Let's NOT Let The TRUTH Trouble Us

Let's see:

1. First we were told that the 'second cut/throat-ripping' was to help the animal die faster and experience less pain.
2. Then, Rabbi Chaim Kohn of KAJ denied that telling me last week, "it is not" and "I would never say that."
3. Today, Rabbi Menachem Genack, the OU's head of kashrut – who told me this morning that he did not know until last week that the 'second-cut/throat-ripping' was being done – now says that the purpose of the throat-ripping was twofold:

• To render the animal unconcious faster and to ease it's pain.
  
• To reduce the number of bloodspots and bruises on the meat by increasing the bleeding. (This makes the meat more valuable.)

Now we have this from the Postville Herald-Leader:

The administration for Agriprocessors added that two rabbis are in the slaughter area at all times; following the first cut made by a rabbi with a ritual knife, a worker on the floor makes additional cuts to ensure sufficient blood loss and make certain the animal is oblivious to pain.
The USDA has continued to approve the methods of slaughter used at the plant here. Nine rabbis are on site during production to ensure kosher standards, as well as those set up by the government, are adhered to. Veterinarians, who are employed by the USDA and oversee the procedures at Agriprocessors, say the bleeding should render the animal unconscious in less than 20 seconds.

You'd think these guys could coordinate their stories in a better fashion. It's almost like the holding cell from NYPD Blue on the prarie.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), an animal rights organization has asked Secretary of State Patty Judge to bring legal proceedings against Agriprocessors, Inc.
The group alleges that Agriprocessors has violated state law requiring the use of humane methods when slaughtering animals for human consumption. The group indicated that they were going to file a formal complaint with Sec. Judge on Monday.
PETA representatives say that a video produced by undercover agents of their organization shows the improper execution used during kosher slaughter. In a statement released by their organization, PETA representatives say, "the video taken shows the mutilation of fully conscious cows."
Spokespeople for Agriprocessors have said the practices used in their facility adhere to the guidelines set out by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). For religious purposes, the plant administration added, the slaughtering of all animals is overseen by rabbis who are committed to proper methodology. Their religious practices, they added, also insist on humane treatment to the animals.
Although undercover PETA representatives filmed footage of cattle flailing around after having had their throats slit, a Agriprocessor's spokesperson said those motions are involuntary. It was further stated that the large amount of blood lost following the kosher procedure causes the animal's brain to be insensitive to pain.
PETA representatives, however, deny these claims. They say the animals are in pain for up to three minutes after they are slaughtered. Although non-kosher plants typically stun animals before they are killed this is not an option under kosher law.
The administration for Agriprocessors added that two rabbis are in the slaughter area at all times; following the first cut made by a rabbi with a ritual knife, a worker on the floor makes additional cuts to ensure sufficient blood loss and make certain the animal is oblivious to pain.
The USDA has continued to approve the methods of slaughter used at the plant here. Nine rabbis are on site during production to ensure kosher standards, as well as those set up by the government, are adhered to. Veterinarians, who are employed by the USDA and oversee the procedures at Agriprocessors, say the bleeding should render the animal unconscious in less than 20 seconds.