Conferring Rights

I was just wondering, upon what criteria should we base the decision to confer rights on other species? Keep in mind that it's only been in recent history that we've done so for all among our OWN species. I mean, if we ever contact extraterrestrial life forms, how will we decide where they rank in this regard. Will it depend on whether we can establish communication with them? We have enough trouble trying to confer respect or rights to other species on our own planet; what gives us the right to make such decisions... other than the fact that we can? Just raising what I think is an important question...

The real question is: How do they taste (or vice versa).

I shot a nice 10 pt. buck at about 8:00 this morning with my muzzleloader (no rifle use this far south in MI). First time I've taken a deer on opening day. I'm happy about it of course, but it really shortens my hunting season; normally I expect to spend at least a few days in the woods this time of year. But one deer is all I need, so I'll be sleeping in tomorrow.

You guys really missed the point of the original post. Yes, the subject requires a little serious thought, and at the risk of hurting yourselves, you might have wanted to give it some consideration. This wasn't intended to start a discussion on dietary habits, but rather was an opportunity to stretch your minds a bit.

But some people don't want to stretch their minds, especially when they can act like half-witted-Ted Nugent-wannabees instead. Sadly, I'm beginning to think that PR&P (with some exceptions) all too often functions as sort of a garbage disposal among the forums. At the very least it's increasingly redundant. Too bad.

But judging from the responses in this thread, I reckon some of you will manage to keep yourselves entertained here (with a minimum of inspiration and with the bar close to the ground) for some time to come. Knock yourselves out. My own visits will be less frequent.