Yes, those poor eschewers of all things animal-based. Every vegan I’ve ever known has been, well, a little on the strange side; they often give dirty hippies a bad name. How could you not mock them? Have you seen the crap they eat? I wish I could say only in Great Britain, but unfortunately this insanity is likely to spread:
VEGANS and teetotallers are to be given the same protection against discrimination as religious groups, under legislation championed by Harriet Harman, the equalities minister.
Members of cults and “new religions” such as Scientology, whose supporters include the film stars Tom Cruise and John Travolta, would also be offered protection, as would atheists…
The commission added that the recently founded International Church of Jediism, with 500,000 followers worldwide who base their philosophy on the Star Wars films, would not qualify. Beliefs had to be heartfelt.
Too bad, Star Wars nerds. Better luck next time the Equality Minister(!) engages in the stupid. Frankly, if standing outside movie theaters for days, dressed in costume, doesn’t prove your beliefs are “heartfelt”, I’m not sure what will. I’m not for discrimination, obviously, but this strikes me as going a little overboard. It’s the slippery slope in all its glory. Why not just say discrimination in all forms is wrong and be done with it?
And how to determine what is “discriminatory”? Would every restaurant have to offer veggie burgers? Would schools have to offer something other than milk with lunch, for all the vegan offspring? (Tang, maybe?) Would tossing a steak at a vegan-out of love, naturally-now be a hate crime? Will vegans and Scientologists now be given preferential treatment during hiring due to a history of discrimination, at the expense of the Star Wars “fans”? They already have no hope of ever attracting a woman…are we really prepared to put them at a disadvantage regarding employment, too? Frankly, Jedi mind tricks and the Force are bound to come in a lot more handy on the job site than Mr. Lettucehead’s Squash-Tofu Casserole Surprise. Right?
#1 by Emmy on March 9th, 2010
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Well I don’t consider myself a “dirty hippie” but I’m in the beginning stages of an attempt to convert to veganism, or at the very least, vegetarian. I have about five vegan cookbooks in my possession and none of the food is all that weird unless you consider fruits, vegetables, and beans weird. I made vegan blondies the other night and my kids asked for them as a dessert in their lunch.
I would not expect special treatment if I am successful though. True, I won’t be eating out at most chain restaurants, but that’s not really a problem. As for my kids, if they want to go vegan (which is unlikely since they spend half their time at a meat eating house) I’ll just pack their lunch like I do much of the time anyway.
#2 by Emmy on March 9th, 2010
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Oh and I would hope no one would throw a steak at someone who doesn’t eat meat period.
I do wish schools would offer something besides milk for lunch (I’m thinking water) but that has nothing to do with wanting to become vegan.
#3 by Anon on March 9th, 2010
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I found the very idea of special rights for vegans (and the other groups mentioned) ridiculous, so the post was written in that same spirit. I have to ask…why vegan (or maybe just vegetarianism)? Fruits and veggies are fine, but that bean curd stuff is gross. At the very least, fish ought to be acceptable…it’s pretty good for you, from what I understand.
The steak throwing, again, was just mocking the whole idea. But, I thought vegans swore off everything animal-based, including milk? That is where the milk in schools thing came from.
#4 by Emmy on March 9th, 2010
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I know the whole thing was in jest and I agree with you. You are right, vegans won’t eat anything that comes from animals, so any dairy is off limits.
There are a variety of reasons (most label me as a crazy liberal I’m sure) that I’m attempting this. I say attempting, because it’s a pretty strict diet and I’m not sure I can do it. The biggest reason is health. I have struggled with my weight my whole life and while I’m doing really good with my weight loss, I still have a long way to go and I think this could help. Our obesity problems in this country have a lot to do with the fact that we used to view meat as a special treat, and now it is part of every meal.
I also have a huge problem with the way our meat is produced in this country and I don’t feel like food safety is anywhere near what it should be, especially when it comes to meat. Relying heavily on things I can grow myself or buy locally reduces my intake of what I see as some pretty dangerous stuff. I know I could buy local meat, and I will if my kids want it.
Fish is pretty healthy, but we’ve got some pretty contaminated waters so there are a lot of fish that we really have to watch our intake of. Plus I don’t like it all that well.
There are other reasons, but I’m already getting long winded. It’s just a personal choice more than anything and I don’t expect special treatment because of it.
Oh and tofu isn’t all that bad, but it isn’t going to be a huge part of my diet.
#5 by Anon on March 9th, 2010
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Well, for health reasons and simply being a personal choice, I’m not sure ‘crazy liberal’ would apply. Can one replace the nutrients and minerals found in dairy, fish, and so forth through a strictly vegan diet? I know there are supplements available, but I’ve always understood that a diet rich in those things is best.
I think our food safety is pretty good. Yes, you hear horror stories on occasion, but just as with the health care stuff that doesn’t mean it’s all that rotten. Especially when you consider just how many people consume meat.
And you must’ve had a different kind of tofu from what I’ve had the misfortune of trying.
#6 by Emmy on March 9th, 2010
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Well like I said, it goes deeper than just health and personal choice, but those are the main reasons. The rest is the crazy liberal part
Everything we need, with the exception of enough B-12, can be found in a proper vegan diet. So, as long as you aren’t just eating processed crap, you will get all the nutrients you need and would only have to take a B-12 supplement.
I put tofu in the blondies I made the other day and you can’t tell. Tofu is best when it is hidden! I hear deep friend tofu is really good, but I think that defeats the purpose.
#7 by Lee on March 10th, 2010
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The whole bill is such a big joke I’m not even going to poke fun at it. It does that on it’s own.
#8 by Chrissy on August 19th, 2010
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Excellent
Just not gone far enough
For example, works Christmas Dinner Dance, everyone gets a choice of 3 starters, 4 Main, 3 desserts.
I’m TOLD what i can have, No choice, yet I pay the same price. This is discrimination and in this day and age with growing trends in veganism catering outlets needs to get real OR the Law needs to force them to offer choice OR reduce the price (Rather have choice)
I’d normally not entertain such catering outlets, but as I wish not to be excluded from my works do, I’m cornered.
I’m not a hippy Or boring - I’m a professional Financial Controller / HR / IT Specialist by day who’s also a Heavy/Progressive metal agent / tour manager with a life!!!