close
more_vert

Robot Emperor wrote:
I often cycle to and from work, a round journey of 54 miles, just to be out in the fresh air and rediscover myself (closest I can come to what I actually mean - sorry). We are out in rural Lincolnshire so if one cycles through the villages one will not see a car for the 2 hours or so the journey takes, consequently I see nature undisturbed, animals unfettered by us (and it is "us", we are responsible). If I am on lates I finish at 10pm or later and often see owls, big old bats, deer, foxes, even badgers (twice). No consolation to the slaughtered, but a comfort to me.

Conversely I have never worked with a group of people that I get on with more. Bonded in adversity I suppose. How many people can have an informed conversation about music at work with six people (as happened yesterday) that covers Hawkwind , Coil, Budgie, Killing Joke and the fact that Glenn Hughes is David Bowie's best mate?

My intention in this post is not to hijack the thread or talk about me me me but to assure you (and possibly myself) that I am not a monster. I did worry about my post last night but the response so far shows that honesty is the best policy.

You were absolutely right to post it. My take would be that you are no more responsible for the deaths of those animals than every person who has a bacon sandwich.

I do wish more people were aware of the suffering and distress they cause by their actions though.

I'm glad you posted too as this is a great opportunity for constructive discussion between people from the different sides of the 'argument'. I was very interested by your comments about the Food Standards Agency, supermarkets etc. and how this has promoted greater standards of welfare in the slaughterhouses in recent years through closer monitoring.

Busy at the minute but just to say that I too do not wish to come across as being judgmental. I try to live by my personal feelings and avoid animal products but let's face it - 60m UK / 8 billion people worldwide are not going to 'go veggie' in the foreseeable future. We can at least look at how to minimise suffering and damage: to animals, people and the environment.

It's a long, long time since I've personally participated in discussions like this because I kind of burnt-out in my 20s after being an active animal welfare campaigner. So, on a personal note, I'm really chuffed to have found forums such as these where the huge issues can hopefully be discussed constructively.

Cheers all.