I missed reading the DMR piece on Smithfield, but I thought you might enjoy
reading this response from Chris Petersen, V-P of Iowa Farmers Union.

From: Chris Petersen
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2003 6:44 AM
Subject: LTE to Des Moines Register

Mr. Doak,

I am very dismayed that you have abandoned independent family farm pork
production with your article supporting Smithfield. Independent family farms
[are] what kept Iowa prosperous and vibrant till the slide started 10 - 12
years ago into corporate controlled contract production.

We now see the consequences (economic, environmental, social) of this type
of agriculture. Our 2 U.S. senators  (Dem. & GOP) even have seen the light
and are trying to change some things to give independents an opportunity to
re-establish themselves with an open competitive market .

You  claim to have concerns about large corporate factory farms.........you
have a double standard here........actually - which side of the coin are you
on???????????? Is your future vision of Iowa a large cesspool with a bunch
of barnyard janitors (serfs) feeding livestock in huge corporate factory
farms after our young have left because of lack of opportunities and the
rural areas have been depopulated of people?

As always we will have all kinds of economic activity ....unlike before -
this type will only benefit a select few - most of them out of state who
could really care less about this state I so dearly love!  But then again ,
you will still have your population clusters ( Des Moines, etc.) to sell
your papers ..after all ...this country is all about capitalism isn't
it????.........not about quality of life or things that build community
instead of destroying it.

I also care enough to try and help educate your paper that I put my name in
for the "advisory reader board"..........please consider my application I
sent to Paul Anger........thank you .........

Chris Petersen            V.P. Iowa Farmers Union

Clear Lake, Iowa

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