Interesting article and interesting debate. One of the things that has always bothered me about the moral attitude some vegetarians take toward meat eating is fact that they seem to ignore the fact that meat is vitally important to many different cultures, not only in how they live, but also in who they are.

The pig is a good example. Outside of the plantain and salted cod (bacalao), pig is the most important food for Puerto Rican culture. For me at least, food is a vital and important way for me to keep in touch with my Puerto Rican heritage. Special occasions, fiestas, and big parties call for pig roasts (the whole pig roasted on a spit). These are big, loud, often communal affairs on the island. Historically pork was an easy and cheap source of protien--especially on an island where land is at a premium. That's why it became important for us culturally.

Pork is a major ingredient in most dishes. At a family gathering last year, I created quite a debate when I asked what type of pork is best used in arroz con gandules (our national dish). Aunts, uncles, cousins--all had an opinion (basically based on how their moms cooked it so I use either pork sausage or chorizo). I digress.

Food is culture. I agree that we have become too removed from our food, and the consequences are indeed dire. Native Americans often deified and made icons of the animals that they killed for food--they understood its primary place in the culture . Considering where one's food comes from, being selective of ingredients, and ritualizing preparation is perhaps a step toward a healthier understanding of the primary place food places in all cultures. My hats of to Rebecca.

I see that none of the "morally superior" vegetarians have addressed the point I made earlier that this stance is essentially cultural bigotry. Food is culture. For certain cultures meat is an important part of who they are. I see this ethical stance against meat as nothing more than white bourgeois cultural superiority. I suppose some of us will always be considered savages.

Belly of the beast? Try Heart of Darkness.

So you're equating eating pork with human sacrifice? To slavery?

Are you saying that my culture (Puerto Rican) is backward and wrong, on a the moral level of slave owners, because pork is an important food? Is that what you are saying?

That was a fair point. I understand the point of view. I simply think that there a lot of things to take into consideration when discussing the rightness or wrongness of eating meat.

Anyway, I'm not sure what you suggest was what Paul was saying, however. He suggested that my culture had to "learn" (presumably from his values); his values are right, and mine are hopelessly wrong. I brought this up in my previous letter--only suggesting another thing to look at when making judgments. No one was interested, so I became deliberately provocative. Perhaps that was what Paul was doing in his post, being provocative. It's an interesting conversation as long as we can refrain from imposing our values on someone else.

That being said, the attitude just smacks of cultural imperialism. It's, well, elitist (I'm sorry, but the word is, I think, apt here: "I know what's good you simple native, so put down that pork chop and we can be friends." It's part of a broader problem with typical liberal thought. Some liberals like difference only as far as it enforces their smug view of the world.

The Doors were an interesting group, and certainly had an influence on punk.

For me, however, The Dead are the greatest American band . I know that there are a ton of people who simply loath the band, but even their most strident detractors have to acknowledge the enormous influence the Dead had over 30 years. Their commitment to improvisational music meant that when they were on they were a powerful and transcendent force, and when they were off--they sucked, badly. I think you have to appreciate that kind of risk taking in the search for the sound.

Much of their music is rooted in a kind of mythic America--the strange and eccentric America full of shaggy dog stories and tall tales. They populated their Fennerio-like world with characters like Black Peter, Lady w/ a Fan, August West, Sugaree, Tennessee Jed, Uncle John--they often rubbed elbows with people like Charlie Chan, Uncle Sam, and even Billy Sunday. The good and the bad; when the Dire Wolf shows up they invite him for a drink and a game of cards. The songs, the music, and the attitude was vast and all-encompassing; a good natured fatalism with a good sense of humor.

Jim Morrison had nothing on Robert Hunter.

I see what you are trying to say, and I agree with you. You make a fair point. I must have mis-read your letter.

I think it's a question of values. Yes, I value lower animals and do not want to see them suffer needlessly. But I do not place animals on the same ethical standing as Humans. I suppose you could call me a "specieist."