Recycler right on

Frank Mewes has addressed one of my pet peeves [“Recycle properly, hipster slobs!” News, Nov. 23]. I often think of recycling day as a kind of garbage day because the contents of poorly and precariously packed recycling bins inevitably spill onto the streets. If it’s a windy day, look out, the streets are filthy with “recycled materials.” The irony of all this garbage blowing down gentrified tree-lined streets, littering the sidewalks in front of renovated hipster homes is depressing as hell.

Some cultural critics say that our society is suffering from a “Peter-Pandemic” and that we have regressed back to adolescence; defining features of this condition are self-absorption and lack of responsibility. I find that the state of our collective streets illustrates this concept quite nicely.

» Deborah VanSlet

Frank Mewes’s tirade against sloppy recyclers was priceless. Although the jury’s still out on the overall effectiveness of civilian recycling programs, it’s great to hear someone calling us on our hypocritical “environmentalism” and demanding some common courtesy for the folks who do the dirty street work every week, removing the messy evidence of our gross over-consumption.

» Charlotte Scott

Winter wear for nuts

Great article on running in the winter [“Cool runnin’,” Nov. 23]! I agree with Erin MacLeod—it’s a great time to be out getting some exercise. Another reason is that the trails are practically empty, so you feel extra hardcore.

I’m glad MacLeod mentioned the clothing layers on top and bottom. I just have one tip for the boys out there who want to enjoy running in the cold this winter: wear tight-fitting undies. Trust me. A jockstrap, boxer-briefs: yes; loose fitting: no. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you got frostbite on your johnson after you get back. Keep your boys snug against the wind created by your legs moving back and forth. I’d say this applies to anything colder than -3 C or so.

» Peter VanderWoude

The truth about Uggs

While reading Chloe Roubert’s article on this year’s winter fashion [“Don’t buy Ugg boots!” Nov. 23], I became very disappointed in her misinformed fashion advice. It seems like she did no research on what’s selling and what is not this season. This is directly in reference to her advice to buy Sorel boots and not Uggs.

If Ms. Roubert took the time and effort to check, she would see that Uggs are selling out worldwide and are in great demand. I don’t know about you, Ms. Roubert, but I personally would rather walk around in a cute pair of Uggs than the mannish, clunky boots you recommend!

» Anonymous

The truth about eggs

Thanks for your coverage of Fast Food Nation [“A beef with beef,” Nov. 23]. With the release of the film, consumers are being given a glimpse of what really goes on in slaughterhouses and what goes into their favourite burger.

It isn’t pretty and, worse still, the animal suffering caused by factory farms is not confined to cattle. Laying hens, for example are crammed into horrifically small “battery cages” in which each bird spends its entire productive life in a space smaller than the area of a sheet of typing paper. They never scratch the earth, flap their wings or feel the sun on their backs. In Canada alone, there are 26 million hens currently enduring these cruel conditions.

Consumers who wish to buy eggs that are produced more humanely should buy certified organic eggs. These are from cage-free farms independently audited for higher welfare standards. Eggs labelled “free range” or “free run” may also be more humanely produced, but are not audited. All other labelling (e.g. “natural” or “omega 3”) is meaningless in terms of animal welfare. Some people, of course, choose not to buy eggs at all.

Fast Food Nation is exposing the horrors inflicted on animals by industrialized intensive farming. Switching to certified organic eggs is one simple, easy step anyone can take to reduce at least some of the suffering engendered by this heartless system.

For more information on caged hens, readers can visit www.chickenout.ca

» Bruce Passmore, Farm Animal Welfare Project Coordinator, Vancouver Humane Society, Vancouver, B.C.

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