The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » Daniela Sea

Killer Bacon Bugs, Bid on Stars & Recycling Myths

TheDiscerningBrute — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:16:33 +0000

1. An Op-Ed published by the New York Times last week has linked killer MRSA, also known as the antibiotic-resistant "Flesh Eating Bacteria" to more than 18,000 deaths per year in the US. That's more than AIDS. And what is the source of this superbug? You guessed it: cheap pig products. "Probably from the routine use — make that the insane overuse — of antibiotics in livestock feed. This is a system that may help breed virulent “superbugs” that pose a public health threat to us all."

A small Dutch study found pig farmers there were 760 times more likely than the general population to carry MRSA (without necessarily showing symptoms), and Scientific American reports that this strain of MRSA has turned up in 12 percent of Dutch retail pork samples. Now this same strain of MRSA has also been found in the United States. A new study by Tara Smith, a University of Iowa epidemiologist, found that 45 percent of pig farmers she sampled carried MRSA, as did 49 percent of the hogs tested.

And now with the NYT review of the Documentary "Death on Factory Farm" which is taking HBO viewers by

storm, I can only wonder how these animals that are smarter than dogs (yet some dogs chew delightfully on their dried ears & limbs) will fare int he coming months? And au contraire Mike Hale and the Wiles's community, we can all eat veggies and thrive.

2. Bid on me! Help Farm Sanctuary raise some funds, and get a private brunch for two prepared by yours truly! Also bid on items from Bill Mahr, Amy Smart, Joan Jett, Chloe Jo, Daniela Sea, Heather Mills, Matt & Nat, Wendy Kidd, Dan Piraro, Gloria Steinem, Joelle Katcher, Rachael Sage, 30 Seconds to Mars, Maureen Burke, Gabrielle Brick, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Nigel Barker, and more! 3. Is recycling really all that it claims to be? Have you ever been confronted by someone who is a total recycling skeptic and didn't know what to say? Read: "Recycling Is Too Difficult and 9 Other Obnoxious Myths" Read the Economist article: "The Truth About Recycling" Read: " The Economics of Recycling" Watch: William McDonough on 'Cradle to Cradle' Recycling is a tricky issue because it’s really a problem of over-production and over-consumption. But one thing is certain. We do not have infinite resources on this planet, and people who are in the industries that use up these resources, and are in positions to do something about it have a responsibility to figure out how to not leave devastated ecosystems for future generations. Just because the recycling systems aren’t perfect does not justify throwing caution to the wind and continuing ‘business as usual’. The real issue is that recycling is not enough. Reuse is better, and ‘green’ products with toxic by-products need to be more thoroughly sourced, because there are products that come from closed loop systems, also known as EIN Eco Industrial Networking or EIP- Environmental Industrial Parks. But again, the root problem is still there.

One major problem is that recycling systems are often based on dollars as opposed to ecological and personal well-being. Dollars are abstract and when you work towards achieving such an abstraction (as opposed to working towards sustainability, good health, community, friendship, etc) the consequences to the physical world become secondary, when in fact ecosystems are primary and without functioning, healthy ones, we’d all be gone. The reason recycling appears to be useless to some people is not because re-rendering products into new products is impossible – it’s because they are seeing the effects of basing a recycling system upon a system that in itself is not sustainable. Does that mean we shouldn’t recycle? Of course not! It means we should do that, and much much more! It also means the problems haven’t been solved and we need to get some serious critical thinking done.

Fresh Friday Finds

TheDiscerningBrute — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:09:27 +0000

1. If you thought they couldn't possibly be any more disgusting, the parting Bush Administration has denied dwindling, drowning and starving Polar Bears protection under the Endangered Species Act. Human generated global-warming, mostly caused by meat & dairy production, is the #1 culprit. Read the full article here.

“This rule makes a mockery of the Endangered Species Act, our nation’s most important wildlife protection law,” said Defenders of Wildlife executive vice president, Jamie Rappaport Clark. “The polar bear doesn’t have time for political maneuvers. Its habitat is melting away, its food is becoming scarce and the science is clear that the cause is global warming - yet the rule this administration released today affirms that little will be done to save the species from sure extinction.

2. If you wear glasses or sunglasses, and you don't know about Fabulous Fanny's, you are missing out! Get the most amazing selection of thrift & vintage frames and shades. Buying thrift is the greenest way to shop! It's one of the East Village's best kept secrets, and one of my personal favs. 3. Farm Sanctuary strikes again! With an awesome party, of course! With Miss Guy on the turn table, more amazing vegan food than your eyes and tummy can handle, and the most inspiring crowd of activists and celebs from Danilea Sea and Alison Becker to Jennifer Coolidge, Corey Feldman & Inder Bedhi of Matt&Nat - this Winter Wonderland fundraiser was not to be missed - but if you did miss it, make sure to make it to next one! Farmsanctuary.org 4. Our friend Karl at PARTYBOTS has designed some awesome, 100% post-consumer recycled, originally designed notebooks! These are sweet and under $6 each! Cheap gifts for everyone this holiday! 5. This holiday, you may be feeling philanthropic. However, be very aware of organizations like Heifer International - whose promises of alleviating malnutrition and poverty through providing animals, actually has disasterous results. Like the little fact that over 90% of the Africans who are given dairy cows are lactose intolerant. Our friends at WFAS school us on this, and tell us how we can really help: "While this might sound good on paper, the water and land needs of livestock in areas that are often short on both quickly outweigh the benefits -- instead it increases human dependence on an unsustainable food-system that depletes the environment and does not fulfill all of a community’s real nutritional or long-term survival needs" Read the full article. 6. Organic Cotton from Alternative Apparel is so much better than conventional cotton from the notoriously homophobic Urban Outfitters. 7. December 20th is National "Adopt, Don't Shop" day. The Saturday before Christmas is the biggest puppy-buying day of the year. This year, In Defense of Animals is teaming up with activists in dozens of cities around the country to educate the public about the horrors of pet factories (puppy mills) and encourage people to adopt a homeless animal from a shelter or rescue group instead of buying one from a pet store. Enzo and I say you should adopt! 8. In case you missed it on Ecorazzi, Chloé Jo Berman, and yours truly were interviewed about ethical fashion. Read the interview! 9. Elephants should not be in zoos. For example, the Los Angeles zoo has killed 13 elephants. Help close down this horrible slave-trade, and save Billy from the same fate that his previous 13 fellow elephants experienced. These intelligent, emotionally complex and gorgeous beings belong in their native habitat, not in captivity. You can view video of Billy and the Los Angeles Zoo here. You can donate to IDA's campaign to Free Billy here. 10. The sleek Pool Collection from Matt&Nat has arrived! Get it while it's hot, then take a dip in the pool. 100% vegan, recycled lining, and cool as hell.

Winter Wonderlands

TheDiscerningBrute — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:16:58 +0000

• If you aren't doing anything on December 4th, you should absolutely come party with me at the Farm Sanctuary Winter Wonderland Benefit. Thursday Dec 4th, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. The Art Directors Club, 106 W. 29th St. New York, NY 10001 My gal-pal Chloé Jo of the Girlie Girl Army did an amazing job putting this event together and invited special guests like Justin Theroux, Jennifer Coolidge, Corey Feldman, Peter Max, Patrick McDonnell, Tatum O'Neal, Daniela Sea, Ally Sheedy, Princess Superstar, Justin Theroux, and many more. Picture a festive cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres and sweets (can you say BABYCAKES?!) from a variety of the city’s finest vegan restaurants (think Candle 79, Blossom, and so many more), holiday shopping at a silent auction, gorgeous (and potentially single!) guests mingling, and overflowing goody bags. What are you waiting for - visit the event web site to rsvp now (tickets are $100 per person, with sponsorship levels from $350 and up). • Speaking of partying for the animals, I recently attended the Humane Society of the United States' Cool Vs. Cruel event at the Bowery Hotel. Supermodel Agyness Deyn sported her no-fur button, and I got to meet her, and everyone from Jay McCarroll (winner of Project Runway, Season One) to fashion icon Marc Bouwer to Nigel Barker. •Speaking of Nigel Barker, get your tickets now to tomorrow's screening of A Sealed Fate in NYC. Join Nigel Barker, renowned photographer, "America's Next Top Model" judge, and one of The Humane Society of the United States' top spokespersons, for a benefit screening of his moving documentary film "A Sealed Fate?" Will I see you there?

Gala Time!

TheDiscerningBrute — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:33:28 +0000

When was the last time you wined, dined, and looked refined with EMCEE Melissa Rivers, and SPECIAL GUESTS Kristen Bell, Rachel Leigh Cook, Jennifer Coolidge, Emily Deschanel, Christine Ebersole, Lisa Edelstein, Swoosie Kurtz, Vanessa Marcil, Peter Max, Rue McClanahan, Esai Morales, Kevin Nealon, Eric Roberts, Daniela Sea, Ally Sheedy, Loretta Swit, True Whitaker, Persia White, Shawn Colvin and Debra Wilson Skelton? Probably never... This is a product of my friends' blood, sweat, and tears. You'll meet compassionate people you only DREAMED of meeting, and network with like minded GREENIES... and all to help the animals! What could be more wonderful? If you want to hang out, eat amazing food, meet amazing people (including myself, of course) then buy tix now! BUY TICKETS HERE They will (and always do) sell out. THE EVENING Three-course Gourmet Vegan Dinner Farm Animal-inspired Auction Award Presentations Entertainment Tickets are $400 per person. To purchase tickets, donate and learn more, or to find out about sponsorship and advertising opportunities and make product donations and auction contributions to support the event, please contact us at 607-583-2225 ext.221 or gala@farmsanctuary.org Planning Committee James Costa, Chair Madeline Davis, Chris Haynes, Dennis Erdman, Joy Pierson, Sal Scamardo, James Warren, Vanessa Noel, Benay Vynerib You won't regret attending this event.