Meat industry is bad for animals and for us

Dear Editor: I have no fear of goblins, witches or evil clowns lurking on Halloween. What really scares me is the meat industry.

This is the industry that deprives, mutilates, cages, then butchers billions of cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens — animals who feel joy, affection, sadness and pain, as we do; that exposes undocumented workers to chronic workplace injuries at slave wages and exploits farm- ers and ranchers by dictating market prices.

The meat industry contributes more to our epidemic of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer than any other, then bullies health authorities to remove warnings from dietary guidelines.

It sanctions world hunger by feeding nutritious corn and soybeans to animals, instead of people.

The industry generates more water pollution than all other human activities, spews more greenhouse gases than all transportation, destroys more wildlife habitats than all other industries.

These are the things that keep me up at night.

Fortunately, my local supermarket offers a rich selection of plant-based meats, milks, cheeses and ice creams, as well as a .colorful display of fresh fruit and veggies. It gives me hope and courage for my future.

But I still fear for my friends and neighbors. Kevin Kellerman

Kingston