Guest guest Posted February 17, 2004 Report Share Posted February 17, 2004 I was talking to a meat-eating friend this weekend, who is on a very limited income as a PhD student. We were talking about animal rights and meat analogs and McDonald's, and the likelihood of him buying "fake meats" (low) because of their cost (high). I loathe McDonald's and everything they stand for, but the truth is if they could make gobs of money selling dirt, they'd do it. If they could make gobs of money selling veggie burgers, they'll do it. They care about the bottom line, which is making gobs of money. To encourage and support non-animal-based food and make veggie burgers more easily available to people seeking out cheap (albeit crappy) food, then that's a good thing for the animals. I think perhaps we could agree to disagree and at least reach some kind of consensus that says though *I* (and other like-minded folks) have not patronized (and have no immediate plans to do so) McDonald's, I would love to know that this friend of mine (and thousands/millions like him) would choose the veggie burger if it were available. To further my point, I was at a very expensive wedding this weekend of 200+ people. The bride is vegetarian, but she only arranged to have vegan meals given to the people she knew were veg. So although our meal was delicious and totally vegan, on the little wedding menu, people could choose only between "beef," fish, and chicken. I am certain that if she had included a vegetarian option on there, people would have chosen it. As it was, 198 people ate some kind of animal flesh because there was no choice. Philosophically, I really do agree with both sides of this argument, and I don't think one is right and the other wrong. I also don't think one is ethical and one is not. The bottom line must be 'what will reduce suffering or animals,' and it seems to me that vegetarian options -- even at the most despicable establishments -- will help to do so. Just my 2 cents. Colleen ------------------------------Watch "Meet Your Meat" http://www.meetyourmeat.com "The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." ~Albert Einstein "People often say that humans have always eaten animals, as if this is a justification for continuing the practice. According to this logic, we should not try to prevent people from murdering other people, since this has also been done since the earliest of times." ~Isaac Bashevis Singer "Don't do nothing because you can't do everything. Do Something. Anything." ~Sasha Recipes & Cooking Classes: http://www.generationv.org/compassionatecooks.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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