05/31/06 Live Lobsters

For the sake of sounding like some wacky PETA person, I have to admit that the live lobster display at my supermarket makes me uncomfortable. Despite the fact that I live hundreds of miles from the sea I fight the urge to liberate the little buggers, (even if it's to my bath tub). Oh I know, Crabs and lobsters supposedly lack the nervous system to feel pain, so why do I find it so distasteful to drop a live crab into boiling water while I don't blink when I blast a chucker. Thankfully I must not be alone Whole Foods Market recently announced that they will no longer sell live soft shelled crabs, because they are concerned that crabs are not handled humanely. Whole Foods is also reviewing their position on selling live lobsters. Beware! When Whole Foods grand poop-pa of sophisticated supermarkets acts even Wally Mart takes notice. If you ban live lobsters where then do you draw the line, What about the little oyster or clam? Are we handling the live lettuce humanely.