Ranting about the common omnivore....(Since they're all the same)

[Ly&Pigs]

Originally Posted by Sammy and Peanut

I am sorry this is a little off topic, but why do people keep on putting the astric like this: veg*n

Because veg*n doesn't distinguish between vegetarian or vegan. It's used to describe a group of people that includes both vegetarians and vegans.

[ArtisticRainey]

Originally Posted by gpigluver14

I hope someone can tell me something to make me feel a little better about the situation. Perhaps, I could have some good comebacks I could get back at her next time? *he he* But seriously, she, and everyone else like her, for that matter, really ticks me off. They're just so.....I don't know......blind? Is that the right word? Ignorant? Naive? I just don't know...........

I want to make a difference, try to change people's views a little bit, if not change them into a veg*n. But no one seems to really care.

If it makes you feel any better, you made the right choice by not making any 'comebacks'. As previously stated (and I think demonstrated by Cherish in this thread from the meat-eating side of things) intentionally provocative or insensitive comments only serve to offend people and hurt your own cause.

Some people are blind to their food. They don't want to know, or don't care. Some are ignorant because they truthfully don't know. Some are naive because they haven't yet found out, even if they want to. People eat or don't eat meat for countless numbers of reasons. We can't lump anyone into groups.

You made a difference by politely informing your friend that if she wanted to find out more on your reasons why of the video. Had you dragged her to a computer lab and forced her to watch it, that would have been the very wrong thing to do. Every little bit of information you get out there helps. And the more politely and respectfully you do it, the better results you'll get. You've already told us you've gotten some from friends.

I'm what I call a proto-vegan -- to the best of my ability I don't consume any animal products, use animal-based products or clothing. Sometimes I slip up, so I don't call myself a pure vegan. I don't eat animals because I don't feel that I need to. I also don't cook meat because I have a phobia of food poisoning, and I've gotten it more times from undercooked meat than vegetables. While I'm not reducing the risk entirely, I am saving myself from my inept cooking skills when it comes to meat.

Wickedrodent -- it's tradition in Lent for Roman Catholics to abstain from eating ungulates, which in this case refers to hooved animals. That's why a lot of people abstain from beef/pork etc but still eat fish.

Cherish -- your defensive attitude only causes people to become irritated. In your experience 'beyond school dining tables', I'm surprised you haven't learned to be more delicate in your discussion skills.

[cavyinhawaii]

Maybe if someone brings it up again. Ask them for their email address and that you will gladly send them some links that support your decision.

[Res Judicata]

We tend to do that as a nation. Pro-choice people look down on pro-life people and vice versa, same with the gun control issue, same with religion. I have gotten to the point that I don't discuss my views with anyone but close friends because I'm tired of being insulted and generalized over them.

I'm not a meat-eater, but I can't stand the holier than thou attitude of the vegan across the way. He ripped me a new one one day when he saw me carrying a bag from a pharmacy because medication is tested on animals. My youngest daughter has hypothyroidism, without medication she doesn't get a hormone she needs to be a normal, healthy child. Untreated hypothyroidism leads to retardation. I tried to explain that to him, but it seems that lab animals long dead and that would have suffered whether or not my daughter was on medication were more important than her needs. Now, I don't like the idea that animals suffered to test medication, but I also do not want to subject my daughter to mental retardation. And on top of that is the whole aspect of if I don't provide proper medical care for my child the state could step in and take them away. I got so mad at him one day for harassing me about it for the umpteenth time that I asked him if he ate almonds, blueberries, or watermelon. When he said yes, I pointed out that nearly 100% of those crops are pollinated by managed honeybees, which right now are suffering from the stresses put on them by being used as pollination tools by the agricultural industry that they're dying off by the millions. I then added that we all do our best, but none of us is totally "pure" and maybe he should get off his high horse because I do what I can to help animals by not eating animals, wearing leather, or having down-filled items around the house.

[Maisiepaisie]

I don't blame you for getting mad at him RJ. I'm vegan and I try to avoid animal tested medicines as much as possible, however I've recently started to take pain killers again for menstrual pain since its got really bad and if I needed a drug to be healthy or to save my life I would take it. It really bugs me when people say its hypocritical to be against animal testing if you take medication because for a boycott to be effective there has to be an alternative product to use and there isn't because all pharmaceutical drugs have been tested on animals at some point. I know a lot of vegans and I think most, if not all would agree that your daughter needs that medication.