Our civic duty – Sonoma Sun

Published on September 22, 2024 by Bob Edwards

Every year around this time, many of us are tired of hearing, “Go vote!”

What? AGAIN?

Yes! The election is the lifeblood of our nation! That and bribery, of course.

Fortunately, we can register and vote by mail here, so it is not necessary to actually go to a polling place to vote. Readers who have not voted in person in a while may still give it a try, just to see these newfangled voting machines that are (allegedly) being used to rig elections. Curious readers can learn about voting machines at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ovsta/frequently-requested-information/voting-systems-used-counties/how-use-your-countys-voting-system/dominion-voting-systems-imagecast-evolution.

By the way, and in case you missed it, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are running for president. Voters who have not yet decided who to vote for should talk to their mental health professional.

In the city of Sonoma, no candidates filed for the two open seats on the city council, but the incumbents graciously agreed to stay for another term. That's good because now the entire valley can focus on the local issue of the year: Measure J.

For details on Measure J, visit: https://www.endfactoryfarming.vote/measure-text. It's best read over a nice drink, because it begins with 26 – yes, 26 – “having in mind,” which, in the language of the measure, are the reasons why voters should vote for it.

Your correspondent has read the entire measure and, upon waking, makes this summary statement:

· The goal is to protect the environment, livestock, and the health and well-being of Sonoma County residents by limiting and eventually phasing out the number of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) currently operating in the unincorporated areas of the county.

· The reasons given are a number of CAFO conditions that allegedly mistreat animals, endanger the environment and/or people, and/or reduce the value of adjacent properties.

Whether an animal feeding operation is a CAFO or “just a farm” depends on the type and number of animals being concentrated for feeding. For example, a CAFO has more than 200 dairy cows; or more than 16,500 turkeys; or more than 37,500 chickens; and so on for other types and numbers of animals listed in a table. Feeding operations with fewer than the specified number of animals per type are not considered CAFOs and presumably could continue to operate.

Feeding operations that exceed the permitted number of animals per species would have three years to reduce their production to comply with the regulations or face a fine of $1,000 for the first violation, $5,000 for the second and $10,000 for the third. After three years, each day a CAFO operates would be a separate violation.

Far be it from your correspondent to tell anyone how to vote, or to engage in a back-and-forth about the confinement of hundreds or thousands of cuddly creatures with big brown eyes, soft, cuddly fur, cute clucking and waddling and adorable grunting, mooing or bleating, to whom CAFOs now give complete freedom to do nothing but eat, poop and pee all day, with just enough room for each animal to lie down and die.

No, such a conversation is beyond the scope of a family newspaper. In fact, a thorough investigation of animal feeding operations could induce severe vomiting and convulsions in young readers, who might inadvertently ask where all the nice animals go after they leave a factory farm, or how hamburgers and chicken pieces get “fresh from the farm to the table.”

It's probably best for families to discuss the pros and cons of Measure J privately. Then mom and dad can decide how they'll vote.

And what's for dinner.