Page 1 of "Slaughterhouse" on BBC2...

Did anyone see this last night? Now, I`m probably going to come accross as a tree hugging hippie, but what a horrible programme it was...

I have been a vegetarian nearly all my life and wanted to watch this programme to see if it would "enlighten" me or alter my views at all... but it totally had the opposite effect - it just re-inforced them.

Most of the people working there (with the exception of 1 or 2) came accross as uneducated, unpleasant idiots - not only did they like bullying each other, but they were also very cruel to the animals and seemed to take great pleasure in kicking them about and killing them, making jokes etc. as they did so. I was repulsed (and it takes a lot to replulse me!) I know it is their job to kill them, but surely they can treat the animals more humanely and with respect.

This programme made me feel physically sick. I think all the meat eaters out there should watch something like this before they settle down for their next juicy steak. If you still have no problem with it - fine. But I do think anyone who eats meat should be able and willing to kill/prepare the animal themselves - I know I couldn`t (wouldn`t).

I`ve never felt so pleased and proud to be vegetarian. :D

This item was edited on Tuesday, 5th July 2005, 11:18

Why on earth would you watch a programme about a slaughterhouse to see if it made you change your views on being a vegetarian? Wouldn`t you have been better off watching Ready Steady Cook or something?

Anyone with half a brain would realise that people working in such places are not going to be the most intelligent people in the world.

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News Editor and Reviewer
www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk

Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn...

And those who dance will spin and turn,
And those who wait will wait no more,
And those who talk will hear the words,
And those who see will fade and die,
And those who laugh will surely fall,
And those who know will always feel their backs against the thin wall...

My dad has been a veggie most of his life (being a Hindu) and we watched this - he was absolutly disgusted by it......particularly watching the guy slice the sheeps neck cos it was Halal and left it there hanging alive while the blood drained from its neck........ it was still trying to bleat the poor thing ......completely & utterly inhumane and unnecassary suffering..........

I completely understand the vegetarian argument though as both my parents are veggie and I also believe its easier to be a veggie when you are Indian as there is so much variety - as opposed to veggie burgers, quorn and Linda Mcartney sausages.

I try and be vegetarian (along with no booze) for 10 days of the year because of a Hindu festival but i really struggle and end up eating meat at some point.

Neil
____________________________________
No Humping Stormtroopers here.......

Quote:
I have been a vegetarian my whole life

Really?

Anyway, I grew up on a farm, with a bakery and butchers/produce shop attached. Also on the grounds was a slaughter house, naturally.

And in my experience you are totally right. But you have to stop and think about the mentality of someone who could do such horrific work day in and day out without going crazy. Ive seen s*** that`d turn you white (tm), but since I have been totally indoctrinated into a carnivorous lifestyle I couldnt give meat up if I wanted to. The only reason I dont have some kind of meat for breakfast is that it doesnt go well with cornflakes.

Anyway, slaughterhouses are inherently disgusting places, moreso for vegetarians, I would imagine. But people want to eat meat and someone has to do it. In my experience, the only people willing to do it arent right in the head. Sad but true.

So in summary, yes it is disgusting, no people wouldnt want to kill things themselves and, finally, theres nothing worse than a preachy vegetarian.

It would also appear that from your description of the events shown that the slaughterhouse is in clear breach of regulations on the humane treatment of animals being readied for slaughter.

Those regs can be found here and took about 5 minutes to find using a search engine.

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News Editor and Reviewer
www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk

Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn...

And those who dance will spin and turn,
And those who wait will wait no more,
And those who talk will hear the words,
And those who see will fade and die,
And those who laugh will surely fall,
And those who know will always feel their backs against the thin wall...

This item was edited on Tuesday, 5th July 2005, 11:30

I watched this but it doesn`t want me to give up eating meat. The worst thing about the whole programme for me was that imbecile with the tattoos ("I have them on different parts of my body to see how much pain I can inflict on myself"). He was a sadist, plain and simple. He seemed to take great pleasure in his work, actually getting a kick out of stunning the animals and cutting their throats. The other workers seemed to treat it as a job and showed respect to the animals. Seemed to me that the cleaners (the "bottom" of the food-chain, as I think they were referred to as) were the most intelligent of a fairly thick bunch. The way they were bullied was abominable.

And yes, you do come across as a tree hugging hippie... ;)

Quote:
Why on earth would you watch a programme about a slaughterhouse to see if it made you change your views on being a vegetarian?

Urm... as I stated - to see if it would change my views at all or make me think differently. It was seeing something like this that made me stop eating meat about 25 years a go and I wanted to see if things had changed or got any better/more humane (no and no!).

Quote:
So in summary, yes it is disgusting, no people wouldnt want to kill things themselves and, finally, theres nothing worse than a preachy vegetarian.

Hey, I`m not "preaching" as such - I just think it`s very hipocritical of people who watch something like this and are disgusted, yet carry on eating meat. As I said, If you had no problem with it, fine. But nearly all meat-eaters would probably find it un-easy going and not be prepared to kill and prepare the animal themselves. Because of course, stuff like this doesn`t happen - handily, it just arrives in nice little packets at your local Tesco...

Quote:
Urm... as I stated - to see if it would change my views at all or make me think differently. It was seeing something like this that made me stop eating meat about 25 years a go and I wanted to see if things had changed or got any better/more humane (no and no!).

But you said Quote:
I have been a vegetarian nearly all my life, so how old were you exactly when you saw this footage that turned you vegetarian?

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News Editor and Reviewer
www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk

Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn...

And those who dance will spin and turn,
And those who wait will wait no more,
And those who talk will hear the words,
And those who see will fade and die,
And those who laugh will surely fall,
And those who know will always feel their backs against the thin wall...

Quote:
And yes, you do come across as a tree hugging hippie...

Hey, I can`t help it if I`m a vegetarian (who doesn`t drink or smoke either) and has good moral values! :D

Its fairly specious reasoning on several points, chiefly that I suspect that you dont go out and harvest your own tofu and celery, but buy it from the supermarket. If not, god bless you and your Good Life.

Incidentally, after watching the `McLibel` case on BBC4 my GF wont eat McDonalds anymore. After seeing those chicks getting dumped down a chute and gassed she was inconsolable for hours. We only buy organic and free range meat and eggs now. It started because, being a farmers boy, I could stand the taste of mass produced, chemical enhanced meat. It wasnt really for ethical reasons. But, eventually, my ideology has slightly shifted to include that. We only try and eat RSPCA approved chicken and the like.

But, of course, when we are eating out, I just have to turn my brain off and throw stella down my neck......