Sir Paul On Larry King Live

lowendbob · Post by **lowendbob** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:58 pm

I use to be pro-hunting many years ago, and I have hunted and killed my fair share of deer, and small game.
I always used to question myself why. I never cared for the taste of wild game, and always felt bad especially after shooting a large animal like deer. It's never a pretty sight. I also use to stand by my back door and shoot squirrels with a pellet gun only because they where stealing food from the bird feeder, and never really thought much about it.

Now, I have entirely different perspective on animal rights. I don't know whether it's from maturity, or the love of the best dog I have owned for any length of time or both. Her name is Trixie, and she is a little white Bishon, your typical lap dog. We bought her when she was 8 weeks old and she has been a part of the family for almost seven years now. I began to see that animals have feelings, and thoughts, and they feel physical pain just like humans do. I have become so fond of this dog. Since owning her and cherishing her unconditional love it has changed my attitude towards all animals in general.

I now treat all animals with respect, and believe they all have a right to live, as long as they can in the wild, or as domesticated pets.
I don't believe they should suffer, as in over population, and should be controlled as humanly as possible. I believe in spayed and neutering to keep the pet population down. I don't believe in puppy mills, or stupid people that buy animals because they saw 101 Dalmatians, and decide they have to have one, and regret it later.

In closing, I can honestly say I would rather see murderers, or child molesters, or just plain worthless human beings given up for medical experiments than animals. Animals after all are just innocent creatures. Some people deserve less that cannot, and will not contribute to society in any positive way.

harley · Post by **harley** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:09 pm

Steve,

I think I would be in agreement with most of what you're saying - as it pertains to me. I have no need or desire to hunt, so I don't. I don't think anyone would have a problem with you deciding not to hunt, either. Where you and I are parting ways is in your desire to have everyone else fall in step with your personal choices.

There are very few topics where you can insult someone into changing their position or view on something as emotional as hunting. The same is true with politics, religion, capital punishment. These topics require back and forth debate and an honest willingness to examine your own beliefs with the same precision you examine others. I can't, over the internet, convince you that you should believe exactly as I do because there's no give and take (although I am pretty persuasive).

Some of my favorite "sniping" is between Kent and Dane. As a spectator, they're hilarious to listen to but neither one of them degenerates into insults (too often) and both of them have caused me to re-examine my own beliefs on occasion. I think you're letting your emotions detract from the arguments you could make for your position. Then again, I have been wrong before, I will be wrong again, and this has all the makings of one of those times.

I've got all my good intentions ... the road must be around here someplace.

winston · Post by **winston** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:38 pm

She's a beautiful dog Bob. I love my animals too. We have two Shih Tzus and a Cockatoo.

Our home in the Okanagan is also graced by the almost nightly visitation of a small herd of deer who bed down in our back yard. They obviously feel safe as they will let us get within a few feet of them.

There is a variety of bird that lives in proximity other home nestled the mountains of the Cariboo Chilcoten that we affectionately call camp robbers. If I am working out in the yard they will come and land on my outstretched hand looking for treats or a short visit. They also are very comfortable with me. BTW I also used to hunt. I still like to go fishing.

Back on topic the McCartneys have another cause that is near and dear to their hearts that I think is a good one. The abolition of the manufacture and use of land mines.

I watched the Larry King segment again last night and I think Paul was a bit uncomfortable about some of the factual information that he was asked to proffer. He seemed more at ease when he spoke in more general terms.

chingnchime · Post by **chingnchime** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:44 pm

Wow, Bob and Harley- excellent posts! I appreciate your support, and tend to agree w/ you (Harley)that insulting (per se) generally doesn't win anyone over or change their mind. But in a matter of life or death (for animals) I think the truth is such an atrocity in itself, and sounds like an insult because it IS such a terrible issue. I thought about my harsh words a few posts back, then realized my detractors probably aren't even REALLY listening, just offering kneejerk reactions .Many of them have been 'programmed' by their families from birth to think it's okay to kill a non-threatening animal for whatever 'logic' will support the act (animal testing, food, etc. Exactly how many millions of dead bunnies does it take to make sure shampoo is SAFE??) That's why i decided NOT to be diplomatic and to NOT sugarcoat my posts. I think, like Bob,people have to become aware on their own, when they are ready to understand. I wholeheartedly support Bob's thoughts on the matter.

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:48 pm

It remains a fascinating topic...some say that if you don't have what it takes to kill, you shouldn't eat meat...but by that logic, if you don't know anything about plumbing, you shouldn't use a flush toilet...

I went out target shooting with some friends on the Arizona desert as a very young man...we took turns trying out the various bazookas they had brought along, displaying our mastery over tin cans, etc. At one point we took a break...I was sitting in the shade cradling a little .22 rifle...the 30/30 having bruised my shoulder enough at that point. Suddenly, I spied a small lizard which had run out into a clearing and stopped about fifty yards away. I called the others' attention to it, and one guy blurted out "Shoot it!" And, like a thoughtless idiot and with a talent I had unknowingly inherited from my old man the marksman, I swung that piece up and drilled that poor little creature right through the neck...he curled convulsively into a tight circle and died. The whole thing took a matter of seconds, and then I sat there in utter dismay. It was just so easy to do...it scared the sh*t out of me. I was an emotional wreck for days...last time I touched a gun.

But hey, if you can handle the karmapala, bang away...it just ain't for me...

chingnchime · Post by **chingnchime** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 2:03 pm

Kind of reminds me of a local news story last year when a teenager was brought up on charges of repeatedly throwing a puppy against a garage door til it died.
I remember telling my wife "If I ever ran into that guy I'd pull his tongue out by the roots." Bullies or senseless hurting of any kind bring out my wrath, and I'm usually a very mellow guy. Un-friggin-believable...

lowendbob · Post by **lowendbob** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 2:21 pm

I know exactly what you mean Steve.
I too remember a news story of some blind guy, that got drunk, and beat his seeing eye dog to death with his cane.
I'll never forget that story. It's just beyond all comprehension to me.

trick_knee · Post by **trick_knee** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 2:38 pm

OK, I'm back (still lurking). Steve, The fact that you wanted to do bodily harm to another animal (the kid that beat the puppy) kind of confuses me? So, if a coyote chases down your pet dog or cat, what would you like to do to it? Call it nature? There are no easy answers here. Trying to get other people to believe in YOUR beliefs is rather futile, isn't it? I too would like to beat the kid senseless, but comparing that to someone hunting and keeping game population at more sensible levels are two totally different subjects, at least that's how I feel anyways. Everyone please chime in.....

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 2:48 pm

I'll pass, thanks. This is an airing of individual belief systems and convictions and won't do anything in the end but alienate somebody and make them feel badly.

Personally, I'd like to throw Larry King and that self-promoting bimbo wife of his, against two garage doors.

chingnchime · Post by **chingnchime** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:05 pm

Dennis (still lurking?)- What's confusing? I didn't say I'd take his life (as in hunting a defenseless animal), and i probably was overstating my intentions if i did run into the guy, but I would definitely confront him, and from there it's hard to say what I'd do until that happened.
As for the coyote, he really NEEDS to hunt to survive, unlike humans. It's his only option. If my dog ran off into the wilderness and got killed by said coyote, naturally I'd be upset, but in that case it's just a matter of the dog being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Coyotes and other wildlife are being pushed off any inhabitable land at present anyway, but that's another post!
Will sign off now. I'm all talked (typed) out!

lowendbob · Post by **lowendbob** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:47 pm

Oh come on Paul.
The Beatles Forum is where the real action is.
It's just individual beliefs like you said, and good healthy debate. I personally don't mean, or intend to make anyone feel bad.

As for Steve and Dennis, all bets are off.

trick_knee · Post by **trick_knee** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:53 pm

Oh, this is just good old fashioned debate, no one is right or wrong. America the beautiful, you have the right to your own beliefs and the right to state it openly. Steve and I could be in the same room and debate this and probably share a beer afterwards and a good laugh, right?

chingnchime · Post by **chingnchime** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:59 pm

UMMMMMM....I'M THINKING...(HA)

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:28 pm

Hey did anyone see McCartney on Larry King? That Heather sure is a sweet girl.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:40 pm

Dennis I think their is a right and a wrong. The difference is what is right for some is wrong for others. Personally, I think I'm right. I only think that way because I am right. Right?