Life's Mysteries

[dalthauser]

This morning on CNN they did an emotional segment on the killing of dolphins in Japan.  It was pretty bloody and upsetting.  There were interviews of several activists explaining how dolphins are "sentient beings" and it was criminal to slaughter them so.  You'd have to be pretty heartless not to have any reaction to this.

What I kept thinking about the whole time I watched this was the hypocricy.  I don't see CNN doing a human interest story about the slaughter of millions of cows, pigs, and chickens in our own country (unless it has something to with mad cow or Avian Flu).  
Are these creatures not sentient beings as well?  

There is no shortage of activists for the end of factory farming and other inhumane treatment.  So, it's not as though there are no groups or individuals to talk to.  Hell, you don't have to travel to Japan to do the story.  There are factory farms in every state of the union.

Those animals certainly deserve equal coverage.  At least the dolphin (and deer) roam free until they are brutally slaughtered.  Cows, chickens, and pigs live their entire life in the squalor, force fed growth hormones, and pumped full of antibiotics.  

Why do people vigorously oppose any abuse of Flipper, Fido, and Black Beauty - yet have no problem torturing, slaughtering and eating Bossy, Wilbur, and Foghorn Leghorn? 
This is one of the big mysteries I'll probably never solve before I die. 

I'm not talking about eating or not eating meat here  - I'm talking about at least admitting we are doing the same thing as Japan is doing - we are just a bunch of hypocrites - ugh, it really makes me mad.

Comments

[reyvin.livejournal.com]

It frustrates me in general that people say animals aren't sentient. They understand cause and effect. How is that not sentient? Hell, my stupid stepkids can't even figure out cause and effect as well as my dogs.

So I hear ya on that. It's BS.

[sahlah.livejournal.com]

It's true, when you read or learn about factory farming of animals - you have to have a cold heart not to appreciate the suffering of those individuals.

We are seriously removed from our food supply. Ask people where meat comes from and they answer Safeway.

I do eat meat. I hope I thoughtfully consume it. I very carefully buy it. I am grateful for the life of that being.

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

I see it this way, you don't have to eat dolphins or whales, there is plenty of animal protein out there. It's like i wear a leather belt and shoes, but not a leather jacket, because i don't need a leather jacket. So i consume animals but only what i believe is necessary. It's a few steps beyond being a vegetarian but one who consumes eggs. Or i have one more, i drive a car but only the car i need.

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

If more people consumed this way - there would be a huge change in the world for the better

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

Well, you don't have to eat any kind of meat at all - but I see do see your point. Every time someone even mentions veal to me I get teary eyed.

[bright-feather.livejournal.com]

I do eat meat, but you have givien me some 'food for thought' here (no pun imtended). I think people sort of go around with their head stuck in the sand and try not to think about it if they can help it. Dolphins are cute and highly intelligent, as are seals and whales. I think that people have a tendency to think that they can understand what is going on where as chickens cows and pigs are just 'dumb animals'. Anywhay, that's my $.02 worth.

[rawks0me0rama.livejournal.com]

I've always wondered myself, why it's 'o.k.' to kill certain animals for food [in America], but others [dogs & cats, for example] are seen as taboo. Sure a pig can't necessarily sit on your lap at night as your watching tv, but they still are capable of expressing their affection for you the same as a pet dog or cat. But instead of loving them, most people would rather eat them for breakfast. :[

Rick & I were having a discussion about the way factory farm animals are treated. [I'm sure you've read or seen horror stories.] I just don't understand how the people working there can treat the animals the way they do. I understand they're being killed for food, but the way they abuse & torture them before hand is horrific.

Personally, I wouldn't have such an issue with people eating meat, if the animals were treated with a lot more respect & not abused or kept in such disgusting filth & cramped quarters.

I just can't support an industry that does that.

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

The reason I steered myself away from meat is because of factory farming practices. Cruelty and health concerns. If people only knew....jeez.

It's very interesting psychologically how there is such a huge disconnect with people. You could show them a video like Meet Your Meat or have them read Mad Cowboy or Dominion - and some would still not make the connection. It's bizarre.

I'm not without guilt though. I still eat some dairy and eggs. Even if it is organic and I don't stuff myself with it - it's still hypocritical of me.

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

It's our culture. It encourages us to disconnect. Just like when we see violence on TV or the movies.

My mother watched some videos at my house when she visited and was completely changed by that experience. She hasn't eaten meat since (that was 5 years ago). Yet my daughter lived with me and thoroughly understands the cruelty and health issues - yet she still eats meat. It's kind of like The Matrix.... you either "get it" or you don't. Weird.

[minemouse.livejournal.com]

I have been steering away from meat too, it's just harder and harder to look at it and not think about the suffering that goes into it.
I grew up on a small family farm. Our chickens were treated extremely well and when the end came it was very quick and painless. I only wish all farm animals could be treated with the respect my father gave them.

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

I try and buy my eggs from the Farmer's Market and when I do buy cheese I buy the organic artisan stuff or good soy or rice alternatives(just less of it to make up for the cost). I don't know how much this makes a difference, but at least it's something.

My grandfather kept chickens too. He had a quaint little coop with a run, and I remember going in and collecting eggs. I never witnessed him killing them, but I knew he did. Knowing him - he'd have not been happy to do it.

[k2rider78.livejournal.com]

I go back and forth from a totally vegetarian diet to eating meat. I guess I'm mostly omnivorous but I want animals treated with respect too. I think humans have to learn how to treat each other better as well. Too many cases of genocide in the world today.

I hope we all start learning from our mistakes :(

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

I don't drive myself totally crazy over veg or no veg arguement anymore (just a little crazy).

I understand that eating other animals is part of nature. I still ponder though - once you are aware that there is an option - how does that change things. This is my frustration. I rarely judge others (except some meat gorging rednecks who will remain nameless), but I hold myself up for scrutiny all the time.

You are right - we can't even treat each other decently. We've got such a long way to go before humans respect other species.