(CNN) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill Friday that would have banned crates that severely limit the mobility of pregnant pigs, a move that will win favor with Iowa farmers and spark more speculation about Christie's presidential aspirations but cause outrage among animal rights activists who pushed for the ban.
Critics consider the small metal crates a form of animal cruelty -- the pigs aren't able to turn around in the limited space -- but advocates say they prevent sows from accidentally lying down or stepping on piglets. Despite its strong bipartisan support in the state legislature, the Republican governor vetoed a version of the bill in 2013. When a nearly identical version passed again in the Democratic-led legislature, Christie faced mounting pressure this fall from activists and celebrities, including Bill Maher, Danny DeVito, Martha Stewart and Edie Falco. Jon Stewart gave the issue wider attention when he featured it in a segment <http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/quron5/garden-crate> on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" this month. And Matthew Scully, a former speechwriter and adviser to President George W. Bush, wrote a lengthy essay for National Review Online <http://www.nationalreview.com/article/393050/chris-christies-moral-dilemma-matthew-scully/page/0/2>, spelling out a case for banning the crates. In a statement, Christie said the bill is a "solution in search of a problem" and a "political movement masquerading as substantive policy." Arguing that it's not a practice in New Jersey, Christie said it should be left to the state's Board of Agriculture, which currently doesn't outlaw the crates. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/28/christie-vetoes-pig-bill_n_6238926.html <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/28/christie-vetoes-pig-bill_n_6238926.html> Those dirty swine, we'll fatten up… On which we plan to promptly sup! Have some mercy for your food! Do not become an EVIL brood!! Pregnant pigs cannot make turns, Sores develop, worse than burns! Gov’nor we don’t ask for SUPER-BIG But lets not torture - any pig! Gov’nor we’re not saying they’ll be free. Just un-tormented, hideously. Christie wants the smaller crates. He's just so full of toxic hates! Big guy, I just cannot lie, you NOW do rate a real small sty!! Like Snowball oinked in Animal Farm 'Vote for me, or face great harm’! 'All us pigs are equal brothers, but I'm MORE equal, than you others’!! If you feel you can’t relate, At least, re-open up, Bridge-Gate!!! Rick Conrad [email protected] PS - Feel free to use this, as you see fit to move our Gov. to MERCY!! ALSO: Could someone please forward this to <[email protected]> Thank-You!!!
