Opinions sought on wearing leather

[Guest guest]

Dear Jim,

Don't call yourself old! In the Georgian caucuses (you know the yogurt

people) the elders are called the " long living people " and are honored every

year in a celebration where they march by age groups in a parade. I like

that term much better. Patricia Bragg, says calender years don't matter - but

biological years do. Being a vegetarian is a good start on keeping your body

and outlook young. _www.bragg.com_ (http://www.bragg.com) . Read her books.

Ideally I wouldn't wear leather either. I do though. Only for shoes

though, and I only need one or two pairs. Nobody needs a leather jacket. If you

are that much of a guido, let yours be out of vynl. There is a lot of room for

improving, and a lot of gray area. Then there is ahimsa leather from India

-taken after the cow dies naturally. There are lots of non-leather shoe

options available online though if are a little less impecunious than I am

right

now.

Another thing is gelatin, I consider myself a vegetarian, but I have

geletin in some of my supplements. The point is a vegetarian lifestyle is a

journey, not necesarily a destination. Otherwise, we'd all be like the Jains.

We

are not though, and it is a constant process of living better. That is an

exciting thought to me.

Best wishes.

Sincerely,

Matt Di Clemente

Brick, New Jersey

 

 

 

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi good folks,

 

 

I know that many vegetarians/vegans do not wear leather and promote not wearing

leather.

 

I don't like the idea of wearing leather, but I am an old guy and I have never

been able to

find any shoes not made of leather than don't cause me foot problems.

 

I would like to hear others' thoughts about wearing leather and would be glad to

know

about any kind of non-leather footwear that might work for me.

 

 

God bless all, Old Man Jim (Vegetarian since

1986)

 

<

[Guest guest]

Happy saturday Jim!

While I am not a vegan, I definately give much thought to the animal products

that I come

into contact with in everyday life. I make conciencious decisions with regards

to clothing,

footwear, cosmetics (well I only wear lip balm and moisturiser but still...) and

where and

how the animal food I consume is housed, fed and treated (eggs and dairy). I

wear a

leather coat given to me by my grandmother years ago that is circa 1960's and a

leather

belt purchased 14 years ago. When these items wear beyond repair, I will not

replace

them with leather. However I do buy leather shoes and boots. Living in the

frigid north, it

is necessary for winter survival. Leather sandals are equallly necessary during

our crazy

hot prarie summers. I have no qualms wearing leater footwear at all. When I

consider how

much leather I will wear in my lifetime, it will probably not exceed 2 cows. I

know that this

opinion may anger or exacerbate some, I do stand by it. You just need to do

what you feel

is right for you. consider also the gross amount of petroleim pollution created

and

released into the atmosphere, land and water due to the production of

synthetics, one

must weigh the pros and cons for our mother earth, not to mention the impact

that non-

breathable synthetics have on our feet. This is only the opion of one. Best of

luck Jim!

Kyra

-- In , " jimchristianhall "

<jimchristianhall

wrote:

>

> Hi good folks,

>

>

> I know that many vegetarians/vegans do not wear leather and promote not

wearing

> leather.

>

> I don't like the idea of wearing leather, but I am an old guy and I have never

been able to

> find any shoes not made of leather than don't cause me foot problems.

>

> I would like to hear others' thoughts about wearing leather and would be glad

to know

> about any kind of non-leather footwear that might work for me.

>

>

> God bless all, Old Man Jim (Vegetarian since

1986)

>

> <

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jim.

In response, as a Nurse and a vegetarian(obviously!) I believe that

you should listen to your feet. I promote alternative sources other

than leather but not at the expense of your own health. Foot

disorders can be the source of major health disabilities and if you

have been unable to find anything to provide relief, stick with what

works!! Your mobility is very vital to your overall health and well-

being and even " granola " type shoes ie berkanstocks are leather made.

Keep your health first especially as you get older. Just my opinion.

Have a good one!!

Lisa

 

, " jimchristianhall "

<jimchristianhall wrote:

>

> Hi good folks,

>

>

> I know that many vegetarians/vegans do not wear leather and promote

not wearing

> leather.

>

> I don't like the idea of wearing leather, but I am an old guy and I

have never been able to

> find any shoes not made of leather than don't cause me foot

problems.

>

> I would like to hear others' thoughts about wearing leather and

would be glad to know

> about any kind of non-leather footwear that might work for me.

>

>

> God bless all, Old Man Jim

(Vegetarian since 1986)

>

> <

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Lisa,

 

Thank your for your thoughtful answer. I didn't mention that I also have

diabetes.

I hate the idea of wearing an animal's skin, but somebody told me that the

animal is killed

for its meat and that the skin would just be thrown away if not used for leather

items.

Anyone know if this is true?

 

Old Man Jim

<

 

 

 

, " lisafallon147 " <lisafallon147

wrote:

>

> Hi Jim.

> In response, as a Nurse and a vegetarian(obviously!) I believe that

> you should listen to your feet. I promote alternative sources other

> than leather but not at the expense of your own health. Foot

> disorders can be the source of major health disabilities and if you

> have been unable to find anything to provide relief, stick with what

> works!! Your mobility is very vital to your overall health and well-

> being and even " granola " type shoes ie berkanstocks are leather made.

> Keep your health first especially as you get older. Just my opinion.

> Have a good one!!

> Lisa

>

> , " jimchristianhall "

> <jimchristianhall@> wrote:

> >

> > Hi good folks,

> >

> >

> > I know that many vegetarians/vegans do not wear leather and promote

> not wearing

> > leather.

> >

> > I don't like the idea of wearing leather, but I am an old guy and I

> have never been able to

> > find any shoes not made of leather than don't cause me foot

> problems.

> >

> > I would like to hear others' thoughts about wearing leather and

> would be glad to know

> > about any kind of non-leather footwear that might work for me.

> >

> >

> > God bless all, Old Man Jim

> (Vegetarian since 1986)

> >

> > <

> >

>

[Guest guest]

--- jimchristianhall <jimchristianhall

wrote:

> Thank your for your thoughtful answer. I didn't

> mention that I also have diabetes.

> I hate the idea of wearing an animal's skin, but

> somebody told me that the animal is killed

> for its meat and that the skin would just be thrown

> away if not used for leather items.

> Anyone know if this is true?

 

Jim,

 

I don't know for sure if that's true but I bet it

probably is. It seems to me that NOTHING is wasted

when an animal is slaughtered. I used to buy treats

for my boss' dogs every so often. I know that all

sorts of weird animal parts are made into dog treats,

including cow trachea! So I seriously doubt the

skin/leather would ever get discarded.

 

I'm still an amnivore but as time goes by I'm eating

less & less meat. I can't see myself giving up eggs

or dairy any time soon, though. I do have some

leather shoes/belts.

 

There are some very good walking shoes that are all

synthetic if you really want to look. New Balance

makes walking shoes/sneakers from all man made

materials. I've bought them when I want lighter

footwear for the warmer weather. I also have diabetes

and I look for comfort & durability before I look at

the materials.

 

--

Liz

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Especially true for cattle, IMHO... they are not killed specifically for their

hides and the hides would probably be used in dog food or something like that if

not used for leather. Some of the more exotic commerical leathers (and furs!),

such as alligator, or even deer, might be different... the hide being the

primary reason for the animal being killed. Kathy

 

 

 

jimchristianhall <jimchristianhall

 

Saturday, March 31, 2007 5:28:58 PM

Re: Opinions sought on wearing leather

 

 

Hi Lisa,

 

Thank your for your thoughtful answer. I didn't mention that I also have

diabetes.

I hate the idea of wearing an animal's skin, but somebody told me that the

animal is killed

for its meat and that the skin would just be thrown away if not used for leather

items.

Anyone know if this is true?

 

Old Man Jim

<

 

, " lisafallon147 " <lisafallon147@

....> wrote:

>

> Hi Jim.

> In response, as a Nurse and a vegetarian(obviousl y!) I believe that

> you should listen to your feet. I promote alternative sources other

> than leather but not at the expense of your own health. Foot

> disorders can be the source of major health disabilities and if you

> have been unable to find anything to provide relief, stick with what

> works!! Your mobility is very vital to your overall health and well-

> being and even " granola " type shoes ie berkanstocks are leather made.

> Keep your health first especially as you get older. Just my opinion.

> Have a good one!!

> Lisa

>

> , " jimchristianhall "

> <jimchristianhall@ > wrote:

> >

> > Hi good folks,

> >

> >

> > I know that many vegetarians/ vegans do not wear leather and promote

> not wearing

> > leather.

> >

> > I don't like the idea of wearing leather, but I am an old guy and I

> have never been able to

> > find any shoes not made of leather than don't cause me foot

> problems.

> >

> > I would like to hear others' thoughts about wearing leather and

> would be glad to know

> > about any kind of non-leather footwear that might work for me.

> >

> >

> > God bless all, Old Man Jim

> (Vegetarian since 1986)

> >

> > <

> >

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

I am vegetarian and absolutely do not wear leather. Leather is

disgusting and is a dead animal. If everyone stopped eating meat

tomorrow but continued to wear leather shoes they would continue to

kill the animals just to get the leather, so in my opinion the

argument that the leather will go to waste isn't a good one. Why not

let those who have no problem eating the meat consume the leather and

we (those who do not eat animals) can spare their lives completely.

Anyway, there are many non-leather shoes out there. I buy almost all

of my shoes at Payless (mostly because they carry women's size 11 and

most place don't), Earth shoes are good shoes and offer several vegan

shoes, Vans have several vegan tennis shoes, as someone already

mentioned New Balance offers several choices, crocs are vegan, and

there are Vegan Birkenstocks for those of you who need sandals (or

Tevas). There are also vegan hiking boots that I bought my husband

for his birthday but I can't remember which brand they were.

Depending on where you live it may be necessary to do a little

research and legwork but good vegan shoes are not too difficult to

come by (I have many, many (too many?) shoes so I should know ;-) ).

Oh, and for you ladies Nine West is pretty good about carrying a few

styles of non-leather shoes. Good Luck Jim.

 

Whitney

 

, " jimchristianhall "

<jimchristianhall wrote:

>

> Hi good folks,

>

>

> I know that many vegetarians/vegans do not wear leather and promote

not wearing

> leather.

>

> I don't like the idea of wearing leather, but I am an old guy and I

have never been able to

> find any shoes not made of leather than don't cause me foot

problems.

>

> I would like to hear others' thoughts about wearing leather and

would be glad to know

> about any kind of non-leather footwear that might work for me.

>

>

> God bless all, Old Man Jim

(Vegetarian since 1986)

>

> <

>

[Guest guest]

I think that leather is as much a part of the " animal use " industry as

is food. The ancestors way back in cave-man days used all parts, as do

the current people who earn money off the commercial use of animals.

So..I think it's like the chicken and the egg, and not a real useful

concept when determining whether or not to use leather.

 

I have been what I call an " animal rights " vegetarian for 31 years.

During that time, I only once bought leather shoes, and that was

accidentally because I thought they were man-made only to find out later

that they were not. There have been years in my life when I've had foot

problems, in my case meaning bone spurs and fallen arches. Whenever

those flair up, I have to use orthotic inserts for awhile. But other

than that, I've been ok with canvas and plastic shoes. I live in a

northern climate, and have to admit that my feet are sometimes wet in

the winter--but they were wet when I wore leather shoes, too. I hate

boots of any kind, and rarely wear them, which is why I have wet feet in

the winter time.

 

I buy my shoes at Payless. I'm not into women's " fashion " shoes, so

usually just buy plain black sport-style shoes. I don't like to pay

much, which is also why I shop Payless. But I know you can get other

vegetarian/vegan type shoes, if you really look around and are willing

to pay a more. I bet you could find some that would work for you with

your diabetes. Didn't someone post awhile ago that you can go on

www.zappos.com and type " vegetarian shoes " (without the quotes) in the

search engine? I know a lot came up when I did that awhile back.

 

But like others have said, we make our compromises in various ways. I

took Armor thyroid for 10 years before a doctor switched me to Synthroid

(and I started to feel a lot better--makes me wonder if psychologically

I couldn't feel ok on that Armor kind, which comes from animals). I eat

eggs/dairy products, even though I'd prefer to be 100% vegan. I take

supplements that aren't 100% vegetarian. I won't take glandulars any

more though, despite various health care practitioners urging them on

me--but I did take them years ago when I was already vegetarian. There

are so many things to decide--where we will draw the line. It's not

easy. I think eating vegetarian is a big gift to the critters.

 

mrf