The Silent Scream of the Asparagus

Get ready for ‘plant rights,’ from the Weekly Standard.

You just knew it was coming: At the request of the Swiss government, an ethics panel has weighed in on the “dignity” of plants and opined that the arbitrary killing of flora is morally wrong. This is no hoax. The concept of what could be called “plant rights” is being seriously debated. …

The committee offered this illustration: A farmer mows his field (apparently an acceptable action, perhaps because the hay is intended to feed the farmer’s herd–the report doesn’t say). But then, while walking home, he casually “decapitates” some wildflowers with his scythe. The panel decries this act as immoral, though its members can’t agree why.

Read the whole article…

I missed this when it came out last spring. Hat tip to Stephen Colbert, who mentioned it in his ‘Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger’ segment last night.

Music to vote by (3): James McMurtry

I was moved to tears yesterday listening to Ron Kuby relate a story on his radio show about the homeless guy who had to go to court to register to vote because all he could provide as an address was the park bench where he slept.

“By going to such lengths to cast his vote, he showed that he cares a lot more about his country than his country cares about him.”

It’s about the economy, stupid.

Larry’s son with the angry rock version of Can’t Make It Here Anymore.

Or if you prefer, the angry acoustic version: