------------------------------------------------------- CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD Lisbon, Portugal June 15-17, 2007 Details at: http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html -------------------------------------------------------
Hi Arnold, The crux is not so much the gastronomic delights of the amphibian appendages as it is the wanton cruelty of the dispatch methods by starvation due to disambulation (is that a legitimate big enough word ;-?). I remember the trepidation with which I would enter our pharmacology labs in vet school where the preferred method of euthanasia of the test Anura subjects was by pithing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pithing This method of rendering food animals unconscious has now fallen out of favour due to concerns about BSE but unfortunately still persists in high school and university biology labs much to the apprehension of animal rights activists. http://www.frogsite.org/Anti_Pithing.html However, they also are of the opinion that ANY vertebrate (and many invertebrates with two neurons to synapse) have the capacity to perceive discomfort enough to shy away from it. That, and the inherent desire to survive, make fishing a despicable sport. (I wonder what joy sport anglers get out of outwitting a brain many times smaller than theirs, anyway.) So if you are worried about offending pig-eaters with announcements of the barbaric methods of slaughter of their favourite sorpotel, how much more the poor shinanyo in their soup. And speaking of evolution, Adam and Eve shared more than 75% of their DNA with the tempting snake in the Garden of Eden (probably about 50% with the apple they shared, but that's another story) and shared a common ancestor approximately 330 million years ago who lived during the Carboniferous period of the Palaeozoic Era. Regards to all, Kevin Saldanha Mississauga, ON. Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 19:31:13 -0400 From: "Arnold Noronha" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Goanet] Mark Twain's Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County comes to Goa Its unfortunate that misinformed and misguided locals hunt these frogs for meal that not out of necessity, but because its considered as an exotic delicacy. Frogs are often blinded by torches, clubbed, thrown into sacks by the hundreds and sold to unethical restaurateurs that simply skin and cut of their legs while they are alive and leave them to die a slow and painful death..� Clinton.. Dear Clinton: Thanks for drawing our Goanet readership�s attention to the shameless slaughter of our jumping friends to slake the voracious appetites of idiosyncratic and greedy gastronomes. Apart from the unbridled savagery towards these wet seasons� sons of the soil, its just not cricket (no pun intended to the chirping katydid�s cousins) to sabotage Nature�s monsoon symphony of the croaking creatures. After all, these amplifying amphibians joyfully provide that indispensable rich �base� key to the green fields� vibrant music welcoming the annual rains. It is contended the frog hunters are nothing but toady lackeys of the unscrupulous restaurant industry. The most alarming prospect is that perchance the delicacy of frog legs gormandizing could catch on to the hearty Goan palate. This eating metastasis may threaten the traditional supremacy of our Goan flesh-derived culinary masterpieces at our fine epicurean tables. This could spawn a tumultuous culinary revolution prompting a major overhaul of our recipe books. Deprived of their principal staple, Man�s intrusion into the normal reptilian diet would also cause snakes the shuddering and slithering shakes. It could also give weight to what was long suspected by certain maverick biologists about Man�s serpentine tendencies. Reinforced by the evidence of Man�s habitual frog ingestion, imaginative Darwinians may even fine tune the Theory of Evolution. Thus inferring from characteristics such as his/her frog diet and slimy behaviour, it may be concluded Humankind descended from the Snake, rather than the Monkey. Thank Heavens for the brave frog flirting volunteers sponsored by WildGoa who probably nonviolently risk life and limb and the sophisticated caterers� goodwill to stop this putative sinful carnage of frogs. . Most heartening however, we are told their betes-noirs, the poachers, are being gradually influenced by gentle persuasion. to give up their cruel profit oriented blood sport. Finding an alternate avocation however could present a big problem. Considering the serious canine menace, dog catching could afford a thrilling sport and pastime. This may stop our beloved Goa from going to the dogs literally. Now it�s sincerely hoped these valiant well-meaning bleeding hearts don�t get overenthusiastic thereby extending their campaign to agitating against the slaughter of pigs too. Offending the taste buds and selective carnivorous appetites of our meat- hungry Goan citizens will incur their irreconcilable wrath. All patriotic Goans can be expected to say � Mai Tzcho Go !!! How dare any true Goan by unconscionably preventing pig slaughter, deprive the average manna and irmao of delectable porcine products such as sorpatel, vindaloo and Goa sausages�. Alas, such shenanigans. could easily create tremendous public outrage that these overtime paddy field pacifists will live to regret. Well, all you lovable frogophiles ( my preposterous coinage), tree huggers, pelt protectors and Nature lovers in general , Peace be with you. But if you want to join in a real meat eating feast without prejudice or predilection, bring your own sauce and booze. Cheers Arnold -- Be impeccable with your word - Don Miguel Ruiz http://www.nderf.org/4AgreementsReview.htm ------------------------------------------------------- Goanet recommends, and is proud to be associated with, 'Domnic's Goa' - A nostalgic romp through a bygone era. This book is the perfect gift for any Goan, or anyone wanting to understand Goa. Distributed locally by Broadway, near Caculo Island, Panjim & internationally by OtherIndiaBookStore.Com. For trade enquiries contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------------------------------------
