Comments on: Should I feel guilty for hanging out with some elephants? http://ginnyskal.com/2008/02/08/should-i-feel-guilty-for-hanging-out-with-some-elephants/ I'm still Ginny from the Blog Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:06:32 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Circus animals to walk the streets of Raleigh tonight | Ginny From The Blog http://ginnyskal.com/2008/02/08/should-i-feel-guilty-for-hanging-out-with-some-elephants/comment-page-1/#comment-1063 Circus animals to walk the streets of Raleigh tonight | Ginny From The Blog Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:47:19 +0000 http://blogs.wncn.info/gskalski/2008/02/08/should-i-feel-guilty-for-hanging-out-with-some-elephants/#comment-1063 [...] I went to the circus when it came to town last year, and I highly recommend it if you don’t have any ethical issues about elephants, tigers and lions being put on display like this. [...] [...] I went to the circus when it came to town last year, and I highly recommend it if you don’t have any ethical issues about elephants, tigers and lions being put on display like this. [...]

]]> By: Ginny http://ginnyskal.com/2008/02/08/should-i-feel-guilty-for-hanging-out-with-some-elephants/comment-page-1/#comment-1062 Ginny Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:53:50 +0000 http://blogs.wncn.info/gskalski/2008/02/08/should-i-feel-guilty-for-hanging-out-with-some-elephants/#comment-1062 John, thanks for the insight. I didn't know you were vegetarian, and I completely respect that. You're right, poaching does seem more grave than circus performing. One thing that just might have occurred to me is that it's possible by protesting outside the circus (where thousands of children can see them in their prison garb and holding up signs) that curious children no doubt asked their parents what was going on, and that probably sparked some interesting conversations as parents steered into the parking lot. Further, wouldn't be surprised if some Internet-savvy kids Googled the protestors when they got home, found out more about animal rights, etc. and turned into activists (or at least vegetarians) themselves. Hmmm. John, thanks for the insight. I didn’t know you were vegetarian, and I completely respect that. You’re right, poaching does seem more grave than circus performing. One thing that just might have occurred to me is that it’s possible by protesting outside the circus (where thousands of children can see them in their prison garb and holding up signs) that curious children no doubt asked their parents what was going on, and that probably sparked some interesting conversations as parents steered into the parking lot. Further, wouldn’t be surprised if some Internet-savvy kids Googled the protestors when they got home, found out more about animal rights, etc. and turned into activists (or at least vegetarians) themselves. Hmmm.

]]> By: John http://ginnyskal.com/2008/02/08/should-i-feel-guilty-for-hanging-out-with-some-elephants/comment-page-1/#comment-1061 John Sun, 10 Feb 2008 15:17:09 +0000 http://blogs.wncn.info/gskalski/2008/02/08/should-i-feel-guilty-for-hanging-out-with-some-elephants/#comment-1061 I say that you should enjoy the show. I care a great deal for animals. I'm a vegetarian, I donate to charitable foundations for the welfare of animals, I have two pets, etc. There is a part of me that cringes when I think that these magnificent animals will never roam the indian plains or wander the african savannahs. But, it's a question of priorities. Is euthanasia worse than the terror cattle endure while waiting in line at the slaughterhouse? Is an elephant's life worse than poultry animals that live in a cage their entire lives? I personally think that human kind's efforts would be better spent improving the lives of factory-farm raised animals in squalid conditions, rescuing endangered/almost extinct species, or even helping to do something about the thousands of dogs and cats that are euthanized every day because people are too stupid and uncaring to spay/neuter their pet. If elephants have a special place in your heart, I think a better effort would be to contribute towards efforts that protect them from poaching. That, IMO, is a far worse scenario than being in the circus. I know these protesters have their hearts in the right place. I do think their effort could be directed at something that is a bit more urgent or grave. I say that you should enjoy the show.

I care a great deal for animals. I’m a vegetarian, I donate to charitable foundations for the welfare of animals, I have two pets, etc. There is a part of me that cringes when I think that these magnificent animals will never roam the indian plains or wander the african savannahs. But, it’s a question of priorities. Is euthanasia worse than the terror cattle endure while waiting in line at the slaughterhouse? Is an elephant’s life worse than poultry animals that live in a cage their entire lives?

I personally think that human kind’s efforts would be better spent improving the lives of factory-farm raised animals in squalid conditions, rescuing endangered/almost extinct species, or even helping to do something about the thousands of dogs and cats that are euthanized every day because people are too stupid and uncaring to spay/neuter their pet. If elephants have a special place in your heart, I think a better effort would be to contribute towards efforts that protect them from poaching. That, IMO, is a far worse scenario than being in the circus.

I know these protesters have their hearts in the right place. I do think their effort could be directed at something that is a bit more urgent or grave.

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