Free speech Friday

Vegetarianism a healthy alternative

It was fun reading Blythe Lawrence's entertaining account of becoming vegan for a week ("Vegan for a week," Sept. 28). Though Blythe had some ups and downs, we should remind ourselves that avoiding meat, eggs and dairy products isn't about personal purity; it's about reducing animal suffering.

Most egg-laying hens are packed into cages too small for them even to spread their wings. Mother pigs are confined in crates too narrow for them to turn around or comfortably lie down. And veal calves are unable to escape their tiny stalls for their entire four-month lives.

While becoming vegetarian is a great way to help animals, even reducing our consumption of animal products goes a long way. For help choosing more vegetarian foods, visit HumaneEating.org.

-- --Josh Balk

Outreach Coordinator

The Humane Society of the United States

Blythe Lawrence would have likely found her vegan experience much more enjoyable if she'd done a bit more research and taken advantage of the many resources available for new vegetarians.

I've been vegan for more than 13 years and can attest that there are many great-tasting meat and dairy alternatives, such as Boca Burgers, Gardenburger vegetarian sausage, Hormel vegetarian chili, Soy Delicious non-dairy ice cream, and more, available in most supermarkets and health food stores. Most ethnic restaurants offer a variety of vegetarian options. Starbucks offers Silk soymilk and Burger King even offers a BK Veggie!

According to a nationwide survey conducted by ARAMARK, a company that provides food to universities and school districts, one out of every four college students wants vegan meals. As a result, ARAMARK now offers dozens of vegan menu items, such as sweet Thai tofu stir-fry, vegan cheese quesadillas, faux chicken burritos, and more, on select campuses.

I encourage Blythe and anyone else who needs some extra motivation to visit GoVeg.com and watch "Chew on This," a thought-provoking video listing ten compelling reasons to go--and stay--vegan.

-- Heather Moore

Senior writer

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

I read with interest your article "Vegan for a week" by Blythe Lawrence.

The author acknowledges that what she did "was not healthy," but doesn't realize that for the same precise reason, the whole article itself was flawed, as was the implicit conclusion that being vegan is an unpleasant ordeal.

By way of analogy, if a hardcore smoker gives up nicotine for a week, or a hardcore coffee drinker gives up caffeine for a week, s/he will feel like crap for that duration.

But it is important to note, this is not a reflection on the new cigarette-free or caffeine-free lifestyle; rather it is a reflection on the old lifestyle, which is hard to give up cold turkey.

Vegans who eat smart, wholesome, diverse foods meet their nutritional needs through protein-rich lentils, Omega-3-rich flax, iron-rich dates, nuts, spinach, whole grain and fruit that is rich in minerals, antioxidants and complex carbs, among many other things.

It is certainly possible to eat a bad vegan diet, just as it is possible to eat a bad non-vegan diet.

Apurva Mishra

PhD candidate

electrical engineering

Indictment of Tom DeLay

On Wednesday Sept. 28, House Marjority Leader Tom DeLay was indicted in Texas by a grand jury for violations of campaign-finance law. DeLay's indictment comes at a time where the Republican Party is being hampered by other ethical problems, such as those of Karl Rove and Bill Frist.

I was motivated to bring light to DeLay's indictment, because of the new freshman class that have arrived on campus. As they develop or solidify their political beliefs I urge freshmen, as well as all students to take heed of situations like DeLay's. In my short academic career I have too often seen my fellow students allowing their affiliations to overshadow their individual ethics.

No matter where one finds themselves on the sliding scale of political beliefs we have to make sure that we don't allow ourselves to compromise ethics for the sake of political affiliation.

Cullen White

Junior

Political science and economics