I agree with Jack that certain of Manning's assertions/conclusions should be 
questioned, especially the issue of how much land is needed to feed a 
vegetarian, compared to someone who eats meat.  I was surprised that Manning didn't 
talk about that more directly, though he did discuss the amount of energy needed 
to produce a pound of meat, compared to a pound of grain.  

However, I also agree with Jack that Manning's article is interesting and 
thought-provoking, especially his analysis of the money-power-fuel-food 
connection, and his discussion of "catastrophic agriculture."   I'm glad his article 
was featured in a general-interest magazine like HARPER'S, where it has the 
opportunity to reach more readers who may not have thought about these issues 
before.  

Also, the message I took from the article regarding meat is that Manning 
feels that if one does want to eat meat, and do so more responsibly, it's 
important to find a "niche" in which the meat is produced in a way that does minimal 
damage to native ecosystems.   For Manning, who owns wild land, shooting an 
occasional wild elk on his property is a way to do that.  For others, as Manning 
pointed out, the niche might be eating lambs raised on sustainably-grazed 
pastures, for example. 

Cindy 



Cindy Hildebrand
[log in to unmask]
Ames, IA  50010

"Iowa is said to be a prairie state, but what is a prairie to the present 
generation?  Within 40 or 50 years, the broad stretches of tall shining grass 
trembling in the sunlight or tossed by the breezes into billowy waves, gorgeous 
as the season progresses with its pageant of brilliant hued flowers... is fast 
passing..."  (Ada Hayden)

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