California, Caged farm animals, SCOTUS and $1 a Year

AROUND THE BLOCK

I learned today…

It's been while since the last Around the Block post. There are many reasons why I went on hiatus, but mostly it was because I felt that writing satirical posts, given the current state of affairs in this country, didn't suggest funny anymore. At least not to me. I figured I should leave the satire to Borowitz and Bee and Oliver...professionals who are really good at it. Frankly, my heart simply wasn't in it.

Although I stopped writing, I did continue to forward articles and commentary I thought worthy of a read, just in case friends and/or former Around the Block readers missed them. And, you know, some did. Which leads to my going back to my original iteration of Around the Block– I learned today... In this version, I won't be twisting the news but rather posting what I believe are meaningful and interesting articles that moved me somehow: made me think, made me angry, made me laugh...you get the point. Oh yeah, and where appropriate, I'll also add my own commentary. 

This is my first attempt at the new Around the Block. It might take a few tries to get into a groove, so bear with me (or not, as the case may be). In any event, feedback is appreciated, and opting out is allowable without any rancor or retribution on my part.

So, here goes: 

I learned today that the U.S. Supreme Court declined to get involved in a legal dispute in which 15 states are seeking to strike down laws in California and Massachusetts that require larger living areas for some farm animals. 

According to the Associated Press, 

“The attorney general’s office in Missouri, which spearheaded one of the lawsuits, vowed Tuesday to continue fighting for local farmers and consumers and said it was considering the next step. California voters approved a ballot initiative in 2008 requiring that caged hens spend most of their day in spaces large enough to lie down, stand up, turn around and extend their limbs. The measure gave farmers until 2015 to comply. After California egg farmers raised concerns that they would be put at a competitive disadvantage, state legislators in 2010 expanded the law to bar the sale of eggs from any hens that were not raised in compliance with California standards requiring at least 116 square inches of floor space per chicken. The lawsuit claimed the California law cost consumers nationwide up to $350 million annually because of higher egg prices since the requirements took effect in 2015.”

There you go again, California.

SCOTUS probably “chickened out” in getting involved in this because they were concerned that their likely ruling (5-4 against California) would reveal their inhumanity to the caged chickens. Now, if they’ll only start worrying about their inhumanity to American citizens.

BTW, the 15 states opposing the California law say it will cost American consumers $350 million a year. Imagine that, about $1 a year per person. Wow, we can’t let that happen.