LafayetteLady -> RE: PETA angry at NYTimes (10/1/2011 2:36:16 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Kaliko quote:
ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady To me, the health, well being and lives of HUMANS is now and will always be more important than the life of an animal. Actually, I agree with you there. Not because I think humans are inherently deserving of more care and respect, but because, being human, I naturally identify and feel empathy for my fellow humans. As much as I love dogs and turtles and kittens, if it was a choice between saving my child from a sinking ship or saving my dog, I would save my child. It doesn't mean the life of the dog has less value. It just means that - shit, it's my kid. Of course our own species is going to come first for our concern. I am skeptical of any vegetarian who claims that they would not kill a pig if he/she was starving and needed to eat, or wouldn't use medicine that was tested on animals to prevent pain and suffering. The goal, in part, of a vegetarian diet is to reduce consumption of animals, which thereby reduces the amount of animal by-products available. There are likely other ways to accomplish what we need, but right now, using animals and animal products is how it's done and there's no reason for companies to choose to look at different ways of making things happen unless they are hit in the pocketbook. If they need to pay higher prices for by-products because there is less consumption of animals, then they will consider alternative man-made sources. In the interim, I take reasonable steps in today's society to feel better about my choices (not eating meat), and I will not forego medication that may save my life based on its origin. I will not sacrifice my life for the life of an animal, but I will continue to make choices that will hopefully lead to one day providing more freedom and better choices for everyone. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with vegetarians or vegans. If that is what you choose to eat, have at it. I DO have a problem with PETA and the way they push their message. I DO have problems with people who try to push others into eating the way they do, and feel the same about us meat eaters who try to change vegs into meat eaters. Funny you mention the bolded part. When Katrina hit and everyone was complaining about pets not being allowed on the little boats they were using to rescue stranded people, I said essentially the same thing, and I had two dogs at the time. In that situation, if someone was on the boat with their dog, cat or whatever and that left no room for me or my son, I would have told them that my son and I were getting on that boat and either their pet or them would be going overboard. After living in a house with 9 dogs for the past few months though (none of which are very well behaved), I don't think I ever want to have another dog as long as I live, lol. I've thought about trying a vegetarian diet, but....I really just like things like steak and bacon too much.
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