As a small-scale farmer I know first hand how hard it is to make a viable living off of my land--impossible just about covers it. As a Canadian, I do not oppose the seal hunt. Why? Because this is a major source of income to those hunters, both native and non-native. I've noticed that PETA only opposes the non-native hunt which takes place before the native hunt does. The animal is not wasted by either community and, contrary to popular belief, the carcass is not left on the ice. It is mostly used for beta-carotene suppliments and meat. The skins are highly sought after in Europe and Japan and are very warm and durable. The hunters have quotas and the hunt is monitored by the Fish and Wildlife Department. Baby cows are cute, yet people still eat veal even though how the animal is treated is terrible. The baby chicks I've raised are wonderfully fluffy and adorable and live extremely good lives on my organic farm before ending up in my freezer.
For those of you who choose not to eat meat be aware that the tofu you're eating is responsible for the continuing destruction of rainforests and is one of the most highly sprayed crops on the planet.
For those of you who refuse to wear leather "for the animals" know that the use of unrenewable fossil fuels go into the production of those pleather shoes and jackets you think are so much better.
There's a consequence to every choice, and right or wrong is mostly a grey area. And please, if you think stopping the seal hunt is the right thing to do, send a monthly donation to all the hunters whose livelihoods you've taken away--their kids need to eat and go to university too.
@Cat45: "For those of you who choose not to eat meat be aware that the tofu you're eating is responsible for the continuing destruction of rainforests and is one of the most highly sprayed crops on the planet."
The majority of soy, especially that grown in rainforest areas, is grown to be fed to livestock. So in fact, it is people who eat meat--not those who eat tofu--who are supporting these desctructive, often GMO, and heavily-sprayed crops.
"For those of you who refuse to wear leather "for the animals" know that the use of unrenewable fossil fuels go into the production of those pleather shoes and jackets you think are so much better."
The tanning and preparation of leather also uses chemicals, which may be highly toxic.
I get your point that there are loads of issues to be thought about and simply being vegan doesn't address all of them. However, I see things like the above (especially the mistaken claim that vegetarians are the main consumers of soy when it is actually overwhelmingly the livestock industry) often and just wanted to correct them.
I am a vegan because I believe it is wrong for us to "own" animals and see them as products and means to our ends rather than beings who have a right to their own lives. Being a vegan isn't automatically going to make my diet/buying habits eco-friendly, healthy, etc. I can be vegan and either care or not care about my food being non-GMO, organic, local, etc.
When PETA can protest (in clothes) the brutal clubbing of a creature SO adorable and we can still make jokes, methinks they have almost NO effectiveness left.
They DO good work people - we have segments devoted to proper pet care they've done for air. I'm afraid they've gone so far in most cases they've turned off almost everyone.
This is why all Canadians should be lumberjacks. Then they'd be okay. They'd sleep all night and they'd work all day. And they wouldn't club baby seals.
He walked out of the hotel furtively, feeling uncomfortably warm in his fuzzy bunny fursuit. He let out a gasp as he saw his bed partner from the night before, dead on the sidewalk.
He knew then this Furry convention wouldn't be like the others.
@funzette: Suddenly, a women walked up to him. "FSI" she said. "Can I swab the inside of your mouth and get a paw print? We may need to question you in this seal's death."
10/23/09
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09/17/09
For those of you who choose not to eat meat be aware that the tofu you're eating is responsible for the continuing destruction of rainforests and is one of the most highly sprayed crops on the planet.
For those of you who refuse to wear leather "for the animals" know that the use of unrenewable fossil fuels go into the production of those pleather shoes and jackets you think are so much better.
There's a consequence to every choice, and right or wrong is mostly a grey area. And please, if you think stopping the seal hunt is the right thing to do, send a monthly donation to all the hunters whose livelihoods you've taken away--their kids need to eat and go to university too.
09/17/09
09/18/09
The majority of soy, especially that grown in rainforest areas, is grown to be fed to livestock. So in fact, it is people who eat meat--not those who eat tofu--who are supporting these desctructive, often GMO, and heavily-sprayed crops.
"For those of you who refuse to wear leather "for the animals" know that the use of unrenewable fossil fuels go into the production of those pleather shoes and jackets you think are so much better."
The tanning and preparation of leather also uses chemicals, which may be highly toxic.
I get your point that there are loads of issues to be thought about and simply being vegan doesn't address all of them. However, I see things like the above (especially the mistaken claim that vegetarians are the main consumers of soy when it is actually overwhelmingly the livestock industry) often and just wanted to correct them.
I am a vegan because I believe it is wrong for us to "own" animals and see them as products and means to our ends rather than beings who have a right to their own lives. Being a vegan isn't automatically going to make my diet/buying habits eco-friendly, healthy, etc. I can be vegan and either care or not care about my food being non-GMO, organic, local, etc.
09/17/09
They DO good work people - we have segments devoted to proper pet care they've done for air. I'm afraid they've gone so far in most cases they've turned off almost everyone.
09/17/09
Well it's about time
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Not a whole lot of people eat seal, Eskimos deserve their blubber treats. Have you not seen the joy in grannies eyes? Have you not seeeeen?
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09/17/09
He knew then this Furry convention wouldn't be like the others.
09/17/09