There is no point in trying to educate radical extremists about anything or sway their opinions, no matter what their issue is. The focus should be on people who realize that they don’t know everything, and who ultimately let reason prevail.

The best that can be hoped for is that it is the rational people who are elected to office and that they make educated decisions. This did not happen in California, but that doesn’t mean the law can’t be reversed.

It is very easy for something like foie production to be villified by opponents, because the plight of foie eaters is not a very sympathetic cause. I doubt if my choosing not to eat it will affect the market in the least.

This is being quite anthropomorphic. I don’t think ducks ever realize “their turn is coming soon.” People (and *maybe* primates) seem to be the only creatures aware of their own impending demise. And we obsess over it needlessly, if you ask me.

This is not to say the ducks didn’t panic in the fire. Fight or flight and all that. I am sure it wasn’t pleasant and was probably painful (hopefully smoke inhalation did them in which is less painful), but I also think that when it comes their time to die, animals don’t get philosophic about it.

I am sorry for the loss of life, animal or human, for anyone who suffers from a fire. Recently there was a fire in a stable here and 45 horses lost their lives. It was quite tragic.

As for foie gras, I have had it and I liked it, but I don’t eat it frequently. I respect *all* the animals who were killed for my gustatory pleasure. I have helped in the butchering of chickens, pigs and cows (I basically grew up on my grandparents’ farm), which provided me appreciation for my meals. The same goes for gardening, in my opinion. Knowing all that is involved to get your food to the grocery store makes you appreciate and value it more.

People who are respectful advocates of animals are the salt of the earth, but when they put artisan duck farmers out of business they put the greedy agribusinesses in the position of buying them out and taking them over. Then, your ConAgras and Tysons will be the only game in town.

At this point, PETA and the duck terrorists will be shut out completely because the only duck farmers left will be factory duck farmers with their impenetrable compounds.

We’ll even have less jobs because the profit motive will take over and efficiencies that don’t consider employing people to be an asset will be the new world order.

In general: I cannot base my opinion of a practice on the reaction to it by those on both sides of the issue. For example, I would not change my position on abortion just because there are radical whackos out there blowing up womens clinics or become in favor of capital punishment if protesters switched from candlelight vigils to heaving molotov cocktails at prisons.

Likewise, I would not disavow my personal commitment to the ethical treatment of animals simply because PETA has shown itself to be repugnant and harmful in their methods of protest. How other people react to something is not my problem if I did not perpetrate the issue.

What it all boils down to me is that mankind long ago learned how to exploit a function of nature. I still don’t agree with the idea of the liver being so large that the duck has trouble walking (and I think that perhaps taking the practice to that length would amount to simple greed).

However, from what I’ve read so far, it seems to me that animals are being exploited in this world in far more horrific ways – ways that make this practice pale in significance. As a rational person who sometimes finds Nature irrational, I try to work things out for myself based on facts and not opinions. Being on top of the food chain entails a huge responsiblity on our parts to protect and maintain the environment and respect all the other creatures who live in it.

It is possible to love animals and humans too. I shouldn’t even have to mention this, except that there are people who seem to want to assume the worst of those who disagree with them on issues of ethics or morality. Eh, whatever. People who are respectful advocates of animals are also people who are advocates for the rights of children, the disenfranchised, and the elderly. They are drawn to defend those who cannot defend themselves. We also tend to let our wallets do the talking.

If telling yourself that “They were slated for humane deaths followed by the use of their flesh for a purpose.” helps you sleep at night, then keep doing so.

The rest of us will keep an eye on reality for you. No need to thank us.

Thanks to Mr. Ginor for his clarifying statement on the size of the facility and the square footage allotted to his ducks.

However, we can be thankful that no humans were hurt in the blaze. Additionaly, the business and the quality of the product do not look like they will be affected by the fire, which resulted in the loss of breeder ducks. The farm has always worked towards ensuring a continued supply of eggs and is switching to alternative suppliers that are already in place.

For anyone who’d like to learn more about the issues surrounding foie gras, check out http://legalfoiegras.blogspot.com/ .

Hold for it,

sea urchin.

After the lovely emergency room visit, being pumped full of drugs, and 2 hours of breathing treatments, I am recovering at home with way too much time on the computer.

Really awesome sushi from a great place here in the San Fernando Valley, I just never had eaten sea urchin before. Now I know why.

Do not misquote me sir. I was very concerned over the BUSINESS loss. Of no concern to me (and I wrote) was how the ducks are treated to make the product. My comments were directed at animal rights activists (read them and you will see) who I think should take more time to help their fellow human. My opinion, stated clearly. Please do not twist it to fit your posts.

These ducks died in one of the most horrifying, painful ways possible, and died for nothing. There is no redeeming quality to that whatsoever. It’s impossible to see any usefulness in this situation.

They were slated for humane deaths followed by the use of their flesh for a purpose. Regardless of how one feels about that, certainly there is more reason, purpose, and usefulness to it than the senseless destruction they suffered.

http://www.mensvogue.com/food/articles/2006/08/21/foie_gras

[Note: Page 5 has most of the medical/scientific data on it. Very interesting stuff]

Txstarla, you’re right. Helping the people of southern California has a higher priority than our full tummies. However, our ideals, the ones that make us compassionate towards animals, shouldn’t be set aside at times like these.