Proposition 2: They did it for the chickens!

California voted for the chickens during the election last week. And by “voted for the chickens” I mean voted for Proposition 2. In simplified terms, proposition 2 is a piece of legislation that was proposed in California to give chickens, cows and pigs more leg room in their crates and battery cages.

In the midst of a Proposition 2 discussion with a friend, she turned to me and said: “With all the major problems going on in the world right now, we’re giving animals that are ABOUT TO DIE more leg room? Ridiculous!”

After our conversation I sat by myself and pondered it for what seemed like a LONG TIME. I mean a REALLY LONG time. I thought about all the times I’d tried to be a vegetarian but the aroma of KFC’s sweet honey wings had brought me back to the omnivore fold, I thought of all the tragic documentaries on slaughter houses, all the times I’d made fun of the PETA people that throw fake blood on everyone, and then I thought of all the turkeys that we—as a nation—are going to consume for Thanksgiving. And when my five minutes of self searching were up I came to a conclusion:

Why shouldn’t the people of California vote for proposition 2? How many times have I been frustrated at being cooped up and denied the option of stretching my legs while in a plane or on a bus? How many times have I despairingly stood in an elevator (for only 2 minutes) filled with pompous business suits pressed against me and thought I was going to EXPLODE? Or felt like I was going to have a claustrophobia-induced anxiety attack in a crowded metro car? Sure we’re going to eat these animals, and by George with the right seasoning and preparation they will taste delicious, but until then could we at least give them the dignity of some extra leg room?

Come on, if Jet Blue can do it for their passengers, can’t we do it for the chickens??


Photo Credits:
THP365, Flickr