Why I’m Doing It (Not Eating Meat)

January 17th, 2008 | Posted in General | No Comments »

(Part Sausage)

Well, I’m now into the third week of the month (and so are you!), and this now means I’ve been doing the vegetarian thing now for the past three weeks. I’ve been eating a lot of Subway Veggie-delite sandwiches for lunch and have been eating rice or noodles with steamed veggies for dinner. Overall I can honestly say I am eating things I really do like so it doesn’t feel like I’ve been missing out.

Earlier this week a coworker made the comment that it was a “noble cause” though he didn’t think he could do it. I haven’t really been considering it a noble cause so his comment made me think about it a bit. Is that the reason some people do it? Do they think they’re really protesting animal cruelty? Do they honestly think they’re saving an animal’s life?

I mean I do have serious issues with certain aspects of animal cruelty and even the earth-creature-meat industry as a whole. I certainly do not approve of torturing live-stock (in that 7 special herb and spice kind of way that The Colonel does right) and I completely detest the entire concept of factory farming. I hate that our foodable beasties are sometimes force to live what amounts really to an overall pretty shitty life. But that isn’t why I’m not eating meat. Those things will go on with or without me protesting them. The only thing I can actually do that makes a difference is, ironically, not to stop eating meat, but start buying products from companies that behave in ways that I agree with. Supporting companies that believe the same way as I do is the best way to make sure they stay in business and hopefully do well enough to see their ways carry over into the rest of the market.

Having said that, I always have bought meat products that advertise positive things like no hormone or antibiotics used or organic-grain fed when I have the option even if it means paying more. I know that isn’t a perfect solution to all of the problems but it’s the best that one can realistically expect when we stand back and admit to ourselves that humans are indeed meant to eat meat. Animals: They taste great for a reason.

Morality isn’t why I’m doing it. FNORD I speak for cows everywhere when I say “EAT ME NOW!”
 
(To be continued…)