Does anyone else think this is just pure racist BS of the anti-China propaganda type that was so rife about six months ago?

I mean c'mon - think about it for longer than 12 seconds and you have the implication of a factory with a distribution network so good that it can make a product that will last for 1-2 hours and can get that to the retail point and be sold before the fish dies.

It's not what you'd call a realistic proposition now is it?

(Muppet - as you hopefully realise, I'm attacking the article here, not you for posting it).

It is a pretty reasonable assumption to make. Goldfish require more water and air than other pet fish, and they will be lucky if half of the fish are alive by the time they reach the consumer.

This isn't racist, this is China. A country that has repeatedly shown little if any value for human and animal life throughout recent history. It is frustrating, but that is just how it is.

Exactly - what kind of business proposition is that? Half your produce turns up unsaleable? The whole thing is just a nonsense.

That, in itself, is an incredibly racist statement. Ever been to China? Know this stuff first hand?

This is just like all those other stories of crazy, unusual or cruel things done by Asians. It creates an "Us and them" scenario.

It's the same as the story you may know about Gerber baby food in Africa with the picture of the baby on the label. It's a fiction created to instil divisionist feelings.

I'm not saying there aren't things go on in China that you and I would deem as cruel, but this just isn't one of them.

Ignoring the illogical premise of the story, that it doesn't exist in any form other than this article from the Daily Mirror*, a paper not known for journalistic accuracy, should ring alarm bells.

If you want a reason to condemn an entire nation, then that's your choice, but this isn't it.

And that, ultimately, is the most frustrating thing. This does nothing to address the injustices and inhumanities that are carried out - it trivialises them, turns them into a source of entertainment.

*Admittedly this is something that you're less likely to know outside the UK, but trust me on that - it's a rag.

I hope you're right.

With you 100% on the "attacking the nation" thing, it's a big country with a lot of different people. What I'm sure gammerus was implying is the country as an entity. The government/leadership of the country. And in that sense it's true. History doesn't lie.

As far as the fish go, I'm not sure it's not feasible. How long can a goldfish survive in that much water? My guess is about a day, if I think logically. The bags can be sealed on location when consumers buy them, making it even more feasible. It definately would not surprise me if it were true. Unfortunately there are people perfectly capable of such atrocities.

Only half the bag is filled with water.... the rest is goldfish tears.

Sadly, I've seen similar products offered in the US. Fish are treated as a disposable pet, with very few people taking the time and effort needed to provide for the needs of the animal. The number of myths surrounding aquariums (fish only grow to the size of their aquarium, fish don't live that long, for example--there are many, many more) are astounding, and perpetuated by people who have never kept them properly.

What about the American marine who killed a puppy?

How upset did we all get about that one?

Meanwhile, hardly anyone sheds a tear for the millions of dead PEOPLE caused by the USA !!

So you're saying don't care about animals because people die too?

False logic. Caring about animals is important for a number of reasons. Animals have less control over their environment that do people.

And no, I'm not saying that means I don't care about people who die. Completely different issues.

I'm just making the point that contempt for a goldfish is not as bad as contempt for other human beings, even if they are not citizens of USA.

Iraqis are people too.

And caring that people are making trinkets of fish doesn't say anything about Iraqis. Completely different topic.

And keep in mind...There have been more casualties from the actions of other Iraqis than from American troops. No, that doesn't make it ok, either way, and the entire war is completely controversial and not well supported by many Americans. So what? What does that have to do with this topic?

Nada.

And so are Palestinians.......

No Holier Than Thou BS please.,

Which has NOTHING to do with goldfish.

By that logic, I can't feel for animals because people are dying.
How does that work?

f**k OFF YOU USELESS TROLL !!!

You're a pretty sick puppy my friend.

Tempers like that are usually found only in racist individuals.

We should feel for animals, however when trying to single out China for alleged cruelty to goldfish (which may or may not be supported by a majority), a large portion of US residents support the ongoing war in Iraq for no good reason.

We should think of this chilling statistic:

At last count 1,217,892 Iraqis died because of the US invasion. Nearly all of these deaths were preventable.

So, why single out China?

The US army admits "we don't do body counts". They seem to not even care less how many they kill.

Go stick your penis in a light socket and jerk off.

Heh, typical of the intellectual content of your comments on all issues.

Heh, you used a multi-syllabic word, Beavis... Heh!

I had to point this out about the "eating dogs and cats" bit: So what? We eat cows, chickens, and pigs, which can be beloved pets in other parts of the world. Yes, the goldfish trinkets thing is pretty twisted, but it doesn't just happen in China. I've seen (and subsequently boycotted) restaurants that have fish dying in tiny, airproof containers. They just replace them when they die.