The PETA stuff is difficult - obviously they feel strongly and are out to evangelecise to an extent. Their style of argument may help them do that. Unfortunately the stuff I read was very much sacrificing a cogent or consistent argument in favour of being shocking. However I thought the UK vegsoc were much more helpful.

The chicken barn/free range etc, is probably something in flux - the whole area seems to be increasingly regulated. (In the UK. In the US it's much more of a nightmare).

Merry 08 to you too - sorry we didn't make it on Monday. I've been trying to be a virtuous studier, with varying degrees of success. After an 8 hour trip to London to get a UK driving licence, we opted for a night in. Sounds like you had a good night though!