Understanding the Real Cost of Your Choices

I wasn't going to write tonight, but an article in the news caught my attention and I am compelled to share it.

I turned 18 on October 20, 1967. Talk about a good time! Peace, love, sex, drugs, rock & roll, black light posters, weed, speed, and Boone's Farm Apple Wine, Jimi Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Ten Years After, and Woodstock. Demonstrations, revolution, we believed we could change the world!

I had friends that fought the Vietnam War and that fought in the Vietnam War. My generation expanded the use of drugs like no other. At what cost?

Fast forward to today. I get that it's cool to smoke dope and talk smart, but as in my generation, many of the young people that do so profess to be peaceful, socially conscious, and motivated to improve the world ... make a difference. They look down on the stodgy, less aware people and show a marked disdain for the rich.

Many of these people look upon American corporations like McDonald's and Wal-Mart as the devil for the shameful way they treat the environment, employees, and suppliers. They wouldn't be caught dead carrying their garbage in a Wal-Mart bag.

Hemp, organic food, backpacking through Europe, and diversity ... these kids could be described as 21st century hippies.

Back to the news article. The heading read, "Mexico cartel stitches rival's face on soccer ball." How's that for a graphic read? I had no problem with an instant visual. You? You feeling peaceful?

The article goes on to inform that more than 15000 people have been killed in the past three years, following a crackdown on cartels. Reporters are murdered (typically in gruesome ways) with alarming frequency just for reporting on drug trafficking. I don't see how this is making the world a better place.

You get a vote. Everytime you buy or use drugs, you're choosing to support torture and murder. You get a vote. From the moment you are informed, you are choosing to support drug lords who have no respect for life. None. Their idea of a day's work is to rape, mutilate, and murder anyone who gets in their way. Be an informed consumer.

Please, understand the real cost of your choices.

On the surface this doesn't look to be a post about my vegan journey, but it is. The reason that I choose to eat a vegan diet is because of the horrific way we treat our animals in life and in death. I understand the cost of eating meat in today's world. I get a vote.