Strange how we find ourselves (many times unknowingly) embedded in situations that have worldwide implications. Such is the case with the Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn, just 10 miles from my house in Williams Bay in south-eastern Wisconsin. The fair shows off---and sells their happy meat for slaughter---farm animals raised by 4-H children. Interspersed between the Kiddieland Pig Races and corn-dog (ground-up pig penises and anuses) eating, we find large concentrations of humans milling about barns of housed pigs that farmers wish to unload---amidst our current Smithfield’s Swine Flu Virus crisis---are up for sale at the fair’s pig “Meat Animal Sale” auctions.
In 2007, the Walworth County Fair's “Meat Animal Sale” generated $450,267 for area youths, toppling the 2006 total of $397,376.
"The thing about the meat animal sale is the support this community and our county has for FFA and 4-H youth. It's unbelievable," said Bob Handel, fair board vice president.
Spreading misery and death while brain-washing little children and making money in the process is truly evil shit for sure.
A blast from the past: Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it.
In September 1988, a swine flu virus killed one woman and infected others. 32-year old Barbara Ann Wieners was eight months pregnant when she and her husband, Ed, became ill after visiting the hog barn at the Walworth County Fair. Barbara died eight days later, after developing pneumonia. The only pathogen identified was an H1N1 strain of swine influenza virus. Doctors were able to induce labor and deliver a healthy daughter before she died.
Influenza-like illness (ILI) was reportedly widespread among the pigs exhibited at the fairgrounds. 76% of 25 swine exhibitors aged 9 to 19 tested positive for antibody to SIV. Additional studies suggested between one and three health care personnel who had contact with the patient developed mild influenza-like illnesses with antibody evidence of swine flu infection.
Fast forward to August, 2009 AD: Only change, situation is far worse – the perfect storm.
Smithfield’s Swine Flu Virus is rampant in the USA where the flu season will begin soon as children are returning to school. Most flu seasons die down in the warmer summer months; where as, this nasty bugger is strengthening while crossing lines from bird to pig to human and back to pig - mutating each time. Wisconsin currently has the highest number of reported cases in the USA with over 5,000 cases to date. Can this be in part due to Wisconsin’s heavy pig farming 4-H culture?
Yes, ramblings of a crazy man for sure. The Walworth County Fair runs from September 2nd through the 7th, 2009. http://www.walworthcountyfair.com/
And this from the WCF in 2005:
Walworth County health officials have identified and linked at least a dozen cases of salmonella poisoning to the Walworth County Fair. The outbreak was traced back to the swine barn, said Pat Grove, health officer with the Walworth County Health and Human Services Department.
12 people, including one adult and 11 children between ages 4 and 17, were infected. One victim was hospitalized.
Anti-bacterial hand-washing stations are set up at many of the animal barn entrances, and signs encourage fairgoers to wash after leaving animal barns.
Lock up your children - corpse-munchers are everywhere ruining everything.
Home school your vegan child.
And an almost respectful (if not for the demanding directives, "I choose to eat meat, I'll eat it" and "let me eat as I please") article about my warning was served up on Walworth County Today: Vegans take aim at the Walworth County Fair
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Thanks Dave ~ the childrens true hero x
ReplyDeleteKaren Challenges.
(I clicked on annonymous under select a profile, sadly i'm computer illeterate and have no idea what its asking me for!)
I love it when people are more computer illiterate than I am. <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteThey don't have these spectacles in Brooklyn. When I moved here (Florida) last year, we were going to go to a "Strawberry Festival" (man, does that sound lame!) -- when I went to look at the page it was just like this one...
happy-meat and 4H "projects" and all kinds of infuriating exploitation. These people suck!
Dave,
ReplyDeleteWe really like your straight forward approach to the way that humans treat animals. We do home school our daughter after her disgust during the lunch hour, watching class mates eating pieces of chopped up animals. Of course, because she does not eat corpses, she was questioned to no end, because children know that killing animals is not right. It is so disturbing to see children participating in animal murder, coaxed by adults who see nothing wrong with killing a gentle animal and then eating the rotting body. We are grateful to people like you who encourage people to see the truth behind what is sitting on the breakfast, lunch and dinner plate. You are a sincere voice against criminal and evil activity. Thank you.
Dave, I had no idea of the 1988 incident at this fair --- I can only see it as totally irresponsible for the county to permit this type of event in light of the swine flu issues today. Guess they will risk anything to continue their animal sacrificing rituals. Whatever.
ReplyDeleteI have a particular contention with 4H however, after reading and hearing so many stories from those who once participated in raising and caring for a beautiful animal (friend)... then having to relinquish it to the butchers. I've met a few adults who still look back to the experience 20 years prior with absolute tears and heartbreak. What parent, teacher or monster would do this to a child or an innocent animal?
It's just cruel and unforgivable. Or perhaps it's just plain ignorance?
And Camille... the Strawberry Fest in my neck of the woods --- you're right: "happy-meat and 4H "projects" and all kinds of infuriating exploitation". So you haven't missed a thing!
I'm so frustrated with all the gripe about 4H and FFA. I have been in 4H since the 3rd grade and i am now a sophomore in college and completing my final year in 4H. I love 4H and everything it has to offer. Yes, i've raised pigs,ducks, and sheep to show and sell at the Walworth County Fair. It's a fun time and a really good experience. I'll admit I dont always enjoy things such as the carcass show, but i got used to it. I was even a swine exhibitor the year the salmonella outbreak occured, and my friend was the "victim" who was hospitalized. Everyone has a right to their own opinion about the slaughtering of animals and their part in the Walworth County Fair, so I'm not going to say that your opinion about it is wrong. However, there's no need to blame 4H in this matter and bash the organization. 4H includes much more than just showing and selling animals at the fair. Not only can kids join the animal projects, but theres woodworking, photography, baking, drawing, knitting, gardening, leadership projects, etc. Also, there are many opportunities to take trips to other cities and countries to have fun and learn about different cultures. All im saying is go ahead and be proud vegans and fight for your opinions, but don't make organizations such as 4H out to be horrible breeders of animal-slaughtering children. I mean give me a break!
ReplyDeleteWe raise our show animals better than anyone else ever could. We love them, and nurture them. They may live short lives, but I would bet my life on it that they lived the best months of their lives. They had self feeders, clean bedding, shelter, water, and owners that loved them. An I will have you know that hen the day comes for our animals to leave for market.... IT IS ONE OF THE HARDEST AND SADDEST DAYS OF OUR LIVES! We have bonded with these anmimlas and loved them. We don't torture our animals in any way! We are making a living on what we do, just trying to feed our families. Is there something wrong with that?!
ReplyDeleteCorpse muncher?! Veggie man... you are disgusting!
ReplyDelete