Bill Clinton is simply not vegan (yet). Originally, he didn't even say he was vegan. (He recently responded with "well..I guess I am" when probed by a non-vegan journalist.) He eats a predominantly plant-powered diet for health reasons. If everyone in the world did that, we might succeed in helping to save the planet and its inhabitants. It is a giant step in the right direction and to be applauded. And - I admire that he uses his fame to inform the public about a diet that is more suited to the human race. However when vegans start advocating someone who is clearly not vegan to be a vegan...that becomes very problematic. It does not help animals to demean the definition of veganism. It is confusing the public and lessening the standard of the vegan ideal. People need to know what a vegan is in order to become one and pull their financial demand from products and practices that are derived from the exploitation of animals.
It's for all vegan educators to uphold the standard and the true definition of a vegan. Our job is to offer people a new mindset; that vegan living is a moral imperative and humanity's next step. We have no need to inflict torture, suffering, and death on other animals. It's just basic respect. There are many long-time vegans who have experienced what President Clinton is talking about; a reversal of disease.
Get with the times. Vegan food is delicious; no sacrifice whatsoever. I realize 'change' is difficult. But why wait until your heart gives out, like President Clinton? Eat a heart-healthy plant-based diet (be sure to supplement with Vitamin B12) as a preventative measure and to reduce your risk of life-threatening diseases. However, if one is serious about expanding their heart-space, they would make a stand and become vegan. Being vegan is doing the right thing. It's wrong to treat sentient animals as if they were lifeless objects that can't suffer. They are animals. We are animals. All animals (except those with a rare disease) have the capacity to suffer. Other animals are aware and conscious. I believe if everyone tuned into their heart-of-hearts, they would also feel sad about inflicting pain and death on animals. In order to have a healthy heart, in all senses of the word, one needs to live vegan.
2014 article showing Clinton is not vegan
End note: All the heart-healthy benefits of eating a vegan diet are removed if one does not supplement with a vegan Vitamin B12 supplement. Raised homocysteine levels from deficiency in Vitamin B12 can cause heart disease.
This is pretty much exactly how I feel about it. I've got nothing against Bill, and his new diet is an great improvement, but I keep seeing vegans call him a vegan even though he eats a little fish and wears leather shoes.
ReplyDeleteIt's confusing and misleading to call him vegan. When I tweeted that, I was told that it's still good publicity, but I don't see how it's good to go out of our way to confuse people about what veganism stands for.
Anyway, great post. Thanks.
Jessica
I'd like to add something Clinton forgot- that refuting meat and dairy from entering our bodies, we also dramatically increase the risk of the number one killer in the US, colon cancer! It's that easy. I'm a very strongly rooted vegan and new to the colonic hydrotherapy and detox consulting profession. I'm learning just how incompatible acid animal products are for our elimination organs.
ReplyDeletePeople don't understand that meat is not made for us, and that it is "prepared" with unspeakable violence!
What touched me about Clinton's interview was when he sad "No meat. No dairy." and proceeded to list foods that he now consumes that all happen to be found in MY kitchen. I suppose it is exciting to see that kind of advocacy and advice, and here's hoping he WILL make it to genuine veganism. Just hope my mom sees this link and starts to realize it isn't just little old Caitlin that says meat is bad!
Meant to say:
ReplyDeleteI'd like to add something Clinton forgot- that by refusing meat and dairy entry to our bodies, we also dramatically DECREASE the risk of the number one killer in the US, colon cancer! It's that easy. I'm a very strongly rooted vegan and I'm new to the colonic hydrotherapy and detox consulting profession. I'm learning just how incompatible acid animal products are for our elimination organs.
People don't understand that meat is not made for us, and that it is "prepared" with unspeakable violence!
What touched me about Clinton's interview was when he sad "No meat. No dairy." and proceeded to list foods that he now consumes that all happen to be found in MY kitchen. I suppose it is exciting to see that kind of advocacy and advice, and here's hoping he WILL make it to genuine veganism. Just hope my mom sees this link and starts to realize it isn't just little old Caitlin that says meat is bad!
Hi, lovely blogger publishing vegan truth! Maybe you can delete my above comment, as I hastily published with out previewing. Meanwhile, I meant to say (and feel free to delete this intro, as well):
ReplyDeleteI'd like to add something Clinton forgot- that by refusing meat and dairy entry to our bodies, we also dramatically DECREASE the risk of the number one killer in the US, colon cancer! It's that easy. I'm a very strongly rooted vegan and I'm new to the colonic hydrotherapy and detox consulting profession. I'm learning just how incompatible acidic animal products are for our elimination organs.
Hopefully, more will come to realize that meat is not made for us, and that it is "prepared" with unspeakable violence!
What touched me about Clinton's interview was when he sad "No meat. No dairy." and proceeded to list foods that he now consumes that all happen to be found in MY kitchen. I suppose it is exciting to see that kind of advocacy and advice, and here's hoping he WILL make it to genuine veganism. Just hope my mom sees this link and starts to realize it isn't just little old Caitlin that says meat is bad!
Hi, lovely blogger publishing vegan truth! Maybe you can delete my above comment, as I hastily published with out previewing. Meanwhile, I meant to say (and feel free to delete this intro, as well):
ReplyDeleteI'd like to add something Clinton forgot- that by refusing meat and dairy entry to our bodies, we also dramatically DECREASE the risk of the number one killer in the US, colon cancer! It's that easy. I'm a very strongly rooted vegan and I'm new to the colonic hydrotherapy and detox consulting profession. I'm learning just how incompatible acidic animal products are for our elimination organs.
Hopefully, more will come to realize that meat is not made for us, and that it is "prepared" with unspeakable violence!
What touched me about Clinton's interview was when he sad "No meat. No dairy." and proceeded to list foods that he now consumes that all happen to be found in MY kitchen. I suppose it is exciting to see that kind of advocacy and advice, and here's hoping he WILL make it to genuine veganism. Just hope my mom sees this link and starts to realize it isn't just little old Caitlin that says meat is bad!
I agree with you about making this distinction. Furthermore, I do not want veganism to get lumped in as a diet or a fad diet, which is all too common in America. It would be great if that saved the lives and suffering of millions or billions of creatures; seriously that would be great, but it does nothing to address the paradigm.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Veganism progresses from simple axioms and follows them to their logical conclusion. To see not eating nonhuman animals as a way to get healthier is to never question a mistaken view of those animals.
People go to a more plant based diet for health reasons but not for ethical reasons. It appears Mr. Clinton is of this status quo, save yourself only without giving creedance to animal welfare. Same with the United Nations. 'Go Vegan' they say but it isn't Vegan what they are asking for. They are asking for a plant based diet and again without care for the welfare of animals. Safe our planet, save ourselves without consideration for animals, they partly win, by default.
ReplyDeleteBill is in a tough spot with his foundation. Part of the humane improvements to some nations includes better farm practices for animal farming.
ReplyDelete