Editorial: 'Penetrating pair of eyes' are planted in author's memory

It's happened to all of us. We get on the freeway and there's that smell, the smell of a cattle truck. Eventually, we come up to the truck and pass it, then the smell is gone. This particular cattle trailer had its manufacturer emblazoned on it – "Cattle Drive." How appropriate. But this time, driving by this particular cattle truck, something unusual happened. At the upper left corner of the rear of the trailer, there's a gap, where I suppose the roll-up door is left slightly open, presumably for ventilation. And, looking out of the gap at the rear of this trailer, was a pair of eyes, a frightened, penetrating pair of eyes. Oddly enough, I could not stop looking at those eyes. It was all I could do to keep my mind on my driving. Now, I could go anywhere with this. I know what you're thinking. I could go into all the gory details about all the cancers and diseases you can get from eating red meat. I could state all the reasons why cattle ranching is contributing to climate change and harmful to the environment. But I'm not going to do that. If you enjoy your hamburgers, steaks and everything else that comes from a cow, more power to you. It's not my place to tell you what you should or shouldn't eat. You can stop reading right now; I won't take up any more of your time. But if I've piqued your curiosity, even slightly, I invite you to read on. You might learn something you didn't know. Years ago, I took a class in philosophy at Sierra College taught by George Sessions. In one of the five books for the class, simply titled "Philosophy," the author goes on a rant about life in general, and ends it by saying, "Life feeds upon itself." We took this as meaning humans eat dead things to survive. I raised my hand and said the author failed to make a distinction between consuming meat and eating a plant-based diet. A young woman sitting beside me said, "It doesn't matter. Plants have feelings, too." Then I said, "There's a difference between a cow and a carrot." Mr. Sessions agreed with me, quoting Alan Watts, saying there is a difference between consuming a formerly-living sentient being with flesh, blood and bones, and eating a stalk of celery. In philosophy, there are no clear winners in an argument, but I think I prevailed. But now, after thinking about George Sessions' philosophy class, it makes me fast forward to the pair of eyes I saw just recently, those haunted, piercing pair of eyes. Many years ago, I don't remember exactly when, I lost my taste for red meat. It's never a problem; I never crave it. And even if I did, all I have to do is think of those pair of eyes. Not long ago, at the doctor's office, it was a follow-up appointment to learn the results of some blood work. The doctor said, and I quote, "The number one thing you can do to acquire and maintain good health is to not eat anything from a cow, and from the results of your blood work, Jack, it looks like you've been doing just that. Congratulations!" You have no idea how good that made me feel. I continue to eat a plant-based diet to this day. Thank you for taking time to read my story about vegetarianism. This is the path I chose. But we all choose our own way to go, and whichever path you choose, I wish you well.