Digest Number 1395

[Guest guest]

This discussion of vegetarianism being depressing couldn't have come at a more

appropriate time. For me, it seems the heartache of the vast abuse and

suffering of so many animals is always just below my radar, although at times it

can be all consuming. I have to deliberately stop the thoughts and replace them

with something else. I doubt at times that I will ever experience true

happiness because of what goes on in the lives of the farm animals.

 

I recently went back to my childhood home outside of Vancouver, BC Canada to

visit family and friends. The home I grew up in and the surrounding area used

to be filled with wonderful memories but it has changed so much. (Or maybe it

was always this way and it is only because of my awareness that it has changed.)

Anyway, it's out in the country a bit and everywhere you drive, you pass the

long metal houses that are filled with suffering, either chickens and turkeys

and there are more being constructed. Additionally, there are two routes to get

to town from my parents house, one passes by a pork slaughterhouse and the other

a livestock auction. I find it difficult to go back and so hard to believe that

so many people are just oblivious and indifferent to the atrocities being

committed to these animals.

 

I have two children, 29mths and 3mths and it makes me so sad at times to think

of the world that they are going to grow up in. I could go on and on but just

want to say a couple of quick things. I agree that it helps to know that there

are others that share the same viewpoint and compassion. It is very inspiring

to know of some of the many people and organizations that are working to expose

the cruelty and that work towards creating a more compassionate existence for

the animals. I am so impressed with just the few that I know of in Maryland,

where I live. www.compassionoverkilling.com is one in particular.

 

The following is a quote I sometimes think about when I am faced with the

harsh realities of animal cruelty. For me, it just provides a much needed

break.

 

" Only one thing has to change for us to know happiness in our lives - where we

focus our attention. "

 

~Shawna

 

 

" Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight "

" The question is not, Can they reason? Nor can they talk? But can they

suffer? "

" We all love animals. Why do we call some pets and others dinner? "

http:www.themeatrix.com

http://www.factoryfarming.com

http://www.tryveg.com

http://www.goveg.com

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

In message <1223104760.3431.30618.m42 >,

writes

>

> vegan places in Cambridge?

>

The most famous and best is the Rainbow (which recently won the award

for best veggie restaurant in the UK) - right opposite the gates of

Kings College (our most famous local landmark) so you can't miss it.

Various other places do good vegan options.

 

The local group (Camveg) meets at the Rainbow from 10.30 a.m. till noon

on the second Saturday of every month. Sometimes people stay on for

lunch, sometimes some of us wander off shopping or demonstrating or

whatever afterwards. Visitors enjoy punting on the river Cam - looks

simple enough, but if you've never done it before you generally fall in.

 

Contact for Camveg is Adam Moss <adam See any issue of The

Vegan for details. (To join the Vegan Society and keep up to date with

the national scene, go to www.vegansociety.com)

 

There is also a fantastic wholefood shop called Arjuna on Mill Road (I

live around the corner and do most of my shopping there and the Co-op)

and a thriving animal rights group that meets nearby.

 

Welcome to Cambridge - my alma mater and also my home for the past eight

years (I always planned to come back and now I have!)

 

Vanessa Clarke

Vegan Society Internationl Coordinator

and happy Cambridge resident

 

If you have any more queries, feel free to contact me at

<vanessaclarke1 or <clarkev

Telephone +44 (0)1223 324337 (Cambridge)

or +44 (0)207 928 7459 (London)