After I saw the report on the mistreated cows, I decided I am going to give up meat. But I can’t just do it all at once – my body would go into some sort of shock and I would die. OK, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but seriously – I love meat. So I decided I would give up red meat immediately. And then after a while, I would decide if I wanted to go all the way with it. So Monday night, I gave up all red meat. Then last night, I forgot and ate a bologna sandwich. But then I decided I would give myself a pass because technically, bologna is “pink” meat. Or, more accurately, “pink” “meat”.
Regardless, giving up meat has been something I have toyed with for years. But I always felt that if I were going to do it, I should go completely vegan. But then I start thinking about all the things I wouldn’t be able to have, like toasted marshmallows and cheese (separately, of course, toasted marshmallows with cheese would be gross…or would it?) and I realize that I’ll never be able to do it and besides, I’m totally distracted by the thoughts of yummy animal by-product goodness (behold the power of cheese) (and marshmallow) that I forget all about it anyway. But the video of those poor cows being abused just did me in. And – bologna sandwich not withstanding – I am taking the first step. Even if it goes no further, at least my diet will be slightly better.
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In election news, Obama is rocking the house. I still haven’t made up my mind on who I am voting for – I go back and forth. I like both Obama and Clinton for different reasons. Neither is perfect, but both are infinitely better than the other options. And let’s be honest, anyone who knows me knows that I would most likely vote for a Statler/Waldorf ticket before McCain/Anyone.
I was hoping for Edwards, but since he’s out, I’d like his opinion. John, call me! Of course, I suspect that by the time the primaries make it to PA, my vote won‘t really matter regardless.
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I was flipping through some channels last night and I came across some religious program that was asking the evolution vs. creation question, and basically, they were trying to make people who believe in evolution look stupid by asking them “how it all started”. The assumption was that because they couldn’t give definitive answers and sometimes had to (gasp) say, “I don’t know” that they must be complete morons as well as heathens.
Man, does this piss me off. You know, I don’t know how the universe came to be. I’m not sure I even want to know. And I’m not sure about anything regarding god and heaven and religion. But I have never understood why science and religion can’t coexist (though not to the point of religion in government and schools - to me, science is factual and religion personal). I am fully in the Darwin camp, but I have room to believe that there is a higher power. But shows like this one reduce that room greatly. If the best argument they have is that “Well, you can’t explain your theory, so ours must be right”, then I’m thinking a little visit to PotKettleBlackville may be in order. And also? Mr. “I didn’t come from no monkey!” may not be the best spokesperson for your cause. I’m so sick of hearing that I could just puke. No one’s claiming you did, jackass. There’s a common relative, not a direct lineage. Though in your case, I think it might be a slightly closer relation.
PS. I apologize to any monkeys I may have offended.
5 comments:
it is possible to get humanely raised meat. it just costs an arm and three legs.
I always have to wonder about videos depicting abuse towards animals, especially cows and more especially meat producing cows. It doesn't make sense to me as abusing an animal results in poor quality meat thus netting the farmer less $$. I can't comment on American standards for meat producing animals but I know in Canada the laws are very very strict (among the strictest I've heard, but of course have not done the research but I believe my source to be somewhat reliable as it is my mom and she does work for the university in animal science and when one works in animal science you tend to learn a lot about these things out of necessity what with animal rights activists and such, not saying they are bad I'm just saying you really need to know your shit in order to defend not only your work but apparently all animal related things). anyways....I know here there are boards set up by the government that involve the stakeholders such as the various associations and animal rights activists and all methods must go through them and they decide what is the accepted practice and then heavily scrutinize the farmers. I'm not saying it's a perfect system because where there's a will, there is a way but I know I sleep better at night (plus I'm much healthier since there's no way in hell I'd be getting enough protein etc otherwise. It's just simpler. terrible, I know. but I do like meat...in small, reasonable quantities).
Anways, all that to say I understand you. And I don't understand why people still abuse animals knowing the results. And maybe you should move to Canada? :) We'd love to have you.
(also, my mom explains things much better so I might be slightly off on something, I don't know what but this is just my disclaimer in case I've somehow messed it up)
oh, and I would recommend going with locally produced meats. Organic isn't entirely necessary but always a delightful thing to do if you can afford it. I think Local is far more important (others may/will disagree) but really, how organic is a product if it is then shipped thousands of miles via semis or boats polluting our air? Also, then if the farmer is a bad farmer (ie: mistreatment) it would be local and you may be in a better position to do something about it.
I haven't eaten meat in 17 years, but I'll stay out of that whole first section other than to say anybody I know who has tried vegan ended up sick. I have never actually met anyone who has managed to stick to it for more than a few years. Must be the lack of marshmallows.
I couldn't agree more with your evolution vs. creation statements. There is absolutely no reason that BOTH sides can't be a little bit right. OK, so one side is probably more right than the other (and has evidence to prove it), but that doesn't mean anyone is wrong. Right?
That little marshmallow and cheese wouldn't taste good bit...or would it? Seriously cracked me up. And no, I don't think it would taste good. Good luck on your no meat thing. I really don't like meat that much, but I also don't like a lot of veggies, so I'm screwed. I could eat air, I guess.
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