Originally Posted by
zulusierra
Maybe you've never been blessed to experience the loyalty and affection of a good dog. If not, you are missing out on one of natures finest gifts. A pig won't defend my wife and child to the death, comfort a sick child in a hospital, or be a blind persons eyes.
You are correct about the horrible state of western food production.
Yes, I have been to abattoirs to get bovine eyes for research purposes. I think everyone should see where their food comes from at least once in their lives. It is nasty. It is inhumane. The conditions that the illegal immigrants are forced to work (actually they are treated like slaves) in are appalling and dangerous. I have no problem with eating meat or slaughtering animals, it is the inhumane conditions I have a problem with. There are ways to make it more ethical but that will not happen in my country.
One does not have to eschew meat to have a clear conscience. If you ethically hunt (in my area deer and pig and turkey to name a few) and fish you get the best of all worlds. The animal lives its life naturally, is hormone free and lean, and as long as the hunter does his part is dead before it realizes anything happened. Also, with a minimum amount of land, chicken, bees, and goats become viable options to raise yourself. I am not where I can subsist like this right now but am working on it.