Speak to officials to help children
The best way to protect innocent children is to speak up to your senators and representative. (“Demand halt to Trump immigration policy” by Geni Donaghey in June 14, 2018 Post-Record) Whether it is the current immigration policy, the threats to SNAP (formerly food stamps), or the Reach Every Mother and Child Act, which would help end preventable deaths of mothers and children in our world, Congress has the power to make the difference. We can call, write, or visit Congresswoman Herrera Beutler and ask her to speak out against the current immigration policy, vote against the Farm Bill that would increase hunger, and cosponsor the Reach Act to focus America’s work to end preventable deaths of mothers and children. It is our voices that will make the difference to help protect children.
Willie Dickerson, Snohomish, Washington
Odyssey student ‘fighting’ for chickens
I want you to imagine that all you can remember about life is being crammed in a tiny room with hundreds of people all fighting over food. Then, at only a few months old, you are being shoved into small crates on the way to factories. You are now hung by your feet and your head is shoved down onto a small blade slitting your throat. Now as you are bleeding, you are dropped in scalding hot water. All while conscious and able to feel pain. This is the life of a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) factory chicken. This is unacceptable.
Hello, my name is Annika Stupfel. I am a seventh grader at Odyssey Middle School. This last semester we were assigned a project called, “What Would you Fight for?” Students were asked to find a subject we were willing to fight for. I have been a vegetarian for three years now because I feel bad that an animal’s life has to end so I can have a tasty meal. I saw a YouTube video called, “PETA’s Campaign Against KFC.” I felt angry when I learned how the factories treated chickens. That is when I decided that I was going to “fight” for chickens. Since I live around people who eat meat, I understand that convincing everyone to be vegetarian was not a good option. So, I set out to learn more about the resources in my community to seek responsible ways to purchase animal products.
I found two great farms where their chickens are healthy and happy. I visited their farms and interviewed the owners. They have hundreds of happy hens.
Botany Bay Farm is located in Hockinson, Washington. They are a fantastic, family business and a great way to get organic, pasture-raised chickens. They also have eggs, pork and ground beef. Another amazing place to get delicious eggs is Liz Pike’s Shangri-La Farm in Fern Prairie.