I've got an incredibly simple rule about what I eat. If I couldn't look into its eyes and slash its throat (or, with fish, take a hammer to its head), I don't eat it. It makes it very simple.
I've told this to cattle ranchers in San Antonio and they totally said they respected it, and I've never had anyone question my sanity or call me a Pinko Commie Slut (which, was def. my worry when I went on that business trip to TX!).
It has nothing to do with it just being a job I don't want to do, like cleaning sewers or being a garbage man. It's got everything to do with my comfort factor in taking a life in order to eat. I have fished and eaten the fish and that's pretty much where my comfort level is. I don't ask anyone else to be the same way; it's very personal and I talk about it so infrequently and make such a little deal out of it that often my friends don't even know I am a pescaterian.
Further, family farmers who have chores around the animals and know exactly where the meat comes from? Have all of my respect. It's possible that if all animals were humanely treated before they became dinner, I would have different views about eating meat. The same with hunting. I have absolutely no problem with people hunting for their food and having venison (or whatever) all Winter long. Just don't call it a sport, and be trained in a one-bullet kill, and I'm fine with it. These views put me squarely at odds with many vegetarians and vegans.
I also think leather is recycling. I joke that if we could recycle human parts to use, I'd wear shoes made of that, too. I am not picky with what happens with carcasses. I am only picky about what happens with the living.