Foie Gras ban- Leftist Governor screws up again!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/us/in ... -gras.html

And just signed a ban of shark's fin. what's next?

And just signed a ban of shark's fin. what's next?

I wholeheartedly agree with the shark fin ban. Do you know how shark fins are "harvested?"

http://www.stopsharkfinning.net/shark-finning.htm

Unfortunately, a ban in the entire USA wouldn't even make a dent in the practice.

Banning foie gras is stupid.

I agree that the law is dumb. I am guessing that foie gras will still be available one way or another, though.

I didn't realize that only right wingers ate foil gras. I'll have to tell all my friends.

[David M. Bueker]

By the way...the law was signed 8 years ago. Who was governator in California at the time?

The ban on Foie Gras in Chicago did not last long. One of the leading protesters against the ban here was a french chef who served me three of the worst dinners I have ever had back in the days when I was doling out my dollars for restaurant services. Especially I remember the foie gras appetizer I ordered from him one time... He should be put in jail for impersonating a chef. Just an aside thought I wanted to toss out.

As for the shark issue... I could care less if the shark population is decimated. As far as I know their only mission in life is to place humans who are unlucky enough to find themselves alone in the water on their dinner menu. Screw that concept. The same thoughts also are extended to crocs, alligators, snakes, mosquito, the three horned toe lizard and most other animals that are on the endangered species list.

Wow... what a great issue to be able to let loose on...

Tim

As for the shark issue... I could care less if the shark population is decimated. As far as I know their only mission in life is to place humans who are unlucky enough to find themselves alone in the water on their dinner menu.

I'm not a crusader nor a "treehugger"... but consider the following taken from the site linked above:

What effect has finning had on shark populations?

To put it bluntly, shark populations have been decimated. Globally. Tens of millions of sharks are slaughtered every year to satisfy the demand for shark fin soup; at least 8,000 tonnes of shark fins are shipped to restaurants around the world. Fishermen report that sharks are getting smaller because they are not being given time to mature. Shark populations take a long time to recover as they can take over seven years to reach maturity and they only raise one or two pups a year. Twenty species of sharks are listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). In a few years many species of shark could become extinct if action is not taken immediately. Populations of many shark species have fallen by over 90%. Since 1972 the number of blacktip sharks has fallen by 93%, tiger sharks by 97% and bull sharks, dusky sharks and smooth hammerheads by 99%.

What will happen to the oceans of sharks become extinct?

The consequences of the decline in shark populations on ocean life are immense. The large shark species are "apex" predators, they are ecological stablisers, once they are gone, all hell will break loose. For example along the US East Coast where large sharks such as black tip and tiger sharks have been virtually elimated, there have been declines in shellfish numbers and a reduction in water quality (shellfish filter sea water). Populations of small sharks, rays and skates have increased rapidly, consuming shellfish at an unsustainable rate. If you remove apex predators from an ecosystem the result is the same as removing the foundations from a building - total collapse.

The funny thing is that even the "Rocky Jr." chickens sold at Whole Foods get a whopping 1 square foot of space. This is at the only national retailer that takes animal welfare seriously. It's safe to assume that the rest of the poultry sold in this country is produced in far worse conditions, because the customer doesn't care. And yet the pampered foie gras ducks are what we're worried about? We visited a foie farm (in Quebec) and it was free-range, pastured ducks. A lot of dogs don't have it so good! These are birds who can swallow a live fish with fins slashing at their throats, people. I purchase almost exclusively pastured chicken because it's the decent thing to do, but I eat foie gras without hesitation.

As for shark fin, sorry, Charlie, you can't just take the valuable produce of the ocean and toss 99% of it back to die. Even if many sharks weren't endangered the practice is barbaric. At least use the remaining meat for pet food or something. Shark fin is a classic tragedy of the commons. I will skip the shark fin soup (and ahi, and Chilean sea bass [a.k.a. Patagonian toothfish], etc.) and enjoy my sustainable, sensibly-produced foie gras dish.

I believe the Patagonian tooth fish problem has been brought back into balance, so it has been approved in limited amounts. An example of creating a sustainable system so we can continue eating them.

I believe the Patagonian tooth fish problem has been brought back into balance, so it has been approved in limited amounts. An example of creating a sustainable system so we can continue eating them.

And you know, we all want to see healthy ecosystems and all that, but ultimately, "to be able to continue to eat them" is my idea of the best reason for insuring a stable population.

I believe the Patagonian tooth fish problem has been brought back into balance, so it has been approved in limited amounts. An example of creating a sustainable system so we can continue eating them.

Only if you see the Marine Stewardship Council Logo.

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx?gid=6

Otherwise it's a red "avoid." Sorry to say.

Walt

[David M. Bueker]

Walt,

I have never seen that logo on anything, anywhere. Is it just being used in California?

Note to Craig, the original poster: Political commentary goes in the Friends and Fun forum. Please refrain from snarls and snorts here. Thanks.

Note to Craig, the original poster: Political commentary goes in the Friends and Fun forum. Please refrain from snarls and snorts here. Thanks.

Jeff,

Exactly where is this other forum... I don't see it listed anywhere.

Tim

Walt,

I have never seen that logo on anything, anywhere. Is it just being used in California?

Dear David,

Me neither. The sustainable fish market is even smaller than the sustainable land creature market. It's a worldwide thing, but not at all common.

Walt

Note to Craig, the original poster: Political commentary goes in the Friends and Fun forum. Please refrain from snarls and snorts here. Thanks.

Exactly where is this other forum... I don't see it listed anywhere.

Scroll to the top of this page. In the first blue bar -- below the banner picture -- next to the little house symbol, click on the words "Board index". This will take you to a page that shows all the fora hosted by Robin. There are 10 in all.

Note to Craig, the original poster: Political commentary goes in the Friends and Fun forum. Please refrain from snarls and snorts here. Thanks.

Exactly where is this other forum... I don't see it listed anywhere.

Scroll to the top of this page. In the first blue bar -- below the banner picture -- next to the little house symbol, click on the words "Board index". This will take you to a page that shows all the fora hosted by Robin. There are 10 in all.

Or scroll to the bottom of this page where you'll see the "jump to" menu and go to the bottom of that menu (as befits the basement).

Mark Lipton

Nope... nothing... just the usual forums. The Jump To key lists in the last 3 selections... Offline...wtn archives...rcp archives.
No Fun and whatever forum.

Even when I hit the board index key only the usual forums show up

What am I missing...

Tim

Tim,
Be sure you are logged in when looking for the F&F.

First of all, David, the ban 8 years ago was about production. This prohibits even the importation.

Second, Jeff, the only thing that makes this political is my use of "Leftist". I was pissed when Schwartzneger banned the production as well, and posted about it. If I had said "Stupid governor" instead, it would be apolitical. I hereby change it. This topic belongs with food, not friends and fun.

[Robin Garr]

Note to Craig, the original poster: Political commentary goes in the Friends and Fun forum. Please refrain from snarls and snorts here. Thanks.

Particularly when they attribute to the executive branch the efforts of the legislative branch.

Tim... Well, darn if I know what you're missing. Here is the direct link: http://www.wineloverspage.com/forum/village/viewforum.php?f=14

Craig... Agreed on where the topic belongs. Thank you for the revision. It is my experience that politics, in the usual sense, has little to do with whether or not one possesses a sensible outlook on foie gras.

Robin... Can you make the revision a reality?

Tim,
Be sure you are logged in when looking for the F&F.

That was the answer... thanks

Tim