat on your bones. No
self-respecting black man wants a skinny woman. We
have to have something to hold on to." Then there is
my sister, Michela. Whenever I go home, she is my
partner in crime. Hot fudge sundaes, fettucini
alfredo, and Philly cheesesteaks all become a part of
our daily routine. Our love of food is, however,
starting to take its toll.
Michela, a beautiful woman who happens to be about 30
pounds overweight, recently started a diet plan. Not
too long ago, while out on a date with her friend
Ted, my sister had her ego deflated. She and Ted were
discussing what qualities each of them wanted in a
"significant other". After Michela voiced her
opinion, her date responded, "You want all that? I
think you might have to lower your standards."
Needless to say, that was the last date she went on
with Ted. That was just fine with him because, as he
put it, Michela was "a bit heavier" than he liked and
seemed too "uppity" for her weight. Ted wasn't the
first one to say something like that.
Now, my sister carefully watches what she eats and
cooks healthier dishes. (Unfortunately, she still has
not started exercising as I have recommend
and have begun doing myself.)
It's good that Michela is now in a more health
conscious frame of mind, but why did it take her (like
most other black women) so long to make that change?
Part of the problem could be due to a general lack of
good medical care. If doctors, like most people,
think it is okay for African American women to be
overweight, they won't point out the health
consequences or recommend dietary and lifestyle
changes. Another reason could be that black women
generally consider themselves to be superwomen. After
taking care of everyone and everything
else, there is often little time for black women to
take care of themselves. There are only so many hours
in a day and African American females often don't make
sure they reserve time to relax, exercise or eat
right. Instead of trying to save the world, we should
try saving ourselves and our health. Now, I know some
people will say that there is nothing wrong with black
women being a bit on the "heavy side" and that black
is beautiful no matter what shape or size. I can
almost, but not quite, agree with that mentality.
We have to put things in context. It's true that
African American women have always been held to
W.A.S.P.ish standards of beauty. Some of us can fit
into that waif-like, constantly starving mold,
but most cannot. In fact, I don't personally know of
one black woman who is built like any of the
supermodels we see in magazines or on television.
Heck, if I had any friends who looked like Courtney
Cox or Calista Flockhart, I'd beg them to seek
counseling immediately. The way I see it,
if your ribs or hip bones show through your clothes,
you need help! On the other hand, while I think it's
great that African American females are
defying the generally accepted stereotypes of beauty,
I believe we may inadvertently be doing ourselves a
great disservice. It's true that beauty
comes in all shapes and sizes but we shouldn't forget
that health and fitness are of vital importance. In
order for us to properly celebrate who we are, those
factors must take precedence over pride. It's okay for
us to have big booties as long as we are healthy and
feel good about our size.
What do you think about black women and their weight?
I've had my say, now you can have yours.
Back
to Main News Page
--
===========================================================
Subject: News On Prostate Cancer
MEN, EAT YOUR FISH!
Fight vs. Prostate Cancer Gets Ally
LONDON (AP) - Eating even moderate amounts of oily
fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines might cut
the risk of prostate cancer in half, new research
suggests.
Omega-3 fatty acids, plentiful in dark, oily fish, are
known to fight heart disease. They also have shown
promise in protecting against cancers of the colon,
rectum and ovary.
Previous studies have shown fatty fish oils can impede
the growth of prostate cancer cells in laboratory
dishes and in animals. In another study, prostate
cancer was found less frequently in men who had
high levels of fatty acids in their blood.
Now, a new study, published this week in The Lancet
medical journal, found that Swedish men who ate greasy
fish only occasionally or not at all were twice as
likely to develop prostate cancer as those who
made it a moderate or large part of their diet.
Dr. Regina G. Ziegler, a nutritional epidemiologist at
the National Cancer Institute, was cautious about the
Swedish findings. The study was financed by the
Swedish Cancer Society, The John D. and
Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Swedish
Council for Planning and Coordination of Research.
``It's a provocative study,'' said Ziegler, who was
not involved with the research. ``But there could be
other dietary patterns that go along with eating very
little fish that could be at work here.''
People who seldom or never eat fish tend to substitute
with more red meat, Ziegler said, and scientists
believe animal fat - butter, cream, beef, pork and
processed meats - may encourage prostate cancer.
``Is the fish really protective, or is red meat
causing the cancer?'' Ziegler cautioned.
Also, Swedish men eat a lot of oily fish, so there
weren't many in the group who ate very little of it.
That means that although the study involved thousands
of men, the effect seen was driven by a small
number of men with unusual eating habits. With such a
small sample, it is difficult to rule out the
possibility that it was not the fish
itself, but something else about the men who were not
big fish eaters, Ziegler said.
Prostate cancer strikes about 21 out of every 100,000
men worldwide, according to the World Health
Organization. It is most common in North America and
northwestern Europe.
The study involved 6,272 men followed for about 30
years. During the study, 466 of them were diagnosed
with prostate cancer, on average when they were 76
years old.
The link between the fatty fish and a reduced
frequency of prostate cancer was even stronger after
the results were adjusted to account for the influence
of other eating habits, a genetic predisposition to
prostate cancer and smoking, drinking and exercise
habits, the study said.
``We're only talking about a moderate intake. This
would be about two or maybe three servings a week.
That is very manageable,'' said one of the
researchers, Alicja Wolk, professor of epidemiology
and nutrition at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm,
Sweden. ``What is also important is that the fattier
the fish it is, the less you have to eat to get the same benefit.''
Sardines have the most omega-3 oil in them, while the
concentration in tuna is quite a lot less, Wolk said,
adding that it doesn't matter if the fish is canned.
On the Net:
American Cancer Society, prostate cancer information,
http://www.cancer.org
American Institute for Cancer Research, nutrition and
cancer,
http://www.aicr.org
============================================================
Subject: What is Killing Our People?
Statistics obtained from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention indicate that the leading cause
of death for African Americans is heart
disease. Cancer is ranked second, cerebrovascular
disease (stroke) is third, and HIV (Human
Immunodeficiency Virus) is number four among the
leading causes of death for blacks. Close to 3 million
African Americans have diabetes, making it the fifth
leading deadly disease for black people.
What can we do? For starters, we can educate ourselves
and our families about these illnesses. (Too often in
the black community, we think that illnesses will
disappear if we don't talk about them. They don't
disappear, they just become worse. Don't let
ignorance lead to death.) I have listed below a few
excellent places to start.
Secondly, the Mayo Clinic, American Cancer Society ,
and the American Heart Association all agree that you
can take the following steps to help live a longer and
healthier life:
1.Exercise and control your weight.
2.Don't smoke. (And don't breathe the smoke of
others.)
3.Avoid excess fat, salt and alcohol. You don't have
to avoid foods that are high in fat, saturated fat,
cholesterol, and sodium completely. It's your average
intake over a few days, not in a single food or even a
single meal,
that's important. If you eat a high-fat food or meal,
balance your intake by choosing low-fat foods the rest
of that day or the next.
4.Eat at least two servings of fruit and three
servings of vegetables every day. 3/4 cup fruit or
vegetable juice qualifies as one serving.)
5.Practice abstinence or use latex condoms. (Latex -
not polyurethane, which are more likely to slip off or
break, and definitely not lamb skin, which are porous
enough to let microorganisms pass through.)
6.See your doctor for regular check-ups.
Women should practice monthly breast self-exams and
men should have yearly prostate cancer screening tests
if over age 50 and have yearly rectal exams if over
age 40.
Links on the Net:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://afroamculture.miningco.com/culture/afroamculture/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm
?site= http://www.cdc.gov/nchswww/fastats/minority.htm
2. Mayo Clinic:
http://afroamculture.miningco.com/culture/afroamculture/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm
?site= http://www.mayohealth.org
3. American Cancer Society:
http://afroamculture.miningco.com/culture/afroamculture/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm
?site= http://www.cancer.org
4. American Heart Association:
http://afroamculture.miningco.com/culture/afroamculture/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm
?site= http://www.amhrt.org
============================================================
Update - Please Circulate Widely.
For more information, write demconv@hotmail.com or call 212.614.6452.
COUNTDOWN TO THE PRO-DEMOCRACY CONVENTION!
Shaping the Future of Democracy in America: From Voter Disenfranchisement to a Voters' Bill of Rights
A National Pro-Democracy Convention
June 29 - July 1, 2001 / Philadelphia
From June 29 to July 1st, 2001, the Center for Constitutional Rights and a coalition of more than fifty organizations are sponsoring
a National Pro-Democracy Convention in Philadelphia. The Convention is being convened in response to the
disenfranchisement of thousands, if not millions of voters in the recent Presidential election.
With the Voter's Bill of Rights as a primary focus, the National Pro-Democracy Convention will be a vehicle to gather up and
galvanize the disparate and disaffected constituencies and movements outraged by the flawed election to build a permanent force
for real democracy.
The Convention kicks off with a National Town Hall Meeting, where there will be a guided discussion featuring John
Anderson (Center for Voting and Democracy), Melanie Campbell (National Coalition for Black Civic Participation),
Representative John Conyers (Michigan), Granny D (Alliance for Democracy), Ron Daniels (Center for Constitutional
Rights), Cheri Honkala (Kensington Welfare Rights Union), Arianna Huffington (author), Reverend Jesse Jackson
(Rainbow/PUSH), Martin Luther King III (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), Reverend Al Sharpton (National
Action Network), and June Zeitlin (Women’s Economic and Development Organization), to name a few.
On Saturday and Sunday of the Convention, there will be workshops and plenaries on the principles outlined in the Voters' Bill of
Rights and strategies for strengthening the pro-democracy movement. The Voters’ Bill of Rights is a ten point platform that calls
for:
- Clean Money Elections
- Enforcement and Extension of the Voting Rights Act
- Easier and More Reliable Systems of Voting
- Statehood for the District of Columbia
- Instant Runoff Voting
- Abolition of the Electoral College
- Proportional Representation
- Easier Access for All Electoral Candidates.
- Voting Rights for Former Prisoners
- Independent and Non-Partisan Election Administration Bodies
The Convention will include updates on and the Campaign to Free Connie Tyree and Frank "Pinto" Smith and the Struggle Against
the Corporate Takeover of Pacifica . Time will also be allotted for regional and thematic caucusing.
NOTE: IMPORTANT LOCATION CHANGE! All sessions of the Pro-Democracy will take place at the Pennsylvania
Convention Center. Address: 1101 Arch Street. Phone: 215.418.4700.
To register or for more information, see www.pro-democracy.com, e-mail demconv@hotmail.com or contact the Center for
Constitutional Rights at 212.614.6452.