USOBBA

When I returned from Seattle in the summer of 2004, I was a bit worried by what I saw at the protest marches because I could not accommodate my own veganism without putting up with the various questions I would receive from my own "crew" here in the South whilst claiming I was really (and truly) a conservative. Veganism is indeed separate from politics (or should be) based entirely upon the evidence for it from a specifically health point of view. I shouldn't judge someone soley upon that. After viewing the conservative veggie site I was blown away (again) that there are indeed, people of my ilk out there. We can claim our own bit of the vegan world but still hold to our principles as true conservatives. You can legitamately fold both together without having an air bubble of opposition come up. The only person who has looked at me askance has been my Dad but when I explained to him the factory-farming of animals who are senselessly slaughtered while talking to him, man-to-man, about the benefits of veganism, he remarked, "You may have something there." But he is few and far between from the majority of people -- liberal and conservative -- who are meat eaters. I still remain steadfastly a conservative, gun owner (as well as, *gasp* a Christian) and beleiver in the military.

I was struck senseless by the replies by everyone ... and must admit that I was a bit amazed at my own discrimination against vegans! What can I say? As a conservative I have been, at times, hyper-sensative and must admit that as I read each reply each of you posted, I was blown away by your openness, sensitivity and sincerity (as I was with Robert's post). When I lived in Seattle and returned home to Houston in 2004, I carried a bit of the "anti-anti-war" bias with me and judged everyone according to that standard ... I hope I did not come across as a complete wacko! If I did, or my comments were offensive, my apologies. I certainly was not prepared by all of your kindness to my post(s) and must admit it! I was also wrong about the arab head scarf ... I guess I had seen it enough in the anti-war protests that I put one and two together and decided it equaled five. I am still fervently a Zionist (in the good sense) and pro-Israel - and realize the injustices against the Palestinians, but realize that we all have our beleifs and live accordingly. I willcheck out the conservtive veggie site for sure! To all of you: THANK YOU. I guess we conservatives are a bit touchy on things! WIth the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Bush Presidency its hard to speak truth to whats going on; as a conservative we are both drawn to the President but repelled by the excesses of the Bush Presidency. We criticized Bill for nation building and here we are in the Middle East doing the EXACT same thing. However, as a right winger, I am probably more afraid of the more explicit, deep, undercover excesses of conservativism -- black operations, assasinations, change(s) of power -- things we never see but know (as conservatives) that they are indeed there and hover over us. Turns many of us neo-liberal or libertarian... Off soapbox. Thanks guys for being so open. Now on to bodybuilding! Break out those hemp protein shakes!

Robert: I was not expecting that type of reply! Thanks for being open, accommodating and sincere. The response to such a question (given directly to vegans/vegetarians, etc.) that i received in the past was physical violence. A (lady) vegan in Seattle tried to hit me when I asked her a question. (Interestingly, she was wearing a Palestinian kafeyieh -- awarded to PLO Terrorists for carrying out "strikes" against "human targets" inside Israel). She replied with with shouts and curses ... I don't hold this as central to all vegans, but mainly to those who are extreme left-wing types. As a former police officer and military veteran (who is pro-gun and pro-war > when the need arises) I simply am unable to change the way I "think" regardless how acceptable it may be to the left or right. I am probably more apopleptic against the right than anyone else but thought I would pose the question. Thanks Robert! -M

As a newbie to the vegan bodybuilding forum, I wanted to find out why the vegan "lifestyle" is so left-wing. I mean no disrespect to any of you in making that statement, but its simply my honest feeling. I am a conservative, yet I dont feel drawn to the more extreme elements of the vegan lifestyle (other than the food) that I saw/witnessed in Seattle (when I lived there) such as Marxism, anti-Semitism, support of terrorism, anti-war (protests), etc. While watching the anti-war marchers several "vegan" protestors marched past me shouting anti-Israel, anti-Semitic slogans. Isnt hatred, racism and bigotry of any stripe condemned anymore or do vegans get a pass on this? Thanks. -M