So I was at the grocery store and my daughter and I were looking at all the various bits of animals they had — pig’s feet, pig’s tails, and then, when we picked up a pig’s ear, I saw it had been tattooed… Anyway, tomorrow is a busy day so I’m not sure exactly when I’ll be able to squeeze in posts, but I’ve got some great stuff lined up, and the other good news is that later this week we’ll be posting a full interview with Zombie (aka Skullboy)!
Comments
316 responses to “As if getting killed and eaten wasn’t bad enough!”
@Lene
Some countries still haven’t reached the age of reason. Let’s concentrate on people first before “we” fight for animal rights
(I eat meat and I’ve castrated pigs)
@Lene
Some countries still haven’t reached the age of reason. Let’s concentrate on people first before “we” fight for animal rights
(I eat meat and I’ve castrated pigs)
I really don’t see what the problem is with eating animals,what else are you supposed to do with them?
were tattoos done on people before animals? or the other way round?
I really don’t see what the problem is with eating animals,what else are you supposed to do with them?
were tattoos done on people before animals? or the other way round?
Lenes, you have to take into consideration other aspects of it. In most countries there are laws to insure that all animals have a healthy life and are killed quickly, without suffering. The debates between whether eatting meat is right or wrong will wage on forever, but you have to remember that these animals have been given a good life. Without human intervention many species of animal would have died out [or dropped in numbers significantly] Ironically it is thanks to human consumption that they have the chance to live.
I oppose against battery and intesive farming because I believe it is cruel, but I see no problem with eatting meat that comes from free-range and organic providers.
Lenes, you have to take into consideration other aspects of it. In most countries there are laws to insure that all animals have a healthy life and are killed quickly, without suffering. The debates between whether eatting meat is right or wrong will wage on forever, but you have to remember that these animals have been given a good life. Without human intervention many species of animal would have died out [or dropped in numbers significantly] Ironically it is thanks to human consumption that they have the chance to live.
I oppose against battery and intesive farming because I believe it is cruel, but I see no problem with eatting meat that comes from free-range and organic providers.
I was Vegetarian for awhile. Not because i love animals. I just hate plants…..
Speedo.
I was Vegetarian for awhile. Not because i love animals. I just hate plants…..
Speedo.
@Tom For Real
Without farmers and their farms there wouldn’t be many cows or pigs walking around in the western, industrialized world.
fwiw
I like the nuance Holly (on March 18th, 2008 at 7:54 am) makes, there’s a big difference between the traditional farming and the meat-industry.
@Tom For Real
Without farmers and their farms there wouldn’t be many cows or pigs walking around in the western, industrialized world.
fwiw
I like the nuance Holly (on March 18th, 2008 at 7:54 am) makes, there’s a big difference between the traditional farming and the meat-industry.
Lene, those animals wouldn’t be alive in the first place if they weren’t bred to be eaten…
As far as “torture” or whatever. Don’t be stupid, sure in battery farms and the like animals aren’t treated well, doesn’t mean that that’s true of all farms.
And how are we torturing human beings by eating meat anyway? So, we’re maybe driving up the prices a bit for energy and the like, so what, it’s not as if the people who can’t afford such things now would be able to afford them if we didn’t raise animals to eat. As far as land is concerned, there’s still hundreds of thousands of empty miles with no use, so we’re not exactly short on land.
I absolutely despise preachy vegetarians/vegans, eat whatever the hell you like, just don’t try tell me what I can and cannot eat.
As far as the pigs ear, it was most likely tattooed on the pig while it was alive to mark it for slaughter or some such thing.
Nature is just as cruel as we are. If you’ve ever had a pet cat you’ll know they torture mice to death and then do nothing with the body.
Lene, those animals wouldn’t be alive in the first place if they weren’t bred to be eaten…
As far as “torture” or whatever. Don’t be stupid, sure in battery farms and the like animals aren’t treated well, doesn’t mean that that’s true of all farms.
And how are we torturing human beings by eating meat anyway? So, we’re maybe driving up the prices a bit for energy and the like, so what, it’s not as if the people who can’t afford such things now would be able to afford them if we didn’t raise animals to eat. As far as land is concerned, there’s still hundreds of thousands of empty miles with no use, so we’re not exactly short on land.
I absolutely despise preachy vegetarians/vegans, eat whatever the hell you like, just don’t try tell me what I can and cannot eat.
As far as the pigs ear, it was most likely tattooed on the pig while it was alive to mark it for slaughter or some such thing.
Nature is just as cruel as we are. If you’ve ever had a pet cat you’ll know they torture mice to death and then do nothing with the body.
Eating meat is the most vile thing someone could do? Wow.
Eating meat is the most vile thing someone could do? Wow.
Well yes Frester, killing a poor innocent animal that has been pred purely to be eaten is far, far worse than raping and killing a young child.
Well yes Frester, killing a poor innocent animal that has been pred purely to be eaten is far, far worse than raping and killing a young child.
I have found there are 2 types of vegetarians.
there girl vegetarians who love animals.
and then there are dude vegetarians who are trying to fuck them.
I have found there are 2 types of vegetarians.
there girl vegetarians who love animals.
and then there are dude vegetarians who are trying to fuck them.
@Frester on March 18th, 2008 at 8:52 am
If only their ancestors had the same ideas… 😉
@Frester on March 18th, 2008 at 8:52 am
If only their ancestors had the same ideas… 😉
“eating meat is the most vile act anyone could commit……”
lol @ this. preeeeettty sure there are a crapload worse things people could do, and do already than eat meat.
“eating meat is the most vile act anyone could commit……”
lol @ this. preeeeettty sure there are a crapload worse things people could do, and do already than eat meat.
Haha speedoape is a crack up 😀
Haha speedoape is a crack up 😀
Lene, do you drive a car? Ride on a bus? Throw things away? Don’t get preachy about people using energy and all that jazz unless you live in the woods and are completely self sufficient in terms of consumption of consumer goods.
Lene, do you drive a car? Ride on a bus? Throw things away? Don’t get preachy about people using energy and all that jazz unless you live in the woods and are completely self sufficient in terms of consumption of consumer goods.
You think eating meat is cruel?!
Eating vegetables is much worse. Chop there heads off, slice off their skin and let them boil. Sounds much worse than a bacon sandwich to me.
And on that note, To the kitchen.
You think eating meat is cruel?!
Eating vegetables is much worse. Chop there heads off, slice off their skin and let them boil. Sounds much worse than a bacon sandwich to me.
And on that note, To the kitchen.
@ caspar and jacques: you´re so ignorant and naiv, it hurts. Which animal would have died out without the intervention of humans/the meat industry? Beef cattle and other species “created” to meet human needs?? That´s so absurd… I guess there are more species dying out because of the ecological consequences of exploiting nature for land, plants, water for the meat industry.
Caspar, I don´t know where you live… We have had these laws here in Germany for years. But nothing has changed. These animals still dont enjoy a happy life…even if the killing was mainly without pain their lives have still been a total torment!!
And organic farming is not really an alternative to meet the requirements of billions of meat consumers. And it´s still a cruel, boring life for animals because organic farming mostly means they are just fed organic fodder, and that´s all…
And Jaques, i don´t want to comment your statement about “hundreds of thousands of empty miles with no use”. I cant imagine you really believe that…
To me it seems you just refuse to see the reality of millions of animals that are tortured every day. There is enough information about it, so i don´t have to tell you here. But i guess you just don´t want to know…
@ bas: obviously you didn´t read my comment fairly… Vegetarism/Veganism is not just about animal rights! It´s also about millions of people who suffer from the meat industry and its ecological and economical consequences (the exploitation of nature AND humans by taking up incredible amounts of land, water, plants…)
(Why do you mention that you´ve castrated pigs in that connection??? Poor…)
@ emily: Of course it´s a difference whether you take the car or the bus for example… You are criticizing people who at least try their best not to waste energy/pollute the environment etc… That´s so cool!
@ solocard: … doesn´t even know where his bacon comes from…;-)
@ caspar and jacques: you´re so ignorant and naiv, it hurts. Which animal would have died out without the intervention of humans/the meat industry? Beef cattle and other species “created” to meet human needs?? That´s so absurd… I guess there are more species dying out because of the ecological consequences of exploiting nature for land, plants, water for the meat industry.
Caspar, I don´t know where you live… We have had these laws here in Germany for years. But nothing has changed. These animals still dont enjoy a happy life…even if the killing was mainly without pain their lives have still been a total torment!!
And organic farming is not really an alternative to meet the requirements of billions of meat consumers. And it´s still a cruel, boring life for animals because organic farming mostly means they are just fed organic fodder, and that´s all…
And Jaques, i don´t want to comment your statement about “hundreds of thousands of empty miles with no use”. I cant imagine you really believe that…
To me it seems you just refuse to see the reality of millions of animals that are tortured every day. There is enough information about it, so i don´t have to tell you here. But i guess you just don´t want to know…
@ bas: obviously you didn´t read my comment fairly… Vegetarism/Veganism is not just about animal rights! It´s also about millions of people who suffer from the meat industry and its ecological and economical consequences (the exploitation of nature AND humans by taking up incredible amounts of land, water, plants…)
(Why do you mention that you´ve castrated pigs in that connection??? Poor…)
@ emily: Of course it´s a difference whether you take the car or the bus for example… You are criticizing people who at least try their best not to waste energy/pollute the environment etc… That´s so cool!
@ solocard: … doesn´t even know where his bacon comes from…;-)
Lene, please get off your high horse and stop patronising everyone. I’m sure most people here know a lot about the subject so theres no need to shove it down their throats (mmm….reminds me of foie gras….sure its cruel but it doesn’t half taste good!)
Lene, please get off your high horse and stop patronising everyone. I’m sure most people here know a lot about the subject so theres no need to shove it down their throats (mmm….reminds me of foie gras….sure its cruel but it doesn’t half taste good!)
@Lene
I mentioned the fact that I castrated pigs so you know what side I’m on (I’m proud of my ancestors’ background and I don’t like eco-fascists who think they can erase a piece of culture)
I don’t see how the meat industry exploits humans. Are you one of those kids who think Africa can be feeded when we stop using vegetables and other resources to feed our animals?
If so, my answer would be: “don’t give them fish, learn them how to fish”.
@Lene
I mentioned the fact that I castrated pigs so you know what side I’m on (I’m proud of my ancestors’ background and I don’t like eco-fascists who think they can erase a piece of culture)
I don’t see how the meat industry exploits humans. Are you one of those kids who think Africa can be feeded when we stop using vegetables and other resources to feed our animals?
If so, my answer would be: “don’t give them fish, learn them how to fish”.
@ SpeedoApe: Haha, cool… Same with your tattoos/piercings i guess…;-)
@ SpeedoApe: Haha, cool… Same with your tattoos/piercings i guess…;-)
Lene, I have no wish to patronise you, but I thought you might be interested – I have read a case study (irritatingly I can’t find a link for it at present, but it’s very interesting, and not a word of a lie)
In South America there was a great deal of concern about the effect of large numbers of beef cattle roaming open grasssland and destroying the burgeoning fertility of the land, so a group of well meaning souls put some money together, bought out the farmers who kept their beefstock on the land and removed the cattle. They then sat back to watch their good work take effect: surely the land would prosper without the cattle eating everything in sight every day.
Unfortunately their hypothesis was wrong – the open grassland which had been a haven for birds and grazing animals that shared the area with the beef cattle began to turn into scrubland, the first stage in the process of colonisation by woodland. This might not seem like a bad thing, but the other animals, insects, reptiles and other wee beasties relied upon that open grassland that various scientific surveys decided had been a constant for about 3,500 years were faced with increasing shortages of food and resources.
What did the good souls do who’d bought the land? They approached various scientists and specialists, and a pilot progam was begun. They introduced a limited number of livestock in a mixed grazing pattern (sheep, cows and lamas) that were rotated regularly or allowed to roam freely, and the scrubland retreated. The result was an actual improvement in the soil and an increase in the biodiversity of the plot.
Livestock play an important role in the maintenance of the landscape as we know it, and as the beasties we share this world have become accustomed to it. There is a balance to be reached, but it would be wise not to assume that the largescale farming of livestock is anathema and bad for the environment.
Lene, I have no wish to patronise you, but I thought you might be interested – I have read a case study (irritatingly I can’t find a link for it at present, but it’s very interesting, and not a word of a lie)
In South America there was a great deal of concern about the effect of large numbers of beef cattle roaming open grasssland and destroying the burgeoning fertility of the land, so a group of well meaning souls put some money together, bought out the farmers who kept their beefstock on the land and removed the cattle. They then sat back to watch their good work take effect: surely the land would prosper without the cattle eating everything in sight every day.
Unfortunately their hypothesis was wrong – the open grassland which had been a haven for birds and grazing animals that shared the area with the beef cattle began to turn into scrubland, the first stage in the process of colonisation by woodland. This might not seem like a bad thing, but the other animals, insects, reptiles and other wee beasties relied upon that open grassland that various scientific surveys decided had been a constant for about 3,500 years were faced with increasing shortages of food and resources.
What did the good souls do who’d bought the land? They approached various scientists and specialists, and a pilot progam was begun. They introduced a limited number of livestock in a mixed grazing pattern (sheep, cows and lamas) that were rotated regularly or allowed to roam freely, and the scrubland retreated. The result was an actual improvement in the soil and an increase in the biodiversity of the plot.
Livestock play an important role in the maintenance of the landscape as we know it, and as the beasties we share this world have become accustomed to it. There is a balance to be reached, but it would be wise not to assume that the largescale farming of livestock is anathema and bad for the environment.
Obligatory:
But what will it look like when the pig gets old?
Obligatory:
But what will it look like when the pig gets old?
“eating meat is the most vile act anyone could commit……”
Check out this site from Italy ;
http://www.barganews.com/2007/12/16/lake-angels-and-the-pig/
A 180 kilo pig freshly slaughtered was brought into one of the small cantinas facing onto the piazza and five butchers set to work. If it wasn’t for the distant whine of high-performance engines of the rally cars further up the mountain, you could almost think that you were back in another period of time.
Apart from the electricity used to power the sausage maker, everything was exactly how it would have been for centuries here in Barga – even down to the scales which looked as though they had been around since the Medici period. People coming out of the Sunday mass and wandering through the piazza suddenly found themselves transformed back in time where things were done the old way and even the price reflected this as all this meat was being sold at the cutdown price for charity. There were hectic scenes as people jostled and pushed in an attempt to get their hands on what must have been the freshest sausages in town – they were being made to order – ” how many do you want, five or six?” and the handle was turned and five or six fresh sausages were expertly tied, cut, weighed and delivered to the waiting customer.
Have a look at the images, check out the video and then have a quick scan of the comments section at the bottom of that article where there is an image of a freshly killed and cooked wild bird ….
“I must admit that I am one of those people who prefer pig in bar-coded polyethylene bags with the specially Inkjet-ed words “Fresh local produce”, “Sell by date” and “Special Offer” slowly dribbling through the plastic to create that supermarket tattooed humanely conserved dead meat look – so although it doesn’t taste as good I only risk puking after having eaten it. (Umm. us townies…)”
“eating meat is the most vile act anyone could commit……”
Check out this site from Italy ;
http://www.barganews.com/2007/12/16/lake-angels-and-the-pig/
A 180 kilo pig freshly slaughtered was brought into one of the small cantinas facing onto the piazza and five butchers set to work. If it wasn’t for the distant whine of high-performance engines of the rally cars further up the mountain, you could almost think that you were back in another period of time.
Apart from the electricity used to power the sausage maker, everything was exactly how it would have been for centuries here in Barga – even down to the scales which looked as though they had been around since the Medici period. People coming out of the Sunday mass and wandering through the piazza suddenly found themselves transformed back in time where things were done the old way and even the price reflected this as all this meat was being sold at the cutdown price for charity. There were hectic scenes as people jostled and pushed in an attempt to get their hands on what must have been the freshest sausages in town – they were being made to order – ” how many do you want, five or six?” and the handle was turned and five or six fresh sausages were expertly tied, cut, weighed and delivered to the waiting customer.
Have a look at the images, check out the video and then have a quick scan of the comments section at the bottom of that article where there is an image of a freshly killed and cooked wild bird ….
“I must admit that I am one of those people who prefer pig in bar-coded polyethylene bags with the specially Inkjet-ed words “Fresh local produce”, “Sell by date” and “Special Offer” slowly dribbling through the plastic to create that supermarket tattooed humanely conserved dead meat look – so although it doesn’t taste as good I only risk puking after having eaten it. (Umm. us townies…)”
Oh, and since this discussion has side-tracked to carnivores v vegans, here are my 2 cents.
I am very much a carnivore (technically omnivore, but that’s not the point). I enjoy the company of vegans who can talk about other things than food. I don’t enjoy the company of self-righteous vegans. I also try and not eat pork because pig waste is very damaging to arable land. It seeps in rivers, burns fields dry, and gets in drinking water. To me other animals are, indeed, fair game.
Oh, and since this discussion has side-tracked to carnivores v vegans, here are my 2 cents.
I am very much a carnivore (technically omnivore, but that’s not the point). I enjoy the company of vegans who can talk about other things than food. I don’t enjoy the company of self-righteous vegans. I also try and not eat pork because pig waste is very damaging to arable land. It seeps in rivers, burns fields dry, and gets in drinking water. To me other animals are, indeed, fair game.
I’m a vegetarian, and there is nothing I hate more than an annoying veghead who tries to convince everyone within a fifty foot radius that eating meat is the most horrible act you could ever commit, and that you should be just like them…
because they’re right about EVERYTHING, yanno.
I’m a vegetarian, and there is nothing I hate more than an annoying veghead who tries to convince everyone within a fifty foot radius that eating meat is the most horrible act you could ever commit, and that you should be just like them…
because they’re right about EVERYTHING, yanno.
People posting furiously – and not a farmer in sight! Livestock are tattooed for identification. The combination of numbers and letters can tell date of birth, lineage, and even the farm name. Hogs, specifically, have ear notches if they are breeding stock – tattoos for market animals. Look up ear notching – it could be the next great mod! : )
Soooo much intolerance from a group who ‘just want to be accepted as they are’ . . .
People posting furiously – and not a farmer in sight! Livestock are tattooed for identification. The combination of numbers and letters can tell date of birth, lineage, and even the farm name. Hogs, specifically, have ear notches if they are breeding stock – tattoos for market animals. Look up ear notching – it could be the next great mod! : )
Soooo much intolerance from a group who ‘just want to be accepted as they are’ . . .
uppity vegs&veggies are only natrual when we live in a meat-culture. I can’t drive down the street or watch one minute of TV without seeing at least 3-4 ads pitching meat products at me. It’s disgusting. Meat is disgusting, think about what it is, where it comes from, and what you’re about to do with it. Hell, a lot of fruits are weird/disgusting, too, considering they’re like…plant uteruses. I try not to think about that while monching on a peach, but it’s a little hard to ignore with a disembodied pigs ear floating under plastic wrap! Ahaha.
Anyway, I don’t respect anyone who has to go out of their was to tell everyone how much “meat rules”, how much they love eating it and the like. Just like I don’t appreciate my friends pretending that the pizza with the greasy curdled milkfat is better than my slice with the fungus and smashed&chopped uteri. I also don’t talk about veal calves as they chow down on it, either. The only way either side respects the other is by not talking about it in the first place, imo.
uppity vegs&veggies are only natrual when we live in a meat-culture. I can’t drive down the street or watch one minute of TV without seeing at least 3-4 ads pitching meat products at me. It’s disgusting. Meat is disgusting, think about what it is, where it comes from, and what you’re about to do with it. Hell, a lot of fruits are weird/disgusting, too, considering they’re like…plant uteruses. I try not to think about that while monching on a peach, but it’s a little hard to ignore with a disembodied pigs ear floating under plastic wrap! Ahaha.
Anyway, I don’t respect anyone who has to go out of their was to tell everyone how much “meat rules”, how much they love eating it and the like. Just like I don’t appreciate my friends pretending that the pizza with the greasy curdled milkfat is better than my slice with the fungus and smashed&chopped uteri. I also don’t talk about veal calves as they chow down on it, either. The only way either side respects the other is by not talking about it in the first place, imo.