Foie Gras

Nothing delicate about this delicacy.

I was watching a movie with Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette, called In Her Shoes. It was swell. I liked it. I especially loved Toni Collette's boyfriend. So cute, caring, cultured. The three "C's"... all very important. Anyway, when he takes her out to eat for the first time he tells her that he is an expert at ordering food. "Let me take you out to dinner. I'll order for you. You'll want to eat with me for the rest of your life." Love that line. He mentions Foie Gras in this scene. Being the uncultivated restauranteur that I am, I had to look it up. Oh man.

First off, it's duck (or goose). I had ducks for pets so for me this would be like eating dog. Never have and never will. Yes, it could be argued that I had fish as pets too but I don't make it a habit of eating GOLDfish. Ducks, dogs, goldfish... all safe with me.

Second, it is liver. Enough said. Yuck.

Third, Google produced a website that contained a video that demonstrated how the livers of said water-foul are made to be the fattiest and tastiest livers for the diners' delight. One word, disturbing. No, wait... more words: deplorable, inhumane, selfish, evil... I am sickened.

The ducks are kept in cages while tubes containing fat and grain are shoved down their throats. They are force fed to the point that their livers become 10x the normal size. The ducks are disposed of and their diseased livers served as foie gras.

I will save those of you who already know about this from watching the video but here is a link to the website/video for those who don't. This video was shot in France but foie gras is produced the same way in the States.

During the whole Michael Vick thing, I sent an email to Nike and the NFL telling them that they not only support a cruel human being but that he represents them and that if they cared about the image they put out there they would leave their cross-trainers up his ass on his way out the door. Upon hearing that I sent such an email, a friend said, "Oh, are you one of those?".
When it matters, I guess maybe I am.

If you are:

Here is a link to a list of restaurants that still serve foie gras.

Please, sign the Petition that may help to ban the cruel practices that produce Foie Gras in the United States or visit the PETA website for more information on how to get your state to ban restaurants from purchasing from those that utilize inhumane practices in order to serve this "delicacy".