tired

[ziggystardust00]

i am utterly exhausted and saddened by the 'intellectual' exchange that has been occuring at my school lately.  It all started with this editorial from February 8th.  The author penned so highly inflammatory remarks about the validity of animal rights and vegetarianism.  Some very articulate and well-informed readers responded with these letters which were printed along with a new editorial in the same paper on Feb. 15th.  The last edition featured another response letter in defense of 'animal rights and vegetarianism' (which somehow became considered the same thing in the editorials), and now there is a LiveJournal battle on the mcla forum...  I feel morally obligated to participate, but I feel like the logic and reasoning of "my side" is not being properly addressed by the others.  It's just breaking my heart slowly.  I want intelligent and energized discourse.  I have no personal problem with the original author, but there seems to be a sense of elitism and superiority from 'them' that is sincerely hurting my feelings.  I feel belittled by the kinds of arguments being addressed, and it seems that this "other side" isn't addressing what we are all really saying.  Unfortunately, I'm an overly emotional being, so I'm drained by the exchage in general.  I don't think this is going to have any resolution, which is sad though common enough.  I'm finding it difficult because it has become so polarized, good vs. bad, extremists vs. normal, and most importantly: right vs. wrong.  I don't see "them" finding a middle road position, despite the fact that "my side" is able to concede to hunting and other sustainable forms of animal consumption.  "They" don't seem to have a strong background in ethics and philosophical logic, which is fine, many of us don't, but it's making this whole thing far more frustrating.  There is a serious disconnect, not to mention the use of ill-sourced information and ill logic...

I dunno.  I guess there's more in my mind right now, but not for public broadcast.