opossum

i was told recently that i was mean because i compared a person to a possum.
thing is, i was saying i wouldn't kill a possum.
and the guy telling me i was cruel was saying he would happily.

i believe that humans are equal to possums,
which are equal to sheep,
which are equal to fish.
i believe every living thing should be equally respected.
i said the possoms life was just as important as the girl's sitting next to me.
he laughed and said that meant i wouldn't give a shit if she died.
he knew i was a vegetarian,
so i presume he realised there was method to my 'madness', and it made him uncomfortable.

i dont want anyone to think i'm a murderer or i'm contemplating genocide, because that's something i'd never do,
but i don't have an overwhelming urge to save the human race by killing off other species.
i don't think we should kill possums to save native trees.
i don't think native trees are more important than introduced ones.
or endangered animals have any greater right to life than a common animal.
i can see people's point of view when they say that sort of thing.
but every time i try and explain mine, no one listens.