Lope-sided enforcement? I think going after the biggest fish in the sea scares the little guys, election year or not.

Go ahead and blame the Unions and Law Enforcement Officials for the crimes of Management if that makes you feel better about being of the same religion as those people, it embarrasses the hell out of me.

Signed,
Marisa C. Levy, Esq.
Clifton, NJ

so I guess our positions aren’t all that far apart but its what we do about them that underscores our differences.

“Pictures of immigrant’s children being taken care of by the non-Jewish community after their mother’s were arrested were more than innuendo, they were heart-breaking.”

very true and very tragic but the union and the forward have as much responsibility for that state of affairs as Agri - as I said in my first post which stoked the coals of your ire, its a much more nuanced debate then “Rubashkin bad everyone else good” but it unfortunately has been sloganized into a batch of disjointed soundbites by well meaning folks inhaling a lot of second hand smoke

“Bottomline: there were violations and arrests, so what are you trying to defend?”

I’m not trying to defend anybody - I’m merely an advocate of full disclosure and informed rather than hysterical kneejerk debate - if I get pilloried for that so be it

If you think the model is not sustainable then it should go down with the boycotts, penalties and criminal charges it deserves.

or it can change where needed - I am not necessarily against criminal enforcement and prosecutions provided they are made fairly and not selectively (but I guess the defense attorney in me bridles at the prospect of prosecutors looking to score points in an election year with selective/lopsided enforcement - and yes that happens

and hey i believe in voting my pocketbook as well - if I like something i buy it (or patronize it) and conversely, if I have a problem with a product or its underlying message and corporate culture (environmental track record, certian other policies) then I too make informed decisions whteher or not to buy

Maybe the Rubaskin’s cared for the souls of the cows the animals they kill to make money but they certainly did not care for their workers.

Bottomline: there were violations and arrests, so what are you trying to defend? If you think the model is not sustainable then it should go down with the boycotts, penalties and criminal charges it deserves.

I spent time at the plant (on my own terms and on my own dime btw) I simply didn’t find it filthy nor did I find it undupervised (by either the USDA or mashgichim who btw are far from nosepicking yeshiva bochurim) and having seen many many shechitas in my life, I didn’t find the shechita cruel either. Actually I was totally blown away be the reverence of the shochtim as they took their responsibility of “netilas neshama” seriously with the requisite dignity for the life they were taking.

If you knew anything about who I am and what I do (which obviously you don’t because it woyuld destroy your illusions of those mean, greedy bearded rabbis) you know that I believe that it many ways the Agri model is simply not sustainable. That I choose not to jump on the bandwagon of rumor and innuendo (your meth comment for example)or get in bed with all those who have collateral agendae, simply says that I like to make independent investigations and come to my own conclusions.

their financial situation, geographical originals or religious persuasion is of little importance to me
so if you elect not to call me “Rabbi” I’ll understand as I’m certain there are those who will glady tell you what you want to hear

Good morning Ms. Levy it’s abeautiful morning here in yerushalayim

You seem to be lacking the compassion I’d hope to find in someone who calls himself a Rabbi. You are judgmental and condescending.

hey in the words of “Rabbi” John Rambo - you drew first blood - I simply respond in kind

Clean and compassionate might not be “kosher” enough for you, but for this Jewess it is …now you want to tell me I’m not Jewish “enough” for you?
I don’t recall anyone questioning your Jewishnness other than you I find you not to have a Jewish “enough” spirit for me.

understtod - our essential difference is that I try to make my life meaningful to the Torah while you try to make the Torah meaningful to your life. I try not to strive for “spirituality” at the expense of everything else and I’m sure the Hazon community provides ample resources for the spirituality you seek.

I take responsibilty for myself…Agri executives should take responsibility for their violations and you should work on learning how to give group hugs…they go along way towards bringing peace and unity to people, even if the men are in one circle and the women are in a different circle.

Enjoy your meth and guatamalean flavored cholent this shabbos.

“meth”? with all the allegations that come out of Postville why would you try to insult me with the one that has the least likelihood of having any merit?

Clean and compassionate might not be “kosher” enough for you, but for this Jewess it is …now you want to tell me I’m not Jewish “enough” for you? I find you not to have a Jewish “enough” spirit for me.

I take responsibilty for myself…Agri executives should take responsibility for their violations and you should work on learning how to give group hugs…they go along way towards bringing peace and unity to people, even if the men are in one circle and the women are in a different circle.

Enjoy your meth and guatamalean flavored cholent this shabbos.

“I now purchase meat that is not under Rabbinic Supervision and trust that it is produced in at least as clean and compassionate an environment as supervised meat.”

so let me get this straight -clean and compassionate (although traif) is the new kosher (please forgive me I have trouble keeping up with the fad du jour)

“The USDA officials have to be at least as honest and knowledgable about compassion as the kids from Yeshiva hired to be Maschiachs who are staring at their holy books rather than watching if an animal’s throat is being slit in the most painless way possible.”

like I said, you’ve obviously never been to Postville - I thought so now you’ve confirmed it

“What resonates inside me very painfully is that people who claim to be a “light unto the nations”, people who I trusted with my spirituality,and people who purport to uphold the essence of Torah values are so corrupt…it breaks my heart.”

aaaww - group hug anybody? look at the bright side - you have a boogeyman and you don’t have to take any responsibility for your actions - blame your parents, your teachers, your rabbis, your politicians - when do you step up to the plate and take any responsibility yourself?

“Rabbis” who work for PR firms to blog about Agris excuses for doing THE WRONG THING are not going to wash with this generation of kosher meat consumers.”

hey I love this internet - I learn things about myself every day - now I work for an Agri PR firm? you obviously know nothing about who I am or what I do but if I dare disagree with your uninformed second hand smoke, I’m on the Agri payroll! like I said, ya gotta love it

you on the other hand hide behind a screen of anonymity -how do we know you’re not on the payroll of PETA, the union, etc remember as it says “kol haposale, b’mumo posale”