"George Cleveland" wrote in message
news
On Wed, 26 May 2004 18:54:04 -0400, (tmon) wrote:

I had the opportunity this past weekend to get away to the White
Mountains of NH for my gf's family reunion. We were staying at a resort
with a small private pond that is loaded with rainbows 12-16'' and
better.

The resort gives away barbless hooks and very few people bothered to
use them. Powerbait was the bait of choice and sadly I saw so many dead
fish along the shore it turned my stomach. Even the adults who were
fishing with kids seemed to have no concern as to whether the fish were
released safely or not.

I'm glad I decided to start fly fishing.


Well my take on this episode is this:
To the vast majority of people who fished the resort's pond the fish
were just another "attraction", something the resort provided for
their benefit and amusement, paid for by the guests own money. So the
fish are removed in their minds as having the status of functioning
members of an ecosystem and instead are demoted to the role of
play"things". Objectivization, pure and simple. Whether fish, women,
ecosystems or entire planets, the fate of all "objects" is to use them
until they no longer amuse us and then toss them away. Your concern
for the well being of the fish would probably be met by a lack of
understanding on the part of many of the guests.

Most excellent analysis.....as always. And as you know, of course, broaden
the base a bit and you've got PETA's case in a nutshell. Tough one to
crack, wot?

Either that or you
would be seen as a party pooper type.

Speaking of which, it looks like we'll be attending seperate soirees in a
couple of weeks. While I haven't spoken to him lately, I'm sure that Joel
is still planning to rip some lips in that highly confidential smallmouth
paradise not so very far from you that I've been promising to take you to.
As he has promised to take a friend (?!) with him, I suspect his plans are
not amenable to change. For good or ill, I'll be joining
them......um.....just so they don't get lost.


g.c.


Still wondering where we're going to find another planet.

How many ya need, kid?

Wolfgang
checking his pockets.