Well so much for that I guess it was fun while it lasted

[Gob]

Veal is the one meat I would never return to eating.

Despite almost universal public opposition, hundreds of thousands of calves raised for veal are intensively confined in individual crates too narrow for them even to turn around.

Tethered by their necks to further restrict their movement, they're virtually immobilized for their entire 16-week long lives. Unfortunately, this confinement is common in the veal industry, despite overwhelming scientific evidence that it's inhumane and at odds with public opinion.

Even the American Veterinary Medical Association says that calves should be able to turn around and the American Veal Association—the veal industry's trade group—"recommends that the entire veal industry convert to the group housing methodology."

Additionally, Randy Strauss, CEO of Strauss Veal (the nation's largest veal producer) calls veal crates "inhumane and archaic" and says they "do nothing more than subject a calf to stress, fear, physical harm and pain."

The veal industry is a direct byproduct of the dairy industry and depends on it for survival, as all veal calves are the male offspring of dairy cows. (Dairy cows must be re-impregnated annually to continue producing milk, and half of their calves are male.)

[Joe Guy]

I doubt that any animals used for food are treated much better than calves.

If it were up to me, I'd make it illegal to eat meat.

But it's not up to me so I eat meat.

[Lord Jim]

Well, you can say what you want, but the fact of the matter is that had we not become carnivores 1.2 million years ago, we would not have evolved into the species we are today...

Without that protein influx, and the affect it had on the development of the proto-human brain, we'd still be swinging from the trees looking for a branch to hide under during the rain...

It's bad enough that I have to deal with the fact that the historical record suggests that our ancestors were scavengers rather than hunters, without suggesting that we'd have been better off as a race of salad eaters...

[Gob]

Still no need for unescessary cruelty in meat production Jim.

[Lord Jim]

I'm not going to look at that video, and I certainly do not approve of animal cruelty...

I have three dogs, one cat, (and another cat that we recently gave a Christian burial) and a parrot that will probably out live me..

I'm a lovely fellow who's very fond of his family and critters..

All of that having been said, dinner is dinner...

[Gob]

Jim, dinner may be dinner, but there is dinner without or with cruelty.

Some veal, (i.e.i that not produced by an ethical producer,) is a cruel meat.

Some states in the USA have started banning crate production, so it's really a matter of just ensuring you buy from the right people..

[Daisy]

Veal crates are banned in the UK and rose veal is produced from the bull calves of dairy herds, they're raised untethered in barns and fed on milk water and roughage and are slaughtered at 38 weeks old. I have no ethical problems eating British Rose Veal.

If you don't use them for veal they're slaughtered at birth.

Jim, mutton suits long, slow cooking. Mutton stew coked for about 9 hours in the crock pot is delicious. It also lends itself to a slow cooked curry. Mmmmmmmm

[rubato]

36 weeks is old for veal. Here it is usually 16-20 weeks. 36 weeks is a calf here.

The calves are pretty cute. I worked for a neighbor who kept a nurse cow and bought 1-2 bull calves from a dairy periodically, when they weaned he would buy another. Then they would get moved to the other pastures til they reached about 2 years.

yrs,
rubato

[Lord Jim]

For the record, I very rarely actually buy and cook veal at home, (since I'm the only one who really likes it) I generally order it at a nice little old-style Italian place here in the Outer Sunset near our home, where we dine about once a month. (It's called Marcello's and veal is their specialty; they have eleven different preparation choices; the Veal Eduardo is my favorite...their veal is as good or better than any I've had in North Beach)

I admit I have not inquired as to where they get their veal from...

ETA:

I just checked; veal crates are banned in California.

[Gob]

Damn, I'll have to find another way of getting on your case then....

[Long Run]

Well, not just yet, Gob. The crates may be banned in California (thank goodness they get a few things right there), but they sell meat from many places. Since Jim does not not where the meat comes from, he may still be eating cruelly grown beef from crates. He won't know until he asks.

Damn, I'll have to find another way of getting on your case then....

I admit I have not inquired as to where they get their veal from...

ETA:

I just checked; veal crates are banned in California.

[Gob]

Right, I'll give him hell then

[Lord Jim]

Bitch...

[Joe Guy]

(It's called Marcello's and veal is their specialty; they have eleven different preparation choices; the Veal Eduardo is my favorite...their veal is as good or better than any I've had in North Beach)

I've eaten there a few times. Molto bene!

I admit I have not inquired as to where they get their veal from...

They get it from baby cows....

[Lord Jim]

I've eaten there a few times. Molto bene!

We have a couple of things in common, in terms of where we've hung out...(I meant to mention this before...)

I used to go to a bar in Brisbane, CA called The 23 Club where many of the guys wore cowboy hats and there were fist fights almost every weekend.

I'm quite familiar with The 23 Club; and Brisbane...

I used to frequent that establishment back in the mid 90's...

I was also very fond of Brisbane, (and still am) because it's a unique place; it's like something out of a Twilight Zone Episode...

It's down the Peninsula, in San Mateo County, just south of Daly City, on that long suburban run between Frisco and San Jose...

But it's a little town that has the look and feel of a town Up North in Mendocino, like Ukiah...

It's completely out of place...

It's a Cowboy Town, where a Cowboy Town shouldn't be...

I have suggested on more than one occasion that now that the real estate values are up that we should consider selling the house and move to this "Brigadoon" location just a couple of miles away...

[Joe Guy]

The weather in Brisbane is good too. My friend that lived in Brisbane told me that everybody in town was from Oklahoma...

Up until the 80's they had a rodeo every year in Brisbane. I don't know if they do anymore.

P.S. I remember when the Bank of America moved into Brisbane - the first and only bank there. It was originally a trailer.

[TPFKA@W]

Jim, dinner may be dinner, but there is dinner without or with cruelty.

Some veal, (i.e.i that not produced by an ethical producer,) is a cruel meat.

Some states in the USA have started banning crate production, so it's really a matter of just ensuring you buy from the right people..

Oh God I know what you mean. I just hate it when we go out and the menu has smothered chicken as the special. I mean do I really have to know it died that way?

[Lord Jim]

Oh God I know what you mean. I just hate it when we go out and the menu has smothered chicken as the special. I mean do I really have to know it died that way?

Yes, that's not a conversation one typically has...:

"This prime rib is great, but I have some concerns....Did the cow, (or steer) it came from lead a happy, rich and fulfilling life? I can't possibly enjoy my meal without knowing that. I'd really like some background here..."

[Joe Guy]

I have an idea!

Let's get a bill passed that would require restaurants to add a bio to the menu on the lives of animals that became featured meals.

Pork Chops with Wild Rice

The hog that produced these chops lived on a farm in the scenic hills of Marin County. It had a regular exercise routine that included running, walking, swimming in mud and strength training. It had free range privileges and was a very happy pig.

Enjoy your meal!

[Gob]