“If God didn’t want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat?” – Homer Simpson

I have a friend from high-school that I see occasionally who is a “raw vegan.” He eats nothing but organic food, and he doesn’t eat anything that’s processed – whatsoever. Raw means raw; he does not cook his vegetables. He just decided to stop eating meat one day, and it progressed from there. But he’s not holier-than-thou about it, generally. He will occasionally regale you, if you ask about his choice, with stories about how they slaughter chickens and pigs, but for the most part, he doesn’t attract attention.

This will probably not sway him, but via Strike The Root, an Oregon State University scientist questions the lack of consistent application of one’s moral principles, and makes the claim that a vegan diet is far from bloodless.

[Steven Davis, professor of animal science at OSU” has found evidence that suggests that the unseen losses of field animals are very high…

In contrast, grazing ruminants such as cattle produce food and require fewer entries into the fields with tractors and other equipment. In grazed pastures, according to Davis, less wildlife is lost to the mower blades, and more find stable habitat in untilled fields. And no-till agriculture also helps stabilize soil and reduce run-off into streams.

So, the next time you order that $9 tofu burger, and reminisce about how goddamn great a good pulled-pork sandwhich tastes, consider all the bunnies and voles and field mice who lost their lives to the mechanized scythes that provide you with your vegan diet.