Re: GRAZE-L digest 165 (fwd)

Steve Hall (sgh1@cornell.edu)
Wed, 18 Dec 1996 15:51:18 -0500

Well said, Laura.
I do think an ideal is not simply imagining that we can exist on
this planet independently of and without using other living creatures, but
rather respecting, loving, thanking and caring for those creatures (plants,
animals, other humans...) which we NEED for our existence, as well as we can.
I think the question of lack of respect for other humans, other
animals, other plants, others in general, is tied to more than just
capitalism. Our social and religious systems at times encourage this.
However, capitalism may well be another negative force propelling us to "use
and abuse" animals in a sometimes uncaring but "efficient" manner. I think
it is very legitimate, for both you and Andy (as well as the rest of us!) to
think about and try to improve our treatment of other individuals, as well
as other species.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Steve Hall

At 12:32 PM 12/18/96 -0600, you wrote:
>Hello, Everyone--
>
>I've become something of a lurker on this list, but as a participant in both
>sanet and graze-L and a grazing researcher, I've thought a lot about animal
>health and comfort and the relationship between farmers and their stock.
>
>Andy Richker writes:
> I find it curious that cattlepeople or others
>>in a similar vein see nothing strange about caring and probably even liking
>>their herds and then killing them. I think it is bit of a shame that
>>especially these people who can practice such a positive interaction with
>>their land and animals end up having to exploit them for their own
>>livelihood. But I guess this is the nature of capitalism.
>
>I would disagree that this "contradiction" has anything to do with
>capitalism. I think it is very much a natural aspect of the relationship of
>humans with the animals that we use to meet our needs for food, clothing,
>etc. I would remind Andy of the respect/reverence that many Native American
>peoples had for the animals they hunted. This is characteristic of other
>more subsistance based cultures, as well. I don't think that the affection
>that some farmers feel for their livestock is much different. Humans have
>consumed meat for millenia--biologically, we are omnivorous. It is natural
>that people have developed ways of expressing our respect and appreciation
>for the animals that provide us sustenance.
>
>Kindest regards,
>
>Laura
>
>Laura Paine
>Department of Agronomy
>University of Wisconsin
>1575 Linden Drive
>Madison, WI 53706
>Phone: 608/262-6203
>Fax: 608/265-3437
>email: lkpaine@facstaff.wisc.edu
>
>
*****************************************
Steven G. Hall, P.E., Doctoral Candidate
Agricultural and Biological Engineering
419 Riley-Robb Hall
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
e-mail: sgh1@cornell.edu
telephone: (607)256-5408 / fax:255-4080
web site: http://caep.aben.cornell.edu/sghhome.htm
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