Why even bother with this...

[Higuys]

Well, just recently I've been wondering if becoming a vegetarian might not be a bad idea.

I'm a young Republican, so I'm not thinking about this simply because I'm part of the recent wave of young indie-crats and emo-crats that pretend to have an interest in politics and the earth, but do little about it except attend protests. If I'm offending anyone, sorry, but I guess you know who you are.

The thing that turns me off about vegetarians is that the whole lifestyle seems very self indulgent. When you make the decision to be a vegetarian it means that you have decided that the best lifestyle a person can lead is a meatless one. However, billions of people simply don't have that kind of luxory. Poor subsistance farmers have to slaughter and eat their livestock, their survival and their children's survival depends upon it.

Then there is the fact that humans are made to eat other animals. We have canines designed to dig into flesh. Our stomachs can digest meat protiens and have for thousands of years.

Also, by its very nature, existance is destructive. Every day we are alive we kill millions of micro-organisms, swat flies, cut down trees to build houses. The only way to avoid killing other things is to stand still and just die. I know it's possible to say that a cow and a microbe are completely different things, but does it really matter? Life is life, and philosophically speaking, our human existence is extremely destructive whether or not we choose to make it so. In fact, the atoms and molecules in my body are little bits and pieces of the earth that could have gone into creating other animals, but instead, they are a part of me, and as long as I am alive, nothing can be made out of my bits and pieces.

That being said, I still am reluctant to continue eating meat. I could not kill a cow. I don't know if this is because I have lived a sheltered and spoiled life, or if it is for some other reason.

My question then, is what everyone's reasoning behind becoming a vegetarian is. I'm not looking for "animals are cute and I feel a special connection" type answers. For me, that simply isnt's satisfying enough. I am very interested in philosophy and think that all good actions require good reasons, so, if anybody has some, I'd appreciate to hear them.

[vggiegirl]

Great first post! I look forward to reading this. I'm at work at the moment so no time to post... Welcome! :hi:

[Amy SF]

I think if you start searching the board, you will find plenty of threads on the subject of "why did we become vegetarian".

[Michael]

Well, just recently I've been wondering if becoming a vegetarian might not be a bad idea.

I'm a young Republican, so I'm not thinking about this simply because I'm part of the recent wave of young indie-crats and emo-crats that pretend to have an interest in politics and the earth, but do little about it except attend protests. If I'm offending anyone, sorry, but I guess you know who you are.

The thing that turns me off about vegetarians is that the whole lifestyle seems very self indulgent. When you make the decision to be a vegetarian it means that you have decided that the best lifestyle a person can lead is a meatless one. However, billions of people simply don't have that kind of luxory. Poor subsistance farmers have to slaughter and eat their livestock, their survival and their children's survival depends upon it.

Then there is the fact that humans are made to eat other animals. We have canines designed to dig into flesh. Our stomachs can digest meat protiens and have for thousands of years.

Also, by its very nature, existance is destructive. Every day we are alive we kill millions of micro-organisms, swat flies, cut down trees to build houses. The only way to avoid killing other things is to stand still and just die. I know it's possible to say that a cow and a microbe are completely different things, but does it really matter? Life is life, and philosophically speaking, our human existence is extremely destructive whether or not we choose to make it so. In fact, the atoms and molecules in my body are little bits and pieces of the earth that could have gone into creating other animals, but instead, they are a part of me, and as long as I am alive, nothing can be made out of my bits and pieces.

That being said, I still am reluctant to continue eating meat. I could not kill a cow. I don't know if this is because I have lived a sheltered and spoiled life, or if it is for some other reason.

My question then, is what everyone's reasoning behind becoming a vegetarian is. I'm not looking for "animals are cute and I feel a special connection" type answers. For me, that simply isnt's satisfying enough. I am very interested in philosophy and think that all good actions require good reasons, so, if anybody has some, I'd appreciate to hear them.

Then don't.

[dk_art]

Welcome ....just want to point out something

------------
"We have canines designed to dig into flesh"
-------------


many primates (humans included) have canines and they are for show.

In predators , canine teeth are not used for eating or chewing . They are used in the hunt to hold on to the fleeing animal or so their grasp around their neck to suffocate is secure.

Humans and pre-humans never hunted with their mouth . Therefore the whole concept that humans' 'canines' are for hunting is not true.

Even so , humans' canines are pathetic at best ;-) (in fact mine are practically ground down from years of nervous teeth grinding hehe)

My theory about primates canines is that they were needed to hold onto fruit whislt swinging from trees LOL (ok that was a joke but who knows , maybe its true hehe)

[gaya]

I became a vegetarian after I visited a factory farm in 1991 and then did a bit of research about the food industry in the United States. It grossed me out and I’ve been trying to distance myself from it ever since. I am able to work so I have an income, I'm not disabled and have the opportunity to choose not to eat meat. It was a very easy decision to make.

[vggiegirl]

Then don't.


:notvegan:



:p

[4EverGrounded]

Welcome ....just want to point out something

------------
"We have canines designed to dig into flesh"
-------------


many primates (humans included) have canines and they are for show.

In predators , canine teeth are not used for eating or chewing . They are used in the hunt to hold on to the fleeing animal or so their grasp around their neck to suffocate is secure.

Humans and pre-humans never hunted with their mouth . Therefore the whole concept that humans' 'canines' are for hunting is not true.

Even so , humans' canines are pathetic at best ;-) (in fact mine are practically ground down from years of nervous teeth grinding hehe)

My theory about primates canines is that they were needed to hold onto fruit whislt swinging from trees LOL (ok that was a joke but who knows , maybe its true hehe)
I'm still trying to figure out about the enzymes.

Most true carnivores can eat meat that has set out in the sun for longer than 2 hours without getting sick.

Most health organisations recommend that meat be held away from the 40*/140* zone (higher than 40* and lower than 140* F) to avoid food poisioning.

If humans really had the enzymes for digesting meat, then the temprature of that meat wouldn't matter at all.

However, it does matter (to a human). Maybe because we don't really have the right set of enzymes after all? Hmmmmm.......

[dk_art]

"My question then, is what everyone's reasoning behind becoming a vegetarian is"
----------

1 ... belief that the large scale farm methods that have taken over the majority of the animal food industries has reduced animals' existances to merely an inconvenience for big business to get around as cheaply as possible to save some rich person's money at the expense of crappy welfare for other living beings. One of my biggest examples is the egg production industry. The average hen has the living space of less than the size of a piece of writing paper and they are kept in rows and rows of cages and that life is an abomination to me.

2 ... The huge demand for meat all the time is straining the use or land and fresh water usage (both for animal feed growth and for actual drinking water for the animals). Even now the topsoil issue for over farming of crops has reached problematic. The meat industy is the cause of this over farmiong as much more plant production is needed as feed for these animals. Huge areas of rainforest arre cleared for growing animal feed crops as wll as animals.

3... these large scale farms create huge amounts of concentrated waste.

4... overuse of antibiotics is creating super-bugs immune to most of the treatments. Humans with their tightly compacted mass-farming methods are just asking for a huge outbreak of some new deadly bacteria to hit the human population some year.


I'm tired so I'll end it there

[girl2beaver]

I became a vegan because I feel that, while I cannot live a harm-free life, I can try to minimize my impact on the planet. Factory farms are destructive to unfathomable degrees, for the environment and for all of the animals who are raised and slaughtered in confinement. In addition, from a 'food chain' standpoint, it is much more efficient for humans not to raise animals for food. When a cow eats feed, nearly all of the energy in the feed is lost. Therefore, it could take 10,000 Calories from feed to make 100 Calories of beef (I don't have statistics on hand, but you get the general idea). The lower our trophic level is, the easier it is to produce large amounts of food. I also chose veganism simply because I could not raise a pig to be slaughtered, nor could I keep a hen in a box and eat her eggs.

[dk_art]

"However, it does matter (to a human). Maybe because we don't really have the right set of enzymes after all?"
--------------

yeah , perhaps humans just adapted to hunt using brainpower without needing the full predatory biological advantages to handle meat eating in cases that more natural physical carnivores could (I mean without thinking or tools, humans would be the worst hunters in the world). Then by using cooking, humans could kill off bacteria.

I hope that makes sense .. I just carried groceries home in a one hour walk and am a bit tired.

[Hummusisyummus]

Poor subsistance farmers have to slaughter and eat their livestock, their survival and their children's survival depends upon it.
The poorest of the poor are usually near vegans for the simple fact that plant food is cheaper than animal food. The exception to this rule is where the land is too poor to grow plants which are appropriate for humans, and instead animals are raised on the land and the humans eat/milk the animals. This does not remotely describe animal husbandry in the US. We grow vast quantities of edible grains, at the expense of top soil and water, to feed aniamls where the majority of the plant's calories and other nutrients are wasted.

Then there is the fact that humans are made to eat other animals. We have canines designed to dig into flesh. Our stomachs can digest meat protiens and have for thousands of years.
Can you imagine trying to kill a living deer with your canines and nails? How about tucking into a raw animal carcass with your canines? If humans are carnivores we are very odd ones.

Also, by its very nature, existance is destructive. Veganism is part of the least destructive lifestyle. Yes, living requires a certain amount of selfishness, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make. :D

[borealis]

The thing that turns me off about vegetarians is that the whole lifestyle seems very self indulgent. When you make the decision to be a vegetarian it means that you have decided that the best lifestyle a person can lead is a meatless one.

Hmmm... no, for me it means that I have decided that the best lifestyle I can lead is a meatless one.

While I would like it if everyone could make the same decision I have, I don't feel that I have the right to judge others' choices. You mention subsistance farmers; I might add indigenous peoples whose traditional way of life depends on hunting. I can't truly put myself in their shoes. I only know the circumstances of my own life. It is possible for me to make this choice, and so, I do not eat animals.



That being said, I still am reluctant to continue eating meat. I could not kill a cow. I don't know if this is because I have lived a sheltered and spoiled life, or if it is for some other reason.


Many of us come to vegetarianism and veganism via emotional reactions, and a sense of right and wrong that may not be easy to articulate. Perhaps vegetarianism cannot be "proven" to be a better way of life -- at least, not in a manner that can be accepted by every reasonable person. That doesn't mean the choice is less valid.

I look forward to hearing more from you. And welcome to VB. :)

[lilgirl252729]

My initial reasoning for going vegetarian, and later vegan, was because animal abuse is bull**** We are all aware of people who live in poor conditions must raise the food they consume. It's not about those people who raise animals on their own farm, and it's not about those who choose to eat meat.......it's about animal abuse, and the apathy of it. Although, statistics show, that if everyone would cut their meat consumption in half, changes would definitely be visible, and billions of animals would be free of suffering.

The point is, kicking, punching, strangling, bashing, and throwing objects at an animal before it's slaughtered should not be acceptable. In many cases, investigations may last several months, or even a couple years, to ensure evidence in courts will be viable. As you know, Peta is the leading animal rights organization, designed to achieve such goals. They attend meetings with companies and even own shares of a well-known steakhouse restaurant, just so they can have a say in how the animals are treated, and to be certain that animals are being treated in humane and ethical manners.


Furthermore, the point of living a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle is not to subject one's self to be 100% cruelty free. It's impossible, and unrealistic. There are such things in life, which as humans, we cannot change. Animal fats and other ingredients are commonly used in things including tires, roads, and sometimes water is filtered through bone charcoal filters.... so in essence, animals will forever be exploited in some way. We are a network which works to eliminate as much animal abuse as possible.
True meaning of veganism
http://www.veganoutreach.org/starterpack/beingvegan.html#purity

edited by ~Brandon 7/25/2005. Reason: swearing

[Exitof99]

I think on some of the levels that I do and have felt the same things as you do for a long time, but here is my response to your statements:


Well, just recently I've been wondering if becoming a vegetarian might not be a bad idea.

I'm a young Republican, so I'm not thinking about this simply because I'm part of the recent wave of young indie-crats and emo-crats that pretend to have an interest in politics and the earth, but do little about it except attend protests. If I'm offending anyone, sorry, but I guess you know who you are.

I don't necessarily believe that you can generalize a wave of people being pro-veggie and 'do little about it', or even assume they are of a certain political mindset. If you spend some time here, you will see of the hundreds of vegetarians that post frequently, almost everything that we say we believe in is continually being questioned and sometimes argued about. As a sampling, we are certainly not all from the same mold.

I don't see where you told us your reason for interest in vegetarian, instead you told us that you are a young Republican. That really doesn't mean anything to being a vegetarian. We do have Republicans here.


The thing that turns me off about vegetarians is that the whole lifestyle seems very self indulgent. When you make the decision to be a vegetarian it means that you have decided that the best lifestyle a person can lead is a meatless one. However, billions of people simply don't have that kind of luxory. Poor subsistance farmers have to slaughter and eat their livestock, their survival and their children's survival depends upon it.

One of my Chinese friends can attest to being literally dirt poor. Growing up in China, his family would sift sand out of riverbeds all day to make sandbags for the POSSIBILITY to sell them for pennies. The money the brought is was not going to feed them, therefore, they would have to grow their own food and raise whatever animals they could for food. In this type of situation, meat is a luxury. I do challenge the notion that billions of people can't be vegetarian because it's a luxury. Don't forget that India that 25% of India is vegetarian.

Raising meat often involves paying for feed for the animals that you could be using for your own consumption. Some have made an arguement that hunters in the US spend a couple thousand each to hunt each year. I don't believe what that debate asserts myself, I have an Uncle that is not rich that hunts in the woods he is surrounded by which requires no gas. I know he doesn't spend thousands, and neither do his buddies.


Then there is the fact that humans are made to eat other animals. We have canines designed to dig into flesh. Our stomachs can digest meat protiens and have for thousands of years.

Also, by its very nature, existance is destructive. Every day we are alive we kill millions of micro-organisms, swat flies, cut down trees to build houses. The only way to avoid killing other things is to stand still and just die. I know it's possible to say that a cow and a microbe are completely different things, but does it really matter? Life is life, and philosophically speaking, our human existence is extremely destructive whether or not we choose to make it so. In fact, the atoms and molecules in my body are little bits and pieces of the earth that could have gone into creating other animals, but instead, they are a part of me, and as long as I am alive, nothing can be made out of my bits and pieces.

This is where I agree with you. In essense, we can say that murder and rape are also natural because it has existed since the beginning. The difference between ability and taking such actions is that we have evolved with a set of morals that most can agree upon. Regardless of religious or political beliefs, some people have decided for their own reasons that eating meat is wrong. The reasons haven't always been the same, but even the bible speaks of vegetarians.

You do not have to be vegetarian. It's a choice of your morality.


That being said, I still am reluctant to continue eating meat. I could not kill a cow. I don't know if this is because I have lived a sheltered and spoiled life, or if it is for some other reason.

My question then, is what everyone's reasoning behind becoming a vegetarian is. I'm not looking for "animals are cute and I feel a special connection" type answers. For me, that simply isn't satisfying enough. I am very interested in philosophy and think that all good actions require good reasons, so, if anybody has some, I'd appreciate to hear them.

I personally don't like the mentality of those who can so easily eat what they couldn't kill themselves.

I became a vegetarian after years growing up feeling uncomfortable eating meat. Even so, I used to gloat about eating meat to a vegetarian friend of mine. As it turned out, he started eating meat again and I went vegetarian. I personally respect life more than anything, as a result I do all I can to allow anything living to continue. I do need to survive and so I destroy and consume vegetables, grains, and dairy.

[crystalteacup]

Everyone in my country, America, can basically eat anything they want. I deserve a choice in what I eat, too. I choose not to eat meat, other's choose not to eat veal, not to eat cabbage cause it gives them gas, not to eat chocolate cause they're on a diet, not to eat tomatoes cause they taste acidic. I don't see why I can't can't choose not to eat meat. I'm healthy, I'm happy, I'm surrounded by those who love me if I'm vegetarian or not. I think meat is gross. Does anyone question my sister about her dislike of tomatoes? No. It's just peoples different tastes. You can go on about ecological and ethical reasons if you like, which I agree with, but for me, being a vegetarian is like being an American. I get to choose, plain and simple. I have freedom to decide what goes in my mouth.

[Kiz]

The thing that turns me off about vegetarians is that the whole lifestyle seems very self indulgent.


I really can't see why it's any more self-indulgent than any other form of life style. We are self-indulgent when we buy our selves a new dvd recorder instead of donating that money to charity. We are self indulgent when we buy the softer toilet paper instead of the cheap, hard one and donating fiscal difference to the local soup kitchen. We are self indulgent when we sit on our asses typing on a message board when we could be out there helping the community 24/7. The best of us, the most charitable of us, has self-indulgent traits. I can't see vegetarianism being a problem there. Heck, some people might even do it for altruistic reasons.



Then there is the fact that humans are made to eat other animals. We have canines designed to dig into flesh. Our stomachs can digest meat protiens and have for thousands of years.


Humans are omnivores and can eat meat or not as they choose. Vegetarianism can be healthy. Eating meat can be healthy (shock, horror!), both can be unhealthy for us. That's the beauty of an omnivore, choice.



Also, by its very nature, existance is destructive. Every day we are alive we kill millions of micro-organisms, swat flies, cut down trees to build houses. The only way to avoid killing other things is to stand still and just die. I know it's possible to say that a cow and a microbe are completely different things, but does it really matter? Life is life, and philosophically speaking, our human existence is extremely destructive whether or not we choose to make it so.


I'm not sure why this would be an arguement against vegetarianism. We are just choosing which bits to destroy. What's wrong with that?



That being said, I still am reluctant to continue eating meat.

Then don't.



My question then, is what everyone's reasoning behind becoming a vegetarian is.

I am vegetarian for spiritual reasons.

[Sevenseas]

Then there is the fact that humans are made to eat other animals. We have canines designed to dig into flesh. Our stomachs can digest meat protiens and have for thousands of years.Since we can thrive on a veg*n diet and have the ability to choose what we do with our teeth, who cares? Should people ponder what the "purpose" of their reproductive organs is and have children because of such considerations?


My question then, is what everyone's reasoning behind becoming a vegetarian is.One way to put it is that the defences of meat-eating (in Western societies at least) are pretty poor.

[Ludi]

(I mean without thinking or tools, humans would be the worst hunters in the world).

Of course, without thinking or tools, we wouldn't be humans! :)

[Irizary]

However, billions of people simply don't have that kind of luxory. Poor subsistance farmers have to slaughter and eat their livestock, their survival and their children's survival depends upon it.

Are you a subsistence farmer? And if not, why would you base such a decision on the idea of *what you think* is available to them? Do you do this in other areas of your life? Do you also not ride in a car *because* some people in the world don't have access to them? Do you live in housing with a concrete foundation or in a tent? And why are you using a computer?

Should we make the most compassionate choices for others that we are able to? (And in the case of veganism, it's certainly better for the animals; and even for those subsistence farmers, because you use less of the world's resources).

I agree with the other poster, as well, that meat may be considered a luxury for many poor around the world, not a staple part of their diets.

Here's why I'm vegan, please have a look:

"It is all very well to say that individuals must wrestle with their consciences—but only if their consciences are awake and informed...." http://www.veganoutreach.org/whyvegan/

The author Matthew Scully is a conservative who wrote the book "Dominion" which you might be interested in, and this article from The American Conservative: http://66.102.7.104/custom?q=cache:EazDwjk5vK0J:www.cok.net/files/scully050523.pdf+scully&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

[rabid_child]

I'm a vegetarian, basically, because the thought of chewing and swallowing chunks of animal flesh repulses me. I also don't like being responsible for death. Obviously not everyone feels that way, and I don't expect them to, but it would be nice :)

I think if everyone was a farmer and raised their own meat, the animals would probably be treated better and the people involved would really understand what they were doing and not completely take their food for granted as people do now.

[_Kate_]

In my case, it was partially personal preference and partially for moral reasons. I don't like most meat (but, well, there are still times when I could go for a piece of bacon). What keeps me from the convenience of eating meat and the enjoyment of what few types I do enjoy is an unwillingness to eat something that has suffered as many animals used for meat have. On top of this, a properly managed vegetarian/vegan diet has many health benefits.

I'm not against people who truly don't have any other options for a healthy diet eating meat, and I don't want to intrude on anybody's right to do as they choose. The nature of life is destructive, to a point, as all cells must consume other cells to remain alive, but we should try to restrict what harm we do.

[Alicia]

All vegetarians are not extremists, nor do all vegtarians judge others.

It's a healthy diet. The USDA has recently changed the food pyramid to accurately represent the need for the majority of our diets to be fruits and vegetables. When you consider the fact that most areas of the world with vegetarian diets don't have high rates of cancer, that alone is a good reason to become vegetarian.

I'm the farthest thing from an environmentalist. Republicans can be vegetarians too. I'm actually a little surprised that someone would base their decision to become a vegetarian on how they think others would perceive them. If you want to be a vegetarian, do it! If not, don't. There's no requirement to jump on some cause bandwagon.

There's nothing wrong with becoming a vegetarian for the simply fact that it's healthy -- or that you just don't like eating meat. It doesn't have to be deeply philosophical.

[kirkjobsluder]

For me, I had an experience that made me realize that it was foolish to have one set of standards for my relationship with human beings, and another set of standards for my relationships with non-human animals.

[Kimberly]

Hiya! And welcome!


The thing that turns me off about vegetarians is that the whole lifestyle seems very self indulgent.

I suppose it can be seen that way, but in fact many of us see it the other way. Indeed, many people who give up meat and/or dairy and eggs are resisting indulgent desires in order to make better decisions for themselves and the world. "Billions of people simply don't have that kind of luxury"? How about the billions that do? How about you? Living in western society, it is not a luxury to educate yourself on how to eat properly and to do it; in some cases I consider it a responsibility. And while it is also sometimes more expensive to buy organic produce than conventional, I save money on my veganism--no more pacakaged products, lots of whole grains and vegetables, nuts and seeds, fruit... If living cruelty-free could be seen as indulgent, then it is the best indulgent thing I have ever done.


Then there is the fact that humans are made to eat other animals. We have canines designed to dig into flesh. Our stomachs can digest meat protiens and have for thousands of years.

This comes up multiple times here at VB. I am sure if you do a search you will find the threads. :) For every fact that proves we are supposed to be meat-eaters, there are facts to prove the opposite. I, myself, am inclined to believe that, yeah, we are omnivores by construction over thousands of generations, but that does not mean that we HAVE to be. In fact, people live very healthy, very long lives without touching the stuff. Just because you CAN eat your neighbour's cat, doesn't mean you should. If you stumbled across a dodo bird in the rainforest, would you eat it because you could? Do you eat four pints of ice cream a day because you can?


Also, by its very nature, existance is destructive.

But at the same time as destruction, there is creation. There is a plehtora of organisms that subsist together in ecological harmony. Then there is humankind, which is raging out of control and not only hogging the resources of the world to itself, but is destroying the habitats of these other creatures, inflicting mass suffering and pain on millions of others, and killing billions (billions!) more every year.

I don't know about you, but when I see clear-cut "destoyed" land, I feel my heart break; when I see a slaughtered "destroyed" pig, I feel a hole in my chest; if I squish and "destroy" a snail when walking, I honestly hurt for it and apologise. But for every ying there is a yang (er, you know what I mean :p). I feel exuberant when I am hiking through woods that haven't been touched by a saw in years. I feel overcome with joy when I see my friend's new baby boy only a few hours old. I feel accomplishment when I complete a poem or story I am working on. Just as there is hate, there is love; just as there is destruction, there is creation.

Sometimes, even, destruction is not an "evil" thing, but a part of life (tsunamis, disease, fire). I see a difference between earth-born destruction and human-born destruction, just as I do with creation. Humans really take things to the extreme, don't they? Again, I just have to point out, that just because destruction is possible, does not mean that it is a natural consequence of one's life and thus one must give oneself up to its forces. We will oppose the wrongful deaths and torture of humans; I will oppose the wrongful deaths and torture of non-human animals. People will get cancer; but some will fight that cancer and win. I will reduce, reuse and recycle because in my own way I want to contribute as little to the degradation of our environment as I can.


My question then, is what everyone's reasoning behind becoming a vegetarian is. I'm not looking for "animals are cute and I feel a special connection" type answers. For me, that simply isnt's satisfying enough. I am very interested in philosophy and think that all good actions require good reasons, so, if anybody has some, I'd appreciate to hear them.

I very highly recommend Chapter One of Animal Liberation by Peter Singer (who doesn't even consider himself an animal-lover in the sense you spoke of, i.e., thinking bunnies are cute, etc.). This chapter deals with the philosophy of why society should not treat animals the way it does, why it is wrong to inflict pain and suffering on other beings, and defines the term "speciesism." As he explains, we're not arguing to give a dog the right to vote; a dog can't vote. But a dog can feel pain, and that dog has as much right as you or I do to live a life free from suffering. Where do people get the idea that they can treat animals as they do? It really baffles me. That it is okay to stuff hundreds of thousands of cattle on feedlots with nary a glassblade in sight and cow **** for miles, to slaughter them one by one and rip them apart and grind them and serve them in a yellow wrapper? Is it because they are not as smart as you or I? Well, what about children? And mentally-stunted adults?

I am personally a vegan because every cell of my being told me it was wrong to eat meat and anything animal-derived. There were moments when I would have a bite of ham in my mouth and would suddenly gag. I realised I had ~flesh~ in my mouth. The flesh of a formerly living being. I would feel guilty about what I was doing, but I would ignore it the best I could (and in this society, it is not hard to do!). After I went vegetarian, I started to shudder when I ate eggs. I had to pull the embryo out of each egg I'd eat, and that feeling of revulsion of what I was doing would hum through my body. When I finally cut animal products completely out of my life, I felt liberated. The guilt disappeared. I vowed never to be ignorant again. Though sometimes learning about what happens hurts so much, I know that I should know these things--so I can do my best to not partake in the mass system of animal-abuse wordwide. I had to learn about what Purex does to rabbits, feel the anger, cry the tears, so that I could never, ever again give them a single cent of my money and contribute to the torture they inflict. And so on. And every day I feel better for it. I know that while my life is far from perfect, I am doing the best I can each and every day for myself, for the environment, for non-human animals, for the future. I will not sacrifice one for another, but will move forward as one whole.