re: fairness - and the concept of a Safe Haven

May 24, 2009

It seems to me that some people are arguing here in favour of 'respect' for

others' views without considering what the consequences of that so-called

'respect' would be. I am vegan, but on this group I 'respect' vegetarians

because it is an inclusive (lacto-ovo, ovo, lacto, and vegan) vegetarian group -

ie. talking about eating eggs and dairy and defending that choice is fine, as

long as we vegans can put in a pitch now and then for the advantages of an all

plant-based diet, eh? (It's GOOD btw!) And I assume vegetarians respect

vegans because the 'umbrella' covers us all.

Analogies are tricky, but think of it this way: I don't smoke or use any illegal

substance and I don't gamble, but I do enjoy a glass of wine or whatever now and

then (right now would be nice, but it's lemonade). Now, if I were to join a

non-smokers group I would expect that people would not join into a discussion

about non-smoking to say how they were still smoking and had no intention of

quitting, and if I joined a wine-tasters group I would not expect someone to

warn me of the evils of the demon drink. I would expect in both cases that the

intervention of someone who goes against the principles and intent of the group

would be disapproved of by the other members. In our case we need to affirm

respect for the principles upon which our group exists.

In a nutshell, it's not about life out there in the world, folks, it's about the

rules of the group here in cyberspace. If the group doesn't suit you, then you

don't belong - right? In that way it's like most clubs. And like most clubs or

groups for minorities (and vegetarians and vegans are certainly a minority in

most cultures - 90 to 95 per cent of N. America is omnivore) we try to provide a

'safe haven' for our vegetarian and vegan members. Others of course have always

been welcome here, but not to threaten the 'safe haven' concept and not to be

'championed' in their disregard of our principles by some vegetarian members

simply in the interest of abiding by some perverse concept of 'fairness'.

So please, as I have written elsewhere, let's all take a deep breath here. Let's

turn this back into the Safe Haven it has always been meant to be.

Best,

Pat (Co-owner with Piers)

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" As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, keep it. " Mahatma

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