Farm Boy Mulls What's Good for Goose, Gander

As California considers cage ban, Kristof looks at animal rights

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 31, 2008 9:21 AM CDT

(Newser) – Californians go to the polls in November with a high-profile ballot initiative to decide: whether to ban factory farms from raising livestock in small cages. For Nicholas D. Kristof, it's an apt moment to consider our transforming attitudes toward animal welfare. The Oregon farm boy turned New York Times columnist is a carnivore, but one who recognizes that "every hamburger patty has a back story."

As a boy, Kristof became emotional every time his family slaughtered its geese, but he still eats them, if respectfully. But while there's some gray area, he draws "the line at animals being raised in cruel conditions." Now even Burger King is squawking about animal welfare—a sign that the tide is changing, and that "in a century or two, our descendants will look back on our factory farms with uncomprehending revulsion. But in the meantime, I love a good burger."

The geese on the family farm shaped Nicholas D. Kristof's views on animal welfare. ((c) amandabhslater)

A ballot initiative in California would outlaw small pens on factory farms. ((c) David Masters)

The geese on the family farm shaped Nicholas D. Kristof's views on animal welfare. ((c) muffinman71xx)

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Farm Boy Mulls What's Good for Goose, Gander

As California considers cage ban, Kristof looks at animal rights

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Don't Eat Baby Animals ... They Just Don't Taste Good

A veal-scarfing food writer offers an odd argument for passing on piglets

Teen Busted in Hamster Murder

She faces up to two years in prison if convicted

Parasailing Donkey Dies of Heart Attack

At least she died happy in animal sanctuary

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Farm Boy Mulls What's Good for Goose, Gander

As California considers cage ban, Kristof looks at animal rights

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

meat • animal cruelty • animal rights • cage free • farm

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Animal Rights Lover Goes for the Throat

But Humane Society prez pushes a savvy, mainstream message

Feds Halt Chimp Research

NIH's temporary measure follows critical report

Don't Eat Baby Animals ... They Just Don't Taste Good

A veal-scarfing food writer offers an odd argument for passing on piglets

Teen Busted in Hamster Murder

She faces up to two years in prison if convicted

Parasailing Donkey Dies of Heart Attack

At least she died happy in animal sanctuary

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

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