More evidence that many parts of our agricultural industry – even with chickens now – is, with respect to treatment of animals, a moral disgrace. Money quote:
The group said its investigator also obtained eyewitness testimony about employees “ripping birds’ beaks off, spray-painting their faces, twisting their heads off, spitting tobacco into their mouths and eyes, and breaking them in half — all while the birds are still alive.”
Just incredible – but perhaps unavoidable in a food industry that often treats animals with contempt and cruelty. (If you care about these issues, can I recommend again Matthew Scully’s moving and important book, “Dominion.”)
MORE CAKEWALKING: A reader writes:
Thirty years ago in the small West Virginia town where my father grew up, I participated in what was billed as a “cakewalk.” The contestants simply walked around in a circle. One person standing just outside this circle was blindfolded and held a broom. At his whim he let the broom fall across the path of the circling contestants. If the broom fell behind you, you won the cake. Thus I have always assumed that a “cakewalk” referred to something accomplished by blind luck, without any element of skill. Perhaps this Appalachian contest, helps explain the etymology of the first definition of “cakewalk” provided by your reader.
The Dish 