[rintense]

Well, some argue it is simply part of their culture- that because they have so many people and so few resources, they must use whatever they can to survive. Now, I of course, think that's bunk. The documentary was horrific. They showed dogs and cats being treated so imhumanely, so barbaric... I am not lying when I said I got physically sick.

One of the things this documentary said is that, in the west, we personify animals. We give them voices and feelings through children's stories, so we grow up in a culture that attributes human feelings to animals. And to a degree, that's very, very true. But I also believe that a child who grows up showing compassion for animals, will show twice as much compassion for humans. Ironically, one of the last things the documentary stated was something based on an old saying or proverb from somewhere... 'You can tell the fate of a civilization by the way it regards animals.' If this belief holds true, China is doomed. And rightfully so.

[FITZ]

There is a very good reason that we don't eat predator animals. Mad cow disease is from recycling cow parts including brains and mixing them in with food that is given to an animal that never would eat meat.

[The Red Zone]

If this is dooming it, it sure is taking a long time, what 8000 years and counting?

But I understand that cats and dogs are becoming more popular as pets in China. If so it is heartening news. More and more Chinese will become uncomfortable with the idea of deep frying Fluffy or Fido.

[The Pheonix]

Another yardstick to measure humanity is to see how nations treat humans, if that's the case, can we add the following nations to your list of cruel peoples'

the Germans-for their inhumanity in WW2

the Australians--for their genocide of the aborogines

the Japanese--for their ecxcessive cruelty during WW2

the Canadians---for clubbing the baby seals to death for their furs

the British--for plundering Africa during their colonial days

the Belgians---for their excessive cruelty to the Congo people in their colonial days

what about our days of slavery, and what about our past treatment of our natives ?

I would not go so far as to say that all Chinese people are cruel, yes, I think a minority are cruel, but the majority are just regular folks, just MHO