Yeah,
And I do take offense to jokes re veganism, because it's essentially mocking animal exploitation
Many vegan activists involved in direct-action activism, ie going to farms, slaughterhouses etc suffer trauma from what we've witnessed(myself included)
Also my question was "Any vegans here?" Not "Please everyone give me your excuses as to why you're not vegan" ....
Oh, so is that perhaps why some replies are being ignored and others get your reaction approval. And not just that, but some other member's comments making snide remarks about people doing "mental gymnastics" or that we are all meant to be fruit collectors. (the latter is not so bad but I find it funny when some people, like myself, become quite inflamed from ingesting fruit sugar).
Wasn't planning on even taking notice, but saw this thread pop up again and wanted to see other people's responses. Last time I checked, people didn't start the finger pointing yet. Should have known. (I thought your question was a harmless, open invite, despite my obvious trepidation about the subject matter.)
I am no stranger to being ridiculed and teased in the past for my involvement with vegetarianism/veganism, those who consumed meat often taunted me and ironically, some of them went on to become exhaustive vegans themselves, shouting and forcing their choice onto others. But doing the same to them, even passive aggressively, is not right.
And it doesn't help your cause. You should be glad for any participation in the topic, even neutral involvement can spread the word and open a dialogue.
(I'm not referring to the comments that were strictly joking or not taking the topic seriously, they weren't the ones making "excuses" for not being vegan, so your comment cannot understandably be directed only at them.)
Some people have very good reasons not to be vegan and hey, at least you are getting some honest replies.
I guess if I came here for attention I could have bullshitted everyone, so no sweat off my back. But it's not just me who put in the effort to explain why veganism didn't work for them.
The diet aspect is problematic in many ways and to anyone claiming that you can get all you need from plant sources, no you cannot.
Veganism is deprivation when it comes down to it, well-intended deprivation with some really delicious recipes out there, but still. Some seem to be able to handle it, others can't. As someone else said, it is kind of ironic to be concerned about health when we are planning on killing ourselves, but I've seen no lack of irony with us doing anything else we do, before the day comes. I mean we all might as well lay in our beds and rot by that logic.
And let me tell you, save for the Sanctuary, threads themselves are not exclusive clubs here. Anyone can say their peace. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.
You are not morally or ethically superior to anyone for being an active vegan and nor are non vegans, to you.
Why are the people who actually tried getting shit on? It's more than some can say.
It just amazes me that some vegans (not all, probably not even most) treat every animal better than the human animal. They certainly would not do the same for you, or eachother, animals eat other animals based on their needs. Why should humans be any different?
Yes, we know better than to cause undue pain and stress to an animal and we are smart enough to find ways to end that.
I agree with you there.
But too often this 'lifestyle' becomes a way for people to signal their virtue when they are nasty individuals otherwise. Not saying you are, but that statement of yours was certainly inflammatory. Unless you were a vegan since birth, you've likely participated in the very industry you scorn, at some point. And I direct this at anyone else who has displayed a similar distaste for people who are not vegan (some of whom found the diet too restrictive and harmful).
Treat humans with the same respect you treat other creatures if that's the sentiment you are going to preach to others.
Quality of life and health matter, a vegan diet can reduce certain people's quality of life, just like it does when some nutcases try to push the same meatless diet onto their pets or other animals ill-suited to it.
I am with you that we must also try to give this quality of life to the animals we consume, and their deaths should be humane and not too premature.
Because we are animals, we still must abide by certain biological needs, because we are humans, we should find a way to fulfill these needs humanely, with consideration.
And we should not consume more meat than our bodies require, cutting down is a fair request too. Over-consumption is a problem. But tackling that specifically doesn't deprive anyone.
It is unfortunate that 'ethically' sourced food can be insanely expensive compared to that which does not purport to be.
If you can afford it, that's all well and good, but many cannot, even if veganism is suited to them. I have known some people who actually visit the places they source their food from, but even that is not an option for most. Not unless you've got a source close to home, a certain amount of free time, and/or a preferential financial situation, even the "active activism" you laud, is not doable by everyone.
Also, I applaud your efforts, but it was your choice to visit the slaughterhouses, if it induces that much trauma then stop.
If the cause is more important, then why are you pushing for pity?
Don't make threads to feed your own ego and self prescribed sainthood.
Personally, as stated in my own reply, I make no excuses for certain things and I will not deny that they are far from ideal, but I do have valid reasons for others, regarding veganism.
Human beings have way more issues to sort out with themselves and eachother before going meatless is a priority, or the end all, be all of what constitutes a compassionate person.
We have a far way to go before veganism (and similar movements) will save the earth we have scorched and the other human beings we continue to torture, even whilst shoving tofu down our throats.
Not trying to cause an upset, and this will be the last I say on this thread, I will not be revisiting it again. But certain comments are problematic and hypocritical-mild compared to other conversations I've witnessed-however, obviously this subject is prone to inciting a wealthy display of undeserved self-righteousness.
and 
mostly. But I am currently defrosting about 3 pounds of ground beef. I have a craving for some Sloppy Joe's. 
. I had some Monterrey Jack yesterday. But vintage Cheddar is one of my favourites.
