My wife and I eat an organic vegan diet mainly because pesticides are toxic to ecosystems and harm birds, fish, insects, and life-forms. As vegans, or people who care about others, how can we pay for conventional poison-sprayed stuff? In our view, organic (and better still, veganic) is essential to a compassionate lifestyle. We don't eat organic for our health, but for the health of others.

I hope we'll get over our self-preoccupation in this culture!

Thanks Oram! I agree with you, and am looking forward to seeing you the next time I come to Switzerland -- will be in touch. The more we spread the vegan message, the easier it will be to find vegan foods in restaurants and stores. A few months ago when we were in Basel, Madeleine and I absolutely could NOT find any vegan chocolate bars -- not even in the health food stores! - They all had dairy in them. Only one didn't - and it was carob, not chocolate. The dairy industry really OWNS the Swiss, it seems! I'm sure it's getting better though as people learn more.

True, they released an "apology" yesterday. Let me quote my friend, Lisa Karlin's response:

veg news had no choice but to print their apology letter. They got caught with their proverbial pants down and they HAD to respond the way they did. It is obvious to me they are primarily profit motivated at the expense of a message that requires sincerity, commitment, honesty and dedication to this cause. I will never buy another copy if their publication again - at least until those responsible are FIRED. In order to remain ethical, it is necessary to make the hard choice and call a spade a spade.

Joe's apology called their use of the meat photos "symbolic imagery." Excuse me while I laugh.

If Joe didn't already have such a record of deceit, I could probably forgive the guy. But 11 years of lies, backstabbing major vegan authors and nastiness, he's run out of excuses with me. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me several times, I'm not going to accept your apologies anymore.

I think that QuarryGirl should have simply approached VegNews with the information and given them the opportunity to correct their mistake before going public with it. Mistakes are sometimes made but exposing dumb, simple mistakes only hurts the vegan movement. People will not remember the name VegNews but rather they will remember the action and how it reflects on vegans. I know some people like attention but really, if a dumb mistake is made again and you are privy to the information then just give the 'evildoer' a chance to correct the mistake before going public and damaging the vegan movement, please!