Obama's Public Support of Michael Vick

[Medusa]

Originally Posted by Waldo

Medusa, I feel strongly that you've either missed something in your own argument or I have and in further readings, maybe I'm just confused and are actually saying something I agree with.

You agree with what's being said that veg*nism is en vogue and seem to be dissing people who have chosen not only to talk the talk, but the walk the walk of eschewing all animal products and then follow it up with an example where you diss someone who claimed to be an animal advocate but missed the fact that she continued to use animal products regularly.

Again, humans can consent. Animals cannot, nor are they afforded the option to.

/soapbox

I think maybe I wasn't clear - Not at all dissing folks who are vegetarian or vegan. I actually have huge respect for anyone who can maintain an anti-harm process with food, entertainment, etc. That takes an incredible amount of dedication and self-control, and thus far, isn't something I have been able to fully accomplish in my own life. (much as I try!)

I was more speaking to the elevation of veganism as a "popular" trend and not an actual lifestyle choice within certain "hipster" circles. (something that is picked up as a means to enter social circles, gain respect as "anti-harm", etc. and not because they have personally evaluated their part in the commercialization of animal harm) I think it takes money to do that in a lot of cases and, in turn, can be fleeting at best. (and I'm totally owning my personalization with this, btw)

I have encountered several vegans and vegetarians who don't eat animal products but who do wear leather, smoke bidis, and have furniture or clothing in their homes that are not harm-free. I don't know their personal reasons for choosing to do one but not the other and get that it might not be practical to throw out a house full of leather furniture in favor of buying stuff made from synthetic materials.
I was just kinda publically scratching my head about the polarity of it all.