Selling Out?

March 31, 2008 | 4 Comments

Apparently trusting women to make their own decisions and have bodily autonomy is selling out the women’s movement:

Jill thinks my quote in the NY Times where I said, “I think it’s really important that when reviewing and analyzing images of women, we take into account their perspective of what they’re trying to say,” means that I “don’t get it” and that I’m “totally willing to sell women out in order to promote animal rights.”

OK, sure, Jill. That’s exactly the same thing. It’s all black and white. You’re either with her brand of feminism or you’re against it.

By the way, the criticism goes both ways. Yes, vegans can be sexist. And feminists can be speciesist.

Posted by Elaine Vigneault | Filed Under Feminism, Philosophy and Guidance, Sexuality, The World, veganism
4 Comments to "Selling Out?"

This Is What Capitalism Does

March 30, 2008 | 19 Comments

FYI, housing prices in Vegas are plummeting. It’s a free fall right now. Who knows what the bottom will look like. It’s kind of scary and sad. We knew homes were going into foreclosure, but the pricing free fall hadn’t quite happened six months ago.

Example:
Home purchased in Vegas originally in 2002 for $170,000. Sold in 2005 for $280,000. Sold again in 2006 for $305,000. Listed six months ago for $300,000. Reduced to $250,000. Reduced to $215,000. Now for sale listed at $199,000.
Comparable properties sold for $170,000 to $210,000 within the last two months.

I’m sure the entire country looks a bit like this. As Professor Mark C. Taylor, who teaches philosophy and religion at Williams College, in Massachusetts, said while I was studying at UNLV:

”You can’t understand America today if you don’t understand Las Vegas. And you can’t understand the world today if you don’t understand America. So if you want to understand the world, you’ve really got to come to Las Vegas.” (source)

It’s still true.

Some say:

“Nevada *is* the center of American fakeness and chicanery.”

But as for me, I agree with Taylor and I think Las Vegas is more like the the center of American culture, period. The successes and flaws of the American capitalist economy are probably best displayed in Las Vegas.

(PS - The most innocent victims of foreclosures are the pets left behind in abandoned homes, sometimes without food or water. The lucky ones go to the animal shelter. Read more here >> )

Posted by Elaine Vigneault | Filed Under Animals, Home & Design, Las Vegas, Lifestyle, Philosophy and Guidance, Politics, The Woman, The World, Travel & Adventure
19 Comments to "This Is What Capitalism Does"

Archive Review 4

March 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I am on a trip and will be busy with other things for the next few days. So instead of my usual blogging, I have compiled some archive posts for your perusal.

How Much Can We Give? - On the climate crisis and our perception of sacrifice.
How To Win Friends And Influence People - there’s got to be some reason I prefer the title “Provocateur” over “Blogger”.
Might Makes Wrong - maybe I’m turning into an anarchist
What’s Worse? - “[O]mnivores can be annoyed or offended all they want by my vegan self-righteousness and I’ll be disgusted and offended all I want by their cruel selfishness.”
Why I Care - my personal experience with depression, part 1
Name Calling - human thought and behavior are complex things that don’t fit neatly into tidy, little boxes that can be easily labeled.

I also encourage you to please read what I’ve written at Vegan Soapbox, Meat Peeps, and to check out my husband’s poker blog. If you need more reading material, may I suggest these links from my blogroll:

Fag Bug - gay rights activism on the road
Fargo Sisters - A couple friends of mine - NSFW!
Farm Sanctuary - rescue, education, advocacy
Farm Sanctuary - rescuing farm animals and promoting veganism
Feminist Majority - Feminist news and action
Feminist Review - collected blogging
Feminists for Animal Rights - dedicated to ending all forms of abuse

PS: Want to stay up-to-date? Please subscribe to my blog.

Posted by Elaine Vigneault | Filed Under Miscellaneous
Leave a Comment to "Archive Review 4"

I’m A Terrible Person

March 29, 2008 | 7 Comments

OK, not terrible. But I’m not a great example of the loving, peaceful vegan some people expect. And that also means I’m not the greatest at promoting veganism through my day-to-day human interactions, because well, I’m just not so great at human interaction.

I just responded to a post at PPK asking, “What do people say when you tell them you’re vegan?”

Here’s what I wrote:

You know, that’s a good question. I’m not sure.

Because as soon as they start in with “But where do you get your protein?” “You must really like salads” “So, what do you eat?” “Don’t you miss cheese?” “You’re so brave” “You’re so good” “I could never…” “I exercise; I need meat” “They’d eat us so we should eat them” “We’re at the top of the food chain” “But what about the plants?” “But it’s natural” “But meat tastes so good” …

All I hear is “la la la la blah blah blah la la la blah blah” and I just tune them out.

(I can be really rude sometimes. I will just roll my eyes, change the subject, and often never talk to them again.)

I’m kidding. Sort of. I have a low tolerance for stupid/ridiculously ignorant/annoying people.

But I’m trying to be nicer. I chant to myself “Treat everyone like a 12-year-old child. Be kind, gentle, and firm, but not rude, condescending, or annoyed by their sever lack of education or immature moral perspective.”

I don’t think it’s working yet, but I think it’s a good idea.

Posted by Elaine Vigneault | Filed Under Philosophy and Guidance, The World, veganism
7 Comments to "I’m A Terrible Person"

Archive Review 3

March 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I am on a trip and will be busy with other things for the next few days. So instead of my usual blogging, I have compiled some archive posts for your perusal.

Racism, Sexism Everywhere! - cockfighting draws blood, boils blood, and runs in blood? Really?
Vegan Video Collection: Recipes and Inspiration - want to learn some vegan or raw vegan recipes? Watch these.
If Animal Exploiters Define The Terms They Win The Debate - yet another example of how language is used and manipulated to change public opinion
6 Ways To Go Vegan - there are plenty of other ways to go vegan, but here are six methods that work well for a lot of people.
pretty pink baby - regarding the medicalization of pregnancy and birth.
Who’s Insane Here? - theories of mental illness are ill.
He, She, It: On Pronouns - feminism and veganism have some similar goals.