Going Vegan in Stages?

I recently commented on yet another story depicting gruesome animal suffering. I won’t go into the details now. You can read about them here if you wish. Many comments suggested going Vegetarian to avoid participating in such terrible animal cruelty. I pointed out though, that many people get stuck in the Vegetarian “dairy and egg rut” without realizing the equal, and indeed, greater extents of animal suffering associated with dairy and egg production. Animals used for these products are made to suffer even longer misery than the relatively short sad lives of animals used for meat. In any case, one of the commenters wrote to me in reference to one of my comments. She asked for advice on how someone could go Vegan “in Stages” which I’d suggested as a more useful and effective alternative to the Vegetarian “step”.

Herein is my reply to the woman’s query:
.
.
Dear…

I think it was this part of my comments you were referring to:

“Try Vegan for breakfast for a few weeks to see how much healthy and tasty variety is possible. Then add Vegan lunches for a few weeks to get more of a feel for these meals. And so on with dinners. That way people would get a gradual taste for how easy and varied and nutritious and satisfying completely compassionate Vegan eating can be.”

Since you didn’t specify any particular areas of concern, I would say just follow my above suggestion… armed with Google at your fingertips. I mean it! It’s that easy. I can’t tell you how many really good Vegan recipe blogs there are out there! I even found one recently on “Southern style” Vegan cooking. Say you like broccoli or you have some asparagus in the fridge, just search vegan broccoli or asparagus recipes. Say you want to start off with Vegan breakfasts, just search Vegan breakfasts! You’ll be amazed at what you come across. I just did a search for “Vegan Bacon and Eggs” and got a whole batch of interesting links.

Of course you will make adaptations as well. For example, I happen to love Tofu Scramble. You’ll see lots of variations on this popular “anytime” dish. I fry some small-diced potato with chopped sweet onion so the onion’s still crunchy. When the potato’s almost done, I mash a package of firm tofu to the consistency of “scrambled” eggs and mix it in. While it’s heating up, I’ll throw in a little diced tomato. While the tomato’s warming, mix in a little curry powder and a small dash of water. Serve as is, with some Vegan-buttered whole grain rye toast. If you like it spiced up, shake some Hot Sauce on the scramble. Heat up some Vegan Bacon slices and serve the tomatoes on the side instead, if you wish. Delicious!

As you begin to add Vegan lunch and then dinner offerings, you’ll see there’s so much variety you’ll have choices of easy or more involved recipes. As I think of things I want to try, I add ingredients to my shopping list. And that way I can see what kind of variety I’m maintaining in my fridge and pantry. And at the same time, I get ideas for meals I’d like to prepare the following week. I used to cook 2 or 3 things on the weekend so I could freeze meals for the whole week. Now that I’m (newly) retired, I can cook more often. Whatever suits you.

There are also some great Vegan podcasts to listen to. And they’re all free! Search the iTunes Store -podcast section- for Vegan podcasts. If you don’t have iTunes, get it! It’s also free, for Mac or Windows. I love listening to the “Vegan Freak Radio” podcast (Click “Radio” link) and “Compassionate Cooks” (Click “Food for Thought” podcast in the “Writings” menu).

If you haven’t heard of Professor Gary L. Francione, you should definitely start reading his blog. He’s recently started doing spoken word commentaries in a podcast as well. He is regarded as the originator of the Abolitionist movement, which seeks to end all forms of animal exploitation by abolishing the commonly held perception of animals as “property”. And, as I have said, Veganism forms the moral baseline of this society-changing philosophy.

Another valuable resource is the website for Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary, together with their blog, this site is full of useful information and wonderfully down to earth yet inspirational writing to remind us about the some of the sentient beings we go Vegan for.

Finally, as you begin eating compassionately, you can also begin to assess your personal and household products and your wardrobe. Virtually everything we use and wear that is the result of animal use and suffering — be they animal ingredients in things like lipstick or toothpaste, actual animal products like leather shoes or purses or wool suits or socks, or products tested on animals like deodorant or floor polish or air freshener — can now easily be replaced by quality, cruelty-free, non-animal items… at almost the same cost!

I find it infinitely easy to rationalize spending a few dollars more or buying a little less each week, knowing I don’t participate in or facilitate cruelty to the greatest possible extent any more.

I hope this gives you something of a useful starting point.

Good luck. Take care. And feel free to let me know how you progress.

Jeffrey

Vegetarianism as a

Vegetarianism as a “Gateway” to Veganism?

Posted using ShareThis

The Path to Abolition

I’m not sure if you’ve followed my blog much, nor how much you’ve seen of my commentary, nor how much you’ve researched the subject of animal cruelty or exploitation, especially from the aspect of “societal norms”. Suffice it to say, there are enormous differences between “animal welfare” and “animal rights”. I was a staunch supporter of all that encompasses Welfarist philosophy when I first joined the “movement” almost 20 years ago. But my convictions have now evolved to firmly embrace Abolitionist philosophy. Generally Welfarism, which is what most societies’ compassionate sector subscribes to, basically seeks to “lessen” pain and suffering and cruel practices inherent in virtually ALL human uses of animals. Ultimately though, Welfarism fails as it does NOT seek to end the use of animals by humans. Some Welfarist org’s, like WWF, openly support continued animal exploitation like hunting and fishing. They speak of “cultural and economic survival” and “sustainability of resources”, they respect “quotas” and pledge to “harvest humanely” as if these billions of living creatures were nothing more than a crop of wheat! Others, like HSUS and PETA, not-so-openly actually encourage continued exploitation of “farm” animals albeit by “kinder, gentler” production methods.

The fallacy though is that the gradual changes or reforms Welfarism is fighting for are actually helping to eliminate suffering and exploitation. The fact is, they are NOT helping. Statistics abound that show animals are being consumed and used by many means, be it for food, clothing, entertainment, research, products and product testing, etcetera in ever greater numbers and despite humane regulations! And consumers, those that at least say they “care” about animal welfare have shown they are not only absolutely willing but even MORE willing to consume or partake of animals that have been raised or used “humanely”, “organically”, “compassionately”, or any other industry or marketing bafflegab. The sad reality is these animals are STILL being used! These animals are still being treated to lives of deprivation, emotional AND physical trauma and suffering, and above all, a completely UNnatural existence.

It was only through exposure to Abolitionist thought that I came to the crystal clear realization I did not want to participate in this ruse anymore. I dedicate my efforts to exposing this reality and educating others of the need to shift the way we think of animals – not as our property but as independent sentient beings! In coming to the realization that we do not “need” to use animals for ANY purpose, indeed that ALL animals have an innate right to their own families, communities, relationships, habitats… to their own unfettered lives, we can and should stop ALL exploitation instantly. And hence, the “abolition” of animal exploitation… the end of slavery.

World Wildlife Fund Supports Canada’s Seal Slaughter

If there was ever any doubt in your mind about Welfarist organizations like the WORLD WILDLIFE FUND supporting animal exploitation, including associated suffering and cruelty, then read about it in their own words! I’ve printed their “Position Statement” on the Canadian Seal Slaughter below. Please note their unabashed Welfarist mindset that condones of the “use” of natural resources, i.e. animals, as an “important part of (our) economy, culture, and heritage.” Please note their unabashed Welfarist mindset that refers to the killing of innocent living creatures (young offspring in this case) as a “harvest” to be “managed”!

Just as distressing, I recently wrote to all Canadian Senators appealing to them to support Senator Harb’s Seal Bill S-229 to end the commercial seal hunt. I’ve also printed the reply I received from Liberal Senator Percy Downe of Charlottetown, P.E.I. below. You will see a virtual parroting of the same Welfarist sentiment. And in a press release issued by the Liberal Party of Canada on March 3, 2009, Liberal MP, Hon. Gerry Byrne alleges that the World Wildlife Fund supports the commercial seal hunt and uses their alleged support as justification for the Liberal Party supporting the hunt.

It seems obvious to me by now that successive Liberal and Conservative governments are absolutely confirmed in their support for this example of abhorrent animal slaughter in their exploitation of Nature… and Welfarist organizations, who aggressively vie for your donation dollars in the name fighting animal cruelty, are among their biggest and wealthiest champions!

Please let the WWF know you don’t support their advocacy of cruelty and let the Liberals and Conservatives (all linked or listed on this post) know you hold them electorally responsible for the continuing massacre of innocent animals and you will not stand for it next election. And while you’re at it, let the Green’s, NDP, and Bloc know as well. They all have Welfarism in their platforms!

The time is long overdue for society to recognize the abolition of ALL animal exploitation as integral to our survival and this planet’s survival.

***********************************

WWF Position Statement:

Harp Seal Hunt in the Northwest Atlantic Ecoregion

March 2009

“WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. To achieve this mission and to ensure lasting success, conservation efforts must take into account cultural diversity as well as historical and economic realities. WWF recognizes that local communities play a significant role in, and benefit economically from, the sustainable use of natural resources.

For over 40 years the Canadian harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) hunt has been controversial. Many people have strong objections to the commercial harvesting of wildlife, and of marine mammals in particular. Animal welfare organizations both inside and outside Canada continue to press for improvement of humane hunting methods and tighter monitoring, while some oppose the seal hunt altogether. In the past, largely due to considerable international pressure, several measures were taken that affected the Canadian seal hunt. In 1972, the United States prohibited the import of seal products under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In 1987, the Canadian government prohibited the hunting of the harp seal pups, at the “whitecoat” stage. More recently, there has been a movement to impose a trading ban of seal products altogether particularly at the European Union.

The long history of controversy reflects both the diversity of individual values and the diversity of cultural and national experiences with wildlife and wildlife harvesting. WWF respects this range of diversity. As well, WWF recognizes that hunting seals is an important part of the local economy, culture and heritage of many coastal communities in Atlantic Canada, the Arctic, many other maritime nations.

Most importantly, from the perspective of a conservation organization such as ours, the harp seal population is at a near record high with more than 5 million individuals and current harvest practices pose no apparent threat to the long-term health of the species.

While there are no conservation grounds on which to end the seal hunt at this time, vigilant monitoring of the impacts of harvesting and environmental conditions will be important. Climate change may affect the availability of sea ice, which plays an essential role in the birth and weaning process of harp seal pups. WWF will continue to work on an ecosystem-based management approach in the Northwest Atlantic Ecoregion that will take into account the overall health of the marine environment and the role of all species, including harp seals. Furthermore, WWF has launched a global campaign to reduce the effects of climate change which poses a major threat to all Arctic species.

An important component of WWF’s work in the region includes reducing the ecological footprint of nations fishing on the Grand Banks. This means reducing bycatch and habitat impacts of all fisheries and ensuring all quotas are sustainable, including those in high seas areas adjacent to Canadian waters. These are critically important changes in order to secure the recovery of this overexploited ecosystem. It is also key to securing the long-term sustainability of coastal communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

World Wildlife Fund Canada
245 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 410
Toronto, ON M4P 3J1
Tel: 1 – 800 – 26 – PANDA
(In Toronto) 416 – 489 – 8800
Fax: 416 – 489 – 3611

***********************************

Senator Percy E. Downe:

March 5, 2009

“I am writing in response to your recent correspondence regarding Canada’s seal hunt.

The seal hunt is regulated and closely monitored to ensure that it is conducted in a humane manner. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has assigned Officers to conduct surveillance by aerial patrol, and further, do inspections at buying and processing locations to ensure that the Marine Mammal Regulations are respected.

In 2008, Fisheries and Oceans Canada implemented several new management measures for the seal hunt including the implementation of a three-step process, as a condition of licence, to hunt seals. One of the other many monitoring measures taken was the appointment of an independent reviewer to assess regional shares of the harp seal total allowance catch in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, therefore maintaining a balanced and sustainable approach to the seal hunt.

The abundant seal population is a valuable natural resource. The harp seal herd, estimated to be in excess of five million animals, has nearly tripled in population since the 1970’s. The seal hunt is also an economic mainstay for numerous rural communities in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the North supporting many coastal families who can derive much needed income from the commercial seal hunt.

I believe that the Canadian seal hunt is being conducted in a safe and humane manner, and therefore, my support remains unwavering.

Thank you for taking the time to write.”

^^^^^^^

^^^^^^^

Letter to CBS-TV and 60 Minutes

Re ‘Fountain of Youth’ – air date January 25, 2009

“I am appalled at the glaringly obvious disregard your recent piece had for monkeys and the living hell these creatures are routinely subjected to for the duration of their pathetic lives. Why would you not even ask about the potential of compromised results due to a LIFETIME OF DEPRIVATION? With no regard for their intelligence, natural behaviors, or social needs you affirm in viewer’s minds the heartless notion that sentient beings of varied non-human species are not entitled to an interest in spending their lives free of human subjugation or any other exploitation! How is it possible in the 21st century, for God’s sakes, that our “highly evolved civilization” continues to hold on to such barbarism? Why would you not even mention this in your piece? To be sure, testing the effects of caloric restriction on longevity and the prevention of age-related diseases through food deprivation could have easily attracted human volunteers. But the use of non-human animals held captive in research laboratories around the world, enduring pain, misery, and myriad unimaginable horror, has skyrocketed even as new non-animal technologies have already been developed that enable scientists to carry out relevant and reliable human research without harming animals.

Lest we think you, and the entire CBS establishment, went into this piece with your ethical, emotional, and indeed even your scientific eyes completely shut, don’t you think it would be appropriate to say the least to introduce viewers to the question of using animals in research when burgeoning and equally reliable alternative methods already exist? It’s about bloody time you made viewers think about the ethical questions raised by the unnecessary and outmoded use of non-human animals in research!”

Jeffrey…

More on my Idea for Change

Thank you for your input, John. I’ve decided to answer your thoughtful comment here because I feel it warrants more attention and other’s consideration.

First let me make it clear; I am not out to slight first round “winners” of the Change . org Ideas for Change in America campaign. I merely want to publicize how badly I feel any “Welfarist” change is failing all Animals. And please, may I underline, this is NOT a philosophical debate. I feel the need for drastic change in the mindset of you the reader and all your neighbours around the world is wretchedly overdue.

Certainly there may be more effective ways to express one’s opinion than the words I chose for my Idea for Change. It can be challenging to incorporate the sum total of one’s past experience, i.e. all I have learned about Abolitionist Animal Rights and why Welfarism is failing so terribly. But the headline-grabbing emotional issues (like “Stop Live Skinning of Animals”) are just the tip of the animal exploitation iceberg! The fact that these images garner headlines in mainstream media (occasionally) is more to elicit the “aaawww factor” from the audience. It’s good for ratings and puts a “humane” face on a corporation whose sole purpose is to make money – without offending the (animal abusing) sponsors. This is obvious when one considers why “sensitive” compassionate ads are not allowed to run in various media. And, needless to say, resulting support for “fighting” these emotional headline issues through contributions to large animal welfare org’s is easy to understand. But understanding why the headlines and the “humane” response will NOT stop the use and killing of animals for their fur, for example, as with Ms. Callaway’s Idea, or any other abuse is more complex.

I posted the James LaVeck / Jennie Stein essay link in my blog post yesterday because I had just came across it and it reveals with such important detail why the Welfarist “one battle at a time” approach is NOT helping animals, and in fact is hindering Vegan education initiatives and the Animal Rights movement.

Negotiating with animal abusers, those who profit from the use of animals, to incorporate more “humane” treatment of the animals becomes easy to accomplish… if you don’t threaten the animals’ continued use! And it becomes even easier to accomplish if you point out to them their profits will actually increase if they can persuade people that the animals they kill are better cared for or killed more “kindly”. But in fact there is no such thing as “organic” use or “humane” slaughter (see my posts here and here). These are the propaganda terms of marketing people bent on growing their business and increasing their profit and clouding, or even hiding a clear understanding of, what they do in the minds of consumers! And Welfarists, in their effort to bring about even the least bit of change, who support these “kinder” incremental steps are both knowingly and unknowingly causing more and more people to feel “good” or “less guilty” or “relieved” that the animals they claim to love or care about are somehow being used and abused less… and that must be a good thing, right? And so they buy! And they talk to their friends. And their friends buy! And so on. And so on. When you look at the phenomenal growth of stores like Whole Foods, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know more and more animals are dying.

And that, respected readers, is the bottom line. Do we want to continue, as a society, to use and abuse, and victimize and enslave, and eat and harm any other sentient being on this planet? Do we want to continue to deny ANY other living being its simple right to a natural existence, including a natural lifespan, raising its own families by its own natural behaviours, in its own natural habitats? In my view, and I hope yours, the answer should be emphatically “NO”. No human being either needs to or should participate in the exploitation of another sentient being for any reason whatsoever.