Published Letters and Op-Eds from
COK’s Writers Group

So Many Good Reasons to be a Vegetarian Today

To the Editor:

As a native Syracusan and a long-time vegetarian, I was delighted to read about the success of Veg Fest '05 ("No Meat? No Worries," Aug. 29).

There's no doubt that more and more Americans are opting for meat-free meals, and as the number of vegetarians continues to grow, so do the reasons for making the switch.

In addition to reducing our risk of heart disease, various cancers and diabetes, a vegetarian diet also reduces animal suffering.

To most people's surprise, billions of cows, birds and pigs raised on today's factory farms are routinely treated in ways that would be illegal if those same things were done to dogs and cats.

It's standard practice, for example, to castrate male pigs and cows without any pain relief, and egg-laying hens spend their entire lives crammed inside wire cages so small, they can't even flap their wings.

Luckily, with so many delicious vegetarian options sprouting up in restaurants and grocery stores everywhere, adopting a healthier and more humane diet has never been easier.

Erica Meier
Executive Director
Compassion Over Killing
Washington, D.C.