posted July 20, 2009 09:27 PM         

Claiming lack of sentience is common. Back in the days of slavery, even medical doctors claimed slaves lacked true sentience (or souls), and even today some say circumcision doesn't really hurt infants, no matter how loudly they shriek while it's happening.

There seems to be a genuine disconnect, too, as in just tuning it out. I once watched part of a video about jokes on camera, and one was set up at a meat shop. When someone came in for anything beef, the guy behind the counter would ask, "And do you want it fresh?" After saying yes, he'd go in the back and then play a prerecorded sound effects of a cow mooing, gunshot, chainsaw, etc, and then the guy would come out with the order. People's reactions were very interesting to me, both amusing & bemusing. Some said a lot of profanity, often leaving before he came back out. One lady got upset but waited until he came out with her order and she said, "I'll get it somewhere else," and left...apparently blind to the fact that yet another cow would have to be sacrificed for her diet by her doing so. Odd, that.

'Course if this same person loves cats and dogs, they'll probably be horrified learning that some countries eat them, and that they may have even been offered such flesh if they ever visited certain countries (some very popular with tourists).

Anyway, I don't know if you can use it, but this one actually entertains many meat eaters and inspires sympathy (not that I ever heard of anyone giving up meat over this):
http://www.badassoftheweek.com/molly.html

Btw, happy ending there, at least for the rebellious cow that it's about, so don't be scared.

And as a personal favor to me, should you ever hear someone say that AIDS is God's wrath against gays, ask them, "And what's Mad Cow Disease?" Thank you.

posted July 21, 2009 11:25 PM         

Thanks for your reply!

That's my approach, too!

D

------------------
Every night and every morn,
Some to misery are born;
Every morn and every night,
Some are born to sweet delight.
Some are born to sweet delight,
Some are born to endless night.

posted July 21, 2009 11:40 PM         

How pathetic.

Being an omnivore and on a carefully planned omnivorous diet, and enjoy her or his dietary choice with various cuisines is one thing.

How she or he just love McDonald's is completely another.

Cows can't think? They don't know any better?

Maybe they should go back to college and major in zoology?

Dervish, excellent point- maybe the person has some of her or his fondest childhood memories associated with the golden arches because... there are no other happy childhood memories besides McD, BurgerKing, KFC, etc, etc, etc?!

That experiment at the butcher's you described was truly radical. Mmm...people just don't want to face the reality, do they?

Dervish, you said:

quote:

---

And as a personal favor to me, should you ever hear someone say that AIDS is God's wrath against gays, ask them, "And what's Mad Cow Disease?" Thank you.

---

You are welcome, Dervish- I would certainly ask them that- provided they asked me the first ignorant question!

D

------------------
Every night and every morn,
Some to misery are born;
Every morn and every night,
Some are born to sweet delight.
Some are born to sweet delight,
Some are born to endless night.