tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.comments2023-09-20T05:20:02.150-07:00A Rat Is A Fish Is A Dog Is A BoyWesley J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00087063614354714652noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-25117753479956492072012-01-11T11:35:10.575-08:002012-01-11T11:35:10.575-08:00Eliminating all risk from every human act is gonna...Eliminating all risk from every human act is gonna be kinda difficult, but I suppose let's give it a try and see how we do with that *sarc*<br />http://www.earth-issues.com/Dochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01810967605757898415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-69121562597192494412010-07-29T08:53:33.872-07:002010-07-29T08:53:33.872-07:00this comment is not directed at this post but rath...this comment is not directed at this post but rather the blog as a whole. i was wondering why animals having an understanding of moral codes is a prerequisite to rights, because it seems the way many western societies are set up, people have access to rights whether they can make a moral distinction or not (e.g. sociopaths)so that current standards do not require a prerequisite to rights of any kind.Why does a level of understanding equate to a certain value of life or a right to life. i would love if you could expand more on the logical justifications of human exceptionalism more in your blog, which i find is very enjoyable.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07145400030900144959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-62605664984739209512010-06-24T16:27:31.015-07:002010-06-24T16:27:31.015-07:00WWJD? Where's your witness, dude?WWJD? Where's your witness, dude?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04467916175706121667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-7776997327761001532010-05-31T10:43:50.950-07:002010-05-31T10:43:50.950-07:00I see your point... but, nonetheless, to protest o...I see your point... but, nonetheless, to protest one thing, does not mean to devalue or not be opposed to another bad thing. It is an egregious logical fallacy to assume that, merely b/c one opposes one thing, that they are automatically in favor of other factually related actions. For example, if I write my senator, protesting one aspect of a bill, but there are other negative aspects in a bill-- it doesnt mean that I am more not concerned or less concerned about one type of wrong than the other. This is especially so and Ms. Newkirk heads an animal advocacy group--the humans who are being killed have many advocates and the animals need a voice on their behalf. To say that Ms. Newkirk cares less about humans is specious.<br /><br />Stately more concretely, Ms. Newkirk is against the taking of life-- it is a given that killing humans through terrorism is morally wrong. Ms. Newkirk also believes that it is wrong to kill donkeys as well. That doesn't mean she "care[s] more about the dead animal" than humans--it just means that, she, unlike nearly everyone else is concerned about the deaths of humans AND nonhumans.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04467916175706121667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-3988041616574814722010-05-25T17:08:39.769-07:002010-05-25T17:08:39.769-07:00Argument:
"I like eating cheap and tasty anim...Argument:<br />"I like eating cheap and tasty animals, therefore whatever happens to make them cheap, tasty and available is morally right."<br /><br />Even Kant disagreed with this line of reasoning. Nonetheless, is it one of the one of the more compelling anti-animal 'arguments' I've heard because its power comes from its appeal to self-interest rather than it being an actual argument. <br /><br />Such a "if it feels good, do it" mentality is common--but it is surprisingly at odds with your other ethical positions.<br /><br />If I may be so bold, I'd like to share with you a comic from a different line of thinking, one which advocates reflection and modesty, especially in the face of self-interested decision-making:<br />http://www.thedoghousediaries.com/?p=1751Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04467916175706121667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-52919723698324560282010-05-24T13:06:07.412-07:002010-05-24T13:06:07.412-07:00I note the spelling of "favour" in the q...I note the spelling of "favour" in the quote above. Were American and British spellings of or/our not yet settled? I do not know.AmMenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16061326450481106064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-35278539600033499902010-05-21T21:22:52.827-07:002010-05-21T21:22:52.827-07:00Ah, okay. I wasn't aware she used it multiple...Ah, okay. I wasn't aware she used it multiple times. I retract my comment.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361903848070092248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-28193206679594373972010-05-21T17:19:04.493-07:002010-05-21T17:19:04.493-07:00Sorry gade, you missed a different quote of hers. ...Sorry gade, you missed a different quote of hers. Newkirk used that phrase many times. Here's the key one from Vogue in 1989: Animal liberationists do not separate out the human animal, so there is no rational basis for saying that a human being has special rights. A rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. They are all mammals Vogue 1989September 1Wesley J. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00087063614354714652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-26187318100256440102010-05-20T20:55:43.455-07:002010-05-20T20:55:43.455-07:00While I do support your stance on human exceptiona...While I do support your stance on human exceptionalism, your quotation of Ingrid Newkirk is either inaccurate or dishonest.<br /><br />She never said a "rat is a pig is a dog is a boy" with reference to the moral standing of these organisms. The full quote is "When it comes to having a central nervous system, and the ability to feel pain, hunger, and thirst, a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. "<br /><br />I feel that the honest thing to do is clarify this for people.<br /><br />Thank you.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361903848070092248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-46880461223314609782010-05-14T16:35:33.109-07:002010-05-14T16:35:33.109-07:00Lincoln would have liked that joke, Dr. C. Thanks....Lincoln would have liked that joke, Dr. C. Thanks.Wesley J. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00087063614354714652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-88522191608480000162010-05-14T16:29:10.035-07:002010-05-14T16:29:10.035-07:00"He ate meat with relish"? I would have..."He ate meat with relish"? I would have guessed mustard, but I guess times were tough in the mid-19th century.<br /><br />Looking forward to your next post, as always.Dr. C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08755238133712243838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-88843236094478820282010-04-30T10:40:35.928-07:002010-04-30T10:40:35.928-07:00Oh, so true. Animals do not have the same self-con...Oh, so true. Animals do not have the same self-consciousness that we do. They don't think laterally; they are straight line thinkers. They have no concept of right and/or wrong. What they do is based on comfort vs. discomfort. They learn by association, not by abstract reasoning. <br /><br />The animal rights goons love neither humans not animals. But they con "unicorns and rainbows" people into giving them money. I was one of them once, back when I didn't know what critical thinking was. <br /><br />And, looking back, I realized that I had the subconscious belief that, if I saved the wild critters from eeeevil hunters, that they'd be grateful and love me back. <br /><br />I'm so glad I grew up!horsndogluvrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02104175548913010326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-64905122258853032772010-04-08T10:29:58.427-07:002010-04-08T10:29:58.427-07:00During the debate over human slavery, proponents a...During the debate over human slavery, proponents argued that businesses dependent on that unpaid labor would die. When slavery ended, people who made their living on the backs of slaves found another way to make money. The same thing will happen when we no longer exploit animals for profit.sandmaddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04026732314540375947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-12484765856808339882010-03-16T23:30:46.418-07:002010-03-16T23:30:46.418-07:00While PETA may be focused on creating a world wher...While PETA may be focused on creating a world where animal use is outlawed, one cannot ignore the incredible progress that has been made regarding animal welfare because of PETA's existence. No one organization (definitely not the AVMA - American Veterinary Medical Association) has done more to promote spay/neuter than PETA. Spay/neuter is crucial to reducing animal overpopulation.<br />PETA - love them or hate them, the organization pushes the envelope which in turn brings everyone up a notch when it comes to animal welfare.<br />Little is black and white, and one can be critical of PETAs agenda but still have an appreciation for their accomplishments in many areas of animal welfare.Suziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06543271414711157338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-55623782956981829862010-03-16T08:46:37.799-07:002010-03-16T08:46:37.799-07:00Yup. It's all the fault of us invading their h...Yup. It's all the fault of us invading their habitat, doncha know.<br /><br />Back in '92, the ARAs brought big money into Colorado to ban hunting bear with hounds. After a while, bears stopped being afraid of barking dogs. Guess what happened? <br /><br />They also got baiting, and the spring season, banned. Now there's a population problem. Whoda thunk it? <br /><br />They have a similar problem in California, where they banned cougar hunting. Hikers make such tasty snacks!<br /><br />The suckers in the animal rights movement have this subconscious idea that, if they "protect" the wild animals, the wild animals will love them for it. I know, I used to be one. No, I didn't learn the hard way, thank God. I just developed some common sense.horsndogluvrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02104175548913010326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-30743899902389138102010-03-07T09:07:16.722-08:002010-03-07T09:07:16.722-08:00I have been on the road Mr. S. I plan a comment so...I have been on the road Mr. S. I plan a comment soon. Thanks for askingWesley J. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00087063614354714652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-87496335806367419652010-03-07T01:15:31.184-08:002010-03-07T01:15:31.184-08:00what are your thoughts on the recent Swiss lawyer ...what are your thoughts on the recent Swiss lawyer defending a fish that was caught by a amateur angler? it was just covered in the wall street journal.Justin Schellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14202884604309458555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-80382789991356322952010-02-17T14:55:32.053-08:002010-02-17T14:55:32.053-08:00Thank you so much, Gary! I have some animal loving...Thank you so much, Gary! I have some animal loving friends that think there's nothing wrong with the HSUS. They hate PeTA, but think HSUS is fine. Now I havfe somewhere to point them.<br /><br />Has your book made it to my local Border's yet? I've been saving up my pennies!horsndogluvrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02104175548913010326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-74712278673702741352010-02-05T23:25:13.419-08:002010-02-05T23:25:13.419-08:00Thanks Fran Szareijko: That means a lot.Thanks Fran Szareijko: That means a lot.Wesley J. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00087063614354714652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-78986482276477671842010-02-05T17:13:41.019-08:002010-02-05T17:13:41.019-08:00Thank you Wesley for writing this needed book and ...Thank you Wesley for writing this needed book and to you Dean for your involvement. I am an avid Dean Koontz fan and always have noted your voice for humanity. FranFran Szarejkohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00753281670500383878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-21850802436139782182010-02-03T13:56:15.288-08:002010-02-03T13:56:15.288-08:00Oscar is certainly a mystery. What is his reaction...Oscar is certainly a mystery. What is his reaction after the patient dies? Perhaps his snuggling is because he detects a temperature drop and is trying to warm the patient? Perhaps he is offering them comfort in the form of warmth? <br /><br />He is certainly an exceptional cat - but that doesn't make him human. His presence in that facility is not because it is natural cat habitat; it became his habitat when we invited him in.<br /><br />What's the news on the book? I have a Barnes and Noble gift card I'm saving...horsndogluvrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02104175548913010326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-14764918255554898822010-01-27T12:37:16.798-08:002010-01-27T12:37:16.798-08:00Amen. They are goons. If you look at their history...Amen. They are goons. If you look at their history, you'll find that they don't mind hurting and killing animals, if it helps their propaganda. <br /><br />I agree that McCoy committed assault, but I can't help wishing she gets convicted of terrorism. That will bring PeTA one step closer to being declared a terrorist organization.<br /><br />Looking forward to the book, Ruthiehorsndogluvrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02104175548913010326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-2488986082446323102010-01-24T02:17:23.775-08:002010-01-24T02:17:23.775-08:00It's only problematic to see all these beings ...It's only problematic to see all these beings as equals for those who insist on treating a rat, a pig, or a dog with malice and cruelty that would be unthinkable if done unto kids. <br /><br />The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals actually preceded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. An ASPCA law was used to remove a child from severe abuse. How again is the devaluation of humyn life rooted in coming to respect all life? Oh, I would need to buy your book, buy you a decadent lifestyle, right?vegantichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01181127848925213926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-25310244625518952872010-01-24T02:11:30.961-08:002010-01-24T02:11:30.961-08:00what if Dr. King meant all other animals by "...what if Dr. King meant all other animals by "another's flesh"? Today we may say consuming any carcass must become as unconscionable as cannibalism since we know enough to know the effect after "The China Study" by Dr. T. Colin Campbell went into print. I recommend referring to it if you really want out of "the meatrix", search that name in youtube!vegantichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01181127848925213926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509541528818602679.post-4565226240473662962010-01-20T16:25:01.134-08:002010-01-20T16:25:01.134-08:00Dustin: I am aware of what he wants, as a lawyer. ...Dustin: I am aware of what he wants, as a lawyer. Besides, as to effect, that is a distinction without a difference. Sunstein's approach would allow the liberationists to sue animal industries into the dust. Even unrighteous suits have to be defended.Wesley J. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00087063614354714652noreply@blogger.com