Fast forward to this past Oct. 13 when the U.S. ratified trade deals with Columbia, Panama and Korea. Despite ongoing protests in Korea - All the big money interests here in the U.S. totally approve... They say it will create jobs.
"A study by the labor-backed Economic Policy Institute estimated the agreement will cost about 159,000 jobs over seven years. The White House says it will help create or maintain more than 70,000, while congressional Republicans see as many as 250,000 new jobs."
Obviously these three guesstimates aren't using the same fuzzy math...
Anyway, even if it does create (some) jobs - The major big win is for the flesh peddlers: "U.S. farmers and big agricultural exporters are excited about new sales opportunities for beef, pork, poultry, corn, wheat, soybeans and other food products in the three markets, but they lament the long delay as a lost opportunity."
Now what does all this have to do with the Olympics in China? Everything! It is just one more time that the U.S. is selling out ethical principles for blood-greed.
In this case, I'm referring to the hideous practice sanctioned in Korea by not enforcing laws against "fragrant dog meat". It's abominable! Any civilized people ought to vehemently abstain from any "deals" with a nation that endorses these vicious acts. But commerce trumps all morality - doesn't it? I mean, we need jobs right?
Meanwhile take a look at the labors in the White House kitchen as staff prepares the "Fall Harvest" menu for Korean President and other dignitaries. No... No fragrant dog meat here! Just Texas Wagyu beef rib eye steaks, apparently the Western version of Kobe beef.
Is it just me or can anyone else see the ludicrous absurdity of it all? This meal is dedicated to a pact that profits through murder. The meal is meant to indulge those who permit the beating of dogs - till their delicious, by serving up pampered cows on gold-rimmed plates. I mean - WTF? It truly does boggle the mind!
If by any chance you're offended at the idea of munching on Spot... But buy jackets made of hide - You might be interested in discovering why this is just as problematic.
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| Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism All beings love their lives... Please live compassionately. |
4 comments:
You write about incidents that are prodding along a process I've noticed in myself...one of withdrawing from lending credence (for want of a better word at just this moment) to much of what folks say or do (that aren't clued in to ethical veganism).
It is sort of like listening to or watching someone that has a serious flaw in their being/doing apparatus...no matter what - it is inevitable that at some point they are going to say or do some horrid, outrageous, cruel thing and...look at me with bafflement and/or amusement and/or disdain if I point it out or suggest such sayings/doings are less than desirable.
It's a strange, surreal kind of thing that is still evolving and I'm curious as to where it will end up. I've thought about this quite a bit and will do so some more but your post stirred it up and I wondered if anyone else has similar experiences.
Does it feel something like this, Veganelder?: "At the moment, our human world is based on the suffering and destruction of many non-humans. To perceive this, and to do something to change it in personal and public ways, is to undergo a change of perception akin to a religious conversion. Nothing can ever be seen quite in the same way again, because once you have admitted to the pain and terror of other species, you will, unless you resist conversion, be always aware of the endless permutations of suffering that support our society."
I soooo relate to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's sentiment. I gather both Bea and V.E. do as well.
Yes VE - If I follow you I have the same lurking apprehension (for the lack of a better word) of the impending shoe that's always about to drop regarding those who aren't (yet) tuned in...
I always know something will come along - It could be in a movie... An article... A news cast... Or even a conversation with a neighbor or stranger. Inevitably - give it a bit of time and something totally wrong in their way of relating to nonhumans will expose its self. Then I'm stuck. Do I ignore it? Accept it? Challenge/correct it?
In their minds I know they ask: why can't we just lighten up? Whatever they said was "all in fun"... Besides, "you're never going to change the world"... blah, blah
It's been said over and over the hardest part about being vegan isn't avoiding using animal products - It's avoiding the animal-using people... Or at least their ideology. It's always the elephant in the room.
Thanks for sharing this observation... I'm sure we'll keep each other aware as to how it unravels.
Wow - CQ... Doyle certainly pinned it! It's totally accurate - Once you accept the reality of what others endure - You're never the same. It will change you completely and forever.
I believe it is THAT big! THAT important! THAT serious. I believe it is the crux of our human-ness. To figure out how to live in peace with these "other" beings... And that's why it touches everything... It is our biggest challenge. Nothing's the same after you know this.
I'm very thankful that you too did not "resist conversion". xox
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