An Open Letter To Bob Linden of GoVegan Radio

[Guest guest]

[The original of the following message was sent to Bob Linden of GoVegan

Radio. This copy is being sent to SFBAVeg for your consideration and

comments.]

 

During your radio show of October 6, 2002, you read an announcement about an

anti-war demonstration scheduled to take place in southern California. I am

writing to express my concern about the wisdom of politicizing animal rights

and veganism.

 

I think you will agree that, in order to succeed, the vegan/animal rights

movement must go mainstream. We must be seen by the average American as a

movement that is ethical, reasonable, and non-partisan. We will never

succeed at being more than the tiny minority we are now if we vegans and

animal rights activists are seen as part of a partisan political agenda. If

our movement gets a reputation for being tied into left or right-wing

political issues, we will only alienate the very people we are trying to

reach.

 

I grew up protesting the war in Viet Nam from the time I was 15. I respect

those anti-war activists who, with the best of intentions, are trying to

bring vegans to their side on this other important issue. However, although

some think that the vegan movement is a progressive political movement, I

know both conservative and centrist animal rights vegans. Alienating those

who agree with us on the essential issue of animal rights but who disagree

with those who promote a progressive political agenda in general is the last

thing we need to do if we really want to help end the holocaust suffered by

billions of animals in this country alone every year.

 

As you are now the most vocal mouthpiece of our movement, any apparent

endorsement of other issues by you will inevitably give the impression that

veganism is simply a part of a broader partisan agenda. In my opinion,

veganism is, in fact, a humane movement that should be supported by all

compassionate people, regardless of their politics on other subjects.

Accordingly, I thank you for bringing your wonderful program to the air

waves and I respectfully urge you to avoid linking animal rights and

veganism with other causes, no matter how important.

[Guest guest]

On Tuesday, October 8, 2002, at 12:22 PM, Mr. Pete wrote:

 

> We will never

> succeed at being more than the tiny minority we are now if we vegans

> and

> animal rights activists are seen as part of a partisan political

> agenda. If

> our movement gets a reputation for being tied into left or right-wing

> political issues, we will only alienate the very people we are trying

> to

> reach.

>

 

 

Unfortunately, for good or bad, we already have that stigma. Both Rush

Limbaugh and Michael Savage regularly lump vegetarians/animal rights as

part of the 'lunatic fringe' of liberalism (somehow they forget Jesus

was the biggest lib there ever was, but that's another issue).

 

I've been listening to Michael Savage almost everyday for ten years

now. He is funny as hell, I love to laugh at him, and I still have my

sanity!

 

 

tony