Ahhh memories

Just thought I'd re-post this to myself as a reminder of days-gone-by. It took me an hour to find it.


ANONYMOUS BOY
So now that Stephen has answered my question about monkeys making your lunch, I have a better question: If you were at the restaurant at the end of the universe and met that cow who wants to be eated, would you order the steak? What about if the carrots were genetically engineered to be intelligent and didn't want to be eaten but the cow still did?And you didn't answer THE LARK'S question about pregnant mare's urine. But surely the mare has to piss anyway? Wouldn't it be ok if it were free-range horse piss?
ANONYMOUS BOY.
Oh, I have another issue, re environmental impact. There was a bit of a debate in the Greens' newsletter a couple of years ago started by a letter written by an ex-vegetarian. She had read Mike Archer and Bob Beale's Going Native and decided to start eating kangaroo meat. Not everyone agreed with her but she put forth a pretty good argument.
9:29 AM
THE RAVEN AND THE WRITING DESK
That's funny - read my LJ post for today. Coincidence or voodoo?Stephen the Vegan is my new hero
9:49 AM
THE WRITER
I like to eat meat. What about kangaroo vs cow? Kangaroo would surely be better at least because they cause less erosion and require less pasture improvement?Another issue is that I was vegetarian for about six years but I developed an alarming tendency to pass out but that is beside the point.
10:40 AM
THE RAVEN AND THE WRITING DESK
Kangaroo is way, way better for the environment than beef, a fair bit better for the eater, and significantly worse for the kangaroo.
1:29 PM
THE LARK
Sigh. Until eating a steak will definitively blow up the planet (literally) people will find a reason to keep eating it. I don't know why people are so passionate about continuing the habit, but I'm sure Ken would be happier to drive his car less than give up 'real' food.Yes, eating Kangaroo would be better this country, but what's the bet we'd find a way to factory farm them too, and genetically manipulate their growth rates etc?And sorry THE WRITER, but a deficient diet is a deficient diet, vege/meat/fruit whatever. I've been a vege since I was 15 and a vegan for 4 years and the last time I passed out was entirely my fault (vodka is NOT a food staple and should not be consumed instead of dinner...).The easiest option is to take some responsibility for your diet/health and impact on the planet and read a few books to make sure you'r getting the nutrients you need. Oh, and TV is often not the best source of nutritional information. (Rant, rave, spit etc)
2:47 PM

I EAT AND I AM
Re: cow at the end of the universeAfter not eating cow for over a year, I really have no desire to eat it. And something coming up to me and saying "eat me" tends to border on belligerency. But I'd like to have a nice vegan meal and watch the universe collapse in on itself! Who's up for it?Re: intelligent carrotIs the carrot still being grown in the ground? Yes? Can it feel "pain" when being picked and eaten? No? Okay, I'd probably still eat it, especially if it was pleading to be allowed to live. Mwa ha ha!Re: kangarooI guess I have no real environmental problem with kangaroo. It is a comparatively healthy lean meat and if anything should be farmed, paws are far nicer to Australian soil than hooves. This still leaves my moral dilemma against encouraging factory farming, which I can't see being reconciled if demand for kangaroo increased. Kangaroo overpopulation is apparently a huge problem too, although accepting this argument opens up a whole new debate about whether or not we should eat humans. I'm all in favour of eating humans.Plus it's difficult enough explaining why I'm vegan without having to add on: "but I eat kangaroo because...".Re: Steven the veganYeah, I loved that clip. The humour especially appeals to vegans, who've probably had to field all manner of stoopid questions like that. I like his response to the cooked pig bit at the end too. I wonder a bit about drinking human milk, though. If humans were being milked would they be adequately protected against exploitation? Technically human milk is designed for neonates to pack on weight as quickly as possible (as is cow milk for calves). Food for thought...re: THE WRITER'S diet, which may or may not be questionableI've had so many great suggestions from both THE LARKand THE RAVEN AND THE WRITING DESK regarding a healthy vegan diet. Perhaps you guys can help THE WRITER too? And THEWRITER, you can still have lychee sorbet if you're vegan! Plus you'll be able to relate to half the population of Newtown.

THE WRITER
Dear THELARK,In the nicest possible way, get stuffed.Love THE WRITER
4:50 PM
SOMEONE
Funnily enough I ran into this article today whilst procrastinating:http://www.shoutwire.com/comments/87719/Real_Men_Eat_Meat_be_Gone_Vegans
10:12 PM
THE COUPLE
I would take anything published in a country that justifies whaling as "scientific", with a grain of salt.Obviously not too much salt, as that would lead you to Ken's health problems...And the Japanese whaling is scientific. Do whales taste good? Well that one does. Let's harpoon another one and see if it tastes good too...
11:19 PM
THE LARK
Dear THE WRITER,In the nicest possible way...already am,-but thanks for the suggestion. I'm not sure which way to go though. Hazelnuts are yummy with breadcrumbs, but I've alwasy preferred almonds and herbs. Any suggestions?
12:12 AM

THE COUPLE
Has anyone also stopped to think about the environmental impact of factories created to produce soy milk, tofu and "not meat" products? These things aren't plucked from the ground in this form yet the damaged caused by this process is ok because they don't contain meat? One thing I've come to realise about vegans is that there are arguments for both sides and for people who don't want to be picked on or judged for their life choice they generally spend a lot of time trying to convince others that their way is right. If you don't want to have to justify why you are a vegan or why you choose kangaroo then just leave their choice to eat meat alone.And in regards to criticising Dale's diet as a Vegie no-one even stopped to ask what she ate before jumping to the conclusion that she had an inadequate diet. Some people need more than a vegie diet can provide, including an anaemic friend of mine who was ordered by her doctor to eat liver and kidney.Give me a scientific study that shows how bad meat is and i'm sure i could find one that says the contrary. Personally I don't care what anyone eats unless they use it to define them as a person, I am not what I eat, "Hi, I'm THE COUPLE and sometimes I eat animals, and sometimes i eat vegetables, but you know what i also have an interesting job, social life and home life but please don't judge me."
8:10 AM
ANONYMOUS BOY
Ooooh! THE LARK and THE WRITER having an online bitch fight! Someone get the virtual jelly!
1:03 PM
THE LARK
I think it was a reasonable assumption. THE WRITER mentioned (in sequence) that she was vege but kept passing out. I assumed, therefore, that her belief was that it was the vege diet that was responsible. Passing out would indicate a deficiency in diet (or possibly narcolepsy). What I was trying to point out was that a vege diet in itself, when well balanced, does not tend to make one pass out, but that a deficient diet of any variety would. I'm still not sure why this was so offensive?Ron & Rita,-yep there are many coparative studies out there on the relative environmental impacts of meat vs soy production. Most factory production obviously has a negative impact, but in comparisons of water and greenhouse gas emissions (methane), meat production really comes out as the most harmful.Just for the record, I couldn't care less what you eat (or THE WRITER , for that matter), I just wanted to point out the (perhaps unintentional) negative sway of the 'Oh I tried being a vege but it made me pass out' thing. Hey, I tried being an omnivore but it gave me high cholesterol...is that statement any fairer?As to 'pushing beliefs', I was respondig to I EAT AND I AM'S post, where veg*ism was brought up as a topic thread. I don't introduce myself as 'THE LARK the Vegan' either. Too much trouble.
1:57 PM

THE WRITER
Hmmmm. THE COUPLE has some valid points. LARK you seem to be a tad tetchy, perhaps you need some calming vitamin b? A deficient diet is a deficient diet after all.ANONYMOUS BOY, now its your turn to get stuffed.I'm rather enjoying this. Bring it on!
2:13 PM
THE LARK
Just off to fry up a t-bone THE WRITER. If I pass out, I'll let you know;)
3:26 PM

THE LARK
Oh, and THE COUPLE, I have answered all of your questions to the best of my ability on my blog.
6:18 PM

I EAT AND I AM
THECOUPLE, I'm pretty sure disregarding the entire Japanese scientific community on basis of 'scientific whaling', is fairly generalised and, dare I say it, racist?In particular, this article so obviously speaks out against meat consumption. It would indicate no vested interest towards whaling. Scientists are often the first people to speak against popular customs of their own country.This situation is the same as Europeans assuming all Australians are xenophobic because a subset of powermongers have practically closed our borders to refugees.And let's all calm down and have a nice cup of tea. Please.
7:14 PM
I EAT AND I AM
I should also mention that if we're being anec-dotal (which is actually the weakest form of evidence), I've been vegan for over a year now, and I've never had any problems with iron whatsoever. In fact, I recently gave blood and my haemoglobin was a very healthy 155. I take no supplements whatsoever.I know many doctors who recommend meat for people who are iron deficient. It doesn't necessarily mean it's the only way to build up iron stores. It does, however, bring up the issue that older generations tend to favour a meat-based diet. And it also encourages a concomitant dietary increase in saturated fat and cholesterol.Also, low iron levels inhibit formation of oxygen radicals, which age tissues. It has been inferred from this that chronically anaemic people tend to live longer and look younger. Rock on!But I should also add that I personally try not to be militant about veganism, because people get on the defensive, which doesn't get us anywhere. However I would also like to add that I frequently feel like I'm being targeted or laughed at for what I consider to be a huge sacrifice for the environment. Funny how no one has said to me: "Wow, you've given up so much for a good cause! I totally respect that." but lots of people have, however, simply said: "you're a freak", or indicated their frustration with me because I'm "so difficult to deal with now". I take it all with good humour. Yes, yes, I am wacky.Perhaps if I did something morally good that's also socially acceptable instead? Would I be complimented on my sacrifice then?
7:37 PM
THE WRITER
Interesting, all very interesting but THE LARK I think your (j) and (l) was rather poor form.
9:22 PM
THE LARK
I only just figured it out! sheesh! -Is there anywhere I can step from here that doesn't involve toes?
10:18 PM

THE COUPLE
Just for the record i don't have anything against vegans. I frequently cook vegan friendly meals at my house, my problem is with people who complain about being judged for choices and then judge other people's in the process.
10:21 PM
THE LARK
Fair enough. That is annoying. Can I mention again that I wasn't 'judging' THE WRITER, just commenting on her possible diet choices that led to the unpleasant 'passing out' stuff. Judging people on food is nuts. I have never and will never cry 'You eat Peking Duck? I hate you immediately, now and forever!' My family are omni and my best friend in the world is something of a dead-animal gourmand,-I love her to bits. I luvved I EAT AND I AM when he was a meat-a-tarian and I luv him now.As those other annoying preachy types would have it; 'Judge not, lest ye yourself be judged':-)
10:47 PM

THE LARK
Oh christ, it was the TV comment wasn't it? That was bad typing, not intentional put-down. It was NOT directed at THE WRITER but at everyone who's ever said 'but I saw on tele the other night....' Having read THE WRITER'S writing, I have nothing but respect for her intellect and am heartily sorry if my poor sentence construction implied that she, in any way, relied upon the idiot box for information. Honestly. Ok, I'm now shouting a round. My bad on that point.
11:20 PM

THE WRITER
Woo hoo respect the intellect, oh yeah! Sorry got a bit carried away there.
11:24 PM
THE LARK
I EAT AND I AM, sorry! oh, and sorry...and um, well sorry.It's all your fault though you know..:-)
12:27 AM
THE COUPLE
I EAT AND I AM, what made you think the whaling comment was THE COUPLE? And I don't know if my tongue could be any further in my cheek when I wrote that.I love the Japanese. They stop the whales from shitting in our oceans.THE COUPLE
11:11 AM

JAPAN
Funny how no one has said to me: "Wow, you've given up so much for a good cause! I totally respect that."-Haven't I said this before? If not, I thought it. I think I told you in Japan that I was all set to cut meat from our diet. And I did...for a while. It takes effort to be a vegan, or buy only organic food, or seek out 100% Australian products. Most people couldn't be fucked going to that effort. My lazy ass needs a helping hand, like just stop producing meat, so the public cannot buy it anymore, so we all eat better and live happily ever after. See, I have such brilliant solutions, I have no idea why the government doesn't consult me more often.
2:28 PM
THE WRITER
Poor old I EAT AND I AM, getting left out of his own blog comments. Hi there I EAT AND I AM. Nice discussion you started here.
2:54 P
I EAT AND I AM
That was you commenting THE COUPLE? Hmmm... caught me making an assumption there. I didn't realise you read the blog. As for the whole tongue in cheek thing, I'm afraid I'm a little autistic when socially interacting.And thanks for the support JAPAN. I think I remember you saying that in J-Pan, actually. At the time I was shoveling into my mouth all manner of Japanese animals and generally experiencing Japan through my stomach (mmmm.... sashimi and takoyaki), so I probably dismissed it as too food restricting for my tastes. Yes, I was a carnivore once.THE WRITER, I love people arguing on my blog. Makes me feel like a big man. Argue away, folks!
3:30 PM

THE COUPLE
Autistic? You are far more fucked up than that I EAT AND I AM.I have photographic evidence of you drinking what appears to be urine from a specimen jar...And speaking of drinking bodily fluids, would you spit or swallow (as semen would technically be an animal by-product)?Moral dilemma. Perhaps we need an online poll.
11:33 PM
THE LARK
Oh Lord,.......
11:57 PM
I EAT AND I AM
I have no problem with human by-products. Eat humans, I say!As to the 'contents' of fellatio, I've actually been asked that question before by a gay friend, and I just looked him in the eye and said: "You wish."Can I have a dig copy of that photo? That was so funny, I want it as my facebook picture.
THE COUPLE
I have it printed out if you want to come up sometime and grab it. Any excuse to see you ;) I'll even make you dinner.
3:47 PM

I found, I copied, I reproduced with all identities safely intact. I am annoyed with myself for responding at all (in retrospect). Recent events reminded me. Sometimes you need to be reminded lest your dozy hippy nature blind you to past insults. I can forgive, but I rarely forget.
It's amazing how the world changes. It's incredible that what may have been a long dead memory can be copied and pasted into new life. It's somewhat infathomable that I even bothered.