Ex-vegetarians

One of the things I've learned from talking about my Outfront story on CBC Radio is just how many of the people I know are ex-vegetarians. They range from the relative who was a vegetarian in university "the way some people are bisexual when they're students," and the friend who was vegetarian for a year, "except for pizza slices when I was drunk," to people who were solidly committed to not eating meat for many years.

The other thing that amazes me is finding out how easy it was for some people to make the transition from one kind of diet to another. Meanwhile, I've fretted and dithered for ages. And if CBC hadn't accepted my proposal, I would probably be fretting and dithering still.

One thing I've never understood is the militant vegetarians and militant meat-eaters who you will, very boringly and predictably, find on any web forum in which the topic comes up.

Like this one, although it has more than the usual share of thoughtful posts.

I have to say, I find the militant meat eaters scarier. Take this guy, who signs himself "Carnivore."

Vegetarians, PETAssholes and Such-Like Filth Cannot be Reasoned With

Because their food preferences are a RELIGION with them, every bit as much as the fundies. And they want to FORCE their religion on the rest of us.

Some of us won't go quietly. They would be safer trying to take a steak away from a tiger than from me.

Tigers don't carry guns.