Lyev

Then things such as killing animals for fur or hunting sharks for their fins (my previous example), for me at least, seem somewhat peripheral or a bit of an added extra when considering the "full realisation of human potential".

I would argue that we should base ourselves on what is best for humanity. Nothing more and nothing less. Our goal should be the expansion of our abilities, experiences, resources, etc. The full realization of human potential should be our guide.

And yes, rats carry many diseases that can affect humans. Especially in urban areas. They also destroy wires, dig holes in things, nest in machines and vital electric boxes, etc. I brought that up specifically because you made a value judgment (animal suffering is not worth the result of gaining food or fur from them). So I wanted to draw it out. Why is it OK to slaughter rats in a subway system ("humanely" or otherwise), but not slaughter muskrats to use their fur? It's very moralistic.

In that case it comes down to a moral choice and there isn't much to discuss. I'm not interested in debating whether or not your morals are "correct," as I don't see any value in it.

I would say though that I think the obsession with "humanely" slaughtering animals has much more to do with the people that hold it than the animals themselves. Animals are not humans. They can't conceive of the concept, which itself has problems. Is there really a "humane" way to kill? Do you honestly think it matters to a rat whether it is killed with a blunt rap to the head, in a trap, by poison or via a gas that lulls them to sleep permanently? Do you think it understands the difference in any meaningful way?

Do you oppose extermination of rats in the New York City subway system?

So, what do you think?

I could care less if some individuals don't want to eat meat or wear fur. That's not the problem.

I don't think dietary and clothing choices should be politicized. I mostly try to argue against that, since it's almost always tied in with the politics of Malthusianism, managerial sectors, etc. It's an obstacle more than anything.

I've spent some time on these questions on this board (read through the whole threads):

http://www.revleft.com/vb/some-anima....html?t=135498
http://www.revleft.com/vb/grey-wolf-...x.html?t=71816
http://www.revleft.com/vb/meat-worke....html?t=146743

I would also recommend these:

In Defense of Fur

Eating less meat won't reduce global warming

(I've finally gotten back to Revleft thanks to a proxy)I think you're confusing us with another group in the US. Some of our older constituents were members of a group in Australia that was associated with the IST before they were expelled but we are not officially associated with any international group.Anyway it sounds like there's a lot of interesting events in the UK at the moment. Keep us updated comrade.

That's okay, sorry about delayed response - been so busy lately.

Yeah, I asked a comrade at a branch meeting and they verified it.