Re: General Discussions
Reply #181 –
I suspect there may have been a little tongue in cheek with Pauly's comment. However, in terms of values and principles I find myself, to some extent, aligned with the Greens but they do have an image and communication problem which has them seeming a little too extreme.
I certainly do a few things not aligned with my perception of hard line Greens... at present I have a magnificent scotch fillet marinading for lunch tomorrow! So I am very much an omnivore... I have no issue ripping out a tree that could pose a public risk in high winds or is crushing water pipes and so on. But the principle of looking to more organic (I grow loads of my own veggies, from organic seeds etc) foods I applaud, along with power options aligned with minimum environmental impact...
I understood the tongue cheek and was making the same point about their issues with communication. I want to be spoken to, not aggressively lectured or made to feel like a criminal (to be clear I am not referring to my Old Mate Pauly here).
As for my activities, as a son of European Immigrants, I was brought up to harvest animals for food, duck, quail, rabbit, hare, wild pig (the salumi my old man used to make out of wild pig would make your mouth water). I was brought up to do this legally, ethically and respectfully. No animal culls for thrills, what I take I eat. In many circles, this makes people like me persona non grata, but I couldn't care less as I march to my own drum and not that of a herd. If duck, quail etc numbers are proven scientifically to be down in any given year, I am the first to raise my hand and say their shouldn't be a season. As for looking after the environment, I am always willing and ready to do my bit, again I prefer to be influenced by science as opposed to some teenage brat.
I'll use this analogy, I was raised in a catholic family although I am not particularly religious. I find the whole pedo catholic priest thing abhorrent and when caught, they should rot in jail or be given a 22c injection. I have rarely met a priest which actually wanted to spend time with and listen to, the majority lecture you as opposed to talking to you and discussing things. I have met a few though along the journey that have been brilliant to listen to, and they are brilliant because they talk about the basics, the simple things in life. There are a few "Greenies" that I can call friends, who I can talk with one on one in a non aggressive manner and we can walk away respecting each others opinions. However I can't say the same for the imbeciles I have met on the wetland during duck season.