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  • 03-10-2010, 12:33 PM
    N4S
    Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Should Japanese and Chinese be allowed to dogs, cats, and dolphins in their meat markets and crusines?
  • 03-10-2010, 12:44 PM
    Freakie_frog
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    I don't think I have a right to pass judgement on what another nation eats any more than I would like it if they told me I couldn't eat Hamburgers and french fries.
  • 03-10-2010, 12:47 PM
    N4S
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    ^ Agreed
  • 03-10-2010, 12:50 PM
    snakeyes
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    i voted no, but that's simply my own personal opinion. they say opinions are like butts, everyone has one and they all stink.

    i'm cuban...so i've eaten cat before. lol. i think i was like 6 years old.
    but i would never consider a cat or a dog, much less a dophin as a source of food (unless i hadn't eaten in about 3 weeks. lol)

    but hey, the chinese dig a hole, put a chicken egg in it, then dig it up one or two weeks later when it's green and they eat it. my opinion is that is gross and i would never do it, but they consider it a delicacy.
  • 03-10-2010, 12:56 PM
    Sariel
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Id agree that its not my, or most peoples business to tell a culture what they can or cant do/eat for the most part.
    I think the only time we should be paying that much attention to things is how the animals are killed, treated before they are killed, and whether or not the species is endangered at all.

    Of course we have to deal with our own problems as far as food animal abuse before we can go pointing fingers.
  • 03-10-2010, 01:01 PM
    Freakie_frog
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Sariel View Post
    I think the only time we should be paying that much attention to things is how the animals are killed, treated before they are killed, and whether or not the species is endangered at all.

    Endangered ok then we can step in..but how they treat their animals for human consumption is again. None of my concern. We have far to many problems of our own to go telling another country how to do things. Maybe if we didn't have a booming stray pet population, failing economy, raising unemployment rates, and politicians as crooked as grape vine ok then we might have a small say in the matter..
  • 03-10-2010, 01:48 PM
    Sariel
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Freakie_frog View Post
    Endangered ok then we can step in..but how they treat their animals for human consumption is again. None of my concern. We have far to many problems of our own to go telling another country how to do things. Maybe if we didn't have a booming stray pet population, failing economy, raising unemployment rates, and politicians as crooked as grape vine ok then we might have a small say in the matter..

    Agreed, which is why I pointed out we had to deal with our own issues before we point fingers :)
  • 03-10-2010, 01:56 PM
    mr. s
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    All three animals or none of them? What about the other options?

    I think Dogs and Cats are fine.
    Dophin on the other hand, I have some complicated thoughts about dolphin and am somewhat undecided. I guess if there was a better regulated farming systems for them and not simply harvest from the wild, then I would feel more ok with it.
  • 03-10-2010, 02:23 PM
    Seru1
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    We have no right to tell another country what they can and can't eat. Honestly I may not eat a cat or a dog. But I would totally munch on a dolphin are whale.

    Those people that bash japanese whalers make no sense to me. How can we claim to love freedom and then say to another culture. "You can't eat that because they are beautiful, intelligent, rare, whatever."


    HEck If I could I'd be flippin whale burgers myself.
  • 03-10-2010, 02:23 PM
    x_gilmore_x
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    yes! we ake away are dogs then we can't eat cows meat etc. We eat animals and other people dont. Animals are animals and we are at the top of the food chain. cultures change but we cant change that were at the top and animals end up in our stomach
  • 03-10-2010, 02:54 PM
    mr. s
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Seru1 View Post
    How can we claim to love freedom and then say to another culture. "You can't eat that because they are beautiful, intelligent, rare, whatever."

    This is just screaming ignorant. Sorry, but true.
    How can I claim to love freedom and place restrictions on others? Easily and often, that's how. We put restrictions on freedom all the time! It is the only thing that can uphold freedom. It has been said:

    "That which is is governed by law is also upheld by it."

    The question is, to what degree do we restrict the freedoms of others? By your reasoning, should we make it legal for another country to dump all their toxic waste on our beaches? I mean, they are a free country right? Who am I to say they can't?

    I am not trying to personally attack you, but I think that there are a lot of people who need to educate themselves before they comment. I do not love dolphins because they are smart, nor do I love dogs because they are cute, not when it comes to food. Dolphin and whale is strictly environmental for me. If there was an uncontrolled hunting of bears in North america, I would also have something against it. This may be hard to believe, but I am not even an environmentalist. I however feel as though food chains are taken for granted when it comes to our delicate lives. For instance, if bees disappeared, we would not last another generation. If ocean predators disappear, what does that do to the fish stock? It goes up? What do they eat? Algea, which produces a huge percent of our oxygen. 70-80%

    There are far too many people that are uninterested in education, and too afraid to take a stance on anything because they think that people should do anything they want because of "freedom".

    This is me taking a stance on something that I have educated myself on in order to limit the freedom of others because I think it is harmful to humanity. If I am educated further to believe otherwise, I will whole heartedly change my position.

    (For this particular argument, I recommend the documentary, "The Cove". For general ignorance, I suggest education, any and all education.)
  • 03-10-2010, 03:00 PM
    Seru1
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    On our beaches no. If they would like to dump toxic waste on THERE beaches then sure.

    Just because we restrict freedoms all the time doesn't make it right. And if you think it does than you need to educate yourselves on our founding and founding fathers.

    Them hunting and eating dolphins and whales doesn't hurt me. Or you or anyone! Except the whales and dolphins. Okay if they do it in our waters we have the option to say no. But outside our waters it ain't none of our friggan business.

    No hard feelings man we all got opinions. No anger from this side either :)

    EDIT: Though you calling me ignorant kinda stings, I mean you don't even know me dude. As far as Food chains, life finds a way to survive and go on man. There's really nothing we can do to stop that. To think we can really ruin things places to much importance on us.
  • 03-10-2010, 03:39 PM
    mr. s
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Seru1 View Post
    Just because we restrict freedoms all the time doesn't make it right. And if you think it does than you need to educate yourselves on our founding and founding fathers.

    Seru, the speed limit is a restriction of freedom. The founding fathers believed in a restriction of some freedoms to maximize life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Every law is a restriction to freedom and I am grateful for those restrictions that help me to lead a more full life. I am dumbfounded that you don't mind toxic waste being dumped into the environment as long is it is not your backyard? On the contrary, I would guess that you are against other countries having "weapons of mass destruction"?

    You may enjoy reading up on food chains, biology and the like if this kind of thing interests you. I would guess that you have not looked into it that too much.

    Oh, and not everyone on here is American. Canada does not have founding fathers, so we tend not to reference them very often.
  • 03-10-2010, 03:51 PM
    Seru1
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mr. s View Post
    Seru, the speed limit is a restriction of freedom. The founding fathers believed in a restriction of some freedoms to maximize life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Every law is a restriction to freedom and I am grateful for those restrictions that help me to lead a more full life. I am dumbfounded that you don't mind toxic waste being dumped into the environment as long is it is not your backyard? On the contrary, I would guess that you are against other countries having "weapons of mass destruction"?

    You may enjoy reading up on food chains, biology and the like if this kind of thing interests you. I would guess that you have not looked into it that too much.


    Oh, and not everyone on here is American. Canada does not have founding fathers, so we tend not to reference them very often.

    Ooooh your canadian. My apologies then I tend to assume.

    No I have no problem with other countries having weapons of mass destruction as long as they don't plan to use them against my Country. See again assuming. Unlike some in my country I don't think the US should be always butting in all over the world. I wish we didn't have bases everywhere. It's not our job to risk our boys and protect everyone. Instead we should simply protect ourselves and not worry about "winning hearts and minds" or "Rebuilding". That is again just my opinion

    And it's none of my buisness if another country ruins there enviroment with toxic waste. It is infact no one's buisness but that country. People are such busy body's nowadays. We don't have the right to impede another man's god given freedoms so long as they do not affect us.

    I am highly libertarian. Like the american founding fathers. I personally oppose speed limits to some degree. But promote stiff penalties for damages cause by the results of driving at accelerated speeds.

    I believe in giving people the options and the responsibility, not nannying and mothering someone.

    Biology does interest me so I am willing to read up on food chains, but I am a strict science skeptic as most of the science done today is tainted by progressive politics.

    EDIT: I was very interested in biology in high school but sense then time hasn't permitted much study. I wish they had classes and stuff for adults just for fun.
  • 03-10-2010, 04:24 PM
    mr. s
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    At least we both love hockey.
    Too bad both of us don't love the Flames.
    hahaha
  • 03-10-2010, 04:32 PM
    Seru1
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    That is very true hockey unites :D

    I still can't believe you guys traded jokinen. but I wish you guys luck the western conferance is super competative this year and alot of fun to watch. I may have like 6 favorite teams, but more than anything I just love the game.
  • 03-11-2010, 10:38 AM
    dnnsfam
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mr. s View Post
    "That which is is governed by law is also upheld by it."

    This may be hard to believe, but I am not even an environmentalist. I however feel as though food chains are taken for granted when it comes to our delicate lives. For instance, if bees disappeared, we would not last another generation. If ocean predators disappear, what does that do to the fish stock? It goes up? What do they eat? Algea, which produces a huge percent of our oxygen. 70-80%

    I have to agree with you, based on what other countries do that affect their environment will eventually affect ours. The world is all connected by the same air patterns, water, and if they were to drop toxic waste on their beaches eventually it would pollute ours. Same goes with the over hunting and destruction of a species can affect other countries besides the water or section of land they hunt upon. Whales, dolphins, birds are not strict to one area and there travel to multiple countries in there life cycles keeps the world balanced. Once they are gone from one place in the ocean other areas will be highly affected as well. I wish another countries problems stayed in that country but that is not generally how it works when it comes to environmental. With the high population, and faster breeding cycles of cats and dogs is a different story. They can be farmed the same as we do cattle, or chickens with out destruction to the species. Dolphins, whales is different, they do not have a litter, and are pregnant much longer making re-population difficult to keep up with the amount of people in Japan and China.
  • 03-11-2010, 11:26 AM
    Wh00h0069
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    They should be able to eat whatever they want. It is none of our business unless it is somehow threatening us. Some Italians eat horse. I don't think that would be my cup of tea, but I also don't see how it is any of my business either if that is what they enjoy.

    I think its funny how some Americans feel that they are somehow better than people from other countries and should be able to dictate they way that they live / eat.
  • 03-11-2010, 11:34 AM
    771subliminal
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    as long as what they are eating is not in danger of extiction i dont see a problem with it, who are we to tell anyone what they can and can not eat if every country got to tell all the others what they can eat what would be left to eat cuz every country looks at something someone eats as taboo.

    i actually think that maybe we should allow people to eat cats and dogs over here as well then maybe shelters could atleast give some animals to be used as food instead of put to sleep and destroyed they would atleast be of some use instead of just a wasted life.
  • 03-11-2010, 09:13 PM
    PYMOM
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Do they have farms of these animals? Do they breed them for this specific purpose? If they are catching dolphins out of the ocean...shouldnt we all get a vote on that, cause if they hunt them to extinction wouldnt that affect us all? Yes we eat cows, pigs, Chickens...but we breed them for that purpose...We have a ready supply of these animals for consumption. They regulate human breeding in China...not all that much freedom if you ask me
  • 03-11-2010, 09:26 PM
    mdjudson
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by PYMOM View Post
    Do they have farms of these animals? Do they breed them for this specific purpose? If they are catching dolphins out of the ocean...shouldnt we all get a vote on that, cause if they hunt them to extinction wouldnt that affect us all? Yes we eat cows, pigs, Chickens...but we breed them for that purpose...We have a ready supply of these animals for consumption. They regulate human breeding in China...not all that much freedom if you ask me

    What about lobster, or Tuna?
  • 03-11-2010, 09:47 PM
    PYMOM
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mdjudson View Post
    What about lobster, or Tuna?

    thats true..I didnt think about that...and crabs. But on the other hand they are not as cute as dolphins. lol We humans tend to throw a lot of stones and dont care if we live in glass houses.
  • 03-11-2010, 10:18 PM
    WingedWolfPsion
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    I've no problem with them eating dogs and cats, but dolphins--well, I think there needs to be a bit more thought, there. For one thing, dolphins are so contaminated with mercury, one bite will make you stupid. :)
    I think if eating an animal is sustainable, then chow down. If it's not, then leave it alone.
  • 03-12-2010, 10:53 AM
    Danounet
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wh00h0069 View Post
    I think its funny how some Americans feel that they are somehow better than people from other countries and should be able to dictate they way that they live / eat.

    This is very sad, but very true. This is why some people from other countries really hate Americans.

    I mean think about it in this thread for example... Do we eat cats and dogs? No. Do we put down Cats and Dogs down? ALL THE TIME!!! At least those people are doing something with good with that meat. What do we do with them? Burn it or bury it.

    Do we think it's gross that they eat cats and dogs? yes. Does that give you the right to tell them what to eat or not. HELL NO!!... Another example... Im not American by birth, I think Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches are F'ing DISGUSTING!!! Does that give me right to go around the country telling Americans they cant BPJs? No, Americans would say Im out of my mind...

    Also the argument comparing killing of animals for food to toxic waste and nuclear weapons is hilarious. That is like comparing someone poking you with a stick to someone that shot you with a gun. They are not even close...
  • 03-12-2010, 06:02 PM
    mr. s
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Danounet View Post
    Also the argument comparing killing of animals for food to toxic waste and nuclear weapons is hilarious. That is like comparing someone poking you with a stick to someone that shot you with a gun. They are not even close...

    I appreciate your comments on imposing culture on others being wrong, as everyone has really agreed upon in this thread.

    As far as the comparison with fishing for food vs nuclear destruction, yes that would be a little on the extreme side, I think anyone can see that. On the other hand, the comparison I think that does make sense, is between two things which have the potential to hurt life in general on a global scale. That topic is something that most people would probably stand up for, protecting human life, although the question is then raised, what could cause a threat to life? Well, nukes could do it in a second or two, and other things take more time. I may stand alone on this, but I think that the degradation of nature is not only a terrible shame but will catch up with us when we don't expect it. As I said before, I am really not an environmental activist, but I DO NOT believe that humans are in a little bubble which operates under its own rules. We are part of something larger which could seriously hurt us if we are unaware.

    On a separate note, (not directed at you, Danio), I would say that many people are not interested in investing time into researching topics such as these, but they still have steadfast opinions on how things should be addressed. Would anyone agree?
  • 03-14-2010, 12:01 AM
    wolfy-hound
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    People should also remember that not all dolphins are endangered either. There's massive populations of several species of dolphin and porpoise. Yes, they are slower to reproduce, but they do reproduce.

    Would you be fine for Japan to tell us that we cannot have any hunting of say.. black bear in the United States? They could impose sanctions against us, and have Japanese extremists come over and harrass and attack us, video hunters killing bears and broadcast it worldwide. It's similiar as far as the population growth potential, and the populations. In fact.. there's probably more dolphin than bears overall.

    Of course everyone has an opinion on things. Sometimes it's a highly educated opinion.. sometimes not. Sometimes two people who BOTH are highly educated on a certain subject will still have extremely differing opinions. Just because someone doesn't agree, doesn't mean they are wrong.

    I do think what the world does affects us. The time when the United States could sit on our collective hands and say we will just ignore the rest of the planet is past. Everything is now connected and interwoven with economics, environmental elements, politics and culture.
  • 03-14-2010, 12:54 AM
    WingedWolfPsion
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    I think part of it, too, is that dolphins can recognize themselves in a mirror. They are self-aware, they have language, and they're highly intelligent--their level of intelligence is not yet well-understood. I do not think humans should be eating species that may be as bright as we are. That goes for the Great Apes as well. (Their upper threshold of intelligence overlaps our lower threshold of intelligence--normal intelligence, mind you, not developmentally delayed people).

    Eating sapient species seems a lot like cannibalism, to me. The last IQ test on dolphins I was able to find scored the dolphin being tested at 89. 80 is the lower human threshold for normal intelligence level. I think our descendents will judge us for how we deal with this issue. It's not an issue that can be readily ignored. A dolphin is not a human--they won't be building space shuttles (or anything else, since they have no hands). The fact that they may be 'someone we can talk to', however...

    This line will have to be drawn, and when it is, it will have to be drawn hard. If we were to explore another planet containing life, how would we make a determination of whether or not we had found another species considered sapient, like us? We need to deal with this issue here and now, before we get to that point. (Closer than you think--'super-Earth' worlds have been found already). Other species may not use their intelligence the exact same way we do, but they still have it. I think as our awareness of this fact grows, it might be a good idea to stop EATING creatures that may be 'someone' rather than 'something'. That's something that isn't about culture, unless you think cannibalism should be culturally respected too.

    Cats and dogs, cute and furry and loving as they may be, fail the mirror test miserably. They're not self-aware, they're not that smart, and so they're no different from any livestock species, apart from our own cultural differences.
  • 03-14-2010, 02:14 PM
    mainbutter
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    No animal should be taken off a menu because of "moral" ideas because some species is more "special" than another. If hunting gorillas and chimps was sustainable, I'd not shake my head at anyone who wanted to eat them.

    Heck, I'm not even particularly against cannibalism, if it is done in a way that is respectful of the dead.

    If the amount of hunting we do impacts a species' survival, yeah we should stop eating them. There are unfortunately way too many animal species and ecosystems affected in this way, and particularly our oceans.

    If an animal's flesh is toxic, people should be smart enough not to eat it, but I'm not going to stop them. Now I'm off to get some McD's fries and a shake.

    P.S. I've eaten whale before. It's delicious.
  • 03-15-2010, 12:56 AM
    Seru1
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    YOu have? what does it taste like? I have always wanted to try whale >_<
  • 03-15-2010, 03:01 AM
    WingedWolfPsion
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    It tastes like mercury. Yum!
    http://anglojapanese.com/mercury.html

    Of course, this also affects the cetaceans themselves. They were once much smarter than they are now. Mercury does to them exactly the same things it does to us.
  • 03-15-2010, 03:13 AM
    mr. s
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Seru1 View Post
    YOu have? what does it taste like? I have always wanted to try whale >_<

    I've eaten whale lots when I lived up in the canadian arctic, but I only ever ate whale skin, beluga and narwhale. It was served with a touch of soya sauce. It was really good. I wish I had access to it now. Basically, you gotta be tight with the natives and they hook you up.
  • 03-15-2010, 09:13 AM
    blackcrystal22
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    I'm not voting, there isn't options for specific animals.

    Cats and dogs are perfectly acceptable to be eaten by other cultures. I however, just as much as I think animals here, think that the animals should be treated with more welfare than they are receiving.

    Dolphins however, are a completely different story. Scientists are currently working on proving that these animals are sentient officially and preventing unreasonable killings of these animals, for it would then be 'murder'.
    One of the professors at my college is working on it, actually. It's very interesting.
    So no, I don't think it's right for them to eat dolphins, especially the endangered species that they are constantly killing for better fish harvesting off of the Japanese coast.

    Even though there are thriving numbers of dolphins else ware, the species that they are hunting are NOT thriving, and many are near extinction.
    Also, I do think you shouldn't eat one animal because it's better than another, or otherwise it would be acceptable to eat humans, because humans are animals too and they have meat just like every other animal.
  • 03-15-2010, 09:15 AM
    blackcrystal22
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mr. s View Post
    I've eaten whale lots when I lived up in the canadian arctic, but I only ever ate whale skin, beluga and narwhale. It was served with a touch of soya sauce. It was really good. I wish I had access to it now. Basically, you gotta be tight with the natives and they hook you up.

    Being tight with the natives is called a black market and illegal importation of endangered species. The only reason they are allowed to hunt and kill them is because that is their only food source, and their populations are low.
  • 03-15-2010, 09:26 AM
    wolfy-hound
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Umm, actually the natives are allowed to kill whales because it's their cultural right. And if you are in alaska and share with native friends, it's not importing or a black market. My husband was in alaska and ate whale once with some friends up there. If someone is SELLING the meat/blubber or shipping it elsewhere.. then you'd have an issue.

    And there's folks who claim that the family dog is just like a person too, and they are working to give the dog equal rights like a human, but that has nothing to do with whether someone should eat a dog somewhere. It's still just an opinion. You can pretty much teach a chicken to do almost every trick they've shown dolphns doing. It's all in how you interpet the data.
  • 03-15-2010, 11:39 AM
    mr. s
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by blackcrystal22 View Post
    Being tight with the natives is called a black market and illegal importation of endangered species. The only reason they are allowed to hunt and kill them is because that is their only food source, and their populations are low.

    Wolfy is right. No, it's not illegal.
  • 03-15-2010, 01:37 PM
    wolfy-hound
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Also, the species hunted is mainly bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales, both very numerous species. Neither are in any danger of going extinct and are commonly found across the globe. So the argument that they will go extinct is also inaccurate.

    Most of my objections to whale hunting is based on non-sustainable harvesting, which the IWC deals with when they set quotas for different species, and the manner of killing, which sometimes is cruel or inhumane, although the explosive harpoons have quickened the death, compared to the original harpooning. Most dolphin hunting involves lancing a dolphin for a heart stab, which is said to be one of the faster humane ways to kill a cetacean(according to some rescuers of stranded cetaceans).

    If the species is numerous enough to harvest in sustainable numbers, then it's really not much different than hunters in the US killing black bears(using them with the numbers and reproductive abilities again). Bear fanciers believe bears are very spiritual and special, just as many think dolphins and whales are super special. But that's still just opinions.

    I studied cetaceans for quite some time, and I do think that they are amazing creatures. That doesn't mean they are anything more than amazing animals. The great whales show little more intelligence than any other animal, although there could be a lack of oportunity since people don't get much chance to run studies on great whales after all.

    I like horses, but I would not declare that horses can't be eaten in Europe. Telling the Japanese people that they cannot kill dolphins is not much different than the Japanese people coming here and telling us we cannot kill black bears.

    IF and WHEN someone manages to somehow prove that a dolphin is indeed a self-aware, completely intelligent entity that matches a human's abilities, then perhaps I will revise my opinion(and yes, I realize it's merely an opinion), but until that day arrives, dolphins are cool animals who happen to taste like beef.
  • 03-15-2010, 03:52 PM
    blackcrystal22
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wolfy-hound View Post
    Umm, actually the natives are allowed to kill whales because it's their cultural right. And if you are in alaska and share with native friends, it's not importing or a black market. My husband was in alaska and ate whale once with some friends up there. If someone is SELLING the meat/blubber or shipping it elsewhere.. then you'd have an issue.

    Which is what I thought he was referring to when he said that he had 'connections with the natives' but did not live there.

    Quote:

    And there's folks who claim that the family dog is just like a person too, and they are working to give the dog equal rights like a human, but that has nothing to do with whether someone should eat a dog somewhere. It's still just an opinion. You can pretty much teach a chicken to do almost every trick they've shown dolphns doing. It's all in how you interpet the data.
    Also, the dolphin intelligence is not an opinion, a lot of data shows that they have sentient feelings and emotional ties to their families with brain waves that other animals do not have. It doesn't matter what tricks they learn, it matters how much true intelligence and reasoning they have. After all, they are the only other animals (besides humans) that have sex for pure enjoyment and not instinct.

    I understand the family dog thing, but that is really just an opinion and has no scientific backing. Pigs have been shown to be more intelligent than dogs, but we eat them constantly.
    Also, cows and other specific livestock are SACRED in other countries and religions, which is a bit more offensive than 'my family friend', even though both are offensive.

    Like I said, I'll still use the human argument. There are 6.5 billion people on this planet, that's hardly going extinct, but does that make it right to kill them when there are other available sources of food? (and healthier)

    Bison had numbers in the 100's of millions when the Europeans first colonized here, and they dropped to less than 100 at one point. They have now been barely saved from extinction, but it's just a point. Just because there is such a large number, does not make it right.
  • 03-15-2010, 06:31 PM
    Seru1
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    On a personal note I'd just like to say I don't personally care how smart a dolphin is. It could read war and peace and write an A+ book report, but If I was hungry and it tasted good between two buns with some cheese and mustard I'd eat that sucker.


    From a religious standpoint that I know everyone doesn't share. Man is given dominion over animals. Now I believe we should be responsible with that dominion and that means not over farming, hunting, fishing, etc. But I still believe man has the god given right to eat any animal he wants whether or not it be a good choice.

    No offense to any one person I just see the smart dolphin arguement being brought up alot and I thought I'd throw in my measly 2 cents.
  • 03-15-2010, 07:55 PM
    wolfy-hound
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    We don't kill humans because we're humans. Dolphins are not humans. Your arguments about their levels of sentience are still basically opinions based on research, no one can prove a dolphin is sentient. The whole sex thing I won't even bother with, because it's unproveable. There's plenty of research that will claim lots of things.. need I quote the research showing pythons taking over the US?

    Most research studies are biased according to what the researcher wants to prove. No, it's not the way research is supposed to go, just like interpeting data goes according to what result you want to get in many cases. Elephants are said to be sentient.. then great apes.. or whichever super special animal you're fond of. Just because they are more intelligent than most animals.. or show some signs of self-awareness.. still doesn't mean they are equivalent to a human being.

    Dolphins seem to have a language.. seem to be very intelligent.. seem to be a lot. But the proof isn't there. Extra brain activity was supposed to be their echolocation being used and interpted in the last study on dolphin brain waves that *I* read.

    Until they are proved to be sentient people.. they're animals. No matter how cool.

    Oh.. and I would not use bison as an example of sustainable harvesting. They were taken to the brink of extinction and saved through more luck than anything else. People did not think about their numbers, reproductive rates etc.. then say "We should kill xx bison a year". They wholesale salughtered until there weren't any.
  • 03-15-2010, 08:23 PM
    omnibus2
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    As long as populations are sustainable, sure. Not really different from americans eating cows, or the french eating horses.

    Now, one could bring up speciesism of course. Maybe somebody likes dolphins or doesn't give a crap about dogs. Or maybe this person doesn't care about humans but likes centipedes.
  • 03-15-2010, 08:27 PM
    Jay_Bunny
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Why does intelligence have ANYTHING to do with sentience? Just because an animal (and we ARE animals too) does not understand that the image it is seeing in a mirror is itself does not mean it is not aware of itself. There are plenty of HUMANS that have a lower intelligence level than many animals but we don't consider them lower down on the ladder. We don't consider them for food.

    As far as animals being used for food, period, I have no right to tell someone "You can't eat that." But I do believe it should be done the right way. We should take into consideration the ecosystem, the health of an animal's population, and little to no suffering for the animals. Animals should have a right to not live in their own filth, have access to veterinary care, fed a proper diet, and slaughtered humanely. Other than that, I have no problem with other people eating ANY meat.

    And animals should not be deemed not suitable for eating just because they are cute and furry. Personally, I'd love to have a pet cow, goat, chickens, etc. These are considered to be food for many but I would love to have them as beloved members of my family. Does my idea that cows are pets make it not right for others to eat them, no.
  • 03-15-2010, 11:20 PM
    4theSNAKElady
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    I agree with most people on here in saying that we have no right to tell another culture what to eat. In the case of endangered species, I would hope the people would not WANT to eat the particular animal, but instead preserve it. However, on the other hand, they may come to our country shaking their heads at what a "waste of food" euthanizing millions of homeless dogs and cats are every year, when some people from a third world country could be surviving off of the meat. It seems a little.....I can't place the words. A country filled with the fattest people in the world telling other countries what and how to eat. THAT doesn't make sense to me.
  • 08-29-2010, 12:22 PM
    mr. s
    Re: Japan and China Meat Crusine Poll
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by blackcrystal22 View Post
    Being tight with the natives is called a black market and illegal importation of endangered species. The only reason they are allowed to hunt and kill them is because that is their only food source, and their populations are low.

    I know this is old, but I thought I would clear this up.

    I'm not sure of your experience with Canadian law, but this is not illegal. I can't hunt, but I can eat. Black market? Nope. They sell it too, along with skins, and ivory. Yes, legal ivory. On public holidays the city would have large meals available to everyone. Also, it is not imported.
    It is true though that there is controversy concerning over hunting.
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