Out to Pasture

Judy Oakwood Loudin
I agree that vegans and vegetarians can live healthfully without meat. I have developed severe chronic pancreatitis in the past 5 years, and can no longer digest animals fats and oils. So my protein must come of necessity from grains and dairy products(non fat).As an animal rescuer, I have always had trouble with eating meat, but as a farm girl, this was my early experiences. Now in my later years, I am finding that many of our family illnesses probably came from the farm diet that we all grew up on. But back then, we did not have the research that now tells us the dangers of an excess of red meat and fatty foods (either before or because of preparation practices. My father died from a heart condition, my husband has a heart condition, and now I find that I have probably had pancreatitis for my entire life(who knows if it was due to my diet as I grew up or not)and it has finally destroyed the digestive function of the pancreas. Many of my friends have been lifelong vegetarians: now of necessity, I will be joining them. As far as livestock production, I have always had problems with the methods of handling and killing of all animals for meat. That has not changed! Many animals are cruelly treated and handled in the "system" of food production. And yes, we now know that we don't need to eat meat to survive: early man didn't and we don't have to either. It is a choice.
1:39 PM Jan 17th

Anonymous
You can take a breath while the liberal wackos take over this country and put an end to agriculture as we know it. Cant you see they are out to stop animal production they want to regulate dust coming out of combines feedmills livestock facilities and the list goes on. This terrorist administration is out toget agriculture, then if they dont "regulate" it they will tax it so much there will be nothing left to live on. Now is the time to quit cowering in the corner and take action.
9:18 PM Mar 1st

Anonymous
way to go C.J. Oakwood we true americans need more people like you to stand up and be proud of our industry. We don't need to bow our heads down to any of this vegan bull****!!!
11:17 PM Feb 27th

Anonymous
i'm not going to worry if the PETA people get upset with Steve or not the PETA organization and the HSUS is nothing more than Domestic Terrorists. For those of us in animal agriculture it is time to fight and take our livlihoods back!!!!
9:28 PM Feb 27th

Anonymous
I don't believe there is any conclusive research that shows a diet void of animal products is better or worse. To me, the article simply shows that following an extreme diet to either side can have negative consequences. People should be far more focused on eating a balanced diet and getting the proper amount of exercise. Whether your dietary needs are filled with or without meat doesn't matter, as long as there filled. I find that most people fail to provide their bodies with the proper amount and types of exercise. Good article none the less.
4:09 PM Feb 27th

Anonymous
Steve, you don't know your facts and it only weakens your claim, causing you to look foolish.
8:56 AM Feb 27th

Constance
You seem really angry, Steve, and your article is inflamatory, skewed, and shows you to be emotional and irrational. Maybe it's your diet?
8:03 AM Feb 27th

Phil Reid
Steve,
Remember that vegetarian is an old Indian word for bad hunter.
4:36 AM Feb 27th

AgEconomist
Great summary Mr. Cornett!

To quote from the Article: "Orthorexic patients, he says, are fixated on “righteous eating” (the word stems from the Greek word ortho, meaning straight and correct)"

It is true,many people choose the vegetarian lifestyle because they think it is a moral calling, hence 'righteous eating.' Many are more concerned with the specious idea that their carbon footprint matters, and less concerned with nutrition and the efficient use of our natural resources. That is their choice, but consuming beef would preclude neither of these. It becomes a problem when many of these fanatics are rallying the government to force these values on the rest of us via cap and trade schemes.I've got another term: 'Environmental Fascism.' Thanks for sharing this article with us.
10:45 PM Feb 26th

Anonymous
What the ***** do you care what or how I eat? You *****.
10:31 PM Feb 26th

Anonymous
I am a registered dietitian and I could not disagree more with what you are saying. Vegans and vegetarians do not starve themselves, in fact science has shown that a diet free of animal products is adequate and beneficial for ALL stages of the life cycle. Maybe you should sit back and get educated before you can even begin to speculate such dead wrong assumptions.
9:37 PM Feb 26th

Anonymous
Steve,
You've either misread or misrepresented this article.
8:48 PM Feb 26th