A Response and Further Brainstorming to Mr. Finnivan

I would probably not use a computer again if I saw this every day...

Responding to my initial brainstorming, Mr. Finnivan brought up some good points about animal activism and encouraged me that my "reason" or lack-there-of for trying to shift to pescetarianism and eventually vegetarianism is not just a "whim" but has the potential to lead by example. Upon further reflection, I can attest much of what I am doing to my housemate who, after witnessing Food Inc., he was disgusted at the idea of eating "corpse" and thus he doesn't eat red meat, or chicken anymore. He still eats fish, however, but I admired his dedication when I taunted him with tantalizing teriyaki chicken, and my long-time personal favorite, (I still have dreams about eating it sometimes even though I refuse to eat it when I see it sitting there) Pulled Pork. I also admire how he had a similar response whenever I asked him "why are you a pescetarian?" he would respond with "I don't really know, I'm not doing it for making a statement, I just don't like eating corpse."

Maybe my view on if vegitarianism is morally requires is up to the person in question on an individual case, rather then a generalized case. I feel that is it was a moral requirement, it wouldn't work out, as there will ALWAYS be people going against morals, wether on a whim, or to make a point, or to get revenge, every law will be broken, questioned, and re-worked. That's why we have laws and why we acknowledge those examples of laws being broken.

An example:
Prostitution is illegal. People can easily ask "why" and the simple answer is, "it's the ownership of a person and goes against their ethical rights" but there will be individuals who still practice it for the sake of convenience, desperation, or to make ends meet. Take the poor, starving teenager who has been disowned by her parents for having a child. She must find some way to pay for her own life and her child's, and prostitution is an easy trade for her, and makes quite a bit of money, therefore she goes against the rules and is able to survive.

Though prohibition of prostitution is a little different from morally requiring people to forgo the practice of eating animals, the basic principal that "it is morally wrong to own a person, and to sell said person's flesh." goes hand-and-hand with the argument for vegetarianism  Even if cows, pigs, chicken etc. are not considered moral persons like whales and apes are, it still goes without saying that it is a cruelty to said animals.

Even though it is a cruelty, there are conditions where is is absolutely justifiable, like an many boreal and arctic regions where conditions for agriculture are scarce if non-existant, and food security is anywhere from 5%-35% anualy. Food security being the % of the population that lives without the risk or fear of starvation. These people rely on hunting and gathering for most of their sustenance and don't have access to readily available dietary supplements that could give them the required nutrients for survival. This is saddening, but the worse part is, with such a high dependance on meat, they suffer from many more food-borne illnesses, and parasites. Poor meat regulation, poor conditions, hunting, poor cooking and poor education has lead to outbreaks of parasites much worse then your "giardia" from contaminated water, or even tapeworms. How about a worm that lives in-between your cells and will slowly destroy your muscles to keep itself warm?

Parasites are actually another reason why I don't really like the idea of eating beef or pork.  Even though the parasites are cute, I wouldn't want them living within me. It doesn't unnerve me as much as others, but I really would like to go without a tapeworm, or ascaris,  or Trichinella, but sometimes it is unavoidable.

I have gone though a rant, and have decided that I will try to mention these ideas:

Reasons for Vegitarianism-
-> Ethical Treatment
Animals as Subjects-of-a-Life
Relation to Prostitution

-> Disregarding "Ethics"
Parasites/ Health
Economic Concerns
Ecological Concerns

Reasons why it should be a case-by-case basis
Economic Availability
Hunter/Gatherer Communities
Restricted Product Availability

He's Nuts!