Emotion Rules the Day

Written by Harold McNeill on January 8th, 2014. Posted in Tim Hortons Morning Posts


Animal Collage

Those we Love and Those we Don’t

It is immensely interesting how we humans choose to differentiate between animal species (including other humans). Most often it seems it is the “cute and cuddly” factor that makes all the difference.  In the above picture, which would be the first and second choice for a pet?  Of course, who could resist that little pup seal, perhaps even a little piggy under the right circumstances, but a rat or a nest of snakes, very unlikely.

Now, take that seal pup. The WTO recently ruled the EU was justified in prohibiting the import to seal pelts and products based only on “public morals concerns” (National Post,). At the same time the WTO clearly stated there was no “legal, scientific or conservation” concerns with respect to seals.  In a word, “seals” are just so cute that no matter how much damage they do to the environment (fish stocks, etc.) or how much their overpopulation begins to degrade an area of other wildlife, they must be protected.

Pigs on  the other hand seem not so deserving of our consideration. I (and likely you) also think they are as cute a buttons when they are babies. Does if not seem strange that when they are treated badly (and in many cases very badly) we don’t raise any concerns. We so love our bacon, ham and pork chops that we don’t much care how they live and die. The same applies to cattle and all sorts of other ‘domestic’ animals raised as a food source. Compared to pigs, cattle, sheep and others held in captivity, seals live an awesome life of freedom, even if a few of them end up being killed for their pelts or taken down by a sea lion or killer whale.

Because pigs, cattle, sheep and dozens of other animals contribute a huge amount of protein to the North American and world diet, they are dealt with differently.  However,  dBambi and Peter Rabbitozens of other animals remain on the “protect at all costs” list.

Photo: In Greater Victoria the population of ‘free range’ rabbits and deer is exploding and yet we are paralyzed by inaction. As a food source, venison and rabbit are both excellent, but  just mention a cull and a segment of the population erupts with outrage. “Cull Bambi and Peter Rabbit, my god, how inhuman have we become.” Who would dare speak against a poster bearing the photo on the left.

Now check out the lowly rat. Give that ‘cute’ little fella a centimetre and he will take a meter.  Believe me, those little critters and I have a long standing feud.  Left to their own devices rats can play havoc with your home and the environment, so we have no concern about putting a quick (sometimes painful) end to their existence. Every feed store in Greater Victoria has an ample supply of spring loaded traps and poison bait to help with the cull. No holds barred, no quarter given as there is nothing really cute and cuddly about a rat.

As with many things to which we attach human and cuddly characteristics, the question is not what might be the best thing to do, but rather, which emotion will carry the day. Rats are held in contempt, seal pups deserving of our unquestioning love.

Canada will most certainly appeal the WTO ruling as being grossly out of touch with the facts, but it seems likely the ban will stand. Why, because a rather small group of very vocal individuals have whipped the opposition into a frenzy as they have that cuddly little seal pup as their poster child. I’ll bet a dollar to a Tim Horton’s donut that Pamela Anderson would not be caught dead l laying in a pig pen protecting a litter of little porkers.

Cheers,

Harold

Also Posted in Tim Horton’s Mornings Posts on February 3, 2012  Save our Rats

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Comments (2)

  • Carew
    January 18, 2015 at 9:30 pm |

    While i agree that our choice of who lives and who dies is kind of arbitrary, i disagree about rats not being cute or cuddly at all as I had 6 pet rats over the course of years and if you go into any pet shop you will see that rats are actually pretty popular pets. Of course the black plague is what ruined the rat’s PR but you’d think that after half a millennium we would have gotten over that by now.

    • Harold McNeill
      January 19, 2015 at 8:51 am |

      I agree, but when rats became to plentiful in the wild, they can do a great deal of damage. Around our farm they had to be controlled or they would have simply taken over. I didn’t like doing them in, but it was either do that or shut down the farm and move away. Obviously humans have taken over a lot of the environment that was once occupied by animal species and when in the wild, natural selection took place. Not so in areas habited by humans.

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Comments

  • Mike Fedorowich

    September 1, 2023 |

    I have gone through the above noted text and have found it quite informative.
    I am a former member with several law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
    I worked in the First Nations service under the authority of the RCMP with the over sight of the OPP. My law enforcement service was conducted under the authority of the Nishnawbe – Aski Police Service in North West Ontario the Louis Bull Police Sevice in Hobbema AB, the Kitasoo Xaixais Police Service in Northern in side passage on Swindle Island, the Lac Suel Police Service North West Ontario and the Vancouver Transit Authority Sky Train Police Service. I’m presently dealing with an RCMP member for falsifying a report against me for a road rage event. Court case is finished and the charge was dropped but I have an on going complaint with the member and have forwarded to the WATCH DOGS IN OTTAWA FOR the RCMP review and consideration. I believe the said officer is in violation of his oath of office and should be held accountable for falsifying his RTCC all the while dragging me through the court system here in Nanaimo. RCMP continue to stonewall the appeal but Ottawa and the crowns office are still looking into the matter. if your able and find the time or the interest in this very brief introduction, I would very much like to speak with you and would be grateful to hear any wisdom that may come across from your end. I served with First Nations Police Services for ten years in isolation and six years with Transit Police out of New West Minster. I do value and appreciate any time you could spare to chat for a bit on this particular subject matter. Respectfully with out anger but an open mind, Mike Fedorowich Nanaimo BC 250 667 0060

  • Harold McNeill

    February 28, 2022 |

    Hi Robert, I do remember some of those folks from my early years in Cold Lake (Hazel was my aunt and our family spent many fond times with Uncle Melvin, Aunt Hazel and Family. I knew Lawrence and Adrian. Having read a half dozen accounts it is clear their were many false narratives and, perhaps, a few truths along the way. I tried my best to provide an even account from what I read. Cheers, Harold. (email: Harold@mcneillifestories.com)

  • Robert Martineau

    February 25, 2022 |

    Its been a long time since any post here, but its worth a shot. My Grandfather was Hazel Wheelers brother Lawrence, and son to Maggie and Adrien. Maggie Martineau (nee Delaney) is my great grandmother. The books and articles to date are based on the white mans viewpoint and the real story as passed down by the Elders in my family is much more nefarious. Some of the white men were providing food for the Indians in exchange for sexual favors performed by the Squaws. Maggie was the product of one of those encounters. Although I am extremely proud of my family and family name, I am ashamed about this part of it.

  • Julue

    January 28, 2022 |

    Good morning Harold!
    Gosh darn it, you are such a good writer. I hope you have been writing a book about your life. It could be turned into a movie.
    Thanks for this edition to your blog.
    I pray that Canadians will keep their cool this weekend and next week in Ottawa. How do you see our PM handling it? He has to do something and quick!
    Xo Julie

  • Herb Craig

    December 14, 2021 |

    As always awesome job Harold. It seems whatever you do in life the end result is always the same professional, accurate, inclusive and entertaining. You have always been a class act and a great fellow policeman to work with. We had some awesome times together my friend. I will always hold you close as a true friend. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you this summer.
    Warm regards
    Herb Craig

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Hi Dorthy, So glad you found those stories and, yes, they hold many fond memories. Thanks to social media and the blog, I’ve been able to get in touch with many friends from back in the day. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Well, well. Pleased to see your name pop up. I’m in regular contact via FB with many ‘kids’ from back in our HS days (Guy, Dawna, Shirley and others). Also, a lot of Cold Lake friends through FB. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Oh, that is many years back and glad you found the story. I don’t have any recall of others in my class other than the Murphy sisters on whose farm my Dad and Mom worked.

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Pleased to hear from you Howie and trust all is going well. As with you, I have a couple of sad stories of times in my police career when I crossed paths with Ross Barrington Elworthy. Just haven’t had the time to write those stories.

  • Howie Siegel

    November 25, 2021 |

    My only fight at Pagliacci’s was a late Sunday night in 1980 (?) He ripped the towel machine off the bathroom wall which brought me running. He came after me, I grabbed a chair and cracked him on the head which split his skull and dropped him. I worried about the police finding him on the floor. I had just arrived from Lasqueti Island and wasn’t convinced the police were my friends. I dragged him out to Broad and Fort and left him on the sidewalk, called the cops. They picked him up and he never saw freedom again (as far as I know). I found out it was Ross Elworthy.