Asian Delicacies

Asian supermarkets can be fun to visit. They carry all sorts of snacks, fruits and vegetables you wouldn't ordinarily find elsewhere. Prices are usually pretty good, too. I don't often frequent such markets, so when I do go, it's fun to try different products.

But there's one section of the supermarket I've learned to avoid: the seafood section. I can't stand the sight of lobsters with bound claws, crowded crabs, and catfish just biding their time in the full tanks until a customer decides to order some fresh seafood to cook. Worse yet are the poor crabs thrown into dry bins, many upside down, only a few moving their feet pitifully. It's positively heartbreaking to watch these poor creatures suffering and just waiting for their demise.

Then last weekend I came across a REALLY horrid sight: turtles! I knew the Chinese ate turtles but I'd never seen live ones in supermarkets until then. There were a few "ordinary" looking turtles, but most of them were pig-nosed turtles-- utterly adorable! The poor things were huddled in what looked like a giant bathtub, most of them retreated inside their shells. Many were piled one on top of the other. Todd saw these turtles and exclaimed in excitement at them, but I couldn't share his joy because I knew what cruel fate awaited them.

Tonight, while I was looking up the actual name of the turtles with the pig-like snouts on Google, I came across this petition. I didn't enjoy reading about the ghastly conditions of animals targeted for consumption in China (which I imagine also holds true for most other Asian countries), but it did not surprise me to read it. China's human-rights track record is pretty atrocious, let alone its treatment of its scaly, furry, and four-legged citizenry. It makes me both sad and angry that such wanton disregard for life is so widespread.

Of course, I am aware that animal abuse and neglect exists in the United States as well-- including on farms. But at least here the culture and general mindframe scorns such abuse and even makes it a crime. Animal rights advocacy is a pretty strong movement.

There is a verse in the Proverbs book of the Bible, which speaks to the respect and care a righteous person shows to his animals. How true. The world would do well to keep mindful of that! Human beings are not only the most complicated but also the cruelest of creatures on this planet. Maybe one day it won't be so... one can only hope!

(originally posted at: http://www.myspace.com/hellykwee/blog/325307871)