Just because we can....doesn't mean we should.

[lady_solestri]

I had to take a life tonight.

Drummer and I went out to collect eggs from the henhouse, and found one of the hens huddled in the corner.  When I got her out, I realized that she had an enormous ulceration under her wing where it wasn’t readily visible until you actually picked the bird up.  It was probably a result of an infected scratch from

Comments

[clare_de_lune]

I think plants probably have some form of distress as well, just not as apparent to us.

[drummerj]

I think the first half of my life - when it comes to food, at least -- was spent mostly unconsciously consuming the flesh of animals, highly artificial fake foods, and pseudo foods that came from far away out of season.

Sometime last year I began slowly eliminating those things, including animal meat, for the health of it. I admit there have been a few times I have consumed flesh simply because it was cheaper and easily available. I am still working to master that "craving" that attends me at restaurants and other outings.

More recently I've been thinking past my plate to the food industry. One day I'll screw up my courage to read The Veganist or to finish The Omnivore's Delight.

I know my choices about not consuming animal flesh are right for me. I also know those kinds of choices will be met with criticism or defensiveness, although it is puzzling as to why. To those responses, I would say that I am not judging anyone else on their choices to eat animal flesh.

It is no longer a choice *I* wish to make.

[catraven]

All my life, meat has come in neat packages of plastic and styrofoam in the supermarket. Because of institutionalized meat production, it's been hard to connect what is on the plate with an actual animal. Perhaps if there was less of a disconnect between what we eat and where it comes from, there would be fewer humans eating meat.
I'm going to step up my withdrawal from meat. While I was not involved in putting the poor hen out of her misery, I can imagine the distress, both in the animal and my family. This time, it's far too close to home.
I understand how difficult it is to change a lifetime of attitude and eating. Sometimes, it takes a kick to the head.

[silveredmane]

This is a very moving account.

I agree with you - and have much, much more to say about it than that.

It feels increasingly urgent to have time for us to talk. It's the logistics, rather than the inclination, that's been holding me back. I'm working on figuring it out, hoping that soon I'll have more money although less time and that despite the less time, more ability to see you.

Have you seen Go Vegan or Go Home?

[amberspiderlily]

I also believe that plant life is sacred as well and that all food ought to be respected and appreciated. I guess I'd be OK being someone's lunch, thought I'd fight not to.

That said, the meat industry is an abomination. It ranks up there with war as one of the major horrors perpetrated by humans.

I rarely eat meat. Never really have. I try to respect all life. Try to be mindful and grateful. Show films like "Fast Food Nation" to the kids.