Phil Letten for the Win

Phrom Phil:

Phil has the last laugh.

At the Detroit Warped Tour in 2009 a cop wrote me a ticket for leafleting. The ACLU represented me. 2.5 years later the lawsuit is over. The total amount won was $20,000. The money was split evenly between me, the other person whose lawsuit was filed the same time as mine, and the ACLU.

The Police Department also received new training on the following subjects:

Training Directive 1: First Amendment Right to Distribute Non-Commercial Pamphlets and Handbills

Training Directive 2: Retaliation For Exercising First Amendment Rights

Training Directive 3: Enforcement of Loitering Ordinances (this had more to do with the other guy's lawsuit)

Training Directive 4: Acceptance of Complaints from Individuals With Pending Charges

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The Different World We Created

As we've pointed out, people in the US are eating fewer and fewer animals. Agribusiness has given up trying to spin it as just part of the recession; as Jim Lochner, chief operating officer of Tyson, admits:

"We are operating in a different world than we were a few years ago," Lochner said. "After decades of steady growth, U.S. per capita consumption of protein [sic!] declined 11% from the peak in 2006, a trend that is likely to continue."

Carla Wilson reports: "This guy  talked to Bryan after reading the booklet
 and said he had no idea. He said he knew a cow was a burger
but had never thought about it further."

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Sunday Quotes

Someone at the University of British Columbia was handing out your Compassionate Choices booklet. As a result, I have decided to become a vegan.
—SC

Because of your booklet, I've decided to go vegan. Keep up the great work.
—SN

I was given the brochure at El Camino College. I was really struck by the stories and the pictures so I want to give it a try. I love animals and I didn't know about the procedure farms use to raise them. It is so cruel and sad that I had contributed to this horror. So I want to help by not purchasing animal products. Thank you.
—OM

A young lady in Chicago, IL at my school (Malcolm X College) was passing out literature. I was very interested in this lifestyle change.
—ST

[Because of a] person handing out booklets, I am becoming a vegan.
—TP

I read the booklet handed me cover to cover and was in tears. I want to help.
—PD

Someone handed me a pamphlet at Harvard University. It was just what I needed – I've been struggling for a while with the question of whether to return to vegetarianism or not, and this information was just what I needed to inspire me to go for it. It was really encouraging that the pamphlet said it's okay to make exceptions occasionally if that will make a mostly vegetarian diet more sustainable for you. Taking it one day at a time is much less intimidating than the idea of never ever eating any meat again ever. Thank you so much for helping me do this!
—CL

John Oberg helps open more eyes at the
College of William and Mary.

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Saturday Links

Eating Meat is No Longer Simple

Jack: Herbal Teas Inhibit Iron Absorption

Food Project Proposes Matrix-Style Vertical Chicken Farms

NY Times Backs Bill to Ban Battery Cages:

Yet the American Farm Bureau Federation, a trade group for farmers, the National Pork Producers Council, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association oppose the bill. They seem to fear that common sense and a humane regard for the well-being of farm animals will spread to their own industries.

Nikki sends this picture of Denise, another
veg-on-the-spot at Long Beach Community College.

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Can a Video Cause Diabetes?

Don't watch if you don't like overly-sweet kittens.

Maybe a bit less sweet: dog and pig.

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Thursday Miscellany

Jack updates his nutrition analysis and meal planner to PeaCounter 2.0.

Via Erik: the vegan egg.

Erik on Barry Estabrook on Bon Appétit

Indeed! Meatless Mondays “A Sinister Plot”

Turkey Producer Loses Half a Billion Dollars in 2011

David met veg-'cuz-of-VO-booklet Will at Berklee.

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Bonus Stories

Today's Enewsletter is racing through the InterTubes, so, as always, please look for it and make sure your ISP doesn't filter it.

Some recent stories posted to the Adopt a College list include Brian at Modesto High School:

Me: “Sup dude, this is about our food system.”
Him: “Oh sh*t! I got this from you last time and it totally changed my Mom!”

Jon reporting from Old Dominion U:

The highlight was when a military girl said to John, “My drill sergeant got one of those and went vegan.”

Totally engrossed at ODU.

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More Mexico Pictures

Some of the new vegetarians, interested people, and leafleters from the work of Jeni, Vic, and Israel. (More Mexico stories in the 2/29 Enewsletter).

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Monday MRSA Links (And More)

"Pig MRSA" came from humans, evolved via farm drugs

NPR's version of the story (via Erik)

Ginny: Cyanide, How Not to Sell Veganism (and Speaking Schedule)

Yeah, my timing is a bit off....

-Matt

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The Not So Few, But Proud

Brian reports:

Tyler (a vegan Marine) at Mission College, 2/21/12. His wife may help me leaflet in the future too. He has been vegan for 4 years and convinced some other guys in the Corps to try vegetarian while stationed in Japan. Super cool dude, tall and strong too! A great representation for veganism in the military.

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