JB: Of course human suffering matters too. Who said it does not? Just because somebody chooses to not contribute to the cruelty of an animal does not mean that they don't care about human suffering as well. Why is it that so many people say that in relation to vegetarianism or veganism? Caring about animals does not mean not caring about humans. Produce does not only come from South America and other countries. There is produce grown in the USA. Have you ever heard of a farmer's market? Go into your local supermarket and I guarantee you that you will see produce grown right here in the USA. I don't understand why at 24 you're not "allowed" to own a pet, but that is probably for the best, dogs, cats, any kind of pet is to be cherished and loved. It seems to me like you judge vegetarians and vegans as much as you say they judge you. Maybe they seem like they judge you because they are passionate?You seem to be passionate about the plight of farm workers in South America. Factory farms are unbelievably cruel. Try watching a video of what really goes on in a slaughterhouse.

Love the alliteration of Volts, Vegetarians and Veganism! You make powerful points, Alexandra. I have felt on a personal level that my choice to be a vegetarian is even more relevant to the planet than my transportation choice to drive cars powered by the sun. Thanks for your meaningful affirmation of this long-held belief and thanks, most of all, for all the good work you do.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but what have you to say in retort to the man/woman who raises his/her own animals on a farm, or to families, not just in third world countries, that must raise animals such as pigs, chicken, and lambs not because its fun, or cool, or because they're cute, but because in a few weeks time, or a few years time, that animal is going to be diner? I don't understand myself, as I have never had that kind of choice (though I must say that freshly killed lamb is rather delicious! Given to my platoon as a gift from a local Iraqi Sheik.) I remember the stories my mother told me when she was growing up in Filerno, a small town on the coast of Calabria in southern Italy. She could literally see mount. Etna from her door step. They didn't have electricity, or running water, or anything else for that matter, and dogs weren't pets but pests. She would tell me of stories (and these stories are the reason she won't let me get a dog... at 24 I can't own a dog as a pet :( ... ) of how she would raise a pig, one a year, and at the end of the year that pig, who would follow her around like she was his best friend, would be slaughtered for diner over the course of the next 2 weeks. That style of living has now become in a way more of a tradition in that small town, as how it has significantly modernized (they just got the internet in 2004...)
There is that, also man is Omnivorous. We aren't herbivores, or carnivores respectively, but can eat a nice mixture of foods that helps balance a more healthy diet. (I LOVE fish :) tasty) now the chevy volt, while it is a step in the right direction, and I love the car as a whole, the whole marketing to save the planet idea well... it doesn't sit right with a lot of people. While protecting our world should be of the upmost importance, marketing to do so never works out so well... HOW it SHOULD be marketed is through the savings on gasoline, and the savings on your electric bill. Money sits well with the general public, it lets them see REAL results in their own wallets and life. THATS why I want to buy the car, I don't like being a slave to OPEC, or the new breed of Speculators that are destroying the prices at the pump to fill their own greedy wallets. Nor do I like contributing to terrorist states... I didn't join the military to fight for my country, and my freedom, to come home to a place thats a slave to that which I had fought against... (Reason why I don't drink BUD... Look into who really owns Anheuser-busch) What I don't like is other people putting their points of view against mine as if I was wrong, and they were right. NOBODY in the WORLD prays for PEACE more than the fighting Soldier. The ancient Greek axiom "If you wish peace, prepare for war!" Still holds true to this day. Thought it might be unfortunate, until humanity evolves into something different (were still mammals... mammals like to fight...) there won't be true peace.
When you say "Vegetarian is the new Prius" what exactly do you mean? People are not cars... People will do as they will. A car has no choice, people do. I know a lot of vegetarians, and only one of them doesn't care what I eat, all of the others seem to like to throw their 2 cents into it... how I shouldn't eat meat because it came from a poor animal. What about all the vegetables that were harvested by slave labor in South America? They like to say slavery doesn't exist anymore, but whoever believes such fantasy is just that... living in fantasy land. How many people suffer and die to pick vegetables in places like Columbia, Venezuela, hell even Brazil (Brazil has gotten much better however...) Do the sufferings of man mean nothing, or just the sufferings of animals?
Just some intelligent thought to ponder before people go and stuff their ideas down other peoples throats, saying they know better. Remember what the Roman Catholic religion did in the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries? Same thing.. (even though I'm catholic myself, I know what they did was WRONG, and I don't like it when other people do it to me, I don't do it to other people.) Just the facts, and something in response. Have a good one!

Nice to see an expanded view of consumption, beyond cars. Veganism may not be for everyone, but even buying locally-grown food helps.