Angela,

I think there are all kinds of good reasons for a vegetarian diet, and I have at times been a vegetarian, although currently I do eat some meat. But I would like to caution you that whenever someone is promoting a cause, they will exaggerate things to make their case stronger. Those videos are on that site precisely because they are shocking...not because they represent the average conditions. Some of my family members were dairy farmers, and I used to love going to see the cows...they were always given quite a bit of TLC by the people working the farm.

I think emmy hit the nail right on the head when she suggested that encouraging people to support small local farmers is an effective way to curb such abuses. Because I think the growth of agribusiness creates an atmosphere where the health and welfare of the animals becomes unimportant.

So, I applaud your decision to become a vegetarian, and your copy of "The Moosewood Cookbook" is on its way. But as a general rule, I would take anything presented by a group with an agenda with a very large grain of salt.

*hugs*
Jo