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More on foie gras: For the birds?

Why the foie de gras? Or, is it faux pas? Or the follies? What’s up with all this? Why are we all spending all this print to talk about how it is or isn’t a minor issue to force feed animals? But since they are voiceless, I guess it’s up to us.

  I understand the need to make a living but it makes me sad that this is the prime consideration. Isn’t it about time that kindness becomes a primary value for humans? It seems to me the bigger question is this: as a species, can we evolve beyond causing harm? This old world has plenty of problems, without jobs, housing, water, enough food or safety – can’t we leave the birds alone??

  Every act that could cause suffering in our world is important. We can all cite facts on behalf of our point of view. I can tell you that Costa Rica’s constitutional court sided with those seeking to block a cruel running of the bulls in April, stating that ”human dignity must be extended to animals” (All animals, August, 2012), and that the Humane Society of The United States exposed this year in video the inhumane treatment of pigs. Or I could mention that the California Senate recently backed the HSUS’s ban on the pursuit of cornering bears and bobcats with packs of dogs wearing radio collared devices.

  And, even with all this hard work for animal protection, according to the U.S. Navy’s own estimates, the use of high-frequency underwater sound, for testing off the coast of California and beyond, will kill 1,800 whales and dolphins and deafen 15,900 more over the next five years. Shall I go on?

  So, what’s the point? Somehow this all seems bigger than a tid bit. Isn’t this discussion really about the way we care? Or maybe it’s about survival, or history.

  When I sit down for a nice meal, I can imagine the animal so that sort of ruins it for me. The adrenalin that rushes through their bodies’ poisons them and that goes into my body as well. Can that be good?

  I believe it’s time for change. Would you want to be force fed? Or, maybe we are.

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  Katy Byrne is a psychotherapist living in Boyes Hot Springs.