RE: SV: [OPE] The genocidal implications of biofuels

wpc@dcs.gla.ac.uk

Whether one advocates vegetarianism relates to the question of population versus
resources. I would be hesitant to go around strongly advocating vegetarianism
as something compulsory, remember what Kruschov said about there being no
socialism without sausages --- he was expressing a pretty deep popular sentiment
in places like Russia and Poland.

Paul Cockshott
Dept of Computing Science
University of Glasgow
+44 141 330 1629
www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/~wpc/reports/

-----Original Message-----
From: ope-bounces@lists.csuchico.edu on behalf of GERALD LEVY
Sent: Tue 7/8/2008 4:44 PM
To: Outline on Political Economy mailing list
Subject: RE: SV: [OPE] The genocidal implications of biofuels

Hi Martin:

A couple of months ago I went to a forum on the global food crisis 
at the Venezuelan Consulate in NYC.  It was good (i.e. it was part
of Venezuela's ongoing attempts to build international solidarity on 
this issue and there were reports on how patterns of agricultural
production and consumption were changing in Venezuela) but I was 
struck by an irony: one of the points which was made repeatedly was
the need to shift away from the production of meat but some of the 
very tasty food which was served to those attending (who were mostly
from a UN commission from various countries) was meat.  I must admit
to feeling somewhat uncomfortable about eating well at a conference 
on the food crisis. (Another irony for a meeting which exposed the role of 
multinational corporations in the food crisis was the choice of soft drink 
which was served: Coca Cola.) I think, in fairness to the organizers of the 
event, that  it was mostly an expression of traditional Venezuelan hospitality.  
It certainly wasn't as lavish as the following.

btw, do you (and others on the list) think that we should 
advocate vegetarianism in a socialist society? This is a 
thorny question, I think, since it concerns deep-rooted 
cultural traditions.

In solidarity, Jerry

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/2262534/G8-summit-Gordon-Brown-has-eight-course-dinner-before-food-crisis-talks.html

"

Mr Brown and his wife Sarah were among 15 guests at the "blessings of the earth and the sea social dinner". 
The dinner consisted of 18 dishes in eight courses including caviar, smoked salmon, Kyoto beef and a "G8 fantasy dessert". 
The banquet was accompanied by five different wines from around the world including champagne, a French Bourgogne and sake. 
African leaders including the heads of Ethiopia, Tanzania and Senegal who had taken part in talks during the day were not invited to the function. 
The dinner came just hours after a "working lunch" consisting of six courses including white asparagus and truffle soup, crab and a supreme of chicken. 
The lavish dining arrangements - disclosed by the Japanese Government which is hosting the summit in Hokkaido - come amid growing concern over rising food prices triggered by a shortage of many basic necessities.  
"

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