Why are some people SO hostile to veggies?

[friesianrider]

I've always noticed this in my day-to-day conversations, but unfortunately I've noticed it particularly here on DU. People are just SO damn hostile and downright obnoxious to vegans and vegetarians. They either make fun of you for caring, discount or refuse to accept the many health problems that are a direct result of meat-eating, or are completely ignorant jerks who are part of the "people for the eating of tasty animals" ilk and seem to get off on throwing the most inflammatory nonsense in your face (yeah and that bloody cow you pictured tastes good in my belly...MMMM!). :eyes:

My guess is that it's because they are trying to rationalize their own internal voice of guilt telling them it is wrong for so many reasons, they just have convinced themselves otherwise (whether they'd admit to it or not).

I think we all have been viciously and personally attacked either on DU or somewhere else for our veggie beliefs which help animals, help ourselves, help our communities, and help the environment. What's your take on the "rationale" of these people?

[smbolisnch]

1. I think you hit the nail on the head.

"My guess is that it's because they are trying to rationalize their own internal voice of guilt telling them it is wrong for so many reasons, they just have convinced themselves otherwise (whether they'd admit to it or not)."

I can't figure any other explanation. Seriously. And I have tried. :(

[Lorien]

2. I think it's that PLUS the triumph of GOP memes

the Gop tells us that if you care about animals, then you don't care about people (that caring is a finite resource to be carefully doled out) This allows them to exterminate species in the interest of development, use unethical farming practices, and do millions of unnecessary tests on animals for government subsidies all without hindrance from the majority. Similarly, the GOP promotes beef and pork as "all American" foods. They are tied to patriotism, indulgence, and recreation. The beef and pork councils give generously to the GOP, and in return they, too, get government handouts and special perks like the use of national parks for pasture and state paid hit men who kill wild predators and bison (which compete for pasture). Again, people who promote meat and animal abuse are promoting the GOP agenda and actually FUNDING the GOP by buying these products. Memes are powerful things, and they've swallowed them as eagerly as their last Big Mac.

[livetohike]

3. There are more conformists than non-conformists who post

on DU,imo. More moderate Democrats politically, imo. As "cool" as some people think they are, they are just going with the majority opinion and seem to enjoy lashing out at those who are "different" and it isn't just aimed at vegetarians.

I see environmentalists getting bashed too and people who are obese and people who are for abortion and people who are childless, etc., etc., etc.

Many of these posters have very high post counts, so I guess they have been here a long time. Either that or they get their kicks from bashing other's beliefs.

I received good advice from an old manager several years ago. He said, "Don't take it personally." This keeps me from going completely nuts and I also stay out of the Lounge and GD on those threads because I would probably get tombstoned if I told people what I really think on some of these issues :-).

[Lorien]

6. Interesting. I've noticed the same kind of hostility directed

at the childless also (childless by choice here; my concerns about environmental collapse prevent me from contributing to the population). Why do others INSIST that I have children, and assume that I'm "anti-child"? Personally, I see my choice as helpful to their children; resources are finite, so by deciding that I will not contribute to that consumption by having kids, there's more left over for their children. It baffles me when people say that they want to "help" the world by having more children. What about the millions of orphans out there? What about global warming? Have children because you want a child to love, but don't do it because you think it "helps" the planet in some way. That, as you noted, suggests action due to conformity more than anything else.

[livetohike]

7. Childless by choice here too

:-) and I am 53 years old and people still ask me why I don't have kids :eyes:. Many people I have talked to about why they have children say that they have felt the peer and parental pressure to do so. I never caved in to that and I have had these feelings as long as I can remember.

I just plain never wanted children, but that isn't enough of an explanation for some. I was an Elementary teacher for eight years too, so it isn't that I don't like children. I just never wanted any of my own.

As I said in my previous post, I just stay out of those discussions. They lead to lots of flames and that is not why I participate on DU.

I am an environmentalist. There is enough pressure on this planet without having to add more, imo.

[Ilsa]

17. I have heard ugly comments about choosing to be childless

and I go ahead and pick a fight with them (although I think I've never been in on one on DU because people here hold their own pretty well). I argued it with one woman while I was pregnant. She was calling childless couples "selfish", etc. I mentioned to her that it isn't fair to judge people by whether they have kids or not; maybe they tried and couldn't or maybe they didn't want children. Either is a valid choice.

My sister is childless. She and her husband decided not to do it.

My two brothers are unmarried and childless. One was in Iraq in 1991 and is afraid to have children even if he does marry. The other simpky won't --- not in the overall plan.

I think people who choose to be childless are very conscientious and thoughtful of the world and the energy, effort, and commitment it takes to have kids, not just by the parents, but by all other of the planet's resources. It says nothing about their character except that they are thoughtful, considerate people IMO. I think others try to read something else into it.

I gotcher back.
Ilsa

[livetohike]

20. Thank you Ilsa

:-).

[flamingyouth]

4. And why are people so obsessed with how much protein I eat?

That's one thing that gets me too, in addition to the weird hostility/latent guilt thing. Sheesh, people are harping about protein and B12 like there's no tomorrow. It's very odd. :shrug:

[smbolisnch]

5. Especially considering

that probably less that 10% of the people preaching it eat a balanced, healthy diet.

[Gardeaux08]

12. YES!!!!

I get that one ALL THE TIME!!!!

And the ever popular "they say" you should have a balanced diet. When will people realize what needs to be be balanced is nutrients not food types??

[Lorien]

8. Crap

slightly off topic, but on that Adkins thread (now locked) I wrote a post about my father's all meat diet and how it was killing him. He eats "token" non-meat items from time to time. small portions of brown rice, carrots, and potatoes (we're talking maybe five portions a week, about 1/2 cup to one cup each). Someone actually responded that it was those non-meat items that were making my dad sick and fat! She said that if had stuck to the meat and meat alone he would be fit and trim. It's people like that that are encouraging my father to continue killing himself with beef and pork! He's got rotten kidneys, and meat is the worse choice he could make. That others would ENCOURAGE his self destruction makes me furious beyond words!!!!

[smbolisnch]

9. I saw that too.

:eyes:

[Lorien]

10. Hell, even Oprah said yesterday

"people who go on those high protein all meat diets start speaking in tongues. I swear, you do that, and you too will be speaking in tongues"!

[mzteris]

13. Did you see

Atkins declared Bankruptcy?

Thank goodness.

Funny story - about a year and a half ago - we were still pollo/pesce vegetarians at that point - we were at my mother's funeral - and I swear - nearly everyone in the room was on the Adkins diet but me and my family and my daughter's boyfriend - guess what? We were the thinnest people in the room. They could NOT see the irony as they extolled the "virtues" of the Atkins diet and how "successful" they had been.

It was at a family dinner after the funeral that spurred my son (11yo) to being a full vegetarian (and thus the rest of us.) My son's chicken dinner had a piece of beef in it and my son felt physically ill. Then my brother started "making fun" of him, etc and saying why was he still eating poor little chickens bock bock - stuff like that - (my bro is SUCH an @ss sometimes - he's a Repub - what else should I expect? anyway)....... (oops another - digression - my son had been making statements for 8 or 9 months that he wasn't sure if he should be eating poultry or seafood and - yes, I admit - I had said it was "okay" that they weren't mammals so they weren't aware blah blah blah...) - - well the week after we got home my son announced that he was no longer eating poultry/seafood either. (I told you guys in here about his "chickens have feelings, too" statement......)

Atkins - what an idiot diet to be on even if you did eat meat. (geesh)

[shockra]

14. Yes.

smbolisnch started an Atkin's thread that got locked after 220 posts. I sure wish you could have posted that first paragraph in it. :)

I forgot to mention in that other thread that I think your son would like this:

[smbolisnch]

15. I like your new sig.

;)

[shockra]

19. I know. I've needed a more cheerful one.

The poor monkeys get me down every time I look at them.

I went to change it to this one about a week ago, but when I saw that Covance monkey I had to hang on to them a little longer. :)

[smbolisnch]

11. Well, someone just barked at me in GD for defending dogs.

What a fucking idiot. :eyes:

[Dastard Stepchild]

16. Cuz they're fools... :)

I bear no grudges about thinking less of belligerent meat eaters. It's not proper, it's not right, and it's not even remotely polite of me. But, I just like veggies and vegans better. I find them intelligent and enlightened. So, when someone starts harping about the stupidity of my lifestyle, I tune them out in the same way I might tune out background noise. I don't even give it a moment of thought.

[Ilsa]

18. I'm already getting "quiet" responses from family.

I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens next. I'm trying to project an air of openness and nonjudgmentalism, especially considering that i still prepare meat for my husband and oldest son.