This thread resembles a bady made chef's salad. A little of everything thrown together badly.
My little bit of everything thoughts:
Thought #1: It is not that rare for a female animal, especially one who has just birthed/hatched her own offspring, to nurture an infant of another species. But as a biologist I am not aware of any animals who have cross-species sex on their own initiative. The crosses of closely related species like horse/donkey, horse/zebra, lion/tiger are initiated by humans. A domestic cat may allow a domestic dog in the same household to hump him/her, but they do not have actual intercourse, and the lives of companion animals in human homes are hardly a state of nature. OTOH, homosexual, bisexual and transgender individuals exist in varying percentages in every known animal species, including our closest primate relatives, and exist in every known human society. And yes, if something exists in nature it is natural, by definition.
Thought #2: There is no biological reason why humans and chimps could not mate and produce viable, although probably infertile offspring. But as my college genetics professor memorably said, humans and chimps don't turn each other on.
Thought #3: Every indication of the physical, emotional and social well being of children has shown that children raised by same sex couples do as well as those raised by comparable (same economic, educational, etc. level) opposite sex couples. There are some differences. Children raised by same sex couples are less likely to embrace rigid sex roles, having grown up seeing their dads mop floors or their moms change the oil. They are, not surprisingly, less likely to be homophobic. And while they are no more likely to be gay than children of opposite sex couples, those who are gay are more comfortable with their sexual orientation. If you think homophobia and rigid sex roles are good, then that is bad news. If you think acceptance and dividing tasks by talent rather than gender are good, then that is good news.
Thought #4: Most gays were raised by straights. Ellen DeGeneris pointed out she had straight parents, straight aunts and uncles, straight friends, straight teachers, straight classmates, watched straights on TV, and is gay.
Thought #5: Saying vegetables are more or less nutritious than meat is meaningless since vegetables vary so much. But the Anglo-American diet based on meat as the centerpiece 3 meals a day every day is not healthy for people or the environment. The advice in Omnivore's Dilemma is sound. Eat what you like, eat a variety, mostly plants, in moderation.
Thought #6: Moderation goes out the window on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, my guests are dropping like flies; 3 previously committed guests have said they can't come after all and I don't know if there will be enough people to eat the food. If the Blazers were in town next week instead of this week I'd invite Mike & Mike.
Cashews, homemade salsa and chips, vegetable skewers
Salad of winter greens with apples, dried cherries and baked goat cheese
Herb brined turkey, sage and thyme dressing, pan gravy
Roasted herbed potatoes, candied sweet potato casserole, sauteed green beans with pecans and orange essence, orange cranberry sauce, skillet conbread
Apple cranberrry pie with homemade vanilla ice cream, sugar and spice pumpkin pie with brandied whipped cream
Wine and sparkling cider
Alka-seltzer