[Kevin Dean]

Quote by: Muckraker "It tastes good" is not a valid position to argue from.

Perhaps it was not clear from the smiley, that statement (while true) was not put forth as the basis of my arguement, only my basis for choosing to eat meat. If meat didn't taste good, I'd not eat it.

I do totally agree with you about the points you make in regard to American consumption - not only of meat but of other things. I am a GNU/Linux user - I take pride in my computer system because it is so customizable and tailored to my specific uses. I've also found that despite it being a superior system for just about all computing tasks, having to know how it works is the single biggest impediment to it's adoption.

Quote by: Muckraker Someone is eating a burger and "it tastes great." I inform them the burger is actually Poodle meat.

The thing is, there are a TON of people who would instantly vomit - the idea of eating Fifi is a bit unnerving to people. However, logically, there is no difference between beef and canine in the fact that an animal had to be killed and processed (not always industrial processing). I would feel upset that I was not informed that it was a McPoodle but the fact that it was canine wouldn't be "more disgusting" - it's the lack of disclosure and not the product itself that would make me feel violated.

Those who argue that there is a difference don't argue logically or objectively. My view, again, goes to the wanton destruction of life and not to the destruction itself.

Quote by: Muckraker I fully support this. Although I don't particularly see the fun in killing something for fun, I can't argue with someone that knows where meat comes from and goes out with a weapon to acquire meat at the grass roots level.

Two points. :) Firstly, you say that you respect this because it's an understanding of the process but you then label it as "killing for fun" - this is what I consider "wanton" killing. Not the hunting, but the finding fun in the taking of life. The poster here commented that he's got a freezer full of meat which indicates he hunts for food, not fun.

Secondly, you go on to argue that eating is an intimate act. Do you not understand how, knowing how meat is handled, processed and stored might not inspire him to eliminate the unknowns and control as many variables as possible in that chain? I appreciate beer so much more because I brew it myself, I'm sure he feels the same way while enjoying his venison.

Quote by: Muckraker Many young children are not aware meat requires the death of an animal and by the time they find that out they are too brainwashed to make a decision about the matter.

"Brainwashed" is such a loaded term and implies delibrate and malicious intent. Once could argue that we're "brainwashed" into thinking women and blacks are equal or that animals have rights at all. I agree with the point you make, that children and adults have a disconnect from the reality of their lifestyle, but I disagree with the implication that one needs to be "brainwashed" or "indoctrinated" - it's simply culture and passed on like our language because children learn by immitating those around them and because they aren't able to make decisions for themselves (depending on the stage of life for various reasons.)