Why are some animals seen as creatures to be eliminated?

[Snoggera]

and others as those to be treated like royalty?

Shouldn't they all be treated the same? After all, we don't speak any of their languages, so can't really understand where they are coming from?

[Whitacre D_WI]

1. If an animal is trying to eat me...

...you'd better believe that I will seek to eliminate it.

[Snoggera]

2. But what if you eliminate it

and it only wanted to nibble?

OOOYYYYY!!!! The guilt!

[Whitacre D_WI]

I suppose it depends upon the potential severity of said "nibble,"

and the likelihood that the animal would succeed if it did, in fact, want to eat me.

For instance, I let my birdies nibble on me all the time. They are small. If a grizzly bear wanted to nibble on me, however, I would likely take exception.

[EstimatedProphet]

4. So what are you saying? Let them have body parts?

"Here kitty kitty...come here and have a finger"
Eventually it will hurt.

[Snoggera]

6. Maybe if you have a kitty that will take your finger

you need to get another kitty!

I'm now thinking of mosquitos and whether or not I would smack them down or allow them to take my blood for their own purposes. I know my own personal history, and it is not a pretty history for those in the mosquito world telling stories to their 18th generation grand-mosquitos. I have murdered dozens, if not hundreds of mosquitos.

New thought:

What are THEY (the animal kingdom) planning against us next? Would we be able to withstand an all out onslaught? I can hear them whispering:

okay, mosquitos, take the left flank. Locusts and other large winged creatures, take the right. Me and my fellow large land mammals will break through their central defences.

okay, ON THREE!

[EstimatedProphet]

8. Sorry, I disagree

Mosquitoes are parasites, and I don't feel any kind of remorse for swatting them. Besides, they make me itch.

[flaminlib]

3. social contract....

Thats how i came to my position on hunting. Objectively, i cant place any higher value on one animal than another, including humans. It follows though, that depredation, habitat and our social construct must be considered for the good of all. Cockroach or coyote, who are we to judge?

Interesting question, not sure i'm at end of my logical gymnastics on it but, id like to think im close.

[Lorien]

5. Many are victims of pest control co. propaganda

remember years ago when pest control companies convinced Texas lawmakers that all bats carried rabies (if they did, there wouldn't be any bats) and other deadly diseases? They got a contract to kill hundreds of thousands of bats in and around state land and buildings (used a flame thrower under bridges, sick bastards). Then the cities became overwhelmed with insects, epecially mosquitoes which are more dangerous to humans than bats! Of course, the pest control firms got contracts to poisons these as well, so it all worked out brilliantly for them (until the government woke up to the errors of their ways, of course).

[DAGDA56]

7. Hmm...Texas...pest control...government scam...hmmm...

...who does that remind me of...no, don't tell me, it's right on the tip of my tongue...Tom, somebody...

[forgethell]

9. Without getting

into any philosophy about it, or stating whether or not I agree with the sentiment, I think most people make the decision on whether or not they like that particular kind of animal, or not. Sorta like we choose or friends, or decide which people, or groups, we want to help and support. I mean, how many people here are donating to the Republican party??

[Snoggera]

10. because

they are visually "purty"?

What a way to live a life.

[forgethell]

11. didn't say I agreed with it.

Just said that is the way it seems to me that people m ake these decisions.