My rant about the herbivores vs. carnivores amongst us23:19 Mar 22 2005
Times Read: 1,139
First off, I doubt there are any vegetarian vampires here, so I don't know why this topic is relevant. General conversation is allowed, but this uncalled for argument of vegetarians against meat-eaters ends after my rant.
Myself, I'm an animal lover and a meat eater. I think the cause that PETA engages in is a worthy one, but their methods are severely suspect. What PETA shows their members and the rest of the world in their propaganda is the worst of the worst. Those methods should without a doubt be stopped. But the fact is, most farms are not that dispicable. PETA plays on the emotions of a well-meaning vegan and vegetarian culture.
Humans ARE omnivores - we DO process meat proteins and fats as well as if not better than plant matter, which primarily become roughage/fiber or carbohydrates. The fact is that that we can survive without meat. Yes there are other sources of protein. But isn't it funny how most stores that sell these vegetarian (usually soy) protien products modify them to satisfy palates used to meat and dairy?
That brings me to another point. The primary difference between Vegan and Vegetarian. The definitions provided here prove you don't know the difference. Vegetarianism primarily dictates that you don't eat meat. Period. No fish, turkey, lamb, veal, beef, chicken, froglegs, seafood. None. It does however allow for the eating of eggs and dairy products. These folks are called "ovo-lacto" vegetarians if they eat both; ovo-vegetarian if they eat eggs, lacto-vegetarian if they eat dairy.
If a vegetarian has chosen to avoid consumption of all animal products then they are "vegan". So, I hope that the PETA members are vegans, otherwise they are hypocrites. To be a vegan this includes not eating eggs and dairy (found in many vegetarian baked goods), animal by-products like gelatin (no Jello guys... oh yeah, pill capsules are made from gelatin... even photo paper is made with gelatin.. boycott those too!) Obviously no lard and other shortenings (be careful what you fry your taters in).
Moreover, read those soy product labels very carefully, some may still contain casein or whey protein, which is dairy. Even Pareve products, which are meat or dairy free, can still contain gelatin (because technically it isn't flesh, which is the kosher requirement). Then there's leather, suede, fur, wool, mohair, silk, down, etc. Make sure you are not wearing any of those, nor should they be in your bedding, vehicle interiors, etc. Oh yeah, non-synthetic medicines too, like insulin and hormone supplements. Hope you don't need any of those.
Here's some other non-food items you should be prepared to boycott or find subsitutes for if you want to be a vegan.
Most envelopes have a synthetic glue on them, but some still use an animal or fish based glue.
Yes, some glues are still made from animal by-products. Others are made from casein, which is dairy protein.
Most soaps are not vegan because of the tallow (animal fats) used in their production.
Candies containing calcium stearate, comes from stearic acid, which usually is derived from tallow, or animal fat.
Stearate is also used in vinyls (like car seats) and plastics.
Violins, yes, violins! While many musical instruments have gotten away from animal gut and hair use in their production, violins have maintained traditional practices. Traditionally violins are stuck together with an animal based glue. The bows are usually made from horse hair.
My point is, be strong and support what you believe. If you choose to be vegetarian or even vegan, that's your choice. More power to you. If you choose this path because you feel it is wrong to kill an animal for sustanance, cool. But don't call me a murderer, or a slave to commerce because I like surf and turf every now and then.
Until the day comes, when we all meet at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe, and meet the meat, I'll eat what I like, and you do the same. Peace.
A large dairy animal approached Zaphod Beeblebrox's table, a large fat meaty quadruped of the bovine type with large watery eyes, small horns and what might almost have been an ingratiating smile on its lips.
'Good evening', it lowed and sat back heavily on its haunches, 'I am the main Dish of the Day. May I interest you in the parts of my body?'
It harrumphed and gurgled a bit, wriggled its hind quarters in to a more comfortable position and gazed peacefully at them.
Its gaze was met by looks of startled bewilderment from Arthur and Trillian, a resigned shrug from Ford Prefect and naked hunger from Zaphod Beeblebrox.
'Something off the shoulder perhaps?' suggested the animal, 'Braised in a white wine sauce?'
'Er, your shoulder?' said Arthur in a horrified whisper.
'But naturally my shoulder, sir,' mooed the animal contentedly, 'nobody else's is mine to offer.'
Zaphod leapt to his feet and started prodding and feeling the animal's shoulder appreciatively.
'Or the rump is very good,' murmured the animal. 'I've been exercising it and eating plenty of grain, so there's a lot of good meat there.'
It gave a mellow grunt, gurgled again and started to chew the cud. It swallowed the cud again.
'Or a casselore of me perhaps?' it added.
'You mean this animal actually wants us to eat it?' whispered Trillian to Ford.
'Me?' said Ford, with a glazed look in his eyes, 'I don't mean anything.'
'That's absolutely horrible,' exclaimed Arthur, 'the most revolting thing I've ever heard.'
'What's the problem Earthman?' said Zaphod, now transfering his attention to the animal's enormous rump.
'I just don't want to eat an animal that's standing there inviting me to,' said Arthur, 'It's heartless.'
'Better than eating an animal that doesn't want to be eaten,' said Zaphod.
'That's not the point,' Arthur protested. Then he thought about it for a moment. 'Alright,' he said, 'maybe it is the point. I don't care, I'm not going to think about it now. I'll just ... er ... I think I'll just have a green salad,' he muttered.
'May I urge you to consider my liver?' asked the animal, 'it must be very rich and tender by now, I've been force-feeding myself for months.'
'A green salad,' said Arthur emphatically.
'A green salad?' said the animal, rolling his eyes disapprovingly at Arthur.
'Are you going to tell me,' said Arthur, 'that I shouldn't have green salad?'
'Well,' said the animal, 'I know many vegetables that are very clear on that point. Which is why it was eventually decided to cut through the whoile tangled problem and breed an animal that actually wanted to be eaten and was capable of saying so clearly and distinctly. And here I am.'
It managed a very slight bow.
'Glass of water please,' said Arthur.
'Look,' said Zaphod, 'we want to eat, we don't want to make a meal of the issues. Four rare stakes please, and hurry. We haven't eaten in five hundred and seventy-six thousand million years.'
The animal staggered to its feet. It gave a mellow gurgle. 'A very wise choice, sir, if I may say so. Very good,' it said, 'I'll just nip off and shoot myself.'
He turned and gave a friendly wink to Arthur. 'Don't worry, sir,' he said, 'I'll be very humane.'
It waddled unhurriedly off to the kitchen.
Excerpt from the book "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" by Douglas Adams
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