Would that we could send our missives to this putz. I do apologize for the typos in my past missive, hey juice and key boards NEVER mix. LOL

To the point, Mr. Weissman’s article I found to be offensive (in that he advocates stealing), dillusional (in that he wants a return to a simpler life that being: Hunter/Gatherer).

I stated at a previous site, if every human in my country “lived off the land” and did not farm or buy previously produced foods, we would starve to death and more importantly, destroy an entire ecosystem. For the record I live in Canada. When I say we are frozen for four or five months of the year, I mean the our southern border. This does NOT include the nothern areas where food is flown in … at a huge cost. Yes, there are serious issues there as well that this topic cannot cover for the time being.

He mentioned “Hunters” in his article and yet, what is he hunting? An animal? Oh surely not according to him but then what? I duuno ’bout anyone else but I never hunted a carrot, or a letttuce and well, you understand. So what is he “hunting”?

As a wee history buff I find his theories to be unrealistic, rather “pipe dreamish” and truthfully, the rantings of a lazy man trying to justify his existance.

The facts of the matter are, our population globally, is beyond comprehension. Yet, the MAJORITY of the Earth’s resources are consumed by a few countries (mine included). I know I am not sharing any great wisdom here. Yet I must ask, despite the effort of the lowly folks to be aware and respectful not just of the environment but of all that live within it, where does does this scavenger get off lecturing to us? (Side note: when I sat ALL; it does include the animals) So many of us recyle, shop organically (not that I can afford that), support the small, local business owner and repair, upgrade without purchase, so many of our things. Hell, I have NEVER owned a living room set I bought brand new … or bought for that matter. Most of my furniture is “previously owned” … LOL many times.

It’s not my food, my items, he and his ilk are living off of, so how can they possibly critize the many like myself who are actually TRYING? I find his article to be the attempted pseudo-justification of a lazy man who is incapable of supporting himself, incapable of nurturing an idea and bringing it to fruition and therefore, must lash out like some mildly gifted child because life has not granted them their perceived reward.

If this is blogging, I do apologize as I am still learning my way through the eticate of the ‘net… but I stand by my rant.

Kim-Maureen

Kim-Maureen

Well said. There is nothing wrong with working hard to put food on the table–especially when you are working with the earth, not against it.

Good for you for growing organically, even in a rough climate! Keep up the good work! (I cannot wait until we start terracing the back so we can put in the big garden we want!) (Next year–next year. It will happen next year.)

Please, I do not live on a farm nor have I HOWEVER; despite living in a northern climate - I try damn hard to grow my edibles every summer. Who is this dumpster diver? Has he ever worked a damn hard day in his life and then come home to work a few more hours in agarden in the hope of growing enough beans to take you through the winter?! All this while raising and feeding your kids.

A return to the “hunter and gather” stage of our development? Let’s examine this. “Hunter” denotes killing something and I simply don’t recall hunting a carrot. Sooo, what is he hunting? “Gathering” He speaks of oppression of disadantaged peoples (and yes this happens) and yet, it was our ancestors who developed the fine art of “enforcing” others to gather and farm for them.

Dude hear me … hubbie and I worked damned hard (clearly you do not), we recycle darn near everything butthe dog’s poops, we grow an organic garden BUT we live in a country where it is frozen for close to five months of the year.

Mr. Weissman may I suggest that you get off your duffs, works them to the bone like some many of us do, shop and GROW wisely. You wanna make a change? Get outta my garbage, inspire others to grow organically and recognize, you merely living off the fruits of others. In my dictionary that makes you a scavenger … not a hero.

I would have a lot more respect for freegans if they worked with these organizations than if they just foraged for themselves.

And yeah. The philosophy is pretty convoluted.

In our county, a group bought into the “food rescue” mindset - get the edible-but-not-sellable food that a restaurant or grocery store is going to throw away, and instead direct it to food banks and other non-profits. Food Gatherers is the name of our local chapter, and they rescue enough food (up to 3.4 tons per day) to provide 4500 meals per day (see http://www.foodgatherers.org/about.htm for more stats). They even gather surplus food from the (local, sustainable) farmer’s market at the end of market days… Just think if those “freegans” instead spent their energy on getting more food rescue organizations set up around the country!!