Romancing the 'farm'...

 I see a lot of people with a romantic notion about animal ‘farming’. Even some who are familiar with ‘standard farming practices’ seem to romanticize the farming ideal that is only fantasy in children's books. 

Many think of rolling green hills, open fields, big red barns, adorable baby animals, and possess a general vision that does not recognize the extremely dark and depraved acts that always must be included if one intends to ‘farm’ animals in any way. 

Personally, I do not see visions of any such delusions. I see baby male calves killed for veal. I see male chicks killed simply for being born male. I see repeatedly assaulting a female - a mother - to produce offspring, both only to be seen as ‘products’ to be exploited, used, sold, and/or murdered. I see castration and dehorning and branding. I see the selfishness and pure ignorance of taking a life because they are no longer of use to me to oppress or exploit, or to partake in some utterly unnecessary personal pleasure.

In the 15+ years I've been vegan I've seen many "animal farmer turned vegan" stories. The dark side of farming ultimately took a toll on them and the person they were born as – a kind, decent, merciful human – was somehow reawakened. They simply could not sustain lying to themselves about the many terrible things that must be done to be able to “farm” any fellow sentient being.

The reality of animal ‘farming’ is not suitable for a children’s book and there is nothing romantic about it. 

Create sanctuaries. Grow life-sustaining plant-based foods. Live in peace. Live vegan. 

https://freefromharm.org/animal-products-and-ethics/former-meat-dairy-farmers-became-vegan-activists/

UNnecessary evil

Almost all of us were raised to suppress and ignore our true character. We were told raising and farming animals, eating animals, wearing animals, and generally ‘using’ animals was a “necessary evil”. We were told we needed to feed the hungry, provide clothes, keep people nourished and healthy, etc. 

We were taught it was OK to treat others differently based upon what they looked like or their species and rank them solely by what form of service they could provide. It was repeatedly ingrained that others are of less importance, less intelligence, less feeling, that their lives did not possess inherent value. That their only worth was in what profit or product we could take from them. And we believed it.

Most are still so societally indoctrinated they have a difficult time envisioning a better way. They forgot their nature. They defend the obvious wrongs that once upon a time - as a child - they would have been (or were) traumatized by. 

But “necessary evil” was the explanation…until we stopped questioning, or maybe we just never thought to ask the questions at all…

We were lied to. Not one bit of it is “necessary” – in fact, it’s not even rational. Not. One. Bit.

I now know they are lying. That there is another way. I have chosen to be a different person than a violent, self-centered one who believes anyone else’s life holds less inherent value than my own. I don’t believe that and don’t think I ever did. I just forgot for a very long time. Finding out about veganism simply reminded me of who I truly am, and I am thankful for that every single day.

I see the truth of the picture…both are being deceived. What you see is the abuse and betrayal of 2 individual thinking and feeling beings – one who is being taught to betray trust and love, taught to ignore his true desire for mercy and compassion; the other about to see a dark and depraved side of humanity – such confusion for this poor vulnerable animal who once knew of our true human nature of kindness. 

Many of us go on to find out the truth. That none of it was ever necessary. Just evil.

Not. Necessary.
It. Is. Abuse.
Stop. The. Betrayal.

Vegan for LIFE.

No silly comparisons needed!

 

Vegans will factually state that we are not lions, and we know that animal testing has no relation to the human body, but the next post I see is saying since the "strongest animals" eat mainly plants (such as elephants) that means humans can be strong without eating meat. I don't think people truly analyze the things they say...you can't pick and choose when a comparison suits your personal confirmation bias. You are not a lion. You are not a rat (often used in testing). You are also not an elephant or a gorilla. Use consistent rational thinking. Our HUMAN anatomy and physiology is all the proof required as to our species appropriate needs and needs involve no animals nor any of these silly comparisons.

I was wrong. It's that simple. I am better now.

I used to feed the birds in my backyard while I ate birds. I planted native flowers, shrubs, and bushes for the wildlife I thought I appreciated while I was wiping out biodiversity by eating animals. I cheered for animal rescue stories while I was destroying lives. I hiked in woods I believed I loved while I was burning down forests to consume animals. I believed I was good in my profession while I was following guidelines that do so much harm. I always tried to be decent and humane in my life and I was so sadly indecent and inhumane. I loved the antics of the squirrels and racoons while I did not check my garments to be sure there were no torture of other animals. I felt so lucky when deer roamed through my yard while I was stabbing other sentient animals to death. I appreciated the baby animals that came through and how fiercely mommy animals looked out for their young, while I was forcibly separating babies from equally loving mothers. I was against breeding and sexual assault on any being while I paid for forcible breeding by the billions. I rescued dogs and cats my whole life yet I was other individuals’ executioner.

I am so glad veganism found me.

"It is what we think we know already that often prevents us from learning."
Claude Bernard

Humans and Their [lack of] Thought

 

I often ponder how humans think (or don’t). Personally, I gather as much knowledge as I can in every second of every day. I try very hard to have an open mind and be willing to change when faced with information that contradicts my previously-held beliefs.

People say weird things to vegans, many people feel instantly defensive (because they ‘know’ deep down and it comes from inside them, not the vegan). Statements like “you can’t make me vegan” or “don’t push your beliefs on me” (whether on not you even actually SAID anything lol).

Of course I can’t make anyone vegan! I also can’t make people not abuse children, or rape women, or not be racist, etc. But when I woke up to the horrible behavior I was displaying in pure selfish ignorance I changed. People like me are grateful to ‘know’ because we care more about being a decent and informed human than we care about following along with society’s illnesses and violence.

Beyond just normal FB paranoia there is excess paranoia with vegan posts – anyone not vegan will likely feel you are targeting them. I have been posting the same stuff for over 12 years now and not one person who has come or gone has changed that or will EVER change that. I am here for one reason and one reason only, and there is ZERO doubt in an exploding vegan population that we ARE changing the world!

Veganism is just the basis of decency – same as not abusing children…it does not make me special, I am only meeting the bare minimum of not being a discriminatory animal-torturer.

There is a meme I have seen and it makes some sense…replace the words in the sentence:

“I could never be ____ [vegan]”

Replace that with any of these words/phrases: compassionate, kind, aware, informed, against animal abuse, against discrimination, etc.

e.g. “I could never be against animal abuse.”

That is how people sound to vegans. It is incredulous to us. People and the smugness some demonstrate regarding their societal training is scary. It tells me that they would be harming my family too and not giving a shit if they didn’t directly know me…as we know animal agriculture is destroying so many families...of all species, including human.

There is nothing to be ‘smug’ about in not being vegan. There really are 3 scenarios

1. vegan (of course)

2. completely uniformed of the impact they are having and the terrible behavior they support and therefore feel very justified by their trained behaviors (but being ignorant actually isn’t OK in my book)

3. understanding the impact and the terrible behavior and not changing (well - with no apology - then you are just not a very good person to participate in such abhorrent behaviors).

That’s it – all 3 choices. There are no others. I choose vegan.

What is the quote?

“Your response when you found out how badly you were behaving speaks volumes about your character?”

Or something like that anyways…

It doesn’t reflect at all on me if someone isn’t vegan. This reflects only on them. My values are iron strong and I don’t need anyone’s assurance about differentiating RIGHT from WRONG. So, while others are feeling smug about behaving in ways I would NEVER knowingly behave, I’m likewise would have to admit to feeling a bit smug in these situations that I am far better than that.

Their Pain of Living

We all know or see people here and there whose child(ren) have died. We have witnessed or read the tributes from grieving parents and how they ache so badly they do not feel they can live another moment.

I have experienced grief, but not as a parent. I find that pain hard to envision as by pure witness I have at times felt my breath lock up and such deep sorrow that I wonder how it can be any worse…

I have heard a human mother scream for her child in agony. I have also heard this sound – this wail of pure emotional pain - in other species. It is a terrible, bone-chilling sound where you immediately feel at least part of their profound suffering.

I have watched mothers try with all their strength and will to defend their children, but these gentle vulnerable beings are no match for the bullies. No match for those who demand their blood and bodies and who show no mercy.

Many species – maybe even most – are loving, protective mothers. Yet we repeatedly thrust this intense grief upon them. We take and kill their beloved babies, or females are kept and entered into the slave pool as soon as physically possible to begin to assault her for forced breeding and we will emotionally traumatize her too…and we do this repeatedly until their bodies can give no more. Lives as slaves - no matter how well we treat our slaves - is still a life of slavery. Feeling another is ‘not like you’ and is therefore OK for barbarism, violence, confinement, enslavement, forced breeding, oppression, and exploitation are dangerous and deplorable ways to think.

A better way to think is that we have certain morals – most of us do – and we can just choose to live by them. We can just agree that inflicting violence and suffering on another is something to be avoided at any time we can. We can just agree that we do not want to cause each other harm. We can just live in peace and have incredibly happy, fulfilled lives without completely destroying someone else.

I make a difference. It doesn’t matter if anyone thinks I don’t, because I know better. We all do. It is just whether we want our influence in the world to be as positive as possible or we want to intentionally ignore and/or misunderstand the language of suffering to continue thoughtless personal convenience and general societal acceptance.

Willful ignorance sometimes allows us to hold tight to the belief we are humane and caring when we are acting in the most inhumane ways imaginable. But willful ignorance does not actually make us humane - it just makes us ignorant.

Please let your actions reflect your morals. Go vegan

Surrounded by Horror

I see the shelves for what they are…

a world of hurt

the corner where patrons dine on their hamburgers I visualize the irreplaceable rain forest burning

the tank where silent pleas for help represent the abject apathy of a dying ocean

the colorful bakery counter brings to mind the many mothers who have lost their babies

- to harbor so much grief and pain within those walls -

neat rows of packaged death, oppression, exploitation…

I can *see* them all and I feel an overwhelming helplessness to stop this senseless violence

to communicate effectively with people who are decent at heart but cannot *see*

please stop

that’s is all I can do – plead with people to stop

what we are doing is beyond terrible

beyond offensive

revolting

atrocious

depraved

disturbing

vile

disastrous

all are insufficient

vegans try to avoid complicity as best they can

with a uncaring, unthinking, unmerciful, violent monster

please stop

the screams surround me 

Forward Rational Thinking

Many a great thinker’s determined conclusion,

that societal traditions form strange illusion.

Of human supremacy, dissonance by design,

words and actions which seldom align.

Singer once said, “Slaughter cannot dwell with justice”

- that as we shed blood we could have no peace among us.

H.G. Wells writes of a world of slaughter thought deplorable,

where humans too refined for behavior so abhorrible.

Plutarch thought “sucking juices and serums” quite out-of-line.

While Franklin and Shakespeare both spoke of mental decline.

Asserting something had lifted - mind that feels clear;

what impact it has – consuming oppression and fear?

Thoreau saw it too, and said as humans progressed,

they would not even consider the intake of flesh.

Tolstoy believed man suppressed highest gains,

with acts of killing and the feast on remains.

“Flesh eating immoral” the exact phrase,

violating true ethics becomes cruel in his ways.

Schweitzer hoping bad habit overcome by thoughtful stance

…that we make the connection and shun ignorance.

Pythagoras said as we massacre others it is ourselves we destroy;

reducing potential to fully reap love and joy.

On principle alone most people agree,

we should not inflict harm or suffering in the absence of need.

But when change is required, resistance often met;

especially when dealing with long-held mindset.

While the groupthink will decry the ‘vegan agenda’

Insistent they are thinking but based upon pure propaganda.

People believe themselves ethical, loving and kind.

But many are only fooling their mind.

To be rational is to be vegan, all else psychopath
Violence, depravity, suffering - a disgusting bloodbath!

So VEGAN is my choice in every endeavor,
consistent, rational thinking - happily vegan forever.

- - - - - - -
If you are not vegan - get with the rational independent thinkers of the world and go vegan already!!!
💚💚💚💚

More Shit Nonvegans Say

Vegans are used to getting a lot of resistance.
Repetition of phrases from nonvegan insistence.

Misinformed statements, “How would we feed everyone?”
“On nothing but lettuce? That could never be done.”

But it is eating animals that feeds insufficiently.
The fact is - we can feed more with plants quite efficiently!

And on it continues, often very defensive;
“I can’t be vegan I think it’s just too expensive.”

But there are many items whose prices aren't steep,
So many alternatives - we can live quite cheap!

“Do you even eat chicken? What about fish?”
“My gosh, how ‘bout bacon? It is so damn delish!”

There is no good excuse, no rational need,
to ‘use’ other beings or consume rotting flesh feed.

Sentient beings who value their lives.
They would beg for their life and run from our knives.

Vegan for justice, against oppression and exploitation.
Veganism NOT a diet - it is nondiscrimination!

“But if stuck on an island, what in the world would you do?”
“You also kill animals – the bug under your shoe!”

“Man has always eaten animals…since I don’t know when.”
“What about Intuit; and what of cavemen?”

Well, since we are not Intuit, nor on deserted land,
what would you do with millions of options in hand;

that do not cause enslavement, exploitation, or pain;
and you have absolutely NOTHING to lose but others will gain?

Just keep on ignoring? Just not give a damn?
I don’t know about you, but that’s not who I am.

“Farmers love their animals, and it has to be done -
if we didn’t eat animals we’d be overrun!”

No, farmers DO NOT love their animals - they breed them only to slay,
and they will keep exploiting, as long as we pay.

The often-heard question, “But don’t plants feel pain?”
Kill a dog or mow the lawn – do they believe them the same?

“Don’t you care about humans? What kind of person are you?”
“What about hunters? Do you hate all them too?”

“What about vitamins? Is your intake sufficient?”
“You’d better make sure, or you’ll be deficient.”

“You surely are lacking in in protein, B12, calcium, iron…”
“And look at my teeth! I am just like a lion!”

But when scientifically viewed, by basic design.
Humans and herbivores are way more aligned.

As health knowledge is growing and more data assessed
more doctors acknowledging that plant-based is best.

“I exploit and kill animals because that’s what God intended!”
We keep giving rational answers and they then claim they’re offended…

Offended by truth? Upset by facts?
Should instead be upset with justifying heinous acts.

Another frequent comment, though utterly wrong,
is to pull the "cult" card and say we joined along.

But here is the truth - no matter what nonvegans perceive…
Their *cult* is what vegans have managed to leave!

The nonvegan *cult* requires violent sacrifices, unkind…
No wonder the pressure to justify such conflict of mind.

Like the word ‘humane’ - a meaningless label.
Soothing the guilty with self-convinced fable.

“Sure, I’d eat my dog, I’m a true carnivore!”
“And I’ll eat 10 steaks now"; my manhood secure.

They could ask rational questions or present a thoughtful take…
But instead choose to ask about a zombie outbreak.

Oh, you buy from a *local* animal-killing, Earth-harming farm?
This is just more self-deception to justify egocentric harm.

No matter how *local*, there is nothing good or humane
about the exploitation of others and causing undue pain.

And then there’s the question – “But don’t you miss cheese?”
No - I do not miss sucking secretions nor killing babies.

All these irrational statements and ridiculous claims
to justify and rationalize rather than change!

Only when people can accept fantasy,
could we call nonviolence “extreme” and defend travesty.

One more we hear from those who don’t understand…
is the accusation of pushing some big “Vegan Plan.”

A ‘Vegan Agenda’? What’s that comprise?
Justice for others? Not believing the lies?

A planet well-tended, allowing to flourish?
A clean Earth and growing food truly intended to nourish?

Treating those who can feel as the ‘someone’ they are?
These simple principles yet vegans bizarre?

And then the insist that on their ‘journey’ they’re crawling…
While the truth - any delay is completely appalling.

Claiming to “love” as destroy everything.
Words that are empty while great harm actions bring.

And were one to ask…we already know what we'd say,
“Do you want to hurt others?” would get an emphatic "NO WAY!"

A man abuses his dog – “How could he dare?”
Public outcry for hanging in the mid of town square.

Taught some to exploit, some to sleep with at night.
We do harm to most while we hold our pets tight.

Cognitive dissonance is what it is called;
when we treat some one way but don’t apply our morals to all.

It’s pretty concerning thinking your mind is legit;
and then you wake up one day and realize you were a complete hypocrite!

Most people are decent, just mired in lies.
Very deep is their ‘program’, they just don’t recognize.

And that is the reason I can write this all out…
Too many are followers without any doubt.

Desperate defense to keep dissonance disease.
When views and actions conflict it causes unease.

But vegan growing quick, the people are waking;
exciting to see a new world in the making!

So, for the thinkers and leaders who are willing to grow;
for those who can look past the lies and get into the 'know'…

Many depend on us, and we will continue the ‘fight’,
because there not one shred of doubt that vegan is right.

I will always be grateful for the one who told me.
They may have opened my eyes - but I had to be willing to *see*.

My perspective so different, and came clearness of mind;
It is awesome living a life with morals aligned!

Many years I was nonvegan, I have lived on each side,
but I prefer to think for myself and let my morals guide.

I love being vegan – many reasons nonvegan is wrong,
My only regret is that it took me so long!

And I’m not missing anything, of that I assure.
Nonvegan is toxic, veganism the cure.

Every day of your life please make resolution;
to stop the empty excuses and become part of the solution.

 BE VEGAN
- by Karyn Swaney
©Karyn Swaney



Dumb Shit People Say

When I went vegan my biggest surprise,
was the reaction of others - their preference for lies!

The overwhelming majority unwilling to grow,
to move past their bias and into the ‘know’

Upset sometimes when being asked to see,
but not upset at ‘content’ - upset with me!

The irrational statements and ridiculous claims
to justify and rationalize rather than change.

Always dumb questions like, “Don’t plants feel pain?”
Kill puppies/mow the lawn – do they believe them the same?

They express a desire to be like a caveman?
Or seek *local* death and destruction whenever they can?

No matter how *local*, there is nothing humane
about the exploitation of others and causing undue pain.

Bias and discrimination - a lack of deliberate thought -
but a “personal choice” it most certainly is NOT.

They call veganism “extreme” and insist God approves…
Violence and apathy are acceptable views?

Innocent victims involved, basic decency forsaken,
but the most some can reply is how much they “love bacon…?”

Nonvegans fraught with disease, claim vegan unhealthy…
or that being vegan is elitist and only for wealthy?

Vegans not deficient in protein or iron,
and no, your teeth do NOT look like a lion!

They could ask rational questions or present a thoughtful take…
But instead often asked about a zombie outbreak.

Or a deserted island – “Then what would you do?”
“You have a bug on your windshield, you kill animals too!”

Desperate defense to keep dissonance disease.
When views and actions conflict it causes unease.

No, farmers DO NOT love their animals, they breed them only to slay,
and they will keep torturing them, as long as we pay.

And then there’s the question – “But don’t you miss cheese?”
No - I do not miss consuming secretions nor killing babies.

I’m not missing anything, of that I assure.
Nonvegan is toxic, veganism the cure.

Another frequent comment, though utterly wrong,
is to pull the ‘cult card’ and say we joined along.

But here is the fact, no matter what nonvegans perceive…
Their *cult* is what vegans have managed to leave!

The nonvegan *cult* requires bloodshed, violence, unkind…
So no wonder the pressure to justify such conflict of mind.

I used to be them, I have lived on each side,
but I prefer to think for myself and let my morals guide.

All these silly excuses, on their ‘journey’ they’re crawling…
While the truth - any delay is completely appalling.

Easy alternatives in the palm of the hand,
To go on ignoring – this I just can’t understand!

Animals exploited and tortured…planetary pollution,
Vegan an immediate way to be a part of solution.

But very deep is their program, they just don’t recognize.
Most people are decent, but they are mired in lies.

Only a world that accepts fantasy,
could call nonviolence “extreme” and defend travesty.

Claiming to “love” as they destroy everything.
Words that are empty while great harm actions bring.

So - the hardest of ‘vegan’? Those making stupid excuses.
Irrational nonsense to justify horrific abuses.

Yet no matter what dumb shit some people might say,
there is NO rational reason to not be vegan TODAY.

~ POEM BY KARYN SWANEY
©Karyn Swaney


be vegan

Helping not Harming

My [awesome vegan 😊] husband works at a truck shop along a very busy truck route and there are many trucks in the yard in various stages of repair. A few times the 'guys' have found cats, we would assume who were *dumped* there, desperately seeking shelter and safety in one of the trucks.
Last week and through this week temperatures have been below zero here and we are in quite the cold spell...when suddenly 2 very small cats - almost kittens - are spotted trying to get some shelter in one of the repair trucks. Of course the minute anyone tries to get near them they run away, so hubby hauls out our Havahart trap and another guy at work also brings one in, and we set about trapping these babies.
The first one was relatively easy, by Saturday we got her, but that just made all of us more desperate - now the other was alone, in below freeing temperatures!
We drove back and forth numerous times Saturday, Sunday, and Monday to check the trap (since it was a holiday weekend and no one else was at the shop)...no kitty. But one of the other guys did the Monday afternoon run, and to our shock, we got 'Momma'!!!!! (we assume it is 'Momma' anyways, the resemblance is strong).
They had never seen her and didn't know she was out there!
So, last night, with good covers and warm bedding, 'Momma' was left inside the truck cab with a second trap set right next to her, and we went to bed desperately hoping to get the other kitty before they got crushed on the busy road or froze to death...
As soon as he got to work this morning my [awesome vegan 😊] husband called, admittedly close to tears...WE GOT THE OTHER BABY!!!
We got them out of this terrible cold and they will now know warmth and love. They 'guys' are all dickering about who will ultimately take them home after being seen by a vet and such, they are in love! There it a lot of talk of keeping the babies together, if not all three. I don't know what will happen as I have my hands full with my crew and have not 'thrown my hat in the ring' as a potential home unless the situation was dire, which it is not. We have done our part of this rescue for now.
At the moment we have left a trap set, in case there happen to be others, and we will keep checking it. 'Momma' was a surprise and we don't want to assume we got them all just yet.
The feeling of relief when you can secure a safe life for a precious being is close to indescribable, but it basically the way I feel about life every moment of every day as a vegan. I love animals. I do not want to hurt any of them...NOT. ONE. SINGLE. BIT.
I want to help them. Living vegan is a relief and a joy. I am grateful for 'vegan'.
Live in alignment. Celebrate peace. Live vegan

Vegan is Rational

Everyone would be vegan if they’d let themselves *see*
if they’d let go of their bias and just think rationally.
That is not said flippant, it’s a dead serious truth,
A look ‘round society offers much proof.
Think of the books, all the movies enjoyed
Where we root for the animal…we don’t want their lives destroyed!
On the edge of our seats when from their killers they flee…
But before I went vegan, that killer was ME.
We hope Babe and Wilbur stay away from their knives.
Yet we don’t connect we’re the ones actually taking their lives.
When we look at the world through when we begin,
we see without question of a love from within.
And were one to ask…we already know what we'd say,
“Do you want to hurt animals?” would get an emphatic "NO WAY!"
Taught some to kill, some to sleep with at night.
We do harm to most while we hold our pets tight.
A man abuses his dog – “How could he dare?”
Public outcry for hanging in the mid of town square.
A man kills a lion - and the world has a fit,
Kill billions of others? So few give a shit.
Seen on the news “A cow made an escape,
he was destined for slaughter until he made his big break.”
A great clamor arises as many hope for rescue,
But millions of others like him needing YOU.
Cognitive dissonance is what it is called,
when we treat some one way but don’t apply our morals to all.
We don’t even recognize this strange contradiction,
abuse of some fine, but of a dog gets a conviction.
It’s pretty concerning thinking your mind is legit
and then you see differently – a complete hypocrite!
I’m completely perplexed why this obvious fact,
makes so many defensive and on the attack.
But as I said already - all vegans we’d be,
if we used common sense and we thought rationally.

What's *Hard* about Being Vegan?

I had always “loved animals”, or at least so I thought,
Then I found out that in fact I did not.
My “love” included violence, slavery, and their *use*.
I thought that I cared - while I supported abuse.
When going vegan I had no doubt it was right,
I found out all my ignorance and went vegan overnight.
Initially I found out about *factory farms*
But soon I woke up to even small ‘local’ harms.
Before going vegan we think it will be tough
to change out our habits and even some of our stuff.
After going vegan not long to realize,
‘Vegan’ not hard once we open our eyes.
A short matter of time before most vegans will say
“I wish I’d gone vegan a much earlier day!”
Before I was vegan I was blind, deaf, and dumb…
I thought I “loved animals” but I only loved SOME.
I was thoughtless and brainwashed, not making sense,
Ingrained with bad habits, drowned with dissonance.
Then something woke in my brain, cleared in my mind,
I found ‘vegan’ AMAZING - no longer deaf, dumb, or blind!
One *hard* thing of ‘vegan’ was an honest assess of myself,
annoyed how long consciousness sat unused on a shelf.
I had to accept my own bias, lack of thought.
A *personal choice* it most certainly is NOT.
There are *victims* involved and mercy forsaken
But the most some can reply is how much they “love bacon?”
When you’ve seen all the lies, this terrible hoax,
It is utterly appalling how some can make jokes.
Animals exploited and tortured…planetary pollution,
People claim to care but avoid being part of solution.
So - the hardest of ‘vegan’? - people making excuses
For their active part in these ongoing abuses.
Saying they care but so much harm that they bring.
Claiming to “love” as they destroy everything.
There are such easy alternatives in the palm of their hand,
but they insist on ignoring – this I just can’t understand!
Once I was ‘woke’ I never once looked behind
I am vegan forever, a life with morals in line.
I love being vegan – so many reasons nonvegan is wrong,
My only regret is that it took me so long.
We can make different choices, we can change our way…
If you are not vegan please go vegan TODAY.

A VERY VEGAN YEAR :)

Another year ending, a new one soon to begin.
So many signs that the world is changing!

More people aware animal slavery a disgrace.
Many investors buying in to all things plant-based.

They can see all the sales, the shift in the spending.
All search reports “vegan” a top in the trending!

Vegan food everywhere taking the prize.
And the word “vegan” on packages steadily growing in size!

Many now stocking cruelty-free kitchens.
And vegan athletics crushing competitions!

New vegan products crowding out vile abuse on store shelves.
When we take care of others we also take care of ourselves!

People worldwide are answering the call;
to discard their dissonance and apply their morals to all.

Every vegan helping make positive stride;
Thank you SO MUCH for letting your ethics decide.

Vegans - please be happy, don’t let the world get you down;
you are part of the future so turn your frown right around!

You are making a difference, there is no debate,
Don’t feel down on yourself when there are some filled with hate.

If you ever feel sad, or your spirit is tiring,
I want you to know – I find all of you inspiring!

And as ‘vegan’ explodes every way that I turn;
I am more grateful each day for all that I’ve learned.

People are seeing ‘vegan’ for all that it is;
Both fulfilling and ethical, a great way to live!

I am excited for what 2018 brings our way…
If you are not vegan please go vegan TODAY.

And to those who are vegan - I hold you all dear.
I wish everyone ALL THE BEST and a most HAPPY NEW YEAR!

~ POEM BY KARYN SWANEY
©Karyn Swaney

My Divorce (which is thankfully not happening)

I’ve thought about this many times. Putting this on paper could potentially offend some people though I am speaking only about myself…

I remember when I went vegan (in a matter of minutes, literally), and as I have detailed in a previous story, I think my husband initially thought I had lost my mind entirely.

Right from the get-go he was completely supportive, and not knowing better I even entertained the idea of “humane meat” for him – as I’m thinking eating a beloved cow who died of old age wasn’t such a bad thing, right? (shows how little I knew or understood back then).

We had a wedding to attend 2 days after my sudden veganism…and we had already chosen the ‘Prime Rib’ dinner. I wouldn’t touch anything on the plate. Everything was covered in some suffering animal goo or was a carcass. Everyone at the table surely thought me incredibly rude; and being a new vegan I barely knew what to say.

Hubby didn’t quite seem to know what to do at first. I quietly told him I wouldn’t be mad at him if he ate the food. I did understand I had sprung this on him and he was doing some thinking of his own. But ultimately he did not eat the poor animal’s carcass either. In fact, with no pressure from me (I was too new to even understand how to properly put my feelings to words) – he almost immediately chose to be vegan and we learned how to live vegan together.

I never wanted him to choose to be vegan because I was vegan, though of course I wanted him to be vegan! I wanted him to be vegan because I believed in who he is, the kind of person he is. And he did not let me down. I consider our vegan change to be basically the same date, something that we did together, because his change began just as quickly as mine.

But here’s the part some might find offensive…We’ve been vegan for 10+ years now, and my thinking has changed and evolved, and I hope it will continue to do so as I learn…but I can say with some assurance I would likely (very, very likely) be divorced if my husband had not chosen to be vegan of his own volition. This is a touchy subject as surely some will gasp in horror that I would say that and question if I love him at all, which is silly.

I have thought about this, often when I see a vegan with a nonvegan significant other. I am NOT commenting on anyone’s life or their personal threshold/tolerance, only that I have been faced with considering how I would react were my significant other were not vegan.

I sincerely love my husband very much. We do everything together. He is my best friend in the whole world. And it would kill me in every sense of the word, but I do not believe I could continue to be with him if he weren’t vegan. I know it would wear me down...I would see the cruelty he was capable of. I would see the selfishness of his actions and wonder who he really was…actually, I would not even wonder…I would absolutely know he was not the person I thought he was.

Because it isn’t about labels, it is about the actions we are permitting and perpetuating. The taking of personal responsibility. Of acting like a moral adult. Living in a thoughtful and ethical manner. How could I suppress the inner anger at his deep hypocrisy and ability for ignorance? How could I be expected to dismiss my own feelings and the horrific indecent inexcusable result of nonvegan actions to instead tolerate something so hurtful from someone who claims to love me?

So no, to each their own, but to even think I was married to someone who would hurt anyone else and myself so willingly, so thoughtlessly – a person so selfish and ignorant - I would surely have fallen out of love over time because it would have turned out that he wasn’t the person I thought he was anyway.

I wake up grateful every day for so much. And one thing I am incredibly grateful for is a husband is turned out to be EXACTLY who I thought he was, EXACTLY the man I married, EXACTLY the type of person I would spend the rest of my days with. I am not ‘lucky’ in general but in some ways I think am the luckiest person in the world!

Pinkwashing

A mother buys a ‘pink ribbon’ item such as dairy products or buckets of chicken. Her children ask what the ‘pink ribbons’ mean. She happily explains and feels pride in her support of helping ‘cure’ suffering. She does not know that the product she bought is directly correlated with actually causing cancer and many other diseases. She does not know that in the ‘race for the cure’ many of these orgs suppress info and misdirect finances to continue to profit from illness.

The same mother…her children instead ask where the chicken came from, or how they got the milk to make *dairy*. Does she feel the same pride describing their abuse and slaughter? Does she herself even understand what happens to dairy cows? Chickens? Other animals? The senseless depravity inflicted upon fellow females? Does she show them the truth? Bring them to a slaughterhouse as she would to pick apples?

If we feel shame or avoid understanding the origin of something we buy, it should be a huge red flag that maybe we should not buy or support it. Conversely, when we choose to support blatant lies, misinformation and violence, based solely upon our own willful ignorance, we make a choice to only soothe our own egos and does not actually help anybody except greedy corporations who don’t give a shit about you or your family.

* * * * * * * *

“Promise me you’ll never wear a pink ribbon in my name or drop a dollar into a bucket that goes to breast cancer ‘awareness’ for ‘early detection for a cure,’ the mantra of fund-raising juggernaut Susan G. Komen, which has propagated a distorted message about breast cancer and how to ‘cure’ it."

~ former Los Angeles Times staff writer, Laurie Becklund

http://realfarmacy.com/la-times-writer-breast-cancer/

http://graceless.me/not-for-sale-a-case-against-pinktober/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QPZfcYTUaA

DO something

Throughout history we have seen social movements and how the ideas or courage of an initial few slowly grow to becoming societal *norms*.

I think every person *thinks* they would have done something at these critical moments in history, but that is simply not the case. Historically we know that a huge majority of those NOT being persecuted tend to look away; some even willingly participate in the persecution, support perpetuating the oppression, and most resist personal change.

So, the reality is, most people would do nothing, at least initially. They would wait until the movement gained mass and strength from a few early pioneers who fought their asses off until they gained momentum and support.

It doesn’t matter what the issue is. Wrong is wrong, and when recognized it is dire we speak out against it, no matter how few of the flocking majority are able to understand the obvious truth that is often right in front of their face. Never be afraid to give serious thought to new ideas. Never be intimidated to do what is right. Never let a brainwashed *trained* societal mindset stop you from acting in accordance with your values.

Right is right. Wrong is obvious. Some people just need hindsight to *see* it and some people recognize it faster.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

“…if you think you would have done something *then*, but are doing nothing *now*, then you wouldn't have done anything *then*, either. So think about what side of history you want to be on, because now's the time for doing something.”
[~ Quote by Bri Traquair]

Waking Up to Who We Really Are

Guy with his 12 year old granddaughter. They are going to the zoo today; they go regularly. Without going in to details, I am in a situation of being restricted on offering personal feelings or opinions…
So (and I absolutely swear I am not exaggerating one bit) this little girl says that a few years ago the zoo had an elephant who “wouldn’t eat.”
They went back a few months later and she remembered to ask about the elephant…she was told they had to “put him down” because he got so sick.
So they have another elephant. She says “I rode on the elephant, I sat in the front and I tried to pet him but I couldn’t reach from the seat.” She goes on to tell me this elephant was “fine” and “not sick at all” but they went back once again a few months later and that elephant had died too.
She is very interested in the animals, she shows me she has pictures of a pig with her babies on her phone.
She is sad about the elephant and states “she wasn’t very old either…?”
I stand there almost sick. I feel like that was me. We didn’t have phones of course when I was growing up, but I have always felt protective and loving towards animals. I am sad for her. I say something like, “Yes, I know they do not do very well in captivity”…
I wish someone had *saved* me back then…
There is a local sanctuary for farm animals – ironically in the same town as said zoo. I vaguely say “I have never been there [that zoo], but I have been to the farm sanctuary that is in the same town.”
He asks me about it.
She loves animals and he is interested. I give him the name.
I hope someday she understands who she is inside and rejects the societal conditioning that deadens our hearts to causing these wonderful animals to suffer so much for our claims of “love” for them.

All Nonvegan Choices Cause Suffering

Dog fighters, trophy hunters, those who eat dogs and cats, people who wear fur, people who run puppy mills, slaughterhouse workers, etc., these actions are all the same as the nonvegans actions most of us encounter every day…the reasoning and results are not different. In all of these actions fellow sentient beings suffer greatly and usually die a horrible death for self-serving *pleasure* when we could easily choose otherwise.

The only people who recognize sentience in entirety are vegans, otherwise people are selectively choosing which individuals they *recognize* (love/protect) and which ones are *unworthy* (kill, abuse, harm, exploit, enslave). When looked at objectively this is clearly discrimination based on irrelevant criteria and societal conditioning.

Speciesism is a form of discrimination. For people to believe there is any difference in the mass barbaric slaughter of billions (yes, billions) of animals just because they are (or aren’t) a dog or a cat is absolutely asinine. We send people to jail for doing to dogs and cats what is routine and legal and completely dismissed (and paid for) by the public on *farms* every day. Only because people have been told by good advertising (which they choose to continue to believe rather than consider actual facts) that a cow’s pain and suffering does not matter. Or a chicken. Pig. Some places even a dog. Cat. Whale. Etc.

What is being done to our fellow earthlings is completely unacceptable and immoral, and somewhere inside we all know it. The decent among us, anyways. This is why few can actually watch what they are willing to pay for…which one would think would be a giant *red flag* that we actually do not consider these acts moral. But they simply keep it out of their sight. The intense suffering they inflict without thought…the weak write-off to “everyone does it.” A denial of all that is rational. Things we easily knew as children become unrecognizable as adults. Further indoctrinating children to practices they would be psychologically harmed to witness; that will likely negatively affect their health; that will harm the planet they live on, the air they breathe, the water they drink…all based only on long-standing myths that are generally accepted as true but are simply NOT true.

Nonvegans actions not only fund/support appalling depravity, but often they are also avid defenders and rationalizers. They turn their backs on their own participation but are quick to point fingers at one who kills a lion or a gorilla, abuses a dog, wears a fur coat, etc. Selective speciesism. A failure to recognize one’s own participation and bias.

It is ALL unnecessary cruelty and the infliction of avoidable suffering. To understand I am *right* all I have to do is glance over at my dog. I wouldn’t hurt her for all the money in the world. To harm her, to stab her to eat her/use her/exploit her would not be rational to me, nor within my moral framework. But somehow nonvegans think another’s sentience is different? Pick and choose who we inflict pain upon today? Whose life doesn’t matter? Donate to a shelter but pay to abuse a pig? How to do you speak rationally to things so preposterous? How do you explain to those who insist on normalized lies that the human body gets virtually no benefit from eating animals and are more likely to make them sick? Facts are lost in the visceral defense mechanism employed by many of those affected [cognitive dissonance] and the conversation frequently turns to cavemen or deserted island scenarios (e.g. pure silliness). How do you reason with blind entrenchment?

I guess you really do have to *wake up* for yourself, but jeez, once you can *see* clearly it is hard to even fathom how damn ridiculous and ignorant I once was. I didn’t think I was cruel to others or exploited them. I actually thought my body required animal proteins to live. I didn’t think I was a violent animal abuser – I thought I loved animals! And I guess I must have believed in *humane slaughter* at one time because I certainly never questioned it. I had fully accepted the lies too. But when someone finally told me the truth? When someone was KIND enough to me to tell me what I was doing? The shock of reality after doing some basic research? As awful as it was to *find out* the truth of what I had been supporting, it allowed me to truly choose the kind of ethical, decent human I want to be and I am forever grateful for that.

I was not an ethical person when participating in such things. Period. No excuses. It isn’t possible because what I know to be true is absolutely terrible and unethical to support in any way, shape, or form. Ignorance is no longer a valid excuse in our information age. There is simply no excuse to behave so badly and I do not try to justify my previous adherence to societal groupthink and lack of thinking for myself. While veganism is NOT about me, I am thankful every single moment of every single day that veganism has allowed me to be a better person, to live the life I would have ALWAYS chosen if the truth hadn’t been hidden from me.

I glance over at my beloved dog as I type…and I know without a fraction of doubt what is *good* and *right* and *just*. I am her guardian, her protector, but she does not belong to me. Her life is her own and there will never be another like her. Every sentient being is an irreplaceable individual with a life and personality exclusive to them, and their suffering is just as significant. I am unequivocally certain that veganism is the moral baseline for how we should treat the other equally sentient beings we share this planet with.

Nonvegan choices are all equal in the choice to harm someone. If you are not vegan please go vegan today.

When One Truly Lives

To me, not caring about anything is not *living*. Most people care about a lot of stuff. I don’t disbelieve people care, but I struggle with the contradiction between what they say and what they do. When you open your eyes and understand the facts, to look around you and think every single person hasn’t already changed immediately in the face of such monumental negative results of their daily actions is truly mind-blowing.

I talk all the time with intelligent people. Social, nice, intelligence people. They are destroying animals, our environment, and potentially their own health and the health of their families. They are not dumb people. They just don’t want to understand. But if one cares about anything or anyone how do they not seek to protect it? To maintain it?

While the world is changing, a huge majority of people continue to be on the *side* of this immoral, cruel, wasteful, polluting, destroying, killing, violent, globally devastating industry by giving them their money and support, which is then used to significantly harm all species on a global scale.

Why do people support such terrible things? Because of good advertising, lobbyist lies, traditions invented by corporations to sell cruelty, suffering, and death for profit. Almost everyone pays their money to destroy everything on Earth, including potentially their own health and their families’ health.

VEGAN
It is truly a matter of life and death.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/vegan-lifestyle-save-lives-2050_us_56fe75fde4b0a06d58056f03

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/04/08/opinions/go-vegan-save-the-planet-wang/index.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2017/01/23/nine-things-you-can-do-about-climate-change/#1fab3493680c

http://www.newsweek.com/james-cameron-halting-climate-change-simple-change-diets-402447

https://collegian.com/2016/10/stettner-meat-consumption-is-selfish-and-damaging-to-the-environment/

http://www.mrt.com/news/health/article/Plant-based-diet-is-solution-to-ending-7414519.php

http://yournewswire.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-ive-given-up-meat-for-the-benefit-of-humanity/

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/would-eating-less-meat-really-combat-climate-change-a6753466.html