Pure Common Sense

On election day this past Tuesday, voters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts decided, among other things, to ban greyhound racing as a legitimate business practice. The final tally was 56% to 44%.

http://us-elections.suite101.com/article.cfm/question_3_greyhound_racing_ban_approved_in_ma

I must say I am glad not to be the owner of Wonderland Greyhound Park. I have never been to a Greyhound race myself, but this is appalling. I doubt that everyone who voted for this measure knows a ton about greyhound racing, so how can they so casually decide to ban it? I bet the pictures of dogs everywhere with supposedly-inflated statistics swayed quite a few people over on an emotional side, despite that greyhound racing in Massachusetts is reported to be safer than in other states, where many of the pictures the animal rights enthusiasts brandished during the campaign season. Also, in the middle of a poor economic period, is it really a good idea to eliminate an entire industry which many people’s jobs are tied to? Fortunately states are geographically small in New England and some of the enthusiasts for the sport may find a new home in Connecticut, Rhode Island or New Hampshire, states where they need not feel oppressed, which are all just a short ride away.

In a free country, anybody should be able to do anything they want as long as they do not infringe upon others. A. k. a. everyone leaves everyone else alone. Of course that’s not the way everyone sees it. Some may argue that “leaving everyone alone” applies to animals as well and they should be treated just like people. This kind of idea normally hails from the most radical fringe of the animal rights movement, like PETA. South Park made fun of them a few times. Check out the episodes “Douche and Turd” from Season 8 and “Free Willzyk” from Season 9. Hilarious. My props to Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park.

I don’t have a problem with people being vegetarians if that is the diet they prefer but they better not act all pompous or try to preach to me about it. I like my meat and have no qualms about eating it-humans – and animals – have been eating each other since the beginning of time. Even Mowgli approves of it – it’s the “law of the jungle.” I just recently bought a shirt online. I think it pretty much sums it up…check it out:

Some might be alarmed by the content of the shirt, but it reflects a part of our omnivorous lifestyle and I see no viable reason not to tell it like it is. I remember when I was a kid my family and I got some live lobsters for a nice Sunday dinner. There were three of them total for five of us – they were pretty big lobsters and none of us could finish a whole one. We gave each one a name and played with them a little bit before boiling them up for a nice tasty feast!

It’s kind of ironic that so many of these animal-rights types claim to respect the lives of their fellow mammal, but do not believe that all humans deserve the same protections. If you’re pro-abortion and pro-animal rights legislation, I just laugh at you! This is, of course, a generalization. If you are pro-life and pro-animal rights, by all means, present your argument to me. I will be respectful.

I got some advice if any of these PETA quacks ever gets in your face. Since they love animals so much, they probably have one with them. Let’s say there’s a crazy young PETA activist – let’s call him George – and he has with him his pet hamster, Snuffles. He’s in the middle of trashing you for contributing to abusing animals and you’re trying to explain reason to him. Here’s what you do:

GEORGE: Blah, blah, blah, blah, I am your moral superior, blah, blah, blah, how many cows were slaughtered for your hamburgers, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

YOU: Well, I can tell your very passionate about this issue here. But, let’s be fair. You and I have been talking for a while. Let’s hear what Snuffles has to say about this. What is your opinion, Snuffles?

GEORGE: That’s not fair! Your argument is with me.

YOU: Look, we’re all equal here so it’s fair that we should listen to what everyone has to say. Now, what is your opinion, Snuffles?

SNUFFLES: (grunt, grunt)

YOU: Uh-huh. We’re equal, alright.

Pat yourself on the back as you watch George whine himself silly. Maybe if you feel like being generous give Snuffles a treat for helping you present your argument.