Quote of the Day

by Kim W. Stallwood Posted on January 27, 2007

In Jainism, the non-violence of the mind is called anekantvada. This means “many-sidedness” and is an inoculation against fundamentalist rigidity. Unlike postmodernism, however, many-sidedness does not deny the existence of objective truth. Instead, it regards truth as such a powerful force that it should be approached with humility and care. All humans – and non-humans – are on the same spiritual journey towards truth and it is likely to take us many lifetimes to grasp it. The more dogmatically certain someone is, the further they are likely to be from enlightenment.

In today’s world, the limitations of the adversarial, either/or form of argument are increasingly apparent. Even the mounting ecological crisis is linked to adversarialism, because it arises from a false division between humanity and “the rest” of nature. “Either you’re with us or against us” was President Bush’s war cry (and look where it has got him), but it sums up the adversarial mindset and is by no means confined to the political or religious right. All too often, progressive movements use the same language of inflexibility and hate.

Face to Faith, The Guardian January 27, 2007

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Vegan Urban Chic

by Kim W. Stallwood Posted on January 27, 2007

The kitchen at Chez Le Grumpy Vegan. Surely, every vegan kitchen has a cat box?
Who’d a thought that cup cakes and plastic shoes would become vegan urban chic?

Vegan urban chic is the name that the Grumpy Vegan gives to the phenomena most recently described in The New York Times.

Like feminism that embraces makeup and miniskirts — the frivolous bits — Ms. Moskowitz’s veganism embraces chocolate, white flour, confectioners’ sugar, and food coloring.

The Grumpy Vegan does, of course, personify vegan urban chic. Indeed, he’s done so since his transformation from a 1970s pre-disco/punk/hip hop suburban meat-eating white boy to a disdaining post modern, pop culture hating, “vegan is a journey” snob.

What’s more, the trendiest vegan restaurant is so secret, so underground that it’s not even open to the public. You can only get in if the Grumpy Vegan invites you. As with any good nightclub, it’s your attitude and appearance that gets you in. Otherwise, forget it. At Chez Le Grumpy Vegan, the ambience is homey but not syrupy, the music is intriguing but not intrusive, the conversation is provocative but not in your face, and the food is, quite simply, delicious. You can’t beat good home-style vegan cooking by someone who hates to eat out. There are no bad dining experiences at Chez Le Grumpy Vegan.

So, how do the vegan urban chic and wannabees get their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dine at Chez Le Grumpy Vegan? It’s simple. Follow these instructions: Don’t ask. Don’t tell.

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The Sun is Shining Today

by Kim W. Stallwood Posted on January 25, 2007

Pigs in gestation crates. Banned in Britain in 1999 and to be banned by Smithfield by 2017. (Photo credit: Farm Sanctuary)
Two pieces of good news today that make even the Grumpy Vegan have a smile on his face and bring into focus sharp differences in public policy between the U.S. and the U.K.

First, is the announcement in The Wall Street Journal that Smithfield, the nation’s largest producer of pig meat, will phase out the gestation crate by 2017. Britain banned the gestation crate in 1999.

Gestation crates are an excellent example of the self-imposed problems of factory farming. What do you do when you have thousands and thousands of breeding sows who you want to keep in the smallest, cheapest and easiest amount of confined space? You dream up gestation crates. They are 2 feet wide metal crates with bars. Sows spend most of their lives in gestation crates. Once a sow no longer makes sufficient money in breeding piglets she is slaughtered and people eat her. Sows suffer from sores on their bodies from constantly rubbing against the crates. They’re denied straw bedding and stand on uncomfortable slatted or grated floors allowing urine and feces to fall through.

The second piece of good news is that Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke out today in support of gay adoptions. This critically important comment occurs in the context of a debate surrounding the British government and the implementation of its Equality Act, which will make it illegal to discriminate against gays and lesbians. Leaders in the Roman Catholic Church called on the British government to exempt them from the act so that Catholic adoption agencies could legally discriminate against gay adoptions. So, not only can British gays and lesbians enter into a legally-recognized civil partnership (marriage in all but name) it is increasingly likely that they will be able to legally adopt children. Meanwhile U.S. federal law and some state law deny the rights of gays and lesbian to equality both in marriage and adoption.

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People vs. Animals

by Kim W. Stallwood Posted on January 11, 2007

This advertising campaign may draw attention to an important cause but it also qualifies for stupid comment of the day.
What a shame that Enable Scotland, a learning disabilities advocacy organization, should bring attention to its work at the expense of animals? There’s no competition between people and animals. Everyone who needs help deserves it. As the Scottish SPCA correctly states

Charities strive to be innovative in their fundraising methods but there is a danger that by doing so, they could harm the work of another charity. There are a lot of people charities who can apply for lottery funding but animal welfare charities are not eligible. We are only funded by the Scottish public who have extremely good hearts and many people are regular donors who also donate to people charities as well. Scotland is a big place with lots of problems so all areas need to be looked at.

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Why the Grumpy Vegan Hates to Eat Out #14

by Kim W. Stallwood Posted on December 24, 2006

Vegans beware. Hummus is no longer a safe choice.
Yesterday, in historic Ellicott City, MD, the Grumpy Vegan was served a hummus plate. Inside the dollop of hummus was a big gob of cream cheese. It was, of course, sent back. Dazed and confused, we speculated as to how it could get there. Our only rationale: it accidentally fell in, which led to the inevitable thought — what else could fall in?

Such episodes are known in the Grumpy Vegan household as BDEs — Bad Dining Experiences.

“I’ve had many BDEs in my lifetime,” says the Grumpy Vegan. “This is why I hate to eat out.”

“I know I should no longer be surprised at what happens to me in restaurants. But I am. You would think that hummus was a safe bet for vegans. Not any more.”

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