Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Frolicking Pigs & Willie Nelson Covers Coldplay: Chipotle Goes Back to the Start [UPDATED]
You can thank Alice Waters for yet another thing: Chipotle founder Steve Ells' enlightened approach to fast food (or as they call it, fast casual.)
The rapidly expanding chain of farm-to-fast food eateries started by the Waters protege ran a two minute commercial featuring a cover of Coldplay's "The Scientist" by farmer/singer/songwriter Willie Nelson.
The short, animated film features the arc taken by a farmer caught up in industrial farming practices. It ends with a pigs frolicking and rainbows, an ending better than that of Latin Jazz categories during the awards themselves.
Support for LAist comes from
Personally, as a fan of both dubstep and Chipotle burritos, I'm waiting for a Deadmau5 soundtrack to tell the story of farmworkers and recent victories in the fields with Trader Joe's.
UPDATE 12:30 PM: Farm Sanctuary has offered us a comment on the Chipotle video:
“Factory farming dominates our food production. This industry's treatment of animals is so egregious that it must actively work to prevent people from learning the truth. So efforts like Chipotle's, which educate the public about industrialized animal production, are a step in the right direction. Yet, we believe that all farm animals are emotional intelligent individuals who should not be exploited. That's why it is our mission to further educate people about why farm animals matter every bit as much as our cats and dogs do.” - Farm Sanctuary President and Co-Founder Gene Baur
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist