OxfordPress.com

By lj

June 25, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

i’m sorry, oprah on a 21 vegan kick? figures. what next? that’s a joke and a half.. that woman needs to grow up.

By Persephone

June 18, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

I find the mystery to lie with people who admit, as Robinson does that, “Meat is sad and gross,” but choose to eat it anyway because “it tastes soooo good.”

In addition, I found her disclaimer of having vegetarian friends after her constant belittling of vegans to be ironically reminiscent of someone who tells racist jokes, but insists she has black friends and is cool with black people.

End of my letter to the editor, and my posts. :)

By Persephone

June 18, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Yes, it would be difficult to live on, “potatoes, soy and Morningstar Farms ‘sausage’ patties alone.” That’s why vegans eat fresh fruit, whole grain breads and pastas, nuts, seeds, beans, green leafy and colorful root vegetables, and more.

She states that, “even vegans find vegans oddly mysterious.” Choosing to live one’s life in such a way that minimizes the suffering of all beings is mysterious?

By Persephone

June 18, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Amelia Robinson’s article, “Animal magnetism draws her away from veganism” was ignorant, arrogant and a perfect example of why I rarely read the DDN.

Ms. Robinson questions how vegans stay alive. Easily. Vegans are 88% less likely than meat eaters to get colon cancer, 66% less likely to get ovarian cancer, not to mention the decreased risk of many other diseases like diabetes, heart disease and obesity…

By catzmiao

June 12, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

Alexander, you might want to check out Penn & Teller on PETA and AR groups in general. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9ijLulwUTY
Don’t be confused. There is tremendous money that goes into the Animal Rights propaganda. I agree that we will always need to make sure the food industry is safe and humane, but we need to be vigilante of our rights and choices as well and respect each other’s choices.

By Andrea

June 12, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

I think that Alexander’s comment is so ironic. He will defend animal rights to the fullest but, he will SPIT in the face of anyone who eats meat. I don’t know about you but that seems just a bit funny to me. Go hug a tree or something Alex, you should be kind to all creatures not just the one’s who have four legs. Shame shame shame…

By Alexander

June 10, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

There will come a day when eating meat, experimenting on animals and using animals for entertainment will be as taboo as racism, sexism, and pedophilia. Until then I will spit in the face of every person who knows how horrible animals are treated but continues to eat them just because it “tastes so good”

By Matty in Melrose

June 9, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

I think that Amelia is a crazy cat! She makes people think outside of their personal comfort zone. I hope someone is sending her tofu patties as we speak.

I give Vegans and Vegetarians a lot of credit. They are the true minorities in America. I though it was rough being a gay man but after thinking about what Vegan-Tarians must endure to go out to eat! How do they eat at cocktail parties? What happens to these poor folks at fourth of July party? Even Sunday brunch?! Every aspect of socializing in America gathers around food. I applaud anyone who tries to eat healthier, heck, I applaud anyone who can cook four nights a week and avoiding take out. But in all serious-ness its all about personal choice, in this great country of ours.

Don’t force me to eat tofu and I won’t force you to eat McDonalds McNuggets. No one is right and no one is wrong…

By Mike

June 5, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

Eating vegan need not be expensive. You can find all you require at standard grocery and bulk food stores. If you buy in-season fruits and vegetables, they are reasonably priced.

Buying whole grains in bulk—such as hard wheat berries, steel-cut oat groats, barley, brown rice, etc.—also is not costly.

Cello-packed or canned kidney beans, chick peas, soy beans and lentils are dirt-cheap. Soy milk, tofu, and nuts and seeds cost a bit more, but certainly no more than a meat purchase.

By Jayn Meinhardt

June 5, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

How trite: same old question that if God didn’t want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat. What in the world does the writer think that humans are made of anyway?

What I don’t understand is why people become vegetarian without making the step to veganism.

For whatever reason one chooses to go veg: health, environment, animal suffering, you are still subsidizing the same cruel industries that destroy our health and that of our planet each time you buy dairy or eggs.

By aurora

June 5, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

I have to add 2 things: “If God didn’t want us to eat animals, he wouldn’t have made them out meat”?? Do you smack your lips when you’re standing next to your neighbor? And as far as vegans being weak…what exactly do you think cows eat? and gorillas? Or any of the other animals you eat? Where do they get their muscle? Unless you are literally starving yourself, no one in the US suffers from lack of protein, But we do suffer from meat-related diseases like heart disease, strokes, ect.

By aurora

June 5, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

Some of these comments are really ridiculous, but maybe they were meant to be funny. I am vegan. The only reason people find it difficult or expensive is because most people do not know how to cook. I agree that if you eat most of your meals out, it may be a bit difficult to find variety. But eating vegan is not expensive if you stick to whole grains and vegetables. There are many vegan cook books out there. I gaurantee you that my diet has more variety than the majority of people’s.

By Nicola

June 4, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

I have lived as a carnivore and as a vegetarian, currently I am a carnivore. I was healthier when my meat intake was less, however, living as a vegetarian and particularly as a vegan is very expensive. I look at the vegan lifestyle as one of privilege. I certainly cannot afford to eat that way.

By Jen

June 4, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

Being vegan is a lot easier than most people think. It just takes some time to adjust habits little by little but every bit helps - it helps the animals, the environment and our bodies.

Learn about the many health benefits of a vegan diet through PCRM.ORG and for amazing veg recipes, check out CHOOSEVEG.COM.

“All beings tremble before violence. All fear death, all love life. See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do?” —Buddha

By Allen

June 4, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

I find it odd that people get so upset and offensive when other people choose to leave dead animal carcasses off their plates in favor of kinder dining options. I also it find it odd that many of these people defend their decision to promote the needless suffering and deaths of animals raised by food by saying they like meat. When was the last time someone was excused for kicking a puppy by claiming he loves to kick puppies? Most of these posts are from the same old, tired animal haters as usual

By Allen

June 4, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

I find it odd that people get so upset and offensive when other people choose to leave dead animal carcasses off their plates in favor of kinder dining options. I also it find it odd that many of these people defend their decision to promote the needless suffering and deaths of animals raised by food by saying they like meat. When was the last time someone was excused for kicking a puppy by claiming he loves to kick puppies? Most of these posts are from the same old, tired animal haters as usual

By aharddaysnight

June 4, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

Basically vegan and vegitarians think the wolrd cares what they think Aisler. A bear doesn’t care if he’s being cruel when he mauls you to death now does he? And to say you care about cruelty is BS because you don’t even realise how many animals die from crop farming? A cow is forcibly impregnanted now matter what Aisler becaue bulls DON’T ASK FOR CONSENT! It amazes me how little the AR agenda and vegan/veggies know about animals anyway. peta-sucks.com

By SUGAR

June 4, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

The Vegan lifestyle is disgusting.

By Nicola Baltimore

June 4, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

Vegans: the other white meat.

By cantbeatagoodfilet

June 4, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

If we’re supposed to be vegetarians, then why are cows made of meat?

By Jeremy

June 4, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

I’d like to just make a few points and clear some things up on this subject: 1) it isn’t impossible to get enough protein on a vegan diet. If you eat enough calories in a day, you’ll get enough protein. The problem is doing so without eating meat (I often eat 4 meals in a day). 2) Vegans eat the same thing as everyone else, just without the animal products. I eat pasta, pizza, chinese, and lebanese food all the time, right beside my omnivore friends. 3) PKU, wiki it. And I’m out of room…

By Waitress

June 4, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

I have been a waitress who has had to deal with many a different food “lifestyles”. May I just ask that if you are a vegetarian, vegan, health nut (no oils, no butter, no fat, etc) or have MANY food allergies; it would REALLY help everyone out if you would PLEASE call ahead and let someone at the restaurant know before you arrive! I don’t know how many times a chef has screamed at me because I needed something prepared differently. The chefs don’t mind nearly as much if they know in advance.

By observer

June 4, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

The vegans I know look sick, tired and weak. They don’t seem to have any substance - muscle but perhaps I am wrong. Maybe that is the way we all should look. Fat is bad but it seems they would have trouble with strength from lack of muscle.

By fnadoc

June 4, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

A vegan or vegetarian lifestyle (not diet) is not something one starts overnight. It is a gradual process of bettering one’s health which eventually leads to less meat. The food is delicious but eating enough protein is demanding. I hope the article is tongue-in-cheek as tolerance and acceptance wherever you are coming from is a good thing. The overwhelming health benefits of omega 3s makes the avoidance of fish very problematic.

By Stacy Law

June 4, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

What a GREAT article.

Vegans are so religious, trying to shove their anti-meat religion down our throats. And who is the goddess “Oprah”? Why do I have to take notice of HER everytime she speaks forth? Who made her my moral conscience?

It’s people like vegans that circumvent the first amendment by creating a religion where god is an animal and force us to revere it. If I evolved as they insist I did, them let me eat the lower forms like we have been for a million years.

By Tam

June 4, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

There is nothing in meat that a human requires in his or her diet that cannot be found in other non-animal sources of food. It takes a bit of time, but the consumption of meat is not necessary for human development or sustinance.

By Cait

June 4, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Joanie: Growing animals AND plants for food contributes to global warming, dependence on foreign oil and the contamination of our air, land and water from the diesel that runs the equipment, fossil fuels made into fertilizers and chemicals used as pesticides and herbicides. Organic is better but can’t feed billions of people. You eat chicken? Raising chickens to produce eggs or meat is probably the cruelest of the mega-farming practices and produces lots of ammonia and NOx.

By Rocky

June 4, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

I am now slowly getting away from meat and feel so much better for it. I am a semi-Vegetarian that eats some fish once in a while. I agree with the above comment Vegetarian or Vegan is a personal choice

By Cait

June 4, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Vegan diet is a little restrictive for me. I like cheese and honey and things made with eggs. I eat plenty of meat, but many of my meals are vegetarian because I like veggies - especially in summer and early fall when I can get veggies fresh locally. I worked with a vegan and at least for him, it wasn’t about cruelty to animals - he was a self-centered grouch who couldn’t care less about animals. But he had been overweight and a smoker when he went vegan. And he felt good as a vegan (he said).

By Joanie

June 4, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

As we now know, raising animals for food, especially cows, contributes to global warming and is inefficient use of resources. I don’t eat mammals, but I do eat chicken and fish sometimes. I wish I had the willpower to be a vegetarian. I hate tofu! But I love veggies and fruit and usually have large portions of them and small portions of meat.

By Sue Steck

June 4, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

I have been a vegetarian for most of my adult life. Having problems finding food to eat at home or “out” is not an issue. I choose to consume non-animal products. Being a vegetarian is a personal choice, not to be forced on others. As a wife and mother I cook the meat but choose not to eat it myself. Protein is an important component of a healthy diet. So I understand both sides of this discussion.

By Rob

June 4, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

I don’t know… I kind of agree with the author on this topic. I saw this quote that pretty much summed it up for me: “If God didn’t want us to eat animals, he wouldn’t have made them out of meat”

But seriously, I know that the vegan lifestyle seems a bit healthier but how do you get by without the nutrients and protein that meats provide?

By Dayton Resident

June 4, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

This article cracked me up! Mostly because I have started not a “vegan” diet but close to it - the Ultrametabolism Diet. Yes - I do somedays feel like I’m eating grass and tree bark. But I gotta admit, I just feeeeel better. You wouldn’t believe how GREAT you feel after you quit eating SUGAR (well, after you get through the WITHDRAWAL of it anyway). Not for the faint of heart!

By aisler

June 4, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

The vegan diet is about compassion. I remember loving the taste of meat, but I could no longer contribute to the cruelty of animals that exists in the meat industry. Vegans also recognize that cows are forceably inpregnated to provide milk. At least the author of this article lets her self-centeredness and selfishness show. Basically a vegan recognizes that the world doesn’t revolve around oneself (BTW I’m not a vegan, but a vegetarian, which means I acknowledge my own selfishness).