IN MY JUDGEMENT: LEATHER IS JUST THE "FASHION" VERSION OF FLESH

These are the shoes that Gaga wore that matched the dress that lead to this conversation on the Ellen DeGeneres's show.  

I really don't know what's so different about those shoes from these.


They are the same in that they originated from the slaughter of an innocent animal... And went through some kind of process that looks like this.


Maybe they are a bit messier to wear - But in essence they are the same thing. Leather is just the "fashion" version of flesh.


Anyway, Ellen asks “What is the purpose of the meat?”   Gaga answers: "Well, it’s certainly no disrespect to anyone that’s vegan or vegetarian….I, as you know, am the most judgment-free human being on Earth."

Really? I hear that a lot about people who wear, eat and use the flesh Others. But honestly you can't get much more "judgemental" than viewing your wants more important than another being's life.  If you want to eat the flesh or wear the skin of some One else - You are condemning them to death.  You are subjugating your wishes before their right to live... You are saying your whim, fetish, hobby, desire and "taste" trumps an Other being's breath.  Now in truth - Isn't this as "judgemental" as one can possible get? 

For some really stylish "non-judgemental" footwear to fit anyone's budget:
Moo Shoes
Alternative Outfitters
Vegan Chic
Planet Shoes
Vegan Shoes
Planet Shoes
Payless

NO WOOL, NO LEATHER, NO FUR OR FEATHERS - GO VEGAN

All would agree that it is not acceptable to cause the needless suffering or death to innocent animals for the sake of frivolous pleasure. Your days of ignorance are over! Quit eating them...Quit wearing them... Quit killing them!

Fur Expressions & Leather Art - Do You Wear Animal's Skins?

I won't post these Youtube videos... but I will tell you what they are about... A young Dutch woman killed a her cat (because the cat was depressed). After she broke his neck... she skinned him and made a handbag from his fur. Shortly after this she was on television, and in the interview she demonstrated how she killed her cat, and showed off the purse she had made. The audience seemed to find her very clever, as they chuckled at each of her jokes. Eventually Tinkerbell had an exhibition at a gallery which included her latest works of "art" - a small dog and small cat carcass which could be folded into each other... If you are curious it is here. And a year ago there was the story about an "artist" who tied up and starved a dog to death... Patrons who visited his gallery... appeared to enjoy the show.... And this week, an Oklahoma couple killed and skinned a puppy to make a belt...I suppose it was their expression of "art" as well. It is only reasonable now... to wonder -

What's the difference? dumping leather... part 1 of 3

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Addendum - June 25th

I don't have all the answers... But additional information makes me believe that the case of a person killing a *pet* animal is more damaging to Animal Rights because the "disconnect" from animals even includes those we "should" traditionally value: our companion family members. From Animal Right and Animal Liberation:

"1. The connection between pet and the rest of the family is normally very important. If this connection is lost in society, then we can kiss animal rights goodbye. If people don't have pity or empathy with the animals we share our lives with, then all hope is lost for chickens or pigs. This is quite evident in countries such as South Korea or China, where basically anything goes in regard to animals (including the skinning alive of cats and dogs).So a fur bag made out of strangled cats is an even worse thing then a leather purse made from a cow. This doesn't mean it is ok that cows are killed. But the catbag is even more 'evil' and will cause even more animal suffering, misery and death in this society if this becomes accepted."

And this is an excellent point - But then there's this from the Abolitionist Approach about the couple who killed the puppy...

However, I'm stuck... because both opinions seem to make sense... So I'm still "stuck".

Of course I'll continue to think about reasons why we should (or shouldn't) be more concerned about the cat or dog being killed than the cow or pig. What gets in the way for me is that I abhor all killing - and I just can't reach solid footing on this issue.

I welcome any more thoughts that could help me along the way to reach a reasonable understanding of why one is or isn't "more wrong" than the other... thanks - Bea