Which Comes First, the Chicken or the Egg?

The New York Times published an article by Jesse McKinley on October 23^rd of this year, discretely targeting the large egg manufacturers (or harvesters) in California. Apparently, in early November the public will vote on an animal rights ballot measure called Proposition 2. The author does a remarkable job of presenting the arguments for and against the ballot; however, hints and winks throughout the article suggest that McKinley leans a little to the pro-animal side. Generally it would be safe to say that animal rights supporters also have a bluish, liberal tint to them; suggesting that those groups are also his intended audience.

McKinley appears very thorough with persuasive language and easy-to-read structure. Each point is made clearly, and supportive material follows directly after.  After reviewing some of his other works published in the NYTimes, credibility does not come into question.  The author incorporates anit-Proposition 2 arguments in such a way, that the reader alone can see through the preposterous claims themselves.

 For example:

“Opponents have pressed a line of attack that suggests that Proposition 2 — which would require that animals be provided room to turn around, lie down, stand up and fully extend their limbs — could expose birds, via contact with their own waste and that of other animals, to such dreaded diseases as salmonella and avian influenza. They also argue that standard egg-laying cages — a little more than eight inches square — actually protect hens from aggression by other birds and predators,” McKinley writes.

He follows up with a quote (just in case the reader wasn’t capable of thinking this on their own) from Wayne Pacelle, the president and chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States, who refers to such arguments as “far-fetched and ridiculous.”

I think this is a brilliant article exemplifying a kind of new age wave of reform and progressivism, with a different style and flare. Also, just as a personal observation, I believe that those opposing Proposition 2 who directly control and profit from the current system of confinement and cruelty fear that a ballot such as this will cause the prices of their eggs to increase; which it will. This will consequently bring their prices into less completion with “free rang” eggs that can already be purchased at any grocery store. Therefore, the public will be less hesitant to just go ahead and do the moral thing by supporting the more humane method of mass food production, possibly forcing those against reform out of business.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/us/24egg.html?_r=1&oref=slogin