I think it is that they were completely self centered, lazy, horrible people.

ETA that that sort of supreme fuckwittedness would likely drive away family and friends or any other witnesses to what was happening.

They're probably clueless (I hope). People get obsessed with The One Right Way and can't understand that there are circumstances which make it Wrong. I didn't read the story, but there have been a number of similar ones - people who are totally ignorant of how to keep a child healthy, much less alive.

Mostly I hate the whole soft and mushy "Think of the children!" thing, but I can't, I just can't, imagine - especially having a child - feeling that baby move in your body, going through the hours or sometimes days of brutal effort to bring it out into the world, holding it and touching its face and tasting its skin and getting to know its every drowsing and fussing and fretful movement and sound and expression, and then putting an ideology, any ideology, over the wellbeing of that creature. It's clearly a failure of imagination on my part, but I find that totally incomprehensible.

I'm passionately against the death penalty, but I'm almost willing to make an exception here.

I just can't imagine that veganism is the real issue there. Veganism does not necessarily equal extremism.

We could ask the same 'how could they' question about every horrible neglect and/or abuse story out there.

The only thing I can think of is maybe veganisim is extremely important to the two parents... maybe they think that veganism is the best solution to everything, and anyone who disagrees is part of the... military/industrial/animal-exploitation complex. I mean, maybe they were aware of basic nutrition and infant care, but rejected it as being hopelessly compromised by the evil non-vegan animal exploiting world view.

This makes the most sense to me.

Several years ago there was a story about a couple who let their baby starve to death because each thought the other was feeding him (shudder). And the man in Virginia who left his child in the van for something like eight hours (one of 12? 13? children who was forgotten). I don't understand it, but it's not as rare as I'd like.

and then putting an ideology, any ideology, over the wellbeing of that creature

I doubt in their minds they were, is the thing. I'm sure in their tiny stupid little brains, they were doing exactly what was best for their child.

Let's talk about something a little more cheerful. Any good cholera epidemics going on?

Seriously - JZ, how are the baby toes this season?

Veganism does not necessarily equal extremism.

Well, no. But it's not the veganism that's the issue, it's latching on to whatever ideology and pushing it to the extreme. Like people who think Big Pharma is bad, but then push it to the extreme and oppose everything they do.

The baby toes are sweet and juicy and I would do anything, no matter how hard or horrible or personally repellant -- move heaven and earth, cut off my own right arm, kiss W on the lips -- to keep those toes well and safe.

Poor Matilda's going to have to submit to a lot of sloppy kisses and cuddling on the bus ride home tonight.