‘Forks over Knives’ is best for people and animals

When it’s 100 degrees, people dash from from air-conditioned cars to air-conditioned homes. Those without air conditioning suffer and some die during heat waves. Imagine the suffering of our military in the Middle East, heavily dressed and carrying packs and guns at 115 degrees

The wisest philosophers tell us to ease the suffering of all humanity and the very wisest include other forms of life, too. I see those with farm animals who provide shade and water and those that don’t. Those that don’t need to be wrapped in a buffalo robe and staked in the sun until enlightenment.

The Bee reported that almost 2,000 cows died in 2006 and hundreds died recently during heat waves. The loss to the farmers was emphasized. We saw the loss in millions of dollars. The suffering of the cows was ignored. Beef production is toxic to human health and the planet. Like with the tobacco industry much is hidden with smiling happy cows in advertising.

Meanwhile, hospitals like Kaiser Permanente and doctors like the two that made the documentary “Forks over Knives” point to better health and less human suffering with a plant-based diet. Cows like it, too.

This story was originally published July 5, 2017 at 12:44 PM with the headline "‘Forks over Knives’ is best for people and animals."