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.
