[TrappedInLiberalHell]

I agree in principle -- but only insofar that it is wrong to torture humans and it is also wrong to torture animals. Period. This does not imply that humans and animals are equals. It is sometimes USED to imply that, but in and of itself I would agree that both are equally wrong. Wrong = Wrong. That's logic. I wouldn't say an animal torturer is a better person than a human torturer. I'd say both are scum.

Note that the topic is torture, not killing. I eat meat, hence I can't exactly be against animal killing. I'm against needless suffering. Any sane human being is.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

I should amend that torture implies NEEDLESS suffering. If we had to torture bin Laden to save American lives, that would not be needless. Animals have nothing to tell us, and torturing a fox does not deter others from raiding your henhouse. People can be motivated. It must be hard for the person or people who have to do it, just as it would have been hard for President Bush to order the fourth plane shot down on 9/11. Sometimes life calls for tough choices to be made.