I've been praised and criticized for my last column that listed a few faults of vegetarianism and praised those who ate meat, not just vegetables. Strangely, mostly girls have blitzed to criticize me, while most guys praised my taste in meat. I was even invited to the College radio station to do a commentary. But I think the worst attack on my column was by Elinor Actipis '98 ["Animals Have Feelings Too," The Dartmouth, March 4]. I don't mean to start some kind of war, but I wish to respond and to expound on the topic.
Most vegetarians I've met are kind and compassionate and have big hearts. They care so much about everything. Some are environmentalists who seek to protect trees from evil bulldozers and chainsaws. Some decry the way animals are treated.
If you were to argue that animals have feelings, I'd say vegetables have feelings too. By my reluctance to eat vegetables, I can say that I am an environmental activist who seeks to save vegetation from evil vegetarians. I think it is kind of strange for environmentalists to eat vegetables, because they are eating what they are protecting. Seems a bit hypocritical in a way.
Just because a cabbage can't yell out in pain when a farmer plucks it from the ground does not mean it does not feel pain. Maybe we haven't discovered how plants feel pain. They certainly show discomfort and illness by turning sickly colors. I think that can be a sign that they have feelings too.
So I am horrified to see vegetables chopped up and lying so helplessly in a container at salad bars. Those poor, helpless things that were scrubbed to death and choked with chemicals so they could be artificially big need our help. What a horrible way to die. In the end, they will be covered in some disgusting dressings and chopped to death by human teeth. People just don't see the abuse of vegetables.
It is very unfortunate that most animals are treated so poorly before being slaughtered. And the charges of animal abuse are numerous. But are we, according to the Bible and God, not masters of all animals? Have we not worked hard, killed many so that we can sit comfortably on top of the food chain and not worry about being eaten? If vegetarians existed in the dawn of mankind, we would not have survived. Darwinian law indicates that we would probably have been eaten to oblivion.
There may be limits to how cruelly we can treat these animals, but the beef and other meat industries that make it possible for us to feel that juicy steak in our mouths during dinner should not be condemned. Let us remember that most of these cows and pigs were meant for consumption, not to roam around the prairies, living bucolic lives.
How can the slaughtering of a living thing be pretty? Of course it is disgusting. I've been to a slaughter house, and I've felt sick just looking and smelling the place. However, it is a necessary evil, like the government. We don't want it or really approve of it, but the end of the process is so darn delightful to the taste buds and provides such an essential role in people's diets and meals that it has to be tolerated. Will you condemn a government who puts to sleep stray pets? Will you also condemn those who grow trees just so that they can be cut down at Christmas time? Will you also condemn the turkey industry for raising and slaughtering turkeys for Americans' consumption during Thanksgiving? I didn't think so.
I think the politically correct term for carnivore is "vegetable-lover." I can almost see a new branch of environmental protection agencies all around the world. We'll boycott the vegetable industry and have sit-ins wherever they serve vegetables. I just remembered one dish that will turn all vegetarians into meat lovers. Peking Duck Dish with Fried Duck Skin. Yummy!
