Food For Thought

I've been debating for some time whether to wade into this. It's something of a charged topic and a little more serious than what's normally posted on this blog.

But since I'm here and since it's on my mind....

There's been a lot of flack directed towards folk who hunt, kill and eat animals. Certain members of PETA, Vegans, Vegetarians (no, not all of them) have been weighing in and not all of what's been fired off has been accurate, informed or above the belt.

First off, I am not an advocate of animal cruelty. It happens. We all know it happens. And not solely at the hands of faceless corporations. It's also being perpetrated by some of our neighbors towards their pets and the occasional small child who's got hold of some firecrackers. The latter, while not cool, could be chalked up to simply not knowing any better......and hopefully not moving on to larger explosives.

A friend of mine, an avid hunter, recently posted a photo of his son eating seal. He very quickly received a great deal of flack. Indeed, I believe one individual stated that as a result of this act, he had booked himself a place in hell.

What!?

This same individual had a photo of themselves with a young seal pup. Now, as I understand it, her scent is likely now all over that pup and as a result, the mother will abandon it. This will result in the pups death. Nice job.

Now, this is where I admit that I am not some beacon of enlightenment on the matter. But I've lived here for some time and I do know that many folk across the north depend on the spoils of their hunt to survive. And it's not only them. Many hunters will share much of their catch with folk in their communities, elders, for instance, who are no longer able to hunt. Some are unemployed for whom this is a large chunk of their livelihood and as I understand it, every bit of their kills that's usable, is used.

The simple fact is that I am tired of hearing misinformed, wrong, hurtful and occasionally racist remarks directed towards not just Inuit, but anyone who depends on such endeavors to survive.

If you wish to go about your life subsisting on plant life, that's your business. Fill your boots.

If you wish to berate those who eat meat, who kill animals to procure that meat. Well, I'm exceedingly less cool with that. I'm generally not a fan of anyone who attempts to shove their views down the throats of others and convert them to their way of doing things. But doing so while not in possession of all the facts, or worse, incorrect facts is foolish.

Educate yourselves!

If you still feel the same, that's fine. However, those of us who enjoy a good steak would appreciate it if you kept the judgemental remarks to yourselves.

Now, to those of you who live with blinders on, refuse to educate yourselves and continue to spout off with the holier than thou statements and racist comments.....

Piss off.