zootoo.com Bringing pet lovers together to help pets and each other

Olympic Issues In Beijing: Dog Meat, Horse Safety

Browse News

BEIJING -- Stopping the consumption of dog meat and keeping horses comfortable during their participation in this year’s Summer Games are two priorities for officials as next month’s Olympics approach.

The effort to keep dog meat from being eaten is aimed at respecting the dining customs of different countries, as well heading off protests by animal rights groups.

South Korea introduced similar measures during the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

Tourism officials have asked that hotels and restaurants take dog meat off their menus during the Olympics and the Paralympics to be held in September.

In addition, the Beijing Catering Trade Association has forbidden all 112 specially designated Olympic restaurants from proving dog meat dishes during the games and “strongly advised” other establishments take canine cuisine off the menu.

Dog is mostly eaten by Beijing’s large Korean community, but the Chinese have eaten it for 7,000 years. Consuming canine is widely believed to have medicinal qualities, like lowering blood pressure and boosting virility.

Dog meat is featured prominently at culinary hotspots in Beijing. Xiong Yumei, vice-director of the Beijing Tourism Bureau, told Xinhua news agency that waiters should “patiently” suggest another dish if a customer ordered dog meat.

“Conflicts should be avoided,” Yumei said, adding that when eaten for medicinal purposes, the canine ingredient should be clearly listed.

Liu Bang, first emperor of the han dynasty, was a dog meat fan. The philosopher, Mencius, called canine flesh the “tastiest of all meats.”

Dogs are still farmed in China for their meat, especially St. Bernards, which are bred for their size. Dogs are openly for sale in cages at meat markets in the south.

Pet dogs are not eaten, and dog meat is illegal in Hong Kong, though it is widely available on the mainland.

During the Seoul Olympics in 1988, South Korea introduced dog meat measures similar to those being instituted in China.

In a separate matter, Hong Kong, co-host city for the 2008 Games, is taking steps to ensure that horses being used in equestrian events will have top-notch facilities to use.

Mark Pinkstone, spokesman for the company organizing the Olympic equestrian events, says Hong Kong has put 1 billion Yuan, or $147 million U.S. into a first-class venue.

The money was used to turn a dilapidated stadium into one that can now house 18,000 spectators and provide brand-new stables for nearly 230 horses, Pinkstone says.

The stables are equipped with air conditioners and electric fans, he said.

“They are even better than the ones in the Jockey Club,” Pinkstone said. “I can promise the horses will be fine.”

The equestrian events are 90 percent sold out, according to Pinkstone.

Tell us what you think about “Olympic Issues In Beijing: Dog Meat, Horse Safety” below. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204.

The XinhuaNet.com and The Irish Times contributed to this article.



Tags


How do you like this article?

66%, 2 out of 3 users thumbed up.
Thumbs Up Thumbs Down

Discuss this topic

Comments



229 comments found.
Show: 50 100 200 Per Page
 
Tanya H.
Tanya H. (erthfrend)
18 hours ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
I think it would be good for people to see what they normally have on menus over there. It sounds like they are just trying to cover it up to not cause any problems. If people from other countries go there and see what they routinely serve and are dog lovers, there would probably be alot of people trying to stop this from happening which would be a wonderful thing! I could never go to a place like that and see dogs in cages at a market. I think I would pass out.
 
lallyke
lallyke
3 days ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
If it isn't bad enough that the Chinese eat dog meat, you would be shocked to know how they slaughter dogs. They are anally electrocuted, swung by the tails, and even skinned alive while their tags are wagging! The chinese government has even stopped people on the street and shot their dogs! not only are dogs slaughtered for their meat, but China has a huge business of exporting dog fur for clothing and labeling it "faux fur". A couple of year's ago Burlington Coat factory was exposed for selling dog fur labeled as faux fur.
 
Missy M.
Missy M. (Mshan)
2 weeks ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
Reply
it's not like they grab a dog off of the street & cook it up. There are dog farms that breed a certain dog for meat. How is this any differnt from cow, chicken, lamb farms here? I think it's in poor taste to bash another countries customs / way of life. There are tribes that must eat parts of their deceased parents in a belief that they must take their knowledge into themselves...it's not for anyone - but if it's not being forced on you...why bash?
 
Tommy T.
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
sure we have a say in this practice. If we sit and say nothing and do nothing we are as gulity as them. In America everyone does there own thing but if they started killing dogs others would say something including our other fello countries. There opinon does matter because of the free trade etc. The US folks have a right and oboligation to do the right thing. We dont govern them but we voice and boycott there wrongs including the slaughtering of our american horses that are now being exported to canada and mexico for a inhumane slaughter for more facts visit www.SaveDaHorses.org
 
Sydney  S.
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
Ugh. Atleast it saves those dogs from being killed for that short period of time. :\
 
Carol L.
Carol L. (langsford)
1 month ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
i just don't believe in momentary compassion. It is obvious they do not care - they just want to turn a good face forward because they know other countries would be totally sickened by this.
 
cynthia h.
cynthia h. (tita)
1 month ago
Flag this | Good Point | 3 users liked it.
Reply
mmm... what can I say? they will start eating dog as soon as all is over... is a culture that has no compassion for other creatures...
 
Vicki T.
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
Yep, they'll go right back to their old ways as soon as the tourists leave.
 
Gini D.
Gini D. (gldeweese)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 4 users liked it.
Reply
The question has been asked: How can compassion change anything? I will tell you that I have seen compassion change an entire country, as well as many hearts around the world. I met a 17 year old girl who's entire family, parents, 5 siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins were all killed or disappeared in the genocide of 94. She was only 3 at the time, and a neighbor found her in the ruins of her home under the body of her mother. About a year and a half ago, this brave girl attended a Gacaca, or traditional form of community justice, where she faced those who were accused of murdering her family. As a survivor and victim, she had the opportunity to speak, and to help decide their fate. She had a decision to make. She chose, very bravely, to have compassion. Compassion for the families of the men in prison, for the community they shared, for the men themselves. She asked the court to release them.
It was very hard for them at first, being back in the midst of neighbors whom they had tried to kill. They wished they were back in prison. But a change started to grow them, sparked by the girl's compassion. They became changed men, filled with a desire to unite their community and to atone for their wrongs. They rebuilt the girl's house, and worked to find ways to make life easier for her. But hey didn't stop there. They sought out all the victims of the genocide in their community, and helped them rebuild, and reestablish their lives. And the community chose to have compassion for them, and accepted them back into their lives. The community is united and stands together as one today, thanks in part to a young girl who had the courage to have compassion. There is of course much more to this story, and there are countless stories just like it from across the country.
Why do I believe so strongly in the importance of compassion? Because I have seen it change lives, relationships, communities; I have seen compassion change a country. Again, I say that I believe true change, change of the heart, comes almost exclusively with the influence of true compassion.
But how does this affect our response to this and other stories about China and animal abuse? Well, it absolutely does not mean we have to just accept it. There are a number of steps we can take in compassionate action to begin to make a difference, such as signing petitions, supporting international animal welfare organizations, boycotting US companies that profit from these practices. These same actions might be arrived at through anger and hatred, but those feelings will never change an individual heart. We never know who we will have the chance to met in life. If we are open to opening a compassionate dialog with anyone about our views, we have the chance to change that person's heart, where all the self righteous anger will only fall on deaf ears.
 
LOVINGLIFE
LOVINGLIFE
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
Major thin ice here.I better not.Probbly get my foot stuck in my mouth!I am watching the olympics,tho!
 
JosephFrazz
JosephFrazz
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
Reply
There is no federal law against eating/serving dog meat. In Hawaii, for example, it's perfectly legal as long as the dog is not a stray or has been killed inhumanely. Other states laws vary. The majority of states have laws against commercial uses of dog meat, but not necessarily personal consumption in the home.

In California, since there are many Chinese Americans, they had to make it illegal to eat dog meat:

California PENAL CODE Section 598b. (a) Every person is guilty of a misdemeanor who possesses, imports into, or exports from, this state, sells, buys, gives away,
or accepts any carcass or part of any carcass of any animal traditionally or commonly kept as a pet or companion with the intent of using or having another person use any part of that carcass for food.
(b) Every person is guilty of a misdemeanor who possesses, imports into, or exports from, this state, sells, buys, gives away, or accepts any animal traditionally or commonly kept as a pet or companion with the intent of killing or having another person kill that animal for the purpose of using or having another person use any
part of the animal for food.
(c) This section shall not be construed to interfere with the production, marketing, or disposal of any livestock, poultry, fish, shellfish, or any other agricultural commodity produced in this state. Nor shall this section be construed to interfere with the lawful killing of wildlife, or the lawful killing of any other animal under the laws of this state pertaining to game animals.
 
JosephFrazz
JosephFrazz
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
Reply
Pub. L. 106–476, title I, § 1442, Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2163, provided that:
“(a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings:
“(1) An estimated 2,000,000 dogs and cats are slaughtered and sold annually as part of the international fur trade. Internationally, dog and cat fur is used in a wide variety of products, including fur coats and jackets, fur trimmed garments, hats, gloves, decorative accessories, stuffed animals, and other toys.
“(2) The United States represents one of the largest markets for the sale of fur and fur products in the world. Market demand for fur products in the United States has led to the introduction of dog and cat fur products into United States commerce, frequently based on deceptive or fraudulent labeling of the products to disguise the true nature of the fur and mislead United States wholesalers, retailers, and consumers.
“(3) Dog and cat fur, when dyed, is not easily distinguishable to persons who are not experts from other furs such as fox, rabbit, coyote, wolf, and mink, and synthetic materials made to resemble real fur. Dog and cat fur is generally less expensive than other types of fur and may be used as a substitute for more expensive types of furs, which provides an incentive to engage in unfair or fraudulent trade practices in the importation, exportation, distribution, or sale of fur products, including deceptive labeling and other practices designed to disguise the true contents or origin of the product.
“(4) Forensic texts have documented that dog and cat fur products are being imported into the United States subject to deceptive labels or other practices designed to conceal the use of dog or cat fur in the production of wearing apparel, toys, and other products.
“(5) Publicly available evidence reflects ongoing significant use of dogs and cats bred expressly for their fur by foreign fur producers for manufacture into wearing apparel, toys, and other products that have been introduced into United States commerce. The evidence indicates that foreign fur producers also rely on the use of stray dogs and cats and stolen pets for the manufacture of fur products destined for the world and United States markets.
“(6) The methods of housing, transporting, and slaughtering dogs and cats for fur production are generally unregulated and inhumane.
“(7) The trade of dog and cat fur products is ethically and aesthetically abhorrent to United States citizens. Consumers in the United States have a right to know if products offered for sale contain dog or cat fur and to ensure that they are not unwitting participants in this gruesome trade.
“(8) Persons who engage in the sale of dog or cat fur products, including the fraudulent trade practices identified above, gain an unfair competitive advantage over persons who engage in legitimate trade in apparel, toys, and other products, and derive an unfair benefit from consumers who buy their products.
“(9) The imposition of a ban on the sale, manufacture, offer for sale, transportation, and distribution of dog and cat fur products, regardless of their source, is consistent with the international obligations of the United States because it applies equally to domestic and foreign producers and avoids any discrimination among foreign sources of competing products. Such a ban is also consistent with provisions of international agreements to which the United States is a party that expressly allow for measures designed to protect the health and welfare of animals and to enjoin the use of deceptive trade practices in international or domestic commerce.
“(b) Purposes.—The purposes of this chapter [chapter 3 (§§ 1441–1443) of subtitle B of title I of Pub. L. 106–476, see Short Title of 2000 Amendment note set out under section 1654 of this title] are to—
“(1) prohibit imports, exports, sale, manufacture, offer for sale, transportation, and distribution in the United States of dog and cat fur products, in order to ensure that United States market demand does not provide an incentive to slaughter dogs or cats for their fur;
“(2) require accurate labeling of fur species so that consumers in the United States can make informed choices and ensure that they are not unwitting contributors to this gruesome trade; and
“(3) ensure that the customs laws of the United States are not undermined by illicit international traffic in dog and cat fur products.”
 
JosephFrazz
JosephFrazz
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
Reply

If a great change is to override human tyrrany of animals,

a great collection of human minds will by word and deed

authorize such change. And the inevidable opposition will

appear to be opposed to the decrees of Justice itself,

rather than the fervent desires of a compassionate

multitude. Factual cause, however shocking, can

incite 'desires' for a legal and moral change of

the moral status of animals broadly defined.


J. B. Suconik

 
Anonymous
Anonymous
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
Reply
this comment has been removed from the system
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 7 users liked it.
Reply
Thank you. I think many of us reached that conclusion when ZooToo pumped out not one, but 5 stories, related to China's treatment of animals. Even the stories that were supposed to be 'positive', eg., the 2nd story "from food to friend: pet trend grows in China," there was a distinctive taste of 'red herring' in it, a subliminal message to paint China in a less-than-flattering light. I certainly hope that more people can see beyond these stories to realize that even if something is in print (whether on ZooToo news or CNN or a government-run Chinese newspaper), it doesn't necessarily mean that it is true in its entirety, or that it was written for purely journalistic reasons (ie., to reveal the truth) but that there may be a hidden agenda.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
this comment has been removed from the system
 
JOMAMA1
JOMAMA1
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 10 users liked it.
Reply
Here is something I chanced to view and agrre with somewhat....I quote,"The value of an animal depends on how you treat it. If you befriend it, it's a friend. If you raise it for food, it's food. This relativism is more dangerous than the absolutism of vegetarians or even of thoughtful carnivores. You can abstain from meat because you believe that the mental capacity of animals is too close to that of humans. You can eat meat because you believe that it isn't. Either way, you're using a fixed standard. But if you refuse to eat only the meat of "companion" animals—chewing bacon, for example, while telling Koreans that they can't stew Dalmatians—you're saying that the morality of killing depends on habit or even whim." here's the website.
http://www.slate.com


 
Anonymous
Anonymous
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
Reply
this comment has been removed from the system
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 2 users liked it.
Reply
Good question...

Why is it that when the food recall happened, much more anger was directed at China than at the US / Canadian / foreign pet food companies that shipped our jobs overseas to China to have the Chinese people manufacture the pet foods?

Why is it that people are upset at how fur is being harvested in China when MOST of that fur is actually being exported to foreign businesses in foreign countries to be turned into fur coats, trinkets, keychains (eg., rabbit's feet as keychains were common when I was growing up), for our consumption?

I think you've hit the nail on the head. It might be a combination of the US economy being in a decline AND China emerging as a world power that has created this animosity towards China. In world history, conflict between peoples usually arise during hard economic times. During these times, governments / national media try to divert the attention of their citizens to the real issues at hand (eg., unemployment, poverty, etc) by channeling the people's frustrations to a 'scapegoat' nation or group of people. It takes the scrutiny and culpability away from an ineffective government (think GB).

Please read my post in response to casia68. Some more food for thought.
 
Elyse
Elyse (ElyseNicole)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
Reply
I hesitate in writing this because I dislike where this topic discussion has gone. I feel compelled, however, to comment on the fact that you have downplayed China's (and other cultures') treatment of cats and dogs. You state that the "real issues" are poverty and unemployment. I ask you to keep in mind that the "real issues" for many people, such as myself, include the good treatment of all animals. If this was not the message you were trying to convey, then I have misunderstood. But to me, this is what you are clearly stating.

To go further, I'd just like to comment on how our world is rooted in ethnocentrism. We think our customs are best and most appropriate. I'm sure some Chinese wonder why many of us are outraged that they eat dogs. I admit that I am at one extreme of the spectrum -- vegetarian, activist, I don't wear leather or fur, nor do I buy products that were tested on animals. I am at one extreme, and I do see things differently than others see this issue.

I am outraged that people would eat dogs. I hate the idea of it. Okay, so I'm also outraged that the United States harvests any kind of animal for food. I don't like that people are outraged about dogs, but couldn't care less about the cows, pigs, chickens, etc. It is very relative, and it's all personal perception. Some cultures and/or religions are outraged that people would eat cows, because they are sacred. A lot of this is based on tradition and habit. Mixed with pride and a sense of righteousness, people don't really change much.

I hope nobody takes this message as an attack, because that's not how it's meant. There is so much judging going on, and pushing of personal views. Believe me, I would be thrilled if every one of you became vegetarian, but I know that won't happen. And to me, it's difficult to grasp why some of you will fight for the dogs of China but not the farm animals of the U.S.

And yes, a lot of this is political. When we don't like someone, or feel threatened by them, don't we often point out their worst qualities? Can you even imagine what China could point out about U.S. citizens? I can, and it's not pretty.
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 3 users liked it.
Reply
I don't take offence to anything that you have said. I personally disagree very strongly with the practice of eating dogs and cats (because *I* view them as pets rather than livestock), and even more so how they are being slaughtered. Having said this, you must understand that the love of animals may not be the only reason why stories such as these are being written in a Western media. I am by no means downplaying the treatment of cats/dogs/animals in China as well as other countries. "Poverty" and "unemployment" are REAL issues in the USA these days.... Everytime I turn on CNN and listen to Lou Dobbs, I hear about it and how all of our jobs are being exported to "Communist" China (which begs the question, why is it that Lou Dobbs never uses the term "democratic Canada" or "socialist Germany"?--just a little aside :-) ). Given the mentality of some, it is not unreasonable to question whether news stories are being generated for the obvious purpose (in this case, highlighting abhorrent animal practices) or whether there is a political slant to it all--or both.

I also want to say that if I come across as 'downplaying' China's involvement in this and other news stories, that was not my intention. However, being of Chinese descent and having lived nearly all of my life in North America (and also being very well-acquainted with world events where race relations are implicated), I know very well how seemingly innocuous remarks or ways of thinking, in time, can corrupt the mindset of people, even without their knowing it. I strive very hard to dispel racial stereotypes (or the threat of it) whenever and wherever I encounter it, as much as I fight for better treatment of animals.
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 7 users liked it.
Reply
I don't take offence to anything that you have said. I personally disagree very strongly with the practice of eating dogs and cats (because *I* view them as pets rather than livestock), and even more so how they are being slaughtered. Having said this, you must understand that the love of animals may not be the only reason why stories such as these are being written in a Western media. I am by no means downplaying the treatment of cats/dogs/animals in China as well as other countries. "Poverty" and "unemployment" are REAL issues in the USA these days.... Everytime I turn on CNN and listen to Lou Dobbs, I hear about it and how all of our jobs are being exported to "Communist" China (which begs the question, why is it that Lou Dobbs never uses the term "democratic Canada" or "socialist Germany"?--just a little aside :-) ). Given the mentality of some, it is not unreasonable to question whether news stories are being generated for the obvious purpose (in this case, highlighting abhorrent animal practices) or whether there is a political slant to it all--or both.

I also want to say that if I come across as 'downplaying' China's involvement in this and other news stories, that was not my intention. However, being of Chinese descent and having lived nearly all of my life in North America (and also being very well-acquainted with world events where race relations are implicated), I know very well how seemingly innocuous remarks or ways of thinking, in time, can corrupt the mindset of people, even without their knowing it. I strive very hard to dispel racial stereotypes (or the threat of it) whenever and wherever I encounter it, as much as I fight for better treatment of animals.
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 2 users liked it.
Reply
I wrote this as a response to one of acasia's repeated questioning of whether or not most Chinese people agree with the practices involved in killing dogs in China. Very difficult question to answer unless we did a nation-wide survey, but I thought a little bit of math may prove my point. Here goes:


Let's do some math on this, as a slightly more objective way of answering your question. Approximately 300,000 dogs are killed per year in China for food/fur as opposed to 40,000,000 cattle in the USA. The number of dogs killed in China represents less than 1% of the slaughtered cattle. Let's assume that of the people who eat dogs, they consume 10 lbs per year (because dog meat is very expensive, not something that would be eaten on a daily basis). Let's also assume that each dog killed provides 50 lbs of consumable meat. Based on these numbers, there are approximately 1.5 million Chinese people who consume dog meat, or approximately 1% of the total population of the country (China has over 1 billion inhabitants). I would assume that the percentage of Americans that consume beef is well over 50%. I would have to conclude that the MAJORITY of Chinese people do not condone the practice of dog-eating, or the treatment of these dogs during slaughter, if only 1% of the population eats dog meat.
 
Ann J.
Ann J. (casia68)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
Reply
Now you have to redo the math. They kill 300,000 dogs just in Peixian and not in the whole China lol.
Next almost every article I have read said the same thing that the dog meat market is expanding, and they are targeting breeders in other countries for stud dogs. They are looking for the giant breads as they are more profitable.
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 2 users liked it.
Reply
Anyways, my point is that dog-eating is by no means something that MOST Chinese people do. Furthermore, there are regions in China where it is customary to eat dog, and others where this does not occur at all (or very little). In fact, as a person of Chinese descent myself, I have a very large circle of Chinese relatives, friends and acquaintances, and I can personally say that I do NOT know a single Chinese person who eats or has eaten dog meat. On the other hand, some of my older acquaintances know people who have, so the statement that you made earlier (about this being a custom of the older generation) is likely to be true.
 
Ann J.
Ann J. (casia68)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
I agree with you I am not sure if the new generation is doing it or not, but as you know your self its so much harder for the older people to change, we all have parent and grandparents try to change their mind on anything lol it will never work. They know what they know and that is it. They are a funny bunch.
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
Reply
Funny, I read 300,000 in Peixian in one search, but that same number for all of China in another. I don't know who is right.... LOL
 
Ann J.
Ann J. (casia68)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
And how many cats do they eat?
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
this comment has been removed from the system
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 6 users liked it.
Reply
I doubt very much that ZooToo or the trolls, as you call them/us, is purposely targeting your comments for deletion. ZooToo customarily removes the responses to primary comments from public viewing after they scroll to the second page and beyond. If you would like to see more of your responses, you could set the comments per page to 200 rather than the default 50.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
this comment has been removed from the system
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 8 users liked it.
Reply
I think if you had been very familiar with what transpired when the first and second China stories appeared on ZooToo in March/April, you would understand why the individuals you are referring to are so passionate about speaking up against perceived hatred based on race & culture. As for my 'attempted' censorship, it was not attempted in the least on my part: it was only your perception, and no one else's. I am the LAST person that wants censorship, but the first person in line to ask individuals to settle their personal grievances against each other outside of the public eye.
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
Reply
It might shock you to know that you and I have something in common--we both support the same presidential candidate. That's why i was particularly offended with the comparison you made between me and the 'other'.
 
Ann J.
Ann J. (casia68)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
I like your posts they are always knowledgeable, accepting and never rude.
 
Sarah B.
Sarah B. (sbutler1976)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 2 users liked it.
Reply
I am boycotting the olympics this year because they are being held in china. I don't want anything to do w/China. The games should not be held there period.
 
Francie  B.
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
I for one will not be watching the olympics. GROSS!
 
Ann J.
Ann J. (casia68)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
I don't think that will do anything if people don't watch the Olympics, if you want to do something you can go to animalsasia.org or similar site and donate $ to help, other thing you can do is not but fur of any kind, and not buy anything made in China. If you disagree with the way they treat animals and people in China you need to hit them where it hurts - their wallet. I for one want to see people doing Olympics making the T sign with their hands in support of TIBET
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 3 users liked it.
Reply
I agree, only I think that it is the USA and American citizens who will be hit hardest by not dealing with China economically. The US economy is absolutely horrendous at the moment, while the Chinese economy is still quite prosperous. Can you imagine how much more expensive it would be to buy consumer products if they were not made in China? I think it is very easy to say that we will not buy from China, but the reality is that it is OUR wallets that will hurt most, not theirs.
 
Ann J.
Ann J. (casia68)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
True, but their economy is great because we all buy their stuff, they are on their way of becoming the next great power in the world. We also borrowed so much $ from China, that at this point I think they own us. LOL I think we should be nice to them.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 2 users liked it.
Reply
this comment has been removed from the system
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 6 users liked it.
Reply
I just want to clarify something...it is not so much that we are buying "their stuff". There is a distinction between buying Chinese products vs. buying American products that have been outsourced for manufacturing in China. The latter is, IMHO, the real culprit. Too many US and foreign businesses are taking advantage of the fact that labour costs and raw materials are much cheaper in China than in their own country. You mentioned in a previous post that there are other Chinese practices that are abhorrent, eg., human rights record, child labour, etc. However, the US contributes to poor labour conditions in China and other countries (eg., Mexico) when US businesses ship our jobs overseas to take advantage of their workforce. There is a certain amount of hypocrisy to this. The same goes for a statement that was made on the Thailand story, when someone mentioned that Thailand has a lot of problems other than just stray dogs, notably child prostitution. Unfortunately, child prostitution in Thailand is servicing not just the locals but tourists from foreign countries including those from the USA.

So, when we speak of problems in other countries, I feel that it is important to realize that the world is much more globalized now than it was a few centuries ago, and that we are very likely contributing to conditions abroad. There is no quick fix to the world's problems, be it cruel animal practices, child labour, child prostituion. However, as a pragmatist, I think perhaps the best way to change the world is to make changes within our own country first (eg., by voting for a responsible government, by pressuring our businesses to adopt better practices, etc), as well as in how we as individuals carry on our daily lives (eg., not wearing fur, making some personal sacrifices and buying more expensive items that are made in the USA).
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
Reply
It's really a catch-22 at this point. If we don't do business with the Chinese, the prices of consumer goods will sky-rocket, and American citizens will find it even harder to make ends meet. If we continue to do business with the Chinese, the price of consumer goods will stay low, but the US employment rate will remain the same or continue to drop as jobs get shipped overseas--without jobs and a regular wage, the consumer market decreases. All in all, a very bad situation.

At the moment, the USA owes China AND India a tonne of money!!!

Another food for thought: even if you think that what you are buying is not made in China, chances are that at least some parts of the product are of Chinese origin. I was watching a segment on CNN a month ago, where they said that even clothes hangers sold in the USA are being manufactured in China!! At this point, it is very hard to avoid Chinese-made products.
 
Ann J.
Ann J. (casia68)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
Very, very true.
 
Ann J.
Ann J. (casia68)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
OMG just found web page that sells dog and cat meat that can be shipped to your door.
http://www.puppybeef.com
/www.kittybeef.com/
How sick is that.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
Reply
this comment has been removed from the system
 
Donna S.
Donna S. (DonnaSully)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
This is absolutely horrid, a web site that sells and ships dog and cat meat to your door.
 
Ann J.
Ann J. (casia68)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
I think its a spoof site but do you guys think something could be done to get it of the web. This is so sick. How can people get a thrill doing something so sick is beyond me.
Just check it out.
 
Ann J.
Ann J. (casia68)
2 months ago
Flag this | Good Point | 0 users voted.
Reply
CULTURE

So often we have been told that we are interfering in another country's culture however the point seems to have been missed totally by the Asians. The dogs they are importing belong to our "culture" for want of a better word. Culture actually has nothing to do with food - this is cuisine so therefore we are more than entitled to fight to protect OUR animals. This is a totally unique situation. Never before in the history of the world have OUR pets been exported for food. Let us then all band together and do whatever we can to fight this abhorrent situation. Remember!!!! The Koreans are teaching the Chinese how to breed and slaughter the dogs!