Since it occurs in plain view of the entire world, the Nepalese ritual of Gadhimai offers us a clear window through which to view the barbaric nature of animal slaughter. Unlike the people of Nepal, we in the West have access to a vast array of food choices that do not require the killing or enslavement of animals. Until our culture truly embraces the value of nonviolence, and extends our circle of empathy to the animals who suffer at the hands of those who kill on our behalf, we are simply in no position to vilify the priests of Gadhimai.

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Since the definitions for the 'free-range' label are deliberately vague and hundreds of millions of turkeys are considered nothing more than economic commodities to both owners and regulators, regulating the conditions for animals in any meaningful way is impossible. In order to obtain approval for the 'free-range' label, poultry producers must only provide the USDA with a brief description of the conditions for their birds, and their claims are very rarely verified by inspections.

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When a vegan is willing to take the time and effort to help their family and loved ones incorporate delicious vegan food into the menu, and non-vegans are open-minded and even enthusiastic about trying something new, everyone can enjoy a magnificent, cruelty-free meal, and ‘veganism’ can actually become a part of the celebration.

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For a truly delicious vegan Thanksgiving meal, it’s easy to replicate traditional dishes. There’s also great enjoyment to be found in incorporating non-traditional, festive holiday recipes to add some originality to the Thanksgiving table.

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For every family that has the resources to care for a child, that has the love and care to give, and the necessary space in one's heart and life to take on the responsibility for another person, there is already a child who can fill that space. There is a child who is longing for a home, longing for a family, and longing for a future in which she can be safe to grow into the person she was meant to be.

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As long as the increasing human population continues to demand animal products, eggs, just like dairy and meat, no matter how they are labeled, will be obtained from animals crowded together in intensive confinement and subjected to gross welfare and rights violations, including horrific mutilation and mass slaughter.

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The casualties of war are far greater than the statistics would lead us to believe. Surely, in 2009, it is time to acknowledge that we must find a more civilized way to deal with our disputes; one that does not involve killing one another. Until we do, our society will forever be plagued by the anguish that is the inevitable result of sending our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters and our fathers and mothers into the killing fields.

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I understand that the 'pro-life' position is only concerned with the rights of human beings, and in that regard, Sarah Palin is no different to the rest of the movement. It also seems important to point out that, in her disregard for the inherent value of nonhuman life, Palin is simply an extreme example of the attitude of our entire society. Yet somehow, I can't ignore the twisted irony of the 'pro-life' cause being championed by a woman who actually takes pride in her reputation as a predatory killer.

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Not only is extreme violence against animals sanctioned by the legal structure of society and accepted almost without question by most people, but in some kind of bizarre confusion, it is actually promoted, encouraged, and even celebrated. This is true to such a degree that, when an individual chooses to reject violence against animals, and makes a personal commitment to provide for themselves without participating in this carnage, that individual does so at the risk of being criticized, insulted, ridiculed, and perhaps even accused of committing some sort of offense against society.

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