Interview: John Joseph (Cro-Mags/ Bloodclot) vs. The Dairy Pride Act
photo by Ray Lego
Recently, Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin publicly expressed her push for the Dairy Pride Act (a bill that would require non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants, etc.. to no longer be labeled as terms such as milk, yogurt or cheese) and how she plans to stand by dairy farmers and fight against these vegan/vegetarian options being labeled as “milk”.
Reading up on the act, I felt compelled to hear what John Joseph, vocalist of the Cro Mags and the recently Metal Blade Records-signed, Bloodclot, had to say about this. While many people find aggressive vegans to be on their “not my favorite” list, I am a different breed. If done right, I feel it expresses their passion and integrity, and JJ embodies that, which is one reason I value and respect his opinion on this sort of stuff so much. Luckily, I was able to ask him a few questions to appease my appetite. Check it out:
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How do you feel about a senator devoting time to promoting the dairy industry? Is this a good use of her resources?
A senator in a huge dairy state like Wisconsin? I mean, c’mon now. If she wants to keep her job, of course she has to try and pass shit like this bill. How about the “Dairy Sickness Act”? Because dairy foods are pure poison to the human body. Let me give you a prime example of how lobbying works: In the documentary film, Plant Pure Nation, doctors T. Colin Campbell and Caldwell Esselstyn presented their research on the benefits of a plant based nutrition to the Kentucky State legislature. The house members were stoked. With one of the highest levels of childhood obesity in the nation, Kentucky also suffers from high rates of heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes. Soon after Campbell’s and Esselstyn’s presentation, Rep. Tom Riner introduced a bill to establish a pilot program that would document the health benefits of a plant-based diet. But once the bill went into committee, Animal Agriculture Industry Lobbyists had a shit fit and launched one of the most intensive lobby efforts ever in Kentucky. As the bill’s sponsor Rep. Riner put it, the bill was watered down to “a shadow of its former self.” So, it doesn’t matter if you have legit doctors with legit clinical research and stats to back up the fact that dairy and meat are making people sick, it’s all about the almighty dollar. Profit over lives in America and it’s poison profiteers. Always has been.
What do you think about the Dairy Pride Act? Is this a desperate attempt for the dairy industry to boost sales since the popularly of dairy-alternatives is on the rise?
Look, plain and simple the dairy industry has been getting their ass kicked as of late. More and more people have allergies to it, while many others are waking up and realizing it ain’t the perfect food it was made out to be. There’s just as much calcium in kale and other foods as there is in dairy milk, but without all the bad shit. The purpose of cow’s milk is to turn a baby calf into of a 400 pound cow as soon as possible. To do that, it’s full of hormones, lipids, sodium, growth factors, IGF and other crap. Another factor is casein, which is the main protein in dairy. Studies show that it facilitates the growth and development of cancer. So with all the facts coming out now, of course people are looking for alternatives to cow’s milk. And let me tell you – I been doing this shit a long time and when I started back in 1981, soy milk was about the only thing out there and it tasted like shit. It’s come a long way. Now you can use any of the alternative milks in cereal, recipes, whatever. Works just as well and it won’t kill your ass. So now, here we go, desperate times calls for desperate measures by the desperate dairy industry and their paid of cronies in politics.
Dairy farmers are claiming the “milk” label is misleading to consumers and they might think they are, in fact, buying milk. What do you think about that assumption?
That’s just total bullshit. No one is confused. They know exactly what they are buying when they purchase coconut, almond, hemp, soy milk and the rest. The ones who are misleading the public is the dairy industry. Putting pictures of cows out in green pastures on rolling hills grazing on grass. Motherfucker please. Go to a dairy farm. That shit is disgusting. Full of bacteria, feces, urine, microorganisms, pesticides (from the grain they eat), antibiotics and a lot of other horrible shit. Not to mention it’s linked up to the veal industry. That’s where baby male cows are sent and that shit is brutal. Bad karma all they way around.
What would you call “Almond Milk” if they had to remove the word “milk” from the name?
“Nut Juice”… Oh shit, I’m trademarking that! Ha!
To close, what would you say to someone on the cusp of giving up dairy in their lifestyle?
It’s one of the best things you can ever do to extend your life and be healthy. You don’t need it. Do research, watch the film Forks Over Knives. Don’t take my word for it, get the medical, the clinical evidence and research from Doctor Campbell and Doctor Essylstyn. We as consumers in the U.S. are lied to every damn day and misled through advertising. It’s only when the seed of knowledge is planted and the light comes on we realize, “Hey man, I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” That’s when we look for change. Here’s a great link on dairy and disease. Check it out.
I’m turning 55 this year – I’m in the gym just about every day, touring still, and I compete in Ironman triathlons. I placed top 10% on the planet in my age group in 2016. All on a 100% organic, plant-based diet. So give up the tit milk and the rest. You don’t need it. I’m not here to judge what anyone else does, I just try to pay forward the knowledge that I received. Check out my book Meat is For Pussies. Great recipes and science-based info. The title’s meaning is stated in the opening pages, “If you continue to live a lazy, sedentary lifestyle, eating fucked up food, you will become a pussy dependant on the pharmaceutical companies to keep you alive.”
Do research and I can guarantee you you’ll come to the same conclusions that I have: Milk – It don’t do a body good.
Keep that PMA – John J.
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If you missed JJ’s appearance in this Forbes article, be sure to give it a read! Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter to keep up with his bands and health advice.
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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