QUOTE(Alex+R @ May 16 2007, 04:31 PM)
QUOTE(Girona40 @ May 16 2007, 06:12 AM)
QUOTE(Alex+R @ May 16 2007, 12:04 AM)
QUOTE(Girona40 @ May 15 2007, 09:36 AM)
"I was saying that the average person has a little bit of a hypocritical streak when it comes to eating meat"
I just had to comment on this, I couldn't walk away from it. I just do not understand your way of thinking, on this matter, at all.
"I'm hoping to move back to vegetarianism by the end of summer" - but I don't have a problem eating meat now.
"Difficult when hubster does all the cooking and is a serious carnivore" - I don't see what your husband's eating habits have to do with your choices at all. My husband kills, prepares, cooks and eats meat, but that doesn't mean I do.
"I have never eaten baby animals" - but it's not a problem to eat their parents.
I just don't get your rationale on the subject.
I'm not sure why you've chosen to go after me, someone who at least cares about where my meat comes from, as opposed to most people who eat any old meat. I would like to go back to vegetarianism just to avoid the problem of determining where my meat comes from all the time, not because I have a huge problem eating animals period. In some ways it does bother me, but I always feel healthier when I'm eating meat, so it's difficult for me to decide. I don't like eating baby animals, or cow stomach chemicals, or brains, or sheep testicles, so what? That is no more your business than it's mine how much chocolate you consume. I'm happy to discuss my choices, but I see no need for attacks.
I was going to say the difference between vegetarians and vegans is that vegetarians are usually less pushy and self-righteous about the subject, but I may have to change my view.
I have no need to "go after" anyone - I was, merely, pointing out that I did not understand your rationale.
I still don't understand your reasoning. Where do you get your information that "most people" eat "any old meat"? What is your definition of "any old meat"? To me, meat is meat, the part of a dead animal, considered edible.
This time you say "I have a huge problem eating animals period", but then go on to say you "feel healthier when I'm eating meat".
You "don't like eating baby animals, or cow stomach chemicals, or brains, or sheep testicles, so what?" So, why post it if you don't expect anyone to comment? It is indeed your business and I have no interest in your personal choices, in anything, just curious as to your reasoning. You say are "happy to discuss" your choices, but when someone points out that they don't understand the reasoning behind the choices you are making, you consider it an "attack". Nothing could be further from the truth - I was merely asking you to explain it to me. If you can't do that, or you don't want to, that's fine.
Being "pushy and self-righteous" are not characteristics of vegetarians, vegans, or meat eaters. They are terms that can be applied to any individual who is aggressive or passionate about a subject and intolerent of the opinions of others. Therefore, they can be used to describe any individual with these traits, not just non meat eaters.
Please read carefully. I said "NOT because I have a huge problem eating meat period." I don't. I get my information that most people eat "any old meat" because I have pretty much never heard anyone walk into McDonalds and ask where the meat for the burgers came from or ask the waitress at a restaurant where the chicken was from? You are operating on the idea that the only reason someone wouldn't eat meat would be because they think meat is murder. There are other reasons that you aren't taking into account. I only eat meat that I am sure has been brought to my table from animals that were farm-raised in a small local farm. To you it doesn't matter if chickens are raised in tiny cages that destroy their feet and cause painful infections and are given chemicals to turn them into circus freaks, because when someone eats that chicken it's the same as a chicken who was raised in a happy farm life til it was old enough to be eaten. Those things do matter to me and there is a big difference.
If you are really concerned about animal welfare, I hope you don't eat eggs or at least buy some verified small-farm eggs (not just organic) and that you don't eat any products outside the home prepared with eggs. That's where farm animals are treated the cruelest. I think the reasons for vegetarianism have changed with the way meat production has changed and since you have been one for so long you may not be aware of these issues.
What is my business is my business, but I am happy to share it with you or anyone and I am happy to hear comments. However, I hope those comments recognize that each person has their own preferences.
You still haven't told me why you singled me out over all the meat eaters of the world. Any answer?
I will answer your last question first. The reason I chose to "respond" to your post was NOT to single you out. I reply to many posts on the VJ site, those posted by meat eaters and vegetarians alike, but yours struck me as one of the most contradictory in its rationale.
I have had no problem in asking at MacDonalds where their meat, and other produce, comes from and have done so. I made a point, back in 1997, which is when MacDonalds came within 40 miles of where I lived, never to purchase from them as they used animal/vegetable fat when producing their fries. Have never touched anything sold by them since.
Not everyone is prepared to eat "any old meat" as you call it. My family will not eat "meat" that is prepared from hoof, hair, skin, etc., i.e. sausages, scrapple, etc. Only meat that they have either killed themselves, or meat produced by companies that treat their animals humanely prior to slaughter. I don't agree with eating meat at all, but the men in my household choose to eat meat and it is not my place to dictate to them that they should do otherwise.
"You are operating on the idea that the only reason someone wouldn't eat meat would be because they think meat is murder". That is a presumptious statement. You do not know what my ideas are on why someone would choose not to eat meat. I did not chose to become a vegetarian for the reason you state, but for other "personal" reasons.
You are quite right when you state that chickens suffer very cruel conditions. I have rescued many battery hens in my lifetime and given them the lives they deserved. So, your comment "To you it doesn't matter if chickens are raised in tiny cages that destroy their feet and cause painful infections and are given chemicals to turn them into circus freaks, because when someone eats that chicken it's the same as a chicken who was raised in a happy farm life til it was old enough to be eaten" is just total BS! You have no idea how I feel about the raising of chickens! Don't tell me, or everyone else on this board that it DOESN'T MATTER TO ME - you don't know me!
I can assure you that I am well aware of the issues of modern-day farming and animal welfare, and like I said, you don't know me, you don't know anything about my beliefs or knowledge on the subject, so please don't make such sweeping remarks about me that are totally untrue, or misguiding. If you are prepared to share your views on the subject, that is one thing, but don't think or presume that your views are that of everybody else here. They are not.
