“The primary source of absolutely all food, and life, on earth is photosynthesis by plants. All animals that don’t eat plants, eat animals that do eat plants. Some animals are therefore herbivores, some obligate carnivores, and some, like bears, pigs and humans are omnivores.
“Our metabolism does not support veganism. Probably the only worthwhile sources of the essential vitamin B12, for example in the vegan diet are the animal residues within it. We are what we are, and it’s a vanity to presume otherwise. And by the way, the essential elements for photosynthesis are, of course, water, sunlight and carbon dioxide.”
Anne was acerbic:
“The ultimate stupidity is a militant vegan with a free roaming cat cuddled up beside them on the couch: cats are the ultimate carnivores and in Britain for instance have wiped out whole species of song birds and even endangered the native wild cats of Scotland.”
Dumb said DM:
“The more laughable part is when the activists arrive on a farm to liberate the chooks. The local foxes, feral cats, hawks and eagles would think it was Christmas.”
SPQR shivered:
“I watched a program in Alaska the other day. No vegans there. I’d like to see just ONE vegan survive with their ethics in that frozen wasteland, where the only protein source is meat and fish. I suspect hunger would vanquish those ethics very quickly. I respect the choice but not the moral superiority, or the virtue signaling.”
Robert raged:
“ ‘The vegan philosophy is, at its heart, quite often about reducing suffering.’ Rubbish!
Of the vegans that I know personally, and of those you either read of or see interviewed, the vast majority do it pure and simply for virtue-signaling kudos.”
Michael was measured:
“I’ve met very sincere vegan folks. I’m a little perplexed by the heat in your comment.
I think the black-clad mobs invading farms and terrifying farmers’ children should be in the slammer. But there are regular people, truly concerned to do the right thing by other creatures, for whom veganism seems the way to go.
“I think their thinking’s muddled, but they don’t make me cross. I think they’re just like me, ordinary people trying to navigate the pitfalls in this vale of tears. No doubt some make too much fuss about it — perhaps a bit like Mr Folau. But do you see him as in pursuit of ‘virtue signalling kudos’?”
Nice, said John N:
“Great article to send to my 21-year-old near-vegan daughter who lectures me about the ‘dire and reckless consequences’ of my meat eating ways.”
JELG’s wife wondered:
“Is that the sound of vegan heads exploding? I’m not a vegan, never been anything but omnivorous, but I might just be feeling differently about my peanut butter. Then again, I haven’t died from it yet. My son says it’s just a bit more protein.”
Douglas had doubts:
“I always presumed the crunchy bits in peanut butter were peanuts!”
Michael mused:
“How do you know there’s a vegan in the room? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you. Some may be doing it for all the ‘right’ reasons but equally there’s a lot of them that are doing it to virtue signal.
“Parking that significant aspect, there’s an awful lot of the earth’s surface that’s too dry or infertile to grow crops, including >80pc of Australia. Yet we can farm animals on it to grow food and fibre. If we were silly enough to go full vegan that land would go back to the kangaroos (and bushfires) and we’d have to flog the small patch we can crop even harder to fill the food gap. Veganism is a first world conceit.”
Pete saw split personalities:
“The ability for humans to divide other animals into these two categories — those we love and those we eat — has been described variously as cognitive dissonance, moral schizophrenia, carnism or speciesism.
“You have been brainwashed as a child to eat meat, you can survive without it, wake up.”
Ben was bothered:
“You should be careful about accusing people who eat meat of being brainwashed ... It is also normal to love the animals destined for food. There is huge investment in their care and it is preposterous to suggest some of that investment isn’t emotional.
“People who own and breed these animals (like) cattle wouldn’t be able to do the things they do without ‘love’ being involved. It is a different love to the one people have for their pets however, it is no less legitimate.”
Right! said Fred opined:
“I much prefer outsourcing veganism to the cow, pig, sheep, chook, fish etc I’m eating.”
Judy judged:
“Thank you Matthew for confirming my thoughts. On visits from my vegan granddaughter I do make vegetarian dishes for her but have pointed out that if I am to get edible veggies and fruit from my garden I must kill slugs, snails, grubs, mice and rats. The current vegan protest on butchers and farmers is hypocritical.”
Scott said:
“Does it ever occur to you that there are actually people who exist who see the world differently from you, and who hence act differently from you, for completely sincere and honestly held reasons?”
Peter the Deplorable thought not:
“Veganism is now another woke religion that people use to try and control what other people say and do. Same as climate change, ideological feminism and the SSM brigade.”
Good stuff, said Genevieve:
“This is one of the best articles I’ve read in a long time. Informed, critical thinking by someone who knows what they are talking about. I’m not vegan but don’t mind what people choose to eat. But this article should be read by those vegans who lecture others and by activists targeting rural producers. They would be better served staying home and absorbing the protein that is Matthew Evans book.”
Comment of the week to Andrew:
“Unfortunately humans sit at the top of the food chain unless you like swimming at night off SA. If you accept the premise that for you to live, something must die, then you are on the way to accepting this fact of life.
“I question the ethical choice argument for being vegan or vegetarian as it simply ignores the death toll on one’s plate however, evidence suggests there may certainly be a health benefit in reducing red meat consumption but don’t fall into the trap of thinking animals are not killed as you tuck into your roast vegetable salad and soy latte when you make your ‘ethical choice’.
“I worked on a huge farm in South Dakota where we produced sweet corn, sunflowers and soybeans. Every year at a particular time we sprayed the crops with what was effectively a nerve agent to kill pests. I remember leaving the house when this was done.
“When harvesting the crop in summer you saw huge numbers of dried out and desiccated white tail deer and their fawns unable to escape from the gas.
“Also give some thought to the habitat destruction going on to grow vanilla beans in Madagascar, coffee and palm oil in Brazil, broad acre farming across the globe and ultimately you won’t be able to eat anything.”
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Jacqui Lambie’s vote locked in a Coalition victory on tax cuts but some readers wondered about the quid pro quo to come. Adam wasn’t happy:
“Last I read, she was ‘demanding’ the government to forget Tasmania’s debt to them.”
A correction from Christine:
“Lambie talks about Tasmania as if it is a basket case. There maybe high unemployment in her area of the north west coast but the rest of the state is zinging.
“Try to get trades people to do some painting, put in a new shower or lay some bricks, impossible, they are all so busy so many of us are doing our own renovations with the help of YouTube tutorials. Restaurants are full, cafes as well.
“Innovation is what is needed Ms Lambie, handouts are only a short term solution.”
Merv mooted:
“The Senate should be abolished, it has become a house of blackmail for some, and whilst that avenue remains in play it will always be exploited.”
Monty was on the money:
“Labor will now vote for the tax cuts and they will claim they achieved the cuts with a ‘how good are we’.”
Neil nodded:
“Someone needs to bang the senates’ heads together, their job is to take a policy presented to them and consider it and vote on the merits of that particular piece of legislation. It is not their right to weasel and connive to bring their own little power plays to the table.”
Right on, said John:
“As long as Cormann didn’t give Lambie anything but a smile, I’m happy. The Senate is a House of Review, not horse trading Ms Lambie.”
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Independent MP Zali Steggall said she was happy as an independent candidate “for now”, but would not rule out a switch to the Liberal Party before the next election. Angela favoured independence:
“How could it be possible that a politician might be welcomed into the Liberal Party after engaging in such a dishonourable campaign against a sitting Liberal member using the help of implacable opponents of the Liberal party and all it stands for?”
Unlikely said Andy:
“They wouldn’t accept her for a few reasons:
1. She will never apply to go to the Liberals because her politics do not align — she is far closer to Green than Lib.
2. The coalition have a majority in the House of Reps, they don’t need nor even want her vote there.
3. Morrison et al are astute enough to know how bad a look taking her would be especially with the so called delcon-type Libs. They are not about to jeopardise votes to the likes of One Nation or Palmer.
4. The Liberals have far better candidates to put up at the next election, why buy a pup?
“She has no influence and never will in this parliament and will be a one term wonder (if she even lasts that long).”
Wayne wondered:
“How’s she progressing with the wind turbines for Middle Head?”
Kathleen’s husband agreed:
“Those wind turbines need to be up and running on the beaches of Warringah and solar panels on the golf courses as soon as possible. We need to see a demonstration of real action on climate change in that electorate. After all, that is what they voted for.”
Look at me, said Michael:
“During the election it was all about her. As an independent whose vote is not needed she is being ignored she is now suffering from relevance deprivation syndrome.”
Citizen44 said:
“Seeing the fate of Kerryn Phelps, Steggall is already hedging her bets and trying to annex the Liberal franchise in Warringah for herself. She is clearly afraid that the next Liberal candidate in Warringah will blow her political career to smithereens.”
Last word to Linda:
“Warning, Liberals, warning! This person is another Turnbull-type, a lightweight with crazy green ambitions, a one-term wonder who’s admitted to never voting Liberal before her GetUp! sponsored win over a tribal Liberal warrior.
“Don’t even think about allowing her to join, it will end in tears just like the Turnbull experiment. The wets are slowly being cleaned out, maintain your course.”
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Each Friday the cream of your views on the news rises and we honour the voices that made the debate great. To boost your chances of being featured, please be pertinent, pithy and preferably make a point. Solid arguments, original ideas, sparkling prose, rapier wit and rhetorical flourishes may count in your favour. Civility is essential. Comments may be edited for length.
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Welcome to the column where you provide the content. Matthew Evans set the cat amongst the pigeons and a reverse ferret up the trouser legs of vegans with his piece for The Weekend Australian Magazine on the number of animals that die to produce vegan food. Are you really a vegan? Paul thought not: