tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6769177471688750256.post4584125482133027538..comments2024-03-01T00:29:21.023-06:00Comments on Dining and Opining: Bill and Lou: Oxen for LunchAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18445688693296690667noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6769177471688750256.post-36984233237370738582012-10-28T11:58:25.862-05:002012-10-28T11:58:25.862-05:00Thanks for your thoughtful comment, S.D. I think y...Thanks for your thoughtful comment, S.D. I think you're right that we have to figure out the balance between sustainability and compassion/kindness. But I think it is difficult to figure out where the tipping point of that balance actually is. This case does raise many interesting issues around animal ethics. Of course, we don't usually consider sustainability when thinking of human life (especially end-of-life situations). That would be seen as callous. But in the animal case, that concern is much less present. [although, there are people considering sustainability when choosing whether to have children, for example. Or whether to prolong life, as with my friend Christine's forthcoming book, "Dying Green: An Ecological Perspective of End-of-Life Medical Care in the U.S." http://www.christinevatovec.net/researchAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18445688693296690667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6769177471688750256.post-64847275262245831072012-10-28T09:45:21.221-05:002012-10-28T09:45:21.221-05:00It is interesting that there are people at GMC who...It is interesting that there are people at GMC who are uncomfortable about the ramifications of making the compassionate choice to send Bill and Lou to a sanctuary, and not uncomfortable about sending two animals, that have helped to make their college farm sustainable for ten long years, to their death! Sustainability is an admirable goal, but not if it is sustainability without a heart; then they are simply sustaining a world lacking kindness and mercy which, let's face it, is why our world is as troubled as it is. Bill and Lou have earned their lives, made more contribution to sustainability than anyone else at their college. If they choose to kill Bill and Lou, this will reflect poorly on the college and the "ramifications" will certainly not be to their liking, with many likely to withdraw their support for their college.I have always been a huge advocate of sustainability, but not at the cost of our humanity and compassion.S.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00988153958417311576noreply@blogger.com