Not to derail, but farmers lose out to environmentalists, not just global warming, and to extreemists in BOTH directions (be it animal rights, or poachers).
Farmers, (Agriculturalists) are (and MUST BE) very intelligent and educated individuals. They must run a business in a highly competitive field (as Ash pointed out), must deal more with factors outside their control, pay taxes, balance budgets, pay employees, understand biology, chemistry as well as engineering (someone has to fix those implements), all on a fixed non-renewable resource (the land), they must be able to balance nature vs nurture, man vs nature, animal vs plant, plant vs plant, animal vs animal. A farmer must fully understand the environment all in order to remain competitive. They must rise before the sun 365 days a year, work till after the sun has set most of those days. Animals don't take holidays when it's time to give birth, die or fall in the ravine and break a leg. fields of wheat, maze, barley, cotton... you name it, are prime feeding ground for undesirable insects that will destroy the product (consider it industrial sabotage).These insects bring in diseases, and other predators. This is a cycle.
Obviously I can go on and on on this topic.
But I want everyone here to consider this: We are all happy to share our opinions in the proper venue. I would suggest that to prevent a discussion from ruining perfectly good working relationships and friendships, that it switch to PM mode, and not try to inflame anyone's emotions. Hunting is one of those areas where many people can easily loose their head to emotions, and start to say things they may later regret.
My congratulations to the OP, and condolences to those who view otherwise.  | 
10-31-2007, 10:28 PM
Linear Mode
