Letters for Monday, October 26, 2020
Pandemic stock tips
Here are the top five pandemic stocks:
1. Zoom (ZM);
2. Zoom (ZM);
3. Zoom (ZM);
4. Zoom (ZM);
5. Zoom (ZM) (*Please note: you might be too late).
These are sectors I never buy:
1. Vaccine companies. (*Please note: I don’t like vaccines, but you might. If you hit the right company you could make a fortune. My guess is SNY, but who knows);
2. Factory farm meat-processing companies;
3. Weapons-manufacturing companies;
4. Tobacco companies;
5. Alcohol companies;
Well, good luck out there. Time to make some serious money.
Molly Jones, Kealia
The ‘Octopus Teacher’ can teach us some lessons
Netflix’s explosive new documentary, “My Octopus Teacher,” chronicles a complex relationship between a man and the world’s most bizarre animal, an octopus. It further testifies to our highly-conflicted relationship with non-human animals and the natural world.
Most of us treasure our “pets,” dogs, cats, horses. Our allegiance to them transcends that to our own species. If our dog and a Congolese child were competing for scarce funds for lifesaving surgery, we know who would live.
Yet, we torment, kill, and consume other animals that are similar in appearance, intelligence and ability to suffer. Then, we bristle at East Asians who do the same to animals we consider pets.
We pride ourselves on being intelligent, rational beings. We have gone to the moon, unraveled and modified genetic codes, and found cures for deadly diseases. Yet we still have not figured out our relationship with non-human animals and the natural world.
Some of us have. Vegans profess compassion and respect for all sentient beings. Veganism requires no special courses or certifications. Every one of us can become one on our next trip to our supermarket.
Leo Gushiken, Lihu‘e
Gosh, thanks Molly.
mmmmm tasty octopus ….
I’m interested Leo. I think this is a fascinating subject. The call of the wild. Meat lovers. The opposite are those vegetarians. Then you have the spiritual leaders, in the area of nature itself. Making them one with nature. Feeling the very essence of nature. This is too interesting. I think it comes with it also as having a set of rituals to follow. Gaining a better understanding of things, others, and just the inner nature of man. I can see where you are getting at too. I think more insight into this area gives some knowledge of the world that can give someone a life time of peace and tranquility.
Another movie just came out called “My Old Fart Haole Teacher”. But I heard it’s very short and really boring.
I like what Leo is saying, yet it seems a bit simplistic. The false piety in determining exactly which life is more valid – a dog or a tree – is a slippery slope. Perhaps the attitude of equal respect for all life, be it plant, animal, or microbial, is more noble. The life force in your dog or cat is the same as that delicious head of lettuce you enjoy. Life sustains life.
I just ate a foot long hot dog.