The Ethicurean � Blog Archive � Would you, Could You, Anywhere?

Interesting reading and comments from one of my my favorite new food sites.

The Ethicurean � Blog Archive � Would you, Could You, Anywhere?:
Vegetarians have long used the question as part of an argument for a green diet. “If you can’t kill it yourself, then you shouldn’t eat it.” Of course, their gamble is that you won’t say, “Why yes, I think I should have to kill my own meat. You have raised a good point. G’bye, I’m going hunting now!” It’s a pretty good gamble: Most Americans are uncomfortable with the idea that meat comes from actual animals, much less with the notion that these animals have to be slaughtered. Most of us don’t even want to think about it, much less do it ourselves. Personally, I can barely look at those pictures of factory farming, and prior to last March — when I began taking a (mostly) unflinching look at where my food comes from — I probably wouldn’t have dared.

I don’t think you should have to kill your own meat, but in seven months, I plan to do just that: I am going kill a chicken at Food You Can Trust farm. I have no idea if I’m going to be able to do it. My hunch is that I will be able to do it, but that I will have nightmares about it and will shed hot tears when I’m supposed to be sleeping. But maybe not. In any case, I’m pretty sure it won’t be fun. If I find it fun, then I’ll really be worried....