Oh, erika! You'd have more research than you'd know what to do with! I'm not sure that's actually a good idea...

Is Erin around?

How sad am I? I have plans tonight with people that I love, but I'm thinking about canceling them since I'm on a roll, getting so much done. I'm on page 5!!!!

Does it give you a feeling that nothing much matters, tommyrot (Gar, and anyone else who believes in this idea).

actually, I am with those that thinks it matters more. I really do examine most of my actions throught a lens of who/what /where are the effects and who/what it will effect.

I think about what I eat - vegan would be hard for me - there are days when I would be very hungry, because of the amount of carbohydrates my body can handle at one time - and by eating protiens, fat and fiber they help balance my body chemistry out. But, I am slowly changeing how we eat. I am looking fo ranimlas raised more organicly -( same with veggies and fruits, etc) . Partly because it is better for the animals and possibly more importantly , because it is better for the world as a whole. also - I don't think we pay enough for food. In the middle of a season for them - fruit , veggies etc, should be priced by bounty. If they have to be shipped a long way - or grown under special conditions , I should pay accorddingly.

I'm on page 5!!!!

Holy crap, vw, you rock! Go go go!

I know! I can't believe how easily it's coming. I need to add more scholarly sources in, but still...it's just kind of writing itself (ok...not quite, but you know what I mean).

Is that not the best feeling ever, or what? I had it a few weeks ago and miss it terribly.ETA: Reason 400 to love funk. It makes my brother Go Away. If not for the resemblance, one of us? Adopted.

I once got in an argument with someone about how everyone should be vegetarian. I was in a Mood, so I said, "Even the Inuit in the Arctic, where nothing plant-like grows most of the year?" "Yes, even them!" "So, what, we overthrow their centuries of tradition and ship vegetables in to them?" "You're just trying to make things difficult!" "And the goat and cattle herders of Africa, they should become vegan, too?" "I'm not talking to you anymore."

But, really, I do understand the concept, respect for life means respect for life, period. The pagan in me, though, says, Don't turn a living being into a commodity. Acknowledge that the cheeseburger you're devouring came at the cost of a creature's life, and don't be wasteful with it. Possibly some of this comes from growing up in farm country, where the local 4H kids would handraise a calf, show it at the county fair, sell it to the local supermarket, where it would be on display in the parking lot for one week, then in the meat department the next week. And everyone would look at the cuts and meat and say, "Wow, that's gorgeous meat. So-and-so raised that calf really well."

those who believe in an afterlife, lack the appropriate reverence and respect for the earthly lives of others

This, unfortunately, demonstrates a church teaching from the Middle Ages and such, that the poor should be quiet and accept their lot in life, because they are building riches in heaven and this earthly life is not important. Amazing how the rich never seemed to get that sermon--except when someone was looking for large donations.