Calling for the divinity to prevail!!

Hi everyone

My friend Tom sent me an article about how South Africa are wanting to slaughter ten cows to 'bless' the ten stadiums for the World Cup.

I find this notion of ceremonial slaughter very interesting. When i was a little girl, I would drown slugs in my 'potions' in attempt to make me more attractive. I got in trouble for it. If I would have said that I was doing it ceremoniously, perhaps that would have made it acceptable? Hmmm...

Mkiva states, "We must have a cultural ceremony of some sort, where we are going to slaughter a beast. We sacrifice the cow for this great achievement and we call on our ancestors to bless, to grace, to ensure that all goes well. It's all about calling for the divinity to prevail for a fantastic atmosphere,”

The whole thing baffles me. How can humans consider the slaughter of a pure being a method to call upon the divine? How can we be so void of rational thought or compassion that we fail to see what we are really doing?

I say these South African officials need to go buy some FRY's Chicken Schnitzels or Sanitarium Hot Dogs and have a BBQ! I am sure that would generate more delusional blessings than their cow slaughter ;)

Get me a coffee...and let's discuss vegan education.

Hi guys

Two things I wish to cover.

First; To the idiot(s) who are posting inappropriate sexual material on my blog, please grow up. This blogs intent is to be an outlet for issues surrounding veganism - if you have nothing remotely intelligent to say, it is best not to for the sake of your dignity. I also will not delete the comments, I think they should stay there to be seen.

Second; There is so much talk going on about the right approach to educating about veganism...and I think there is a lot of confusion for people like me. I cannot even begin to imagine how perplexed a new vegan, vegetarian or a meat eater might feel when confronted with all of this!

The debate between welfarists and abolitionists is ever growing (and theres even debates amongst the abolitionist community! mind boggling!).

So, what does a vegan who wants to do the right thing - for the animals and themselves do? Theres SO much speculation, SO much talk, SO many fingers pointed everywhere...what's the right decision? Is there a right decision? (Obviously there isn't a RIGHT decision as everybody has a different version of the ultimate truth - but i speak from my point of view and what I see as right for me).

I have been reading this thread.

I am a young vegan. I am not an academic like some of the individuals involved in the aforementioned thread. I am just an everyday young adult who likes to question. I am vegan not for environmental or health reasons, but purely for moral. I wish to do the best I can, and promote veganism in the best light possible, without being superior, without blocking others out, without being close minded and without violence.

I consider myself an abolitionist vegan. I do not agree with the idea of welfarism because i do not think we should be encouraging 'improved' exploitation of non humans. I do not think they should go hand in hand, either.

Based on the thread I read, I have noted some key comments;

1) Let us remember, we all have the same goal. We want animals to attain the basic right to live. Dan has captured very eloquently the following; "The abolitionist critique of welfarism (new or traditional) is NOT that vegan new welfarists aren’t doing any vegan education (and therefore doing everything wrong). The abolitionist critique is that welfarism – focusing on improving treatment – does *nothing* to shift the paradigm of animals as commodities (in fact, it reinforces that paradigm) nor does it get people to go vegan. The “animal movement” pours hundreds of millions of dollars into fighting industry at its strong points (welfare laws and regulations) that could be directed to polite, creative, non-violent vegan education. Abolitionists want vegans, who make up an extremely small percentage of the population, to focus all our resources on creating more vegans, which is the only realistic long-term way to obtain real protection for nonhumans. Welfarism will never go away as long as there are people who consume animal products, and abolitionists completely realize that. We are trying to get more vegans to focus their time, efforts, and money on polite, creative, nonviolent vegan education. And what is wrong about that? Can you imagine how beneficial it would be to see large, well-funded, and well-known “Go Vegan” campaigns that taught people why and how to go vegan? That’s exactly what abolitionists envision someday as our interim goal: huge “Go Vegan” campaigns. "

Key word for me here is long-term. With a welfarist approach, what are the long-term effects on the human mind? For example, with Woolworths choosing to sell free range eggs totally - and sell no cage eggs....what exactly does this do? In my mind, it perpetuates an idea that chickens are ours to be used as commodities, but we should do it nicely. It raises awareness, yes - but about what? Certainly not about why chickens deserve basic rights, or how you can still have delicious cakes and such without eggs, or how much healthier other options are..but rather, how this improved exploitation is better and the 'ethical' choice. Innocent consumers simply believe what is marketed to them, so they really do think they are making the 'ethical' choice and it ends at that.

2) It is important to note that meat and dairy are at record levels of production. It is a fact that most activist work that has been carried out (or as some claim on the thread 'the real activists') or is being carried out, has a welfarist influence of some level. Does this not spark some thought that perhaps, the welfarist approach is indeed failing to a degree? If all we want is the freedom of non humans, we need to do what is in their best interests. So, why should we all not give this crazzzzy abolitionist hoo ha a try? Drop the elitist bullshit, get down and dirty with everyday people and provide real education to the masses. No in your face crap, but rather, smart marketing to make people WANT to know more about veganism, change their perceived stereotype ideas, focus on mainstreaming veganism into the norm. But then you say;

3) People do not give a fuck. Correct, many do not. But the next big question is, WHY do they not give a fuck? It is easy to state that this is what the mass thinks, but we leave it at that and do not ask why.

Let me tell you, as a young Aussie, i did not care much about dairy when I was veggo. And the vegans pissed me off with their elitist attitudes. Totally turned me off wanting to even consider veganism. If veganism was made appealing, if i was provided with proper non elitist information, i would have gladly listened about the ideas surrounding dairy.

People do not give a fuck because;

a) they think they are right

b) veganism is very weird and forgein (also perceived as unhealthy)

c) non humans are perceived to be ours to dominate

d) it is 'normal'

e) they do not know better - or care to know better

f) it is tradition

g) perceived as required part of diet

I seem to think people will continue to not care if we go into their faces with pro-vegan material. The answer is slow integration into our society through smart means. But then you say - why not do this AND also strive for welfare reforms?

I say - WHY? Why try to make exploitation better when we can all get together and focus on the long-term solution of slowly changing infrastructure? Yes it is slow. Yes we can still open rescue to educate the public. But I will NOT support campaigns which do not have a vegan focus, why? because it steers us away from the end goal. Then you say;

Yes but, let's be realistic, people will not change. Yes, people are slow and set in their ways to reject the notion of change, especially if someone comes along and says they have a 'better' way, which is why I emphasise mainstreaming and smart marketing. But then you say;

Well what about in the meantime...should we not better their conditions now and whilst we work on abolitionist movement? This is tricky. I am not experienced in this...but from my simple point of view...I imagine it needs to be considered what effect bettering the conditions has on the human mind, how does make us perceive non humans...and perhaps most of our energy should go into gaining public support through practical means. Not just support of vegans and veggos - but the omni's.

In the thread, Ailurophile said;

"There is only one way forward for animals and that is legislation to protect them and educating the public as to what their suffering is like. Without the public understanding or caring you can achieve very little.

Before you can hope for abolition you must get the public to care. That will only come with education and then you can get changes in legislation."

Yes you hit the nail on the head here, educating the public and without their understanding, there is nothing. So then, how can we achieve anything for animal rights if we promote free range eggs which continue to promote consumption? What does that teach people? How does that change our learnt behaviour?

What I am trying to say is, by promoting welfarism, it also promotes the idea that animals are ours to dominate so we find a better way to commodify them thus making us more civilised. The problem is our learnt behaviour that animals are required and it is normal. That is what needs to change.

So, what to do?

I have drawn the following conclusions which work for me:

1) I only support abolitionist organisations such as ANIMAL RIGHT ADVOCATES as they promote the right idea and they do so in a manner which is perceived very well by the general public. I am NOT against RSPCA or other similar organisations (except for Peta ;), I simply believe some of their methods can be more effective in abolishing slavery if altered. However, on the flipside, the achievements they have made in helping so many animals is wonderful. Things like...when they had their cupcake day to raise money for dogs - they could have easily made sure cupcakes were egg and dairy free so they can educate the public about how you can make delicious baked goods without animal products!

2) I will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS say the BEST education starts at home, education which is creative, fun and intelligent resulting in the mainstreaming of veganism so it becomes the norm and is adopted by more people as it becomes less weird. People hate being weird.

3) I realise many people are confronted by veganism and reject it, even the mention of it ticks them off and they will not listen. So I say, lets avert our attention away from forcing unkeen listeners to listen, but rather, focus firstly on those who are in a position to learn more and also, focus hugely on mainstreaming veganism into society so that it is perceived as more 'normal' then people are more likely to listen to you.

4) I am not opposed to open rescue. I would gladly be involved. But, as long as it were done in a manner which did not tarnish the vegan image in the public eye, but rather, gained sympathy, understanding and awareness.

5) I am not against the welfarists, I am not against anyone. I just find the abolitionist approach to make more consistent sense and to be a better long-term approach.

I am keen as to other peoples thoughts on this. Obviously, we are all wanting to do what is best for the non humans, so we should be open to discuss it to no end. I am all ears.

5 Year Old

Check these guys out:

What I fail to recognise is how a young boy killing an alligator can be glorified and congratulated? What exactly has been achieved to make this boy a hero? Why do we choose to recognise violent behaviour between an impressionable young human being and a non human as heroic activity?

After 8 Months...

Yesterday I found my Cat, Dante who went missing 8 months ago. I was unable to catch him, but I know he /is/ alive and is being fed by various people on the street.

I am finding all the emotions very overwhelming and difficult to deal with, actually. I did not think I was as attached.......

EDIT: I have deleted the rest of this post as I feel it now redundant. After this post I ultimately decided to return him to my ex, who i believe will care for him.

I am concerned about him, as he has not been spotted for days, and the whole street knows to look out for him.

Fingers crossed. That boy needs to lose the testicles, goodness knows the damage. Sigh.

This is what we need more of...

I found this article entitled; Turn Over a New Leaf, Vegan Diets are Moving More Solidly into Mainstream.

This article had an almost orgasmic reaction from me. This is what we should ALL be aiming for.

Here's a snippet of the article; "But forget the things you've heard about this type of cooking being boring and tasteless. Vegan gourmet is in, and that's no tofu baloney.

Vegan cookbooks, complete with glossy, gastro-glam pictures and sassy attitude, are sprouting like wheatgrass.

BabyCakes, a high-profile Manhattan vegan bakery, and other upscale vegan confection shops have propelled the vegan baking movement into the mainstream."

"As recently as five years ago, a vegan diet was considered alternative and radical," says Mary Lawrence, owner of Well On Wheels, a Connecticut-based personal-chef service that provides vegan meals prepared in clients' homes. "Now, with the new emphasis on healthy lifestyles, people are more open and interested."

Lawrence, who also teaches vegan cooking classes, says the availability of ingredients and meat alternatives has made vegan eating an easier choice."

This is what we need to be aiming for in our community - mainstreaming veganism into the norm! By doing so, we will encourage others to adopt it and learn the reasoning behind it. In sending death threats or putting slaughterhouses on fire, we create the image that we are indeed extreme, radical and violent. People like Pip with her delicious food blog...or Tart n Round cafe on High St, they do more for our cause than that PeTA donation or violent behaviour. I know I have said this over a million times, but some people just don't get it!

:)

x

A

Un-Australian To Not Eat A Non Human

Hi everyone

I often forget we are creatures of learnt behaviour. We believe what we are doing is right, because that is what we are taught - no matter how insane it may appear to an observer. When I now see an individual gulping down piece of flesh at McDonalds, I am saddened and feel pity. No, i do not feel superior - I feel like that individual has not had a chance to see what I see, to draw the parallels I have and to experience a higher positive frequency. They're just stuck in their web of marketing and political ploys, doing what they think is right, eating what they think is good for them. Generally, they just do not know better. So sad.

My freakishly annoying friends are back at it again! It seems that now they are offering to pay the Police Department in Vallego to drive with PETA signage on their cars. What signage you ask? Well, it wouldn't be Peta if it were not scantily clad women on the cars. The signage doesn't look as bad as some of their campaigns, but it is not helpful, either. The only response Peta will get from this is 'Fuck Vegans'. My tolerance level of this ridiculous organisation is at an all time low. With SO much money, why can they not do something useful for the AR movement as opposed to making a mockery of it?

On another note, does anyone remember those Australia day ads from 2005 which basically said if you do not eat lambs on Australia day, you are Un-Australian? I heard on the radio today they are thinking of bringing those ads back. It is media like this which perpetuates the idea that veganism is extreme and/or weird. It is media like this which provide all the more reason for us to mainstream our ways and promote a positive image.

For those of you who have forgotten the ad...

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Script in English
SFX: Advance Australia Fair

Sam: There’s nothing worse than being un-Australian. I should know, I’ve been Australian all my life. And I’m sickened by the creeping tide of un-Australianism eroding our great traditions, like our custom of eating Lamb on Australia Day. Un-Australianism is everywhere. For example, people wearing those plastic, brightly-coloured flip-flop shoes with flowers on them. What’s wrong with rubber thongs in simple primary colours? If I hear another person say “thong”, when they mean those swimming costumes poncey Brazilian blokes wear up their bums, I’ll do my block. Sadly, the scourge of un-Australianism has even infected our national day. A balanced Australia Day diet should consist of a few nice, juicy lamb chops and beer. (And perhaps a bit of pavlova for those with a sweet tooth). Yet your long-haired, dole-bludging types are indulging their pierced tastebuds in all manner of exotic, foreign, often vegetarian cuisine: chicken burger value meals, pizzas, a number 42 with rice… It’s an absolute disgrace. And people ask why we need capital punishment. Do you think the diggers in the trenches were fighting for tofu sausages? No, they were thinking of grabbing a lamb chop off the barbie with their bare fingers, sustaining third degree burns, then sticking their hands into a relieving esky to fish out a cold one. Look at our national song, Waltzing Matilda. It’s about a bloke trying to get a nice bit of lamb into his tuckerbag, not spicy chicken wings. The soap-avoiding, pot-smoking, hippy vegetarians may disagree with me, but they can get stuffed. They know the way to the airport, and if they don’t I’ll show them. So the message is clear – even for you backpackers: roll out the barbie, ensure the gas bottle’s filled, stack the fridge full of lamb, and prepare the invitation list. So don’t be un-Australian - serve lamb on Australia Day. You know it makes sense. I’m Sam Kekovich.

Brief Explanation
In a spoof of a party political broadcast, we give Australians a funny reminder that it would be un-Australian to celebrate our national day without eating lamb.

Personally, i find this highly offensive because I refuse to be labelled Un-Aussie because I do not support violence. In fact, I think it is fair to say as a vegan i am more Aussie since I truly believe in giving EVERYONE a 'fair go' ;)

Favourite Movie Junk Food!

It is an unwritten Universal law that all beings must have a junky snack at the movies. Below are my favourites in order of preference!

#1: Coke and Popcorn. A must. Generally popcorn is vegan as to cut costs they use salt/oil flavouring or nature identical butter flavouring which means the flavour is chemically synthethised as opposed to derived from the original source. Personally, I prefer the salt/oil combo and like to steer clear of the nature identical flavouring but I am not too pedantic about it. Hoyts/Greater Union/Grand Cinemas are safe from when I last checked.

#2: Either Bacon Pringles or Texas BBQ rock my socks if I cannot have popcorn. Or maybe I can have popcorn and I will have these as well. Whoa. They even have a little checkbox at the back assuring the buyer they are indeed vegan. Some vegans argue that the company who make this are evil thus supporting them is not morally acceptable. I disagree, I think, consumers need to support any vegan product - no matter who makes it, because it is increasing demand for vegan products as opposed to doing nothing.

#3: Hard Jubes. I love them really hard and chewy. And that is what you get for AU$1 at KMART.

#4: FRYS Peppermint Cream Chocolate Bars. They also come in orange and plain cream. Simply delicious - but one is never enough. Usually find these at random petrol stations, SUPA IGA's & Woolies.

#5: Arnotts Choc Ripple. These are too delicious and a great Ninja Vegan product! I can demolish this packet in under 1 second. True story.

#6: Chupa Chups. Its between these and Skittles. I choose these because they last for ages and the flavours are so intense! I love orange and cola the most.