Apr 25, 2008
By referring favorably to the pate de foie gras served on a recent riverboat cruise, did I contribute to cruelty towards animals?
A listener to my Sunday radio program (noon-2pm on WOR in New York City) has written to complain about my reference to the pate de foie gras served on a recent riverboat cruise of the Rhine. Because I now believe she is right, and because I, for one, will avoid making such references in the future, I am reprinting below her comment in full:
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Today on radio, you spoke about a river cruise line (European, I think). It sounded lovely until you came to the part where you mentioned that they serve pate de foie gras. You were pleased that they did this and used it as an example that the cruise is more elegant than it appeared.Ms. Gonzales is, of course, right, and I apologize for recommending this cruelly-obtained dish. None of us should ever advocate, or even mention (without condemning), it.
Do you know how pate de foie gras is made? The birds are force fed via tubes inserted into their esophaguses (the practice is called gavage) until their livers are near bursting. Try to imagine what this must feel like. But, it is just an animal, you may say. But, animals are sentient creatures, just like us. They feel love, sadness, fear, and certainly pain.
If those who have platforms, such as you, raise their voices, perhaps the world will eventually become aware of these kinds of cruelty.
If you agree, then I ask you please, firstly not to advocate those that in any way support such practices, and secondly, to use your ‘voice' whenever you can to educate and speak out against them. If you don't agree, then there is just one more lost opportunity. -- Lucy Gonzalez
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Labels: food
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