In the end, I try not to dismiss folks for believing things I disagree with, and in many cases, really alien to my thinking. (I say try, because, I catch myself breaking this rule myself all the time) We all exist on a continuum of beliefs and idealism. I, personally, won't eat pork bought from the supermarket because I think the commercial pork industry has crossed a line of ethics. Vegans are simply very strict about their eating/use of animal/animal-produced products - they know there are no absolutes. Everyone has their line of ethics. There are folks even more strict than Vegans. Zealous followers of the Jainist tradition sweep the ground in front of them with a delicate broom to avoid injurying any creature. I am sure they are aware that they can't save them all. It's all a matter of degree. To each their own. I shake my head in wonder at the religious folks that evangelize me on my own front porch! The nerve! :) Well, they think they are doing the right thing. I ask them to please leave and not come back - they do. All is well. If it happens often enough, I will stick a sign at my driveway.
Anyway, let's not get nasty. There are a lot of good folks from all walks of life... Maybe *I* am being too idealistic. :)
