tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30032257066183521122024-03-05T01:30:30.281-05:00The Vegan Light BulbDumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-53453783151743030292015-10-31T19:51:00.000-04:002015-11-01T01:38:26.031-04:00Welcome + Condensed Mission Statement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eeH_kEMH1LAEZVcwQnxMKq_s_WDmZ__AUzkGfiwMD5Tq3CQm7A4l0uVwxzkgvN_dpIDQ5N4PAno7GCAKDqpfxyZr1S04FSFpZCbq4WQTFYwZad5JO_WLHZcct5Z2pw78g71C4XLmxafK/s1600/go-vegan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eeH_kEMH1LAEZVcwQnxMKq_s_WDmZ__AUzkGfiwMD5Tq3CQm7A4l0uVwxzkgvN_dpIDQ5N4PAno7GCAKDqpfxyZr1S04FSFpZCbq4WQTFYwZad5JO_WLHZcct5Z2pw78g71C4XLmxafK/s320/go-vegan.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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Thanks for visiting this site! The Vegan Light Bulb is a revitalized effort to help people go vegan. This is a free resource focusing on education and moral support.<br />
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Below is a condensed Mission Statement. You can find a more in-depth version <a href="http://theveganlightbulb.blogspot.com/2015/10/mission-statement-explained.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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1.) <span style="color: blue;">Helping people go Vegan is the goal of this site. I support those working towards veganism, in any size step. </span><br />
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2.) <span style="color: blue;">However, I ask that readers be honest with themselves about </span><b><i><span style="color: lime;">what is a step</span></i></b><span style="color: cyan;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">and </span><b><i><span style="color: lime;">what is an excuse</span></i></b><span style="color: cyan;">.</span><br />
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3.) <span style="color: blue;">I do not support the "Happy Cow" movement, meaning animal products with supposed "humane" stamps.</span><br />
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4.) <span style="color: blue;">I am more concerned about being </span><b><span style="color: lime;">clear</span></b><span style="color: cyan;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">than being</span><span style="color: cyan;"> </span><b><span style="color: lime;">liked</span></b><span style="color: cyan;">.</span><br />
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5.)<span style="color: blue;"> I promise to continually remind myself that I wasn't always vegan.</span><br />
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<br />DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-86734482950006750572015-10-24T23:34:00.000-04:002015-11-01T01:30:26.242-04:00Mission Statement Explained<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuOsRYuWaOw_yZdqed-kmTLeDJYB2khCWxaalAalnfh90hi4uPiBWh3lo4zq7ujnp5T8eupHtS1g5S3I5fW7WVArIpnulQZ-JecrFqWw3j1aMAHCA1QIVrrC-PVpmuUJpasFgcBYPX-EG/s1600/lightbulb-801941_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuOsRYuWaOw_yZdqed-kmTLeDJYB2khCWxaalAalnfh90hi4uPiBWh3lo4zq7ujnp5T8eupHtS1g5S3I5fW7WVArIpnulQZ-JecrFqWw3j1aMAHCA1QIVrrC-PVpmuUJpasFgcBYPX-EG/s200/lightbulb-801941_1920.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I read and talk about veganism, I make an effort to remember how I felt about things before I was vegan. When I am engaging in online vegan activism, I try to remind myself that the person on the other side of the computer screen might not know me at all and might think I'm just being a giant B. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I read through site's mission statement, I realize it can seem harsh. I want to go into more detail here.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>1.) <span style="color: blue;">I support those working towards veganism, in any size step. Helping people go Vegan is the goal of this site.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stopping the animal rights message at vegetarianism or "veg", shows a lack of faith in people. I believe that people will go vegan if they are given the information in a kind and truthful way.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I agree that this change won't happen overnight but I know that this change will </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>never </i></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">happen if the information is totally withheld or unclear. I know that people are capable of more than making donations and eating less meat.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't encourage veganism because it's my way or no way. I encourage veganism because I believe in the goodness of people.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2.) </span><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">However, I ask that readers be honest with themselves about </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: purple; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">what is a step</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">and </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: purple; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">what is an excuse</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know that this is hard. I've been there and I continue to be there with different issues such as consumerism and environmentalism. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bottom line is, I'm not implying that I'm perfect. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What the above statement means is, I realize that people often have an easier time if they transition into veganism over a period of time as opposed to giving up all meat and dairy overnight. Still, I want to point out that there is difference between an end goal with a reasonable timeline and a pattern of excuses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can make the change and live your values </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>at any time you choose</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> </i>and use your experiences to help others change the world too. The world doesn't have to stay as it is. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>3.) <span style="color: blue;">I do not support the "Happy Cow" movement, meaning animal products with supposed "humane" stamps. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px;">In any grocery store you're bound to see promises of "cage-free" "humanely-raised" and "free-range". The truth? It's all bullshit. Not only are these labels unregulated, they are often paid for (conflict of interest), and they do not answer the main moral question. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px;">The main moral question is, should we be using animals at all? Think about the following:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px;">a.) Compare an animal we live with and love to a "farm animal". Can you think of any real difference? There isn't any. Animals such as cows, pigs, and chickens have proven to have personalities, desires, and intelligence just as much as the cats, dogs, and birds that we often share our homes with. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px;">b.) Consider if these same companion animals were to be used and killed in the way these "humane" products claim. Would you be ok if someone killed your perfectly healthy dog or cat for food as long as the death was said to be painless?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px;">c.) As I previously mentioned, "humane" animal products are untruthful. They prey on people's kindness as a way to get more money without any real difference in treatment and instead of ending animal cruelty, they only make people feel more comfortable about it. Here are a few links <a href="http://www.thelastpig.com/" target="_blank">1.)</a> <a href="http://www.peacefulprairie.org/eNews/Spring07/free-rangeFarm.html" target="_blank">2.)</a> <a href="http://www.humanemyth.org/haroldbrown.htm" target="_blank">3.)</a> if you want to read more about how "happy cow"animals are treated. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">d.) Animal use is unnecessary and so animal products cause unnecessary suffering. <a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/about/#.VjWMI7RViko" target="_blank">[credit]</a></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4.)<span style="color: blue;"> I am more concerned about being </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: purple; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>clear</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">than being </span></span><i><span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">l</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">iked</span></span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I notice many animal rights groups framing their activism around people who "will never go vegan." These groups reason it's easier to teach people to make small changes and with a larger pool of financial donations, they can continue teaching people about these small changes. I'm sure this strategy makes sense to them and I don't doubt their good intentions. It just doesn't make sense to me. Whenever I voice my opinions on this matter, I'm usually told 1.) vegan education doesn't work 2.) some people will never go vegan 3.) I'm being militant or a bitch. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">When human slavery was banned in the United States, there were still a lot people who disagreed with the idea. Did that make them right? When women were finally allowed to vote, many people who protested the change. Were they right? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My point is, there are always going to be people who will never agree with progressive changes but you can't let that stop you or slow you down from making a change and educating others about the importance of these changes. There is no doubt in my mind that people told Martin Luther King Jr. "People will always be racist." I don't know how he responded, but history proves he didn't say "Well shit, then forget it! I'll just tell people to be less racist on Mondays!" </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't care if people think I'm crazy or a bitch. I know that using animals <i>just because we can </i>isn't morally right and this idea is becoming clearer to more people every single day. My aim is to give those people willing to change a resource for going vegan, sharpen their reasoning skills, and energize them into an educating others.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Large animal groups claim that Vegan Education doesn't work but guess what? These same groups have never attempted a full-blown vegan campaign. How can you know something won't work if you never give it a try? It all comes down to 1.) not believing people and 2.) doing what is easier as opposed to what is right. Those two things, just aren't my style. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>5.)<span style="color: blue;"> I promise to continually remind myself that I wasn't always vegan.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I haven't even been vegan for very long (close to 6 years) but it's easy for me to forget that I use to eat and enjoy cheese, milk, and all kinds of meat. But over the course of about a year, I kept getting more and more information about the production of dairy and other animal products and it all boiled down to my belief that we should be kind to animals. Slowly, I realized that I didn't need these things to survive. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is my hope that I never come across as "above it all" because of my veganism rather, understanding of "The Norm" and strength it takes to go against it, especially in the beginning. </span><br />
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DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-52917085386238053692015-10-17T18:09:00.000-04:002015-11-01T01:26:54.739-04:00Four Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgb6AFuQYSTuSm5K62MrNw6wqqtjqiWpOX_u_TcTxJ798JZx6wCuuJ7yMbOfJFUolxWsLm_fiuycdF-snV1joKSYzeLQS2cYTnN03tmJbXK66fJtPTTW_xGn7DOPhFEQrUtPF7CThFEbL/s1600/vlight3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgb6AFuQYSTuSm5K62MrNw6wqqtjqiWpOX_u_TcTxJ798JZx6wCuuJ7yMbOfJFUolxWsLm_fiuycdF-snV1joKSYzeLQS2cYTnN03tmJbXK66fJtPTTW_xGn7DOPhFEQrUtPF7CThFEbL/s200/vlight3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I can't believe it's been four years since I visited this blog of mine. I kept it for about a year and a half and I was happy to do so. Looking at it now, it feels strange. I feel like I'm reading the diary of a younger me because I sort of am.<br />
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But, I feel the same way about animal rights. I'm still vegan. I'm still an abolitionist. <br />
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I haven't been very active in the past few years and that makes me sad. I don't have any particularly compelling reasons unless life counts.<br />
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November 1st is World Vegan Day! I thought I'd use to day and the month of November as motivation to get back into the swing of things. I'm going to be using this old blog as a platform to mentor people interested in going vegan. I hope it helps.<br />
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Peace,<br />
AmyDumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-90335004261696515082012-05-16T14:54:00.000-04:002015-11-06T05:21:49.687-05:00Animal Rights: Abolition or Welfare?<a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/2983423/AA" title="Wordle: AA"><img alt="Wordle: AA" src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/2983423/AA" height="300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a><br />
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The basics:<br />
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<b style="color: magenta;"><i>Animal rights</i></b> means respecting animals and acknowledging that non-human animals have the same interest in avoiding pain, suffering, and death as human animals.<br />
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<b style="color: cyan;"><i>Animal welfare</i></b> refers to improving the way animals are <i>treated </i>when they are used.<br />
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<i style="color: lime;"><b>Abolition</b></i> refers to abolishing the institution of animal <i>use</i>. Like abolitionists in the days of human slavery, <a href="http://my-face-is-on-fire.blogspot.com/2010/02/go-vegan.html" target="_blank">abolitionist today</a> see regulation as a hindrance to their ultimate goal of a slave-free society. Abolitionist maintain that unnecessary harm and death is immoral and all animal use unnecessary and results in harm and death. The underlining ideas of abolition is the rejection of speciesism as well as all other forms of discrimination, the rejection of the property status of animals, and the important of unequivocal, creative, non-violent vegan education.<br />
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<b>What else?</b></div>
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<b>The Bottom Line:</b></div>
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Using animals is unnecessary and using animals always causes them pain. People will look back on animal use the way we look back on human slavery today. That is,<a href="http://theveganlightbulb.blogspot.com/2010/10/q-wont-eating-more-plants-lead-to-more.html" target="_blank"> if we don't completely destroy the planet first</a>. </div>
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I believe that we all think we are doing is right but fundamentally, I disagree with animal welfare.<br />
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For a more complete idea of what <a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/" target="_blank">The Abolitionist Approach</a> entails, please visit <a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/" target="_blank">Gary L. Francione's website</a>, and begin by reading the site's mission statement.<br />
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For a more complete idea of <a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/sit-down-shut-up-be-happy-and-watch-the-show/" target="_blank">what animal welfare entails</a>, donate to a welfare group and do nothing else. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CmmuKj-GTcALqsuI82XcLRbE7OR8RVuRZM_lqMTa4jllNzXMI6JqZVf_F3g7XS_96yA2x53GYLrUzE6EnmfWUcsEz7RkDzNcjHW00nP9S5GlTq5adde8kV3Ai9o6OyEMJhQiC_lXXsLl/s1600/aw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CmmuKj-GTcALqsuI82XcLRbE7OR8RVuRZM_lqMTa4jllNzXMI6JqZVf_F3g7XS_96yA2x53GYLrUzE6EnmfWUcsEz7RkDzNcjHW00nP9S5GlTq5adde8kV3Ai9o6OyEMJhQiC_lXXsLl/s1600/aw2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just eat the apple and forget the check (and the animal products)!</td></tr>
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DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-44965952525702005972012-05-09T11:49:00.000-04:002015-11-06T05:20:39.691-05:00Is it really worth it?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRrlhw4VwJEjFHhqy6nTaOzGUpTYaf7QVmaXMcqS_PtJsODjxeR3OUQst4D4hTIPOM2FK8Pks-3B2E2TpXmAbpEBSt4Hsx24i-nTv112tKbE6ERz_xOZ4VjZx0JOp5NtoTw2te3YPEBe6/s1600/worth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRrlhw4VwJEjFHhqy6nTaOzGUpTYaf7QVmaXMcqS_PtJsODjxeR3OUQst4D4hTIPOM2FK8Pks-3B2E2TpXmAbpEBSt4Hsx24i-nTv112tKbE6ERz_xOZ4VjZx0JOp5NtoTw2te3YPEBe6/s200/worth.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Is it really worth the future of the planet to continue eating food that cuts through our resources seven times faster than plant-based foods and pollutes the earth even faster than that?<br />
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Is it really worth your health and <a href="http://theveganlightbulb.blogspot.com/2010/09/is-veganism-healthy.html" target="_blank">your life</a> to continue to eat food that contributes to heart disease, the number one killer of Americans? <br />
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Are those extra bucks saved from buying animal products rather than alternatives or those spare minutes from not reading label or not inquiring a restaurant's ingredients really worth anyone's pain or anyone's life?<br />
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Can taste really be worth a life and unimaginable suffering?<br />
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If your answer is yes, imagine how you would feel if someone said that about your life.<br />
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If your answer is no, <a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/no-third-choice/" target="_blank">go vegan!</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/2983530/Untitled" title="Wordle: Untitled"><img alt="Wordle: Untitled" src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/2983530/Untitled" height="240" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px;" width="320" /></a>DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-19536190564174502622012-05-02T11:01:00.000-04:002015-11-06T05:19:49.128-05:00Pet Peeves: "Live and Let Live"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y6SRTf6Zad0y04O6dB4_tBRtzwpNmtzqxPpl-WzjiSFAldsNca8w8tgJydDvyOuJ4P8sTwYfdfabTI7yEipIYZoeswJVrWw4Me4IAB8V4tDmXfl3G6FYfaTj3V-p0q_xbguLo4tS63vo/s1600/live3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y6SRTf6Zad0y04O6dB4_tBRtzwpNmtzqxPpl-WzjiSFAldsNca8w8tgJydDvyOuJ4P8sTwYfdfabTI7yEipIYZoeswJVrWw4Me4IAB8V4tDmXfl3G6FYfaTj3V-p0q_xbguLo4tS63vo/s320/live3.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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Sometimes when I talk or write about veganism in a non-compromising way (which is the only way veganism should be talked or written about!), I get the "Live and Let Live" response. People saying this are often saying, "Let us stay non-vegan in peace!"<br />
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This is ironic because by not being vegan a person is living and causing the death of sentient beings. The reason why I'm sharing what I know and the way I feel about things is, I'm assuming that that if people knew these things and took the time to think about things, they would be vegan too. I don't like to think that people know everything about meat and dairy and just continue along their merry way. <br />
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So live and let live! <a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/">Go vegan! </a><br />
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DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-7118712258992569382012-04-25T05:07:00.000-04:002015-11-06T05:18:44.006-05:00Pet Peeves: "Quiet Example"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMlhffQR_o5zJ1ze4paBSzDxyPSHmhPxCR9RDlI3oi24yLYNO3OhDZ8WtrWz4Oq-_y9X6MdYgjlwSTFl-QrSKuvE4hiHkoIjhpFjtrVi8EN9AiXCJw6tPwIjCLz2Bb8JKf0XrmhsFCqMB/s1600/quiet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMlhffQR_o5zJ1ze4paBSzDxyPSHmhPxCR9RDlI3oi24yLYNO3OhDZ8WtrWz4Oq-_y9X6MdYgjlwSTFl-QrSKuvE4hiHkoIjhpFjtrVi8EN9AiXCJw6tPwIjCLz2Bb8JKf0XrmhsFCqMB/s1600/quiet.jpg" /></a></div>
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A phrase I often among vegans and so-called vegans, is "I show people by quiet example."<br />
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I want to start by saying, I understand where these people are coming from. I need to follow this by saying, this phrase <i><b>really</b></i> boils my blood.<br />
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I'm sure these vegans believe if they talk to people truthfully about veganism, people will just think they are being preachy, crazy, or militant. I understand these feelings. I really, really do. I worry about this too. Whether we want to admit it or not, we all, to some degree or another, want to be liked, and anything that makes this undeniable desire more difficult, isn't something that appeals to most people. But whenever I worry about what people may think of me, I try to remind myself of what I think of myself.<br />
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I am brave enough to handle some people not liking me. It's no big deal. What is a big deal, is <a href="http://unpopularveganessays.blogspot.com/2011/02/killing-by-numbers.html" target="_blank">the billions of animals dying for petty reasons every year.</a> I don't want to be too late for all of them! So, I tell people what I know and the why I feel and see what happens. I've learned some things by doing this. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RPrOzg8EfFhv4jpLtqzhe-T6ZTEk5HkdBXcRsFwbVKbbd0VyYh-725UslHW7XM_lnLn6QYQ7h4sqNAWfs0M9Ga444I737kurP6otqhhgU4WkTB7Vc36qh59HyNLhSJ3FQNENwWD7agsT/s1600/quiet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RPrOzg8EfFhv4jpLtqzhe-T6ZTEk5HkdBXcRsFwbVKbbd0VyYh-725UslHW7XM_lnLn6QYQ7h4sqNAWfs0M9Ga444I737kurP6otqhhgU4WkTB7Vc36qh59HyNLhSJ3FQNENwWD7agsT/s1600/quiet2.jpg" /></a></div>
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The truth is, some people will think you are being preachy, crazy, and militant. That's just the way it is. But I believe that as long as you articulate the facts that you've learned in a respectfully, truthful way, only good things can happen. Here are some things that will happen:<br />
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1.) Some people just won't like you and your crazy vegan ways. And that's ok. I'm sure these people are nice, decent people, but not all nice people get along with other nice people. If fact, if a person doesn't like you just because you are a vegan activist, you probably wouldn't get along with or without the veganism. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPMmPlX4BD1g84q7GgkprNjBPKCJMdnePoCvf6udCOtd4X1YIsTiekqxhg8aEWZmHdND-YgE8YWICTVNYwaDop-10gIO12OXQWBqNPqWeYUC8K4X-Toi4mVDZLXTCPNoXjO8cx5w3kqQJ/s1600/quiet4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPMmPlX4BD1g84q7GgkprNjBPKCJMdnePoCvf6udCOtd4X1YIsTiekqxhg8aEWZmHdND-YgE8YWICTVNYwaDop-10gIO12OXQWBqNPqWeYUC8K4X-Toi4mVDZLXTCPNoXjO8cx5w3kqQJ/s1600/quiet4.jpg" /></a></div>
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2.) Some people will like you "despite" your veganism. Meaning, these people are your tried and true friends and family and while they may not agree with everything you say (or maybe don't want to acknowledge that they do), they will tolerate your seemingly, extreme ways and see your excessive plant-eating as an endearing quirk. No matter what the people close to you are saying, you never know what is going on in their heads and in their hearts. It is unavoidable that your own ideals will not make them question their own. The conclusions they come to will be up to them, but you will have done your part by telling them the facts. <br />
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3.) Some people will change and will go vegan. Take note, people who fall into this third category, will <i><b>never</b></i> change if you don't give them a chance to! This is why you have to talk about <a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/" target="_blank">the abolition of animal use</a> whenever you have the opportunity! You never know who may change. This change might not happen for years, but you never know if your contact with this person may become a stepping stone to the vegan journey.<br />
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To conclude, a quiet example is quiet. It gives a person little chance to live up to their world-changing potential. I would suggest that vegans aim to be an audible example (I would say loud but that has connotations I'd rather avoid). Or think of it this way. There's passive behavior, there are aggressive behavior, and then there's assertive behavior. Be an assertive vegan. <br />
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If you have any doubt about whether you should stick with a quite example, consider this. The people who have changed the world, have never led by quiet example. Not ever. William Lloyd Garrison, Susan B. Anthony, Dr. Martin Luther King. These are all people who said what they felt and then felt no shame in expressing it in non-violent ways. And look at all that has happened as a result. We can all be superheroes in this way, if only we would stop fear from being our krytonite. <br />
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DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-90247799666999189942012-04-18T18:01:00.000-04:002015-11-06T05:19:08.786-05:00Pet Peeves: "All or Nothing"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's not ok to cause pain, suffering, or death to others just because this pain is convenient and/or gives us pleasure. This is never ok. Not ever. I am completely against any kind of ideology that suggests otherwise (as are most people) and this means I am "all" for protecting everyone who needs to be protected. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVRGM2zi5ozSCSm67vgS7bDhkBV8DIntla-y1dpqFK_JB8e-ATK9jzfdJI_mVN0qo8aRrrL9fjUSzX6ukfXPgo0KBxe9bd4bZbaizllgrHBWzFN3rIZhCqvS2G2KgrScElRsQzJ7WBR6A/s1600/all3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVRGM2zi5ozSCSm67vgS7bDhkBV8DIntla-y1dpqFK_JB8e-ATK9jzfdJI_mVN0qo8aRrrL9fjUSzX6ukfXPgo0KBxe9bd4bZbaizllgrHBWzFN3rIZhCqvS2G2KgrScElRsQzJ7WBR6A/s1600/all3.jpg" /></a></div>
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No one thinks an advocate for abused women is crazy for trying to end ALL forms of violence and oppression towards women. So why is it nuts for an animal advocate to work towards ending all forms of animal abuse?<br />
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<br />DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-46063450387364176682012-04-11T12:33:00.000-04:002015-11-06T05:17:48.562-05:00My Response to "Vegan Options" at Animal Rights Events<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOAE7Do9BLHH7dR9MWCGeKVAMT38UiucCH6p6NfGRGRNR2f6ykUcKzNV_3B4EOmhQlWUxrboiT92NNOxKxZVD36xF8tc1D53aRlOj-mf3P0-MszP4VsUOZeUC1_gye26miKFXW_S0TJUP/s1600/nonfunraiser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOAE7Do9BLHH7dR9MWCGeKVAMT38UiucCH6p6NfGRGRNR2f6ykUcKzNV_3B4EOmhQlWUxrboiT92NNOxKxZVD36xF8tc1D53aRlOj-mf3P0-MszP4VsUOZeUC1_gye26miKFXW_S0TJUP/s1600/nonfunraiser.jpg" /></a></div>
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What the hell?! That is my response! Aren't you suppose to care about animals? Aren't you suppose to be well-educated about the issues involving animal suffering suffering? Are we not living in 2011, the most vegan-possible world yet? What's the deal?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6n8S9Lq6k98_SnyvumXikDjfrh9A5KRs7H5yxI2eRdZLw7Bx_4zaIBLtTLrDKVmTFpsCztc-IQ2numeso3a-dNjqWD5VVfPtNGygp2_Mxyraq2fBu0xbXbegTY4K9o0iQn0XeOv10WPb/s1600/nonfunraiser3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6n8S9Lq6k98_SnyvumXikDjfrh9A5KRs7H5yxI2eRdZLw7Bx_4zaIBLtTLrDKVmTFpsCztc-IQ2numeso3a-dNjqWD5VVfPtNGygp2_Mxyraq2fBu0xbXbegTY4K9o0iQn0XeOv10WPb/s1600/nonfunraiser3.jpg" /></a></div>
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Any fundraiser raising money and awareness for animal causes should be <i>completely</i> vegan. Why? Because otherwise, animal needlessly suffered and died to create the meals meant to relieve the suffering of other animals. That's like getting t-shirts made in sweatshops to promote a fair labor campaign. It doesn't make any sense. <br />
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So knock it off. Get with the program. <a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/" target="_blank">Go vegan.</a> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2jQdxY6O0xXb3v3G-XcoXPk-4-E4cwH3d99NmzcYBUnVQ6lVWJ9kYAEoGUMqkgPXMN-vfK0jTdLgGdE7BKdb_zJIt0M3eOtd6c6dAqJ42cIPLD-tA_rYO_ro6b8j8RJTJUeo_oq6mnmX/s1600/nonfunraiser2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2jQdxY6O0xXb3v3G-XcoXPk-4-E4cwH3d99NmzcYBUnVQ6lVWJ9kYAEoGUMqkgPXMN-vfK0jTdLgGdE7BKdb_zJIt0M3eOtd6c6dAqJ42cIPLD-tA_rYO_ro6b8j8RJTJUeo_oq6mnmX/s320/nonfunraiser2.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you live in Philly, <a href="http://blog.empowerment-group.org/2011/03/entrepreneur-profile-rachel-klein-of.html" target="_blank">Miss Rachel</a> can help make your events vegan!</td></tr>
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DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-65761692804648992522012-04-04T00:23:00.000-04:002015-11-06T05:10:53.205-05:00Dr. Neal BarnardDr. Barnard has many videos on YouTube and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Neal-D.-Barnard/e/B001ILHHG0/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1305780477&sr=8-1" target="_blank">many books</a>. I'll start you off with something short. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Pcs6MSdG2W0" width="450"></iframe><br />
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Pretty interesting, huh?<br />
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If you have more time, I recommend watching his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuxfdH3-pWk&feature=relmfu" target="_blank">longer</a> videos.DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-47035318544969403712012-03-28T12:56:00.000-04:002015-11-06T05:13:36.434-05:00"I can't."<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiofWa_289WWy0-El-9wnIZQ21fSmUbC0uxw75BBHxbM5QoL8y3VXhr0PPnE85AIXPgONK0OOt7XV7XxEuUaldUxMWBGPZgpK7SeN_r9GS2aic9PoY3tu22pB8aaBq3mn7_QeyDkpUhxeS/s1600/can.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiofWa_289WWy0-El-9wnIZQ21fSmUbC0uxw75BBHxbM5QoL8y3VXhr0PPnE85AIXPgONK0OOt7XV7XxEuUaldUxMWBGPZgpK7SeN_r9GS2aic9PoY3tu22pB8aaBq3mn7_QeyDkpUhxeS/s1600/can.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can if you believe you can.</td></tr>
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<br />
There are a lot of people who agree with the reasoning behind veganism but say, "I can't."<br />
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Some say they aren't strong enough. Some say they aren't good enough cooks. Some worry what their family and friends would think and say. Some think that it's no use to try. Sadly, some people really believe they just can't.<br />
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But, the beautiful truth of the matter is...<br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;"><b>You Can!</b></span><br />
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<div style="color: yellow;">
You <i><b>can</b></i> be an agent of change.</div>
<span style="color: #ffe599;">You can be the change you want to see in the world! </span> <br />
<div style="color: yellow;">
You <i><b>can</b></i> develop strong will power.</div>
<div style="color: yellow;">
<span style="color: #ffe599;"> It's only really necessary in the first few weeks. </span></div>
<div style="color: yellow;">
You <i><b>can</b></i> learn to cook...</div>
<div style="color: yellow;">
<span style="color: #ffe599;">...Or you can stick to the basics and still be healthy.</span></div>
<div style="color: yellow;">
You <i><b>can</b></i> still be loved and accepted by those you are about while being an example of cruelty-free living.</div>
<div style="color: yellow;">
<span style="color: #ffe599;">This doesn't mean they won't challenge you. </span></div>
<div style="color: yellow;">
You <i><b>can</b></i> always try and take comfort in knowing you really<i> did</i> do your best.</div>
<div style="color: yellow;">
<span style="color: #ffe599;">Hardly any one even </span><i style="color: #ffe599;">really</i><span style="color: #ffe599;"> tries. </span></div>
<div style="color: yellow;">
You <i><b>can</b></i> do it. I <b>know </b>you can!</div>
<a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/">Go vegan!</a><br />
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DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-35596860275123965072012-03-21T00:55:00.000-04:002015-11-06T05:09:18.467-05:00Veganism, a Definition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmM1Pmj47ASeKll-i00y4hHK6VkwS-wHPsdueVTZhlFQeGFPkTAu18fddJwudWXsZTHBembfLkqiMB-Y2clCJxcnA8gOc_Q46cxYToPIMXt5QyFn9ST8TJ1qR1oI0VISy0zNbUZC2iWXQ/s1600/define3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmM1Pmj47ASeKll-i00y4hHK6VkwS-wHPsdueVTZhlFQeGFPkTAu18fddJwudWXsZTHBembfLkqiMB-Y2clCJxcnA8gOc_Q46cxYToPIMXt5QyFn9ST8TJ1qR1oI0VISy0zNbUZC2iWXQ/s1600/define3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veganism" target="_blank">Veganism</a> as defined by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Watson">Donald Watson</a> (1910-2005), the man who coined the word vegan in 1944.<br />
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<blockquote>
<i>The word "veganism"denotes a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude — as far as is possible and practical — all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.</i></blockquote>
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Wikipedia says :<br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.8889px;"><br /></b>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.8889px;">Veganism</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.8889px;"> is both the practice of abstaining from the use of </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_product" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.8889px; text-decoration: none;" title="Animal product">animal products</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.8889px;">, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodity" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.8889px; text-decoration: none;" title="Commodity">commodity</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.8889px;"> status of animals.</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-9" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veganism#cite_note-9" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[9]</a></sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.8889px;"> A follower of veganism is known as a </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.8889px;">vegan</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.8889px;">.</span> </blockquote>
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For extra clarification, the following things are not vegan.<br />
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<ul>
<li><b>Meat. </b></li>
<li><b>Milk, Eggs, and Cheese. </b> </li>
<li><b>Honey.</b> What is a bee? An animal, plant, or material? So what is honey? An animal product. </li>
<li><b>Zoos. </b></li>
<li><b>Non-vegan clothing.</b> This means no fur, leather, wool, or silk. All of these materials, like any other non-vegan products are equally unnecessary and therefore equally cruel. We need to understand this.</li>
<li><b>Non-vegan makeup and other products. </b></li>
<li><b>Cigarettes that test on animals. </b></li>
<li><b>Seafood.</b></li>
<li>This includes <b>oysters.</b> I've heard from other vegans that there's a myth floating around that oysters are vegan and are being served at "vegan" event buffets. Oysters are not vegan. </li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">The following things are not vegan. </span> </span></div>
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DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-27475085426165218882012-03-14T17:18:00.000-04:002015-11-06T05:07:10.357-05:00What's the Difference Between the Dog You Love and the Cow You Eat?<br />
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There is no difference.<br />
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Professor Francione shares that he begins his daily conversations on veganism with people by asking if they share their home with any non-human animals. Often, people respond that they have a pet and share funny stories about their pet's personality and intelligence. I imagine when posed with Professor Francione's question some respond, " I know my dog/cat and I don't know the cow that I eat."<br />
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My reply to this I would be, " I know my friends and I don't know yours. Still, if it's in my power to keep your friends out of harm's way, I will do it." <br />
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What we consume, wear, and use is always in our power and we can use this power to keep all animals out of harm's way. <br />
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People may also be under the impression that dogs and cats are much smarter than cows, pigs, and chickens. I have two points here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iRtmeFEmBbFIOqCZMLxSEBoC65Q_q4dw0oUrMRHsDyDOIVA1AcSmHR4Oj3ymcVl0cobMcFUfSYkq8YQ2C51AEG8TeyH4tgpMn5YJmuL6LcNXre03zEVAkkOYAo2tnbIaS7bJFzETRGug/s1600/singingpig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iRtmeFEmBbFIOqCZMLxSEBoC65Q_q4dw0oUrMRHsDyDOIVA1AcSmHR4Oj3ymcVl0cobMcFUfSYkq8YQ2C51AEG8TeyH4tgpMn5YJmuL6LcNXre03zEVAkkOYAo2tnbIaS7bJFzETRGug/s1600/singingpig.jpg" /></a></div>
<ol>
<li>Most people have neither the experience or fact-based knowledge to know if their dogs or cats are smarter than so-called "food animals". Farm animals have just as much personality and intelligence when given the chance. For more information on this, I recommend reading<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pig-Who-Sang-Moon-Emotional/dp/034545281X" target="_blank">"The Pig Who Sang to the Moon"</a> by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson. </li>
<li>If farm animals were less <a href="http://theveganlightbulb.blogspot.com/2010/11/q-animal-intellience.html" target="_blank">intelligent</a> than our companion animals, would that be a morally sound reason to deem their lives less worth living than our pets? As Professor Francione reasons, smartness would make a person more deserving of a scholarship but not more deserving of a life. </li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX_mX3mgcf6NlTOjby9Qp909G9QzC5Jlp2lvIHzbVsLA4j23W5XpnM22gcfNWwbbZYKTkCy4YG-7lS9rfDAEHhQFX-BD9t3U5rFHzg_aFlkRWoFo6CO37GXjZyHMqGnul2ZGTAuZB-KmR/s1600/difference2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX_mX3mgcf6NlTOjby9Qp909G9QzC5Jlp2lvIHzbVsLA4j23W5XpnM22gcfNWwbbZYKTkCy4YG-7lS9rfDAEHhQFX-BD9t3U5rFHzg_aFlkRWoFo6CO37GXjZyHMqGnul2ZGTAuZB-KmR/s1600/difference2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Animal cruelty at its worst!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-1214130675993182402012-03-07T09:48:00.000-05:002015-11-06T05:08:05.921-05:00Welfare and Sexism<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizW_IQ-8gGrfyIEI1OW6Faa91e30jFU35MRy3q2x6JFBWC46cnhn5mcG64oKjSt7YlAZkc_jwao66cqy4f9U8PNXRfNZ2l6pj3Y5RDx41OHTu6-oXGhdUloMbTLB5WLmPITe6liv03AQJ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+1.10.43+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizW_IQ-8gGrfyIEI1OW6Faa91e30jFU35MRy3q2x6JFBWC46cnhn5mcG64oKjSt7YlAZkc_jwao66cqy4f9U8PNXRfNZ2l6pj3Y5RDx41OHTu6-oXGhdUloMbTLB5WLmPITe6liv03AQJ/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+1.10.43+AM.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because this helps animals a lot...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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For <a href="http://www.internationalwomensday.com/" target="_blank">International Women's Day</a> (March 8th), I wanted to address the issue of sexism in the animal welfare movement. I could attempt to cover the topic but I think it would be a better use of everyone's time to share this joint statement written by a group of Abolitionist Vegan Feminist last year. <br />
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You can read the statement here:<br />
<blockquote>
<a href="http://my-face-is-on-fire.blogspot.com/2010/03/joint-statement-by-group-of.html" target="_blank">Right Here!</a></blockquote>
You can listen to the statement here:<br />
<blockquote>
<a href="http://nzveganpodcast.blogspot.com/search?q=joint+statement" target="_blank">Right Here!</a> </blockquote>
You can watch the statement below:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="290" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xxLtoXYwoc8" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe>DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-52450416789167086002012-02-29T00:53:00.000-05:002015-11-06T05:05:05.153-05:00Five More Ideas for Creative, Non-violent, Vegan Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTRYHjW8lfreRCSqCC0UNPZlhJ6tGyNlL-hGVIizvHDvyFivCBT5Yw8mBE6jtJleFDg8Sw0OX_oLpa5yVOS_O8cOZmwKYShW0rpGj7oEfqxbwgg8UMI-aJsUPm40JM2VnCSwxjTD_YKMl/s1600/nonv7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTRYHjW8lfreRCSqCC0UNPZlhJ6tGyNlL-hGVIizvHDvyFivCBT5Yw8mBE6jtJleFDg8Sw0OX_oLpa5yVOS_O8cOZmwKYShW0rpGj7oEfqxbwgg8UMI-aJsUPm40JM2VnCSwxjTD_YKMl/s1600/nonv7.jpg" /></a></div>
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This grass won't grow by itself! We all need to do something! Here are just a few more ideas:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68-4-60CEWDRCN0s9KZS-dBYxy5DAtMkWyz3H6c9PRwaJoplNVZFh25W3Zr0LpMobkagK2So-DqUTvcIxqnbwigE-CJJTcEd7bBS1uPIE0a6TqybY3T8Tpnc44IyMN2c8Pe8HH2V0hg2H/s1600/nonv5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68-4-60CEWDRCN0s9KZS-dBYxy5DAtMkWyz3H6c9PRwaJoplNVZFh25W3Zr0LpMobkagK2So-DqUTvcIxqnbwigE-CJJTcEd7bBS1uPIE0a6TqybY3T8Tpnc44IyMN2c8Pe8HH2V0hg2H/s1600/nonv5.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: lime;">6.) Bring Veganism into Your Life -</b> Do you love hair and makeup? Make sure all the <a href="http://www.veganstore.com/cruelty-free-cosmetics.html">beauty products</a> you use are vegan and cruelty-free and let everyone who compliments your look know that cruelty doesn't have to be involved with style! Do you volunteer to help humans or non-humans? Share with others your realization that helping certain lives and then exploiting others doesn't make any sense. Are you an artist, writer, or musician? Use animal-free art products, write about animal rights whenever possible, and use vegan alternatives for musical instrument upkeep. If sports and fitness is your thing, prove that veganism is compatible (and helpful) to this lifestyle. Whatever you do in life, make veganism a part of it and talk to others about your choices as much as humanly possibly! <b><span style="color: lime;"> </span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVWzXwZqeTbWYrF8nXGaq3mDm4zrxvdEEwOxms0OFpW-1Juq6E_tmh0ex4nuSGpe3lrHlyNL01MwRAu1St2ojw4q_SffuvvnA4E52wCe7my5QpZv9JvD5_n5pcFiQKJMZT4PMIfl278fb/s1600/nonv4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVWzXwZqeTbWYrF8nXGaq3mDm4zrxvdEEwOxms0OFpW-1Juq6E_tmh0ex4nuSGpe3lrHlyNL01MwRAu1St2ojw4q_SffuvvnA4E52wCe7my5QpZv9JvD5_n5pcFiQKJMZT4PMIfl278fb/s1600/nonv4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;"></span><span style="color: lime;">7.) Bring Vegan Meals -</span></b> Whenever there is a get together or event, do you best to put together a delicious, attractive <a href="http://seitanismymotor.com/" target="_blank"">vegan meal</a>! There is a terrible misconception that vegan food is bland and weird-looking. Shoot these myths down and fill stomachs in the process. Depending on your audience, you may need hide the fact that the meal you are sharing is vegan to get people to even try your dish. Should this be the case, hide the label until after everyone has devoured the food and then be sure that all of your friends/coworkers/family know that not one ounce of animal-cruelty was in the dish. For this form of education, some practice in cooking is required because people will judge veganism based on the food that you give to them. Never, ever, ever, serve a meal that is anything less than stellar! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4BxGq65cK6SH_4YLo7UQR5emK1y32NcgW1KCKqRcyuM8uqPM2EOF2Ux89OruvVwbDeC4X3jwFzNUzHoUx7TDZMtuHoMN3xQsPU0hyphenhyphenaK2LCDe61LQUB77vMNBRHVvgqNmuRhBlsiB4rHn/s1600/nonv3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4BxGq65cK6SH_4YLo7UQR5emK1y32NcgW1KCKqRcyuM8uqPM2EOF2Ux89OruvVwbDeC4X3jwFzNUzHoUx7TDZMtuHoMN3xQsPU0hyphenhyphenaK2LCDe61LQUB77vMNBRHVvgqNmuRhBlsiB4rHn/s1600/nonv3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: lime;">8.) Bring a Smile -</b> We all have less than perfect days but when we represent a way of life as misunderstood as veganism, keeping a positive attitude and letting this attitude shine, will be a key factor in changing people's views on violence-free living. Anyone reading this blog post on a computer has a better life than <a href="http://theveganlightbulb.blogspot.com/2010/10/q-human-rights-vs-animal-rights.html" target="_blank"">many going hungry</a>, <a href="http://theveganlightbulb.blogspot.com/2010/10/q-wont-eating-more-plants-lead-to-more.html" target="_blank"">countless who are homeless</a>, and <a href="http://www.beautomated.com/counter" target="_blank"">billions of innocents being exploited</a>. Count your blessings and smile! Talk to people about how happy you are and how happy you are to be alive and free. Laugh loudly, love deeply, and live it up! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRabsPXZ2si5INYXZrwIDjwVEB710BQMa4olpCr3c6ASi9z50Qjn5T3iEgpl8dD6WcKVuu7sbZNa468v-05uDfIvRNnTjFkzeKK9EKWBSeN5ci3L15DYPFoX2eVtaYpp3mWIMkYUzyWqho/s1600/nonv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRabsPXZ2si5INYXZrwIDjwVEB710BQMa4olpCr3c6ASi9z50Qjn5T3iEgpl8dD6WcKVuu7sbZNa468v-05uDfIvRNnTjFkzeKK9EKWBSeN5ci3L15DYPFoX2eVtaYpp3mWIMkYUzyWqho/s1600/nonv2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: lime;">9.) Write a Book - </b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Animal-Rights-Your-Child/dp/1566396921/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1297500773&sr=8-4" target="_blank"">Vegan theory</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Muzzling-Movement-Anti-Terrorism-Politics-Activism/dp/1590561767/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297501231&sr=1-1" target="_blank"">vegan history</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Girls-Guide-Life-Cruelty-Free/dp/1616080922/ref=pd_sim_b_5" target="_blank"">vegan crafting</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-All-Vegan-Irresistible-Animal-Free/dp/1551520672/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297501267&sr=1-1" target="_blank"">vegan cooking</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Freak-Being-Non-Vegan-World/dp/1604860154/ref=pd_sim_b_9" target="_blank"">vegan living</a>. Think of something you would love to write about and go for it. If you surf Amazon.com you will see that there is a market for veganism and the great news is, with each new publication, veganism becomes more mainstream and less "extreme". My only worry is that <a href="http://my-face-is-on-fire.blogspot.com/2011/01/veganism-in-media.html" target="_blank"">mainstream</a> will mean misunderstood. We could certainly use more abolitionist writers. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EvADlbxl-Es-bfkBPP72AC5CItcZYBzIDyOUwNgOHfcOrjD8yupx29NhEfeow5WKPIkvUjegPEaJnAOjwYsNP9-Ar_PwNXCDcBEWeTtxKMuyIHJcCaol5q6tF6spFVeVoVThPlJVenHi/s1600/nonv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EvADlbxl-Es-bfkBPP72AC5CItcZYBzIDyOUwNgOHfcOrjD8yupx29NhEfeow5WKPIkvUjegPEaJnAOjwYsNP9-Ar_PwNXCDcBEWeTtxKMuyIHJcCaol5q6tF6spFVeVoVThPlJVenHi/s1600/nonv.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;">10.) Blog -</span></b> I may be biased, but I believe that blogging is a terrific way to reach the masses. You can articulate your point-of-view, share facts, link to articles, and post videos. A blog can be as brief or as in-depth, as general or as personal, as serious or as light as the blogger desires. In my opinion, I think that a blog is most effective when supplemented with another form of activism. For instance, I think that if you have a conversation with someone about the environmental impact animal products have, it is great to be able to send this person to an online address where all of these issues are covered with supporting evidence.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEAbZWuWRsyOWF8eEUheVDyYNdZbadyPa8I_ZqgmLJoaaQ1cK7p5Z335VHiHX24IVU5pXdP660p9GVV5XMKVLaALvhSvxO6sTHXf9wd_FKXqa0EwPBf7_x_u75ZM5Qr_pFmfWgq0Xe1JJ/s1600/nonv8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEAbZWuWRsyOWF8eEUheVDyYNdZbadyPa8I_ZqgmLJoaaQ1cK7p5Z335VHiHX24IVU5pXdP660p9GVV5XMKVLaALvhSvxO6sTHXf9wd_FKXqa0EwPBf7_x_u75ZM5Qr_pFmfWgq0Xe1JJ/s1600/nonv8.jpg" /></a></div>
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More ideas to come! The possibilities are endless!<br />
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**Update: <a href="http://theveganlightbulb.blogspot.com/2011/06/things-you-can-do-to-help-animals.html" target="_blank">More ideas came!</a>**DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-72700191903337591832012-02-22T05:30:00.000-05:002015-11-06T05:04:07.247-05:00Five Ideas for Creative, Non-violent, Vegan Education<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><b> </b></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><b> "</b>If each </span><span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3" style="color: #d5a6bd;">person</span><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"> would </span><span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1" style="color: #d5a6bd;">sweep</span><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"> before his own house, the city would soon be clean."</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;">~ Chinese Proverb </span></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;"> 1.) Make Vegan Videos -</span></b> I went vegan after stumbling upon some informative <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_1uR8esefc" target="_blank">vegan videos</a> so I can fully attest to this form of activism as being effective. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlxRIITD6TxWa2tKP3kQ-p0SUzm4Bt8I1Q7FclyktsK1vZuWK0N2i5YNq11cdG3EmyqopyJzqWPqAAxfzHJIm8q5PJRwPx-qDUuX3kNuepBdYrQtl1BVGDcjIf5gL3FHuXJTVfijIgoFN/s1600/cre2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlxRIITD6TxWa2tKP3kQ-p0SUzm4Bt8I1Q7FclyktsK1vZuWK0N2i5YNq11cdG3EmyqopyJzqWPqAAxfzHJIm8q5PJRwPx-qDUuX3kNuepBdYrQtl1BVGDcjIf5gL3FHuXJTVfijIgoFN/s1600/cre2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: blue;">2.) Go to Vegan Events -</b> <a href="http://www.meetup.com/" target="_blank">Meet</a> vegans near you and talk about ways to effectively reach people. Talking to other veganism about the movement is undeniably inspiring and a nice break from commonly asked questions. Just be sure to bring a <a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/" target="_blank">consistent message</a> to meetings no matter what message may be floating around. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd2iwKndp4WiSom8LfzjPW_aSEbezyEyTwLVQEWNcKFUr0cx_gt1GTKw7NRmviVxwFCfHnXApVO9cd6gRL3eq6bA2oX1xWxmcdCZtHgQHQaC9AMOiDjrkbQkwBSK1JUUGgMvG9IAmoNmw/s1600/cre3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd2iwKndp4WiSom8LfzjPW_aSEbezyEyTwLVQEWNcKFUr0cx_gt1GTKw7NRmviVxwFCfHnXApVO9cd6gRL3eq6bA2oX1xWxmcdCZtHgQHQaC9AMOiDjrkbQkwBSK1JUUGgMvG9IAmoNmw/s1600/cre3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: blue;">3.) Go to Non-Vegan Event -</b> Go to an event that is not explicitly vegan and be the vegan voice. For instance, when I heard that a local museum was holding a discussion for Earth Day about eco-living, I went so someone (me!) would bring up the fact that food affects global issues more than any other life change.<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">4.) Answer Questions Online - </span></b>Go to sites like Yahoo Answers and answer vegan questions in an educated, friendly, and truthful way. Like many forms of activism, you will be unaware of the impact your action will do but whenever a person Googles a question and your unapologetic response comes up, you will effectively be planting seeds thanks to a few minutes you spent constructing a few thoughtful, well-researched paragraphs.<br />
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<b style="color: blue;">5.) Start a Business -</b> This world needs more vegans and a great way to get there is to create more vegan options. Whether food, fashion, or fun is your business, you can make it cruelty-free and help make a difference in the world. <a href="http://missrachelspantry.com/Home_Sweet_Home.html" target="_blank">Here is a friend of mine who is doing just that.</a> <br />
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<a href="http://theveganlightbulb.blogspot.com/2011/02/five-more-ideas-for-creative-nonviolent.html" target="_blank">There's more --></a>DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-185842034031428502012-02-15T09:38:00.000-05:002015-11-06T05:02:58.832-05:00A Bad Situation is a Bad SituationOne thing I don't like about welfarists' approach to animal rights is they depend upon the measuring of evil. Where does that get us and more importantly, where does that leave the animals. It leaves the animals tortured, killed, and dead on our plates, all for our pleasure and convenience. We don't have to measure evils, we can do away with them! This reminds me of a friend I had in high school.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAW80vJXnjSP63aIy-Y2Wp3DHZMp5E6KQik0mY_0wx6pSFXI8NeFysZDuz_n3OsukuqRZ3OFOz1N7_TwUCcSRBTNR3MApSuUoKtuuoNDRKORjgsQ-ZLwe-BItaGvOG5HRjoTDDS4rbtmj/s1600/bad6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAW80vJXnjSP63aIy-Y2Wp3DHZMp5E6KQik0mY_0wx6pSFXI8NeFysZDuz_n3OsukuqRZ3OFOz1N7_TwUCcSRBTNR3MApSuUoKtuuoNDRKORjgsQ-ZLwe-BItaGvOG5HRjoTDDS4rbtmj/s1600/bad6.jpg" /></a></div>
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This friend was living in a bad situation. Upon sharing what she was going through,an acquaintance remarked that she didn't have it as bad as another friend living in a worse situation, to which my friend replied "A bad situation is a bad situation." And she's right. A bad situation <i>is</i> a bad situation. My friend was living in a situation that she couldn't control and she didn't deserve. Nothing happening to anyone else changed her predicament. So what happened to this friend?<br />
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She grew up. She doesn't have to face what she faced anymore because she is a grown human in charge and in control of her own life. The animals we impose our will upon will never have this chance. They will always be at our mercy. They can't control it, they don't deserve it, and just because some animals have it worse, doesn't change the fact that <i>all</i> the animals we use are in a bad situation for which we are completely responsible. So what should we do?<br />
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We need to grow up. We need to face and realize that no one's life is worth our pleasure and convenience. Nothing tastes that good. Nothing is good enough to make up for the bad situation we put animals in. Not now. Not on non-Mondays. Not when we go out to eat. Not when we want to eat "<a href="http://my-face-is-on-fire.blogspot.com/2011/04/veganism-in-media.html" target="_blank">regular cookies</a>". Not ever.<br />
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DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-83068660015871273972012-02-08T12:30:00.000-05:002015-11-06T05:00:54.217-05:00Forcing Beliefs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Vegans are providing reasons for going vegan: 1) enslaving, exploiting, and killing sentient nonhumans is completely unnecessary under any coherent notion of the word necessary; 2) enslaving, exploiting, and killing sentient nonhumans is harmful; 3) unnecessary harm is wrong; 4) it follows from 1, 2, and 3 that enslaving, exploiting, and killing sentient nonhumans is wrong. That is not forcing any beliefs on anyone. It is providing reasons to go vegan."</span></blockquote>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-b853d2ed-c17d-11d2-1d5b-7ebccae4dbf1"><a href="http://unpopularveganessays.blogspot.com/2007/09/on-imposing-beliefs-on-others.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ Dan Cudahy, Unpopular Vegan Essays </span></a></span>DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-83377690418364728092012-02-01T05:00:00.000-05:002015-11-06T04:58:49.062-05:00Culture vs. CompassionSometimes I hear, "I'm Greek/Italian/Chinese so I can't be vegan." <br />
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I've got good news! No matter your background of upbringing, you have the option of going vegan!<br />
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The bad news is, the animals bred and born to serve us have no options. These animals will live miserable lives until they no longer produce things (such as eggs and milk) that are useful to us, and then they will be violently killed so we can enjoy a few passing moments of the taste of their flesh. Does anyone really want this process to be part of their culture? <br />
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Most people are proud of their culture but no one feel proud if they realized they were directly contributing to unnecessary suffering and death of billions of innocent lives every year. It's worthwhile for people to ask themselves what they want to pass on to their children.<br />
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It's also worth noting that most civilizations and cultures have a past full of slavery, sexism, and other ugly histories. These practices ended as we welcomed kinder ways of living into our lives.<br />
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Old traditions can evolve and new traditions can start at anytime we choose. <span style="text-align: center;">We don't have to choose between our heritage and being compassionate. </span><br />
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Our culture doesn't define us. We define it.<br />
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P.S. [<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/moewillit/vegan-friendly-africa/" target="_blank">African</a>] <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/moewillit/vegan-friendly-chinese/" target="_blank">[Chinese]</a> <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/moewillit/vegan-friendly-greece/" target="_blank">[Greek]</a>[<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/moewillit/vegan-friendly-italy/" target="_blank">Italian</a>]<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/moewillit/vegan-friendly-japan/" target="_blank">[Japanese]</a>[<a href="http://www.onegreenplanet.org/tag/vegan-jewish-recipes" target="_blank">Jewish</a>][<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/moewillit/vegan-friendly-mexico/" target="_blank">Mexican</a>][<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d89i7OY2yTw" target="_blank">Soul Food</a>]</div>
DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-12210611044694297962012-01-25T00:45:00.000-05:002015-11-06T04:57:31.468-05:00"People Go Vegan When They're Ready."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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An argument I often hear against <a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/" target="_blank">vegan education</a> is "People go vegan when they are ready." This made sense to me until I realized, as soon as I was taught all the plain facts about animal use, I was ready! As soon as the sugarcoating ended, I went vegan and I will always be vegan.<br />
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Some argue that people go at their own pace, I argue people go at the pace at which they are educated. When it comes to educating others be kind, be patient, and be compassionate, but above all, be truthful.<br />
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It's true that the people you reach may not go vegan right away but your lessons will likely become a part of their greater understanding of animal rights. If they hear the message enough and think about these ideas on their own, in time, veganism will make perfect sense. <br />
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DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-23313745928399512062012-01-18T18:19:00.000-05:002015-11-06T04:54:32.145-05:00Vegan PropagandaOn one action-packed day, I got to see Gary Francione speak at a <a href="http://www.peaceadvocacynetwork.org/" target="_blank">PAN</a> meeting and then later on that same day at <a href="http://grindcorehouse.com/" target="_blank">Grindcore House</a>, a vegan coffeehouse. <br />
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At the coffeehouse, Gary talked about his most recent book<span style="background-color: black; color: orange;"> </span><i><span style="background-color: black; color: orange;">T</span><a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/books/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black;">h</span>e Animal Rights Debate: Abolition or Regulation?</a></i> The talk was fascinating and Gary ended his visit by taking questions. <br />
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One women about my age said that she was a farmer and she had a hard time telling people to go vegan when she knew first hand how much harm any type of farming does. She said something along the lines of, "Vegan propaganda tells people veganism is enough to solve all these problems but it's not." <br />
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Gary smiled and replied, "Propaganda. There's a loaded word." <br />
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She remained serious and said, "That's what it is." <br />
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Gary talked about how it takes 16 pounds of plant matter to make 1 pound of flesh. He also used the following analogy. <br />
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If a person is building a road and the statics say that based on the location of the road and the speed limit, 10 people will be killed on the road, this is not at all the same as if this road builder went out and murdered 10 people.</blockquote>
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Gary agreed that all farming kills animals but we have to eat something so we should eat food that causes as little suffering and death as possible. Gary said that veganism is just a step in leading a more peaceful life but it is a crucial step. <br />
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While the definition of propaganda is "information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause" the connotation of the word propaganda is much stronger and more negative. To me, the word propaganda brings to mind <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1525520880">Leni </a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leni_Riefenstahl" target="_blank">Rienfenstahl</a>'s <i>Triumph of the Will, </i>a documentary which painted Nazis to be saintly and Hitler to be a savior. <br />
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In my mind, propaganda has a long history of hurting others and making things worse. Vegan education can only lead to positive changes. We could make this planet a wonderful place to live if we just made up our minds to do so. <br />
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DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-61010078473828519582012-01-11T02:15:00.000-05:002015-11-06T04:50:01.004-05:00"You're on a Desert Island and..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Once you're vegan, you'll learn about a side of humanity you never before knew about. For the most part, you just have to be prepared with the facts while maintaining your sense of humor. The crazy hypothetical is just one of those times. <br />
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Just like people <i>love</i> to bring up the lion killing the antelope and ask if carnivorous animals should be put on trial, people <i><b>love</b></i> to put you on a desert island or burning building just to see what you would do. And by see what you would do I mean, make you say you would intentional harm an animal.<br />
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There are a few things I would like to say about the crazy hypothetical.<br />
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Firstly, I am vegan because I do not believe in or support unnecessary harm and death to animals. If it became necessary for me to eat animals to survive, I would do it. Does that surprise you? More importantly, does that prove anything to you? Just because I would eat a fish if I were on a desert island doesn't mean that being vegan in the real world isn't a sound philosophy. The thing is with these constructed situations, they in no way resemble the world we live in now so they in no way resemble the way a person can behave in a normal, everyday setting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcp1Rz0xv0litJHsuz2jXrryuqmKoXJLMMivg5nYKuIwdukZRi5YLQEhi70w02QDNLkR0eNDGmKAkimajnc_sa7CkBwhnSeN_6enBy1jRCOfzdyhSRBUrYERfE5nV2jaN8AiL5w_ig56g/s1600/crazy4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcp1Rz0xv0litJHsuz2jXrryuqmKoXJLMMivg5nYKuIwdukZRi5YLQEhi70w02QDNLkR0eNDGmKAkimajnc_sa7CkBwhnSeN_6enBy1jRCOfzdyhSRBUrYERfE5nV2jaN8AiL5w_ig56g/s1600/crazy4.gif" /></a></div>
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Gary Francione says this same idea in another way. In his book, <i>An Introduction to Animal Rights: Your Child or the Dog?</i> Francione notes that a person may ask a vegan, "If there was a burning building with your child and your dog, who would you save?" The answer is clearly, the child. But, if the burning building had your child and my child, I would save my child. So what does these questions prove? Not a darn thing!<br />
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Just to be clear, I am not living in a life or death situation and this gives me the freedom to make choices like enjoying curry lentil soup as opposed to a BLT. To be equally clear, billions of animals <i>are</i> living in life or death situations and the food choices we make a difference in a much more real way than any crazy hypothetical. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0zc2df2oeAoA24um4SkSeH-0G_H_cG63uVmYYl1fwLGaXEOQTpPvfrbmTuN-xF3Jh2EqKe8Seh9_xA4v8MoyUySs1euuv5-I4IJnhBOaDyJFn1V8P6vya2M2aIMPX13ZrwgCuJ5ClVwB/s1600/crazy5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0zc2df2oeAoA24um4SkSeH-0G_H_cG63uVmYYl1fwLGaXEOQTpPvfrbmTuN-xF3Jh2EqKe8Seh9_xA4v8MoyUySs1euuv5-I4IJnhBOaDyJFn1V8P6vya2M2aIMPX13ZrwgCuJ5ClVwB/s1600/crazy5.jpg" /></a></div>
DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-68645402581624055712012-01-04T19:32:00.000-05:002015-11-06T04:47:39.114-05:00"The World Won't Go Vegan Overnight."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UjbwU7Z21C-gxGIfCAgQMfLMc5KxI84ny7M-6Ne1NwtRPA_jlZbY4aZxC4hIhuSNQbOxaSooVnjqIyprrfqUAcQrwE5-lJ5B2EDF9qJe5bjhJjBw-r4MBHkoPUDqjnmQ-lfmrLn08Btr/s1600/overnight2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UjbwU7Z21C-gxGIfCAgQMfLMc5KxI84ny7M-6Ne1NwtRPA_jlZbY4aZxC4hIhuSNQbOxaSooVnjqIyprrfqUAcQrwE5-lJ5B2EDF9qJe5bjhJjBw-r4MBHkoPUDqjnmQ-lfmrLn08Btr/s1600/overnight2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Well, the world will NEVER go vegan if the people most passionate about animal rights advocate for anything other than veganism.<br />
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We shouldn't be afraid that we are going scare people away simply by being consistent. People will "get it" but first, we have to give them a chance. With more of us giving out the same message, people will begin to understand the importance going vegan has for the animals, humans, and the planet.<br />
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I know that the world won't go vegan overnight but I won't let that deter me from teaching everyone I meet to go vegan today. <br />
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DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-46786661287156315542011-12-28T10:23:00.000-05:002015-11-06T04:41:57.081-05:00Honey: Is it Vegan?No. If you <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee" target="_blank">look up</a> what kingdom a bee falls under you will find bees are classified as "Animalia". Therefore any products that come from bees are animal products and therefore not vegan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkvawH5GNScRAz_bNXScQVxxtwpZuOkUe-xK0nSd7_4zJ5sEEZqQHKEhzOR3c8QCh5rHrenZAcM_dy_ivlx7dqDVd8YkTUi1ZeHb5J0BgWmJJDG31nPfrMchzyy2DvocCEWZGHzCUM6Cd/s1600/bees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkvawH5GNScRAz_bNXScQVxxtwpZuOkUe-xK0nSd7_4zJ5sEEZqQHKEhzOR3c8QCh5rHrenZAcM_dy_ivlx7dqDVd8YkTUi1ZeHb5J0BgWmJJDG31nPfrMchzyy2DvocCEWZGHzCUM6Cd/s200/bees.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Here is *the* site about honey and veganism. It's terrific. <br />
<a href="http://www.vegetus.org/honey/honey.htm" target="_blank">((Why Honey is Not Vegan))</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUK4Rm9R-vbAAQSPxgO2hi_hKHJ000BFo-D4ApEzczcqEg9oofum2_RFXUB3WYcoiFz1oLPMCSJx8rKeKzyD9GMyafk_gfn8JC4osGYfdiXjOgTI1Ae46QH0GkcOsc-OnEfuS7OfGXIdS/s1600/bees3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUK4Rm9R-vbAAQSPxgO2hi_hKHJ000BFo-D4ApEzczcqEg9oofum2_RFXUB3WYcoiFz1oLPMCSJx8rKeKzyD9GMyafk_gfn8JC4osGYfdiXjOgTI1Ae46QH0GkcOsc-OnEfuS7OfGXIdS/s1600/bees3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what happens when you eat too many animal products.</td></tr>
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I would also like to add that honey, despite all the fuss from non-vegans and "vegans", is particularly unnecessary, especially when you have some of this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxo0OiuAduM-AE_fDQNr_y5p8ZauNueRiLIVZPVvnYHZLcJpIap_3J9D-3K64iqrLCQpzAp0V25j1NqSHZ9IIIBBvBBlh3myIsa_C5kCC5dYXZ-9JzMLM_J82Bn9tUfT47OMRa1WcVV4c/s1600/bees2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxo0OiuAduM-AE_fDQNr_y5p8ZauNueRiLIVZPVvnYHZLcJpIap_3J9D-3K64iqrLCQpzAp0V25j1NqSHZ9IIIBBvBBlh3myIsa_C5kCC5dYXZ-9JzMLM_J82Bn9tUfT47OMRa1WcVV4c/s1600/bees2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is good stuff!</td></tr>
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DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003225706618352112.post-9082844562185333472011-12-14T17:08:00.000-05:002015-11-06T04:37:18.215-05:00The Asch Conformity Experiments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ns4CF5yI_fwyFbTbFIyGTdJjsqz98niMw55hhXp_of3qm2ncFHISg9DuqJqVoQUnNsGEVZuLbIzEtfwrKUxckF7OA7g8eOpn3Rm8WShVOgnbojKXQJ3VAiWSIZT586I4uLAcJwYiYFk2/s1600/asch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ns4CF5yI_fwyFbTbFIyGTdJjsqz98niMw55hhXp_of3qm2ncFHISg9DuqJqVoQUnNsGEVZuLbIzEtfwrKUxckF7OA7g8eOpn3Rm8WShVOgnbojKXQJ3VAiWSIZT586I4uLAcJwYiYFk2/s320/asch2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the 1950's, a series of social experiments proved the power conformity can have over all of us.<br />
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The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asch_conformity_experiments" target="_blank">Asch Conformity Experiments</a> participants were told that they were taking part in a vision test. In actuality, only one person was being tested and it wasn't for their vision.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggl-vR5sIjegcuhFck-TuyhmPfWt5bn1dp3xXeCUFz_rtMEBY7brV9mbNQf0kpEwxbr8HeqZzPmnLm3RLNLjmnd52tf4fDDS7bJKdzawvCvGsyjQTdtDplFO9vxQUlgMVDT2xTXztY5lRb/s1600/asch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggl-vR5sIjegcuhFck-TuyhmPfWt5bn1dp3xXeCUFz_rtMEBY7brV9mbNQf0kpEwxbr8HeqZzPmnLm3RLNLjmnd52tf4fDDS7bJKdzawvCvGsyjQTdtDplFO9vxQUlgMVDT2xTXztY5lRb/s1600/asch.jpg" /></a></div>
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In the test, a small group of participants were shown a series of cards which all have four lines printed on them. One line is a reference line and the other three lines are the comparison lines. The participants are told to say which of the lines is the same length as the comparison line. With just one person being tested, the other people in the group were actors who were told to give the wrong answer. The results showed that nearly all people will conform to the group and also give the wrong answer. When questioned after the tests, participants gave various reasons for going along with the wrong answer. Some didn't feel comfortable going against the crowd while others truly questioned their own eyesight. But there are variations on this test.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNrfYxuonzInvcu9_zee9_1Ds1tIfX45jpf0x6BSnODqxUnUUvsysYdeHHBTVJHwt2n75axXMt3J8AVKhSyR0VCPVLVgTOct5-3Oiss9ymVY7JTiE6my4INlwIuOb_YK-4Hy0RFqvS1PA/s1600/asch3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNrfYxuonzInvcu9_zee9_1Ds1tIfX45jpf0x6BSnODqxUnUUvsysYdeHHBTVJHwt2n75axXMt3J8AVKhSyR0VCPVLVgTOct5-3Oiss9ymVY7JTiE6my4INlwIuOb_YK-4Hy0RFqvS1PA/s1600/asch3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Psychologist Solomon Asch</td></tr>
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It was found that if ONE actor was told to give the correct answer, the participant would be much more likely to also give the correct answer! As the video below states, "The partnership variation shows that much of the power of the group came not merely by its numbers, but by the unanimity of its opposition. When that unanimity punctured the group's power is greatly reduced."<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QzS5LS6m3KE" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe><br />
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When met with all the facts, the choice to go vegan can be a variation of Asch's tests. You can be one of the small percentage of people who goes against the group because you know what is the right answer and you can also be that ONE other person who does the right thing and inspires others to follow your lead.<br />
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So do it! <a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/" target="_blank">Go vegan!</a> <br />
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DumbledoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643266725126559590noreply@blogger.com0