Hope you are having a wonderful holiday. I have a break from work for a few weeks and have not posted in a while, so decided to today. I have faced many iffy situations over the past few weeks which are indeed bloggable, however, i just could not be bothered and have been far too busy buying into consumerism!
I recently watched FOOD MATTERS, an interesting documentary about the medical industry and nutritional therapy. Here is a synopsis; "Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine, And Thy Medicine Be Thy Food." - Hippocrates That is the message from the founding father of modern medicine echoed in this brave new documentary film brought to you by Producer-Directors James Colquhoun and Laurentine ten Bosch. 'Food Matters' is a hard hitting, fast paced look at our current state of health. Despite the billions of dollars of funding and research into new so-called cures we continue to suffer from a raft of chronic ills and every day maladies. Patching up an over-toxic and over-indulgent population with a host of toxic therapies and nutrient sparse foods is definitely not helping the situation. In a personal quest of discovery James & Laurentine together with a film crew and the editorial and production expertise of Enzo Tedeschi have set out on an independent mission to uncover the wholesome truth. The filmmakers have interviewed several world leaders in nutrition and natural healing who claim that not only are we harming our bodies with improper nutrition, but that the right kind of foods, supplements and detoxification can be used to treat chronic illnesses as fatal as terminally diagnosed cancer. 'Food Matters' seeks to uncover the business of disease and at the same time explore the safe, cheap and effective use of nutrition and supplementation for preventing and often reversing the underlying causative aspects of the illness. With the premise of the film being: access to solid information helps people invariably make better choices for their health. The 'Food Matters' duo have independently funded the film from start to finish in order to remain as unbiased as possible, delivering a clear and concise message to the world. Food Matters."
However, I hear that FOOD INC. is better. I have not got my hands on that DVD as yet. Food Matters has got me eating far more nutrients and raw foods in my everyday diet :)
(Edit: FOOD INC. I did not like. It is very pro happy meat which I found unsettling).
I read this great post by Gary Francione on his website ABOLITIONIST APPROACH...I felt it was very appropriate;
"Speciesism occurs when we accord a different weight to a similar interest on the basis of species.
An example of speciesism is vegan bashing. We all agree that human slavery—however “humane”—is morally unjustifiable. But animal slavery—if “humane”—is defended by some so-called animal advocates who characterize veganism as “absolutist” or “purist” or “fundamentalist.” This is speciesist. Nonhuman animals have an interest in not being treated as human resources just as humans have an interest in not being treated as the resources of other humans.
I am an absolutist about human slavery. Humane slavery—however “humane”—is not morally justifiable. I am absolutist about racism, sexism, and heterosexism: I think that all of these forms of discrimination are unacceptable and that we should not promote “humane” versions of discrimination. I am an absolutist about animal exploitation, which cannot be justified even if “humane” (which it is not in any event because of the property status of animals). To be vegan is not to be “absolutist” in any way that is different from being an “absolutist” with respect to the fundamental rights of humans.To maintain otherwise—to engage in vegan bashing—is merely an example of speciesism."
"Speciesism occurs when we accord a different weight to a similar interest on the basis of species.
An example of speciesism is vegan bashing. We all agree that human slavery—however “humane”—is morally unjustifiable. But animal slavery—if “humane”—is defended by some so-called animal advocates who characterize veganism as “absolutist” or “purist” or “fundamentalist.” This is speciesist. Nonhuman animals have an interest in not being treated as human resources just as humans have an interest in not being treated as the resources of other humans.
I am an absolutist about human slavery. Humane slavery—however “humane”—is not morally justifiable. I am absolutist about racism, sexism, and heterosexism: I think that all of these forms of discrimination are unacceptable and that we should not promote “humane” versions of discrimination. I am an absolutist about animal exploitation, which cannot be justified even if “humane” (which it is not in any event because of the property status of animals). To be vegan is not to be “absolutist” in any way that is different from being an “absolutist” with respect to the fundamental rights of humans.To maintain otherwise—to engage in vegan bashing—is merely an example of speciesism."
I am an absolutist about fundamental human rights. Torture, rape, child molestation, etc.—however “humane”—are not morally justifiable.
And in signing off...here's a hilarious little comic;
3 comments:
You cannot compare "Human Slavery" and Animal Slavery. If we set all the farm animals free what would happen to them? Do they have the capacity think for them selves? Forage? find shelter?
Your abolitionist theory is all well and good...but only in theory. There is no practicality in it.
Ah but here I am Vegan Bashing, pfft!!!!
So what is your stance exactly? Youre very easily able to jump on my back about my 'impractical' approach yet do not explain why or provide your ideas.
It's not as though we will 'suddenly' be setting them free - as with all major change it is a slow evolutionary process requiring a change of infrastructure. You seem very focussed on 'what will happen to all the animals' as though such change is forecast to occur immediately. Realistically such a shift in consciousness cannot occur overnight, nor would it be entirely vegan - it may take 50 to 100 years! The animals, environment and humans would adapt accordingly.
And actually yes animals are able to fend for themselves - however, given modern times this would not be possible to just 'set them free'. Eventually though, in reducing the unnatural rapid reproduction rates that will be a good step, i would imagine!
But who knows what will happen! I don't really have any issues with welfarists anymore, nor do i care about abolitionists. I just know being vegan is right for me :)
On a different note..
Where are you from in India?
Even talking about 50 to 100 years, noone is yet to answer mty question about the future of farm animals, I get random comments like "the environment will adapt" or its a slow change.
My stance??? Well I thought that was clear but anyway, with regard to farm animals I see humane farming as the answer in the short term, in the long term I see lab grwon meat options (dont know what the technical term is).
I know I know, I;ve heard it many time "how can killing an animal be humane" but we do it everyday, we put down companion animals that are in pain "humanely".
My stance is also to engage the public, not shun them, to educate, not consider them cruel or people who dont give a shit.
Im sure being Vegan is for right you just the same way that vegetarianism is right for me (although I am slowly moving to veganism) But, its all these comparisons and unrealistic views that really get me.
I live in Melbourne, but born and raised in Chennai
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