Easygoing Speciesism.

Much has been written here in Ireland about the recent kidnap, ordeal and suffering of GOAL Ireland worker, Sharon Commins.  GOAL, an aid agency, describes itself as dedicated to the "the alleviation of suffering amongst the poorest of the poor."  It says that it's aim is to protect the most vulnerable's "fundamental needs and rights of life."

The return of Dubliner Sharon Commins, after 100 days in captivity in Sudan and subject to several "mock executions," has been headline news throughout Ireland, not least her craving from day seven of capture to eat "eggs Benedict" - a dish consisting of an English muffin, "ham," a poached egg and an egg-based sauce.

Apart from thinking that this thing seems designed to bring on an instant heart attack, I was struck by the irony of the news reports of Commins' suffering mixed with the laughter about her craving.  Even more hilarious, it seems, Agatha Commins, Sharon's mother, wasn't able to make eggs Benedict very well.

Of course it should be made clear that only animal advocates reading blogs such as this one will even recognise that there is an irony here, since the pig from which the "ham" was extracted was executed and the hen who "supplied" the eggs has likely endured far more than 100 days in captivity and is probably still confined - and will for sure be executed later too.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly in terms of the disconnect here, many people who are not animal advocates would be appalled that I am making these points in the first place; that is how easygoing the institution of speciesism treats the lives and deaths of billions of nonhuman individuals.