Here is a very disturbing news story about illegal bear farms in China, where the bears have valves inserted into their chests to pump out the bile from their gall bladders. The bears have their teeth and claws sawn off to prevent them mauling themselves and their handlers. I haven't seen the documentary on Chinese TV, but I hope it's released worldwide to open people's eyes to what some people are capable of. Some would probably argue that the farmers have to do that to protect their livelihood, but I'd personally kill myself before doing that to an animal.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Sounds like something Moe would do.
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
Just so long as this doesn't turn into one of those "this is typical of the evil Chinese in general, and it's high time we invaded using a battle plan from a Tom Clancy novel and turned them all into God-fearing Americans" thread.
Posted by Jernau Morat Gurgeh (Member # 318) on :
If I'd intended that, I would have put the thread in the Flameboard but I see your point, it certainly didn't improve my opinion of China. According to the article, the government adopted the practice in the 80s to stop the killing of wild bears for their bile, but it also says that the Chinese government has now banned the practice.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
I fear this practice will continue until we land troops on Giedi Prime itself.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Good thing I happened to catch Dune on Sci-Fi the other night, or I would have completely not understood that.
Horrible movie, that... Horrible... *shudder*
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
Damn right! Equality for all. All black bears on Giedi Prime should have their own flying harnesses! *sits back to contemplate THAT mental image*
Posted by USS Vanguard (Member # 130) on :
Oh come now, Dune wasn't that horrible. I mean it had Sting. It HAS to be good by definition.
Oh Sting, what were you thinking...
But back to the topic, superstition and tradition is a hard thing to break with a civilization as old as China's. Especially out in the Chinese version of hillbilly country.
[ December 05, 2001: Message edited by: USS Vanguard ]
