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"I am deeply concerned that unhealthy school lunches are contributing to our nation's childhood obesity epidemic. School is tough enough already—schools shouldn't have to put up with lunches swimming in fat and cholesterol. It's time for healthier options."
—Tobey Maguire

The Spider-Man star has teamed up with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to encourage public schools to escape the unhealthy web (yeah, I went there) of greasy cafeteria fare and offer healthy vegetarian options. He also says that as a father, "[T]his issue is tremendously important …"

If only all dads were that fly. (All right, I'm done. Promise.)

Posted by Shawna Flavell

Through the Freedom of Information Act, the Physician's Committeee for Responsible Medicine (PRCM) has obtained video footage of several Department of Defense military trauma training exercises.

In training exercises that are supposed to simulate the effects of a nerve agent attack, monkeys experience seizures and difficulty breathing. In another exercise, live goats are cut open—causing severe bleeding—while the instructor repeatedly acknowledges the differences between the training and human casualties. All this suffering is inflicted in order to train military medics—who would learn more if they were provided with state-of-the-art simulators and rotations in trauma hospitals.

We have been working hard to eliminate these cruel exercises in the U.S. and in countries around the globe. After PETA campaigned against cruel dog stabbings, Bolivia banned all animal use from military training. Now, Georgia Congressmember Hank Johnson, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, is calling on the Army to phase out antiquated trauma training on animals.

Urge your congressperson to co-sign Congressmember Hank Johnson's letter and help put an end to the military's war on animals.

Posted by Karin Bennett

Have you recently gone vegetarian? Maybe you still eat meat but are looking for a lifestyle change to benefit your health and save animals' lives? Well, if you have been served grilled chicken or processed meats, you have a rare opportunity to fight for animals.

As some of you may know, the consumption of processed meats—such as sausage, bacon, and hot dogs—has been linked to colon cancer. Many folks are also surprised to learn that grilled chicken breast contains a cancer-causing chemical called PhlP. Unfortunately, food outlets that sell grilled chicken and processed meats are not warning consumers of the risk that their products pose.

The Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is trying to bring manufacturers and sellers of hot dogs, sausage, grilled chicken, and similar foods that are linked with cancer to court in order to force them to put up warnings to notify consumer of the health risk of their products. PCRM is currently doing a nationwide search to find plaintiffs for this lawsuit … and that's where you come in! You could be a part of this unusual and exciting opportunity to help animals if you meet the following criteria:

1. You've been eating these products and did not know that they were linked to cancer risk.
2. You will now stop eating these products.

If you do meet the above criteria and would like to assist PCRM with this lawsuit, please contact PCRM today at rbernstein@pcrm.org or 202-686-2210, extension 314. Best of luck to you and your colon!

Posted by Sean Conner