Comments from Students, 2002-2010

As of 2008 we have presented comments and accolades from many of the students to whom Gary has lectured from September 2002 to the present. To protect their privacy, students' comments have been posted anonymously. To read students' comments for a particular year, just click on your chosen category from the list below. The "Back to List" link at the bottom of the page will return you to this list. You can also follow through each of the sections in order by clicking the "Next Section" link at the bottom of the page.

Comments from Students 2010

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2010 11:30 AM

You spoke in my class at Oakland Community College on Thursday, December 2nd. You're speech really touched me, I love animals. The switch from meat eating to veganism was instantaneous after what you taught me. Since Thursday I still feel heartbroken over knowing what animals are going through.So what I'm wondering is what else I can do to help this movement?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2010 10:48 PM

I thought you'd like to know that both my classmate Ruthie and I went vegan the day you came to CCNY to speak and we have remained successful for a month now. Thanks for making a difference. I have always loved animals but find myself feeling even more loving toward them now. I think when you consume animal products while knowing in the back of your mind that it isn't humane, you have to mute feelings about or awareness of other animals as equal fellow creatures. I now clearly see the ways I have practiced speciesism and been hypocritical and it's oddly liberating to not think in that faulty way anymore. I feel good living in accordance with my beliefs. I feel like we are one, me and all the other beings. Not to sound completely corny! I just want to tell you that your lecture at CCNY was one of the things I am most grateful for this year. Thanks for helping me to help my fellow creatures. If there's a god, you're doing it's work :)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 12:43 PM

Just wanted to tell you that I have been showing your lecture to everyone I can get to watch it. It is incredibly effective. I have been trying to get through to my husband for a year and a half. We watched your video on Sunday and although he has not said he is turning vegan, he is very noticeably different. He told me Monday morning that he spoke to his hockey team about your lecture Sunday night and asked me to send out links. Last night he told me he told his coworkers at breakfast break about the pus content of the milk on their cereal. I know it has deeply affected him. Thank you so so very much.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 4:48 PM

I'm a student at UTEP and I attended your lecture and Q&A in Mrs. Varela's Intro to Women's Studies class. I just wanted to say I really enjoyed your lecture, it was empowering and extremely enlightening! In the last couple of years I would 'go vegan or vegetarian' for months or weeks at a time. I noticed a huge change in my health and physical nature in such a positive manner, i loved it! I had been vegetarian for about a month and since your lecture have been vegan. Currently I am a Psychology major and am thinking of double majoring with Women's studies as well. I also am interested in environmental science and now, animal activism. I just want to thank you so much for actually giving me 'lift off' into a new chapter in my life. You're an inspiration!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 12:39 AM

Im a student of Dr. Best, saw your presentation and thought it was great. I would actually like to hear it again and take some friends and of its ok with you record it with a mic just so that i may quote you accurately. Im on the speech and debate team and i would like to use you as a source to the subject of being a Vegan. Thought your message was concise and 100% correct. If you can just let me know the location of your following presentations it would be greatly appreciated.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 6:07 PM

I'm currently a junior at Spaulding High School (NH), enrolled in Christine's Schadler's Environmental Science class. We had just recently finished our studies on the food industry and population growth, and as a final video to end the discussion, we watched a video of one of your lectures on the immorality of the consumption of animal flesh. I found your speech very moving and informative, I certainly appreciate your activism, both as a lecturer and as a more involved liberator of the enslaved creatures that have been abused by a faceless and relentless force of hate known by many as industry. If it isn't too much to ask, I would certainly appreciate you giving a lecture at Spaulding High School sometime before I graduate, I would enjoy it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 2:55 PM

I would like to start by saying how much I appreciate the speech you gave to my Philosophy class at Johnson and Wales in Professor Short's class. Your passion encourages me to educate my friends and family on their health. I have thought about veganism over the last two years and finally I eat completely vegan but need to cut out clothing products, furniture, toiletries etc.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 2:39 PM

I just wanted to say that your lecture about being a vegan has truly inspired my and most of my class. My environmental science teacher, Chris Schadler, showed us the video just a few days ago and it was shocking and eyeopening. Again, I just wanted to express my gratitude.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 11:01 PM

I would like to start off by saying your lecture was phenomenal. I was truly effected by a lot of what you said. I have recently been debating on whether or not to become vegetarian/vegan, but after that speech you've convinced me. I hope everyone will be able to hear your lecture at some point in their lives and understand the health benefits that come from being a vegan. This is so interesting to me because I am currently studying pre-medicine and I am looking to become a pediatrician. This information, which I've continued to look into, would be important, especially for my future line of work. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to listen to your lecture and I will be passing your website on to many of my family and friends who will benefit greatly.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2010 4:37 AM

I'm an animal-rights activist living in Israel. I saw your 5-part lecture on YouTube and it was the best speech I ever heard. Your speech skills are unmatched in our movement. If a teacher from an Israeli university will invite you to lecture in his/her university, is it a possibility?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 12:50 PM

I was one of the students in the Animal Law class at USD that you spoke to this past Tuesday. I just wanted to let you know that your presentation really made an impact on me. I have been a vegetarian for 3 years now, but never really understood why it was necessary to take the next step and go vegan- now I do. I wish you the best of luck in continuing to spread awareness and stop the cruelty.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 2:28 AM

I was present today for your 11am lecture at Grossmont college. What you were saying today made a lot of sense to me. I thought you should know you impacted at least one person today. I have already started my attempt to change my habits.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2010 8:10 PM

I'm an animal rights activist in Israel. I run an animal rights TV program on the community channel in Israel and on the internet. Producing original videos and using others organization videos with Hebrew subtitles. I saw your lecture on youtube. and I was amazed! I have never saw presentation of this issue the way you did it!!! I wish to translate to Hebrew your lecture, and publish it on our channel.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2010 2:16 PM

I just wanted to send you an email and say thanks for the great resources on your site, especially the information that combats myths about the vegan lifestyle. My girlfriend and I both became vegans in September, after much conversation and soul searching, and it was very nice to read some of the things on your site that further solidified my opinion that we made the correct and ethical decision. Thanks again for the work you do, and the information that you've compiled.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2010 6:38 PM

To sum up the presentation you gave today on becoming a Vegan in my Non-Violence Theory Class: "It was the most phenomenal, life changing, enlightening lecture that I've ever attended. I can say with a pure heart, that because or your avid presentation, "I'm never going to eat animal byproducts or consume meat of any kind again!" Several nerves were struck during your lecture. Your presentation was able to tap on all the five senses. You even backed up your case with the hard reality of it all. Not only did I appreciate your candid style; my fellow classmates were speechless and mesmerized as well. With my eyes wide open and tears rolling down my cheek; I had to hold my breathe during the gruesome and graphic details, of the real story behind McDonalds, etc. I can tell you straight out...that I'm NOT, "Lovin it!" anymore. I'm glad you mentioned the commercialism and its role in the unhealthy and abusive lifestyle choice of eating animals or their byproducts. On one hand, a huge part of my conscious mind feels tricked and mislead by numerous uneducated meat pushers. Although, I did know that my favorite double cheeseburger, chicken sandwich etc. came from animals; I never took the time to investigate what was happening to the animals in the process. I took the love of meat and its taste for granted. My selfishness lead me to entertain the pleasures of the taste; rather than the health risk and the unethical practice behind this type of diet. All of which, left me without my gallbladder. Now, on the other hand, the child in me, feels the all too familiar heartfelt emotions similar to the ones that I felt when I learned the truth about "Santa Clause" the "Easter Bunny" and even the "Tooth Fairy" My adult mind realizes that the farce was just another marketing strategy to make more money. And, so is the meat industry! I must say, that today, I feel sick to stomach after your class. Just as if I just took a ride on a roller coaster, the ride stopped and the thrill is gone. Now, I'm left with a lot of lifestyle choices. I really do love my leather belts, shoes, and sandals. But, I will make this my newest mission. As your girlfriend suggested, maybe I will just wear them until they wear out. Now, I won't be sneaking into the next butcher house or serving a night or more in jail for exposing such gruesome acts of violence towards innocent animals. After all, I'm a CJ/LE graduate. But, I will do my part and not contribute to this type of atrocity anymore and will spread the word about becoming a "Vegan." Thanks again for taking the time to visit our class!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2010 6:03 PM

I would like to thank you for your time and coming into our class on 10/19. It was an eye-opener for everyone I'm sure. I have to admit that I was a bit angry at first at the things that you were saying but it all makes sense. I was the one at asked you the question in his 1:30 class about your feelings towards genetics and predispositions to disease. I was wondering if you have read "Rooting Out the Causes of Disease" by Gary Nabban. Its an essay about the rise of diabetes in the Seri people of Mexico. He gives some great examples, similar to those that you had, as well as making a parallel to another group of people on the other side of the world, Australian Aborigines. I know you of all people do not need any further literature for your cause however, you might enjoy the read.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2010 2:31 PM

Thanks for coming to our school and giving the lecture. It snapped me out of my complacency and got me to start thinking again. As of yesterday, I am vegan, 1 day, even 1 meal at a time. I can do it and I can do it cold turkey. The film you showed was devastating and I have seen such footage before but after too much time went by, I put the images out of my head. Now I can't stop replaying them although in time they will fade, but this time around, I will be stronger and keep my commitment to the animals. I felt so depressed all day today from having seen it. Sometimes we need to get a hard slap in the face or punch in the gut like that. We need the wind sort of knocked out of us to wake us up from the indifference that, even those of us who consider ourselves to be sensitive, conscious and compassionate, can slip into. That was my wake up call. Thank you. You are doing such a great and brave thing.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 4:45 PM

I am a Culinary and Nutrition major at Johnson & Wales University, Providence campus. I had a few personal questions for you, but unfortunately you ran out of time in Prof. Short's Business Ethics class at the Harborside Campus. Again, thank you for your time and for sharing your thoughts. Pardon me asking, but I was wondering how old you were? You seemed quite young and healthy, yet you were sporting a white-haired beard. Also, how did you get into all of this? I'm sorry for being too broad. Your website is tremendously and insatiably filled with research, facts, ideas, topics, and help, but how did you first become "inspired" to begin all this? I cannot make a valid argument for why I eat meat, but I just do. I think of food as culture. And now, you have made me realize that I come from a corrupted and cruel culture. I understand that animals must die in order for me to eat them. I was once told that you cannot make anyone care, people make their own best judgments out of what they understand to be true. How do you find the courage to preach a message about compassion and ethics when our democratic society has already decided what to believe.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, October 16, 2010 3:08 PM

I just watched your 5 part you tube lecture. Where were you when I was a non-vegan? I wish I was you because then I could make a bigger difference. But I just have to do the best I can. If only we could clone you and send you to every school, and get you to speak to every human on the planet. Then we'd have the critical mass to change the world. Don't stop. I know you won't, but really, really — don't stop doing what you are doing. I know how hard it is to try and convince people to get past their wilful ignorance and acknowledge the truth of what happens to animals. You are inspirational. You are a gift to the world. You are my hero.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sat, October 9, 2010 7:10:07 PM

I am with the student organization called Conscious Eating. Thank you for coming to FIU. Its always a big impact on the consciousness of those who attend, and even many who didn't but had a friend that was affected by the presentation.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 3:49 PM

I just went Veg this week. I walked into your seminar on being Vegan at Florida International University. I was the kid who asked the question about honey. I didn't much jive with you on the animal cruelty argument. I thought about becoming Vegan for a while because I didn't like the way they treated animals, but then I thought "hmmm, I'm eating the Animal, that's not nice either, but I don't think there's anything wrong with eating an animal." But your argument on the human biology and how its made to be vegan... that was really compelling. I don't have any qualms about eating an animal, but I'm a sucker for a solid argument, so I went Veg.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 10:12 AM

I've watched your lecture about veganism & animal rights on youtube and it was fantastic. We (Animal Log. an Israeli non-profit animal rights site & TV series) want to add hebrew subtitles to your lecture (if that's alright with you) and we wanted to ask if you can send us the english text of the lecture so it will be easier for us to translate it. Again, it's a great lecture. It's rare to find someone who cares for the animals, doesn't get tangled with the welfare bullshit, and has charisma.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 11:01 PM

I happened across your web site yesterday. It is very impressive. I say this not to flatter you (I know you don't want or need to hear that), but to say it disseminates a lot of critical information to everyone, especially those who are still eating, drinking, wearing animal "products". I watched the entire video of your lecture at Georgia Tech. I believe you are reaching A LOT OF PEOPLE, not just because of the numbers that come to listen to you, but because they really HEAR your message. You're a very powerful speaker. Keep on fighting the good fight.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 10:37 PM

I have to tell you Gary, your videos have helped me change so many people to vegan with the help of Shaun Monson's EARTHLINGS. You are my number one hero. Hands down.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 4, 2010 11:16 PM

I recently watched one of your lectures on YouTube, and after being vegetarian for seven years, I am glad and thankful to say I am now vegan. I would just like to say THANK YOU for reminding me why we must continue to fight for those who cannot defend themselves. After watching just one of your lectures, I now feel more inspired and educated to go out there and try to make a difference!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 1, 2010 11:53 AM

Excellent speech you delivered at Barry University this past Wednesday. It honestly changed my life. Thanks a lot.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 7:21 PM

My husband and I (who have been vegetarian for some months now) recently watched a speech that you gave to a group of students in Atlanta. Listening to what you had to say had such an effect on our lives that I just had to reach out and say thank you. We have decided to take our vegetarianism to the next level and support our fellow creatures by not buying products made from them. So thanks! You have started us down a very positive path in our lives.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 11:48 AM

I saw your lecture last night at FIU and it was really heart touching. I cried a little watching your video and I wanted to show it to my parents who are animal lovers like me. Where could I find this video online? Is it on your website because I can't find it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 1:17 AM

We really appreciate all your efforts towards the cause of animals. Your speech/video at Georgia Tech (Part 1 to Part 5 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNf5MG7O9Nw) is one of the finest speeches that I have ever come across. I am a vegan and veganism activist and a few of us work towards promoting veganism as much as we can. We are finding your speech to be very inspirational and an invaluable resource in our activism. On quite a few occasions, I have been providing links to these videos for those who question veganism. But sometimes people do not have Internet connectivity and/or a Laptop/Computer. If you can allow me to convert these 5 videos to DVD/VCR format and give them to people or do screening to a group of people whenever needed, it will help us in spreading the word more efficiently and effectively. We do not have any commercial interests attached to our activities. Please let me know. Thanks a lot for your kind consideration and once again your work is truly remarkable. Warm Regards. Parag Chaurasia - Bangalore, India.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2010 4:52 PM

im 16 and from Israel. i don't even know if you will ever read this but i have to share this with you. i was vegetarian for about a year.every one who cared about me was really negative. they told me that meat was good for me and im ruining my body. but now after i saw you video (lecture that you made on 7/8 ) i started to cry. i realized how stupid i was when i though that if i didn't eat meat I would hurt myself. i hate myself that in some way i let society control my will. i know that tomorrow my boyfriend will try his best to make me eat this stuff. my mom may try too and yell at me. and it seems that there's nobody to care and protect me. so i have to make a promise to someone who cares, and that's you. ill do my best to become fully vegan and try to change minds of others. i wish you could come to Israel because the subject is hard here even though we have a few right animal organizations. thank you for being you and sharing your knowledge with others!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2010 7:59 PM

I sat in Professor Shears 5:00 pm class this evening, and I just wanted to thank you for the most eye-opening experience of my life! I have always been a huge animal lover. I love all animals of all kind, yet I have always felt like a hypocrite knowing that I would still eat meat. Granted, Im not a huge meat lover by any means, but I still eat it. But after hearing your lecture, I feel as though I need to start doing MY part now in making a difference. I feel like you've given the push Ive need all along. I don't want to have a huge heart for animals, but yet eat a grilled chicken or have a cheeseburger. I don't want to feel guilty anymore. I want to start doing the right thing and im going tog start by taking it one day at a time. I think you are so amazing and I feel so blessed to have met you and hear you speak. I also wanted to comment on the little disagreement you had with my female classmate earlier. First off, she was completely in the wrong!!!! This was just your first encounter with this woman. Try spending 2 and 1/2 hours with her a week!!! She is a very small minded, outspoken woman who refuses to acknowledge the beliefs and morals of people other then herself. She is very rude and NEVER shuts up. She acts like that with Prof. Shears all the time. I was glad you put her in her place. And I made sure to send my Prof an email as soon as I got home to explain to him how rude and inconsiderate she was to you. I also told him that you were very respectful to her when giving your well educated answer, and how she continued to be a BITCH. Of course I didnt use the word BITCH to my teacher, but you get the idea. I hope you don't get in too much trouble for what happened. But I've totally got your back and so do several other students from my class. Anyway, thanks again for everything!!!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2010 7:50 PM

Today you spoke in Professor Fink's class and I was there to hear you speak. I gave up cheese, mayo, and egg around July because a co-worker of mine told me it's bad for my skin. I have acne. I used to have cystic acne but long-story short, $$$$ dermatologist trips later, by giving up those three things my skin has gotten better to where I now have moderate acne. Will becoming a vegan make my skin even better? Thank you for your time. I really admire what you are doing and the dedication and devotion you have for what you do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2010 1:39 PM

I saw your lecture today at MDC and I was really interested in becoming a vegan. I wanted to know if you knew any sort of meal plan that could help me get started? I've been a meat eater all my life but ever since you told me all the stats on eating meat and how bad it is for us I really want to change my ways.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010 7:26 PM

I was in the class on Saturday morning, I really want to go vegan, but in a house with meat eaters its hard not to be tempted, I'm sure you had the same experience in some way. My question is how long did the transfer from meat eater towards veganism take? Also did you begin substituting foods slowly or all at once? Once again thank you from opening my mind

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010 10:17 AM

First I would like to say thank you. I have been a meat eater for all of my 34 years on this planet. Recently i was in a heated argument with someone on facebook about this issue. After hours of me trying to prove him wrong - the opposite happened. One of the links he shared was of your speech in GA. I didn't watch it at first. Then the next day i sat down and watched the entire lecture. My life since then has made a huge turn. I removed every bit of meat from my fridge. Removed every leather product from my house. Sold my speargun. And have now devoted my time into sharing your videos and other information about animals to everyone that i can. It has only been about 2 months, but i feel WAY better after eating properly and my mind feels better knowing that i am not consuming any dead carcasses any longer. Your passion and your delivery of words is for sure what made me change my mind. I really want to do more to stop the holocaust of animals. If there is ANYTHING that i could do please let me know. I truly admire you for all that you have done in your life to protect these innocent beings.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 10:58 PM

you did a presentation on my class in Miami Dade on tuesday. im the girl that has the 1 year old baby. i wanted to adjust my eating habits, my boyfriends eating habits and hers. My pediatrician is telling me to give her 3 bottles of whole milk - 9 oz everyday also meat except lobster. After your presentation i stopped all of her bad habits and went to the supermarket. I bought Boca, its like this ground beef that comes in a bag and i did it for my daughter and she loved it. she did not even complain a bit. I also changed her milk to soy milk and she loves it. she did not get any negative reaction at all. i even got hooked on it. After your presentation its crazy how my whole concept of eating changed. i mean it was a complete 180 degrees. My mother in law cooks meat EVERY DAY whether its fish chicken or cow and we live with her for now and its amazing how i see the meat different. i ate one piece and i couldnt eat more. it tasted different and it was disgusting to me. it went completely against my will and my morals. Thank you. In my class there was this guy that asked you if you really thought you were making a difference and you explained that it depended on the days whether it went good or bad. Let me tell you that you are making a difference and yeah maybe not all 24 students agreed with you but you gave them something to think about. at least for me and my boyfriend you completely changed our mind-set. So do not let those ignorant and selfish people bring you down or ever doubt that what you are doing is not worth it because it is. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 6:51 PM

Thanks for the speech [at Miami Dade]. YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 7:57 PM

hey you lectured our class today i wanted to know where i can see the video you showed us.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 1:59 AM

You recently came to my criminal justice class at the University of Alabama. I never realized how much of a hypocrite I am. I grew up arguing with friends about how wrong it was for them to hunt deer, but i wouldn't think twice about eating Hot-n-Spicey McChicken sandwiches from McDonald's on a daily basis. The chickens were already dead, so why not eat them; plus they're delicious so whats the harm right. I never though about how backwards that kind of thinking really is, so I have decided that as of 9/15/2010 i am no longer going to eat meat. I actually wanted to eliminate any kind of dairy from my diet, but after eating all the vegetable soup in my pantry i found it all had small trace amounts of milk and eggs in it. So im not sure how plausible it is at this time for me to be vegan, but i do know that i couldn't live with myself if I was to eat another piece of meat. Thank you, Mr. Yourofsky, for helping me take my "blinders" off.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 11:47 PM

I took a speech class over the summer at Broward College and you came to give a speech, I am now a vegan. Anyway I have two papers that I am relating to the harmful consumption of meat. Could you send me the link to the research about behind the harmful benefits of meat, as well as, any other research that you think that would be beneficial to a paper. You really have changed my life with your speech and I am living a great lifestyle.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 10:25 PM

I am a student at the University of Alabama and I was in the Criminal Justice class that you spoke in today. I would like to start off by saying that your speech was very informative and well done. I never thought I would ever consider not eating meat but the images I saw today made it so I could not physically or mentally stomach meats. I actually use to make fun of vegans and vegetarians thinking they were "pussies" but you changed my way of thinking about it. My family has always had two dogs in it and I am currently raising a puppy, when I saw those videos I couldn't help to think about how thin the line was. There are countries where they also do that to dogs and you are right, its cruel. I have no idea how to start so I was emailing you for advice. I work out everyday so I guess I am worried about continuing to grow muscle and stamina the most with this diet.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 5:23 PM

I appreciated your lecture today, it was extremely informative and inspirational. The lecture ethically and morally resonated with me and I am deeply disturbed. I am hopeful that in the future I will make better choices for myself and contribute to educating others. I support your message and wish you all the best.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 11:56 PM

I was wondering what day in September you spoke at the University of Central Florida last year? It will be my one year anniversary and I wanted to know the exact date. I attended your seminar and that very day I had my last taste of meat/fish. I tried veganism and am still working at it but I consider it a tremendous accomplishment to not have a desire for meat anymore. I didn't realize my last taste of meat would be a chicken mcnugget that I ate right before I headed over to your seminar nor did I know what your seminar was going to be on. During the videos you showed, I said to myself "Who cares, I'll always eat meat." But little did I know that God changed my heart through you and for that I am truly grateful. So thank you Gary and if you could let me know that day in September of 2009 you were at UCF I wold be sooo thankful!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 12:49 AM

I only recently went Vegan after attending the A.R. Conference last month in D.C. I received the link to your lecture at Georgia Tech via N.I.O. Facebook. I am totally blown away by your speech. I just had to write you an email and THANK YOU for taking the time to research and educate. You absolutely solidified my decision to be Vegan. I am going to share your video and information with anyone and everyone who will watch and listen. You are truly an inspiration for both my activism against the horrors of Vivisection and H.L.S., but also my commitment to Veganism and to making this world a better place for all.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, August 1, 2010 1:35 PM

I attended one of your lectures when I attended UCF in my World Religions course, about 4 years ago. Changed my life!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 4:36 PM

I heard your lecture at OCC in MI (around April? I think) and have been a vegetarian since that night. Not quite a vegan yet. (Cheese is my weakness and won't get out of my life!) I'm trying though!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 11:53 PM

I know you're a busy guy, I just wanted to let you know that since I first met you back in March, I've officially finished the transition to vegan, and I've never been happier! I just wanted to thank you for all you do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 12:19 PM

I very much wanted to speak with you after class to thank you for the most rational and thought-provoking words on veganism that I've ever heard! Unfortunately, I had to run to work and a lot of other students were coming up to you. I've been a vegetarian for almost 4 years now and have tried countless times to become a vegan, and you're right, what made me break down every time was the cheese. I'm from Nicaragua, and cheese has always been a huge part of my family's diet, and I kept telling myself that cultural obstacles were a somewhat rational reason to go back to being a vegetarian -- but now I realize that its just a selfish excuse. Time and again I've tried to speak with my friends about becoming a vegetarian or at the very least start limiting the amount of animal products they consume, but they've always brushed me off or asked pointed questions that leave my answers regarding ethics fall short. I'm going to borrow some of your arguments to strengthen my confidence about speaking about animal rights to my friends now, something I want to thank you for! Anyway, thank you **very** much. This is my last attempt at becoming a vegan because I know now that I'll be able to do it! :)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 1:29 PM

my 6 yr old lil boy is refusing meat and dairy on his own!!! we stayed the weekend at a friends who cooked bacon eggs grits and toast with a glass of milk for breakfast. he ate his grits and toast then asked for a glass of water. hes so great. loves nature so much. i did show them the (slaughterhouse) video from your website. his reply was "i wish all those cows could get out and kill all those men". in 10 yrs ill be bailing him out of jail for breaking into a dairy farm (and be so proud).

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, July 9, 2010 11:15 AM

I would like to give you a big thank you. You came to Pitt Comm. College and talked to my class. You are a phenomenal speaker and a really cool guy all around. I went straight to Harris Teeter after class and bought a few vegan friendly things that, I won't joke, tasted really good. Thank you Gary for taking my blinders off.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2010 4:54 PM

I thoroughly enjoyed your lecture on Thursday, 7/8 (Ga Tech), to our Ethics class. My question pertains to bodybuilding, namely protein supplements. I am an amateur bodybuilder (really just work out and run vigorously, not trying to be a "meathead", no pun intended), and take whey protein supplements in the form of bars and shakes. I haven't really looked at all the ingredients on either, but are there vegan supplements? Or do you have any interesting general info on whey protein supplements? Where does it come from, etc.? Any info/insight is much appreciated! BTW, I am a pretty healthy eater. The only meat I eat is low sodium tuna, and I may be cutting that out soon. You're info on how the acidity of meat is neutralized (by phosphate from bones) set off a warning light, as my knees have been slightly hurting recently. Never broken anything, but why ask for problems if I can avoid them? And your (seemingly) amazing health has motivated me to try to seek out natural alternatives to the staples of my diet. Once again, awesome lecture and many thanks!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2010 10:40 AM

I listened to your talk on October 22 at the University of Delaware in a Contemporary Moral Problems Course last fall. I remember the date clearly because I have been vegan ever since! After your talk I went home in tears, frustrated that I have been so ignorant and cruel in my choices. I poured over the research - websites, books, blogs - and everything I found confirmed for me that I would be embracing a vegan lifestyle for the rest of time. The same day as your talk I expressed all of my new knowledge and my reactions to my then meat-loving boyfriend. He listened and he challenged some of the ideas, but compassion clearly won over cruelty in his heart, too, and by the end of the night we decided to embark on this journey together. Since that night, it has ceased to be a journey with some metaphorical ending and has genuinely become an inseparable piece of who we are. I am looking forward to a life of cruelty free choices in what I eat, wear, and buy. For today, I just wanted to say THANK YOU. I woke up this morning overwhelmed with gratitude that I was blessed enough to hear your talk last October. It truly changed my life. Thank you for all that you do! I am in awe of your dedication and perseverance. I am eternally grateful that you brought your passion to UD! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 1:08 PM

Back in May you gave a speech about being vegan to my philosophy class at CCRI. I had some heart problems. Since becoming vegan after your speech (about three and a half months) ago, my cardiologist has seen major improvement in my heart and I have little reason for concern. Besides that, veganism has made my body feel cleaner and I have more energy. It was the best decision I have ever made.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 3:04 PM

I just wanted to suggest that you should put a link on all the pages on your website that allows a person to "share" the info. I saw your lecture a few years ago in El Paso and think it is very valuable information that many people truly do not realize. and the info on the website helps explain a lot of questions, so the easiest way to help spread the information would be by a simple click of a button. I hope you are able to do this! Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 12:01 AM

im in the critical thinking class at pcc. amazing class tonight. ive never really been a fan of meat and the older i get the less i like the taste the smell or even the way it looks not to mention i makes you feel like crap after you eat it. and im one of those people who cant eat dairy but hasnt given up cheese yet. tonight you finally gave me the push to give up the meat i didnt like anyway and the cheese that kills my stomach. i have 3 children who all had milk from me. tonight i was so glad you said a mothers milk is made for her child and no one else. i couldnt have a cow feeding my children. my challenge isnt converting me to be vegan but them as well. i cant in good conscience put these things into their little bodies anymore. please email me with any advice to convert a 5, 6 and 10 year old to a vegan lifestyle. just think ... 2 hours of your life has not only helped me take the final steps in making the change but my 3 children and the families they will have in the future. good for you!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, July 04, 2010 2:33 PM

I recently heard one of your talks at OCC and I have decided to go vegan. My goal is to go organically vegan.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 6:26 PM

Your presentation changed my life, I will like to bring some people to your next UTEP lecture.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 9:26 AM

First, I would like to inform you that I have never written to anyone concerning any issues. My son came home from college yesterday after hearing your lecture and was very moved by your presentation. He told me in great detail about your presentation and website. I went to your website last night and today and am appalled by the cruelty of mankind. I have never been a practicing vegetarian, I was raised to eat meat and have enjoyed it for many years but after speaking with my son and looking at your website, especially the video tape, I am sickened by the treatment of innocent animals and have decided that I am going to stop eating meat, I believe my son will do the same. I would like to thank you for your dedication and compassion for the protection of animals (I researched your "criminal history") and will encourage my friends and family to view your website and to hopefully change their ways.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 1:47 AM

I know it has been a while since you visited my college class late January this year, however, I felt the need to share my joy of having been a vegetarian for almost half a year with someone who probably knows how hard it can be to quit eating meat, poultry and fish. I didn't think I could do it but here I am, healthy as ever and enjoying every moment of feeling as if I were doing the right thing. I wanted to thank you again for everything you have informed me about and helping me take that step to becoming a vegetarian. I am so glad that I am helping a cause that will benefit the wonderful creatures that are on this planet. Thank you again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 10:13 PM

Today is 08 June, 2010. I was crying inside feeling devastated about eating meat. Why these animals? All I can say is "THANK YOU FOR BRINGING CHANGES TO MY LIFE". I know it will be hard for me to make a quick change in becoming VEGAN. But I am proud of the decision I made today. I commit myself to not eat meats, eggs, cheese, drink milk and associate myself with the bad things we are doing to our body. I am more thank lucky to have the chance to listen to you. The information was more than relevant to convince me on what I am doing to my body, and the crime I was ignoring daily. I was a meat-lover, fried chicken is my favorite, but now I am an herbivore. Thank you Gary for giving your time and sharing this info with us. Guess what? I will turn 20 years old on 26 June, 2010; it is more than a gift you gave me today. I am no more a carnivore but a herbivore. Please keep in touch with me and let me know what to eat, wear etc. I am in need of that now. Once again, thank you for bringing a change in my life. You're a genius man, a dreamer, and a strong leader. God bless you brother.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 1:09 AM

I just wanted to thank you for speaking to my class at North Central College. Your talk completely impacted my lifestyle. However, it was very difficult for me to go vegan because I am at school and cannot prepare the majority of my food. I have not eaten meat since your talk. When i first started to try this, i thought that I would have cravings for chicken or burgers, however, I have unexpectedly not. I do not crave any sort of meat. After a month, I can already feel my body getting healthier. I'm an athlete and I thought that it would affect my workouts, however, I still feel great! I wanted to personally thank you for all that you have done for me and my lifestyle! I hope that you keep moving forward with education and impact others lives as you have mine!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2010 6:15 PM

I am a student from North Central College. I wanted to let you know that your speech did have an influence on me and I did become vegan. It is not that hard, but it IS a change. I would love to continue talking to you via email.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 11:33 PM

Thank you for coming to speak at North Central College. I really appreciated your talk this evening. I've been a vegetarian for almost two years now, and I've been trying to get myself to go vegan since the beginning of this year. Like many, I deluded myself into thinking that at least not eating meat was enough. I gave into friends and family that said dairy and eggs were necessary. I love cheese. I can't help it. But your talk today... I think it was that last push I needed to finally make that commitment to really go vegan. I went as far as to throw out all my dairy products (yes, I knew I'd hidden that cheese in the back of my fridge) as soon as I got home. I will find the courage to stick up for myself and for animals when I get flack from my family. Hey, I might even get my very diabetic father to give it a shot if he sees the benefits of going vegan in me. So again, thank you, from the bottom of my heart for talking to the class today.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, May 01, 2010 1:00 AM

I saw you speak in Mr. Fouts class at Sterling Heights High School my junior year in 2003. That morning before class for breakfast I had a sausage egg mcmuffin from McDonalds. Leaving class that day and for 7 years since I make a conscience effort to try and convert my eating habits ... more and more cruelty free. Thank you for that life changing day :)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 2:43 PM

Thank you for coming to Cecil College a few weeks ago. Your message was very powerful. I know I had some questions about the Bible, but after reflecting and doing more research and considering how much animals are abused, I think God's will is for us to be Vegan. I have been trying to eat Vegan ever since. I have lost about 5 pounds and I don't get the "munchies" anymore, both of which are unexpected bonuses. I have had a few setbacks, but have been able to get right on track. Sometimes, it's awkward socially, but I am getting past it. Even my mom isn't giving me a lot of trouble about it, and she is from the south and very carnivorous. Oddly enough, I don't even crave meat, which I never expected. If religious people could only consider that meat-eating was never a part of God's intentional plan; in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve only ate plants. Even the animal sacrifices were not part of God's original plan. There is a Christian vegetarian/vegan website that talks about being a faithful steward of God's creation. If Christians saw the responsibility of that, I think they could be better swayed. Anyway, thanks again for coming. You are definitely appreciated.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2010 3:22 PM

I go to Rhode Island College and I'm in Kris Short's Philosophy class where you spoke on Wednesday the 21st. First off, I just want to say how enormously inspiring your lecture was. I have never even considered being vegetarian nor vegan in the past. For the most part, I was just ignorant of what is really going on in the meat and dairy industries. I always thought that, sure it's one thing to be a vegetarian, but it's stupid not to consume dairy. I honestly did not know the reasons behind why vegans do not consume dairy. However, after you opened my eyes to the subject, it was a complete wake up call. I have always been an animal lover, so to hear and see the truth, was like a rude awakening. Honestly, I don't know if you realized, but it brought me to tears. I just want to say, that since I left class that evening, I have made the decision to become vegan. I admit it isn't going to be an easy change in lifestyle but I am 100% happy with my decision. There is no way I could eat a burger right now, KNOWING, that an animal had to suffer for my TASTE BUDS. Just the thought of it is selfish and disgusting. Also, after teaching my mom what you taught me, as well as exploring your website with her, she has made the decision to become vegan as well. Although you may hear these things all the time, let me just say that my mother and I are not easily persuaded haha. Also, people have been saying to me over and over, "One person wont change anything", and I can't express to them how wrong they are. You are one person, and through your teachings, have made me and my mom change, which will hopefully open somebody else's eyes. I just want to say thank you for what you do, it is working. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for being an inspiration.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 9:39 PM

My son saw you speak and is moving toward becoming vegan, which I totally support. I will have to join him of course.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 12:03 PM

Thought I'd let you know, your speech definitely opened my mind and made me realize how brainwashed I was, as sad as that is. I actually haven't touched meat cheese eggs or milk since your talk and hopefully won't ever again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 8:41 PM

A friend of mine sat through a class of yours a CCRI yesterday. I have been pushing her to go vegetarian with me and after sitting through your class she now would like to be vegan. She asked if i would try it with her and i said i was all for trying it. I am a huge animal lover and it disgusts me to see and hear about the things done to animals. I just think it is amazing how my friend always made fun of me because i won't eat meat (just joking around) but she would never budge to stop eating meat. She meets you and now you have shown her the light! lol.... thank you for that. Thank you for what you do and for being a voice for the animals. I am going to give it a try to be vegan.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 8:35 AM

i listened to your lecture yesterday, and can't stop thinking of everything u said. i decided to stop eating fish and dairy products. i haven't been eating meat for five years now, but now i realize that that's not enough. however, i feel like it is not enough to just stop eating animals and their products. knowing what is really going on behind the scene makes me miserable. i would like to help in some way, but i don't know how to help. thank you very much for opening my eyes.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 9:45 PM

My friend sent me a link of your page about being a vegan after reading my status on Facebook of me being a vegan. I just wanted to thank you very much for the work that you have done and continue to do for the animals and for a better way of life. I have been a vegetarian for one year now and I would like to take the step further and become a vegan and hopefully by reading every last thing on your webpage I will have the tools needed to do so. But once again thank you very much for your work and you are an inspiration.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 4:28 PM

You came to my class in royal oak the other week and spoke about your opinion on things like animal cruelty and torture and something about it really sparked something in my mind as well. I havn't eaten meat since that class and i just want to say thanks a lot.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2010 6:53 AM

I saw your name in Robert Cohen's article this morning, and remembered seeing you in Michigan and hearing you speak. Michigan still needs your magnificient voice. Thanks for all you do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 1:28 PM

Since the lecture on Saturday, I have been a vegan. I went to the grocery store and purchased a lot of vegan food. I LOVE rice milk. It's SO GOOD. I thought this would be more difficult, but thanks to your website, I know what type of stuff I should look for and buy. It is a little hard doing this while I still live at home because my family is a meat based family so that's like all we have here, and I don't make enough in order to buy my own groceries on a regular basis, so that's why I asked for a copy of the video. I want to have my family watch it and see what their take is on it. Hopefully, if anything else, they will be at least a little more supportive.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 12:20 PM

I am an international Exchange Student at the University of Michigan. I am called a "Peace Scholar" (from Algeria) after getting a full scholarship from USAID. I just discovered today that I am not as peaceful as I thought I was. First, I wanted to let you know that I was impressed with the presentation and the discussion about vegetarianism and veganism. I used to think that Vegetarians were only sensitive people in regards to animals and Veganism is the same thing to the extreme! Now, I know that they are people that are not only peaceful but they know much more about nutrition and health problems. To be honest, I am only staying in the US for one more month. I've been thinking of becoming vegan; it might be easy if I stay here because there are a lot of companies that have a set of products for Vegans. In Algeria, this whole idea is not even common and people don't know much about it. I am not trying to find excuses but I don't have a lot of knowledge about nutrition and doctor's back home all they tell you is: eat meat, drink milk and eat eggs. I have a suggestion for the website. I wanted to share my experience with my friends and family back home but a lot of them don't speak English (Most of them speak French). So it would be great to have Language Options.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 11:54 PM

Just thought I'd let you know I've been 100% vegan for an entire year, and am never going back. THANK YOU!! My sister has become vegan, as well as a few friends :) AND even more exciting news, my friend just told me that you came to his college a few days ago and he has become a vegetarian! You are doing such a great job changing the consciousness of people everywhere.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 2:31 PM

I would like to thank you for your presentation in my class at Oakland Community College, Southfield Campus. I am the heavy set African American lady/student that had to leave early. I was quite moved. Ever since Tuesday, I have been finding it very difficult to eat meat. I am going try whole heartedely to stop eating meat, but not sure if I can give up fish, especially Salmon and Tuna. I know I can part with chicken, pork, turkey, veal, and beef.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 11:30 AM

Peering into the refrigerator this morning I search for a meal to satisfy a grumbling stomach. My eyes shutter at the horror, piles of leftover food from previous meals: Hamburger Helper, Meatloaf, and Hotdogs. Brightly colored Easter Eggs lined up in a row wobble slightly as the opening door is halted. Gallons of milk, one in the door, one on the top shelf, have a smiling cow advertisement on the label. Disgusted and disappointed, the brain of a once voracious meat-eater compels the body to override the stomach and close the refrigerator door. The freezer that once offered delicious quick heat and eat items, mortifies the soul with all the carnage and death it possesses. Death, dead animals, frozen, stacked like cordwood. Chicken, pigs, cows, sea life, frozen in a tomb, a mortuary of once living creatures. I feel as if my mind has been opened to a new world, one that I can actually take an active part in. Murder and slavery will no longer be a part of my life. I have been a hypocrite. It is wrong to murder, but I have murdered. It is wong to enslave, but I have supported slavery. Times have changed, I have not. Today, I begin.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 2:16 PM

I was present at your speech in Jim Hallemann's class at highland lakes occ today and let me start off by saying you are an amazing speaker and presenter. What your trying to do is awesome and you really moved me by the things you talked about. I am a crazy meat lover. Actually, when you first started talking I was eating a wendys chicken sandwich (I was pretty embarrassed) :) but just as you said I have been uneducated on the things you spoke about. I also thought I was an animal lover but obviously am not. The video you showed really did get to me. Seeing animals like that breaks my heart and I want to at least try going vegan for my future health and to save these animals lives but I would love to use your help to get me started. I live around many judgemental people who would question my going vegan and make rude remarks, I can see it now. I want to be able to prove these people wrong and have a strong point to leave them feeling dumb about questioning me. How could I do this. And is there anyway you can send me that video of the slaughtered animals. I would love to show this video to my family and friends. Thank you so much for the informative information and keep doing what your doing! You really do have an amazing talent.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 6:01 PM
[FROM STUDENT TO PROF. CARRIE NICHOLSON at WAYNE STATE U.]

Gary's argument most similarly resembles the argument for utilitarianism. Utilitarianism states that a group should strive for the greatest good for the greatest number of beings. Gary's belief is that if all beings are equal, than consuming and mass producing animals for their flesh and byproducts is not ethical. The argument for utilitarianism is further broken into four components, and each of these components hold up in the argument for veganism. The first component is consequentialism. It is not enough to simply say that slaughtering animals for food is justified because it is a natural part of life or that the animals are being used for a good cause. The action results in the killing of innocent animals and that in itself is what counts.The concept of maximization is justified when one considers that the population of animals on earth far outweighs the population of humans on earth. By this statistic alone, it is clear that we cannot live in a maximized society if we continue to eat and kill such a large part of our society. The theory of value can be tricky. If consequences are defined by what people prefer, living omnivorously may not betray that definition. However the initial idea was that the greatest good is for the greatest number of beings, not humans. Animals are not offering to be slaughtered, nor are they being asked permission, so it is not safe to assume that this is their wish as well. A scope of mortality premise is the concept that each being's happiness is to count as one. This definition expands to include all sentient creatures, (having the power of perception by the senses). Therefore this part of the argument also includes the vote of the animals. When framed by this ethical theory, veganism becomes the only purely ethical way of life. By the way, my boyfriend and I became vegetarians on tuesday. I loved the lecture.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 2:56 PM

I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to speak to us yesterday at Royal Oak OCC in Ms. Droba's class. I really enjoyed listening to you and I am looking forward to writing my paper about the arguments you made. The world needs more people like you. What you shared will stay with me long after my class ends.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 3:38 PM

I'm writing in regards to the presentation you gave to my class last Wednesday and Friday. I was apart of the class that was less than welcoming, 8:50 - 9:40 class to be exact. I asked the question about food in prison and freeing the minks. Anyway i'm writing to express my gratitude and appreciation towards the things you said. I know that a handful of kids (rather infants by definition), were less than open to what you had to say. I, myself, am surrounded by vegetarians. My girlfriend, grandparents, and a coupe of very close friends have made that decision for a multitude of different reasons. I have never thought about it and never had any ambitions to do so before this week. I went into the discussion with an open mind, not expecting to become a non-meat eater or vice versa. But after listening to you and really thinking about it, I have made the decision to take steps to cut out meat from my diet. Overall I believe that a lack of maturity among other reasons plagues many of the students in my class. I really appreciate you coming and speaking to us, even if we all don't turn vegan I think that a majority of people learned more in those 2 hours than a whole semester could teach us. I emailed Mr. MacKinnon and let him know that you were appreciated and truly helped in our understanding overall of different views and lifestyles.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 9:27 PM

You spoke today at the University of Akron in my class, I stayed after to talk to you. I just wanted to sincerely thank you for taking time out of your day to come and speak to our class. Although the reality of it is that most of the students will not change their lifestyles, you have made me honestly consider changing mine. Even so much as a few hours after your speech, I have altered my intake to a dinner of rice and broccoli and abstained from stopping at a Dairy Queen on my 2 hour drive home to get a chicken strip basket. Ive always enjoyed vegetables, but after hearing your speech, its as if vegetables never tasted so good as they do right now. As we talked about, I've already received criticism from the people around me, questioning my motives, not believing the truth of the matter. I was explaining to my family about the way our bodies can not digest animal protein and I feel like they look past the fact because of the ease of access to meat and also they could not fathom eating anything that just came from the ground. My mom is one of the most supportive and understanding people in the entire world, and I am even receiving skepticism from her. I know that she will make an effort to help me in my struggle with transitioning to a more ethical life, but I know she does not think that this will last for me. thank you so much for "removing the blinders" that we all have been taught to live with. I am very envious of yourself and Erika for making a point to care about the students and make sure that we all can access the truth through your speeches. I feel like the most horrifying part of the animal treatment is the fact of taking the children away from the mothers (pigs, cows, and especially the male chicks) because that is a sacred part of life as we know it, meat eaters or not. I've always been an animal lover and an animal protector, but I never realized that although there is animal abuse and fur industries, one of the most dominating animal mistreatments is through meat eating.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 2:10 PM

I am currently doing a research in why the vegan diet is the best available diet. I would like to interview you through phone if that's ok or just simply by email so can please let me know which one you feel more comfortable with. Thank you so much for your time.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 6:29 PM

I'm a student in Steve Best's ethics class at UTEP. Both the class and your talk have made me do some thinking. I had tried to be a vegetarian once before, but had fail to do so because I couldn't stop eating chicken. I enjoyed eating vegetarian meals and products, so chicken was pretty much the only thing holding me back. A lot of the facts regarding health that you showed us made me want to try to be a vegetarian again, and I have been for the past week. And as you said, its been hard dealing with criticism. That's not to say I'll stop because of it, but its hard to explain to people that you don't eat meat because it might actually be better for your body when they have this engraved idea that eating meat is good for you and that its the "natural" thing to do. One thing that has been bothering me though is that I'm not motivated because of animal suffering. I mean i've seen those videos that show what goes on inside slaughterhouses and all that, but it doesn't... move me? By that I mean that yeah I think its fucked up to cut an animal's throat wide open, but all I can find myself saying is "so?" I was wondering what your thoughts on this might be.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 7:37 PM

I am a student at U. of Akron-Wayne College, and attended your speech today in Dr. Gatzia's Philosophy class. I've previously seen videos like what you showed us today, but I've never felt so convinced about animal cruelty as when the video is paired with your powerful speech. I am trying to spread the word to my family about this ethical issue and they just don't seem to understand without actually experiencing YOU. Please, please, please tell me that there is a seminar/speech that my girlfriend and I can attend of yours, so that I can help advocate vegan-ism / or at the least (vegetarianism).

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 10:02 PM

I attended your lecture in my Philosophy of Ethics class this past Tuesday, and I want to thank you for bringing attention to a widely ignored issue. I became a vegetarian a little over ten years ago after doing a research paper on the horrors of factory farming practices, and since then struggled with my conscience over the idea of becoming vegan. I honestly didn't think I'd be able to stop eating things I love which contain cheese and dairy, even though I've known for a long time that those animal proteins are, contrary to popular belief, dangerously unhealthy. Your speech reacquainted me with the ethical issues involved with the consumption of animal products, and gave me the resolve to go vegan. It's been four days, and I can honestly say if I had known it would've been this easy I would've done it a long time ago. I feel great about having made the choice to be a kinder human being, and am looking forward to a healthier lifestyle. Thanks for an enlightening speech!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 3:12 AM

you had recently done a speech at UTEP in Mr. Best's class. I actually decided to become vegan. Going vegan is probably one of the best decisions I have ever made.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 1:49 PM

I wanted to thank you for the presentation you showed today at Del Mar College. It was really hard for me not to cry while you showed the slaughterhouse video, i never thought it was that way. I thought they killed them in a fast manner so that they would not experience that much pain. The hardest part is not making the transition, the hardest part is convincing my parents to buy that food. You see at my house i am not considered an adult or do I get to do stuff until i move out. Thats why i want to show them that clip/video, so that they will see for themselves, and maybe i will get them to change. I am still so upset, my eyes are puffy from crying. I have been crying on and off since the class ended. I came home and i ate a peanut butter jelly sandwich and soymilk, i was disgusted at the rest of the food we have at home. i will check out the other food products that you have on the website, and i will try my hardest to convince my parents to let me eat other foods.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 11:21 AM

It's been twenty minutes since the conclusion of your presentation to our class and I wanted to thank you again for the chance to open our eyes and make an informed decision with life changing ramifications. It's not often that one class period, of one class, of one major, of one career choice can provide the chance to inspire someone to make a drastic change in their life. You have set the wheels of contemplation in motion for me. It was easier to keep a dry eye while in the company of peers, in public, when seeing the images in your video. Not so easy while in my truck, alone, on the way home. When I opened my front door I was greeted by my two loving sheepdogs excited at the opportunity to just be in my presence I immediately remembered that only two hours earlier I had berated and struck my older one for not being able to hold going to the bathroom on the floor while waiting for me to get out of bed and let her outside a door she never had the ability to open on her own. My two year old son saw and heard this. While typing this now I am ashamed, but the alternative would be letting it go untold and perpetuating the cycle. To type this e-mail I moved a TEN POUND leather motorcycle jacket that was in my way and I use daily to shield myself from harm. While opening the refrigerator I realized that I had NEVER realized how animal based my diet was and how much of the available room in my refrigerator was taken up by the products and by-products of animals. It would be unrealistic to say that I am an immediate convert nor would I trust genuineness of a conversion made in one morning's contemplation but you made an impression and I plan to start transitioning and continue learning. I do look forward to exploring your website to aid in my own transition and hopefully to help in gaining my wife's support if not her cooperation also. Thank you again for making us think.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2010 4:11 PM

On the 1st of December, 2009, I had seen you speak at the University of Michigan- Dearborn in Dr. Skrbina's Philosophy class. That day completely changed my outlook on food. I have always been one for animal rights and animal liberation, but witnessing your lecture really solidified those views. That day changed me. I am now vegan and I feel it is the best decision I've made. I feel healthier and all around better. I am relieved that I no longer contribute to the corruption of the meat and dairy industry. I have also been informing friends and family about the health hazards of meat and dairy consumption. I have been surprisingly successful in changing a lot of their eating habits. We need more people like you to continue spreading the message. I know you've been doing this for some time, but I really hope this message helps inspire you even more. You're an activist. Very few people have the courage to take on that role these days.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2010 3:34 PM

I would like to thank you for the motivation you have given me to stop animal and dairy consumption. Since I stopped doing so last week the day I heard your presentation in Varela's English class at utep. I do feel "lighter" now and have less mood and sleep swings throughout the day. If I would like to contact you in the future how viable is it to see you in person? (Maybe I am going to do a mini documentary and literature review in how the industry has messed up the diet and will be needing primary source information). Thank you for all your time.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 12:32 AM

I have seen your presentation twice but after contemplating for a few years now, your speech has been the last motivation I needed to finally give up eating animal products. I've been successful in changing the people closest to me in their way of thinking. Which I believe is one of my greatest accomplishments. I do have you to thank for a lot of it. I am emailing you to ask for your permission to burn an audio copy of your speech to give out to a friend who is really interested. Monday, as I sat through your presentation, I took notes using my Macintosh and recorded the audio. This is how I got a recording of your sound. Where did you start on your journey and how can I help. I've thought of joining the vegetarian society of El Paso but I want a more direct influence on people, rather than working in the background. I am still a full time student unsure of what I want to major in but I do realize I am gravitating toward philosophy.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2010 12:19 PM

I'm humbled by your knowledge and selfless acts of activism.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 9:41 PM

We met a month ago at FIU right after your lecture. I have started my vegan journey. I started that same night and I haven't had any meat since we spoke! I'm really excited and am looking forward to what's to come.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2010 3:16 PM

Thank you for "removing my blinders." I am a student in Dr. Burkhardt's class at the University of Florida. Having always been a health conscious individual who strayed away from food preservatives to the best of my ability I believed that the food choices I had been making were sound. The argument you make is of sound rationale, which i respect. Regardless of my opinion when I entered the room, honestly I was appalled by the Holocaust quote on the board as my family was massacred, I felt as though your point of view deserved a chance. By providing alternative food choices and the means by which anyone can go vegan you have made me much more aware of the harm being done to animals. While you have not convinced me to go vegan due to various reasons, the least of which is taste as food plays a role only as sustenance in my life, you will surely make me reduce my consumption of all animal products. You may say everyone has an addiction to cheese and eggs but personally I am averse to cheese, as a boxer, food is only used to provide energy and not for enjoyment, thus I identified with Mac Danzig. On a weekly basis I probably consume 1 pound of chicken and a half pound of beef, while I do not eat any other forms of meat for taste reasons. Thus, I have learned to adapt by frequently eating the following amalgamation: brown rice, mushrooms, bell peppers, edamame, mixed nuts, and soy sauce if needed. Such may seem like a spartan dish, yet that coupled with Hammer Soy protein comprises a large portion of my daily caloric intake. My aunt who has been a vegetarian for many years is now attempting to go vegan after I sent her an email about your speech and your website, keep up the good work and know your work is not in vain.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 12:06 PM

I wanted to shoot you a quick email to express my appreciation for traveling down to Georgia Tech to inform me and others about animal rights and veganism. I mentioned that my boyfriend has been exposing me to the idea of being vegan but it didn't make as much sense as it finally made when I saw you speak and spoke to you afterwards. I have no way to justify eating or using any animal product. It brings tears to my eyes to think that I had been living in ignorant indifference for 24 years and that many animals have died because of my existence. It's also very difficult to watch others exploit animals with that same indifference and ignorance. I'm honestly grateful to you for encouraging me to think and to realize the results of my actions.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sent: February 16, 2010 4:11 PM

I just want to let you know that Adam & I have been strict vegans ever since you visited Cecil College the spring of 2009 in Paul Bauer's class! At first it was hard to figure out what to eat. However, its not something we have to think about anymore. We cook all most every night & have found substitutes for everything we used to eat. It was really just a matter of experimenting. Since Cecil we've moved to whitemarsh, md, and there are quite a lot of vegetarian/vegan restaurants around. Also, since we've moved here, we've noticed that the vegan selection has really expanded! Tons more options than before! I think that they've noticed that people are starting to buy a lot of the products to they are increasing their inventory. I just really want you to know that you've changed both of our lives forever.Thanks a lot for what you do! Your making the world a better place!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 10:00 AM

I enjoyed the lecture you gave at FIU a couple of weeks ago. the talk was definitely thought-provoking. So, thank you. My 13-year-old sister does gymnastics professionally. She's part of the Peruvian National team and competed with the US National Level 10 Team last year. She competes internationally and trains all day, every day, Monday through Saturday. Needless to say, the training is intense. My sister has taken in a lot of what I've told her about vegetarianism and veganism and wants to go vegetarian (maybe vegan, eventually). The problem with it is that my parents are not supportive of it. I'm old enough to make my own decisions about what I consider right and wrong and what I put into my body, but I can't tell my mom how to raise her kids if she refuses to listen to anything I have to say (her response to what I said about veganism was, "I don't care if I'll die tomorrow of a heart attack...I still want my steak for lunch."). The compassion argument doesn't work very well with my parents, but I find it absolutely ridiculous that with family histories of diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis, they don't at least take some time to consider the benefits. In any case, I do what I can to help my sister out (my parents went out Saturday night...we had a nice salad, veggie patties, and fresh fruit smoothies for dinner). So I'm really glad I went to your talk that night. You brought up a lot of points I either did not know or had not carefully considered before, and I appreciate that. I think it's really easy for people to sit back and label someone a criminal or an extremist (you) simply because they're (society) too lazy to try and help change come about. They'd much rather just be spoon-fed and blind folded for the rest of their lives, not worrying about where their food is coming from and who's suffering for it. It's disgusting, but it's even worse when they do know and choose to go on not caring. I totally agree that people are animal lovers when they're young and then lose it (...for years my two younger sisters and I have been planning on growing up to own an animal rescue shelter or ranch or something of the sort...), so thank you for trying to remind others of that.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 5:14 PM

I was in your class, very educational!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 10:54 PM

I've been doing great with my decision so far. No meat, poultry, fish, milk, cheese etc.. I feel more energy in me since I've been eating a lot of fruits and vegetables! Your speech was that one thing I needed to confirm my decision to give up my bad habit ... to break my tradition of eating meat and ultimately harming animals ... and myself

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 10:20 PM

You recently spoke in my critical thinking and ethics class and I have to say that your argument is one of the best I've heard! I've been toying with the idea of vegetarianism for a while now and your speech really made it for me and finished convincing me that I was making the most humanitarian, compassionate, kind, and eco-friendly decision. I even got my fiancee to join me! I have to present a speech in my speech class and I chose vegetarianism in an attempt to 'recruit'. Thank you for your great influence and keep up the great work!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 1:16 PM

I wanted to thank you for coming to speak to Lanier's research methods class this morning at the University of Central Florida. The goings on at these dairy farms and slaughterhouses is something that I think many people know about, but we choose to not to acknowledge it because no one wants to think about something so terrible. Instead, they come up with excuses like, "Well God put humans in charge of all of the other animals" when I bring up the mistreatment of animals in slaughterhouses and dairy farms. But that's EXACTLY my point. If God put us in charge of His creation, we aren't doing a good job at taking care of it. I want you to know that your presentation was highly effective. It certainly got me thinking. I have never liked meat (with the exception of tuna fish. I love it for some reason). The only reason I eat it is because my parents have always made it for me. As a little kid, it was never vegetables that my parents had trouble making me eat. It was always the meat. Anyways, I'm definitely considering changing my eating habits. Giving the meat part of my diet up will not be much of a challenge for me. It's the dairy aspect that will be a challenge. That's why I'm going to drop meat first and possibly transition into a nondairy diet later. I cannot do it all at once.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 6:47 PM

I'm the student that came up to you in the Bioethics class this morning after the presentation. I just wanted to say thank you once again for taking the time to do what you do. I can only imagine how difficult it is to give so many presentations on a subject so vitally important yet so dividing and polarizing. I have seen countless slaughterhouse and fur factory videos far worse than the very brief one shown in class today (the most affecting was probably the Joaquin Phoenix-narrated documentary Earthlings) which, in addition to everything I've learned about evolutionary biology and comparative vertebrate anatomy in my Molecular Biology Major at UCF, led to my decision two years ago to switch over to an almost completely vegetarian diet (with the exception of certain seafood). The presentation today provided even further incentive to embrace a fully vegan lifestyle, something I had been contemplating for about the past 6 months. I thought that the approach of "getting the politics out of the way" was refreshing and worthwhile. I myself am a registered Independent and think that the two-party monopoly here in America is quite disgraceful in its ability to isolate citizens and draw invisible barriers to common sense progression in this country (just look what it's doing to Healthcare!), and for a lot of us who also feel this way (Independent voters are one of the fastest growing minorities in the country) what you said about not being affiliated with the Democratic Party made it a lot easier for many, I'm sure, to connect with everything you had to say and it eliminated any preconceived notions about the speech being "left-wing bullshit" or any other such label. I'm beginning at USF Medical School this upcoming August and people like yourself are a major part of my decision to dedicate myself to the improvement of human life. As one final note, I myself am an atheist and I actually find myself engaged in quite a few heated arguments with others on an almost daily basis. I know what it feels like to find people in disgust with what you do or what you believe. For this, I would like to say that it is truly humbling to find individuals like yourself that strive so hard to educate others and improve the lives of millions. It gives me hope for the human species, for this country and for our future.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 2:25 PM

We have a Vegetarian Green Club on campus at FIU. Your talk was very inspiring. We also feel inspired to reach out to the students around Miami. Can we copy your talk and perhaps add a few other ideas like the law of karma to get kids off the meat? We can groom the members before going out into the public and could also send two at a time to the schools.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 5:17 PM

You are an amazing speaker. Love your energy & essence. Wish I could have you around my family for a while.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 2:17 PM

On Monday, January 25th, I was honored to be in your presence and to be able to truly listen to what you spoke about. I am proud to say I have made the change. It is rather difficult since old habits die hard. Ever since Monday, I haven't had any meat, poutry, or fish! Best of all, no animal by products either. I wanted to thank you. For a while now, I had slowly been giving up meat. With one argument "It's bad for the animals" now I fully understand what goes on in slaughterhouses and the dairy industries and much more. Everything that you spoke about was the brutal truth that many have yet to learn about.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 4:32 PM

I saw your lecture at Miami-Dade College Kendall Campus as a part of my ethics class and I must say that I've turned my sights to try the vegan way, thanks to your lecture. I've learned much from it, most importantly, the health issues that I was not aware of. Thank you!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 4:15 PM

Today you gave a speech in my Critical Thinking class and i have been thinking about it all day. I really think its great that you are a vegan and i wanted to know what your website was because i wanted to look into it. Thank you :)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 2:52 PM

today you did a presentation in my class at miami dade. just wanted to thank you for opening my eyes to this reality and just wanted to let you know you have made me into an official vegan starting today! it is going to be very difficult but im willing to do this ! :)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 12:47 PM

i would like to just say that your presentation was a true life wake up call in my ethics class about an hour ago here at miami dade college. this movement as i would like to term is something that must happen and as a animal lover it really puts me down to know this shit happens even with the thought that i eat meat and the animals are suffering. to get straight to the point, becoming a vegan sounds perfect. this idea of replacing old diet habits with this new one would give me not only physical and internal benefits but also mental and emotional benefits.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vic Sjodin [Vegan Outreach]
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 9:37 PM

I met a student today who went straight vegan second time he heard you speak!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 4:27 PM

I've seen your lectures several times in the past. (Im a student at New Jersey City University). I'm sending you this because I really admire what you do, and you helped change my life three years ago when I went vegetarian.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 2:09 PM

You came and spoke at Pitt Community College the other night in Greenville, NC and I just wanted to thank you for showing all of us the light. I haven't eaten cheese or meat or milk since then and hopefully I can continue doing this. Thanks again man and good luck with the rest of your tour.

-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Miele [Activist in New Mexico]
Sent: Friday, January 08, 2010 9:53 PM

guess what? I hired a new cashier at work and she told me that she went vegan after hearing one of your presentations at UTEP. Great work!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, January 08, 2010 9:53 PM

I was greatly influenced by a speech you gave in my class last semester, so I'd like to start off by saying thank you. Also my ex boyfriend is vegetarian, however he also avoids animal byproducts as much as he can, and that's what first sparked my interest in this new lifestyle. Your speech pretty much convinced me to change my lifestyle once and for all though. I've decided that my new years resolution would be to be vegetarian or vegan by the end of this year. So far, everything is going well. however I'm somewhat concerned about my iron intake. I know that before, I would just rely on red meats for my iron, but I'm not sure what to resort to nowadays. I know that I can take an iron supplement or buy some sort of vitamin supplement, but I recall you mentioning something about you not taking any type of supplement, so I'm curious about how you do it. Please help me in any way you can. I really want to stick with this, I just need to open up my appetite to different kinds of foods and learn more about a healthy vegetarian diet.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 6:26 PM

As my 2010 resolution I became vegan right after I watched your documentary ("Liberator to Educator"). I still have a lot to learn (I'm only 15). I know what I'm doing is the only right thing to do. Your story is very touching to me and you are my role model. It just sickens me when i go to that ADAPTT website and see all of those animals being slaughtered. My dad became a vegan around 10 years ago up in Lake Tahoe the moment he walked out of your seminar. My family is totally sickened by the spill of the red blood and how those harmless animals are only looking to be loved and cared for but instead they get their necks cut off. And the thing that sickens me most is that all of this madness is all for money. Man do I wish that money never existed. And also while I was watching your documentary I was wondering why god hasn't stop this madness yet but that's not for me to decide. Well I just wanted to tell you that I'm following you every step of the way until this sad but true era is terminated forever!

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Comments from Students 2009

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 1:15 AM

You lectured once at my college a while back and I still think of everything you've said. But the thing was that I didn't have a job to support myself and control my diet. But now I have a job and want some help transitioning to veganism. What helped you switch over? I want to know if it costs more to be vegan and what is your average day of food consist of? I find it hard to plan out what I'm going to eat everyday.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 9:20 PM

You were a guest speaker in my English class today. Your speech was amazing I never looked at eating milk eggs and cheese as bad until today. When I arrive home from school I poured out my 2% milk. I tossed my eggs in the garbage disposal I had stopped eating cheese a few months ago. I wrote down the name of the food example you brought in and tomorrow I am going to start eating smart and animal free. I will keep in touch to let you know how I am coming alone. My boyfriend stopped eating meat a few months back and he says he does not miss it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 2:16 PM

I have to thank you, seriously THANK YOU! You came to my class on Thursday and gave your presentation and it really opened my eyes. I have always been an animal lover, honestly I can't stand animals being mistreated or hurt and I rescue animals as much as I am able to. But, I still ate animal products, I just didn't want to know where it came from (hence the blinders), I thought we had to have it to be properly nourished. I have not touched any animal products since then and I am not even having a problem doing so. I have one problem though, that video you showed really bothered me. I close my eyes at night and it's all I see, I can't sleep. I do think it's a good idea that you show it because it can really open some eyes, but my question is, after seeing all that how do you sleep at night? I don't know what to do, my boyfriend is very stubborn and will not listen to my point of view at all. I want to cry when I see someone eating meat. I know that I am doing all I can do by trying to open my friends and families eyes and posting online, but how do I make myself really feel that so I can sleep?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 2:44 PM

I was in the Philosophy class that you spoke to this morning. Your presentation really made an impact on me and I want to change my lifestyle to a vegan one. Not only for the animals sake, but for my own health as well. I'm looking forward to exploring your site. Thank you for your time and for coming and opening my eyes today.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 8:44 AM

I wanted to thank you for coming and speaking in our Logic class on Monday night. It really opened my eyes and as you had asked us to do look at it through the eyes of the victim, I could never think of someone doing those things to me or any of my friends and family. I decided to go Vegan. The reason for the email was to tell you the first response that I got when I started to tell my friends. I found it kind of humorous. She said "what are you on a suicide mission, you're going to kill yourself, no one can live like that!" Gary, sad to say, but you have a lot of work ahead of you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 8:47 PM

I just had to share a couple of things with you. I met you about 15 years ago at a Halloween event for HARE. A few years ago, I emailed you with an issue of rats in my yard in Madison Heights. You offered me the advice of trapping them and relocating them like you did with mice in your dad's house. It was great to have your advice as most people you ask about "nuisance" animals will endorse horrible acts of cruelty. When my husband and I systematically trapped each rat and released them in wooded areas, most people we talked to thought we were insane. Thanks for your advice and support. Our yard has been "rat-free" for years. I have to share with you that you are making an impact with your lectures. Tonight, my brother-in-law called my husband very intrigued and excited to share about a guest speaker in his philosophy class. He recited all kinds of facts he learned and how interesting it was. Of course, he was talking about you. You made quite an impact on him and I wanted to let you know that you are making a difference with your speeches and you are connecting with people.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 3:59 PM

I completely agree with you 100% about veganism as the way for better health and to stop cruelty against animals. No one, if they were an animal would ever want those things done to them. I remember seeing the severed head of a bait fish while my family fished on a dock when I was 3. The horror I felt staring at the eye of the fish head was like witnessing a murder scene. How do you make people really care and change their minds so that animals don't have to suffer. We should all be optimistic about this, I think. People say peace is a pipe dream, and this is something just as lofty of a goal as world peace, and solving world hunger, but we've achieved so much since the dawn of man's existence, we can surely achieve this as well. I just wish I knew how to do it on a practical scale. little by little, individual, by individual, until it all culminates into a societal change. I guess I'm one of those students who doesn't do anything except have an opinion. But after you lecture, I'm definitely going to be looking into imitation cheese products now. I hope you continue your cause. Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 3:36 PM

I must say, the way you put things and threw it in our faces without going completely mad in a fit of rage is SOOO admirable. It WAS very powerful. I mean, if I were doing what you are doing, I would probably get out of control and lash out at everybody for being so damn stupid. Anyways, I am a former meat eater as of today. I will no longer eat meat, eggs, milk, anything that comes from animals. You have truly changed my outlook and paradigm and I also posted some things on my myspace. This is animal hell. They put things in pretty packaging but people don't realize where it comes from and that they CAN make a difference. I am SO inspired by you that it makes me feel crazy inside. You are such a wonderful being and I am so fucking proud of you. Like ... I can't even contain myself. On the way home I was talking about you and I just got home and looked at the website, then I posted some things on my myspace to spread the word and I do hope that others feel the way I do and try to make a difference. You are AMAZING and what you are doing is AMAZING and you are my hero. I really want to make a difference and I will start by eating things that I believe I should be eating. Thank you so much. You changed my life today.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:18 PM

I was invited by a friend to attend your lecture at UTEP last week, and because of it, i do not drink milk and have cut down on my meat product intake. I just started to work out in order to gain weight. I've been doing research and body builders will say to eat of a lot of meat to help you gain muscle mass. And now after your lecture i know that's not the way to go. I was hoping if it's not too much trouble if you could give me like a whole vegan diet plan in order for me to complete my goal of gaining weight.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 11:09 PM

I am a student at the University of Texas at El Paso. On Monday November 16th 2009, I heard your speech in Dr. Steven Best's class. I just wanted to let you know that you really opened my eyes, I am not kidding you. I had been thinking about becoming vegetarian since I heard Dr. Bests' class and read Peter Singer's book. However I absolutely made up my mind that Monday afternoon. I went home to my mom and talked to her about my decision and translated to her in Spanish some of the arguments in your website and the facts you told us in class. She has too decided to join me in this journey or transformation in becoming vegetarian. She told me that when I was a little girl I would tell her that when I was old I was going to be a vegetarian but that she wouldn't take me seriously and I don't remember that anyways. Once again I just want to thank you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 8:42 PM

I would like to thank you for coming to UTEP and removing the blinders. Even if my peers in Best's class room do not make a change in their eating habits at least they are aware of the slaughter that has gone on for far too long. I have been a vegetarian for about eight weeks and now am making the transition to vegan. When first entering college I dreamed of fighting for equality for all through politics and law, I am a political science major planning to go to law school. I was ignorant in that I did not extend my perception of equality to the non-human animals my species share this Earth with.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 11:42 PM

I was in Steve Varela's 7:30 a.m. class on Tuesday November 17, 2009. I'm going to give this Vegan thing a real try even if I do feel more strongly about the health reasons than I do about animals. If you can help I would truly be grateful.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 10:50 PM

I was in your presentation for Ms. Janeksela's class at City College of New York. I was really moved by your speech and decided on taking the first step on becoming a vegetarian. Currently I am in a speech class and for my final speech I decided to persuade my peers to turn vegan as well. I have no thorough knowledge about the topic so i decided to consult you. If there is anyway you can help me get my info straight that would be really helpful. Thanks for your moving speech and your time as well.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 4:43 PM

So your talk with my class today made me really think about things. I don't want to eat meat, eggs, drink milk or eat cheese (and I love cheese) anymore. can you give me the best supermarket in El Paso for vegan options? and in your opinion what is the best "mock" cheese?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 10:45 PM

I was truly moved by your speech today at UTEP and was seriously awakened. I only wish that my family could've seen and heard what I witnessed. Do you by any chance have a video or a link to a video of your entire speech? If so would you be able to send me that video so that i may spread that message to my family? Please. It would be most appreciated.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 8:50 AM

You spoke at my class at Miramar last year. I just wanted to write you to say that I have now been vegetarian for a year and I am now going vegan. I wanted to thank you for coming to speak, and opening my mind. I had always agreed with vegetarianism just never thought I could do it or really had the desire to. I'm really glad you were able to change my mind.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 3:52 PM

I was in Dr. Hawkins class at UCF. I've been wanting to write to tell you that ever since that moment I have been a vegetarian. I had been thinking about it for a while before then because I had been studying buddhism but your lecture was the straw that broke the camels back. So I wanted to encourage you to keep doing what you do , because I think it is wonderful and necessary. Your animal activism is an inspiration to me. That leads me to my next point: I want to do more. My girlfriend was a vegetarian before me and I have been thinking about trying to start some type of animal rights organization with her to help spread information. I would definitely like to do something more hands on like spreading information in the form of pamphlets or flyers. I just started researching and getting into buying products that are not tested on animals so I suppose I still have work to do with my own consumption and consumerism.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 11:03 PM

It was a wonderful experience listening to your lecture about veganism this Friday for my Facets of Sustainability class at UF. Anyways, as a result of your lecture and other influences, I have became a vegan and am NOT eating animal products. I alternatively bought and am now consuming vegan substitutes like Tofurky and soy yogurt. Anyways, my current girlfriend is this lovely Japanese girl who cooks for me. She got a little upset that I became a vegan because most of the food she previously cooked for me involved some sort of seafood or other meats. While she is my girlfriend and I don't want to force her, what advice do you have about making her feel better about this situation? Also, what types of Japanese foods can she make that are vegan? Thanks and good luck with your future veganism lectures.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 11:03 PM

Thanks for the presentation today at FIU. Afterwards, my partner and I watched one of your videos again; she has experienced a vegan diet and eats virtually vegan now. However, I am still crossing over from fishatarian. Today marked a point of departure for me. I have eaten fish under the comforting self-talk of the "fish don't feel" line. But, I don't really believe it. I don't think I can continue to eat fish anymore. My partner and I pinkie swore on it. Anyway, thanks for the speech, it was what I have been waiting to hear.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 10:42 AM

First, I would like to thank you for your presentation at my university. You came Spring of my freshman year and from that very day I have been a vegan. It has changed my life and I am grateful to you for how you have impacted me and the people around me. Also, I would like to ask you some advice. We are giving our last presentations in my speech class in three weeks. It is a persuasive speech. I have decided to give it on going vegan. It is only about 7 minutes so I wanted to cover a few of the reasons why people should not eat meat or dairy. I feel like the environmental reasons, the herbivore reasons, and the ethics reasons touched me the most so I narrowed it down to those. I wanted to know if you had any tips for me. I think I am the only vegan in my class, so I am hoping to go into it with overwhelming impact. Do you have any tips? I'm nervous that I'll be that girl that everyone looks at and says "Freak. No body is going to listen to you!"

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 10:43 PM

i just started an animal rights club at school and I'm making a facebook page for it. i was wondering if i could use the information on adaptt.org on the facebook page? i'll give all credit to ADAPTT.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 8:19 PM

i heard your lecture today. your lecture made me realize that ignorance is bliss. after hearing your lecture today i almost cant look at food. in an effort to make my parents see the animal cruelty that goes on i showed then a video and i was surprised at my parents lack of emotion towards the video because my parents are both sweet and sensitive people. after watching the video i had to leave my house to get air. i am saddened to say that i am not surprised that people can be so cruel. i think its great that you're spreading the message. i am inspired to do what i can and make any adjustments in my life that i can to contribute. i am sorry about your father's death.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 4:07 PM

I sat in on you lecture today at City College. It was definitely an eye opening experience.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 12:11 AM

I am a junior at the University of Delaware and just recently saw you lecture in professor Hanley's philosophy class about a week ago. First off I would just like to say that my blinders certainly are off. I never thought about the meat, eggs, cheese, etc., that I was eating or whether or the animals were being treated "humanely". I feel like you had many great points. your lecture deeply affected me but when I told my family, friends, girlfriend...that I was thinking about looking into some vegan stuff they LAUGHED IN MY FACE! I haven't been able to look at the gallon of milk in my fridge or the eggs or the cheese. I'm having nightmares about japanese whalers killing dolphins and all this other crazy shit. I'm not denying that what you are teaching isn't right. I just don't know if I was prepared to see the truth. On a lighter note, I was wondering if you are a fan of the band propagandhi (they are animal friendly and one of my favorite bands. but I know talk is cheap and just because I like an animal friendly band doesn't mean i'm doing shit to help the cause. I know you are a busy man but would definitely like to hear back from you. Keep fighting the good fight man even if the rest of us are just assholes.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 8:05 PM

I wanted to write you and thank you for removing my blinders and opening my eyes. To be honest weeks before coming up to hear you i would joke about the fact that after the lecture i was gonna go have a cheesesteak. But after hearing you speak and seeing the videos it made so much sense to me, and made me want to change. Now I am totally committed to the change, when i got home i emptied out my refrigerator and stared new. Thank you very much Gary!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 4:22 PM

I was at your presentation at UD on Thursday, and I have been vegan since then.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 3:03 PM

I was in Andrew Short's 9:30 a.m. Philosophy class today, and was very touched by your speech (as well as the gruesome video you provided). In fact, I just finished cleaning out my entire closet and am working on the kitchen and my cosmetics. I was also wondering if your choice to be a vegan/activist has caused any problems with your family and loved ones because your lifestyle choices differ so much. It was a real pleasure having you in class today and getting the chance to meet you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, October 25, 2009 4:34 PM

You came to talk to my Philosophy class at Cecil College last thursday. I was wondering if you could please send me the slaughterhouse video that you showed that day. It was so powerful. The other ones just don't compare to that one and I really want to show it to my boyfriend, I'm trying to convert him too.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 6:01 PM

I am a student in the philosophy class that you spoke in front of today at the University of Delaware. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to speak to us. Over the past few weeks I have been debating cutting meat out of my diet because I felt that I wasn't getting much out of eating it. I have a few friends that are vegan, but they were never really able to provide a good enough reason for me to consider the lifestyle. However, today you gave me a totally different perspective and angle on the issue that I've never considered, and you've inspired me to try this vegan thing out.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 4:01 PM

I need to thank you again. I came up and shook your hand after the lecture. I am 22 years old have hunted for 4 years. I've killed countless deer by myself and never thought of the food that I ate. I took a nutrition class last year and entertained vegetarianism but I couldn't give up meat. After seeing the video and hearing the way you put things it made me realize how terribly removed I have been. Blinders are off. Thank you because I am officially "Making the Transition to Veganism" with your help.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 8:47 AM

You spoke last week to my intro to ethics class taught by Ian McKinnon. I just wanted to let you know the effect your speech truly had on me. I had never given the animal rights idea much thought before you spoke to my class. I thought the transition to vegan would be a very difficult one but when I went to the grocery store yesterday, it wasn't as hard as I had thought. I was able to find 100 dollars worth of groceries with no problem with very few products containing meat, milk, cheese, eggs, or honey. I found myself looking at the ingredients of every product trying to avoid those types of food products. Also, I tried the Silk soy milk, and you were right, it taste just as good as the 2% i had in my fridge. I know it will take time, but I truly am going to try to rid my diet of these types of products in the best possible way that I can. Thank you for "taking my blinders off".

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 3:32 PM

Can't tell you how much I enjoyed the eye-opening experience yesterday. 2 days vegan and I already feel the difference. I want to show that video to my girlfriend and both of our families and anyone else for that matter! How can I get a copy or where can I go to get something of that effect? When are you going to be back around the Akron area so I can bring Jennifer to hear you speak?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:52 AM

I was at your presentation this morning at Michael Becker's political philosophy class at CSU Fresno, and i wanted to thank you for a very informing talk. I am very curious, will you be in Fresno for any more talks, and if so, where and when? This is something i would love for my wife and son to attend, since my explanations just don't seem to be getting the point across as effectively as you do, obviously. It is very hard to find fault with any of your arguments, and something "clicked" today that at a minimum makes me want to explore alternative choices for me and my family. A lasting impression. So, any information you have on how i could share this experience with my loved ones (as we make the food decisions together, etc) would be greatly appreciated.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 1, 2009 11:21 PM

After hearing your lecture I was intrigued and found that many of the things that you said to be true. If becoming vegan would mean I would be healthier and extend my life, and if animal products actually damage my body, I would be more than willing to make this transition. I am going to take up this lifestyle and once I do I will also like to do my part in spreading the word because I think the more people that hear about the higher the chances are that more people will consider this option. Again, thank you for your insight today and let's see how this lifestyle works out for me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 10:31 PM

I wanted to extend my gratitude for the presentation you gave today in Prof. Michael Becker's class at Fresno State. It made a huge impact on me - I have been vegetarian for a short time and, although I knew it was better than doing nothing, I wasn't totally sure why I was veg and too lazy, I guess, to take it to the next step. Well, I am blind no longer - your speech, and especially the video, simultaneously affected and inspired me. I must say, the tears were flowing. Nevertheless, I have been searching for a cause I truly believe in and for which I want to fight. Sometimes, the solutions we seek are right in front of our faces, or on our dinner plates, so to speak. I can say now I am definitely committed to becoming fully vegan and cruelty-free forever. I also have some friends who would like to hear you speak - will you be in San Francisco or the Bay Area at any point in the future and is the public allowed at your presentations? I'm sure you are very busy, so any response is greatly appreciated. Thanks again - you are an inspiration to all of us who really want to make a difference.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 7:21 PM

I just wanted to drop you a quick line to say thank you. My friend, who attends CSU Fresno, just called me completely sobbing. You spoke to her Political Science class and showed a video depicting the brutal torture and killing of farmed animals. I've been vegan for almost five years and over the course of our friendship I've spoken to her about my beliefs many times, but to no avail. Your presentation moved her so deeply that when I spoke to her, through the tears she yelled, "I'm vegan! Now what?!" Of course I'm thrilled to coach and support a good friend's transition into veganism. I also just discussed this situation with a co-worker and we both agreed we'd love to see one of your presentations (although you would be speaking to the choir with us.) However it would be fascinating to hear about your experiences. Will you be lecturing in the Bay Area any time soon?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 4:42 PM

I was at the lecture you gave at USD this past Tuesday and it was very enlightening. Thanks for taking the time out to speak with us. I was wondering if I could use the web to access the "Under Pressure" video you showed us in class. I've been telling my friends about the lecture and I think the video would be a good supplement to what I've been relaying to them. Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 11:40 AM

I enjoyed your lecture at UCF a few weeks ago. Like almost everyone, I was raised as a meat-eater. As I matured and started questioning basically everything, I realized what I was doing was immoral, but being surrounded by meat and meat-eaters I continued to conform while avoiding the reality of what is taking place. I used to rationalize it by saying humans need meat, and only fast food meat is bad for you, etc. I've decided that I'm going to start reducing meat intake and consumption of animal products generally. I thought it was going to be easy, but I didn't realize I used such products in basically every single meal. Now meat consumption has been reduced to about 3-4 meals a week (as opposed to presumably 15+ initially). I feel better physically and ethically, and maybe one day will achieve a routine of fully committed vegan diet. It is very tough to break these bad habits, but I can't even enjoy meat the same way I did initially because of what I now know. So I see a permanent change, at least in terms of a significant reduction of meat intake, and I have you to thank!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 11:32 PM

I am on the ga tech football team. You had spoken in my class and showed a video about a week ago. I am just letting you know you seriously made a change in my life about eating meat. I tried the two challenges you set for us and I couldn't complete either of them. I really thank you for opening my eyes.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 7:57 PM

I am a UCF student from Dr. Hawkins class who attended your presentation. I'm going to be honest, when you started I was one of the people who rolled their eyes and looked for a friend who shared my contempt of zealot animal rights activists. I decided to pay attention and prepare a counterargument while you were giving your speech. However, the more I paid attention to what you had to say, the more I felt like I had never heard this message before. The more I felt as though I may have won debates against proponents of animal rights in the past, but I had never actually been morally justified in my stance. After leaving class that day I went to Wackadoos (student center) and had a boca burger. I hated it, but decided that I could be vegan without meat substitutes. I just wanted to let you know that you have another convert and I was moved to change my lifestyle because of your speech. I have been a vegan for 5 days now and have even convinced some of my friends and family to give the lifestyle a try. Keep doing what you're doing and be proud of your cause, for it is a noble one.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 3:10 PM

I just wanted to let you know that you are an amazing speaker. I attended one of your lectures last night at UCF and I will admit, at first I thought it was going to be really boring and I was just doing it for the credit. But you really planted a seed in my mind about becoming a vegan and I truly enjoyed listening to your speech. Thank you for the enlightenment.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 2:31 PM

I am so happy that is was so successful!! You should think about recording your entire presentation onto a DVD. I would definitely buy one! I am trying to explain it to my family and keep saying I wish they were there to hear everything because I can't explain it as well as you can. I wish you the best of luck and hope that our organizations hear from you in the future!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 1:59 PM

I was at your lecture yesterday at UCF and by removing my blinders i feel i have become smarter and I thank you., and I'm sure all the animals do too. Today is the 1st day of no meat, eggs, cheese, fish. It's fucking tough lol. I had a bagel, craisins, nuts banana and peanut butter for breakfast. For lunch i cooked up some thai dish i made up on my own and not sure what to get in for dinner. I've told so many people about why eating meat is bad. So thanks 4 that. And i hope to be a living example of that. i just wanted to let you know that your talk really inspired me and i'm really pleased that you do this I've already opened my mouth like so many times and opening so many of my friends eyes. i converted my family mom & dad into vegan like me lol and I also am giving some of my other good friends things to think about and decide if eating meat is the best thing.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 8:23 PM

Great Presentation today! 2nd time seeing ya! Vegan now for two years because of you! You have changed my life, and i thank you for it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2009 1:39 AM

I saw your presentation at UCF the other day in Mark Lanier's class and I just have a few questions for you. I've told a few friends that i've made the choice to go vegan and keep getting shit for it and basically it seems that no one cares or can even see what's really going on. what do you suggest i say to them and what helped you get through all the b.s.?? Also, i've been on the website nonstop but still can't seem to find much stuff that is close by me. i've looked in publix and walmart but there's not much there in the vegan food department, the main thing is the dairy, not the meat. can you help me and let me know how you made the transition because it seems to be tough for me! THANK YOU!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 2:03 PM

I thought your speech was excellent. I'm no stranger to the arguments you presented, but I'm a fan of good speakers, and I enjoyed your presentation. And for what it's worth, for lunch I had a grilled veggie burrito from Qdoba afterwards. I don't know if it could be considered vegan but I did have them hold the cheese AND sour cream. Amazing the variety of applications humans have developed for cow's milk: it didn't occur to me until today how pervasive they are in our diets. Thanks again for speaking!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 2:00 PM

I just wanted to drop you a quick email to let you know that my girlfriend, who is a student at Georgia State, and I have committed to being vegetarian for a month with the hope of transitioning into a vegan lifestyle as time goes on. Her roommates are also vegan, and it was wonderful talking to them about their reasons for abstaining from animal consumption in relation to the information you presented to us in your lecture at Georgia Tech. I would like to say that I greatly admire your sense of purpose and the passion with which you pursue that purpose. I am very excited about learning more about living a vegan lifestyle and expect the next few weeks to be quite eventful. Once again, thank you so much for coming to speak to my class. I hope our paths cross again in the future. BTW, I am the student who used to live on a dairy farm near Mt. Pleasant, Michigan...if you remember me. And I had veggie burgers wrapped in lettuce for dinner last night. They were AMAZING! And so much easier to make and clean up than the real thing. It's such a myth that eating vegan is difficult to do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 2:32 PM

I heard you speak earlier today at Georgia Tech and your words really touched me. I can't promise huge changes overnights but I do plan to change some aspects of my life to do my part as I can. I respect you for standing up for your beliefs. Your message reminded me of the lyrics to a song by my favorite band: Vide Infra by Killswitch Engage. It is a metal song that most people wouldn't enjoy, but take notice of the lyrics: if all could live by these ideals the world would be a better place. [song lyrics] "I have opened my eyes to see the world that surrounds me daily/I refuse to be led by the majority/can't compromise … I will stand up for who I am/never moved, never moved by condemnation/no one is placed higher than another/no matter race or creed or gender/we must teach forgiveness and compassion for all life/through understanding of our differences/we will find respect for one another/because we are all flesh and blood … I'm not afraid to speak my mind/no matter the consequences..."

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 11:16 PM

Thursday the 10th you spoke to my Critical Thinking course at Pitt Community College and I haven't had a moment of free thought since. When Mr. Holsten told us an activist was coming to speak with us, I was TERRIFIED of what you would say and how it would affect me. Well, I haven't eaten anything besides a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and some oreos until tonight. I can't even think about eating my mother's cooking or making myself a glass of milk without my stomach twisting up with guilt. About 2 hours ago I went to a store down the road and purchased more fruit and veggies than ever before and even picked up a few fake meats. I plan on making this a solid change once I get used to it. As angry as I was with you Thursday night [for making me feel like a horrible horrible person and forcing me to re think too much], now I want to thank you. I'm not 100% sure why I want to thank you but I just know that I do. You made a definitive change in me.

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Balducci [mailto:michael@veggiebrothers.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 08, 2009 4:25 PM

You rock! On behalf of animals, let me say thank you brother. Look forward to hearing back from you, and hoping you can be a guest on my upcoming show down the road. www.veggiebrothers.com

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 12:27 PM

I am a senior at UCF. I heard you speak when I was in religion class with Mr. Burris back in 2007 and your presentation had a great impact on me, especially the mistreatment of animals in the food processing industry. Currently, I am the president of two extremely large on-campus Honors organizations and would like to invite you to be the guest speaker at one of our meetings. Since this issue is very important to me, I would like to make it a very large event, invite both honor societies, and also invite members of other organizations. My hope is that we will have at least one hundred students in attendance that represent the top percentage of their class. I truly believe that many students have no idea about what's going on regarding this issue and could use some tough love.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2009 9:56 PM

My boyfriend heard a lecture you gave at U of M a couple of months ago, and after that we decided to go vegan. I have been vegan ever since, for about 4 months now! I love it! I have researched so much about veganism, and it had lead me to want to change my major in college. I have heard of holistic nutrition, but I'm not exactly sure if this is a real job. I was just wondering if you could help me out with this, or maybe let me know what you went to school for, or how to become what you are now. Thank you so much!! Vegan for life!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2009 12:30 PM

I was at your lecture last Thursday at Macomb Community College. I was moved by the things you had to say. I have to admit that I am ANGRY and SAD. I am angry that now I have to deal with the information you presented. I didn't want my world to change that Thursday but it did. You gave such a compelling argument that I can not ignore what I saw and heard. Since Thursday I have not had a single piece of meat and I don't think I ever could again. Your message had that big of an impact on my life and it will certainly impact the lives of my two children. You made two points that really changed my thinking the first was look at this issue from the victims point of view and the second was when you were talking about the words "slaughter house" then you said "house of slaughter" a immediate horrific image came to my mind. I began to see the death of these domestic animals in the same way I view a murder in a horror movie. It is a scary, horrific, unnecessary, painful and cruel way to die. My heart hurts every time I think of animals having to endure such treatment. I wonder who could commit such acts upon innocent animals everyday. I am mourning my former lifestyle and my ignorance. I wish you the best of luck on your crusade for the sake of all innocent animals.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 6:00 PM
[from two people who went vegan after hearing my speech last year]

My pastor thinks I am the anti-Christ. I just can't see how anyone who knows anything about Jesus would think HE thinks it is ok to torture animals. You won't believe this (well it shocked the shit out of me anyway) but Guy says he actually wants to leave our church because of the horrible reception we have received after announcing we are vegan. We didn't just come out and announce it, but the word has gotten out, just because it has to in every day life, such an important issue. It is unbelievable how we are being treated because of this. But that's ok, Jesus was persecuted too. Guy wants this to be his new mission: to somehow get people who call themselves Christians to see the fallacy of negating animal rights and exploiting them. I am excited! But I am not used to dealing with resistance. I used to shrink from it; now I have to learn to stand up to it. Glad your lectures went well, I'll still try to find someone to see the August one. It definitely won't be someone from my church, but not from lack of trying.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 9:40 PM

You probably don't remember me but you spoke in St. Cloud, Minn., a few years ago at St. Cloud State. It was so nice to meet you! It was so nice to hear someone speak about the way I feel about animals!! Thank you so much for all you do and the courage you have to speak up! I have never met anyone like you, THANK YOU for all you do!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 10:52 PM

I felt pretty enthused about becoming a vegan after listening to you, and visiting your website, but I wont lie; I just like meat too much. I'm sorry. But, on the bright side, I AM cutting back on how much meat I eat, and I AM eating more greens now. While I haven't given up cheese, I'm now drinking exclusively almond milk, and my family and I have agreed to make 4 days out of the week vegan days. Sorry to continue to add to the plight of all the animals out there. Maybe one day those 4 days a week will become 7 days a week.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 4:42 PM

I am a student at UTEP and I sat one of your lectures for Dr. Ruggiero's class in the fall semester, and I am currently an intern with Latinitas Magazine. We are an online magazine focused on empowering Latina youth. I am writing an article on veganism/vegetarianism, and we would appreciate it if we could ask you some questions for the article.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 12:03 AM

I am in John Burriss's Religion class at UCF that you spoke in a few weeks ago. I have been a vegetarian for 4 years and I thought going vegan would be the hardest thing in the world, so I never tried it. But, after listening to you, I felt confident and I have been doing very well since that night. Thanks. Aaaand, The Garden Cafe! Absolutely amazing. I have never seen a place like that before. I went tonight and it was pretty damn cool. I'm taking everyone I know there from now on. I can't wait to take my parents when they come to town and show them how great being veg is.

-----Original Message-----
From: Heather Calvillo
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 2:24 PM
Subject: Vegan in need of help!

You spoke to my public affairs reporting class with Dr. Ruggiero in March at UTEP. I have a bit of a problem. I have been vegan since March 5th when you came to speak to us, and each day my will grows stronger to stick to the cause. Now, I am interning as a writer at El Paso Magazine. Well, my editor has just asked me to do a write up for the online magazine of places in El Paso that sell animals for people to buy and get cuts of meat from for their families. She just wants me to populate a list, no verbage supporting these markets, but I still find it so hard because basically what I am doing is advertising to people where they can go and buy these animals and eat their slaughtered meat. I am exposing these places and telling people that these markets are available and...acceptable. I don't know what to do. It's a simple assignment, but I feel in breech of what I believe in. What should I tell her or is it ok to compile this list of markets and just not put my name on the by line? I appreciate your help Gary. Thank you!

Heather Lee Calvillo
Editorial Intern
El Paso Media Group

MY RESPONSE:

So nice to hear from you. And so glad to hear that you are sticking to the cause of animal liberation. I agree with you...that this assignment is a breech of your belief system. In fact, it's a breech of common sense and decency, too (on the part of your editor and magazine). In my eyes, compiling a list of places to buy enslaved animals who will be killed and cut up is equivalent to printing a list of places to have sex with little boys and girls. Your editor might as well print a list of websites that show child molestation and include a rubric in support of NAMBLA, too. Ask your editor when she plans on letting go of prehistoric ideas and notions about human dominance over animals, and when she will join the peaceful world of veganism. GEEZ! I would stand strong and refuse to do this. I would also use this as an opportunity to educate your editor about what it means to be a true humanitarian. I would explain that oppression, injustice, slavery and murder doesn't only happen to creatures who walk upright. Let her know that Cesar Chavez, Gandhi, Pythagoras, Plato, Socrates, George Bernard Shaw, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and many more were vegetarians/vegans who believed in freedom for ALL, not freedom for some. I would explain hypocrisy, too, as I am sure your editor loves dogs and/or cats. Then inquire why she calls some animals "companions" and others "dinner". I would encourage her to let you do a story on where to get VEGAN/VEGETARIAN food instead. Use the restaurant section of my adaptt.org site for tips on this. Explain the ethical factor, of course. But also include the health info and the environmental benefits, too. Remember, animal agriculture causes more environmental damage than all forms of transportation combined. Check out the environmental section of ALL ABOUT VEGANISM for info on that. In 2009, there is NO reason why media outlets shouldn't be at the forefront of justice for animals by exposing slaughterhouses, the ill health that comes with flesh-consumption, and the environmental destruction of animal agriculture. If your editor refuses to budge, stand up and stand strong and resign. Let this editor know that you will NOT be owned, controlled and turned into another thoughtless, robotic writer who lacks ethics, decency and common sense. There are plenty of other places to intern at. And your good energy will be rewarded. That's for sure. Hope this helps.

-----Original Message-----
From: Heather Calvillo [mailto:heather_calvillo@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 4:01 PM
Subject: Update :)

First off, thank you so much for replying to my e-mail about my situation here at my internship. I spoke to my editor and instead of that ridiculous cow pooling list, I created this: http://tinyurl.com/ne8gx9 list instead. :) Thank you for your advice, it really helped so much. Hope you are doing great. Have a blessed day!

NOTE FROM ME: If the link above doesn't connect, use this -- http://epmediagroup.com/dining/786-vegetarian-food

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:18 PM

I'm glad to say that since we talked those around me are starting to notice the merit of my lifestyle change. It's interesting how changing my eating habits has shaped a new person from the old. At first I gave up meat and dairy etc for health reasons and concerns, but then a moral dilemma developed in the way I viewed people who chose knowingly to eat meat and such. As if by God's arrangement this moral stance was the set up for more in my life and I soon became enthralled with the faith of my girlfriend, Sacimata. I soon found myself going downtown to the Hare Krishna temple on Jefferson Ave. and becoming a devotee and member of the congregation. My studies in this faith has provided me with fuel for this fire that burns within due to the one of the tenants of this faith being exclusion of Meat. I am happy to say that seeing these changes in my diet and then my faith that all revolve around protecting our animal friends has so far contributed to my best friend an ex-die hard meat eater to give up meat for good and is now causing quite a stir in amongst my friends and my father the most who is a long battle to argue with. I heard you were moving but if you are ever back in Michigan I invite you to join me for a meal at the temple or to stop by if you want to hear more about the temple. I'm not trying to evangelize that's not my thing in that regard but I don't know how familiar you are with Krishna Consciousness but if you are not so familiar you would find interesting our unique perspective on man's relationship to animal and animal protection programs.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 3:11 PM

I was in John Burris' class last night for your guest lecture and I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for coming and speaking to us. You have opened my mind so much and I think you are an amazing person and respect all that you are doing for the movement. I used to be a vegetarian but like most people, my friends and family talked me out of doing it telling me how crazy and difficult it was. Listening to your lecture not only made me furious at myself for stopping my practice but made me realize that it is silly and hypocritical to only be a vegetarian and now I plan to lead a vegan lifestyle. I immediately went home to tell my roommates about my decision and ended up getting into an hour long debate on why I was making this choice. It is so frustrating that people do not understand why it is so wrong and they just can not except that we do not need meat to live and we are not designed to eat meat; we only do so because we are selfish and want it. I don't understand how you travel around to universities speaking to students who are so close minded. A girl in my class literally walked out and said "well I'm going to McDonalds". I would have loved to get in an argument with her but I am not a very aggressive person. All I can say is thank you so much for opening my eyes back up to this and for reaching other people around the country. Hopefully we will eventually be able to reach more and more people and get them to open their eyes as well. I do have a couple of questions for you seeing as it will be a change from my past of being a vegetarian to now being a vegan. How do you know if bread or pasta products are vegan if they do not say so on the package? What do you look for in the ingredients of things to stay away from? If you have any other tips or tricks please let me know. I hope to stay in contact with you even though I'm sure you are extremely busy being awesome. Thank you so much once again!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 10:36 PM

We (my daughter and I) had to leave during the end of your speech tonight (during Q&A), and I regret that I couldn't tell you how much I appreciate you--and what you are doing. You are a fantastic human!! My daughter and I got so much from this tonight. I am ever grateful. I feel very inspired by what you enlightened me with--all of which falls in line with my core beliefs and my core being (and in my heart, I know what is right for me to do). I look forward to combing over your web page and educating myself further. I would love to know when you are coming back to town, as I would love to attend (and bring others, if possible). Next time I hope to ask the many questions that have since come to mind, since I left you (funny how that works!!). Thanks so much for allowing my daughter to join me--this meant so much! Have a wonderful night, and thank you--again, you are fabulous.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 1:37 PM

During Yourofsky's presentation, I learned more than I ever knew about how meat and dairy affect the human body. I was shocked to learn that our bodies were built like herbivores and not omnivores, and how consuming things such as meat, dairy and eggs is really bad for our bodies. One thing that stood out to me was the fact that 52% of meat eaters get heart disease or other life-threatening illnesses, while only less than 5% of vegan eaters do. But the video he showed was the thing that most affected me. I could not believe what I saw and I was struggling to hold back tears. Since his presentation to our class last Monday, I have not consumed one single piece of meat, dairy or eggs. I went to Kroger and bought all the vegan foods I could find. Now I feel better physically and mentally and i could not be happier to help the animals, as well as myself.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 8:46 AM

Thank you for coming to our class last Monday. The presentation was a little hard to handle at first, but I'm glad that I got to be there for it. The video that you showed us really drove the point home as to exactly how things work in a slaughterhouse. The mutilation of the animals alone (horns, beaks, etc.) was enough to open my eyes. I appreciate you talking to us about the different vegan foods as well. Because of your presentation I have started to integrate some vegan foods into my diet in lieu of meats. I haven't been able to completely change over night, but I decided to at least take steps to change. Thank you again for taking the time to remove the blinders.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 12:04 AM

I thought Yourofsky's presentation as a whole came off very bold and interesting. He knew what he was talking about and brought it all together. It was a view point I had honestly not ever considered, especially when you consider the treatment that most of those animals we consume. It is sad and I can even see now how it is unnecessary. He had several examples in which I really thought helped his presentation with what food alternatives are out there and how you really don't have to give anything up. There is pretty much an alternative to every kind of food you like. I can see that harming an animal simply for the purpose of our interest in its taste is not a justifying factor in taking away what is most important to that animal, that being its life. Not only taking that life away but at times doing so in some of the most inhumane ways possible. It is a way of life that can also be much healthier being a vegan. It is definitely a way of life I had previously never considered but now do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 9:17 PM

During your speech I believed that someone should be vegan because it is altogether healthier, it saves the lives of animals, it's unethical, and it is environmentally friendly. In reaction to your lecture, because I am now aware of the harm of eating land or marine animals, I've changed some of my eating habits. I'm not completely sure if I will become vegan, but I will definitely look.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 8:06 PM

My reaction to Yourofsky's lecture was very immediate. He definitely has a way at getting through to people. He taught me a lot about what really goes on with animal cruelty. He definitely opened my eyes to what goes on in the world when it comes to the animal torture that exists when making meat. I learned a lot of interesting facts about how humans are really herbivores. I thought it was interesting to learn about how our jaw motion is designed to chew up and down, not in a ripping motion. Also, the information about how our intestines are way to long to be meant for digesting meat. I learned a lot about health foods such as greens that contain a lot of protein. It's nice to know that I can get protein from something other then meat. All of the facts about how less then 5% of Vegans suffer from heart attack and stroke, compared to around 50% of meat eaters also hit real hard. I definitely will eat less meat in the future due to the lecture by Yourofsky.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 6:53 PM

Gary Yourofsky's lecture was extremely eye opening. I found all of his points to be completely valid, and have a hard time coming up with an argument for any of them. The information he gave about how dairy cattle are kept and treated makes me finally realize why dairy products create just as much harm as meat products. I also appreciate that he taught us how much healthier a vegan diet is, and brought in some different products as examples. I have already switched the milk I buy to soy milk, and fully intend to switch to a vegan diet over the next 4-6 months. I found the lecture overall to be full of extremely valuable information, and also very motivating to finally do the right thing when it comes to what I choose to put into my body.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 4:27 PM

Before you started speaking, I had thought that you would be just another animal rights activist that would attempt to persuade us that your beliefs are right and ours are wrong by using arguments based on emotion. And you did, but you also used arguments based on logic. I thought that many of your arguments were interesting because they were things that I had not known, like the statistics you gave that showed that vegans have a lower prevalence of things like cancer than people who eat meat. Or the argument that humans do not have any of the physical advantages that other carnivores and omnivores have, such as speed and claws. After hearing your speech, I've decided to gradually change my diet. I don't eat meat as often now, maybe four or five meals in a week. Eventually I want to be able to limit myself to not eating meat at all unless it's for a special occasion or holiday like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 4:25 PM

I really enjoyed the lecture and I've decided to become a vegan. I think what I learned the most is about how these slaughter houses brutally kill the animals. The sight of that was enough to change my mind about eating meat completely. I think his points about how our bodies aren't designed to eat meat as well the fact that we are trained as children to eat meat helped to seal the deal (Naturalistic Fallacy). I went to Kroger right after class and stocked up on some Boca and Morning Star products.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 2:23 PM

I was in Carrie Nicholson's PHI 2320 class when you presented a speech about vegenism, speciesism, and how horrible the slavery and murder of animals is. Carrie asked us what I reaction to your speech was and suggest we send you a copy. I would like you to read this since I was very inspired and appreciative of your speech. Thank you for speaking to our class, it was a pleasure. Here was my reaction: My reaction to Mr. Yourofsky's lecture was overwhelming. I was extremely ashamed at eating meat, especially because I have fought with it may whole life. I am an "on again of again" vegetarian. The taste, convince and the cheapness of meant made me continue to eat it, (along with allowing my fiancée do all the grocery shopping! Although I knew I was hurting an innocent being. I justified this by using excused like, "I'm too poor to be a vegetarian" or "they are going to be killed if I eat this or not". Aside from being ashamed and positive reaction to his lecture was that I have not eaten any cow, pig, or chicken since his lecture. I am working my way off of fish (sorry, I have reduced this a lot though). I learned a lot from his arguments of not only the cruelty, murder and slavery of the animals, but how they are killing us and destroying our health by pulling calcium form our bones and clogging our arteries with animal fat and destroying our environment with the unnecessary amounts of Nitrous Oxide as a result of the waste from the over breeding of these animals really opened my eyes. I was truly inspired and was amazed by his passion and sincerity to help save those who cannot save themselves. Another reaction I had to the lecture was the inspiration to spread his message and my new feelings about the awful treatment of animal. My place of work is getting sick of me talking about his lecture and video, and my best friend Amy (who like me is vegetarian only at times) has agreed to join me in stopping eating meat. I will be emailing Mr. Yourofsky to learn more about what I can to help or protest.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 11:02 AM

Yourofsky's lecture on not eating meat was very moving. I learned that the choices we make affect more than just ourselves. After listening to Yourofsky and watching the video I realized it is beyond unethical the way animals are treated for our consumption. I wouldn't treat my dog or my cat that way, and I wouldn't eat them either. Since his lecture I have adapted to vegetarianism, today marking one week, and I feel great. I am really glad we had him as a guest speaker, it is amazing how one person can really change the way you think about something. I guess as a meat eater I never thought about what my dinner went through on its way too my plate. Now I do and I have Carrie to thank for having Gary in to speak, and Gary for all of his words of wisdom. I also converted my boyfriend to vegetarianism.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2009 10:53 PM

The lecture opened my eyes to many aspects of animal treatment. He brought me back to think about the Golden rule, that we should treat animals like we would want to be treated, we would not want to be caged and killed for someone's meal. His lecture really opened my eyes to the slaughter house treatment of animals. I never realized (thought about) how horrible the animals were treated. He even made me think about the circus as well. I never really thought about the cages or the treatment of the circus animals. I am also amazed how many options vegans have to eat. I thought vegans ate mostly salads. I really appreciate the knowledge he has given me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2009 10:18 PM

After leaving your lecture I felt mislead by the advertisements such as "milk does a body good." Learning about how they impregnate the cows, I found this totally gross, and very disturbing. I never thought about the fact that the cows are like us, in that they can only produce milk after giving birth. Splitting a newborn and their mother apart for our selfish needs is just not right.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2009 8:44 PM

Gary Yourofsky was able to put "What we call human emotions" in terms of how a animal feels things. We are trained to look at animals as a food source with blinders on. If we had to look the animal in the eyes and then kill it, we might all just become vegans. The senses of fear, pain, suffering, and happiness whether it a human or non-human is recognized by all living beings. Gary has definitely changed my views on how we treat animals that we share this world with. Gary's has an argument that one can hardly disagree upon.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2009 12:33 PM

Why someone should be Vegan: A person should be vegan because the process of killing and torturing innocent animals with cognitive capabilities is cruel and immoral. another reason why someone should become vegan is that the consumptions of animal products can be detrimental to a person's heath with the regulations of Fats and Proteins, Fats for causing blockages of arteries, and digestions on animal proteins to cause an increase in proton levels in blood causing a higher acidity and thus having to breakdown bone tissue to restore Blood calcium level. Lastly you should be a vegan because there is enough food that is being used to feed the animal industry that if we stop artificial inseminating animals and allow them to naturally reproduce we would lower the amount of animals on the planet naturally solving a major issue in global warming and also be able to ship the corn and soy along with other feed around.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 7:17 PM

Going into this lecture I thought Yourofsky would provide only examples of the cruelty of slaughterhouses and farms and use this as evidence as why we should not eat meat. However, I was pleasantly surprised to hear the numerous arguments he made for being a vegan. In particular, I found his argument about the affects of having so many cows has on our environment. I never linked the wide consumption of meat to the problem of global warming. This detail was a real eye-opener for me. Overall, I thought Yourofsky's lecture was interesting and informative, however, he never cited any information about his claims that a vegan lifestyle was healthier. He simply referred to "the Asian study" and other anecdotal evidence to support his claim that a vegan lifestyle was healthier.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 5:41 PM

Thank you for giving us an eye opening lecture on Monday. I hope to change my lifestyle gradually from now on. Our professor, Carrie Nicholson, asked us to write a response to the lecture and what we learned. Here's what I wrote: In my family I have always been known as a carnivore. I ate more meat than my family combined, including my father. I'm not stupid, I knew that animals went through a lot of suffering in slaughter houses but I never really thought about it. I didn't care to think about it; meat tasted good and I didn't want to feel bad about eating it. After that video though, I saw myself as an enabler to something evil. I won't say that I have become a vegan, but since that lecture I haven't had the urge to eat much meat, and I hope that in the very near future I can stop eating meat overall. One thing that shocked me was the effect on the environment by this process of producing and killing animals. You always hear on TV and read in books about the effects of factories and cars on the environment, but you never hear anyone mention slaughter houses or animal farms. For the past 4 or 5 days I have been walking around spitting out facts mentioned during the lecture, for instance how milk has pus, our body's physiology is that of a herbivore not omnivore or carnivore, the effects it has on the environment, and the physical and psychological abuse they make the animals go through. It was a great lecture that helped me learn a lot about what I'm putting into my body and I've been eating a lot more tofu lately.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 5:41 PM

Yourofsky gave several arguments against eating meat. Listening and watching the gruesome movie of the slaughter house video just made me sick to my stomach. I could not even watch the video for 2 minutes I had to look away. Since I was younger and till this day I love animals. It just breaks my heart of how much suffering that they go through just to feed humans in this world. That is the first time I have ever watched a slaughter house video. After learning that meat isn't even good for your body and can only cause diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease. That made me not want to eat meat anymore. It was also interesting how humans Physiology are of Herbivores not carnivores. I was always taught that meat protein was good for me especially if I lift weights. It only contributes to my high cholesterol. Since this lecture on why someone should be vegan I stopped eating red meats for good. Yourofsky was a very effective animal rights activist.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 12:46 PM

My reaction to his lecture was some what of an eye opener and a wake up call. Before the lecture I did not realize how brutal people are to animals just so we can have a meal. I'm not saying I'm going to become a vegan or vegetarian but it did give me a lot to think about. I plan on trying a couple vegan meals and I no longer want to drink milk and have not decided how I feel about eggs yet.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 12:35 PM

I enjoyed his presentation a lot and even wrote him an email the next day asking when and where he will be presenting again because I would like to take my girlfriend to listen to him. To be honest with you that two and half hours he presented were one of the best two and a half hours I have spent in any classroom: I myself am a vegetarian, that is why when you (CARRIE) asked the class what we thought about Peter Singer's views on animals, I was the first (and only) person to say that he is right. So when Gary came into our class and gave his presentation, I new a lot of the things he said because I either read about it or thought about it. However, I learned a lot about Veganism, I did not know that they use machines to withdrawal milk and that it sometimes withdrawals pus. I also did not know that our jaws were formed for us to be vegetarians and not meat eaters. I also learned about a lot of new vegetarian/vegan options that are available in some grocery stores. It was also amazing to see the way animals are treated in slaughterhouses; the image of one of the animals that has its horn chopped off has not left my mind.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 5:21 PM

This was a reflection on your presentation at Wayne State in Carrie Nicholson's class: "From Yourofsky's lecture I have learned a great deal about the rights of animals and why it is more natural for humans to be vegans rather than omnivorous. I was very surprised to see the differences in health between cultures that eat meat as a primary food source and those that do not. It was also surprising to listen to all of the biological factors that relate humans to herbivores and separate us from carnivores such as our long intestines which are best for digesting plants, and our laterally moving jaw which is best used to grind down plants rather than tear meat. Another portion of the presentation that I believed made a good point for a vegan lifestyle rather than a carnivorous one was the portion he dedicated talking about religious views concerning animal rights and freedoms. He quoted many religious texts and made his point that the rights of animals were just as important as the rights of humans according to those texts was very clear and concise. The presentation was an eye opening experience and made me critically evaluate a subject that I had previously never given a thought to."

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 9:24 AM

I was in your Monday lecture in Carrie Nicholson's class. I just wanted to tell you that I was really affected by what you said. You said a lot of things that really hit home in my eyes and it really made sense. I honestly haven't been able to even think about eating meat since Monday! I would really like a major lifestyle change beginning with the way I eat. The problems that I am facing right now is that I am always on the go and I am also a very picky eater. I have to pack for the day and I am having problems finding things that I can eat and grab on the go. But I am really excited to try this new way of living. Please let me know if you have any suggestions about starting a vegan life. Thank you so much for coming to our class and opening my eyes.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 9:13 AM

I was at your lecture at Wayne State University in Carrie Nicholson's class. I wanted to say that your lecture was very inspiring. I always knew slaughterhouses were bad and unacceptable but it never stopped me from eating chicken or seafood. I also always wondered why vegans don't eat cheese or dairy because I thought they were produced more naturally, not so inhumane. I must admit however that although your lecture was inspiring I probably will not become a full out vegan however I can see myself eating less meat and being vegan a few days a week and who knows...maybe one day I will make that transition. Thank you for the eye-opening lecture.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 4:39 PM

During your lecture against eating meat, I found the idea that 'animals do not belong to us' to be very compelling. I had never thought about this concept in this way, but after thinking about it, animals were put on the earth for their own sakes, and not for our own benefits. After watching the video of the slaughterhouse, I had a new viewpoint on the meat/dairy industry. After learning about the number of animals we raise to kill and eat each year, I left the lecture enlightened, and have not eaten meat/dairy since.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 1:17 PM

I just listened to you in my ethics class and I found your speech so moving I am writing to you from my phone. I realized that I have distanced myself so far from the connection between animals and animal products that it has never bothered me. I believe everything you said to be completely correct and factual and I believe we all need to change. I am everything that you talked about that is bad in your speech but I would not be writing you right now if I didn't think I should change. I never realized there were so many aspects to the argument of veganism and I found it astonishing. My mom has had cancer twice and eats all organic foods so I am not a complete stranger to natural and vegan products in fact I love Mustard Seed. However it is clearly not my lifestyle and I truly want to change it. I know you said you had tips to transitioning on your site, but maybe you could correspond with me as well as I'm sure it will be overwhelming. Thank you for speaking to my class today it was a privilege hearing you and you have truly changed my outlook on many things.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 1:09 PM

I recently heard your lecture during my Ethics class at Wayne State. It was very moving and eye opening. I can't seem to get the powerful message out of my head and see visions of the video every time I lay eyes on a piece of meat. I am undoubtedly going vegetarian to start and then take it from there. However, I wanted to ask you about your lecture. Do you do lectures to elementary aged children - a G version? I will be teaching in the public schools soon and I think a lecture for younger children could do wonders, just as the anti-smoking campaign did. Besides the obvious "don't smoke" message for children, so many children went home and told their parents the evils of smoking and I'm sure many took heed.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 3:45 PM

I'm one of the students who attended the presentation you made in professor Skrbina's class at UMD today. I was tempted to skip class today, but am now glad I didn't. I think i needed to see this presentation, because while i knew animals died for some of my food, i didn't realize how bad they were tormented before they died. And while i can handle seeing a LOT in terms of bloody gore scenes, watching those animals suffer like that affected even me - and blood in it of itself doesn't generally bother me - that was just SICK. anyways, i was curious about the jail time and country bannings. How did you manage to get to the mink cages to release them? it would seem logical that those mink factory workers had a pretty high security system going on. so it boggles my mind how you managed to get in. i understand if you can't or won't say, but it's something i was wondering but didn't really want to ask in class.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 2:50 PM

I'm a student from U of M Dearborn. First off, I loved your lecture this morning! Thank you for coming out, it really meant a lot. You told the truth, the plain and simple truth, and I hope a lot of minds were changed due to that. And just as you said, my "blinders" came off. I've been vegetarian for almost five years now. It's like breathing. So simple and natural I don't even think about it anymore. After your lecture I felt a sense of guilt wash over me. I knew a lot of the information that you presented, but for some reason I just did nothing about it. I've been half ass about my lifestyle. It's not fair to myself and to animals to not fully commit to being vegan. A lot of my friends are already vegan, but I'm the one who's still addicted to milk, cheese, etc. It just seemed too hard to be vegan. But I realize now that I just didn't want it enough to change. Now I see no point not to become vegan. Dairy is the only thing I still have to give up. It will be the hardest change, but the most fulfilling change of my life. I want to be enlightened. I want a pure honest life free of ignorance. And I want the same for other animals. So I'm convinced to change. I convinced myself not to be vegan for stupid reasons that are now crumbling before the truth. No more excuses! So thank you for giving me that extra kick in the ass to fully start changing my life for the greater good of myself and animals. I'm going to share what I learned from your lecture with my mother and sister, whom are also vegetarian, in hope of inspiring them to make the change to become vegan as well. My father however still eats meat, so I'm hoping to guide him in the right direction before its too late.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 2:50 PM

i attended the lecture that you gave today at the university of michigan-dearborn. i liked it. i am already a pretty strict vegetarian and am aware of most of the things you talked about. there were a few facts that i didn't know and i was glad to have learned them. i'm really glad you're out doing this for the people who don't know. hopefully they'll unlearn the terrible ways of the present.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 2:37 PM

I just wanted to thank you for your lecture on Monday night, which was very insightful and not at all "preachy" as many vegan lecturers can be at times. I have always considered becoming a vegetarian, and your arguments helped to clarify many questions I have had for sometime. It was very interesting to learn that human bodies are herbivorous rather than carnivorous as many believe, and that by avoiding animal protein many diseases can be prevented such as heart disease and osteoporosis. Also it was interesting to hear religious arguments. I especially liked how you said that no religion mandates eating animals. The last thing I learned is that becoming vegan doesn't mean you have to take in bottles of vitamins. Thanks again and keep up your work!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 2:26 PM

First off, i want say thank you, I learned many points about being a vegan. My reaction to your lecture was shocking. I have never seen an actual slaughterhouse killing animals. I do eat meat but just seeing the pain and suffering the animals went through made me sick to my stomach. One very good argument you used was the Golden Rule concept. Do unto others as one would want to themselves. These animals did not want to die and neither does any human. God created all things including wheat, soy, etc. to eat so why go to one of God's creatures to have on your dinner plate. We should all be considered equal. This is proved also from by using the word speciesism - it is unethical to think that the human species has every right to behave differently because of who they are. If a cow could talk I'm sure she would say please don't eat me today. I am now going to view meat as an unethical way of eating and I am going to view your website for non-meat friendly options.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 12:47 AM

You spoke in my class last Tuesday. I have been toying with the idea of not eating meat for some time and immediately after your lecture I made the plunge and have not eaten meat since. I really appreciate what you are doing and intend to join your cause. Thanks for the inspiration.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 12:21 AM

I sat in the presentation that you gave Monday night, it was very good. I am currently a vegetarian and I try to promote it to others. My girlfriend, who is Hindu and raised a vegetarian, is now an animal eater. I would really like for her to see you present one of your presentations in person. Is there any way this is possible?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 11:00 PM

Thank you for coming to our philosophy class at Wayne State on Monday, April 20. Your presentation was life changing. Please see my response to one of our test questions. May God bless your efforts toward saving animals.

"Yourofsky's presentation was powerful and life-changing to say the least. Based on his description and graphic footage of the slaughter house, I strongly believe that eating meat is immoral due to the pain and suffering we put animals through. Because animals have the ability to suffer, they further have moral rights according to Singer's definition of who has "interests" in his Principle of Equal Consideration making it immoral to use them as a means to an end. I further believe that eating meat is immoral because of Yourofsky's argument that animals do have the ability to think rationally, meaning that they are aware of what is occurring. This further leads to the fact that animals experience fear and sorrow when undergoing such torture."

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 6:14 PM

I was in the class that you did a presentation for today at University of Michigan-Dearborn. I just wanted to tell you that you really inspired me to want to become a vegan. I was the girl that came in late to class today. I apologize for that by the way, but what is even more weird about me coming late, is that I actually was not going to come at all. Wow! I am sooooo glad I decided to come though. Your lecture really got to me and it really made me realize the truth about our country and animals. I recently just went on your website and I find it really useful and helpful. Thanks for such a eye opening lecture! :)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 2:07 PM

I just wanted to say that you gave a great lecture. It was really eye opening. I'd like to make the full transition to a vegan. Thanks for the truth you have shared.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2009 12:53 AM

I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know how much I enjoyed your visit yesterday. If nothing else, you have provoked a great deal of self examination in me. maybe it will even lead to great things; I think self examination always should.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2009 12:29 AM

I absolutely loved your presentation today and I hope you end up doing more of them. I stopped by Mustard Seed today after class and bought some food. Eventually, I hope to get to a point where I can become vegan because the food is so much better. I'm definitely going to try and break my old habits. Good luck with your future efforts.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 4:00 PM

I attended your lecture at Cecil College in Paul Bauer's class sociology 101. You may or not remember me, but I think I will always remember what you have taught me. I want to thank you for lifting the blinders from my eyes and helping me learn so much. I had no idea about the cruelty and abuse animals endure every day. I just wanted to thank you again for what you've done for me, the animals, and so many others.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 5:27 PM

Just wanted to let you know that I thought that you were amazing! I completely respect what you do!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 4:52 PM

I wanted to let you know what an awesome person you are. You are intelligent and courageous and you are making the world a better place.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 11:09 AM

A little while back this year, you came to Georgia Tech and gave a presentation on why you believed we should not be eating animals. As well as enjoying your presentation and insight, I found common ground with your views, and I would like to make the transition over time to non-animal derived foods. Would you mind directing me to some sources to listings of products that I can purchase in order to get to that point.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 7:38 PM

About a year ago, you did a presentation in a philosophy class at the University of Akron, in Ohio. I was there. I decided that day to try being vegan for 2 weeks, see how it was, then make a choice if I wanted to stick with it. My sister had been a vegan for years, so I was rather familiar with it, but always skeptical as well. Well, long story short, I did it, liked it, stuck with it, been a vegan for about a year now. I'm currently shopping for shoes online actually, and ran across a mention of your site, which I hadn't viewed since that first week, and decided to give a follow up. I just wanted to let you know that what you're doing makes a difference, and has a positive impact. Thanks for doing your part, and helping me to do mine.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 1:14 PM

You came to Cecil College today to speak in Bauer's class about veganism. I didn't have the opportunity to talk with you after class, but I just wanted to say thank you for coming out to speak with us. Both my boyfriend Adam and I were very fascinated with your presentation and have decided to change our lifestyles vegan. I have never been fully introduced to the idea of veganism until today. The health factors as well as the ethical stand point outweigh my former lifestyle. Still living at home, I have always been expected to eat animal products. I am planning to transfer to UMBC this summer and feel as though this new change will positively influence my health, and allow me to fully respect the animals that God put on this earth. I am also in Bauer's Ethics class and will be attending your presentation again tomorrow. I can't thank you enough for opening my eyes today.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 11:51 PM

I was in Doctor Bauer's 10AM sociology class that you spoke at today. Thank you so much for coming. I've been a vegetarian for a year and a half now, but I continued to eat eggs, milk, and honey because I had figured "It doesn't really hurt the animals to use their byproducts, they're not getting killed, right?". I realize now even as I type it out how outrageous that claim is, and how blind and hypocritical I was being. Your video, and even more so, your lecture, really moved me. As of today I am adopting a vegan lifestyle. I know its easy to say that I am going vegan, and that doing it is another story, but I'm very serious. I know that making the transition from vegetarianism will be different from, and perhaps more challenging than the transition from meat-eater to vegetarian, but I know that every time I look at a piece of cheese, or a plate of scrambled eggs, I am going to go back to that same disgusted, guilty feeling I got from watching your video. Although you probably hear this all the time, if not every day, I want you to know you changed my life today. I think it's really important that you know you're doing the right thing, going out and educating people about this injustice. Your time and effort are certainly making a huge difference, please don't stop teaching.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 1:26 PM

I was absolutely amazed by your lecture in class today. I am hoping you get on youtube soon because I would show everyone I know. I am majoring in marine biology and I am a passionate animal lover. But yet, I eat meat and seafood everyday. Seafood is my favorite growing up next to a bay, I didn't have a choice but to be submerged in it. I even am in a fisheries group to save fish, oysters, and crabs; yet I consume them just as much as the next person. I was a major hypocrite and your speech today let me know what the hell I was doing. The video was the thing that got me thinking about being a vegan. I knew it was happening, but I never thought it affected me, until now. I'm sure you get this kind of email all the time after your lecture but I wanted to tell you to keep doing this as much as possible!! It is making a difference and I hope I wasn't the only one who decided to change certain things in my life. I don't know if I could be a complete vegan, but a vegetarian is doable. At least for now.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 2:33 PM

I was at one of your lectures at UTEP. Ever since your lecture I shifted to veganism. I have read your webpage over and over again. I now can't look a steak without getting mad at the people eating it. I'm convincing my family and friends to turn vegan, and I think it's working! Also I want to do some lectures at high schools in Juarez, Mexico, and I was wondering if I could use the info you told us during class. thank you so much for your moving lectures.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 10:06 PM

I was one of the students that heard your speech in Dr. Samuel Cocks' class on Monday. I was the one that asked you why you did not eat honey. Anyways, I wanted to say thank you for educating us on such a topic that isn't very popular amongst us. I now understand the logic behind not eating meat. I walked in to the classroom with a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich and walked out never wanting to touch meat again. I must say your speech will not go without being recognized by definitely will consume less meat and as time goes on I am looking forward to eliminating it from my lifestyle. I cannot promise that I will go vegan but vegetarian will be my goal. Once again I'd like to thank you for educating us because I think that the reason that we still have a huge majority of meat eaters is because of ignorance so again thank you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 10:04 PM

i saw you today in Mr Short's ethics class. nice work. you made quite an impression! I went out and bought soy milk and cheese. never felt better. Those poor animals facing certain death knowing this and wondering why. It is horrible too see the look in their eyes. I am a local musician and would like to help out anyway i can.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2009 8:42 PM

I am not sure if you remember me, you spoke to my class with Dr. Ruggiero at UTEP a couple of weeks back. I was the girl who was deeply moved to tears by your presentation and I spoke to you briefly after class. Just to let you know, I have been completely vegan for 4 weeks now and have even converted my mom and sister as well :) Thank you for an awesome and life changing presentation, I am forever thankful! I am working on a story about veganism and how it coincides and/or conflicts with religious views. In my story I want to highlight how veganism is actually supported by certain religious views and even biblical scriptures. I have some contacts such as priests and preachers with a religious background, but I was wondering if I could use you for some quotes as well. I have just a few questions prepared for you that you can answer through e-mail if you choose to be part of my assignment. I hope you will :) Please let me know if you will be able to answer some brief questions through e-mail or telephone (whichever is easier for you). My story is due this Thursday so if you could get back to me before this Wednesday I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you so much, I look forward to hearing from you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2009 12:50 PM

I am a student a student at Oakland Community College and I was wondering if could ask you questions on animal cruelty. I was one of the students in Ms. Droba's class in which you spoke in. I thought your speech was very moving, informative and influenced me to stop eating so much meat though sometimes its hard for me to. I am writing a paper in my English class about is it necessary to kill animals. In my paper I need to interview a person and ask them questions about my subject. I thought you would be the best person to ask these questions to The questions are as follows: What was your life like before being a vegan? What made you become a vegan? Did it take you a long time to change your lifestyle? What is your daily diet consist of? Has your health changed at all? Anything else besides your health change?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2009 12:36 AM

You came and did a lecture at Oakland Community College back in December 2008 for Aletia Droba's philosophy class. I have to say you changed my life in a great way. Even though I don’t agree 100% with you all the time I made the switch later to being a vegetarian with little to almost no dairy in my diet. I have just recently begun to put together a website of my own to promote meat free living and an end to cruelty. I was wondering if you would give me permission to put information about you, what you do, and a link to your page on my website.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 3:30 PM

I wanted to thank you personally for coming to speak at the University of Central Florida. I heard you lecture in John Burris’ class. I thoroughly enjoyed the speech. I gave you your request of an open mind, and it has truly been a blessing to me. Before your lecture I did not have a closed mind about the subject of animal rights and veganism, however I never took the time to actually open my eyes and see what exactly the issue is all about. Looking back at times before your lecture, I cannot believe how I could have missed the incredible ethical problems that speciesism contains. Since hearing your lecture I have stopped eating meat and other animal products. Not only does my body feel amazingly healthier, but ethically and spiritually I can actually feel better about living as a being on the Earth. My mother and sister have adopted a vegetarian diet and have significantly reduced their intake of other animal products. This diet is a fantastic thing to share with my family. I cannot thank you enough for both the information you provided for me and the manner in which it was presented. The lecture certainly got the point across that there really is only one ethical choice. I am truly grateful that I was able to hear your lecture. I would be honored to treat you to a meal at "The Garden Cafe" on Colonial Drive whenever you are in Orlando.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 1:29 AM

I really enjoyed your lecture when you came and visited Cal State Long Beach. I had already dabbed a little into animal cruelty and vegetarianism, but it was your lecture that really convinced me I need to make a change not just for my own sake but for that of the animals. It really opened up my mind to the reality of these issues. I am really enjoying your site, I feel like there is so much information to be learned and an answer for every question people have about being vegan! I was just wondering what kinds of vegan dog foods there were and where I could find them. Thanks again!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 12:19 PM

I was in the Critical Thinking class taught by Dr. Valerie Santos that you spoke to yesterday. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know you've more than likely changed my lifestyle. Thanks for opening my eyes.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 12:07 PM

wow! i wish i'd known about your site sooner. you speak of all that i've ever wondered. sadly, i've only known what the propagandists say, although i suspected otherwise. i hope you take it as a compliment, i will be quoting you many, many times from now on. thank you for your candor and your website, but mostly for caring enough to do it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 12:18 AM

I just wanted to say your presentation was awesome! I want to know if you have any other presentation that I could take my boyfriend to.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 5:23 PM

I am a senior in Forest Hills High School. I am doing a research paper along with two of my classmates for an academic scholarship program called WISE which deals with Quality of Life Issues. This is a paper where a problem is introduced and a solution is proposed. The quality of life problem that we chose is Preventing Domestic Animal Abuse and steps to take to stop it. Our main goal for this paper is to make people our age aware of this problem. One of the requirements for submitting this paper is to have an interview and we would really appreciate it if the time out to have an interview with us.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 9:50 PM

A friend of my sisters heard you talk recently in Akron and is now veggie! You’re amazing! Congrats on another convert!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 7:07 PM

I'm a student at Del Mar college in Corpus Christi, TX. We met after your Q&A on Thursday March 11. You told me about a vegan version of Chorizo, I was wondering if knew the particular brand or if I should look for different ones. Thanks I really enjoyed your talk you really opened my eyes. Take care of yourself.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 11:57 AM

I am a student from UTEP in Dr. Best's ethics class. First of all I would like to thank you for coming to El Paso and helping us realize how people treat animals. Since it has made an impact in my life I would like to ask some questions as primary source that I am going to have for an English essay (hoping to have an impact in someone's life, after they also realize what is going on). I would also like to have your permission to quote your comments in my essay and in a documentary we are going to do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:28 PM

I was in the Ethics class with Dr. Best that you gave your presentation to yesterday. You totally changed my life. I was a vegetarian for 4 years and because of your presentation i am taking the next step and becoming a vegan. Thank you so much for opening my eyes and changing my life for the better Gary, and i am sure you here that hear that often but i am truly thankful for your effect on my life.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 1:23 PM

I just wanted to go ahead and say your lecture was great! I am a vegetarian and I have been now for a couple of years. I made the decision on my own because I guess unlike most people, I never stopped loving animals after my childhood. Ever since I was small I was able to make that connection that I was eating misery, and I never believed those stupid pictures of the farm animals singing and dancing in the farms the meat industry painted out for us. I have to say, you convinced me to give up milk. I hope your lecture had an impact on the rest of the class, especially after that video, because sometimes people do need to see it with their eyes and realize there is no excuse for what happens in those slaughterhouses. My major is accounting and I hope to even go to graduate school and get a masters, because I would just love to one day have the money to begin a vegetarian fast food chain. All the people I come across always panic "oh my God if I become a vegetarian or vegan what will I eat?!" and so it is from there that I would like people to consider an alternative. Of course it seems like I am only dreaming, but I just want to do something in my life to benefit animals. Well I will let you go now as I am sure you have other e-mails waiting, but I just wanted to let you know the impact your lecture had on me. Thanks for giving animals a voice.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 12:41 PM

I was one of the students present at your lecture at UTEP and I just wanted to take this time to say thank you for your enlightened lecture. My ethics class has really opened my eyes to veganism and I am proud to say that I have joined this cruel-free lifestyle. Your website is a great tool and reference for all my questions. Thank you for being a great animal rights activists, the world needs so many more people like yourself.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 6:20 PM

I was in Dr. Ruggiero's class this afternoon when you lectured on veganism. I'm an editor at El Paso Magazine and the editor-in-chief, Lisa Degliantoni, hosts a local radio show each morning. I mentioned your lecture to her and she asked that I approach you about possibly coming in as a guest on her show. Thank you for your presentation, I was really impressed by it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 5:48 PM

I was in Mrs. Braseltons 3 pm class today at USI and just wanted to say thank you for coming. I was very grossed out about the video but it really made me think about things. Everything you said seemed very true and I am thinking about changing my lifestyle. I have always thought about it and def didn't know what they did to animals. I hope we can stay in contact and you can tell me some more about what it is like to become vegan. The way the class was you may have hit a few other people as well. If you don't mind me asking how old are you really? Because you def don't look your age. Again thank you for coming to speak with us.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:59 PM

I'm from Germany. I just stumbled across your story online. I haven't heard about you before. I just wanted to tell you that I'm grateful for all you do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:25 PM

I was in your lecture today for Garret Merriam's class at USI. I just have one quick question for you. Is it healthy to go from eating meat straight to being a vegan? I didn't know if you're body would need time to adjust to the different way of eating. Any help would be greatly appreciated, this is something I've been thinking of doing for quite some time and your presentation just hit home. Keep up the good work!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 6:27 PM

I am a student in Dr. John Burris' "Buddhist Thought" class. I saw you speak a few weeks ago in his class. I am a creative writing major and I've been assigned to write a profile of someone for my "Magazine Writing" class. Your presentation was very powerful, and I really appreciated your well-informed, no bullshit was of speaking to us. Like sensible adults. I was wondering if you would mind allowing me to do my article on you, and if you would be available for an interview in the near future? Since I've already seen your presentation and I imagine you are no longer in the Orlando area, an interview over the phone would suffice just fine. I am interested in how you got from being a habitual meat eater to dedicating your life to spreading awareness on the urgency of adopting a vegan lifestyle. I am interested in your many acts of protest and completely selfless way of spreading the message. I am also interested in how the vegan movement has changed since you've been a part of it, for better or for worse, and what your thoughts are on the change (or lack thereof) that you see on a daily basis. If you could be of any help, I would greatly appreciate it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 9:26 PM

I was in the 1:10-2:00 p.m. philosophy class you spoke in at the University Of Akron. And I'm a new Vegan myself, my girlfriend turned me onto it at the end of my senior year and I've been going strong ever since, I just want you to know that I love what you're doing and if I had the money I would sponsor you as long as I could, I'm not too religious but I know when to pray for something and I'm going to pray for you because I fully believe in what you're doing and one day I hope to be on the band wagon. If you ever run out of resources on this side of the world you always have a home in akron, ohio. I would love to help you if you were ever in need. Thanks again and Godspeed. One day we'll change the world!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 3:38 PM

I attended your lectures on Feb. 20 & 23 at the University of Akron and was blown away. My girlfriend and sister are both vegetarian and have been trying to convince me for years to change my eating habits, with no success. The arguments you presented and the approach of explaining logically and not just showing images of cruelty to shock the audience into becoming a vegan were more convincing then anything I've heard. I would like to make a change and become vegan but don't know how to start. It seems like a process as difficult as quitting smoking (which I have some experience with) and I wanted to know if there were any strategies that you would suggest to someone who loves the taste of meat/dairy but has come to terms with the cruelty involved and immediate need to stop. Thank you sincerely for coming to my class and speaking, if you have any suggestions outside of my question, please include them.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 2:30 PM

I didn't get a chance to speak to you after class today (I was in the Intro to Philosophy class from 1:10-2:00 at Akron), as you had another class to rush off to, but I wanted to thank you. But your presentation really moved me, and after class I ended up going to our store in the student union to see what they had. I got soy milk and some fruit and went back to my room to think. It hardly took long for me to start crying when I thought back to the videos and all you had said, and I threw out all my dairy products, along with anything I found that contained animal products on their labels. I went to the Mustard Seed market and bought some of the vegan food and food substitutes, and have happily changed my diet. I just wanted to share my story with you, and thank you for taking the time and effort to travel around and speak with people. Especially after the rather intense arguments and debates, I thought you may like to know that you did touch at least one person. I wish all the best for you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2009 4:20 PM

I heard you talk Tuesday evening last week at OCC. We didn't know what topic we were hearing a lecture on, only that we had a guest speaker. I walked in class, saw the words on the bored, rolled my eyes and prepared to be bored at the least, and irritated at the most, for the next hour. I've heard partial vegetarian and vegan arguments before, and I was not interested in the new age tree hugging hippie crap. I am a Christian, and God created us and the animals this way, and I like steak, so don't waste your breath. Well, I have not eaten a bite of meat, and I have been totally vegan to the best of my knowledge since that night, granted it was only a week or so ago, but I do not see it changing anytime. I cannot stomach the thought of it. The video called to my attention things that I had refused to acknowledge prior, appealed to my compassion as a Christian and as a human, and sickened me. I was nauseous and teary by the end of it. That alone may not have done it though, the sensationalized images would've soon faded and I'd have been back to my normal ways. Then, you brought to my attention that not only is it not good for you, but its unnecessary. So if I don't need it nutritionally (and am in fact better off without it), and I am completely opposed to it on an ethical level, why would I continue to do it? Easy decision, its only logical on every level. Cheese and eggs will be hard, but I just can't do it. I'm a mom, so impregnating cows and then taking their calves away was knowledge that I did not have, and seriously upset me on a maternal level. I refuse to be a part of that. The fact that it costs us calcium, to take in calcium and animal protein just makes me feel like an idiot for buying into it all these years. Cows milk is for baby cows, not us, and umm its pus! Ewww! I cannot support an industry that does these things. And my "God created these ways" argument is crap. Not only are we talking about human mass-produced animals, not God created ones, but I find it hard to believe that my loving compassionate merciful God intended this treatment of any of his creatures. So, here I am, Vegan. Now I have a few issues, and I have no one else to turn to. Why does it [VEGANISM] make so many people angry? I figured my "I'm a Vegan" statement would be met with eye-rolling and an air of patronization, but what's with so many people being pissed off about it? I have not attempted to turn anybody, but I have answered the "why are you a vegan" question with my reasons, and people want to argue with me. They get MAD. I just don't understand. I don't feel like it's a choice, or a decision, it just makes too much sense. For a minute I was angry that you took my blinders away, and now I am just mildly irritated that I can't just grab something and eat it without reading and deciphering ingredients but I am compelled now. I realize things I didn't realize before, and I'm all done being a part of it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 10:45 PM

I heard your speech monday night. I had already been a lacto-ovo-vegetarian for about a week before I heard you speak and then you inspired me to go vegan. I just got back from the store with my soymilk, tofu, soy-yogurt, and several other items (that didn't cost much) and declared that I was vegan to my family (I kept it secret for quite a while - while I was vegetarian). Everyone just totally freaked out and now my boyfriend refuses to go out to eat with me anymore (I told him that it was his loss). I truly felt like an outcast and I kept having to think to myself, "this is for the animals, they are the ones in the wrong." and it made me feel better about the situation. The only two people who support me are my best friend Paula and my oldest sister Brenda. Well, everyone just cooled down a little bit ago, and now I feel like I can truly be who I've wanted to be for such a long time, or in other words, I can be myself :) I just wanted to say thank you for your inspiration. I don't want to hurt my conscience any longer. Lemon Sorbet and Tofu ice cream taste /much/ better than any dairy ice cream I've had! With Gratitude.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 6:02 PM

I think you won over a convert Griselle, who made the announcement for Citizens for Pets in Condos was unaware about how animals are being treated. She was there for my organization, as a dog walker who cares about companion animals.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 11:49 AM

I had the pleasure of making your acquaintance last Wednesday at Florida International University. Thank you again for devoting your life to the most just cause on the face of the Earth. You are already a hero and the history books will remind the vegans of the future how your civil disobedience, educational campaign, and compassion brought the laws to completely ban the abuse of animals. Thank you. I wanted to ask you, please, if you could supply a quote for the paper I am writing Again, I can't tell you how grateful I am that you have the courage to destroy oppression with your bare hands, your heart, and your soul. You are my hero.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 7:01 PM

A few days ago you visited my critical thinking and ethics class. At first I wasn't very interested in what you had to say, but during the speech my mind changed. I was very impacted by the video and learned a lot from your speech. Thank you for sharing this with me and my class. I have two dogs which I call my babies, and whenever i saw an animal being tortured I thought of them. I am on my way to explore veganism. I find it to be my own way of protest against the cruel nature of man against animal. I came home and told my little brother all about it. Which brings me to my point for this email. Are you doing another speech? if yes, When and Where?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 5:07 PM

You recently came to my world religions class (taught by John Burris) at the University of Central Florida. You do not have to respond to this e-mail, but I just wanted to thank you so much for coming in. You have completely changed my perspective. I cried uncontrollably throughout the entire video of the slaughterhouses, it honestly broke my heart to see. And I have been officially vegan since I heard you speak and I have already converted two of my best friends. I'm glad there was someone like you to open my incredibly shielded eyes, keep doing what you're doing. You're website is also extremely helpful! I'm going to keep trying to convert people on my end as well.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 9:10 AM

I just wanted to take this chance and thank you for guest speaking in my class on Monday night in Prof Colagrande's class. Your lecture made me open my eyes to the cruelty of animals, and I was very moved by the movie you showed us. To come to terms with how animals are being treated really opened my blinds that were blinding me. I am pleased to say I'm am going to try and kick any animal cruelty habits I have. I am going to stand up for my animal friends and I am going to try my hardest to go vegan and save hundreds and thousands of animals. Along with me, I'll be dragging my partner as well to try to become vegan with me. I'm glad I had the opportunity to see your lecture, and I believe what you're doing is phenomenal. Maybe in a few years when I grow more balls, I can actually stand up for my animal friends. But for now, I can simply choose to not eat them. Thank you again for the chance to see what our society is doing to these poor innocent animals.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 3:46 PM

Today you gave a lecture in my classroom at 11:00 A.M. for Professor Charles Fink at Miami Dade College. I spoke to you briefly outside of class. I wanted to tell you once again that your lecture was wonderful and I'm glad I got a chance to hear you speak. I was very moved by everything you said.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 2:36 PM

Your lecture was fantastic and very inspiring, I'll work with my friend Jenny to get us both into a cruelty-free lifestyle.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 12:18 AM

I was in the John Burris' Religion class. I wanted to tell you how much i enjoyed your visit. As I'm writing you, I'm actually eating a very delicious Original Vegan Boca Burger with a side of Brussel Sprouts. I made sure when I cooked the Bog Burger that the Pam I used on the pan was free of any animal products. The vegetarian meals have improved by far. Can you send you the names of some the other brands and products you really like?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 12:31 PM

Yesterday my classmates and I had a chance to hear you speak at UCF in my World Religion's class. I wanted to let you know that I really appreciated you coming in and talking to us. It was a very good speech and it was something everyone needed to hear. I was in tears watching the video you showed us and I think it's a powerful video. I wanted to ask you if it was on youtube or somewhere because I would really like to show it to some people who I would not doubt would be affected by it. Please let me know if I can find it somewhere or the name of it I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 9:48 AM

I am the guy that spoke to you outside of Dr. Burris' class tuesday night. I spoke to you about the athletic applications of vegetarianism. You told me to email you so you could connect me up with the bodybuilder that is a vegetarian so i could ask him some questions.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 11:05 PM

I was a student in Professor Ethridge's class on Tuesday listening to your lecture on animal activism. I just wanted to say thank you to opening my eyes about the reality of what some people do to animals in a slaughter house. It has seriously shaken me inside and over the past few days I couldn't bring myself to even eat something with meat in it. I just wanted again to say thank you. You are doing great things and may God bless you for your great deeds.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 9:46 PM

I just heard your lecture at UCF today. I did like your lecture it was very informative and unlike any other I have heard. I can't promise to go vegan, but i've decided not to consume as much meat as I currently do, maybe someday I can give it up altogether.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 4:36 PM

I am the crazy girl that came running to you in the beginning of class telling you I really didn't want to watch the animals being killed, and then ran up to you at the end to let you know how awesome the lecture was. You totally changed my life, I'm like in love with everything you had to say. You are completely right and it is so horrible to know that people can do such cruel things to animals. I think that people in their hearts know what is really going on, they just choose to block it out for their own selfishness. You are so right in saying that people don't NEED meat, They choose it for convenience and pleasure. There are so many other things we can eat that will be both helpful to our bodies and the environment. I know a lot of people probably say "oh I'm going change" but then never follow up on it. However, once I put my mind to something I completely devote my whole self to it, whatever it is and follow through. You have completely inspired me to be a vegan and to act out against these horrible people and the cruel actions they partake in daily. I wish there were more I could do to help them, and I wish I could get the message out to people about animal cruelty and change people's minds. If there is anything besides becoming a vegan you can think of to do (which I'm sure you know plenty of things to do..) to help save these animals, please let me know and I would be overjoyed to help. (Even if it means letting minks go!) (I would have totally done that with you, I think it's awesome that you did that!) I think you are an extremely courageous, awesome, amazing individual with an incredible passion. Even though I don't know you that well, it is easy to tell how amazing you are by your soft tone, and your passion for doing good in the world. More people need to be like you, have the mentality you do and have even half as much passion for anything that you share for the animals. Once again, I really appreciate everything you do for the animals and for the world.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 4:32 PM
Subject: Ahead of the Curve

I just sat in on one of your lectures at UCF. I realized that you're a sane person in an insane world, but you are and probably always will be the one that is perceived to be insane. Most radical progressives in the history of societies, I assume, were also judged the same way. But, I think you're just ahead of the curve in your thinking and beliefs. Your lecture seemed only logical and I can't deny logic, so you have corrupted me into veganism. I am a Marine candidate and I have a feeling that this lifestyle won't be readily accepted when I commission into active duty. It'll be like a liberal at an NRA meeting, but opposition is expected. Your efforts are not in vain (not that you need my validation).

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:24 PM

I brought my coworker, & my dad to one of your presentations last Feb. Amanda has been vegetarian ever since and my dad has been eating a lot of tofu. Anyway, I'm taking Prof Burris again this semester, so I'll get to see your presentation tomorrow night in class. I'm bringing along another friend who has been interested in vegetarianism for a long time, and I hope you have the same effect on him so he can make that last push to veganism!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 8:31 PM

I was in Mrs. Moore-Cobb's class last Friday when you came to give your lecture at Pitt Community College. I just want to let you know that I was very inspired by the lecture and I totally want to be a vegan now. But, I am having difficulty trying to explain it to other people. I try to describe it in the way you did but of course there are bits and pieces that I have forgotten. I was wondering if there was any way I could get maybe a copy or something of that speech that you gave us.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 12:35 PM

I am a student in Dr. Klein's philosophy class where you gave a lecture this morning. I just wanted to thank you for enlightening me on the cruelties and injustices animals are suffering through for avoidable reasons. I honestly had never looked into this kinda thing, I ALWAYS have shirked off the importance of this subject. Even coming to class today I was prepared to put up a front, listen to what you said, and basically not take it to heart. However, now I can't live like that. I can no longer find ways to reasonably justify continuing eating meat. In our class we've been talking about the concept of enlightenment and how most indiviuals, once enlightened, resist their new knowledge, try to contradict it, but then finally accept it and change their lives accordingly. It is that process which I went through this morning. The reality of it isn't fun, just like the light hurt the man's eyes who had lived all his life in dark cave thinking it was reality (allegory of the cave). This is the reason why I think I had been avoiding knowing about it. I liked eating meat, I knew if I learned about this it'd mean stopping. But thanks to you, I now realize that my petty reason isn't good enough for why those animals have to die. The video you showed struck me to the core. Thank you so much for coming today. I wanted you to know that you got your message out to at least one student in the audience.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 4:17 PM

you spoke to my class today at pitt comm co and I was very compelled by your speech. Before i heard your speech i was borderline vegetarian and i thought about becoming vegan on numerous occasions but i jus didn't know enough about it to make that change, but when i heard your speech today it made me realize that i need to stop procrastinating and become active in what i believe is right, i have decided that starting today i am going to start eating vegan and try to change my way of living to a more animal friendly style.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 7:58 PM

I was in the Nutrition class that you spoke in today, and I just wanted to let you know that I went out and bought a lot of vegan stuff today. My brother is a vegan, so I took his advice on which kinds to get. I plan on at least trying it out for a while, and hopefully sticking with it. Also, I was wondering where I could find the video clip that we watched today, I would like to show my roommates and my parents.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 5:27 PM

I thought your presentation today was great. All my life I have been very sensitive about animal treatment when it is in front of my eyes, but never took a true look at it until you made me think about how we pay other people to do that dirty work. It may be obvious, but doesn't really hit you until a presentation like yours. So needless to say, I am very interested in making a difference. Now I know it would be pretty hard and a bit much to ask that I immediately go to fully being a vegan. So I really am just e-mailing you to see if you have any other words of wisdom for someone who took your words seriously and wants to make a serious attempt at making a change. Whether it be about how to gradually change my ways or anything you feel may be of benefit for me during this change would be greatly appreciated. Now I know you are a busy man and probably get a whole bunch of e-mails so in the mean time I'll do my research and just hope to hear from you. Once again thanks for your time and I truthfully think you are doing something that is very important and more people do need to know about. If there is anything to do about helping gain awareness I would be all for it. I already plan on showing some people (friends, family, etc.) the slaughter house video and share some of the info you gave me today.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:16 PM
Subject: A very enlightening presentation

After seeing your presentation today I feel a strong urge to eat significantly less meat. I have toyed with the idea before, yet your enthusiasm really hit hard with me. I also feel that the compassion for animals you mentioned is great. For someone with depression anything happy is nice. I remember being a little kid and loving animals. Being one with nature, so to speak. I feel that this might really help me in every aspect of my life. I am happy to know that I will be doing the right thing from now on.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 2:03 AM

I wanted to write and thank you again. I wrote a couple of months ago, when I dropped meat after one of your class talks, and now I've gone a month and a half vegan, looking forward to doing it the rest of my life. In three or four months now, I think, I've gone from meat-eater to vegetarian to abolitionist vegan, and owe the start to you. In any case, in class you mentioned having liberated some mink, and I was wondering if you could tell me about that experience (or just link me to an account, if you already have one on your website). Google's first page of results for your name is full of smear stories, and everyone apparently likes to bring up the conviction for "terrorism." I'm guessing (from the accounts online, anyways) that you did it for the ALF, and got caught, sentenced and so on. What was the trial like? Is there any decent supply of vegan food in prison? This seems to be the sort of thing you don't really hear about, and it would be interesting to hear about it first-hand, if you don't mind.

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Comments from Students 2008

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2008 10:24 PM
(from a student activist in MA)

Thanks for keeping in touch. Good luck with your speeches in the coming year. Thank you for what you do for the cause. Partially thanks to you, there are more than 25 vegetarians at the school, up from about five or so when I came.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 9:16 AM

I was honored and delighted to hear your lecture in Professor Droba's Ethics class last week. I hope to attend your lecture again next semester with my husband (as we discussed in class). I was wondering: I will be writing a long research paper in English class next semester, and after hearing your lecture, I have decided to write it on speciesism. I'm sure you are quite busy, but if you have time, I was hoping you might be able to tell me what the best books would be for my research and reference? I can also use magazines and web cites. I have looked at www.adaptt.org and will look closer there for information. Also, I noticed that you speak at William and Mary College. My parents live in Williamsburg and I would love for them to see your lecture. In fact, I would even try to make it down there myself if that is what it takes to get them to go. May I contact you now and again regarding your lecture schedule in hopes of catching you at W&M?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 9:37 PM

I was one of the students in Alex Green's class at Saint Mary's College. I know this is a little late but i just wanted to say Thanks. The video (that I couldn't even watch) turned me Vegetarian. I haven't eaten meat since and i don't plan on anytime soon. I actually had a question. I want to eventually become Vegan but it's hard because everything has milk and cheese! Do you have any suggestions to how i can become one?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 2:17 PM

I'm from the phil. class you gave the lecture to Mon. morning. I was the student who asked about your arrest stories and sitting next to my gf who asked you questions on the break, its okay if you don't remember me though, I just wanted to write an email to you to let you know that I really admire what your doing and I think you a real and true warrior / hero. Me and Lynn have both decided to become vegans and I was curious if there is anything someone like me could do as far as really helping animals even more then quitting eating them. No hard feelings if you don't reply, I know you're busy, so I just wanted you to know that you've really helped change me for the better. Peace.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 6:29 PM

you lectured in my ethics class, and then invited my boyfriend to another one of your speeches. i would just like to thank you for doing so because now he wants to go vegan. i really want to, but keep slipping up, so it is nice to have him there supporting me. jacob (my boyfriend) did not eat turkey at thanksgiving, and has not eaten meat since your speech. he has already compiled a list of vegan foods that he can eat, and is on your website literally ALL THE TIME! he is reading your site, but also looking at other sites to learn as much as he can. when we go grocery shopping in a week and a half, we plan to go to mustard seed. today, we bought a lot of vegan items. thank you so much for the inspiration to change. someday, you will be able to SEE this change rather than just hear it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 1:17 AM

I want to start off by thanking you for coming to my class and speaking. I am in Alex Green's class at St. Mary's and your speech was incredible. I have shared the information that you told us with my friends, but I feel like I cannot even begin to touch on the knowledge that you disclosed with our class. You completely took off the blinders for me and I am so thankful for that - it completely changed my life. I would love to see you speak again, and I was wondering if you are going to be speaking in CA anytime soon, or any of the neighboring states? If so - I definitely think the trip is worth it and will make it a priority to be there. Please let me know. Thanks so much. I will be bringing my friends with me, because I know they would appreciate it as much as I do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 1:25 PM

I was just in your lecture for Dr. Sakezles' Philosophy class. I wanted to thank you for showing up and speaking to us about such an important issue. What you had to say was truly life altering and you've convinced me to take that step farther from vegetarianism. You were clear and concise and didn't come across as nuts (which is kind of what i was expecting) although you were intense and passionate. And you should be! You've inspired in me an intensity and passion to actually DO something about this. Thank you for the lecture and i hope your trip home or to another lecture is a safe one. what you're doing is amazing and world changing.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2008 11:36 AM

I have seen you lecture at Oakland Community College and found it to be very interesting. Since then I have been working on becoming a Vegan and rescue animals. My most recent rescue was raising baby Raccoons from birth because there mother died and releasing them back into the wild. I would like to thank you for showing me a different view of the world and inspiring me to make it better. My question for you is, are there any video of any of your lectures available on Youtube or anywhere else. I would really like to see it again and I want to show my friends and family. Thank you so much for all you do!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 12:41 PM

I'm the gal you spoke to after your friday afternoon philosophy lecture. I hope you remember me because i certain;y emjoyed speaking with you. I didn't get to tell you, but i had already begun my process of meat/dairy reduction ... I have a while to go but this time i'm goin' all the way. Have a great weekend.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 2:24 PM

I was in the ethics class you spoke to today. You made a comment about good people being evil and it made me think of a quote in the beginning of Boondock Saints, where the Monsignor giving his sermon says: "And I am reminded, on this holy day, of the sad story of Kitty Genovese. As you all may remember, a long time ago, almost thirty years ago, this poor soul cried out for help time and time again, but no person answered her calls. Though many saw, no one so much as called the police. They all just watched as Kitty was being stabbed to death in broad daylight. They watched as her assailant walked away. Now, we must all fear evil men. But there is another kind of evil which we must fear most, and that is the indifference of good men." It kind of puts your fight into perspective. I wish you luck and hope that every time you speak, you change a life.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 10:24 PM

Excellent presentation tonight! I was very impressed at how well you engaged the students. I was amazed at how active the Q&A part was -- is it always like that? I would have expected people to want to get out of class as early as humanly possible. My current situation ... I figured I'd use this year to get off my butt and start cooking, then maybe "take the plunge" next year. Now, I'm thinking "no time like the present." (The "kick in the ass" effect you spoke of.) Thank you for being thought-provoking.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 2:23 AM

I want to go ahead and start by thanking you for taking time to speak to our class a few weeks ago. To be honest, when I heard you were coming, I rolled my eyes thinking that nothing you could say would change my mind about meat. To my surprise, you did. I started a vegetarian lifestyle the day of your presentation, and I have never felt better. (And meat doesn't seem that great anymore.) I thought I would start vegetarian, and work my way up. All in all, I want to apologize for jumping to conclusions before I heard what you had to say, and I also want to thank you for opening my eyes. As you may already know, we are doing a research paper on animal rights. I thought I would write about Animal Euthanasia in shelters, given that more than 50% of dogs and 70% of cats that are picked up are euthanized. I was wondering if you had any inside information or sources that I could refer to for my paper.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 11:56 PM

I briefly spoke with you after class to ask you if you were speaking anywhere else here in San Diego because I would love to bring a few friends to hear you speak. I was so inspired and moved by your presentation, you opened my eyes to many things that I have shrugged off in the past. We all exist with blinders but it is OUR choice to remove them so that we may see the reality of certain situations. After hearing you speak today I realized that I don't want to continue living with blinders when it comes to eating meat. I know this may be a difficult transition but I definitely want to make a change. As I watched the video on the slaughter houses I found myself in tears and in disgust for the inhumane way we treat animals. After class I was explaining some of the things you told us today to a friend and I broke down crying, it is unfair how we torture these innocent living beings. I don't want to just speak about how I feel but I want to DO something, I want to change. Thank you so much for making see the light and for letting me know that I can make a difference. Please let me know of any helpful tools, websites, or books that may help me during this transition.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 11:18 AM

I have been researching and trying different vegan foods for my essay [U. Southern Indiana]. The food is not bad! I will definitely use your essays as a source in my story. Your knowledge on the subject will greatly improve the validity of my paper. I would like to get some quotes from you on these topics: Why have you chosen animal rights when there are humans whose rights are being violated to a great degree? What if I try the vegan lifestyle and it is not for me? I admire your dedication in getting this message out and I hope my story helps to do that.

MY RESPONSE: Pythagoras said, "As long as humans continue to be the ruthless destroyer of other beings, we will never know health or peace. For as long as people massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, those who sow the seed of murder and pain will never reap joy or love." Peace begins at the dinner table. Peace begins with what you put into your body on a daily basis. If humans learned to treat the weakest and even most insignificant of beings with kindness, such as mice or spiders or chickens, then I find it hard to believe that humans would grow up to hate humans who look or act differently than they do, or discriminate against humans because they are of different sizes, shapes and colors. Moreover, human suffering is NOT greater nor worse than animal suffering, especially when examined from the victim's point of view. Alleviating human suffering doesn't deserve nor warrant precedence over animal suffering. Ending ALL suffering is a noble endeavor. Kindness is for EVERBODY. Extending compassion is for EVERYBODY. Being a friend to animals and the planet is for EVERYBODY. Since humans are herbivores, veganism is for EVERYBODY. No one (sans someone living in an icy environment or desert setting) has an excuse to abuse, kill and eat animals. And if one "tries" the vegan lifestyle and thinks it is not for them, then the problem is simple. They "tried" it. One does NOT try to be ethical. One becomes ethical. One tries on a new pair of shoes, or a hat.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 7:40 PM

I was just wondering if you had stickers for adaptt? I would really like a sticker for my car since I consider your organization the best animal rights organization next to ALF. You are my hero!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 10:50 PM

You came to visit my speech class at Penn State my freshman year. I am now a senior, and have since purged animal products from virtually every aspect of my lifestyle. Thank you so much for enlightening me on the cruelty of the meat, dairy, and egg industry. I now have extensive knowledge about veganism, mastered vegan gourmet cooking, and vow to spread the word as long as I live. You changed my life for the better, thank you! I hope one day I can travel and give speeches as you do. I feel as if enlightening others and living a vegan lifestyle is not our choice... it's our duty.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 12:12 PM

I was in Professor Andersen's class at Miramar community college last night. I wanted to first say thank you for coming and speaking to our class it was very informative and eye opening. There is a guy I work with who once told me he doesn't eat chicken because he once watched a video about them and how the "chicken flavor" comes from them lying in their own poop and things like that. I really wanted to show him that video to show him "uh hello chickens are not the only ones who that happens to". Well I don't want to take up anymore of your time I know you are busy. I just want to thank you so very much for coming and speaking to us. It was very eye opening and I hope I hear back from you soon. Thank you and God Bless.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 4:19 PM

I was in Andrea Reynold's class today while you were sharing your story with us and I just want to say how inspiring and moving it was. You are so passionate about what you talk about and it is amazing to see someone like you speaking about animal cruelty. One thing I want to point out is that you said you were looking around the room while the video was on and you didn't see one person with tears in their eyes. You were wrong because I know my eyes welled up watching that clip. Anyway keep doing what you're doing because you're excellent at it! If you can just change one person's view on animal cruelty you're doing your job!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 4:24 PM

I met you at Cecil College a couple of weeks ago and saw your presentation in Paul Bauer's classroom. I wanted to let you know I was very moved and have done a lot of thinking since seeing the movie and hearing your presentation. Joey, Becca and I made the Tofu Lasagna recipe we found on the Adaptt website and we loved it! It has become one of our favorites and there are several other recipes we are going to try. Right now I'm in a peanut butter and jelly phase while I learn more about what and where to buy all the different foods. I've tried some of the frozen foods you mentioned and they are helping me with the transition. Thanks again for being such a great inspiration to us all.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 12:35 PM

All I can honestly say is wow. I came into class today thinking nothing of changing my way of eating; that has certainly changed. I think of this as a perfect time to start. You see, I am a little overweight and I am trying to lose weight for my own health and to inspire my father whom I fear will have the same problem as my grandfather, heart disease. Lately, I have been dieting. My nutritionist says to eat high protein low complex/starchy carbs. While I know this a good diet for "us meat eaters", your enlightening speech has me seeing our true herbivore nature. Why I think this is as good of time as ever is because it was really hard to motivate myself to change my eating habits to start dieting, well that's the hardest part and it's done. I figure, "why not keep going". I would like to thank you again for everything you have said and I feel as if this is something that I need to do for the sake of myself AND the animals cruelly tortured for my "love" of meat.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 9:02 PM

My son attended your presentation at Cecil College a few weeks ago. He was very excited when he came home and said I would have liked it. Do you have a web site we could view?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 8:30 PM

I am a student at CSULB and you did a presentation for professor Santos class, I was wondering if you have online videos of your presentations so I can show them to others?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 9:05 PM

You gave a lecture in my class at Fresno State today and honestly turned my world upside down. I'm sure you get tons of e-mails all the time, but I really felt I needed to say something, and I don't have anyone to talk to at this point about it all. At this point I am still trying to get everything to sink in and am honestly emotionally screwed up over it all so I apologize if I seem a little scattered in my thoughts. Obviously I always knew that meat was something that used to be alive, I had no problem with that (and for the record I feel like an ass saying this now), but I guess I just never really thought about the process of it all. I was one of those people that thought it wasn't a huge deal, we've always eaten meat and now we just have someone kill it for us. But as you pointed out very well we shouldn't be eating meat in the first place. I think really seeing the atrocities made it all real and it is one of those things where I needed to see it, but I didn't want to. And now, I want these images out of my head, but at the same time I don't want that. I don't want to chance going back to how I was. I don't want another animal to suffer for me, for anyone. The thought of ever consuming another meat product makes me ill, the thought of all the pain I have caused already is horrific to me. I don't know what I am doing or how to deal with all this but I wanted to thank you for opening my eyes to what is really going on. Thank you for taking the time to read this, I just felt I needed to talk to someone and even if you don't respond I think this helped. If you do have any advice for where to go from here, I am definitely all ears. Again, thank you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 8:08 PM

Thanks for the lectures! Considering the "buzz" that is going around campus it seems you reached a lot of people. That you got [Professor] Paul to give up steak is nothing short of a miracle! He ate more steak than anyone else I knew, and that is not hyperbole. He even bought some soy milk and veggie burgers. Unbelievable! On a different note, in one of your lectures you suggested that if the animals had a religion their devil would have a human form. Well whether or not they have a religion, they have a "messiah", and he does have a human form. Thanks for your work.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 2:32 PM

i was present for one of your lectures at cecil college in dr. bauer's class. I'm not in the position to make a significant change in my diet yet because of my living situation. i have been in the process of eliminating flesh out of my diet primarily for health reasons for about a year now. you opened my eyes to the LIFE aspect dealing with animals and i thank you for that.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 6:23 PM

i recently sat in on your presentation at the University of Central Florida. When recently asked to write a commentary for my english class which you spoke in, i decided to write it on ethical eating and the ethical treatment of animals. One of the requirements for this commentary is an interview with a credible source. I was wondering if i could get an interview with you some time in the near future whether it be via email or over the phone.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 10:18 AM

You recently did a presentation at my school (Georgia Tech) and I was thoroughly impressed with your energy and passion about your cause and your presentation.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, October 19, 2008 2:41 PM

It has been five and a half years since you spoke in my Environmental Conservation class at the University of New Hampshire, and thus, five and a half years that I have been vegan. Not only have I become vegan but also have led numerous screenings of various animal rights videos (including yours) in turn impacting others to embrace vegan/vegetarian lifestyles as well. I am thankful everyday that my class was fortunate enough to have you as a guest speaker that day. Thank you so much for helping me become the compassionate person I am today. I am writing to you today seeking a bit of advice from "the master." I am 25 and I've found that all I really want to do is teach an Animal Rights course at a high school or college level. I am unsure how to go about attaining this, primarily because it seems like a rare course to be found amongst high schools and universities. I am curious what educational requirements you think I would need to meet in order to allow me to do this or if I would be better off looking into organizations similar to ADAPTT that travels to different locations to lecture. I am currently looking into Graduate School to earn my Master's in Education but I am realizing that it is difficult to find a school that will allow me to focus on subjects that are most important to me--Animal Rights and African American Studies. If you have a spare moment I was wondering if you had any advice to offer me. Thanks for everything you've done for the animals and for me!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 3:18 PM

I'm from the University of Texas at El Paso. You came into one of my classes as a guest speaker, and let me say what an impact you made. I am writing a news report as an assignment for Professor Ruggiero, and would like to ask you a few questions to quote you in my story. It would be a pleasure.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2008 3:54 PM

I just attended your lecture this afternoon in Professor Hanley's Contemporary Moral Problems class. Before this talk I think society had taught me how to view vegans and vegetarianism, so your lecture was really interesting to me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 7:27 PM

I just wanted to say that you really opened my eyes about everything so I wanted to say thank you! if i knew all of that I would have tried to change sooner. I would love to come hear you speak again! thanks so much!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 3:49 PM

My boyfriend and I both loved having you as a speaker in class. Before class we were both skeptical about the presentation. But as soon as you walked in it was like, wow, this guys pretty cool. I actually want to see what he has to say. I listened intently all class. My boyfriend's the type of guy that always asks the "what ifs?" And he couldn't even come up with any because you always had the evidence to back it up. He couldn't even think of a good argument. That's amazing all on its own. Going into it, I figured I would feel bad for the time being, and once the class was over and done with I would go back to my old lifestyle and not think anything of it. But it wasn't like that at all. You had the most amazing, logical argument that I have ever heard. I really took in everything that you said. What really hit me the most was that video. I was horrified, not because I have ultimately contributed to it by eating meat for 20 years, but because of the expressions and fear that I saw in the animals. You could just tell that they weren't happy, and that they knew what was going to happen. As lame as this sounds, I thought about my cat at home. I would probably have to be held back if anyone even attempted to hurt him or kill him like that. I was at a loss for words. Your experiences, stories, footage and facts have really changed my life. And I mean that sincerely. My boyfriend and I talked after the first class on Tuesday, and I figured that he was going to brush it all off and say that it was stupid. But before I could get a word in, he was like "Wow, that was ridiculous. I'm done eating meat". This from a kid who laughed at vegetarians that we know and said ok, that's more meat for me then. I was shocked that you really got to him like that. Class today was the same way, we were horrified by the facts. It's awful. We have both talked this all over in our heads and to each other and have decided to become vegetarians for now, and eventually work the dairy, eggs etc. out of our diets as well. I'm glad that we decided to do this together, because we can push each other and remind each other of what we saw and heard. Thank you so much Gary. I really appreciate how much you have opened up our eyes to animal cruelty. Are there any tips that you could give us for our newly discovered journey? Again, THANK YOU! I think that you inspired us so much more than anyone else is because of your passion for the animals. Anyone could say "hey, don't eat meat anymore". But it really takes someone special to get people to listen, reconsider and change their lifestyle. That is what really got to me and Joe. The fact that you didn't push it on us, you let us make up our own decisions, and you told us the truth. There was no hesitation, and there was no counter argument available. I actually did have another question that I thought about. Does going vegan/vegetarian have any effect on you mentally? I mean in a good way, because of the toxins getting out of your system. I guess I'm asking if it kind of gives you a more positive energy in a way. I'm not really sure if that made any sense! Thanks again, I've never been so excited to make a change in my life. I even passed on the info about global warming to my grandfather, he was extremely interested. And I gave out your website to a bunch of my friends.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 3:21 PM

I am a senior at the University of Southern Indiana. I am currently working on a narrative article about the vegan lifestyle for my Literary Journalism class. My goal is to inform the public about the vegan lifestyle because I believe very many people, including myself, do not fully understand it. Part of my research will include me trying the vegan lifestyle from the food aspect for two weeks. I will be turning this story in for class and I hope to get it published as well. I am e-mailing you because after hearing you speak at USI, I know firsthand how much knowledge you have on the subject and how much of an important figure you are with this cause. I would like to get a few quotes from you for my story if that is possible. I know you have a busy schedule, so if you would prefer to communicate through e-mail that would be fine. I will be sure and let you see what context your quotes are being used in before I try to get it published. Please let me know if this is possible. You would be a great source for my story and I appreciate any help you can give me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 10:43 PM

I am a student at the University of Central Florida in John Burris's 4:30 PM Monday World Religions class. I was very inspired by what you had to say, and although some people rejected your philosophy, I found it to be sound and true. I have decided to give veganism a try. Not only have I contacted you to thank you for your speech (which made a lasting impression on the class), but I have also contacted you because I was wondering if you'd be so kind as to participate in an interview for my English Composition II class. We were assigned an investigative essay that must somehow be tied to environmental issues. It must be related to something we are interested in or passionate about that could have an effect on the environment. After much consideration, I have decided to write my essay about veganism and its benefits and/or detriments to the environment. We must support our claim with either an interview or a survey. If an interview is chosen, we must inquire from someone who is knowledgeable on the subject and who can provide sufficient evidence or reason for its relation to the environment. I would like nothing more than to interview you for this essay, as I feel that you have an astounding amount of experience, knowledge and good foundation on the subject. Attached is a series of questions. If you would please fill them out and return them via e-mail, that would be fantastic. If you aren't able to be interviewed, I completely understand and my views of you haven't changed. =) 1. What do you do for a living? Explain a bit about yourself and your cause. 2. In what ways may veganism or vegetarianism benefit the ecosystem and the environment? (this includes land and ocean). 3. In what ways may veganism or vegetarianism be a detriment to the environment? 4. What are the health benefits/risks of participating in a vegan or vegetarian diet? 5. What is the difference between veganism and vegetarianism and which one is better/worse for the environment. 6. What do you predict the earth's environmental condition will be like if the meat-eating trend continues? Over what period of time will we start to see changes, if any at all? 7. What figures can you provide for average deaths of land and sea animals due to the meat industry? 8. What figures can you provide for the amount of agriculture used solely for the meat industry? 9. What do you suggest is the solution to the environmental crisis (what can we do)?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 3:32 AM

I have found that your presentation has struck a chord within me - though I must say that I have some skepticism as well. It's an unusual feeling to feel so internally-polarized! While I am interested in them, I am not overly familiar with the ideas you are arguing; I get the impression that the position is that all living creatures have equal worth, that it is inappropriate for man to try to make a 'hierarchy' of species? Is this accurate? I'll probably have more follow-up questions, but I don't want to deluge you too much right now!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008 12:55 PM

You may not remember me but a few years ago you spoke to my Humanities class at Ohio Dominican University. I was moved by your presentation and have been a vegetarian since March 2006. I have felt a lot better about myself since making the switch but feel that I need to do more and am considering becoming vegan. How would you suggest making the leap into the realm of vegans? Since becoming a vegetarian I haven't really lost any weight, rather maintained, but I do feel healthier. Do you have any suggestions on what will help me lose weight? The weight is not my main concern; the fact that I'm not killing an animal for my survival is what keeps me going. Thanks for showing me the light over 2 years ago. Any more input and guidance would be greatly appreciated.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 11:50 PM

I am journalism student. I have a couple of question that I hope you can answer to help with my story. I enjoyed your lecture. It was indeed educational. 80% of the information was unknown to me. Let's just say that I have a whole new perspective and feelings towards animal cruelty, so thank you for your information. Here are the questions: 1) When or how did you decided to become a vegan?; 2) How did you start your campaign?; 3) What results have you accomplished through your journey?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:25 AM

Thank you for your lecture and Q&A in my World Religions class this week. I've always sort of conveniently ignored the issue of meat, and having to seriously look for a justification to kill for luxury, I just couldn't find one. I've cut the meat out of my diet now (I just happened to finish the last of my turkey at lunch before your first presentation, and used the trip to the grocery store that would have replaced it to get some canned beans, instead), and I'm working my way out of dairy. It's sort of shocking how simple and clear-cut the issue really was, once I was forced to actually consider it. Unfortunately, people just stick vegans and vegetarianism into the "They're nuts, don't listen to them" category, and go on about things like society tells them to do, same as I've done thus far. The blinders were on pretty tight: thanks for telling us they were there.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 12:06 PM

Great speech yesterday! I am really considering turning vegan. Thank You!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:33 AM

I am in Dr. Burris' World Religions class Monday and Wednesday at 4:30. I have been a vegetarian for nine months now and have just days before your lecture decided to become a vegan. However, your lecture strengthened my conviction and now I'm on the right path to assisting to end animal suffering. A friend and I have been passionate for this cause for quite some time and have even considered taking some activist roles to make a difference. I just would like to say I really enjoyed your lecture, and although it was aimed primarily at meat-eaters, I felt that it still had meaning to me. I got my vegetarian girlfriend to become vegan with me, and her sister decided it would be a good idea. That means a lot to me, and hopefully to you too.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 8:32 PM

You visited my World Religions class at UCF on Monday night. I've never seriously considered going vegetarian until yesterday. Everything you said I've heard before, but I don't know why it didn't sink in before. So I just wanted to let you know that I went grocery shopping today and didn't buy a single thing with meat or meat byproducts. Thanks for the last part of the presentation with all the food brands. That helped a lot! This may sound weird, but the thing that caught my attention the most is how all the animals in that video reminded me of my dog. It's hard to relate chicken patties at walmart to animal cruelty, but now I have a relatable reason to look at the truth. I would never eat my dog!! So why did I think it was okay to eat an animal that's prepackaged? Anyway, thanks again!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 9:46 PM

I had the opportunity to see your lecture in Chad Tew's Mass Communications class. after your class, I thought about it and you made a lot of excellent points. I never really saw that meat did much for me, and after hearing about how humans should be herbivores, it made more sense. Long story short, I decided to become a vegetarian and ultimately, though most likely slowly, cut out milk products/cheese and eggs from my diet until I am a total vegan. Thank you for taking off the blinders. I always said that I didn't eat meat much because I didn't like it, not for moral reasons, but now it is the opposite. I want to stop eating meat to save the animals from the torture shown in the video.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 9:01 PM

I listened to your speech in my public speaking class at USI. I was really inspired be your speech, and I have decided to become vegan. Your video was very effective, but I believe that the ethics and science behind your speech was what really inspired me to turn my life around. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to my class, I have gained a great deal of knowledge and enlightenment from your speech. My friends also heard your speech and they were equally inspired. We were wanting to know where and when you are giving more speeches on campus at USI or around Evansville. Thank so much for passing on enlightenment.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:16 PM

First I would like to say thank you for coming into my class last week and making your ever so emotional and energetic speech to us. I'm just emailing you to say that your speech, although very radical as it was, made a very strong impact on me. No, I have not gone vegan, BUT I have turned into a vegetarian. I have to say, having the family and the friends I do have … it's been a very rough week for me to not eat meat but I believe that this is one thing in my life that makes sense to me now. I've never really done anything this big or life habit altering in my life and I have to thank you for helping me find one thing that I can do for no one else but me! (and the animals of course!) SO again, THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping me understand myself as a person a little better! I plan on visiting your website for meal ideas when I'm stuck in a rut!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 2:18 PM

In your opinion, do you believe that eating animals causes negative energy, in spiritual terms?

MY RESPONSE: Yes, I believe the negative energy encases the body, cages the soul and damages the conscience. I don't believe one can KNOW a HIGHER BEING if one consumes murdered, tormented creatures. Cruelty to animals is sacrilegious. Animals are the most innocent beings on this planet and need the most protection. When we exclude animals from the circle of compassion, we exclude a HIGHER BEING from our lives. Mercy, compassion and kindness are for all living beings. For more detailed information about my views on God, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, go to my adaptt.org website and click on Other Animal Rights Issues, and check out the articles entitled The Qu'ran and Islam and The Bible, Jesus, and Veganism.

STUDENT'S RESPONSE: Thank you so much for your response. I feel so enlightened, and I truly understand what you are trying to say, and others who believe the same way you do. Positive energy creates a better world, and the animals are the ones hurting, not just humans. Humans have rationalized eating meat in their heads, but their hearts have been completely lost to those animals' pain. There is no greater tragedy than being naive. People know what they're doing, they try to rationalize, but in the end every person, including me, who eats meat knows deep down, whether they want to believe it or not, that they are passing the negative energy generated from the killings of animals and are living with it every day of their lives in some form of fashion. Animals have rights too. Thank you so much for helping the world to see the truth.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 2:54 PM
Subject: Animal Holocaust

I just wanted to let you know that I share the same beliefs as you do. I was practically finishing your sentences for you while you were giving your speech! I was not able to watch the video, though. I become very emotional over those sorts of things, but I am a vegan myself and I am criticized for it day in and day out...and watching you get up there in front of all of those students and telling them like it is, not caring about whether they got mad or not...that takes a lot of courage and passion. I have been passionate about animals my whole life and I'm only 17 years old. I love your opinion and your speech!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 2:54 PM

I just wanted to say I love your website, and I think what you do, going out and educating kids about animal rights, is by far the best way to get tangible, long-lasting results. I've only been veggie for 8 months but have made up for lost time, leafleting, organising my own street stalls, raising money for AR charities, and taking part in demonstrations. The "All About" sections are fantastic too, and have really helped me debate and hopefully convince people about AR. So I just wanted to say thanks.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2008 3:32 PM

We met back at the University of Delaware after your fall lecture in my Philosophy 212 class. After hearing your presentation, in which I know the entire class was affected in some way, I stopped consuming animals. I was pledging a fraternity at the time so I was eating minimally and had lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks. In no way do I attribute that to going vegan. However, due to throwing up daily from pledging, I chose to consume animals again for the time being. The images of your presentation slowly dissipated from my memory for the remaining school year, until now. I'm taking a public speaking course at a community college and I am given the opportunity to persuade my audience on something of importance. I thought long and hard about what would be a meaningful topic. I came across your website again. I began to re-expose myself to the horrors of animal treatment and consumption. I have decided to finally turn vegan. I can't rationalize any other alternative in a society which is supposed to be based on such powerful notions like democracy, freedom and justice. I will be giving my speech on monday. I would just like to thank you for your brave efforts. I can only imagine the amount of ignorance you encounter from people on a daily basis. Without you, I would be consuming hamburgers and omelets, rationalizing with myself that I am a "good and moral" person like the rest of the human population.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 11:42 AM

I was in Ms. Hollendonner's Ethics class this morning. I am the one who asked you about your ALF affiliation. I wanted to thank you for your inspiring lecture today. I do believe that animals deserve to be treated with compassion. I am a proud Conservative Republican, and I am a vegetarian. I am pro-life; thus, I value all life (human and non-human). To think otherwise would be antithetical to my values and hypocritical to my positions. Prior to today's lecture, I hadn't heard of Matthew Scully and/or Dominion; therefore, I was very pleased to know there is a leading conservative who also cares about animal suffering. I ordered a copy of his book as soon as class ended today. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks again for taking the time to educate our class. Unfortunately, and amazingly, some people refuse to "take off the blinders."

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2008 2:24 PM

I was a student in Prof. Klein's class last week for your lecture at Georgia Tech. I have been vegan for 2 years now and have been on the line about being a loud vegan. I mean I don't try to convert people now, but after your video it made me want to spread the word. Instead of just being vegan personally, I want to make other people do the same good. Also I was interested to know your opinion on large scale farming with respect to the environment. What about the slow food movement and organic farming? I have heard many arguments for and against organic farming and pretty much all negatives when talking about large scale. I haven't done as much research as I should but I thought you would have some interesting and informed information.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2008 3:51 PM

Thank you for coming to our World Religions class and informing us about veganism, I loved your presentation! I've been trying on and off to become vegan for a couple years now, and you just encouraged me to finally do it for good! I think it's great that you're out there as an activist, it's what I'm trying to do. I'm a member of Greenpeace, and I'm hoping to get a degree in Journalism and work for National Geographic. Do you have any suggestions for things I can do NOW to help end animal cruelty?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2008 12:38 AM

I actually wanted to thank you for coming to talk to our class today - I actually learned a whole lot and am certainly going to try to at least cut down on the meat I eat - at least it's a start - and I'm not just saying that to tell you what you want to hear. I also wanted to apologize for a couple students that were in the class. I know the people I were sitting around, myself included, felt embarrassed to be in that class as they were so disrespectful. I believe that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs but that one guy was just wrong to talk like that - he does that with discussions we have in class and I'm pretty sure he just likes the attention that he draws to himself - and doesn't realize he's drawing it in a negative way. Anyway, I just wanted Thank You and I hope you realize that there were many people in that class that were listening despite the few people that showed no respect.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 4:29 PM

I have been vegan for two years. All of the work you do is very inspiring to me and I look up to you a great deal. The DVD "And nobody gets killed" helped my boyfriend decide to become vegan and it is definitely one of my favorite vegan resources. You put forward very strong arguments that really make people think. That DVD inspired me to do something similar at my school last year (in New Zealand) and due to popular demand, I am going to do another presentation on Veganism and animal rights later this year. I would absolutely love to do what you do when I am older. When I finish university in 2011, I plan to move to America to work for an animal rights group. I am unsure yet which one, however. The articles on your site are absolutely amazing. The one from a biblical perspective is awesome. As a Christian, I am constantly being told that god put animals on the earth for us to eat, which I strongly disagree with. My boyfriend and I are trying to get into a slaughterhouse here, but the people at the local slaughterhouses have heard of me and say that they want to "keep people like us out of there". However we are really determined to get in.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:24 PM

I am sure you get countless e-mails a day just like this, but I felt compelled to write to you. I am a student at the University of Michigan, and am in the class that you visited and spoke to this spring. I am writing my final paper in the class right now, and I find myself writing a lot about you, and the way that your speech changed my life. I cannot tell you that I have all of the sudden become vegan - yet, anyway. But someday, I really want to be. I have stopped eating all meat, however. And will not touch milk or eggs. Cheese is my weakness, but in time, I hope to eliminate that as well. You asked all of us to watch your video without looking away. As many times as I wanted to, I never did. I sobbed the entire time, because the suffering and torture that the animals go through absolutely breaks my heart into pieces. I have always been an animal lover.. or so I thought. Now that I am no longer ignorant as to what goes on in the slaughterhouses, and all of the cruelty I used to support by eating meat, I can truly say that I am an animal lover. A huge part of that is thanks to you. I talk about you to my friends and family, I talk about things you said during that class. I show them your website, and I try to get them to learn what I learned from you. I want people to know, just like you do. I want to actually help, in a bigger way. I was wondering if you had any advice about a way that I can make a bigger difference, how I can help animals in a significant way. Thank you so much for coming to speak with us. I can say for sure that I am not the only one you changed. My good friend in the same class will not touch any type of meat either anymore. What you do is truly inspiring, and to me, there is NOTHING more important than standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, and being the voice for those who do not have one.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 6:30 PM

Thank you so much for everything you've done. I am sixteen and live in England and I have just recently become vegan and I have never felt better. I was vegetarian for a while before that but I wasn't happy. I don't think I would have gone vegan if it hadn't been for you and adaptt. I was looking through the internet when the adaptt webpage caught my eye. I started to read your work, everything you'd said about veganism and within five minutes I was vegan. You helped me to get a better understanding on life and, since going vegan. I have spoken to two other vegans. One at Gentle World by the name of Summer and a seventeen year old girl called Brooke who lives in New Zealand. They have both been brilliant to me. But you will always be to me, the person who's had the biggest impact on my life. I think that one day you should come and do some lectures in England, when you can. People over here are horrible and need to be taught a lesson. There are hardly any vegans (that I can see of) over here at all!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 9:33 PM

GREAT lecture today! I am a student at Madonna University you gave an amazing speech today, thank you so much it has changed my life for the better! Last week our Professor showed us a video similar to the one you showed today. I stopped eating meat immediately. I can not bear the thought of hurting another innocent animal. After your lecture today, I am committed to become a vegan as soon as possible, better sooner then later, right! You are doing an amazing thing teaching everyone about veganism and animal rights! I would have to guess that most people aren't aware the treatment of animals is so bad or they refuse to believe it. Education is the key to changing how people view the treatment of these animals and what part they want to have in the world. Thank you again I will be forever grateful to you!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 9:02 PM

I was at the lecture on Tues. night at OCC. I have told everyone I know about what you said, and what I saw. What I want to know is where can I get a copy of the video that you played. I want everyone to see it. I never did get to see the full video, nor do I want to. But if a minute and a half affects people like it did me, there will be a lot less meat eaters. I want EVERYONE to be forced to see it (at least some) until they get it. It's funny, up till today when I talked about it I cried again. Today I have managed to do so without tears. I will have you know that I have consumed no meat since Tues. night. Every time I look at the frozen chicken nuggets in the freezer I think of seeing that chicken getting the front of his beak grinded off (or whatever the hell they were doing to remove it). My husband appears to be onboard with whatever I want to do as far as going vegetarian. Another question, how do I tactfully show my kids how these animals are brutally killed without forever scarring them? Thanks for the eye opener!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 5:05 PM

I was one of the students at the st. mary's talk you gave today and i just want to say that i was incredibly moved by your speech and the video (i was the one in the grey sweatshirt that started crying). i was wondering if it may be possible to get a copy of the slaughterhouse video?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 1:04 AM

I was taking a look at the site. it looks great. I want to make a switch to eating less meat.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2008 3:30 PM

I was in the class that you gave the presentation to at North Central College. I would like to say that I really enjoyed your presentation, and it did in fact open my eyes to the cruel practices towards animals.

NOTE FROM ME: The comment just below was posted on ADAPTT's link to YouTube:

-----Original Message-----
From: MistressMurderEye
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2008 11:03 AM

Today Gary visited my Political Science class at California State University Fresno. The video he showed us was different from this one, as someone else has already mentioned. The people that inflict the pain don't seem to care, they go to work and go home as if they did nothing wrong. How do those people sleep at night?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 6:10 PM

i am student at lasalle university and i have to do a research paper on animal rights. as i was searching over the net, i ended up at adaptt.org. my question is what is wrong with animal testing and what do they do on animals? if you can help me with this that would be great. waiting for your reply. thank you

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 6:02 PM

I am a student at North Central College and you spoke to our Sociology class last night. I just wanted to tell you that I was really horrified by what I saw and very moved by what you said. I absolutely had blinders on. When you first approached the class and began to speak I was searching for some way to rationalize eating meat, but as the night went one, I could not. I'm checking out your website and am planning on going vegan immediately. Thank you again and I really enjoyed your lecture.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 8:29 AM

I am a student at URI who heard your presentation in Professor Short's class. I am now 100% vegan. I waited a little while to see if I was really going to stick with it, and I can't physically bring myself to eat a single animal product after what I saw and learned about that day. In an hour and fifteen minutes you changed my life. I have always loved animals, and I was even a vegetarian for three years when I was younger, but I didn't know near as much about animal cruelty then as I do now. My friends have been giving me a hard time, but I have been explaining to them about my decision as much as I can. It's amazing how much information I retained from your presentation, but I guess when a subject as moving and as powerful as cruelty to animals is being discussed I can't help but pay full attention. My friends have been asking me lots of questions, and several of them have altered their diets to avoid as many animal products as possible. When I say friends are altering their diets, I don't mean girls that see it as a way to lose weight, I mean my 6" something guy friends that usually eat massive amounts of meat and dairy with every meal. No matter how "masculine" you are, it's hard to look the other way when you are presented with the facts. Even from a health perspective it just makes so much more sense. I can't thank you enough for opening my eyes to this completely, it has bothered me for years that I ever stopped being a vegetarian, and I appreciate you for reminding me why it was I ever started in the first place. I know of two other students in my class that haven't been able to eat meat since that class. Not because they don't want meat, but because you can't see footage like that and then feel completely okay about eating a tortured animal. I only wish there was more I could do, but for now I'm just passing along everything I've seen, and everything I can remember from your talk, and hopefully people will catch on. Just wanted to let you know that you're doing your job well, so keep up the good work. Thanks for everything.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:41 AM

Heard your speech tonight at North Central. Very insightful, and entertaining.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 1:08 PM

I attended your lecture in Dr. Jessica Greenebaum's Animals and Society class last Thursday. First off, I just wanted to say I found it quite effective. Thank you for coming! On another note, I am going to be writing a final article for my Magazine Class on How (and Why) to Become A Vegetarian. I was wondering if you would be willing to answer some questions. I know you talked about this during your speech, but I wasn't taking quotable notes, so I just wanted to get your insight directly. I am very intrigued by your speech and find your website to be a knowledgeable resource.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:32 PM

Your lecture really hit home. My eyes was wide shut until today. My father died from bone cancer, he also had diabetes. A lot of my family suffers from this things and I plan to live not only a good life, but a life of peace. Today starting right now I'm going to stop eating meat. I refuse to be another number on the list of helping to kill animals. Thank you for you time and great information that I really needed to hear. Good luck to you in the future, God Bless.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 8:03 PM

I was one of Carrie Nicholson's students last year. I was wondering when your next lecture would be because I have a couple of people interested in coming to watch. I have been bragging to everyone about you. And I'll put you on notice, I am a full fledged vegetarian now. I stopped eating beef and pork after your lecture (‘06) and I stopped everything else this year (including seafood). SO for that I want to say THANK YOU! I am trying to get my friends out of the "tunnel vision".

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 1:14 PM

I'm a senior at Deerfield Academy. First off, I just wanted to thank you for coming back to Deerfield. I went vegan after I saw your lecture two years ago and I was so happy to have the chance to see you speak again before I graduated. Going vegan has changed everything about my lifestyle for the better, and had I not gone to see you two years ago I would probably still be wearing leather shoes and living a very ignorant life. So thank you for making such a positive difference in my life, and those of many others at my school. There is a vegan culture growing here at Deerfield that didn't exist a few years ago! I do have one question for you, and I know it sounds a little pretentious - how do you deal with having really ignorant friends? I love the friends I have here, but they refused to come with me to see you speak because they "like chicken fingers and don't want to stop eating meat." When I came back from the lecture they covered their ears when I tried to talk to them because they didn't want to go vegan - one even pulled out the "ignorance is bliss" line. How do you even respond to that without completely alienating someone? I don't want to preach to my friends, but they obviously know that it's wrong to eat meat and just want to ignore it. Have you ever been in that situation?

Thank you again for another incredible speech!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 9:50 PM

I was one of the students from the Psychology: Child & Infancy class at CCNY. I am sending you this email to inform you that you have inspired me in such a way that I now view pigs, cows and chickens differently. I always knew they were killed in order for humans to eat but I never thought about how people did it and the way they do it is disgusting and sad. I am glad that you came to my class and gave the speech and showed the video. I really do appreciate it. I know it's just words that I am expressing towards you but it comes from within and yes you are right actions do speak louder than words. And us new yorkers are a bunch of "talkers but not that many walkers". Your bravery and dedication really inspires me because people like you is why things change in the world, and I respect you for that. I give you credit for the actions you have done in your past and the ones you are continuing to do. Funny thing is that your personality reminded me of my brother-in-law who is a Christian. He is enlightening with his words and he does what he preaches which is what you do and I truly respect that.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 10:55 AM

thank you for the speech yesterday (at CCNY, Dr. Crain's class). keep on with what you are doing. you have the winning combination of being good at what you are doing and the fact that what you are doing is very important.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 10:58 PM

I attended a lecture you gave at the University of Delaware on 3-27-08. You didn't just remove my blinders--you slammed them to the ground and crushed them. I could not put them back on even if I wanted to. My wife and I have been vegans since that day. Thank you. I want to expose others to your message and educate them about animal rights. In fall 2008, I'll be teaching an introductory philosophy class at Cecil College in North East, Maryland. My father in law teaches philosophy, ethics, and sociology there as well. We would like to have you speak at our school. It is only about 11 miles south of the University of Delaware. I don't know if you prefer to give a few smaller lectures or one large lecture, but If you prefer the latter, my father in law said that on any Friday at noon during the fall 2008 semester we could give you an audience of at least a hundred students. Please let me know if you are interested in speaking at our school next fall and what times and dates would be good for you, etc.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 6:39 PM

I attended the speech you gave in the World Religions class at University of Central Florida. I am planning on giving a persuasive speech to a class of mine on why they should cut down on their meat consumption, and I had a few questions that I was wondering if you could answer.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:30 PM

I am a student from Mr Halleman's class that you spoke to last tuesday night. I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed you speaking and everything you had to say. I really took everything you said to heart and became a vegan. I went all out! I have always been into making a difference in the animal world. I volunteer at a shelter and now I am not eating anything derived from animals, and I feel great! I also appreciate the Bible part of your speech because my family and I are Christians and it really helped me to explain to them why I want to become Vegan. I bought a bunch of Vegan things like the hot dogs, fruits and veggies and some Rice cream (ice cream)!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 8:46 PM

I attended one of your lectures recently at Miramar College after my boyfriend insisted I hear what you have to say. I thought about you today because I was watching a show on Oprah regarding puppy mills. I felt compelled to write the two of you regarding some painfully obvious animal rights discrimination on her program today. Initially, as images of puppies in tiny cages with swollen and tumorous nipples flooded the screen, I was thinking "this is exactly what is happening in the meat and dairy industry". The reporters were highlighting the atrocious conditions, such as dogs never getting exercise, nor seeing veterinarians, and being killed as soon as their breeding capabilities were exhausted. In the end, Oprah said she would never again buy a dog from a breeder. I couldn't help but think about how the meat and dairy industry is putting millions and millions of animals through these same types of conditions, but in a society that decides which animals are the superior class, these farm animals aren't given compassion or consideration. What was most offensive however, was when Oprah said "These dogs are being treated like livestock" as if to suggest livestock were the inferior species. This blatant "speciesism" as you would have it is unacceptable. I am contacting Oprah and her producers to voice my concern regarding this matter, and also to lobby for you being a guest on her show if you'd consider it. People need more education. I can't understand why supporting the puppy mill industry by purchasing offspring of exploited animals is any worse than sitting down to it at the dinner table.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 11:32 PM

I listened to your speech today at the University of Akron. I just wanted to thank you for the speech you gave today. It really made me think about the world in a new perspective. By nature I am open minded and I appreciate the facts you provided. Thanks for opening my eyes. God Bless.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 2:27 PM

you just gave your speech in my ethics class about an hour ago and it really made me think about my lifestyle and what i eat. SHIT!! I had no idea about any of this. i definitely plan on cutting back ALOT! and i never even thought to check none of it out.. When our professor talked about having a vegan come in and give a presentation i really thought it was a joke, and didn't plan to come to class. but coming to class might have been one of the best decisions I've made in a looooooooong time!! Thanks again for giving such an informative speech.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 8:59 AM

Thanks so much! I'm really excited to watch my energy levels go up, I always feel so tired.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 10:39 PM

I want to thank you for coming to our class last night. While others may not appreciate what you spoke of, because they can't be open minded, I did. I have struggled with the thought of eating animals and their torture for quite some time. Since your lecture I have not been able to get the pictures nor the thoughts out of my head. I called my fiance after your lecture to tell him you must have been sent to help me do what I have always known to do. I thank you for having the courage to do what you do. The greatest thing is that my fiance who has always said people are carnivores decided that he will try a vegan diet and see how it goes. I just wanted you to know that your lecture reached outside the classroom and effected someone who normally wouldn't care (my fiance) without even hearing your lecture.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 4:34 PM

i was in the science class at occ highland lakes in which you gave your speech to. i found your speech very eye opening and touching. i was just wondering what you have been arrested for while doing acts of kindness. i find that very interesting. thank you

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 12:10 AM

I was a student at St. May's College. You gave a presentation here last semester. This semester i am writing a research paper and i wanted to do it on veg/organic eating and agriculture. I wanted the paper to discuss if having veg/organic agriculture would that make things economically, ecologically, and physiology superior to the way we are doing things now. I was hoping you could lead me in the right way of how to start my research. Thanks alot for your time and i hope to hear from you soon.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 6:29 PM

I have to tell you, your talk on veganism was on my mind all day. I couldn't stop talking about it to people.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2008 1:24 PM

I'm in Dr. Corrie Ort's sociology class at Miramar. I was very moved. Since seeing the video you showed and hearing what you had to say, my husband has supported me in my new choice of veganism. We went together and spent $170 just for some essentials. And I have to say I am very proud of my family. I have three children and as their mother I want the best for them. I would like to share the video you showed our class to my husband, however I did not see it on the link given. Can you please point me in the right direction.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 2:47 AM

So, you lectured in my class tonight and first of all I would like to say that you truly inspired me so thank you for taking the time to come to our class. You really opened my eyes and I immediately called three of my friends after class to see what they thought about everything concerning animal cruelty to veganism and the health benefits because I was that interested. Everything you said made so much sense despite my lack of knowledge in the different aspects you touched upon. My husband is currently deployed right now and I have already emailed him asking what HE thought and if he would ever consider becoming a vegan or vegetarian or like you said, just cutting back at least to maybe work ourselves up to that point? I am incredibly interested in what you have to say and I have already looked at your website. I am honestly so hyped up right now thinking about everything and wanting to know everything and make changes where I can so again thank you for the lecture, very motivating!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 12:56 PM

You gave a lecture on "going Vegan" yesterday at my college in San Diego (Miramar). I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your outlook towards health and animals. As a "half-veg" I am now fully giving up poultry, due to the nature in which animals are treated, on top of the already known health advantages … which was my first reason in giving up all red meat a few years back. My goal will be eventually to become vegan but it will be something I definitely have to work towards. I eat a lot of vegetarian and vegan products if I can anyway, and I've spread the "know" to my parents in hopes that it'll start opening eyes to people that are close to me as well. Thanks again, I believe your website is very helpful in the acts of helping animals and starting a healthier life, good luck to you and the spread of animal rights.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 8:50 PM

I am a student at the University of Central Florida where you recently spoke to my fiance's class about veganism. I'd like to know if you have plans to speak to any other classes at UCF before the end of March. I am enrolled in a news reporting class this semester, and I would like to hear your lecture and write about it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2008 10:58 PM

I'm a student at UCF. You came by last Thursday as a guest speaker. First of all, I wanted to tell you that you really touched me with all that you said. I can't become a vegan overnight, but not only is it my goal but I'm already spreading the word to my friends and family. I'm really glad you came to my class and shared your knowledge. I'm looking forward to truly being a part of veganism and against speciesism and being able to share these facts with others. You've managed to open my eyes even more on this and it's now becoming a part of me. Believe me that I am not all talk and my actions are my means of communication.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2008 12:27 PM

Today you came to my science and ethics class at Georgia Tech and I wanted you to know that you truly did make a difference this morning. At one time I was an avid vegan and animal activist. While I have been a solid vegetarian for the past 5 years, my animal activism has nearly come to a halt and what once was a daily cause for me has become just an afterthought. For whatever reason, I had forgotten why I had chosen to be vegan in the first place when I was 15 or 16 years old. But your speech today was absolutely what I needed to get me back on track and I am deciding to go vegan again starting immediately. The simple act of you coming into my classroom to speak about veganism and the reasons behind it was the push I needed to go back to doing what I absolutely know is right: not supporting the torture of animals by eating animals or animal products. I guess that not having any other fellow vegans around me for most of my life has taken its toll on my own drive to live cruelty-free, but just being reminded that, "hey, vegans are still out here and we're fighting for animals" was all of the motivation I needed to break out of taking the easy way out. You are the first person to actually speak to me in a classroom about veganism, ever. Goodness knows we weren't exposed to vegan guest speakers in Georgia high school. To get to the point of this long email, I just wanted to thank you and let you know that you just persuaded me to become vegan again all because you came to my classroom to speak today and it stirred up the compassion I was once so filled with towards animals. Thanks for a compelling speech, keep up the good work, you have a great website that I will be checking out frequently!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:30 PM

I'm a student in Dr. Burris' religions class. I thought your lecture was very interesting as well as provocative, and I wanted to ask you something. I am also a student in a photojournalism course (I am currently majoring in journalism). One of our overall assignments is to put together a photo story by the end of the semester. I was wondering (as you may have already guessed by now) if I could do my story on you. I would very much appreciate it if you would allow me to do so.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 9:43 PM

You are an inspiration to humankind. Your passion and pure desire to end the suffering of innocent beings is beautiful. I am ashamed to be "a two legged devil" in the eyes of our precious animals. I hope to inspire others with my passion as you have done. You encompass a very bright, beautiful light ... your gift has been to shine it on those around you. I am most at peace hearing you say, I have no Fear. There is Fear and Love, nothing else. Great website, I look forward to recipes and the fruit of your labor.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 6:25 PM

I wanted to thank you for taking time to speak to our class today. Your dedication to animal rights is apparent, and your knowledge admirable.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 2:08 PM

Every time I hear you speak, you blow me away. You never fail to inspire me! I am determined to get it (vegetarianism, and hopefully veganism) right this time and I want to thank you for your encouragement and your guidance. I'm sure you are aware of the many lives you affect, both human and non-human alike. But i just want to tell you that personally, you really have affected mine. You've saved my life again, Gary! I faltered before, and i cant tell you how ashamed i am of myself. But i need to get back on track. And you've helped me to once again find the path. I cant thank you enough! You're an amazing man. Please don't give up on us! You bring us out of the dark when it comes to animal cruelty. I wish I could clone you. The more of you there are, the faster we are to becoming a better world! Thank you so much, again. You're my Vegan Superman!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 4:44 PM

So glad to have you in my classroom today!! I have been vegetarian for about 8 years and was vegan for a couple, however I have been eating dairy for the past few years. The class you lectured in (agricultural ethics) actually helped to remind me why I went vegan in the first place and I have been avoiding dairy/eggs/milk for the past few weeks as a result. Your lecture only verified for me that I was making the right decision. Also, I was thrilled to see you open some eyes. I work in a restaurant and am constantly made fun of for caring about animals and being vegetarian, and you made some fantastic points that I am going to borrow next time someone tries to get me to eat meat because 'they are there for us to eat'.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 4:25 PM

I am the guy inquiring about the source of "green" corporations to invest in. I must admit, I currently consume animal products. Not only do I want to change my own dietary habits, I also believe that owning stock of like minded companies can help them reach their potential and hopefully meet demand for, what should start to be, a growing industry. Knowledge is contagious and you have a gift of conveying your messages. Good luck and thank you for your help.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 11:52 PM

I have to say I was somewhat moved by your presentation today. I must admit I have taken a step. I went and bought Silk milk and Morning Star chicken patties for lunch today rather than stopping at ChickFilA. I won't guarantee my diet will become entirely animal free however I will continue to work towards significantly diminishing my intake.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 11:00 PM

I was in the religion class that you talked to today at UCF. I enjoyed your lecture and have been thinking a lot about a change in the things that I eat. I am definitely going to make a move to eat less meat and maybe move to being vegetarian and possibly even as far as being vegan. I would greatly appreciate any information you have on taking steps towards changing.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:34 PM

I really admire that you go and speak to schools to spread the word of what is right. I just thought it was great what you do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:30 PM

I was in the world religions class you spoke in today, and I couldn't read your website correctly on the overhead projector. So, I typed your name in google, it's awful!!! People saying that you teaching in schools is terrorism? I'm confused as to why you aren't allowed to say what you can, and I agree with every single point you made. You don't have to share if you don't want to, but I was curious as to if you have ever set animals free??? I hope so! Thank you so much for your time! I really, really enjoyed you coming to class! I used to only eat chicken just for taste purposes but I haven't touched anything since.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:42 PM

I just wanted you to know that you've convinced me to go vegetarian. I want to eventually become vegan, but one step at a time. :) I used to eat meat at every single meal, now its all in the garbage. I just simply never knew, I had no idea it was like that and I'm from Georgia. I was very averse in the beginning, but everything you said made perfect sense. I feel fortunate to have heard you, it's changed my outlook on many things.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:45 AM

I just finished listening to your speech about animal rights. And it must be a god thing that you were here today talking about that specific subject. Because literally right before class I was on the phone with my girlfriend, who is concerned with her body, and recently with meat intake. She has practically abolished meat from her diet. And at the same time I was telling her some meat was good, anyhow, your speech has shown me a difference. Thanks for a great speech today, it was very inspiring, and I support you in what you do.

----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 12:53 PM

I saw you speak on the 13th in the 3 waves of feminism class at 1:30, I was the girl who was talking about the "cage free" eggs, if you remember :). May I first just say, wow! I absolutely LOVED your presentation. You are an AMAZING public speaker and it's truly amazing what you do! I was interested, before, in going VEGAN but I thought it would be too hard, or that I'd become anemic and die or something. People have so many false impressions on what food our bodies need. I am so glad I saw your presentation because now I know that all of what people say about needing meat is complete bullshit! I figured...everything in this country is a dam marketing ploy and everything is just all about MONEY. Any way, I have some questions for you though to help me on my new vegan journey. [I ran to sun harvest the exact same day and bought some vegan friendly food, i really like the almond milk. and i think you might be glad to hear that my cousin told me she'd join me in being vegan, and my boyfriend said he wants to try. so yay! 3 people in 3 days! :)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 9:20 PM

I just wanted to say thank you for coming to our class and doing such an incredible speech on animal rights. Today is the third day I haven't eaten any product that comes from an animals, it is kind of hard to make such a change but i know I am going to be strong. I just started to make the change but I have realized that I don't need meat to have a good meal, so I know I can stick with it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:42 PM

I was in Jean Schlitzkus' class today from 2:30-3:50 and I loved your speech. I have heard speeches before but yours REALLY got my attention and opened my mind up a whole bunch. I would like for my friends to hear one of your speeches and I heard you mention that you would be at UTEP too. Do you mind giving me the time and place where you are going to be giving your speeches? Hopefully I we can make it to one of them. Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:55 AM

I saw you speak in Dr. Best's Ethical Theory class yesterday. Your speech was thought-provoking, eye-opening, logically based and truly made me question my actions all over again. As of leaving yesterday's class, I am now vegan. I know you are extremely busy, but I just had to let you know the impact you had on me. Thank you, again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 11:04 PM

I'm an undergraduate student at Western Carolina University. You did that speech on animal cruelty for my Social Problems class. I was glad to hear your speech. I'm actually thinking of becoming vegan. I was hoping that maybe you could help me out a bit. I would love to know more about veganism. Any information you would be willing to provide would be very much appreciated.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 1:09 AM
Subject: USI Speech: WOW!

I am a freshman at University of Southern Indiana. I sat in on your Ethical Veganism speech twice. On top of that, I interviewed you one-on-one for my Newscast. I was the boy in the red track jacket. You probably don't remember me. Shame, too, because I find it impossible to forget you. I found your speech to be the most powerful and effective speech I have EVER seen. One of the highest compliments I have ever given. I'm not one to kiss-ass either. I felt that your speech was good enough to where I need to take time out of my busy schedule to give you props it touched me that much. You made me realize the inhumane and nasty origins of my chicken sandwich. I don't have blinders on anymore. Your entire speech was well presented. You may have given it thousands of times before, but that's irrelevant. Your information comes across as fresh and well-researched and informative. I don't know much more about you besides that you're vegan and I believe I read somewhere you were a Communications major just like me. But what I do know is you know you're very well read in what you are passionate about. Vegans are definitely in the minority, scoffed at, but I'm sure you scoff back. I hope one day all of us can get our head out of our rears and become Vegans and treat our animal companions with respect, and quit recreating The Holocaust. If I have not made my point, my point is that you are a damn fine public speaker and well-read in what you aim to get across. It took my blinders down for sure.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 10:54 PM

First I would like to thank you for coming to our class and talking to us, and at least trying to take off our "blinders".

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 4:20 PM

Thanks so much for enlightening us at Georgia Tech. I though your new material (since the last time you came) was incredibly inspirational and eye-opening. I really cannot fathom how anyone can resist letting what you say flow into their heads and thereby slowly transforming their behavior for the better. The right thing to do seems so obvious.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 9:45 PM

i wanted to thank you for the reading about the bible and vegans. it was a good read and i think i might change my diet according to the bible. I want to thank you for the information. you have brought a lot of things to light. As the good book says may the truth set you free.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 10:56 PM

I just wanted to say thanks for everything you do. You really made an impact on me and my family. All of us – me, my mom, sister and aunt – have decided to be vegan. Mom and I just went to the grocery and bought some goodies. Rice milk is awesome!! I think it's better than soy.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 12:06 PM

I wanted to thank you again for inviting us to your lecture last night. I have worked in the animal welfare field for over eleven years and always felt that I was doing all I could for animals. I was wrong. Several of our group that attended have changed the way they feel about the foods they consume. Your speech was difficult to hear and the video was hard to watch, but I sincerely appreciate you having helped me to open my eyes. I wish you the best and continued growth in your mission to educate. If you are speaking again in this area please let me know. There are some others I'd like to bring to hear you speak.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 10:29 PM

I'm sure you get this all of the time but your speech tonight at ECU was life changing. You've opened my eyes to how terrible animal cruelty is. Let's just say you saved 3,000 more animals because I won't be eating meat again. The transition has been so simple for me. I find myself feeling guilty that it took me this long in my life to realize what I was really eating. I'm wondering if there's anything else I can do to help the animals, besides becoming vegan. I know by not eating meat I'm helping out a good amount but I want to do more. I feel so helpless.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 4:35 PM

I was in Mr. Robol's class Tuesday night at ECU. I was wondering if you could possibly send me the link to that video that you showed us because I want to show my roommate. Your speech plus the visuals has seriously had me thinking about becoming vegan.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 1:26 PM

I had the luck of seeing your presentation in my class nearly two years ago, in late February of 2006. I was one of the kids in class who made the pledge to go vegan immediately after your second visit with us in class, "cold turkey" per say. I never looked back! I've been completely vegan for almost two years and it's been the best thing I've ever done for myself or for the good of the world. :) At the beginning I wondered if I'd ever help someone else "see the light," but I was lucky and most of my friends and family were very supportive and understanding. I was dating someone at the time I went vegan, and though we went separate ways for different reasons, he did decide to go vegan a few months back! It took over a year of dating me, and I'm sure at times I was very difficult (suddenly our regular date spots were off-limits and very upsetting to me as you can imagine) but he was incredibly open-minded and now views his veganism with a growing passion just as I did. To top that off, I befriended a vegetarian girl over the summer who went vegan after hearing my case, and my best friend of several years made the pledge as his new years resolution. I know all of these people have the conviction to stick with it and make it a permanent change for the better in their lives :) I just really wanted to thank you, AGAIN AND AGAIN, for opening my eyes to this and helping me lead others towards being vegan!! It really is a wonderful feeling!! So thank you for everything you do!! Keep spreading the word :) You are doing a wonderful thing.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 12:58 AM

You spoke to my class at DePaul University in early November 2007. I just thought I would email you and thank you for the information and talk you gave which converted me to being vegetarian. I was able to make it through the holidays without breaking once. I have been a vegetarian since the day you came to speak to my class and I just wanted to let you know that you made a difference in at least one person's life, so I just thought you'd like to know. Hope you had a wonderful holiday season and I wish you well in the new year!

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Comments from Students 2007

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:56 PM

You spoke to my Animal Law class at California Western School of Law earlier this semester. I was blown away by your lecture. I'm sure you hear this all the time but I haven't eaten meat since. Thank you. I wanted to let you know that I came across this website that has a really good selection of vegan shoes and thought you might want to include it on your page. www.endless.com

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 9:12 PM

I attended your lecture today in my philosophy class and your lecture really got me thinking about ... why not try vegan! First i want to say how much I appreciate your time and effort that you put into ending animal cruelty and it shows great dedication. How do you recommend I start? Again thank you for your time and I am really looking forward to hearing back from you,

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:11 PM

i was in the critical thinking class speech you gave at 8 this morning. really good and informative.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 1:07 AM

This is the guy who was late for your 11 o'clock presentation but made it to the 2 p.m. talk. I want to personally thank you for coming to our class. You are the most dynamic speaker I have ever heard/met. You have left me so much to think about. I watched the video on your website and it is simply amazing what goes on. I will try to donate a little to your "work" a couple times a year because this atrocity needs to be told. I am going to post that horrific video on my myspace page.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:03 PM

I really wanted to thank you for your presentation today at Fresno State. Your presentation was awesome and I wish I could say my thoughts and feelings on this subject in the way that you do! Good Luck on the rest of your tour!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 8:46 PM

I just wanted to let you know how much you have had an impact on my life as far as animals. I have always had a love for animals and hated when people treated them bad. I never knew that animals were being treated in such a manner. I feel so ashamed and guilty. I am proud to say that I am going full out vegan. Being vegetarian isn't good enough. I will never put meat in my body ever again. I would rather die a thousands times. I am very excited to make this transformation. I love being vegan and I would not trade it for anything. Now everyone that I come in contact with I'm trying to change them. I feel good inside. I can't even explain the way I feel but I love who I have become. I have you to thank so much. Please stay in touch. Thanks again for saving my life. Peace and take care. VEGAN ROCKS!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 3:38 PM

I just wanted to thank you for taking off my "blinders" in Professor Skrbina's ethics class at U of M-Dearborn this morning. I have never been a huge fan of meat or dairy to begin with and most of the time I avoid eating meat because A) I don't like the taste B) Eating something that could possibly have looked you in the eye at one point is completely wrong. Also when I look around and start to really watch people eat meat I start to get really grossed out by seeing them ripping the chicken or steak off the bone, it just seems too animalistic and violent. Now after your speech on all the different aspects of this subject I am completely convinced that I will only be eating what grows from the earth, not what can run along side me on the grass. The thing that really made a big impression on me was when you said "If its not good enough for your eyes then why is it good enough for your stomach?" right before you turned on the video. That question really made me think because I have a friend who is a Vegan and she has tried to show me that type of video before and I would always turn it off halfway through because it is horrifying. But during class I watched the entire thing and at points my eyes were welling up with tears thinking that I have gone 21 years basically demanding that, that kind of treatment to animals continue just so I can have a sandwich or a burger or a bowl of ice cream.

Everything you said was what I needed to hear to finally start taking the steps to a vegan lifestyle. My family always asks me when I'm finally going to become a vegan and today is the day I am going to start. The whole animal rights idea is relevant in all areas of life, not just with animals, our whole society needs to stop being so cruel and if we can't even treat animals right and they haven't even harmed us at all, we've got a long way to go. I could write forever about how life changing your speech was but I know you must get a ton of e-mails from people but I just thought I would let you know personally because if I gave speeches to groups around the country I would want to know if I had impacted someone in the crowd. Regardless, if everybody else in that classroom went to McDonalds for a Big Mac or Chicken Strips for lunch after class today, you changed my outlook on my role as a consumer and as a compassionate human being. You are a great public speaker and I feel honored to have heard you speak. You really know your facts and are compassionate about life in every form and that is truly inspiring, so...Thank you!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2007 1:37 AM

I really enjoyed listening to your presentation last Friday [St. Mary's College]. I've been thinking of making the switch to becoming a vegetarian for some time now and possibly becoming a vegan. I was curious how you would advise me to do that being a college student. I don't have a kitchen to cook my own food. i don't have to much money to go buy veg products. I'm pretty much stuck with the cafeteria food. If you could just give me a little advice that would be great. Thanks a lot for coming in and giving your presentation.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 2:58 PM

I was a student in one of the lectures that you gave today (8 am class) at Cal State Long Beach. And I have been really thinking about the things that you have said and visited your website. I was wondering when it comes down to clothes, shoes, cosmetics, or drug products, how do you know if they have been made from any animal flesh or have been tested on animals? I would really like to know and thank you for the lecture it has really opened my eyes to something I never forced myself to look at before.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 2:45 PM

I attended your lecture at the University of Akron. We met briefly at the end, I don't expect you to remember me. I have been looking around on your website a lot and it is very helpful. I am writing a paper about Civil Disobedience and I am going to focus on the meat and dairy industry. The quotes are great and you make a lot of valid points in the information sections. I am mostly writing to thank you for the website and for doing what you are doing. I would love to aid you and ADAPTT in any way you need. I am going to donate a little money when I can, but I would be more than willing to help in other ways if you needed anything. I told my mom the other day, I would like to be an activist/humanitarian as a career if possible. I am currently reading Gandhi's autobiography and I aspire to be someone like him. Anyway, this is getting long and I'm fairly distracted, plus I'm sure you're very busy, but I just wanted to say thanks for all the great information on the website and keep doin' what you're doin'.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 1:55 PM

I was in the class that you came to at Otterbein a few nights ago. I just wanted to tell you that i am still greatly interested in helping the fight against the killing all of these poor animals and that I am ready and willing to do so. Just email me back with any information or if there's any other advise you would like to give me. Thanks!

NOTE FROM ME: This letter is from a former student at Oakland Community College who went veg:

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 2:13 PM

Wanted to let you know that I am doing a project for my class in persuasion. I enrolled the two women in my group to do it on persuading people to become vegetarians. To get them informed and excited about it I loaned them a copy of your lecture. One has stopped eating meat! The other is grossed out and is on her way. We will also be playing a clip of your lecture, since you nail so many points like I have never seen. Just wanted to let you know you're the man.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 12:56 PM

I am the girl who stayed after your lecture and spoke to you about a menu of things to eat throughout my day. My whole life I never enjoyed meat. Sadly, I admit I do eat dairy, eggs, and SOME meat, i.e. chicken breast, hotdogs, hamburgers. After your speech today, I am not going to eat animal products any longer. Your speech did not persuade me, it only opened my eyes, in which you were trying to do, you took off the blinders. You did an amazing job, although the video was too much for me and I couldn't finish watching it, what I saw was enough. Thank you for opening my eyes, I hope I can stick with my goal. Thank you so much for removing my blinders. Excellent manner of lecturing us today!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 5:07 PM

A while back I e-mailed you, letting you know what a difference you made in my life after speaking in my class at Miramar College. Well...this is to let you know that it has been over a month since i've eaten any animal products. Yayyyy for me and thanx again! Keep in touch.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 9:26 PM

You spoke in my non-violence class at Kent Statetoday. I wanted to ask you about raising children vegan. I know that breastmilk is obviously best, but my 7 month old has started eating baby food and I wanted to know if soy milk could be substituted for cow's milk when she turns one? If you have any info about raising children vegan I would appreciate it if you could pass it along to me. Thanks for all your info, it was life altering.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 10:59 PM

I heard about you from my girlfriend. You lectured in her non-violence class today at Kent St. U. I'm interested in becoming a vegetarian/vegan. I love to workout a lot. I was told that chicken and fish is the best source of protein while working out to gain muscle mass. Is there a better way to get protein to bulk up from your diet. Can you send me some protein charts to go by. My goal is to eat healthy, change over my diet from what I now eat to your vegan diet, while gaining muscle mass too. Thank you for you time.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 1:09 PM

I was just in the logic class you talked to and i loved what you were talking about! i agree 100% on everything you said, you took my blinders totally off! i'd love to cut meat or any type of animal processed food out of my diet. I found it wonderful that you came to our class today because i've been doing research on a future job career in protecting animals against animal cruelty. I was so excited when you came due to my dream job! I'd appreciate any information you can give me and anything else you can do to help me save animals like you do! Thank you again for taking the time to come and talk to our class, i know a lot of people were touched by everything you talked about.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 4:23 PM

I was in both classes at PSU-Abington where you spoke last week and Tuesday. I was very influenced by your presentation. It made me rethink my eating habits, and ethics upon animals. As much as I love them, it is hypocritical for me to eat meat or animal products, now seeing even more so how humans degrade their life's worth to a product and undermine their natural rights. I'm glad you lectured because it opened my perspective both morally and scientifically to the malignity of the meat industry, animal testing. And all in all, as much as society protests 'animal abuse' -- society turns a blind eye to how much we contribute to the abuse and mass slaughter for our own desires. Thanks for visiting. I can't speak for anyone else, but you definitely were an inspiration.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 8:20 AM

Today your speech opened my eyes. I honestly find meat gross. Can you lend me the speech you gave yesterday at city college-ny so I can try to convince my mom and bro. It not going to be easy. But if i give them options it might change everything. The video made me cry and you're right; we are trained at a very young age to eat animals.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 1:52 PM

i was so moved by your presentation that you did here at El Paso Community College about two weeks ago. Well i wanted to tell you that for the past two weeks since you came and did your speech, i decided to give up meat. I am very proud of myself because I've been keeping up with it but i have to tell you it's been very hard. Although my husband supports me the rest of my family has been giving me a hard time.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 11:44 PM

I spoke with you after Dr. Ruggiero's class today. I came home, full of fire and excitement to start my new vegan lifestyle. I'm still there, still excited, just kinda bummed that nearly everything that my parents bought at the grocery story has some kind of animal product, even things I NEVER thought did. But I found that a lot of the foods I already eat are vegan foods. I settled on grits (LOL), but i love them so it's ok. I just need to go grocery shopping soon :) But I just really wanted to thank you (again) for opening my eyes. You're an angel Gary!! Have a good trip back home & God Bless!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 10:56 PM

YOU CAME TO EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE ONMONDAY AND I AM SO THANKFUL FOR YOUR SPEECH. I THINK I WAS A LITTLE NAIVE AS TO WHERE MEAT REALLY CAME FROM. I AM NOW A VEGETARIAN AND HOPE TO BECOME A VEGAN SOON. IT'S HORRIBLE WHAT THOSE POOR ANIMALS GO THROUGH FOR UNGRATEFUL PEOPLE LIKE US. I HAVE SHOWN THE VIDEOS TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND HOPEFULLY THEY TOO WILL BECOME VEGETARIANS BUT ITS HARD ONCE THEY HAVE THEIR MIND SET ON EATING MEAT. WHAT ADVICE COULD YOU GIVE ME TO TRY AND SPREAD THE WORD AND ACTUALLY INSPIRE PEOPLE TO WANT TO BECOME A VEGETARIAN? IT'S ALOT HARDER THAN I THOUGHT TO CONVINCE PEOPLE. BUT YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB AND KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DO BECAUSE I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE WILL APPRECIATE IT AS MUCH AS I DID. GOD BLESS YOU GARY

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 10:53 PM

I am a senior at the University of Texasat El Paso (UTEP). You gave your presentation today during my Public Affairs Reporting class, taught by Dr. Thomas Ruggiero, and I wanted to send you a thank you. I was eager to get home and take a look at your website today, and did just that and learned just how determined you are in your cause. I have had other classes on this subject, though never an actual guest speaker, and have watched numerous videos by PETA which were hosted by Alec Baldwin. They always struck an uneasy chord in me and made me want to rethink the whole situation. I guess you would say the "blinders" were opened for me for a while, but they seemed to close quickly after words, generally within the half-hour. Your presentation gave me so much more information and food-for-thought than the videos ever did. I just wanted to let you know that you made an impact today, not just an impact but a huge dent. Tonight, for the first time that I can ever remember in 26 years, I sat down for dinner and knowingly omitted any animal products from my meal. I can see a big change in my way of life coming and am proud and eager to have it coming. I am a very dedicated person and take causes very much to heart. So, with me saying this, I am sure of myself that I am going to begin my vegan lifestyle. What you did was very appreciated and worthy. Your message did not just stop at me. I have since visited your website today and had 3 different people view the video on your page. I have even caught myself using some of the arguments that you posed during our class today. So, in short, I would like to thank you for removing "the blinders" and giving me the extra push that I needed to change. Your presentation made a difference today. Thank you again and I hope you will return to UTEP in the near future, in which case I would love to attend again. I know you "despise preaching to the choir," but I would like to get the chance to talk to you in person. I look forward to hearing from you and, hopefully, having the oppor tunity to see your presentation again at a later date.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 3:46 PM

Thank you for all your insight and for trying to change people's minds on something so simple and yet, so significant: the food we eat.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 10:04 AM

I was inspired by your lecture, and i have been exposed to soy burgers and all that before; however, at that time I didn't view the issue as ethical. Now I am trying to stop eating meat and meat products, and I can see the correlations between life quality on this planet and the tragic manner in which we have been conditioned to perceive societies norms. I am ready to try to stop eating meat. Your cause is just, yet the system is set up in such a way that we perpetuate our own destruction: cars, meat and propaganda.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 8:10 PM

I am a student in professor Best''s class @ 4:30. I have been a vegan for over 15 yrs. I thank God for you and your dedication—even though I sincerely have no faith in humans. I pray I'm wrong.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:24 AM

I attend Miramar College and was present in a Friday morning lecture class you gave. Honestly, at first when I saw the writing on the board I didn't want to stay. I knew the message was coming and I did NOT want to hear it. It meant that I would have to own up and take responsibility for being a part of the machine that is consumption. You see my mother comes from a family that farms or I should say used to a lot more when my grandfather was alive. I used to love to go to the farm as a child and see all the farm animals. But I was there as child sitting up high and out of the way when they would castrate the pigs and the cows. I did take a ride on occasion to the cattle auctions ... then I kind of figured where the cows went. You think to yourself that there is a humane process involved in meat production but that is not the case. More recently I was taking my daughter to a soccer game in Valley Center and I passed a chicken farm, I stared intently hoping that I might see some birds running around the yard, but no. Just 4 long warehouse style buildings, one with 4 huge fans at the back of it and no way to see in. I guess what I am saying here is that I haven't been able to eat meat since I saw the video, not because I am some animal rights activist or lover, but I just don't like to think about the pain of the animals about to go down. Please do not respond to this e-mail, not everyone in my home is ready to make the same move.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2007 5:12 PM

Last Friday you were at my school speaking in my Sociology class @ Miramar College. I'm 34 years old and for my whole life i've eaten meat although at different times throughout my life I would think about what I was doing and then be almost disgusted. I never knew how I would ever change my lifestyle. I have vegetarian (not vegan) friends and would try different products but they always tasted horrible to me. I have children who, I'm ashamed to say, are meat eaters and I always wondered how I would ever be able to make this huge adjustment in all of our lives. THEN, I listened to you speak. I really listened! You got through to me like no one ever has. Those blinders you speak of are off! I'm going to have some trouble in some areas with my children but i'm already working on it. I have not consumed any animal products since Fri. and it's now Mon. I really thought (and even told my friends in class) that the way I felt might pass (just being honest) but this is just the way it is and i'm a new person. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for opening my eyes and educating me. You have changed my life! Never stop speaking to people. You were meant to do this!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 12:48 AM

DUDE your presentation rocked!!! It's funny because i actually thought that i would forget about it after a week or two (just from past animal rights speakers) but i havent!!! I actually haven't eaten meat since your presentation, and i tried to drink milk but couldn't stop thinking about puss!!!! I'm definitely on a good path.....and a lot of the health stuff that you said, i did further research on it and OMG meat SUCKS!!!! Keep doing what you're doing, and when I become wealthy i will ferrrrr sure support your organization so you can educate others! You Rock!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 4:06 AM

I was in Prof. Ort's class yesterday, friday the 29th [Miramar], and I just wanted to say you really opened my eyes and blew my mind. I actually haven't eaten a meat product since hearing your presentation. you might remember me, i was the student that asked if beer was vegan. i picked up some boca burgers which are pretty good, and have been eating fruits and salads. it might sound weird but after only 2 days i feel strangely good. Full of energy. I've had a lot of conversations with my friends and family about the issue and they think I'm "crazy" or a "faggot" or a "pussy" or "hippie". i am definitely thinking about what i put in my body and who and what it affects. I sincerely thank you for teaching me and opening me eyes, and really inspiring me to think deeper about a lot of things.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 11:47 PM

I was at the morning Sociology class that you gave a talk on ethical veganism. I just turned 21 yesterday and I really take this point in my life as a start for thinking through decisions I make in a mature way. What you said about having blinders don't really apply to me. What I do have is a lack of empathy in my heart. I grew up in the Philippines and back there, seeing animals getting slaughtered was a mere daily sight. I knew and feel that there is something terribly wrong with raising animals for food consumption, or pretty much anything that mistreats them. I guess it was just force of habit and influence since the environment really coerces a lot in doing things without really considering their implications. You have presented your case well and I do think that my food choices really matter, but I'm gonna need a lot of help with this vegan lifestyle. I know you're a busy man so I'm gonna make this message short. I will check your website, www.adaptt.org, and I do hope that you could send any information that will help me on this. I'd really like to know about your struggles during the early years of you being a vegan, and some food recommendations will be greatly appreciated. May you 'convert' more 'meat-eaters'.. :) ---AFTER I RESPONDED HE WROTE THIS -- Thanks for the tips! I'm interested in finding all these vegan restaurants around town. And actually, about the milk, and cheese, it wouldn't be really hard for me to avoid them because I don't really like eating those. I also like eggs but not too much to really crave for it, but I do have a favorite food which is eggplant omelet which I have to give up for the chickens! From now on I'm gonna eat the eggplant only. From now on, I'll have this mindset that whenever I eat. I'm doing this for every animal killed and mistreated by our 'civilization'. Oh, by the way, when I got home after your talk, my mom cooked adobo (it's filipino, and i don't know what's it called in english but it's chicken cooked in vinegar, garlic, and soy sauce), and some left ove r KFC extra crispy chicken from my birthday dinner 2 nights ago, I'm telling you, they really really smelled differently! It's like I'm smelling all the death and bloodbath these poor chickens have gone through. Go vegans!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 1:17 AM

I was in Professor Coons' Political Science on Wednesday night (9/26/07). I was the one in the green shirt, sitting by the door. I just wanted to let you know how much of an impact your speech made on me. I do not eat a lot meat as it is, but I do consume milk and dairy products and I never really thought that eating dairy products was that bad, but after hearing what you have to say, I do see the cruelty in it and how it is unfair to the animals. After class, I immediately started preaching to all of my family members about all the issues you talked about and tried to convince them all to change their ways. I am going to make a huge effort in changing what I eat and going to whole heartedly give Veganism a chance as a lifestyle. I am a very driven and focused person so I think it will be a good healthy change! I am so happy that you came to our class and opened our eyes to Veganism and the things that go on in slaughter houses that we never see or hear about. There were so many topics that you brought up that I had never thought about before. I just wanted to personally thank you so much for coming and shining light on a topic that is so dark for a lot of us!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 4:22 PM

I just wanted to thank you for speaking at UCF yesterday. You definitely brought up a lot of information that I had never heard before. I seriously have all intentions to never eat meat again. Maybe change other parts of my diet as well, in time. It is actually very random that I was even at your lecture. You see I was on my way to the campus library when I crossed paths with my friend. She invited me to sit through her World Religions class, which was a course I have been wanting to take for some time now. So I went with her to class, which we later found out was having a guest speaker. I was disappointed that I wouldn't get to see the World Religions course, but having nothing of importance to do I decided I would stay and see who the guest speaker was. I'll admit I wasn't too thrilled about listening to a lecture on vegan lifestyle. While I was waiting for you to start speaking, I was already thinking of ways to counter your belief. Well, by the time it came for Q&A I didn't really have much to say and felt embarrassed for the human species.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 5:12 PM

I just saw your presentation today in my World Religions class. It touched me so much to bring me to tears after watching that video. I will admit, I am a meat eater. I will also admit that I didn't plan on watching videos on how they made our food. Not because I get grossed out. I just didn't watch it because I just thought it would be some boring presentation on what is in the food we eat, and how they make it. Watching the cruel things they do to the animals today really opened my eyes. I ate meat because I thought that the animals were killed in a fast, painless way. They aren't, I see now from the video. I am inspired to become a vegan now. My boyfriend is trying it alongside me, and he doesn't even go to this school, and wasn't in the class, obviously, for that matter. I never cared to try veganism because I thought it was too expensive, and that we were SUPPOSED to eat meat. I learned today that our biological make-up isn't carnivorous at all, and that vegan food is found everywhere, and cheap. Thank you for helping me understand. I love animals so much. I still have that child mentality you mentioned. I still love petting animals. I collected tiger toys when I was little and I am still fascinated with them. I want to have a pig as part of my family when I am older. I have always loved pigs, although ... sadly, I ate them. I ate them because I thought, like I said, they were killed quick and painless. My cousin is a vegan, and so my family makes vegan food for every occasion just for that reason, so it will be an easy transition for me. P.S I truly admire you not being active in that sick corporation PETA. I was scared before class that you would be some crazy PETA activist. Thank you for having the same views on it. So respectable. You don't know.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:27 PM

I was in your Tuesday morning presentation in Mark Lanier's UCF class (you may have noticed I was the one crying in the back :). Anyway, I just wanted to drop you a note from my sister and I (she was there too) letting you know how much we appreciated your time with us. My sister as been a vegetarian now for quite some time but I was one of those who turned a blind eye and did not think that one person could make a difference so I have always continued to eat meat. I am an animal lover of all kinds and have been active for over 2 years now in Greyhound rescue but I was just never motivated enough to think about being a vegetarian because I was either lazy or didn't think I mattered in the grand scheme of things. However, after hearing you speak and watching your video (which will never leave my mind) I know for sure that I can make a difference by stopping the purchasing and consumption of these products. I truly can not stop thinking about your presentation and I know it may take me a while to perfect the vegan part, I know I am going to make the best effort that I can to not support that industry anymore. It was such a wake up call that morning and I can't thank you enough for coming to UCF and speaking to us. You are doing a wonderful job and should be very proud of your passion. Your website is very helpful and I know it will be a regular site for me as I embark on this lifestyle and I appreciate it very much. Thank you again. P.S. My husband is very supportive in my decision and is also very interested in the change for himself so I will do my best to pass on your education to him. He loves healthy food so I will just tell him about the hen's period and he'll be on board. :)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:29 PM

I'm from Michael Flint's 'Crime in America' class at the University of Central Florida. You presented to our class at 8:30 and I came back to the 2:30 class to compliment you on your presentation. I also got your business card and I am e-mailing you because I'm interested in first becoming a vegetarian for my health as well as animals' sake. I am also e-mailing you in order to find out some healthy things to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that will still allow me to get my necessary protein-intake. So, please e-mail me at your earliest convenience with your suggestions. Thank you!

NOTE FROM ME: This comment was posted on YouTube after a student watched the slaughterhouse video online:

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:22 PM

Gary Yourofsky came and spoke to my Crime in America class at UCF and I think it was quite fitting. This really is a crime in America. Such cruelty makes me pity the human race. Gary changed my view on this matter in one 60 minute speech. Show this to everyone you know!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:38 PM

I am a student in Dr. Burris's World Religion class [UCF], and today, Thursday morning, you spoke to our class. I really enjoyed your presentation. I have been living a vegetarian lifestyle for a few months now, but your words have encouraged me to be strictly vegan. I'm not sure how anyone who listens to you speak could stand to eat meat/meat products anymore. I also wanted to thank you for giving me tons of information to share with my friends and family who think I'm insane for choosing this lifestyle. Thank you so much for coming in and speaking with us!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:06 PM

You came to our sociology class [Western Carolina] and gave the speech on Animal Rights. I just wanted to say that your speech really moved me. It was probably the most influential speech I have ever heard. Now I am currently a vegetarian. I am hoping in a few months I will be able to go all the way and go Vegan. We are doing a civic engagement project in our class and my group is doing Animal Cruelty. We're still not sure what exactly we're going to do, that's another reason why I emailed you. I thought you might be able to give us a few good ideas. Also I wanted to say what your doing is excellent. Keep it UP!!! Thanks so much again!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 6:56 PM

I talked to you after class and you said you would be able to send me an email about what to do to change over to become vegan. This would be very appreciated because I've wanted to do this for awhile, and with some guidance I think I would be able to do it. Thank you very much for coming and speaking to the class is was very informative and I agree with you that it is unfair to the animals.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 5:13 PM

Is there a place i can go to get the video you showed in class today [UCF] and possibly others like it. That video had such an impact on me that when i got home today i took as much of my food back to the store as possible and the rest i gave to some other kids. I would like to try to spread the word around some through facebook and myspace. I would like the video to show to my roommates and family and friends. So if you could please either send me the video or send me a link to the video i would appreciate it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 9:17 PM

You are very inspiring. Thank you for showing the world the other side that is hidden from us until someone like you enters our lives. I will no longer contribute to the demand in the market for slaughter and murder. I tend to be loud about what I do and hope people will see my changes and follow their own life path to this kindness. I will add and apply what you have taught me to how I've learned to live my life. Thank you for spreading the word and opening the eyes of as many people as possible. Now that I can see, parts of the world are ugly. Truth is worth the view, and the world can change. Small actions create change.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 11:45 AM

I enjoyed your presentation on Tuesday for my Philosophy class [U of Tennessee]. I didn't enjoy the video, but I was affected by it, and your presentation. You've inspired me. You made very interesting points on the human body, animal mistreatment, and eating animals. Right now I am currently attempting to hold to a vegetarian diet. I have decided to go with one of the ideas you stated and make certain days of the week Vegan/Vegetarian day. Right now I'm starting out with 2 days a week, and I'm hoping to increase it. Thank you for the sterling presentation. You had quite the affect on me, and I've been telling some of my friends about it, relaying the info that you gave us, and they have found it interesting as well. Thanks again

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 10:42 AM

Thanks for your time, and for opening our eyes and dismissing the ignorance we've held on to. The presentation was definitely eye-opening, and since then, I've been more aware of what I'm eating. It's disconcerting to learn that what I've been doing all my life has been an illusion.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 12:48 PM

I just wanted to say thank you for opening my eyes to a new world & showing me that killing and eating animals is the wrong thing to do. Since I met you on Thursday, I have not eaten any meat products whatsoever! I discussed this new change of lifestyle with my boyfriend, Ben, and he respected it & has actually helped me with it. I have decided to be a vegetarian at first and am really am trying!! I think as soon as I get used to being a vegetarian I will pursue being a vegan. I did talk to the girl sitting beside me in the classroom & she said that she wasn't going to eat meat again either .... so you definitely made an impact on two people, and I'm sure even more! Thanks for everything!!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 2:16 PM

I go to Western Carolina. I just wanted to tell you thanks again for coming today and sharing your knowledge and opinions with us...it was a real eye-opener. I don't think the images from that video will ever leave my head. Any advice you could offer to me in beginning this new endeavor would be greatly appreciated! Have a blessed weekend, and I hope to hear from you soon.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, August 17, 20075:37 PM

Thanks for your talk in Ms. Hollendonner's class on Tuesday [U. of Akron]. I have really been giving a lot of thought to what you said and just so that you know, I haven't eaten any meat since that day! I can't say that I haven't had cheese, but one step at a time and I will get there! I have ALWAYS been an animal lover, but I think that you traumatized me that day—that's OK, it was good for me to hear all that you said. I am trying to get started with cooking for my family and would appreciate any pointers that you can give me! Thanks again for what you do!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 4:21 PM

It's your old friend Cathy here. I would say I hope you're doing well, but I know you are, because I hear your name mentioned quite a bit, so I know you are still changing the world -- and people's lives -- for the better. Here is an e-mail a friend here sent me (I helped convert her from eating meat about a year ago). It's from a friend of hers who attended your lecture: "I'm taking a philosophy course on ethics and we had a vegan activist as a presenter on Monday. While I was eating a minimum amount of meat before, that was it, I'm done. I'm no longer supporting these f'n farm factories. I don't think there's really anything worse going on and I'll no longer be a part of it." Thought you would appreciate hearing that and wanted to pass it on. Keep up your important work!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 5:46 PM

I am taking a public speaking class this summer. We are now doing persuasive speeches. I am doing mine on going vegan. Is there a way that I can get a video over the internet? I need a visual aid and she said that videos are what get the most impact. Or is there any way I can get a copy of the video that you show in the classes you lecture at? I speak on Tuesday, I know it is short notice, but I guess this is the nature of summer school classes.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 5:42 PM

You spoke to my class at the University of Akron a couple months ago. I have been meaning to write you for some time but I suppose it is better late than never. I wanted to thank you for teaching me so much. It may sound lame or "cheesy" to some but I am not one to care about such things. I feel like such a fool. I believe in seeking truth in every aspect of life, from cancer to coup de etats, to terrorist attacks and corporate secrets. I don't know how I could have been so blind! This probably sounds bizarre ... dumb ... I don't know ... but it's true. I had been putting the burnt corpses (among other things) into my body for 22 years. Not only that but I didn't even stop to think about what was happening to not only myself but to the animals ... not just in the meat and dairy industry but the fur, leather, zoo, etc., industries. Your lecture enlightened me almost as far as anything in my entire life (thus far). After walking out of the classroom I vowed to stop eating meat. This took a couple of days, but during those days I watched things ... read things ... thought about things ... all pertaining to what you had talked about. Everything you said, as far as I know, is truth. Anybody that doesn't believe these things is simply ignorant or in denial. I see the truth in so many facets of life now. The notion that human beings are superior to all animals is completely ridiculous. Sure, our brains our superior in many ways, but that should only support the idea that we know better than to harm these animals. But you know all of these things already. You taught me, and many other people, these ideas. I guess I just wanted to thank you and let you know that I support you and your ideas. You are a role model in a world with so few to me. I support the Animal Liberation Front and ADAPTT. I have read the slander that people say about you (I can't believe this animalrights.net bullshit) and I am in awe of the evil in people. I have become devoted to doing what I can to help the animals. I will always know that it wa s you that taught me these things. I will remember the days that you spoke to us and how they affected me. Again, thank you for doing what you do. I will do my best to help. By the way, my girlfriend is now a vegetarian and almost vegan as a result of me telling her what you taught me. Our children will be raised in similar fashion. I know that people can change, so always have hope.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 7:04 PM

I am so happy that you are still active in protecting animals. You are a walking inspiration. You are an amazing being on this planet. I admire your stance for animals, your passion for justice, for standing for what is right, for giving your powerful voice to animals. You will go down in history and are an example to me of who I want to be. Someone who sees injustice and does something about it against the tides. THANK YOU for your voice, your love and care for the voiceless. Please never stop doing what you are doing. You ARE making a DIFFERENCE!!!! You are.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 8:03 AM

I have not yet read today's email from you. But, for whatever it's worth, I just happen to be in the mood to swell somebody's ego a bit. This is not a gay thing, Gary. It's a guy thing. It is my opinion that you are a real man, and on those rare occasions when I see something in my in box with your return address, I get a twinge of pleasure and a little bit of a smile. Warmth? Satisfaction? All of those good things rolled into one which make me realize that there is some hope left in this world to still roll things into neat little packages and do brain implants on the ignorant fools among us. Damn, Gary, I admire you for your work and wish that there was a mechanism called justice that was able to reward you for all of the pain you've carried, all of the sacrifices you've made, all of the examples that you have set to make my world a more tolerable one. If there is any such thing as offering comfort through tribute, please let it be known to the furthest reaches of your psyche that I admire the hell out of you. Also, please do not respond to this email. Just absorb it and recognize that there are many others like me who want to say "Thanks, Gary" for who you are and for what you do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 12:56 AM

I was in Hans Klein's Philosophy class at Georgia Tech. I was really very skeptical about your speech beforehand. I have grown up a meat-eater, and I did not think that anything could change my mind about eating meat much less drinking milk or eating cheese or eggs. However, after hearing you speak, I am seriously considering altering my diet and lifestyle. I am married, though, and my wife is still very skeptical (as I was before I listened to you the other day). I would really love for her to hear you speak sometime as I feel it would have as much of an impact on her as it did on me- and therefore our 6 and a half month old daughter also (so the sooner the better). I looked on the www.adaptt.org website but did not see any information on if you could catch your speech anywhere. (In fact it appears you only speak in college settings for the most part?) Anyway, I would love at least for my wife to be able to hear you speak

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 10:05 AM

You spoke in Aletia Droba's class Monday June 4. I would like to thank you for informing me about the cruelty animals face so we can have a piece of meat. I wanted to know your web site so I can get more information about being a vegan. Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 1:05 AM

I just wanted to let you know how moving your presentation was today [UCF]. I was not raised in a vegan or vegetarian household, but after listening to your presentation today, I decided to become a vegan. I guess (to an extent) I knew what I was eating, but as you said, my "blinders" were on really tight. After today, my blinders were basically removed. I can safely say that I am one of the most non-squeamish people, however, that video you showed us in class was ABSOLUTELY DISTURBING and revolting. I was in Publix with my roommate after class today, and at the sight of the meat department, I thought I was going to throw up. Even after your presentation, I might have had a slight doubt as to whether or not I would be capable of becoming a vegan, but after almost throwing up in Publix, my mind is definitely made up. So, I just wanted to say thank you for speaking to our class today and for opening our eyes to something we have been trying not to see...I know that you are only one person, but the effect you have on others is tremendous, I think you are fighting for a great cause, and I wish you all the best. Thank You.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 3:58 PM

Thanks so much for coming to UCF today. Because of people like you, I am able to take a small step towards veganism. Much gratitude to you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 6:23 PM

I am a student in the class at Wayne State University of which you presented your speech on veganism. I have been interested in this lifestyle for a few weeks as I have done some research into the benefits of such a diet. I have been an "avid" meat-eater for my entire life, viewing only vegetables and fruit as a compliment to a hearty 24oz. steak. I had known about the atrocities that were occurring in slaughterhouses and farms for quite some time yet still indulged feasting on animal products. For me it was alright for someone else to torture and mutilate these defenseless animals for my consumption but it was not alright for me to step on a bug, hit a dog, or shoot a deer strictly for sport. I call this accepted hypocrisy; which I am guilty of. Your speech came as a bit of an impromptu acquisition to what I have been pondering. Is it ethical? As you stated, it is unethical to murder a defenseless animal. I have always felt as being part of a species with a higher mental capability that we have a bond with our neighbors who share this planet with us. But do we as human beings really utilize this great blessing to everyone's benefit? I am a realist, and I believe that in most situations that one individual cannot turn the tide to benefit all of a civilization. However if one person can become a true vegan and save thousands of animals by not consuming them; that is one of the few exceptions of how one person can change the world. With this idea, and the supporting scientific evidence of the healthy alternative presented with this lifestyle I have decided to experiment with veganism. This decision had not just come from your arguments presented in your speech alone. I have been interested in this diet for quite some time but have not had any motivation to do so. You have reinforced my new beliefs with honesty and factual evidence. Accepting that I have been a hypocrite in my decisions and my love for innocent and beautiful creatures I will stop completely eating any meat and eventually wean myself from using d ead animal related clothing and accessories. I hope with this decision I will see an improvement in my health, weight, and morality.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 6:57 PM

I was a member of the audience during your lecture at Ohio State University for the Animal Sciences class. I wanted to tell you that I have been a vegetarian since the moment I left the lecture hall. I am taking steps to become vegan, I have replaced milk and many dairy products already. I did, for the sake of my own curious mind, look into the factory farms ... and actually watched some other videos of the killing rooms. It showed me just how true everything you said really was that goes on in those places. It was really disturbing. I am taking steps to become more compassionate in my lifestyle, and I want to thank you for taking my blinders off. Between you and me- I feel so much better about myself physically and mentally since making the move to remove meat from my life. Thank you again!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 1:39 PM

I saw you speak about four years ago at the University of Michigan. Since then, I have become a supporter of animal rights, as well as a vegan. Thank you for your inspiring words. I have, in recent years, become particularly impassioned about big cats living in captivity, and have thus accepted an opportunity to work for one of the large circuses in hopes of investigating animal abuses. I hooked up with PETA, not knowing of any other options regarding how to use the materials that I collect in the circus position. After reading your take on PETA's operations, I am questioning whether granting them access to any information will be used for the benefit of the animals. I am hoping you can give me some feedback regarding this situation. Thanks so much.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 8:24 PM

I attended your lecture on animal rights today. I talked to you about zoos, and I looked at your website. It was very helpful. I wanted to ask you your opinion on an argument that I have heard some people say. Some people say that animals that are born in zoos are not as important because they are not used to the wild. They do not know anything of the wild, so they are not missing out on anything. What do you think of that argument and how would you refute it? It would be great if you could give me your input, it would greatly help me on my English paper. Thank you so much for your help. Your speech today was great. Thank you again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:12 AM

I would like to take a minute and thank you for coming to UF to share your stories regarding animal cruelty and the benefits of becoming vegan. THANK YOU for your time and commitment in helping protect animals and teaching others. I think what you are doing is great!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 10:39 PM

Thank you for coming to Prof. Roehr's class on Thursday at NJCU. I also wanted to thank you again for your words. You noticed I was upset with myself for continuing eating meat. I was ashamed that even though I heard your speech twice before, and Thursday's was my third, I only tried to slow down on eating meat instead of stopping it completely. I'm sorry i got a little emotional, is just that I was really upset with myself, I guess I didn't want to admit how selfish I was being for only caring about the taste. In my philosophy classes we discuss about different issues that are happening and always wonder how can people do such things like-how can people mistreat others, how can they kill each other, go to war, and how can people care more about money than our own planet. In other words, commit injustices, and we don't even realize that we commit it everyday at our dinning table, as you said. I stopped eating meat since that day and hopefully I could get my family to do the same thing. Besides eating meat, rice and beans, I've been raised eating chinese food because some of my family on my dad's side are from Canton. My grandfather loved to cook and taught my family how to cook. Everyone loved his special touch and my father inherited as well. I really like they way they cook their vegetables. The chinese food I've tasted in my house when I was little is very different to the chinese food known in this country, I guess it's more commercialized. There is a japanese market around my house where I can find certain ingredients, especially their vegetables that can't just be found in every market. I used to cook certain dishes that included meat in them but now I going to experiment with veggies only : ) Thank you again and I might see you again in another class.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 8:32 PM

I got the chance to see your lecture in my fall semester of 2006 at UCF and I have a few questions that I would like to ask you for an upcoming paper that I am going to write. When was the first time that you became aware of the unethical treatment of animals? How old were you when you started acting upon it? What kinds of things did you change in your everyday life to support your new lifestyle? Was it hard to make the change? Did your family and friends support you, or did any of them follow in your footsteps? Who has inspired you the most and why? Why did you decide to become a public speaker on animal rights? What do you personally gain from it? Even if you do not persuade your audience to adopt the vegan lifestyle, what are some small changes that they can make in order to help the cause? What is the key message that you want your audience to walk away with? I greatly appreciate the time you took to answer my questions. Thank you and have a wonderful day!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 8:32 PM

you might not remember me but i surely remember you and the lecture you gave at njcu on wed. i stayed after class and spoke to you for a while ... anyways id like to thank you for opening my eyes ... what you said and did really changed my perspective of life and the way i should live it by respecting the animals i've been blindly abusing. it's been a difficult but positive transition and i just bought my first pint of silk =) i wish you luck

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 12:02 PM

I just came from your lecture and I wanted to say it was awesome.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 5:25 PM

I was in the class you just lectured today and I found your speech very impressive and eye opening. I liked your idea of taking several days out of the week to turn away from meat and dairy products and I'm sure I can agree with that at this moment and take several days of my week to pass on the cheeseburgers and chicken wings.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 5:50 PM

I just wanted to thank you for your lecture today at NJCU. I have always been such an animal lover and have tried to do my part whether it was adopting from shelters, fostering shelter animals until they can find homes, donating time and money to shelters, I even once purchased a duck at a slaughterhouse when I was 9 using saved up lunch money. Unfortunately, the duck died no more than 3 hours later; however, at least he passed peacefully—not by being decapitated. I also gave it a proper burial in my backyard. Anyway, I never really thought of myself as a hypocrite until today. Yes, I do usually choose the Boca burgers over regular ones, and yes I do use soymilk instead of regular already. However, I never did it because it's morally right—I mainly did it because I wanted to eat healthier. I was never aware of the process used to getting the meat I did eat. (I don't mean that I wasn't aware that an animal was killed for it. Of course I knew that.) I never realized what they went through before being served on the plate. It's not so much that I feel bad because they had to be killed to get there, I mean yes, that's a shame, but I've learned to deal with that. The part that really got to me was what they lived through to get there. Your lecture today really opened up my eyes. Keep doing what you're doing, I think it's great! Hopefully you can open the eyes of many others. Thanks again!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 2:05 PM

I attend NJCU and am in Professor Sabine's class, u attended her class earlier today to talk to us about veganism and speciesism. after hearing you talk and i'm being honest, u got me. i felt disgusted by what i saw and i honestly had no idea, well i knew animals had to die in order for me to eat but i didn't know to what extent this issue was. but i got to say u convinced me to actually take at this new lifestyle, as a way to save animals lives, and also take off the blinders that have been on for 21yrs. what is your website that you provided for the class to view? i didn't write it down and i am interested in seeing how i can help those animals and how i can better my life. thank you for the eye awakening, maybe you might be saying that i really haven't seen what you've seen but trust me, looking at my coach purse that has leather on it i feel disgusted to even claim it as my own and for me to say that about purses it means a lot.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:32 PM

Well Gary, I have to admit, I came into class today extremely skeptical and ready to pounce on anything you said that I disagreed with. You see, although I'm a person who sets very high moral standards for myself (being a Christian certainly helps that!), I am also very set in my ways; which is a good thing sometimes, and could also be a bad thing at times as well. Well like I said I came in today ready to disagree with you on any little issue, but to my surprise you gave me very little to "scruntch my nose" at. I felt that you were being kind of close-minded when you said that if you're not a vegan, you have blinders on. But thankfully that was early in the lecture and your knowledge of both Ethical and Medical reasoning for Veganism was really impressive to me. You see, I debate also, regarding Creation/Evolution. And the fact that you were really capable of covering all the points on why Veganism is the way to go, really grabbed my attention. I have already visited your site and really plan on giving Veganism a fair try. Your suggestion of "Vegan Monday and Tuesday" was really appropriate, because you didn't require an immediate change of lifestyle from the class, which would have turned most of us off! By the way, (because I know how it feels to know that someone you spoke in front of was moved) I already spoke to quite a few students from my other class, 2 of whom are also on the road to veganism! Thanks for "taking my blinders off". God Bless.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 8:45 AM

Thank you so much for the wonderful presentation you gave in Mel Seesholtz's class at Penn State Abington last week. Your compassion for animals is exceptional and not seen much. I didn't really have time after it to speak with you face to face and that was a little upsetting, so I decided to write you this e-mail of appreciation and admiration. Thank you so much for opening up the eyes of so many people last week and helping them see the torture that goes on every day.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 9:35 AM

I just listened to your lecture in Professor Short's class [Rhode Island College], and I had a couple questions but couldn't ask because I am getting over strep throat. You said that our bodies do not digest animal protein properly. I recently had started to lift weights and unfortunately increased protein intake. Is the whey protein found in protein shake mix any better, or is whey protein the same. I have no idea where the whey protein comes from. Second, I am one of the students who plans on making a lifestyle change, but unfortunately I am not the biggest fan of vegetables. For example, onions and peppers literally makes me gag and I don't like the taste of salads. Are there options for people like me who want to try a lifestyle change, and do you think that after a while of this change I would learn to like vegetables?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 6:28 PM

As a full on skeptic of veganism, you truly did make a valid point today. I was in Dr. Hanley's philosophy class [U of Delaware]. I am a biology major, and you started off very strong with your beliefs and practices which made me even more doubtful of how I would have walked out of the classroom that day. I kept thinking in my head "well we are the most evolved species, eating meat is just the easiest way to feed ourselves in dining hall, etc." Then of course the video is extremely graphic and gets your attention whether you like it or not. I have seen a similar video on dolphins in japan, and I'm not a closed minded person on cultures, but I thought the way they treated animals was disgusting. But then of course it didn't change a damn thing for me, just created anger that changed nothing physically. The best part though that I feel had an impact on me was the part about humans as a species and the evolutionary sense. I've take biology classes and I know the cholesterol we take in from meat is not natural, but the impressive part was about the enzymes in out saliva for carbohydrates and long, developed intestine. Also, you defended the option of eating soy and tofu brilliantly. This being said I had a salad for lunch, and told pretty much anyone that would listen about the lecture. And as you said I know it's not going to be an immediate change for many people just not eating meat. That I appreciated and because of your lecture, I will try to eat less meat and more vegan. As a typical not perfect consumer, I think giving up meat and other products every once in a while would be a worthwhile investment. Thanks again for the eye opener.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 3:28 PM

I was sitting in on the lecture you gave today in Dr. Seesholtz 8am class. I just wanted to let you know that I thought your speech was excellent. I have been an on and off vegetarian for the past 4 months now. You had mentioned that it does make a difference and I guess the reason I kept giving in and giving up was because I didn't think that my being a vegetarian would make a damn difference. Having listened to your speech today really changed my mind. It made me think about things more clearly. I do have a pet. I did cry because the whole time I kept thinking about my dog and what would happen if that had been her. Also I just wanted to tell you that I really think it's sad that some people just see this situation in black and white and think that just because animals are animals that they deserve to die. I had a conversation with a friend about this subject and when I told him what happens to chickens and their beaks he actually got excited and was like "well they're only chopping it off, so what who cares? they don't have feelings anyway." I was appalled yet shocked at the same time to hear someone's reaction to that extreme. It's really sad. Thank you for speaking to our class today! I retained a lot of valuable information and today is the turning point in a new lifestyle for myself and for the world.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 10:17 PM

I'm a student at UCF and not too long ago you lectured about Specisism for my World Religions class. I was wondering if there was a link to the video that you showed us or if it is possible for me to access it online at all. I enjoyed your lecture.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 11:23 PM

I can't tell you how much I was moved by you speech to my ethics class at UM- Dearborn. One of the things that we were asked to do was write a synopsis of what we heard and then reflect on it. Here's what I wrote: "When I left the class on Thursday I cried for the entire drive home (40 minutes). I felt disgusted with myself, and with what people do to animals. I've never believed in furs or tons of leather but I didn't realize what I was contributing to. My eyes were opened and my "blinders" were off. I know some people just brushed off what they saw and heard, but the images and words have been running through my head since. How much greater could our species be if we respected the others? I know it's not much but I've been Vegan for six days now, and I feel stronger than ever. So I guess, Thank You Gary Yourofsky."

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2007 10:50 PM

I just wanted to thank you for speaking to Mr. Skrbina's Philosophy class the other day at UMD. That was the second time I heard you speak and you affected me both times. I think you are a very influential speaker and make incredibly valid points. I try and spread the information you have given me with other people whenever the opportunity arises. I also wanted to tell you, although I am not a full blooded vegan, I have greatly decreased the intake on the amount of meat and dairy products I consume. Thank you again and keep speaking out, you really are effecting people.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2007 10:44 PM

I am a student at University of Central Florida. I've been to your speech during my World Religions class. I was the girl who asked if there were any shelters for the male chicks. I'm currently working on a 4-6 minute speech about meat substitutes (mock meats).

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 11:50 AM

I was in Jim Halleman's morning class that you spoke to last week [OCC-Highland Lakes]. I thoroughly enjoyed your speech and you convinced me to look further into veganism.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 1:33 PM

I'm from the Ethics class you made a presentation in today at UMD (I was the one that stayed after and asked about the Natives). I want to just thank you for coming in today, I never had the chance to tell you that. I didn't realize the animal industry has caused so much problems for global warming. It is alarming. AND I would like to say that I am taking you up on your idea of doing one or two days a week of Veganism. Thanks for the speech, it was very interesting.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2007 6:40 PM

You came and spoke to our class at Georgia Tech about a month ago, and it was quite frankly, a fantastic talk. Due to my religion, I was a vegan to begin with, but your speech reinforced my beliefs. I am in need of your help, if you would not mind, with a pamphlet that I am creating for the class that you spoke to. The topic of my pamphlet is the horrors that animals are subject to before reaching someone's plate, especially the path towards it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 8:12 PM

Thank you so much for coming out to our class [U of Akron] and exposing truth that most people aren't taking the time to consider or accept. I think your approach and compassion are one of the many avenues toward changing the perspectives of people everywhere. I appreciate your care and effort for all sentient beings and will try to carry on your methods in my own life. All these truths bring people to a point where they can no longer claim ignorance of these issues.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 6:29 PM

I attend UTEP, where you spoke a few weeks back. I just want to say thank you for speaking to us because you truly inspired me. I was contemplating whether or not to go vegetarian for a very long time, but your speech really solidified the facts for me. I want to tell other people of the problem but it seems as though even my closest friends won't listen. How did you start to get people's attention? I'm not a very good speaker, but I'd like to go against the odds and try to raise awareness because I truly believe in my heart that this is wrong and we do have an opportunity to change it, but people aren't paying attention. I know you probably have a lot of problems with that as well, but I'd like to get your thoughts on it. Thank you so much again, my life has completely changed for the better.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 5:39 PM

Thank you so much for coming to speak with us [U of Akron]. At first on Friday, I honestly thought it would be two days of talking and then back to normal. I'm seriously amazed to see now how much you've really changed the way I think. I really haven't stopped thinking about everything you said since then. I really really agree with you and I am going to start changing my life because of it. Also, as far as information goes, living with people who eat meat, and family who eat meat, I know I'm going to come under some criticism and skepticism for this, is there also a good place that you recommend (your arguments changed me, I think you made them really well) to find information so I can be able to talk intelligently to people who might think what I'm doing is foolish/weird? Once again, thank you so much, I hope there were at least a couple other people in the classes who feel like I feel now, and please keep doing what you're doing.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 12:05 AM

I heard you speak last week in my effective public speaking class, and after class I told you that I was going to try going vegan. And so far, I have. Thank you so much for sharing your information with me...it really has helped remove the blinders.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2007 6:25 PM

First of all I want to say thanks for taking off the blinders. I just listened to your two lectures at UW-.Rock County. I had my very first veggie burger today and it was surprisingly not bad.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2007 3:01 PM

I was in the American Gov class at UW-Rock Countylast night. Thank you for coming. I had the blinders on my whole life. I actually cried during the video you showed. I can't believe we treat animals like that. This is the start of a major life change for me and my husband.(he was also in that class). We have always been against hunting and animal testing, but never really thought about where our food came from. I felt your presentation had great points about the health benefits and abuse to animals. I am a nurse, so I can really relate to the health issues. I would really like to know if there is anything I can do to help with animal rights and animal testing issues.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2007 3:06 PM

Thanks for speaking today. I thought your presentation was very interesting and very informative!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 9:38 AM

I am a student at UCF. I was at your presentation in Mark Lanier's class. I want to thank you for awakening me to reality. I was never confronted to reality like that before and I want to mention that I haven't eaten any meat, and I exchanged regular milk for soy milk (I can not believe how good it is). Further, I am researching info about vegan lifestyle and I think it is pretty cool. I believe that you have a purpose in life and you are fighting for it. Thanks for educating people like me and I bet many others to realize the cruelty that many animals experience because of "us" humans. Don't let anyone bring you down. You are exceptional. Keep going man.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2007 2:19 AM
Subject: Crying while walking down the aisles of Wal Mart

Well first of all let me commend you on your lecture. You spoke to a small crowd (At El Paso Community College 10:00 a.m. this past Thursday. Yet your demeanor suggested you were speaking to hundreds. I loved your speech. after your speech I realized that being a vegetarian is not about not eating meat. It's about caring. And I realized that if if I wanted to do something I couldn't just care a little. I had to care the whole nine yards so I have officially switched to complete veganism. Yet that's not the point of this email. Today I was walking down an aisle of Wal-Mart smiling because I was proud of my choice! My head turned a fraction and I realized I was standing in front of the meat section. I stared at the slabs of "Flesh" and felt my eyes welling up. There before me sat the corpses of beautiful cows. Friendly pigs. Adorable chicks. I stood there like a fool, your four minute movie flashing in my head, realizing what a terrible world I have been living in blindly for the past nineteen years. I couldn't take my eyes off the murder right in front of me. I watched people walking by completely oblivious to what was RIGHT there! I felt like screaming. Needless to say I understand your message.

I would really like to know how I can help. I'm a college kid so monetary donations are out of my league at this point. I realize I'm doing what I can by staying vegan but I feel it in my bones that I can do more. So I'm asking what I can do to help you. You do 250 lectures. That's a lot of lectures. Maybe you need help with lectures in the southwestern area. I can 100% assure you I am a great public speaker...maybe I could help give a few lectures around my area. Maybe you need someone to make posters for rallies. Maybe you need someone to lick a few envelopes. You let me know how I can help. Because I want to. I feel like I need to. Just let me know. [AFTER MY RESPONSE, SHE SENT THE FOLLOWING EMAIL] I've been reading over the material on your website and looking. I have decided to start small and build from there.

We are required to do a persuasive speech in my speech class so I will be doing a piece I've titled "Religious Veganism". From there I plan on constructing a 60 minute piece I will lecture on at area high schools. I've already been in contact with a few teachers/counselors and have had really positive responses! It's an idea and it will of course take time to evolve into a reality but I have already begun my journey! Also (thanks to you) I am discovering a small but powerful vegetarian/vegan community here in El Paso and have already been in touch with them. I've decided to take this full swing and share the knowledge that has been thrust upon me. Even within my own family I live in sadness at their blind ignorance. While I feel I have been gifted with freedom from my newfound sight I also find myself saddened by other people's reaction. How can something that seem so obvious to me be so intolerable to others? I am more in love with Earth than I have ever been but I find myself retreating from society more each day. I find I can channel my anger smoothly when I am "preaching" (as I have been accused of) about simple kindness towards animals. Thanks for "listening" !!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 11:03 PM

I recently heard your speech about vegetarianism at UTEP this past week. I'm sure you have heard this before but you have changed my life for the better. Thank you and good luck with your dreams!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 9:17 PM

We spoke after you gave your speech at el pasocommunity college. and you said to message you so that you can give me some pointers on how to get started with veganism.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 6:17 PM

I just wanted to thank you so much for coming to talk to our class [UCF]. I was vegetarian when you came to our class and now I am vegan. You cleared up so many things that I was confused about. Now I know about the dairy industry and how humans do not need meat to survive. I am much happier knowing that I am not hurting any animals at all. Now I can finally call myself a true animal lover. The only thing that really sucks is seeing society from this point of view now. But, that's everybody else's loss. Thank you, once again, for coming in and enlightening me. You seriously changed my life. Have a great day!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2007 12:39 PM

I just wanted to say that your lecture was amazing. You looked great up there and I can tell people were listening. If no one tells you today, you are an angel. You are doing this because you have to, not because you want to, it's an inner drive that I can completely relate to.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 1:47 PM

I recently attended one of your lectures in Mark Lanier's class at the University of Central Florida. Your lecture was eye opening to say the least. I was wondering if you had some recommendations of websites or literature regarding the physiological aspects of the meat-eating lifestyle versus that of a vegan lifestyle. The examples that you gave in class of the health dangers involved are enough to make anyone think twice about current eating habits.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2007 7:38 PM

I am in Dr. Lanier's Crime in America class at UCF. I heard you speak on Thursday. When I was 12 years old I cut out all meat except for fish and shrimp. Coming from a Puerto Rican family, this was quite difficult because there is meat in almost everything my mother cooks. Your lecture has stayed with me over the last few days. I wanted to let you know that today when I went grocery shopping, I switched to Silk milk. I guess that I am sending this email to tell you that what you do is pretty heroic and is certainly making a difference. Thank you and good luck.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2007 12:21 AM

First and foremost I wanted to let you know your lecture on the vegan lifestyle was thoroughly engaging as well as eye opening. Its something I have been thinking about doing for quite some time now, but, I have heard that it was too hard, too expensive, and not worth it because animals are supposed to eat meat. Of course I don't believe everything I hear, and it is going to take a little work, but after listening to you speak it didn't seem like it was going to be a fiasco to make it work. The video you showed of your own findings hit home because I always sort of thought there was no way something like that could widespread over the entire meat industry. I have also been thinking about what you said about the idea of "empathy" as well. I live in Oviedo. Oviedo has several chickens that run around downtown. I never got to the bottom of why or how they came to be, they have always been here is what I am told when I inquire. The residents are very protective over them, as there are even bumper stickers that many locals have that say, "I brake for Oviedo Chickens" and its not a joke. People actually do stop in the middle of traffic for them. Nobody gets angry and honks at you if you take a few seconds to move at a light because a hen and her chicks are crossing the street. My favorite place to eat in the little town always has chickens sleeping in the trees in the evenings, and nobody bothers them either. It's actually a really awesome thing to witness. I'm sure more than a few of the drivers who brake for the Oviedo Chickens during the day devour their cousins (or something to that extent) for dinner and do not think twice about it. I know I did not until you spoke on Thursday. So I was just thinking about this empathy thing and decided that the Oviedo Chickens are teaching us all a big lesson we are too blind to miss. It's possible to live with animals without chopping them up for dinner. Like I said, people are very protective over them and its just interesting to see that level of human compassion for an animal other than a cat or dog or something else that is "cute and cuddly". I have intentions with the e-mail beyond rambling, I checked out the sites you gave us. I am wondering if I have not overlooked it, but as I am 24 hours free of meat thus far I was wondering if there is safe candy. I think I am going to be vegetarian and then eventually gravitate towards vegan. I have heard that often times certain chewy candy have animal bi-products. I have a serious sweet tooth and I was wondering if there is such a thing as "safe candy"?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 5:02 PM

I'm in John Burris' World Religions class at UCF. I'm not a vegetarian or a vegan but recently I have tried to minimize the amount of meat that I consume. I am writing a paper for my English class on why people should be weary about consuming meat. And the conditions in which the animals are held. I'm not attempting to be a hypocrite by writing a paper about why people shouldn't eat meat even though I still do. It is just a process of educating myself and believing in something that is possible within myself as well as others

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 8:44 AM

I overheard the discussion you were having with students after last night's lecture, and was intrigued. You said you would be speaking again today, and I was wondering if it would be possible to find out when and where. I'm intrigued by what you were saying, and would like to hear the rest of your presentation. (SHE CAME TO A LECTURE AND SAID SHE WAS GOING VEGAN!!!)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 3:41 PM

I enjoyed your talk today in the religions class. I was considering vegetarianism a while ago but I don't know where to start. Since I'm accustomed to eating meat, is it ok to just stop suddenly? I know you're not a doctor but you went vegan so I thought you'd know!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 2:19 PM

Can you please send me a video of slaughterhouses so that I can show it to some of my friends. I saw you speak a couple of months ago at OCC-Southfield.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 12:16 AM

I was present in one of your presentations this past Thursday at the University of Tennessee. I am an extreme animal lover (as most people probably tell you) and I now can understand that tried not to think about what I was actually doing by eating meat to save my own conscience. I tried to make excuses to myself, like it was too expensive to do it when I was in college, but now I'm done with excuses. I have not eaten any meat for the last 4 days and I don't plan on it ever again, but I am finding some trouble going from meat everyday to veganism. It's almost so much of a drastic change so quick I am afraid of messing up. I thought that maybe I could do it more gradually and when I come more adjusted with Vegetarianism I could gradually transition to veganism. I wondered if you knew of any way that I could cause the least negative impact while still eating dairy? Or is this pretty much impossible? Just email back if you get a chance. Your presentation is amazing, and forcing myself to open my eyes and watch the video changed me. Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 2:32 PM

I was in the class that you spoke with last night [U of Tennessee]. Veganism is something that I have considered a long time and in my regular everyday life I did not consume beef or pork. After your speech yesterday I made the conscious decision to go ahead and do it. Thank you for coming yesterday.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 11:01 PM

I am now vegan! It's good to know I'm not alone in caring for other living things!!! I did stay after when you spoke to my philosophy class at UMD [last semester]. I actually felt like kind of a baby because I cried a little during the video you showed. I grew up on a farm, because we lived very far away from town. There weren't other children around for me to play with growing up, so the animals became my friends. Watching them being killed was probably the hardest thing I ever went through. Watching the video reminded me of how some of my animal friends died. You made me feel so much better though when I talked to you after class. I didn't feel ashamed for crying.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 11:16 AM

I attended your lecture today at Georgia Tech, not because I am a student in that particular class, but because I have a particular interest in animal studies and was curious as to whether I could learn something. I'm doing a project this semester related to agriculture and livestock, with particular interest in food and how it relates to culture. If you have any particular literature outside of your website that you think may be helpful to me, I would appreciate it. Thanks for reading this email and I hope I can get a chance to talk to you about my project and can get some input from you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 10:13 AM

I can't say that I necessarily enjoyed your speech today considering that I had to fight the urge to cry in the middle of class during the video. On the other hand, it was effective. I have been thinking for sometime now about trying to be a vegetarian or a vegan and have significantly cut back on my meat intake.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 4:41 PM

I really really enjoyed your talk today. You are a very inspiring and charismatic person.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2007 5:15 PM

I am from Mr. Hamington's Philosophy class at USI. That was a very touching talk that you gave. I know I cried through class, and that it totally opened up my eyes. I guess you were right I had blinders on. But my eyes are wide open now. I feel that I would have done many things that you have done throughout your experience. And I wanted to thank you for taking my blinders off and showing me what was happening to many different animals everyday. Thank you very much once again for opening up my eyes.

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Comments from Students 2006

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 12:17 PM

I am a student that recently attended one of your lectures at U of M Dearborn (Prof. Skrbina). I have to admit that I was one of the most skeptical people going into that lecture and the only reason I attended was for the chance at some extra credit in the class. However your arguments were quite compelling and since the attendance at your lecture, I have taken your advice and reduced my meat and dairy consumption to under half of what it was (which was, to say the least, A LOT). I now go every other day without eating meat or dairy, instead replacing them with vegetables and fruit, and I am now fast approaching a goal of cutting meat out completely. The reason why? I feel 100% better physically with more energy than I have had in a while. Just wanted to drop you an email to say that you have the ability to change and affect even the staunchest of skeptics sometimes.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2006 2:43 PM

I just wanted to thank you for opening my eyes to the horrible things that we do to animals. I have been working very hard at veganism since I was lucky enough to attend your lecture. I have been meat, dairy and egg free for one week now. I sincerely wish you the best in spreading the word.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 12:23 PM

I am a student at Fresno Stateand I heard you speak last night in Professor Blakeley's class. I appreciate your concern and you have definitely sparked my interest in animal welfare and veganism.

-----Original Message-----
From: Prof. Elizabeth Wilson [U of Cincinnati]
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 11:26 AM
Subject: TWO STUDENT COMMENTS

"On Monday October 30th, 2006 Gary spoke in our class about becoming vegan and making it apart of our lives. He showed us a video of real animals at slaughterhouses and it made the audience aware of what really happened to the animals. I am pretty sure most of the students in the class were as upset as I was. I had no idea what actually happened and I am sure no one else really knew either, so to see it in a video and to hear about it was emotionally hard and made you think about the food you eat. He was very trustworthy and likeable. He built common ground with his audience and spoke to us like we needed to know the information but not that we had to change just because of what he was telling us. He was enthusiastic about his topic and very emotional which meant to the audience that he cares about what he was talking about and that he really knew what he was talking about. I liked how he gave his information and to me it was very persuasive. I do trust Gary's sources, I think that his sources were legitimate for the type of information he was giving us. Yes I think Gary persuaded me in a way. I liked how he gave the comparison between slaves, women, and Jews to the animals. It was very emotional for me."

"Because most of us are not vegans, his speech effectively utilized some persuasive strategies. Many of us know what veganism is and so we are able to understand his thought patterns, while also taking his information in, causing us to feel uneasy about what we eat and take his words and feelings to heart. Gary effectively established his credibility when he stated that he has been a vegan for ten years and has given hundreds of lectures over the past four years. When he says this, we are able to believe that he is a professional speaker and that being a vegan himself, we can understand that he knows exactly what he is talking about. He also established credibility saying that he, himself, had eaten meat for twenty-five years of his life and was able to change his diet. Using his personal experience, he was able to introduce the audience to the fact that anyone can change their eating habits if they want to, which builds onto the persuasiveness of his speech. Gary's delivery hardly had any flaws. His tone of voice was neither forceful, nor mono-toned. He was not yelling at us to become vegans because he was able to understand that it is not necessarily our fault for becoming carnivores. With his volume and pitch he could drive ideas right into our heads and make us ponder on them. He was very enthusiastic, which helped the audience to become enthusiastic about what he was saying and to get us wondering how we can make a difference. Gary's organization was incredible. He was able to cover all aspects of being a vegetarian. He talked about health issues, ethical issues, moral issues, the animal perspective, the religious issues, and the scientific issues. It seemed like he covered quite a bit of ground in such a short amount of time."

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 1:41 PM

I'm still a vegan and I absolutely love it. As a matter of fact today is week 8 by my count and I've joined the Vegetarian Society of El Paso. Thanks!

-----Original Message-----
From: Prof. Carrie Nicholson [Wayne State U.]
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006 11:15 AM
Subject: A FEW EXCERPTS OF STUDENT ESSAYS

"Yourofsky raised a lot of interesting issues that really waived a red flag to me. He spoke about the brutal truth that many, many people have no idea about. As I watched the video, I was completely outdone and quite saddened. I wish that everyone could hear one of his lectures because I believe that he would change many peoples' perspective. Yourofsky did not press his opinions on us but rather showed us the truth, had facts to back it up and provided alternatives for us to use. I do appreciate him for coming out and expressing his lifestyle to us. I was impressed with his abundance of knowledge and I believe that he is truly committed to his mission. It is however very frustrating to know that despite being a vegan, there are still thousands of cows and pigs and other animals that will be butchered for people who won't try having an open mind. But according to Yourofsky, I alone will probably keep 3,000 animals alive by following a vegan lifestyle. Honestly, I have been going back and forth with it myself for the last 26 hours and I still have not reached a conclusion but I know that in my conclusion there will be less if no meat in my diet. Vegans are cool."

"This lecture had a profound impact on me. I always kind of though it was weird to eat the flesh of another animal but it always came down to "what's for dinner mom" which is always some sort of meat so I never really questioned it. But when he went though how the human body isn't set up to digest meat and that it actually makes many people unhealthy it really really struck me as odd that we eat the flesh of other animals. I also didn't know that milk really isn't that good for you. I have always hated milk but I try to drink some just to keep my bones strong but now I know it actually kind of hurts you more then it helps. I also have never seen some of the footage that we saw on the tape from the slaughterhouse. I think there would be a lot more people that would think twice about eating meat if they saw how it ends up on their tables. I honestly think that if Yourofsky could give this lecture to the whole country that there would be many people like me that feel that a vegan lifestyle is something to consider. I just wanted to say thank you to him for opening my eyes to something I otherwise never really would have thought about."

"I really enjoyed the lecture Yourofsky gave on the vegan lifestyle. I always hear my father say, "You are what you eat", or "That meat's going to kill you" but yet he still eats it so I never really understood why he said what he said until tonight. I never really looked at how we get the meat. Of course, I knew how, but I never really thought about it. It is cruel and unkind, and ungodly when God is brought into the picture. I never was aware of what that other Gospel said, but my dad always told me "The Bible was made by man". I gained a lot from today's lecture, and I will try to go further with this. I don't know if I will go all the way or how long it will actually take but I will try and inform others so that they to can make their own decisions about it."

"Yourofsky contends that we should all adopt a vegan lifestyle because it would be cruel and selfish to the animals otherwise. To say that we must eat meat for health reasons is unfounded. For example, vegetables are a more usable and digestible protein source than meat could ever offer. Meat is an inferior choice at best. This was a significant realization for me, especially when you saw that he was the picture of health. He was obviously muscular and well-defined, so I didn't get the impression that there was any lack in his diet. This has always been a concern for me. The aspect of meat being acidic was a very strong argument. I have looked into this aspect in great detail (especially when my mom got sick and died of cancer), and am convinced that acid in the diet leads to sickness and disease. Also, in regards to the religious argument, I was not in full agreement with everything he said. Some of the sources he referred to I would not consider valid, i.e. the Gospel of the Nazarines. Nonetheless, he did raise some points that were very convincing. For example, if the Bible gives the right to eat either meat or not to eat meat, why not err on the side of good and be completely above reproach by not eating the meat? It is true that the perfect state (in scripture) is not eating meat. It was a very compelling argument for me. In short, I feel as if he certainly covered all the bases and each objection that I had was suitably addressed. I already do not drink milk and eat lots of soy products, but for the first time I must say that I am going to venture out and try the tofurky or unturkey (whichever I can find at whole foods) for Thanksgiving. Thanks for a wonderfully informative and insightful lecture!"

"Before listening to Mr. Yourofsky, I really hadn't thought much about the amount of cruelty that animals used for food were exposed to. I also heard about veganism, but frankly didn't understand why they were so fanatical. While I will not lie and say I have seen the light and will sin no more, I will say that I understand. I see now why they feel the way they do and why vegans are so dedicated. It takes a lot of courage to stand up for something you believe in and even more to really walk the walk."

"The lecturer was very informative and presented good arguments and also provided a very essential insight to the unethical treatment of animals by the industry. I though a lot about the religious aspects that he discussed. The science and health aspects that he presented were also very interesting to me being in the medical field. Every day I hear questions from patients about how to lower bad cholesterol and the first thing that comes out of my mouth always is to try and reduce the amount of [animal] protein that they consume. Hearing this confirmed by an activist was an interesting twist on my work. The lecture has since made me think twice about the sources of the things around me such as food, drink, clothing and even my dog and her food."

"Yourofsky gives an impassioned lecture on why we ought to adopt a vegan lifestyle. This lifestyle would be the right lifestyle to live, when viewing the situation with open eyes. Yourofsky argued that religion was an invalid reason to not accept veganism; he showed how it was inconsistent. The bible goes through many different views on veganism but deep down in the bible the Golden rule still applies, and we should always keep harmony and piece which is the main goal of the bible. Overall his arguments were consistent and took into consideration the Golden Rule and applied it to all (as it should be). It encourages me to adopt the vegan lifestyle."

"The Yourofsky lecture was one of the many lectures that I have heard about animal rights, but one of the few that actually made me reconsider many things. I never thought it was actually a good thing that we are killing the animals and eating their products. However, there are reasons that actually made me think that what I am doing is not wrong. After the lecture, I had a doubt about my justification for eating meats or other animals' products. One of my justifications is I can eat animal products because Jesus didn't say we can't as far as what I have been taught and read in the Bible. However, Yourofsky made it clear that Jesus wouldn't be happy if we kill His species, and I really thought that is completely true."

"I understood Yourofsky stating we should adopt a vegan lifestyle because of the harm it does animals if we do not adopt that lifestyle. I do agree with Yourofsky that it is unfair to the animals because they are innocent and to simply take their life so we can be satisfied is selfish. I also agree that it is torture to let the animals suffer the way they do when they are being slaughtered. Yourofsky also stated if it were meant for us to eat these animals our bodies would be able to handle all of the obstacles that come along with it. A lot of the things people suffer from can be eliminated if they decide to adopt the vegan lifestyle. "

"Adopting the vegan lifestyle would be the most natural thing to do. Most of use were all raised thinking that eating meat and dairy products was ok, but when you look at what is being done to animals for us to eat, it is very cruel and is definitely breaking the "Golden Rule". The fact that animals are being raised just to slaughter is so unjust. Most people do not think of it that way because they do not see it. They only buy the product and eat it."

"I have always been an "animal lover" but never took into consideration where the meat was coming from. I was one of those people who thought I don't want to know how they get it, I just know I like it. Yourofsky tore my thinking all to pieces! I thoroughly enjoyed his lecture.... although I found the video a little disturbing. Yourofsky was very passionate and very informative when discussing his views on being a vegan and speciesism. He shared what he knew and why he felt that way without being overly confrontational. I feel that the most influential part of his lecture was the video. I have seen other videos depicting other animal abuse however that video literally made me sick to my stomach. I now know what my steak dinner costs me and not in terms of money. One of the important points he made in his lecture that made me change my thinking and my life besides the video are that of the golden rule. I would never be able to do to another human being the things that are being done to the animals. Therefore I shouldn't be contributing to the abuse of those animals. Since his discussion I have started to adopt a vegan life style and plan to complete my transition very soon. I want to thank him for "removing my blinders"!"

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006 9:38 PM

I always feel recommitted each time after hearing you. Thank you for another excellent presentation. I don't understand the resistance others have with the vegan and vegetarian movement though. As you said last night[U of M], there are many valid reasons to not eat meat -- health, peace, environment, attitudes of kindness, recognition of specieism, etc., etc. It never fails to mystify me why people resist these obvious truths—the connection animals have with these issues. It is a real battle. Please stay with it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 3:53 PM

I was in attendance today for your speech on animal rights at UMD. I'd like to say I found your lecture to be very eloquent, educating and interesting. You definitely taught me some things I knew nothing about and you have many, very valid points.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 12:13 AM

I think you have affected me in a very positive way.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 10:59 PM

I'm a student in Carrie Nicholson's class [Wayne State] and stayed after the discussion this evening to talk to you. Thanks again for the presentation this evening. It definitely "removed the blinders".

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2006 9:46 PM

I just saw you speak in my English class tonight at OCC about veganism and ethics (and a lot of other really great things). I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your speech. It was very honest and you're an amazing speaker because you just tell people the truth. I saw you speak at West Bloomfield High School in 2003 and I had been wanting to go vegan for a very long time, and you encouraged me to do it. I was so glad I remembered you. Kids still talk about your speech. When I was in high school and when talk of me being vegan came up, they always brought you up as well. Good things of course, that you really made an impact on them. I have to tell you, everything you said tonight, I am so happy you said. No one ever understands my reasoning for how I choose to eat! I also really respect the fact that you are not a part of PETA, and you have your own independent organization going. The way you present yourself and the information is really powerful and I am positive that you have changed people's lives. It makes me happy to know that there are people in this world who are nice—not out of their own selfishness—but just to be kind, and be a good person. Thanks for inspiring me, and thank you for doing all the wonderful things that you are doing. You must feel happy about what you have done, and know for sure that you have made a big impact on the world.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 3:41 PM

I just wanted to say again that I enjoyed your presentation, and I am glad you got that class stirred up about something. A normal day consists of maybe one or two of us students responding to the instructor and I was glad to see other people participating for once.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 5:00 PM

Your speech has infiltrated every aspect of my life. I think about what I eat and where it came from and what my personal impact is. Right after I left your speech, I went to the mini-mart and bought chocolate soy milk. It was great! Of course, this inspired me to try other things you mentioned. Morning Star chik'n nuggets are AMAZING! Lo and behold, I have now "adapted" a vegetarian lifestyle, and I've never been happier, had more energy, or new I could do it. Thank you very much. Your speech brought me awareness. The more that people are aware of the impacts of their lifestyle, the better chance the world has for positive change.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, October 28, 2006 1:00 PM

I'm from Prof. Morris' class at Hunter-CUNY. I wanted to say hello and tell you that i have been doing great with my new vegan lifestyle for almost 2 weeks now! I know it has only been 2 weeks but I feel happier and healthier already!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2006 9:20 AM

I wanted to thank you for coming and speaking at Valley Forge this week. I have heard you twice before and I always enjoy it. I am on my way to a vegan diet, while I am currently at the vegetarian stage. I had a few questions for you. Until I heard you speak I had never thought about the abuse that happens in circuses and zoos. What can I do to change that? I hope like you said in class, to not just sit and be opposed, but stand up for a cause to save animals.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 4:13 PM

I was in the ethics class today and first of all want to apologize for the way some of the people treated you. I know it is probably so hard for you to get up in front of people and talk about something that is controversial knowing that not everyone is going to believe or listen to you. I am ashamed of my classmates because they could not even offer you an open mind to listen to what you had to say. I love animals myself, but never saw a reason to be a vegetarian. I have often thought about how God views animals and before your speech thought about life during the garden of eden. I understand that the ideal world is vegan. That is where we were at one point and where we need to go. I wish that my class would have opened their hearts and listened to what you had to say even though some of the things you said they did not agree with. Your lecture was supposed to open our eyes to being ethical, it was not to be a means to attack you. If anything at all they should have gotten that the meat industry is disgusting, and they should want to do something about it. I got a lot out of your lecture because it supported ideas I had about animals and God's view on them and also encouraged me to be more ethical. Animals are God's creatures and I know it cannot make him happy when they are abused or killed. I don't think it makes Him happy when we have to kill one for food. They are God's creatures and it makes Him happy when they live their lives as He intended. I appreciate you coming to my class because I wouldn't have been changed or seen my ways as wrong otherwise.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 10:28 PM

I'm a student in Steve Best's class at UTEP and I just wanted to thank you for the presentation that changed my look on ethical living and consuming. Ever since the class three weeks ago I haven't consumed any meat products and a few days later I gave up dairy. I feel like a much better person for doing so and I thank you for taking off my blinders as you would say. My best friend has been very supportive and has even taken on a vegetarian lifestyle but refuses to become vegan (I'll have to take him to the next presentation you do in el paso). My family hasn't been though and they don't like the thought that I let someone speak to me and in one day change the way I'll eat forever. I disagree, this isn't a choice I've made for anyone but myself. I'll never make another conscience unethical decision in the way I eat. Never again, I love life too much. Thanks again for the time you've invested to inform someone like me

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 7:21 PM

I loved your speech today in class [Queens College]. Thanx!! and Good luck !!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 4:02 PM

I just heard your speech. I was in the English class that you gave today in Professor Cvejic's class [Queens College]. I thought your speech was phenomenal. You were right; I think I learned more from your speech than I've learned at least in a long time. You give over your feelings and the facts so well. You were so open minded and warm. I am unable to stop thinking about all that you said. How wonderful that you are so passionate and you do so much for the cause; how rare! I used to be a vegetarian, but it got really hard for some reason and I stopped. I guess you're right, I am lazy and I just like the taste so I thought who cares. I will not let these factors stop me anymore. Unfortunately I know that if I go cold turkey (no pun intended) that I won't be able to keep it up. I will start with no meat. Already that is hard since I'm so used to it and I don't even think twice about it. How terrible that I've been living this way. I feel as though (I know this is going to sound weird and all other words that mean weird) God sent you to help me to change. It really is so important. Wow, it is exactly like you took off this layer that was hiding the truth and it can never go back on, especially not after that video. Don't ever stop showing that video (not that you would), but it is so powerful. I love that you are so open minded to all people. This is also rare and amazing. Thank you so much for taking your time to speak to us. I just hope that your speech impacted others as it has me. But I'm sure you think that even one person is wonderful. I'm proud to be one of your people. Thanks again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 6:32 PM

I saw you lecture at UTEP not too long ago and I enjoyed what you had to say.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 11:56 AM

I was in Prof. Rohr's class when you gave your lecture [NJCU] and I just wanted to thank you for "taking the blinders off of my eyes". What you said and how you expressed it really inspired and touched me. As soon as that class was over I converted to veganism. I overheard you say when I was leaving class that you were still going to be on campus on Monday October 16. If this is true and you are giving another lecture, I was wondering if I could record your lecture with the hope that when I show my friends and other people what you have shown me, they would convert to veganism as well. If this is possible I would really appreciate if you could let me know. Once again, thank you for all the valuable information you have given me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 10:42 AM

I just wanted to say thank you for speaking in my ethics class yesterday [NJCU]. It was a big eye opener for me, as you said, you took my blinders off. My mother made a chicken dinner last night and well I wouldn't touch it. I've never eaten much meat because well I was grossed out to find fat or veins in it. So you coming to talk yesterday really made me realize that I don't need to eat it at all. I'm not sure if I could do the entire vegan's thing, but I'm positive I can cut meat out my diet for good. So once again I just wanted to say thank you.

-----Original Message-----
] Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:13 PM

I am currently taking Professor John Burris' World Religion class at UCF and a few weeks ago you came and gave a speech. First off i just wanted to say that it had such an impact on my life. I honestly have not eaten meat since that day and I have decided to become a vegetarian. I wanted to thank you for coming to our class but I was also wondering if you could help me with my speech. In my communications class I have to give a persuasive speech and I have chose to do mine on veganism, I was thinking that maybe you would be interested in sending me some information or help me to remember some of the statistics that you said. Thank you so much for your time!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 10:29 PM

First of all, I want to tell you that you were great! Your speech touched me. I totally changed my mind about vegans. I thought they were mostly skinny anorexic girls who are afraid to gain weight. But veganism is not about food! It is about the way we treat animals, isn't it? You are right, I cannot disagree. We, people, are cruel to them. We make business on their lives.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 4:13 PM

This is one of the students that you talked to after your presentation for Professor Gorman's class at Cabrini. I just really wanted to thank you for opening my eyes to all of this. Since yesterday I have decided to become a vegetarian/vegan. I will completely cut meat out of my diet and I will take steps to eliminate dairy products as well. Today I went to Acme and bought a package of Boca Burgers and the LightLife bacon! I am a very passionate person and I believe that this is something that I will continue to care strongly about! After discussing this with my mom it seems like she may not be far behind me! I very much just wanted to thank you for what you said yesterday because I believe that it will be a big changing point in my life! When I got home after your presentation, I hugged my two chihuahuas for all the poor animals who are victims of this. I'll keep in touch and let you know how I'm doing!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 1:43 PM

You came to speak to my sociology class today, Dr. Winder's class from 12:00-1:30[Ga Tech]. I just wanted to tell you that everything you said made so much sense!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 3:01 PM

This is a student from Kenneth Hansen's at Fresno State. I wanted to e-mail and say thank you for coming to speak. It really did shed a new light on the whole topic of veganism. As a person that has always hated violence against pets, your presentation made me realize that is something that should be extended to animals that are not pets but still have the right to no cruelty. I did not get the chance to thank you face to face, and I do apologize for that, but thought I would let you know that it did positively impact at least one person there.

-----Original Message-----
From: Prof. Mike Becker [Fresno St.]
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 12:06 PM

I was in your class last semester. I just wanted to let you know that having your animal rights friend come in and talk got the ball rolling for me in becoming vegetarian. The video he showed helped push me over the edge that I have been standing on for quite some time. I've tried being vegetarian before but failed after a short time, but now I am back at it and am not going to give in. Currently my diet includes no meat whatsoever and I am currently in the process of switching to soy milk. I think that pretty soon I will qualify as Vegan. I have been so for a little over 2 months now. Anyways, Just wanted to let you know that your class inspired me to take the leap, so keep doing it because it worked for at least one student!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 5:26 PM

I am in Chad Arnold's English class that you spoke to today [at St. Mary's]. I just want to say that I cannot stop thinking about the information you gave us and the things you showed us. I went to lunch after class and could not even bear the though of eating meat. I was disguised and felt physically sick. I just want to thank you for opening my eyes to the reality of where our food comes from. That video especially touched me and seeing those images have forever changed the way I feel about eating chicken or pork or steak. What makes us so much better than these animals? We all would like to think we are decent, moral individuals, but by eating meat we are responsible for the torture and pain these animals go through. And the pathetic thing is that we treat these animals so horribly because we like the way it tastes! It's mind-boggling to think about. Your lecture has DEFINITELY made me reconsider my lifestyle and eating habits. I want to thank you for making an impact in my life, and it is really nice to know that there are people out there like you, making a difference and educating others on a subject that is rarely given any attention. Thanks again! Good luck with everything.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 12:11 PM

I don't think I ever thanked you for helping me out with my paper. I just have to say that your resources helped me a lot and my paper was a success :) I am now enrolled in an Ethics class with Dr. Steve Best [UTEP] and you will be presenting your speech to our class on Monday and Wednesday. I really look forward to seeing you again :) Thank you for everything, you have really been an inspiration to me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 3:17 PM

I was just in the class you did your animal rights lecture in [at Fresno St.]. I have to say you are a great speaker and it make me really reconsider my eating habits and wonder how to change it. Could you give me some habits and some foods I can eat? Thank you and I enjoyed your talk. It made a lot of sense and I hope the rest of the class thought the same way.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2006 1:05 PM

You're truly inspirational and your passion for animal rights really radiates from you and is contagious. I feel like your presentations had a very positive influence on my life, and I look forward to seeing you around UCF again. I would also like you to know, that since your speech I've had lots of good reasons to be a vegetarian and I feel like I'm being more compelling and influential to those around me. So aside from opening my eyes, I also thank you for providing me with the knowledge to spread the message effectively.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 22, 2006 4:41 PM

Thank you so much for coming to Dr. Hawkins class today [UCF], you opened up my eyes about what happens in animal cruelty these days. I am definitely going to try the chinese restaurant with all of the substitute meat choices and step in the right direction and begin not eating/drinking animal products on some days during the week, maybe eventually for good. Keep doing what you are doing. People need to know more about this subject!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 22, 2006 9:02 AM

I am a student at the University of Central Florida. You gave a speech in my world religion's class. And i wish I could have stayed after to talk to you but I had a previous engagement. But i wanted to thank you personally for "saving my life" and the lives of others. The reason I say this is because I've been living a lie. I've been in love with the animals around me. I shed a tear when i see animals dead on the side of the road; i get furious when i see animals being abused; i would jump in front of a speeding car to save an animal that is about to be run over; yet, I've been contributing to the slaughter of billions. And i would always lie to myself about it: "oh, its not me personally killing them" or "just because i stop eating them its not going to stop the world from doing the same", things like that. I was so stupid. And you helped me realize that. Yesterday, after a few hours of meditation on the topic, i have pronounced myself a vegetarian, working my way towards veganism. It's not as hard as i thought it would be. I keep telling myself that the taste is not worth the bloodshed (i couldn't stop crying during the video you showed; the images will be forever burned into my mind). I refuse to contribute to this genocide. As soon as i get the money to replace my shoes, jackets, etc i will get rid of the carcasses I'm wearing and pronounce myself vegan. thank you again. You've opened my eyes. And ever since yesterday, i swear the animals around me have been thanking me. It's like i feel more loved by them than before. I don't know, maybe its just me being really happy about the decisions that I'm making. But thank you so much. Please never stop what you're doing, because you are making a difference. I know you have with my life.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2006 7:26 PM

I have recently been thinking about going vegetarian or vegan. My only problem is I am allergic to soy and peanuts. Would it still be healthy for me or should I just go vegetarian? By the way I really enjoyed your lecture today and really opened my eyes to a lot of things. Your points were great and when I went home argued with my roommate for an hour on the issue. He of course doesn't give a shit about what the meat and dairy industries are doing because to him animals are our prey and were always meant to be our prey. Anyway, thank you so much for coming and speaking to our class today. I was really moved at all you had to say and I want to know all that I can do to help the cause. Thanks again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2006 2:05 PM

I had your lecture today and I was very impressed. I actually stayed to talk to you after class. I was a vegetarian for 3 years and you've really inspired me to come back to it. I actually am about to go grocery shopping for my new all vegan food regime. I was really sad about giving up my vegetarianism back in high school, but things were just really tough. Now that I am on my own, and buy my own food, I am really glad that you came to speak. I really love animals. Of course I love my own pets, but I also have always felt really close to animals. Thank you for reopening my eyes to the reality of how slaughterhouses work and what meat really is. I have never heard a vegan be more logical and have all the answers that even I have been concerned about. Thanks for bringing me back. I am really excited and it feels good to go back to what I used to feel.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 22, 2006 12:44 AM

I was in Professor Burris' World Religions class today and I listened to your speech. You really have taken the blinders off and I've decided to become vegan. Not only that, I've already gone through my belts and shoes to make sure that none of them are leather. I just wanted to know that you really affected me and how I thought about being vegan. Some students might have just brushed you off today after class ended, but it made me think and realize that there is no excuse to eat any meat or animal byproducts. I wanted to thank you for coming in and speaking to our class and I hope that I'm not the only one that appreciates what you're doing.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2006 11:32 AM

(Sorry that my English is not perfect: it's not my native language...) Your lecture in Gainesville [FL] was very, very good. Keep on doing your great job! Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 11:16 PM

You are an EXCELLENT speaker! You flow from point to point, never searching for your next move ... beautiful!!!! It's SOOO incredibly nice to hear others that feel the way I do. Again, you rock. Thank you for ... being you, fighting for what's right and not guarding your passion!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 6:23 PM

I really enjoyed your presentation today at 1:30 p.m. in our philosophy class at UCF. It was a great inspiration. I never knew what happened in order just to get your run of the mill cheeseburger. The video was by far the most graphic thing I have ever seen. Just one question for you, I am a football player here at UCF and I was wondering if it was possible to keep my weight up (280 - 300 ) pounds on a vegetarian or even a vegan diet. I want to change my eating habits not only to become in better shape, but also to help stop the wrongs being committed. If you have any response to how I could do this and still gain the muscle mass I need without animal-protein I would greatly appreciate your input!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 10:08 PM

I heard your lecture the other day [Georgia Tech] and decided to check out the website to start a vegan diet. I was wondering if I can buy most of those items at Publix, or should I look somewhere better?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 12:26 AM

I had the pleasure of attending your speech at Ohio State University for their animal issues class last year. I had been thinking about becoming a vegetarian for about a month prior to that, but your presentation was so moving that I decided I would that very day. I'm extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to hear you speak, and I certainly credit you in my decision and my continuing dedication to fighting for animal welfare. For that I sincerely thank you. I have since left OSU for personal reasons. Their pre-vet/animal sciences program was focused more toward the agricultural aspect, and the animals there are treated more like money than something worth dedicating your life to saving. I want to thank you again for the impact that you have had on me. Please continue the wonderful work that you do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2006 10:18 PM

I'm not sure if you remember who I am, but I sure remember you. I met you in January when you came and gave some lectures at University of Southern Indiana. I am the kid who has Cystic Fibrosis, and was afraid that becoming Vegan would interfere with my health. So you hooked me up with your friend, the Dr. from Cal. Vegan proved to be too difficult, but I have managed to do alright as a vegetarian. Once I've fully grown, I think I will try to go the full way. Since January I've been meat free. I've also managed to persuade close to 10 people close to me to see the light. As well as a many number of people who "I'm working on". I email you because I have transferred schools, I now attend New York University's film school. Currently I'm enrolled in a documentary class. I'm working with 2 other guys to produce a short documentary. I told the guy who is now a vegetarian what you told me, to persuade him. Both of us find you to be fascinating and would love to make a documentary about you if you would allow us to do so. We would love to do a piece about the Animal Rights Movement but woudn't be able to do it justice. So what I'm asking is if you would allow us to produce a documentary about you, your charisma, and the plight? Please let me know if you'd be interested at all. We hope to send it to Tribecca and Sundance, as well as NYU's first run film festival.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 4:18 PM

The lecture you gave today was very eye-opening. I was wondering if you could provide a link to the video you showed in class.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 1:28 PM

I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your presentation at USI. I was so excited about the information I received that I called my mother on my way home after the first day to discuss what I had learned. I told her that the information I received in your presentations meant so much to me that even if I learn absolutely nothing the rest of the semester or fail my classes, it was worth my tuition money. I am very grateful to have received a whole new look at the treatment of animals, how I have been shaped by our culture and our customs on the consumption of meat, and how unnecessary it is to eat meat. I wanted you to know that you definitely reached one student and please continue trying to educate people.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 7:25 PM

Man, look I respect what you do. The methods we use in society are questionable at least. Now having read some of your stuff you have my head spinning. I feel that to a point I am compassionate about animals. I rescued 3 cats from the shelter. I feel bad when I hit an animal on the road and hearing your stories about animals in the zoos. I also see no need to wear exotic clothing such as mink skin. Maybe you are right, we've been brainwashed to think eating animals is the norm. I know I don't have a very good reason not to be vegan, but I hate veggies. I know it sounds odd, my wife gets pissed that I don't eat anything, but for now, I would agree to stop hunting or at least cut back significantly. I do have to admit that I thought for sure I would hate you, but I do agree with some of your thinking. Good luck with what you do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2006 11:29 PM

I am the guy from Hamlin's last class [at U of Tennessee] whom you spoke with for a while and told about the good tasting cheese. Anyways, what were the books you spoke of in class that were excluded from the Bible? Book of Adam and Eve and such. Thanks in advance. And I am trying the whole vegan lifestyle. Thank you for the presentation it helped in my life greatly.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 8:30 PM

I'm in Prof. Hamington's PHIL 200 class at 10 a.m. on MWF. I know you're a busy guy, but I just wanted to say thanks for coming to USI and giving me that last little bit of motivation to become a "Veggie". You have a great message and I wish you continued success!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 9:34 PM

Thanks for coming to USI today and speaking in Professor Stoll's classes. I think that I've never really had a problem with eating meat because l didn't know that they were being slaughtered so inhumanely. I just assumed that their deaths were not as violent and cruel as your film depicted. Then again, I guess it kind of seems ridiculous to assume that killing of animals could be not cruel to begin with. I don't know how anyone can watch the horror depicted in those few short minutes and eat their next hamburger with a clear conscience. The ironic thing is, I know if it was a cat or dog being chained up by one leg stabbed open to bleed to death that people would cry how horrible and disgusting of a practice it is but somehow its okay for a pig or cow to suffer that fate. If someone would have told me this morning that I would be meat-free by the end of the day I would've laughed in their face, but I've thought about the issues at hand and I've decided to give up meat completely. I can't justify putting a animal through that short of suffering so I can have a shitty McDonald's cheeseburger that doesn't even taste that good to begin with. My goal is eventually to become vegan, but I'm going to make the transition gradual because I feel I will not be successful in my endeavor if give everything up at once.(I know, I know this is most likely just an excuse but I've been thinking about this incessantly since the speech.)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 8:58 PM

I just wanted to say thank you. Your lecture today in my ethics class really opened my eyes. During that video I cried and I had this overwhelming feeling of sadness. I decided to change and to do whatever I can to protect the animals. Your speech was really informative and I agreed with everything you said. I just thought you might want to know that out of everyone in that class, you at least changed someone's point of view on animals rights.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 10:57 PM

My name is Katie and I'm a student at Central Michigan University. I'm just writing you to say that thanks to your speech last semester in my Radical Thought class, you've converted another one (that one being me)! I'd been considering going vegetarian for awhile, and what you presented was a great push to get me on that track. I'm still working on the vegan thing, but that's going to take a bit more time. For some reason, going meatless was a breeze for me, but cutting out everything else is quite a bit tougher. Old habits die hard, and it's even tougher since my fiancee's family members are die-hard, argumentative meat lovers. He's been really supportive, but you'd think I announced I had leprosy the way they act about it! Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you for doing what you do. I'm sure you deal with a lot of negativity, but you're making a great contribution to the animal rights cause. Have a wonderful day, and thanks again for being so passionate about this topic and having the guts to share that!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 10:46 PM

I attended your lecture today at 3:00 p.m. at The Ohio State University. I just wanted to praise you for what you are doing. I have always been skeptical about eating meat. As I grew up I did not feel right, but when I would tell my parents that I was going to be a vegetarian, they would make me eat meat because they thought it was a part of a healthy diet. They did not know better, as neither did I. I could never help make the turkey at Thanksgiving because it actually looked like the turkey and it always upset me. Although your footage of the slaughterhouses was EXTREMELY hard for me to watch, it truly opened my eyes to what I had been sensing all along. I was walking back from class today talking on my cell phone to my fiance, telling him about your lecture and I actually gagged from just talking about it. It makes me sick to think about. I know this is long, but I just wanted to tell you that I am proud there are people out there like you, making a difference in this world. Thank you so much! You have changed my life!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, May 08, 200612:44 PM

I just wanted to let you now that I have been a vegan for a bit less than three weeks now. I spoke with you after you gave a lecture to my philosophy class at the University of Delaware. I have found the transition from vegetarian to vegan both difficult and rather rewarding. Though, I have made some mistakes (not realizing that some veggie cheese slices contain minor amounts of lactose), I find each new thing I learn positive. I just wanted to thank you for an eye-opening experience that has allowed me to change my life in a way that when I wake up in the morning I know that I am making a difference in someone's(some animal's) life. I am hoping to get more actively involved. Again Thank You !!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2006 11:07 AM

It was a pleasure to see you at Ohio State on Tuesday. It is wonderful, gutsy work that you do. I am sure that your prison term, for a man like you, only strengthened your resolve and uncompromising style. You'll never be "shocked and awed" into giving up your mission. I have to laugh at the sites on the Internet that refer to you as a "thug." I'd think maybe they are frightened by your tough look, except I'm sure many have never seen you. To me, a thug is a brutal, violent person interested only in his own gain. Not you, my friend. Thanks again, for a memorable afternoon.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 5:35 PM

Thank you so much for speaking to our class on Tuesday [OSU]. I just wanted to drop you a quick line to say thank you for doing what you do. I don't know if you keep a running tally of people who you have touched, but I am truly considering a serious lifestyle change to live as close to pure vegan as I can. I have definitely cut out all meat from my diet and will continue to think about the ideology and ideas you described and decide how they apply to my life. So, again, thank you for speaking with us. You do honorable work, and you do it very well. Best of luck on your future efforts.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 2:18 AM

You came to talk at Hunter College for my Media ethics class taught by Professor Morris. Anyhow I found your speech very interesting and informative.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 8:44 PM

I am a student at Hunter College, in Professor Morris' news writing class. I thought your presentation was very informative (and disturbing) and since I have stopped eating dairy and eggs, etc. It is very easy to do in the city, especially since I was already eating many vegan foods already. I also spoke to a few of my classmates who were also considering giving it a try, so I'd say your presentation was a success.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 3:27 PM

I heard your presentation twice, once this semester and once last semester, at CSU Fresno. I do think you give a great presentation. Your points were a great counter-argument to what is perceived as a "balanced diet".

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 21, 2006 6:01 PM

You spoke today in my philosophy class [U of Delaware], and I just wanted to start off by saying that I've been a vegetarian for about 7 years, and thank you for enlightening people the way you do. Thanks for coming!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 12:47 PM

I just wanted to thank you for your presentation this morning [Valley Forge Christian]. It was very informative and eye opening. Do you have any advice as to how I can still live a typical, American, fast pasted college life without having to support cruelty to animals.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 17, 2006 11:35 PM

I am a student at Penn State. I have not been able to eat meat since your presentation. Thank you. If you know any good sites with recipes please let me know. I am also writing a paper on animal testing if you have any information on this subject please email me back.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2006 9:21 PM

About a month ago I saw your presentations on video [PSU-Abington] and changed to veganism. Tonight my mom made a meat dinner for my family and a vegan dinner for me. After dinner it is usually the family members who did not cook that wash the dishes. I told them that I would not wash the dishes that had meat on it because I felt that by washing the dishes it would seem as though it was okay to eat meat. I would be more than happy to clean my dishes as well as the dishes that were used in making the vegan meal. I understand that washing dishes is not my most favorite responsibility in the world, but at the same time what is the point in being vegan and washing dishes that held meat. I do not feel as though I should change my morals due to family pressures.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 14, 2006 8:51 PM

I am one of Alyssa's students [U. of Michigan], and i just wanted to say thanks so much for coming! You did an awesome job!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2006 4:39 PM

Hopefully you are doing well. I was actually a student who came to listen to your speech that you gave at Wayne State University. I must say, hearing your speech fortified my beliefs in a vegetarian (and perhaps in the future a vegan) lifestyle. I myself am a practicing Muslim and I have a few quotes from the Holy Prophet Muhammad regarding kindness to animals which I believe would be beneficial to your website:

The Holy Prophet Muhammad(s) puts it in these words: "All creatures are like a family (Ayal) of God: and he loves the most those who are the most beneficent to His family. (Narrated by Anas. Mishkat al-Masabih,3:1392; quoted from Bukhari.)

The Prophet said, "While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well, and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, 'This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine.' So, he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him.'' The people asked ``O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?'' He replied: ``Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate (living being).'' (Narrated by Abu Huraira -- Volume 3, Book 40, Number 551)

The Holy Prophet(s) used to say: "Whoever is kind to the creatures of God, is kind to himself." (Wisdom of Prophet Mohammad(s); Muhammad Amin; The Lion Press, Lahore, Pakistan; 1945).

The Holy Prophet Muhammad(s) prohibited the use of skins of wild animals. (Narrated by Abu Malik on the authority of his father. Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi as recorded in Garden of the Righteous—Riyad as-Salihin of Imam Nawawi; translated by M.Z. Kahn; Curzon Press, London, 1975; [hereafter referred to as Riyad]; Hadith No. 815, p. 160.)

and a final quote from the Holy Quran, showing that Animals are equal to humans:

The Qur'an says: "There is not an animal on earth, nor a bird that flies on its wings, but they are communities like you." (Qur'an 6:38).

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 11:06 PM

Just wanted to let you know that our humane education program is up and running. I have been to a few private schools and several YMCAs. The response has been good. I wanted to know if it's OK to use some of the information on your websitefor one of our presentations, "Healthful Eating", which of course advocates veganism. The way you have it laid out in your website and your DVD (it's the best one I've seen so far) is full of information but clear and concise. Thank for all the input you've given me so far and thanks for all you do for animals!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 8:50 AM

Your presentation was "tight"! So, I have been spending some time on your website and telling people about it, anybody who will listen. I think what you are doing is commendable and righteous. I agree with you on many topics you discussed. Including the whole government trying to control herds thing in Michigan. That has gotten way out of hand and done nothing to fix the problem. What the problem was to begin with, I do not know, but sex-biased hunting to try and control a species is crazy-insane! I never understood the motives behind it, but I always figured it must have been about money. I wholeheartedly agree that most hunters are the, "I'm a gutpile addict, whack 'em and stack 'em, and kill on" types. When you said that in your presentation I almost wet myself it was so funny. Although, in reality, not all that funny. The only reason I found those comments amusing is because I can relate to them. A lot of guys I know are that way and I despise them for it. It always made me sick to see guys at work posing for pictures with their kill. I never understood that. Thanks for the inspiration to do the right thing.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 11:42 AM

I attended your lecture at UMD (Professor David Skrbina's class) Monday April 10 and I did not get a chance to thank you. I just wanted to say that I really got something out of your speech and that I am actually going to try becoming vegetarian. I think I am going to start out slowly and hopefully wor my way up becoming vegan for not just my health, but more importantly for the animals. I knew they were killed but I now know how they are tortured and I would like to do my part in saving them. Again thank you very much.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 10, 2006 10:40 PM

I am currently a student at Penn State Abington. I have seen two of your videos and think very highly of you and your efforts. I have a paper that deals with puppy mills and the cruelty that lies within them. I was wondering if you had any information and/or opinions on this topic.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2006 9:47 PM

I was in the Wednesday class at OCC where you lectured and I just wanted to e-mail you and thank-you for your speech. I cannot get that video out of my head. That was the most disturbing thing I have ever seen. I have not eaten meat since and the thought of it makes me want to vomit. I've gone to your web site and really found in to be very informative. Thank-you very much for taking my blinders off, I know it will take a lot of work but I'm planning a major change in my lifestyle. I cannot thank-you enough for opening my eyes. I will never forget that video.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 4:11 PM

One of the best people I know is you. Granted I don't know you personally, but I know of you. You may be asking yourself why are you one of the best people I know of, well simply because you have morals and things you believe in, very strongly. I recently watched 2 of your dvd's in my class at PSU-Abington. They were one of the most outstanding videos I have ever seen.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 11:51 PM

I just wanted to tell you that your talk today at the University of Michigan-Dearborn was truly amazing. To be honest, I had no intentions of changing my ways at all when I first learned of you coming to speak, but now I wish that I heard you talk years ago, and changed my life sooner. It will be hard going vegan, but I definitely have started with becoming a vegetarian, and even went grocery shopping today to get meatless food! My goal is to eventually become vegan, and I really think that I can. I hope you know that you are really making life better for so many people and animals. I have so much respect for you. Please continue doing exactly what are you doing, and never stop.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2006 10:39PM

First of all let me thank you again for taking the time to come and speak to our class [WSU-Farmington Hills]. You show so much passion and knowledge in your presentation and you have a natural ability to help others open their mind about their ignorance. I have had the privilege of attending many speeches on animal rights and by far yours was the most empathic and moving. Even having the views that i do, your knowledge has led me to expand my views and exclude cheese from my diet. Again, thank you for helping me open my mind even more and recharging my respect for my life choices.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 2:16 PM

I am a student in Greg Morris's media ethics course at Hunter College, and I wanted tell you that your lecture was truly an eye-opening experience for me and I am now a vegan as a result. Thank you for providing me with the foundation I was looking for. Will you be speaking in the area again any time soon? I would love to hear your lecture again, and bring some friends with me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 1:07 PM

I talked to you yesterday after your amazing speech to see if I could get the video. I just wanted to let you know that you made a huge impact on me and that many of my friends and family are really interested in watching the video and in going to your website. After I heard you talk and saw the video I didn't even have to think about it. I am all for trying my hardest to become a vegan. (I bought soymilk last night and it's not bad at all!) I guess it's not going to be too hard because I'm Puerto Rican and rice and beans were always at my dinner table, so I'm glad I can still have that. I love plantains and other Spanish vegetables that are delicious. I'm not too big on broccoli or really dark green vegetables but I'm sure I can learn and over the weekend I want to try some "soy meat." I am very interested in doing this not only for myself and my health, but also for the animals and the respect we should all have towards each other. Let me tell you that I was never an animal lover. I was never mean to them either but whenever we had dogs and stuff I wasn't the one to get attached. After watching that video I just felt like I am supposed to be an animal lover...like the same way I love my family and friends and respect people I don't know is the same way I should feel towards animals. Thank you so much for such a valuable lesson...you relly inspired me. My mom and my aunt are really interested in this vegan thing too because my mom has a heart condition and my aunt is a survivor of cancer, so they want to stay healthy. It's funny because I've been saying little facts about your speech to everyone, they are even on my away message. Well, I'm sorry for the long email. Just want to say thank you again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2006 11:34 AM

I was in Tracy's 9:00 class that you spoke in today [PSU] sitting behind the rude girl. I just wanted to say thanks for coming in. That was a really cool change of pace and also really interesting. You really opened my eyes and i'm sure a lot of other peoples too. Your speech was the shit—awesome job. I really had a good time in class today even though the movie was kinda hard to watch. Good luck with your mission man, and thanks for takin the blinders off as you said. Have a good one. Peace out.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 2:32 AM

Thank you for speaking to our class yesterday [Hunter-CUNY]. I just finished writing our first paper on H.G. Wells' "The Island of Dr. Moreau," on the topic of pain in the novella, how the mad doctor's blood lust for vivisection in the name of scientific discovery continued in spite of--or because of--the grotesque suffering of the animals on the island. After having steeped my mind in the realm of literary criticism, it was astounding to hear you speak, awakening and echoing my own reasons for becoming a vegetarian over 16 years ago. I thought I was on the right track, but after listening to you speak, and watching your video, I immediately began questioning the constraints of my own vegetarianism, and the limitations of my now comfortable and "safe" stance and view of exactly how my diet can impact the outside world, and how it can dually influence my health.

I believe that in order for me to live the life that I want, and that I have been partially afraid to fully embrace, I will have to realign my current lifestyle with my values. We all have excuses. We are busy/stressed/poor/ lazy. Yet what your talk made clear to me on a personal level is that it is not at all hard to live a vegan lifestyle when I am being true to myself, to what feels right, and not opting out on something that so jives with my personal ethics, and passionately. Your delivery, presentation, performance, educational experience...whatever we choose to call it...resounded with me and I thank you for it. The video we watched will never leave me. I work in a restaurant and I could not get it out of my mind as the plates of beef randang and mango chicken whizzed by. I haven't stopped talking to my friends about it. Thank you for your energy, anger, and organization. In simply stating the facts, in a logical and clear manner, you made me realize how much more I have in me that is unsettled, and what I can do about it. As an aside: I am a creative writing major, and the way in which you wove narrative and fact was stunning, both s tylistically and thematically. You know how to skillfully weave together form and function, in a way I hope to apply to my own creative endeavors, and in the future, in a classroom somewhere...Much luck, fun, and happiness to you in the future! It is comforting to know we are on the same side!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 8:39 PM

i saw you at ucf a couple of weeks ago, wanted to say thank you for getting me off meat. at first i was not looking forward to the extra effort. but you are right, it is a lot easier. yes i was living under a rock. thanks again

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2006 5:34 PM

I was in Sabine Roehr's class today when you presented your excellent lecture on Veganism. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it and also tell you that I shot a video a few years ago of goat slaughtering in my country of Palestine. It was not done in a slaughterhouse, but rather in the front area of my uncle's house a few days before a wedding. As you probably know, it is a custom in middle eastern countries, especially Muslim ones, to slaughter goats before a wedding to feed the people of the town. In the video the guy kills them the "Halal" way, which somehow is "more humane", though I don't believe it to be true because in the end, as is shown in the video, the animal suffers a great deal before it dies. If you want a copy of the video I could send you it and you're free to show it in any of your lectures along with your video. Thank you once again for coming in today.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 4:46 PM

I caught your speech today in Roehr's class, at NJCU. Just wanted to say that it touched me, and i agree with everything you said. I have worn leather boots, but after seeing that video and the treatment of cows, I'm seeing my boots in a whole different way. This is something i can definitely live without. I am seriously considering going vegan. Keep doing what you're doing, it really does make a difference, even if you only have touched one student. Good luck!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 17, 2006 8:35 PM

I'm a student in Gregg Morris' Media Ethics class at Hunter College. I wanted to tell you how eye-opening your speech was and it couldn't have come at a more crucial time in my life. I've been thinking about a change to vegetarianism for quite some time and as much as I hate to say it, have been too scared to do so. And I want to do it for the right reasons. I can't bear to hear about the torture, pain and violence these poor animals have to go through and every time I see a video regarding it I make a vow to do something and change my habits, but I never do. But this time I really have to make the change. I sobbed through the entire video and it really shook me up. I'm ready and willing to do what I have to do and I might as well try it while out here in New York, when the resources are so available. Thanks so much & I look forward to hearing back from you soon and listening to you speak again on Monday.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 9:22 AM

I am currently a student at Penn State Abington. Last semester I heard your speech in Prof. Hanlon's class. Today, I saw your video in Prof. Seeholtz's class and I was interested in getting a copy. Could you please let me know where I can find it. Also I wanted to thank you for taking my blinders off.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 3:21 PM

I was in the Christian Thought class that you lectured in today [at Valley Forge Christian]. I wanted to say thank you for coming and informing us of the realities that take place every day in our country. I appreciate your passion and sense of obligation to deliver this message. I would also like to apologize on behalf of my class. The conversation got a little heated between you and a couple of students. I was embarrassed and felt like our reactions were disrespectful. I hope that your impression of Valley Forge Christian College will not be skewed because of this. Thank you again for shedding light on the issue and giving me something to pray about. Good luck in your future lectures and God Bless.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 8:50 PM

I have to say you really got your point across with your speech and well, the video. When you said that no one would leave thinking the same thing, i thought to myself "I have heard these people talk a hundred times...I doubt this will be any different" but I have to tell you that I'm not the same. I hate to think that I am sheltered from the world but I know that there is so much going on that I don't know about. I'm interested in hearing what you have to say on Wednesday about humans not being made to eat meat. I can't get the images out of my mind and I'm sure you can't either. This is such a crazy world we live in. The week after spring break I have to give an informative speech and I was having trouble deciding what I should give it on. I think I have decided to take the speech you gave today and use it as a basis to give one to my class. I don't know that I will be in any way as thorough as you were in getting my point across but I can try. I don't think something has bothered me so much in a very long time but you're right, we live in a world where no one wants to see everything that's going on. Thanks so much for coming in and talking to us.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 9:27 PM

I got to hear your speech given to Dr. Burris' class and i'm extremely happy I got to hear you speak. I have vegan friends and have always agreed with animal rights and all reasons for being vegan but for some reason just never had the devotion. I'd been contemplating becoming vegan for a while now but your speech really just pushed me to make the move and i'm happy to say that I am vegan now. Since your speech I have had not one animal product and do not intend to for the remainder of my time here on this planet. Once again, just a simple thanks for being a part of making me vegan.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 9:45 AM

Wow. Your lecture today really hit me hard. You have truly opened my eyes to the cruelties our race practices for the sake of food. I always thought I was a humanitarian, boy was I wrong. I haven't even begun to grasp the meaning of that word. I want to reform my life, especially what I consume.

NOTE FROM ME: A student sent this to his entire class at Ohio Dominican after they turned the Q&A session into a Springer Show:

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 2:51 PM

There is no need for Gary to apologize. It was the students in the class that were being rude. Gary was voicing what he thought was right and very few of us in the class respected his right. He wasn't forcing us to be there, he explained that we didn't have to watch. If you were offended then you could of left. Some of the questions and remarks made were just ridiculous. He was not comparing himself to Jesus during his lecture, he was merely showing the effect of humanity. We are all in college and we need to respect others thoughts. If members of the class would have let Gary expand on the questions asked and not jump in and accuse him of being wrong, more could have been learned from the presentation. I personally feel as though he was a great speaker and presented an important lesson to all of us. Just have an open mind to things in the future. I know some of you in the class feel the same way as I do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 7:25 PM

I would like to apologize for the way the class acted today. I learned a lot from your lecture and I know that there were several of us who also did. I was the guy sitting up front next to crying girl. She also agrees with your presentation. We have both decided to try and be vegetarians. The entire vegan thing will take some time, but your lecture moved us today, and we want to make a change.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 2:17 PM

A friend of mine was in the class that you spoke in at Akron U this past Monday. I think it's great what you are doing, opening up peoples eyes to the carnage that is going on in factory farms. Thank you!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2006 4:02 PM

You spoke during my Public Affairs reporting class in El Paso, Texas. I thought what you said was interesting and you will be proud to know that I went to Albertsons and I bought some vegan friendly food. Boca burges, Silk soy, and Vegan lunchmeat. I admire you for doing work you truly believe in and for sticking to your convictions. I know that can't be easy especially when it's not popular. Take care.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2006 12:13 PM

I wanted to say good speech today. The part about us not naturally being an omnivore or carnivore was very interesting as well. I do plan on visiting your website as well, and I was happy to hear you letting the animals go.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 3:35 AM

I just wanted you to know that your speech has really made a difference in my way of life. I have decided to go vegan. I have to say your slaughterhouse video was horrible beyond imagine. I can say personally that I didn't need to see it to believe you or put myself in the animals place, but I guess there are some very closed-minded people out there. I used to live right next to the Owens Sausage House and I would hear the pigs squealing at 3 am every Sunday night... and this was at least a half a mile from my house! I just want you to know that I respect you so much for what you do. Most people don't have the courage to stand up for something they believe it, especially when it's a belief that is not shared by our society. I'm sure you've changed so many people's views on their diet and you should feel great knowing how many animals you have helped saved. You're awesome! "Stand up for what you believe in, even if you stand alone."

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2006 6:45 PM

I am in Valerie Santos' class from Long Beach State. You visited our class on Thursday at 1230. You are amazing and inspiring. I want to thank you for opening my eyes. It changed my life for the better. You have proven to me that one person can make a difference in this world. I would love to speak with you more, I need your knowledge! :) Again, thank you so much for taking time out and speaking to all of us who had no idea what was going on in this sometimes cruel world. I love the idea that i can create a little bit of peace every time I eat...thanks again!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 18, 2006 6:41 PM

I saw you speak at CSU Long Beach on Thursday. Thanks for opening my eyes to the horrible acts that occur each day both in the meat and dairy industries. As of now I am making an effort to become vegetarian while migrating toward veganism. Thanks again for your insight. I look forward to continuing my new life decision. Andrew.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2006 1:23 PM

I would like to say that I really enjoyed your speech. I feel that everyone deserves an opinion on issues and that it should not be ignored or turned a blind eye to. After hearing what you had to say, I have an even stronger motivation to want to become a vegetarian. Thank you for coming to our class. It's not easy speaking to a class in a school that is mainly agriculturally based [FRESNO ST.]. There are a lot of closed-minded people on our campus, I am sad to say, but like you, I was raised in a household that taught me to accept others. I wish sometimes that my parents knew more about animal rights, but it was a different time when they were growing up. Anyways, I'm blabbering on. Thank you again and I hope to hear back from you soon.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 11:52 AM

I was in Prof. Morrison's class last Monday [OU] when you came in and lectured. Your lecture and especially that video you showed us effected me profoundly. (yeah, i went home and cried my eyes out for 2 hours). Anyway, one of my good friends is interested in seeing that slaughterhouse video. Is there anyway you could send me a copy so she could watch it??? I think it would have a profound effect on her also. Thank you for your time and I really appreciate your respect for our animals!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 2, 2006 8:04 PM

Thank you so much for coming to speak at my school today [U. of Wisconsin-Janesville]. Truly, it was extremely informative and inspirational. I used to be Vegan and although I have never really consumed that much meat in my life, I still did consume meat. I guess I put my blinders on to the cruelty, which I regret. I have always felt such a spiritual connection to nature and animals, and so, after hearing your speech, I realize why I was vegan before and why I need to never put my blinders on again. I'm sure that you have many listeners convert (or go back) to Vegan after hearing you speak; that must be very touching for you. As an Anthropology major myself (I'm transferring to Madison in the fall and will graduate college in 08), I was very interested in hearing about evolution and being herbivores (def. agree). I just went to your website and read up on all the info., and I want to become as educated as I can on this subject. In fact, I would really love to help with the animal liberation effort. For the record, the store I work at, Basics, is located off of Milton Ave. in Janesville (1221 Woodman Road). If you ever get a chance, you should check it out. We have a nice selection of vegan and health foods, as well as books, vitamins, herbs, teas and eco-friendly makeup and house supplies. Working there is a good opportunity for me to keep healthy and now a good place for me to buy all my new vegan food (on discount yay). I actually went to the store tonight and bought all new and animal friendly food. Anyways, thanks again! Good luck with the rest of your campus tour!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 2:20 AM

I recently viewed your presentation at USI. I was in an ethics class with mary lyn stoll. (I was the one in front crying like a baby when you showed the video). There are still so many of the things you said going through my head. I wish I had a recorder that day to remember all of the information. It was a very powerful message and I thank you for devoting your time to spreading the word. I come from a family of hunters and meat eaters in small town in northern indiana. After being raised on meat as the main ingredient for every meal, I chose to be a vegetarian on and off for several years. Now, after your lecture, I am trying my hardest to stick with being a full-on vegan. It is very difficult living in a small midwest city, but I can do it. I am wondering if you have current videos of the presentation with the footage you showed in my class. I have so many others to spread this information to. I did get 'the food revolution' and can't wait to dive into it and then pass it along to others. If you do not have any videos, will you be anywhere in close proximity where i may bring several others with me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2006 3:52 PM

I just want to thank you for coming to my Terrorism class to speak [U. of Wisconsin-Janesville]. I was telling my professor Nathan Zook that if one of my friends was telling me a story about befriending a bull I would probably laugh. My brothers would participate in rodeos when I was younger and I have always looked at a bull to be a very angry creature. Well anyway, I don't thank I can laugh at stories like that anymore after your very justified arguments. I tried to over analyze your arguments but they all made so much sense. So thank you for coming to our class. Also, our Student Government Association is always looking out for ways to reach out to the community. We have many clubs here on campus that deal with not just student issues but issues in our community. We have a Health Sciences Club that I'm sure would be very interested in having something that deals with not eating meat. They always put on events that support a cause. I would like to give you the President's email address of Health Sciences Club. She is also on Student Government with me. Good luck with the rest of your presentations

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 10:58 PM

I had the pleasure to listen to you speak tonight [at OCC]. I was very moved by what you said, and the video you showed. I'm very interested to learn about veganism and the ADAPTT. It was eye opening experience for me and I am truly interested in your cause. Thanks you very much for your time.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 3:45 PM

I was in Mr. Halleman's 12:00 class on Monday the 30th [at OCC] and I am sure that you get these follow up e-mails all of the time, but I just wanted to tell you that I was (am) extremely moved by your presentation. My name is Jennifer Darnall, and I was the girl in the orange who could not get a grip, and you had to hand the kleenex box to. I know that you probably get 20 of these follow ups every time you give a speech, and they are all the same thing, but I wanted to sincerely thank-you. You were so enlightening, and I feel like all of us are so uniformed. Ignorance is not an excuse at all, but sometimes it is the truth. I also need to ask you for a favor. If there is any way that you could maybe just send me the latest news, and the different things that you have discovered, I would really appreciate it. If not, I understand, but if there is something that I could help out with and volunteer my time, I would be happy to do it. Thanks again so much, you really do make such a difference with every speech that you give. You are truly a person of great strength and compassion. Good luck with your next speech. (Not that you need it!). Thanks again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 9:47 AM

I recently became vegan as far as my eating habits are concerned, and I'm working on changing my wardrobe as well. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions, and I really enjoyed looking through your website and learning so much. I've forwarded the link to friends and family. Right now I am in Israel, living, learning/studying, and working within the Hebrew Isrealite community, which is almost completely vegan (they still use honey and they accept wool and silk). I was eating many vegan foods before coming here but now I am completely vegan with no desire to ever go back. I will be here for several months before returning to the States. Before coming here, I taught high school history for one year in Los Angeles county and prior to that I was in school at UNC-Chapel Hill (Although I grew up in St. Louis, MO). Since coming here, I've been introduced to a lot of information about nutrition and veganism, including a DVD of one of your lectures (I believe Kate Timko was accompanying you in the lecture), which is where I got your website, and upon checking it out, I emailed you with my questions. I wish I had seen your lecture while I was in college because I probably would have become vegan much sooner, but the point is I am now. Now, I'm encouraging all of my friends and family to read your website and change their diets.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 11:05 AM

How did you actually start to incorporate your vegan diet? Did you do it slowly or just jump into right off the bat? The reason I ask the second question is because I am very interested in becoming a vegan. I had always wanted to try being a vegetarian, but now, after your speech and the video that you presented, I really want to switch to the vegan diet. In closing, I would like to say that your speech was very powerful [USI]. Your arguments seem concrete and sincere and that is why I am deciding to become a vegan. Wish me luck though, cause man, do I love a filet minot!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 11:50 AM

First off i would like to say that your presentation was very good [u of southern indiana]!!! the movie along with your presentaion has persuaded me to give it a try!! so i am going to give the veganism way of life a go! i am also going to try and convince my girlfriend too, because i know if she saw that video she would be in tears. i want to thank you and tell you you did a most awesome job.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2006 1:52 PM

I just thought I would let you know how much of an effect your talk at Georgia Tech on Wednesday has had on me. Since the moment the lecture was over to now, I have not consumed ANY animal products. The reason that it has been such an abrupt, and even rewarding change for me is that I truly believe everything that you said. In any change, I believe that you must first change your beliefs before you can change your actions. My actions of becoming vegan have followed naturally as I truly believe in it. Thank you so much. I am currently reading Becoming Vegan by Brenda Davis, R.D. & Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D. Have you read it? Is there anything else you would recommend?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2006 3:54 AM

I'm a student at Georgia Tech and had the pleasure of listening to you present your case on animal rights to my PST 3127 class. First I'd like to say you did a great job. As you'd probably expect, when my teacher told us we would be having a speaker that would be arguing animals should have the same rights as people, I was skeptical. But even at that point, I was open to new ideas, because we had just finished discussing how societies blind people from the truth. Thank you again! You have made an impact on my life.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 8:29 PM

I just wanted to thank you for coming to my class today at UF and talking about animal rights issues. I am going to move forward with my life with the goal of becoming a vegan (even if it is only a few days a week at first). I can't get that video and song out of my head. I was wondering what the brand of food was that you said was good. I think it was something like Mill Farm or something. I can't quite remember. Also, I was wondering if that footage was available on your website (or if you know of any websites that have footage), I'm going to share the info you presented to my family and friends and hope that maybe I can take their blinders off! Thanks so much!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 12:28 PM

I'm in Dr. Leslie Thiele's Environmental Ethics and Politics class that you spoke in this Morning [at UF]. Thank you for doing what you do. I believe that only good can come from it.

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Comments from Students 2005

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2005 1:48 PM

I saw you speak in Ms. Hollendonner's logic class at the University of Akron this summer. What you said and showed to the class that day has haunted me ever since. I found myself trying to rationalize eating meat, wearing leather etc... for the past months but found that I could not refute the core of your argument. With that in mind, I kicked the habit, so to say, and adopted veganism into my life about one month ago. I find that dinner time is no longer a moment of guilt but is instead a peaceful one and a tastier one as well. Seeing as I am a pretty serious triathlete (Ironman aspirations in a few years, running Boston marathon in April), I have found that I no longer have to wait as long after eating to get back to training because those bloated sensations I would get from meat and especially cow's milk are long gone. Overall my body feels better and performs better these days. As you said that though, even if there were no health benefits associated with veganism, I made the change out of compassion. I can now look my dog in the eyes with an honest conscience. I feel more in touch with nature, and the wildlife within, when I go for long runs or rides through the nearby parks. Although my parents were not too keen on this way of life at the onset they now are curious about my eating habits. My mom has even begun to use less meat in her cooking and helps me find recipes. To keep matters short, I simply wanted to say thank you, for I doubt I would be where I am now without having heard your speech. Keep spreading the word for the truth never falls on deaf ears.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 1:34 PM

I am a student in the class at OSU you lectured at yesterday. I never really thought about animal welfare before taking this class. I always thought the fur trade was wrong as well as animal abuse, but I never really thought about all the other forms of cruelty. I see now that I did have blinders on, and I believe they have been removed. Your lecture was great, the way in which approached this delicate topic was perfect. I was skeptical of you right from the beginning, but as the lecture went on I felt a change. I began to move closer to you and further from the majority of the class. I had no idea of the cruelty in slaughterhouses. I thought the animals were killed humanely. But than I realized that they aren't being killed, they are being murdered. I realize that is the same thing, but in my mind I see a difference between killing and murder. When i think about the nature of murder i realize that there can never be a humane murder. Even if the slaughter methods changed it is still a being dying against its will, which is murder. Oh and i loved the way you dealt with the students who argued with you. I must say you made them look pretty damn stupid. Especially the vegetable question and killing them, what an asinine argument that was. He didn't make any sense to me. I heard nothing but ignorance. I'm not a conservative, I'm not a liberal, i consider myself a realist, and i must say you are as real as they come. Thank you for your lecture, I appreciate you taking the time to visit with us, and hope a way is found to keep you funded so that your lectures will continue to be heard. i think it is necessary for the good of our world that you are heard.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2005 11:29 AM

u visited our class (Env. Ethics) @UCF on Wed., Oct 26th, 2005. My husband and I have decided to go Vegan. We had considered it before but like many people, we didn't know anything about it so did not listen (b/c of ignorance of course). We both come from a Spanish family where meat is very heavy in our diets. I want to change that!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 10:15 PM

I was a student in the class you spoke in this morning. I would have talked to you after the lecture but I had to leave early to make it to work. Your words were really right on time because I have been considering vegetarianism for quite some time. About four months ago I stopped eating all meat except for chicken and fish. Now I realize it's not fair to choose which animals are okay to eat and which aren't. I had been wanting to make the transition but before this morning didn't have the right motivation. So I just wanted to let you know your words did open my eyes.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 6:20 PM

I was in Professor Burris' 10:30 class today at UCF. I used to be vegetarian in high school ... but I want to start again since I'm on my own now.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 2:01 PM

I absolutely loved and appreciated your speech when you came to UCF October 27th, 2005, to Steve Ethridge's English class. Your speech was incredibly interesting and I'm sure opened the eyes of many meat and animal product eaters in the class. My parents both believe in your cause and follow a strict vegan diet. They find it to be one of the most rewarding feelings in life. Besides the fact that they are no longer follow an animal cruelty rich diet, they have more energy than ever and have not experienced ANY illness in the past decade. Thank you for everything your doing, it is enlightening to hear people like you who promote such a positive cause in the world today, and I hope to see a change in the near future that are for the rights and freedom's of animals everywhere. I am a vegetarian, but after hearing your speech I have began a diet that eliminates milk, egg, and all animal products.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 10:43 AM

So I was thinking of starting to try a vegan diet. What was that Chinese restaurant called again? Garden Café?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 5:28 AM

Thank you so much for the extract from your website "The Garden of Vegan" forwarded to me by my daughter. I myself have been searching the bible especially recently for direction about how God feels about animals are treated on this earth. I had come across some of the verses you quoted but of course was unaware of the Gospel of the Nazirenes and in terms of the fact that I have been praying for an answer, I feel that God has answered me through your work and research. I can't thank you enough and am truly grateful that my daughter found your website. Just last night I wondered if God does want me to help animals. I am so grateful to you. God has spoken through your work and answered my prayers. Thank you once again for your compassion and support for the animals - you will be truly blessed.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 6:52 PM

I was in Dr. Hawkins 1:30 class today [UCF] and I have to say that I was very ignorant as to what occurs in the meat industry. I can't say I haven't heard rumors, but actually seeing the inhumane treatment we subject living creatures to ... well it made me sick.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 3:09 PM

I am from a Hunter (NY) class you lectured in. I wanted to ask you about the time you were sent to maximum security for freeing the minks. Was it 6 months and how many were freed? P.S. I haven't been eating meat.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 10:44 PM

Thank you for your best effort to help our fellow animal friends! I am very much interested to visit your ADAPTT site. God bless your work.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 2:21 PM

I was at one of your lectures in Lanier's class at the University of Central Florida. I just want to tell u how informative your speech was and how it has really changed my outlook. I've always loved animals and now I can do something to help them.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 7:35 AM

I was just browsing thru your website and was so impressed I needed to mail you to thank you for it! Your ideas are wonderful and there are so many brilliant points I can use when debating with people. Keep it up and thank you again!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 4:07 AM

I recently was so fortunate to come across your website whilst browsing the internet [in South Africa!] and was so impressed at the section of the Bible and meat eating. I hope you don't mind but I copied your article on the Bible and sent it to some people who call themselves Christians but eat meat. Thought I'd try to educate them a bit! I have been trying to find quotes and an interpretation for them for ages now. I just want to tell you that you are one of the most admirable people on this earth! And I respect you for all you are doing. I hope one day I will be able to dedicate more of my time to a good cause like you are. Your website has enlightened me and as a strong vegetarian I will make use of the information in educating other people. I think meat eating is sick, cruel and barbaric and I am so glad there are more people out there who feel the same! Thanks for your website. It is an excellent learning tool. Thanks again on behalf of the animals for all you are doing, one day you will be rewarded for your hard work! P.S. I downloaded your article on Humans are Herbivores and sent it to my Dad and he's also been reading your other articles and he finally decided yesterday that vegetarian is the way to go!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2005 12:25 AM

I really loved your presentation. It was informative, interesting and very realistic.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 12:36 PM

I'm a student at the University of Delaware. I was in one of the classes you spoke to about animal rights. I found your presentation very "eye opening" and have not ate any animal product since. For my journalism class, I wanted to do a story on you and your presentation. I have gotten plenty of information from your presentation alone, but I would like to add a little more personal information just to give the story more color.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 12:46 PM

I was in Prof. Morris' 2:45 -4 class that you lectured in yesterday [Hunter-CUNY]. I just wanted to tell you that your presentation was very moving and eye opening. For years, because of my faith, I didn't eat pork or non-kosher beef. I felt that eating kosher was justified because the animals are destroyed in a more humane way. I saw in the movie you showed yesterday that there is NOTHING humane about it. For a long time I have considered becoming a vegetarian but always came up with excuses why I didn't really need to. From the information you provided us with yesterday I now see so many different reasons why it is so important to do so. You really made a difference for me and I wanted to tell you that I have finally made the right decision, and though I have tried being a vegetarian before I know that with the tools and resources you recommended to us that this time I will stick with it. I have had a vegan friend for years who had been trying to explain these things to me but I never really believed her. But, after your presentation yesterday I went on the PETA website and some of the other websites you recommended. Unfortunately, it took me seeing it all for myself to finally realize that she was right all along. Hopefully one day I can become a vegan, but for now I took the Pledge 2B Veg on Peta's website and gave all the meat, poultry and fish I had in my house to my mother, so I guess it's a good start. My decision doesn't make much sense to her but vegetarianism didn't make sense to me before either. I'm really thankful for all the information and facts you presented. You truly completely changed my mind and opened my eyes to the truth. Thank you. The fact that you go to schools and lecture on this has probably changed more people than you know and you are truly providing an amazing opportunity for the lives of people and animals.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 5:37 AM

I am a student at the University of Delaware. You came into my journalism class to talk about animal rights. I enjoyed your talk a lot.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005 12:31 AM

First of all, I would like to thank you for taking the time to come speak to my Contemporary Moral Issues class at NJCU. I was very interested in what you had to say. You are a very good speaker. I want your dvd in my household because I have 2 overweight parents that think that meat is the ONLY way to survive, and wonder why they have high blood pressure, low blood sugar, anemia, and are obese.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 10:12 PM

Thanx for all you said last week during the lecture at City College [NY].

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2005 4:22 PM

I am a student in Professor Roehr's class [NJCU] and just wanted to thank you for the information, most of which was completely shocking and surprising info. I was so upset by the video that I forgot my manners and did not thank you in person.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2005 12:12 PM

I just would like to tell you that your talk was superb. I have always been a meat eater, and I always debated against vegetarianism, but I think that your arguments were so strong that since the day of your talk I have decided to go vegan. And now I am telling everybody to go vegan at my house.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 4:52 PM

I was very moved by the discussion on Monday. In fact, it moved me more than anything I've ever heard, seen, or read. Excluding the gospel. After a long discussion with my wife, we have decided to make an all vegetarian trip to the grocery store this weekend and investigate what we hope to be a change in lifestyle.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 3:15 PM

First off, I would like to thank you for coming to my class to deliver your eye-opening lecture. I was in the 1:00 Ethics class at USI on Monday and Wednesday, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Once again, I wanted to thank you for your lecture, and I wish you the best of luck on the continuation of making differences such as the one you made on me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 10:05 PM

I just wanted to let you know that you have changed my life completely since the day you left [OCC-Southfield]. I just wanted to thank you sooooo very much. I thank you for taking the time to share with me and other people about what people are doing to animals.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 11:47 AM

I just wanted to thank you for coming and presenting your material about animals in class [Fresno St.]. I am an animal lover and last semester I read the book "Animal Liberation". The book made me aware of the violence humans subject animals to every day to fulfill our own needs. Your presentation reinforced my views on this topic. Since your presentation I have become a vegetarian. My goal is to become vegan.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 8:03 PM

I am working on school project about animal cruelty and I need to know about you and anyone else that took an important stand in history on this topic. I only now found adaptt and am about to explore it. if there is any info or advice you can give me it would be greatly appreciated. this project is a state project for national history day and I am hoping to present a very informative and worthy report.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 2:31 PM

I just wanted to congratulate you for changing my life!!! I just watched your lecture for Dave London's Advertising class about an hour ago at CMU and I am going to give vegetarianism one hell of a chance. I have always been a "swimmers and flyers" eater, however have never really enjoyed the texture or taste of red meat, therefore I hope this will be a slightly easier transformation for me (then comes the veganism ). I must admit the video was very very difficult for me to watch, and I was closer than ever to walking out, but I am glad I chose to stay. Thanks again for taking the time to talk to our class. It was life changing.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 4:16 PM

My husband and I were students in Michael Becker's Political Philosophy class that you gave a presentation in earlier this week at Fresno State. I wanted to thank you for your presentation. You are a phenomenal speaker and were very persuasive. Most people would have described my husband as the meat and potatoes guy and I, while not big on meat, had a serious cheese and ranch dressing addiction. After your speech, we decided to make the change and are doing it together. Thanks for educating us and giving us the chance to do something good. While we are conscious of the many health benefits to doing this, it was the fact that we could think of no way to justify eating meat and supporting the abuse of animals. Thanks for 'taking the blinders off'. On your website I especially appreciated your reviews on vegan foods out there. Thanks for your time and helping us to make this change and good luck with all of your efforts. You are really doing a good thing and making a difference.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 8:07 PM

You recently gave a lecture on veganism and the meat industry to the Contemporary Moral Problems class of Ben Gorman [Cabrini College]. I'm one of the students who approached you after class, and I am writing you to thank you for giving me the final little nudge I needed to kick the practice of meat eating. As I told you, I've hated the practice of meat eating since childhood and back then my parents had to smother it in ketchup or some other sauce before they could even force me to eat it. It hasn't been that hard to quit. But since I quit cold turkey, I thought I was going to die for a day or two. I think all the purified water and organic juice has flushed my system clean and I feel fine now, and, in some ways, even better than I did before. I don't feel weak either. I've balanced a diet of fruits, wheats/grains, juices and vegetables so that I can maintain my physical and mental activity schedule with the same comfort level that I always have. Thanks for taking off the blinders.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 4:41 PM

I have just come one of your presentations in Dr. Marino's class [Valley Forge Christian College]. I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to come in and talk to us. Thanks again for raising our awareness of the issue.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 1:57 PM

I was in Dr. Marino's Christian Thought class at Valley Forge and let me just say, you are an incredible speaker, and you have obviously done a great deal of research and I appreciate that.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 10:12 AM

I am a student in one of the classes you spoke to last Thursday and this Tuesday (Mr. Seesholtz, Penn State Abington). I just wanted to write to you and tell you how great you did with your presentation. I give you a lot of credit for what you do for these animals. I must admit, when I first heard you were coming, I was going to argue the hell out of this topic with you ... you know what changed my mind??? The way you opened up your speech with "please just give me an open mind for the first ten minutes". I thought the way you calmly approached and executed your presentation left me not wanting to argue with you, instead had me trying to think of how I could change my habits. I'm not saying that I will change over night but I have already made some changes towards Vegan. I'm even planning a dinner at that restaurant in Philly, Gianni's Grille. Your approach was amazing. I feel like I got so much out of this. Last week I never would have thought that today I would be defending your views in class against my fellow peers. In closing, I just want to tell you I think what you're doing is very respectable and humane. I wish we could all be like you. Best of luck ... and keep up the good work.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 4:14 PM

I cannot thank you enough for you lecture on ethical veganism today, 9/12 at Cabrini College. I have been a vegetarian striving for veganism for a mere 2 years now. I have grown to love tofu, soy milk and other animal friendly food products. I have been trying to work towards veganism. However I still eat cakes, ice cream, cookies, and other foods that contain dairy products. Your lecture empowered me to strive towards a purely vegetarian lifestyle. It is hard being merely a vegetarian in carnivorous Pennsylvania, especially at this school in which purely vegan is almost nonexistent. Money is also a HUGE roadblock in my quest for ethical veganism. The high price of vegan food on the pathetic college income I have, in combination with my meat eating parents who constantly tell me I spend way to much money on food does not help the situation. It is so frustrating, however after your lecture I find myself not caring as much about the little inconveniences such as less money to go out and party, etc. I love animals and want nothing else but to help them as much as I can. I have seen slaughterhouse videos before, but nothing as sickening as the one you showed. I found myself sick to my stomach, at the brink of tears. Even as I write this Not only did your presentation empower me to live a vegan lifestyle it also gave me tools to refute, prove, and convince others to live a more compassionate, ethical and healthy lifestyle. If you have any suggestions on how I can make becoming vegan easier, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you, thank you for caring so much for your compassionate work and for spreading the compassion to college students and the world. With much gratitude.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 5:35 PM

First thing I gotta say is how much I enjoyed your incredible speech this morning. It was perfect on so many levels. Your attention to detail and the way you backed up all of your facts was awesome. Gosh, I always think about the stuff that you went over, but I never knew the depths of it, as you explained today. I'm a very sensitive person and I have always had sharp instincts. If you think about all the animal torture and animal cruelty that goes on EVERYDAY, it inflames me! Where do these fucking people get off with slaughtering conscious farm animals in cold blood, day in and day out, all over the country!? I'm glad you came to my class today and made that speech. I'm very glad I had the chance to meet you and I really look forward to Tuesday's discussion. It sparked a huge amount of interest and concern in my brain. Please send me your schedule for the following weeks to come. Although my schedule is busy with work and school, I'm sure I can find time to attend some of your speeches with my girlfriend. Cheers to Tofu and the freedom of all animals. P.S. The fact that you are so passionate about the subject, made the speech just awesome!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 2:11 PM

I am a student in Dr. Seesholtz's class at Penn State Abington. I was very excited about your presentation today. And you have completely changed the way that I look at the world now. Seeing that video was absolutely disturbing. But, what was even more disturbing was the fact that people could actually sit through the video and find nothing wrong with it. There is no way I would ever eat meat again after watching that. I am so glad that this topic has been brought to my attention. I would love to be more involved with this issue so any information that you could provide to me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with our class and for taking our blinders off (at least for me).

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 4:02 PM

I was in Karen Halnon's Sociology class today at 1:30. I spoke with you briefly after class and just want to again thank you for doing what you are doing. Most people don't take the time to find out and learn stuff on their own and just continue on with their mundane way of life simply because they were taught that way and don't know any different. I myself am no exception to that. It took someone like you to, like you said, remove my blinders and see the world for what it really is and what is actually happening. So, for that I appreciate it.

I know that it can be so frustrating to speak in front of students who couldn't care less about your cause and what you are trying to do. I am also sure that you have been given a lot of grief from many people for what you lecture about because, lets face it, you are telling us something that goes against everything we have ever been taught by parents, friends, family and apparently doctors as well. I know it also is frustrating because the world is going to continue on the way it has been for thousands of years now, and it is going to take someone or millions of someones to die who are close to those in authority for things to change, and even then it might take the complete obliteration of society and its main food source (animals, or non-animals as that AWA document you read in class claimed) for people to understand what you and so many others are trying to explain. For all of your hard work I am sure that very rarely do you affect someone as you have affected me today, which is why I felt it so important to share with you that your hard work is paying off because today you changed at least 1 person's life (for the better) for the rest of her life.

I also thought of something as you were talking today about the cow milk thing. If it was vital to human kind's survival to consume it, wouldn't our bodies produce it forever?? Wouldn't we continue to produce it for ourselves long after we have given it to our children?? So anyway, thank you again for changing my life in the lecture you gave today. Keep fighting the big fight because eventually, even if it takes one person at a time...the world can be a better place to live for everyone, human and animal kind alike.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 5:54 PM

You came into my class at Oakland Community College on Wednesday and I wanted to apologize. I was the blonde girl in the class if you remember. I wanted to explain that when I put my head down after the video it wasn't because I was being rude. It's because I fainted. I have a very weak stomach and what I saw in the video was too much. I pass out easily so I knew that if I just put my head down I would be ok. I didn't want to fall out of my chair and cause a scene. Anyway when I woke up I still felt really sick and needed some sugar so that's why I had to walk out. I didn't want you to think that I was being rude so I wanted to write you this letter. Needless to say I haven't eaten meat since then. What was on that video was terrible and it now makes me sick to think of eating it. Thank you for coming in to our class you speech was very informative. I just wanted to be sure that if you noticed that I walked out it wasn't out of disrespect. Thanks again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 7:52 PM

I was in Chuck's 9:35 class today (PSU-University Park), I think I was the only one crying, so maybe you know who this is. I have been thinking about going vegetarian for a long time, eventually to go vegan, but I never really "got around" to doing it. I started today, and I want to thank you for that.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 5:45 PM

I, along with many of my students [Grossmont College Prof. June Yang], attended your presentation on the importance of being vegan. I had heard all the arguments before, but, for some reason, your joint presentation made the arguments "sink in." I am proud to say that I have not eaten beef or chicken since you gave your presentation to us two and a half weeks ago. Moreover, I have drastically reduced my consumption of eggs and cheese. Your three-fold reason - animal rights, environmentalism, and health - were enough to convince myself, and some of my students, to give up eating the flesh of other species. We feel healthier, happier, and kinder, and owe you our thanks!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 5:47 PM

A couple of months ago I recognized you at the Food Swings restaurant in Brooklyn. I re-introduced myself and told you that after about 14 years of being vegetarian (and thinking I was really so great) you were the catalyst in my finally going vegan (now I really AM great) when I heard your compelling talk at Hunter College in 2003. I hope your tour is going really well. Thanks so very much for all your great work.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 10:31 PM

I was at the 9:15 class session of Dr. Lewis' class [USD] in which you held an information session on animal rights. You might remember me, I came up after the session and asked about kosher killing. I have been thinking about everything that was discussed in that session and I have made the decision to become a vegetarian. I am very fortunate in the fact that I have an aunt who has been a vegetarian for 31 years who is very enthusiastic about my decision and willing to provide all the support she can. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for speaking at my school, you really opened my eyes.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 01, 2005 7:25 PM

I attended [The Grossmont College lecture last night] and I am not eating meat. Just can't get those images out of my head of the slaughters. I'm wondering if the things in my list are "vegan" or if animals are killed to make them? here goes: gum, glue, plastics, silk, the coating on pills. These are just a few things I had questions about. Is there a site u can visit that has all of the products made from animals?? Thank you for your time.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2005 7:03 PM

I watched your presentation on ethical veganism at the OCC Southfield campus last Tuesday. I've been meaning to e-mail you ever since then because the presentation was so amazing and it was such an eye opener. I will admit that I was very skeptical coming in, and I was almost positive that nothing would be able to convince me to change my eating habits. But it moved me more than anything else ever has. You may remember me because I had tears running down my face during the video, and I asked a few questions afterwards (one about sushi.) I came home that night and had such mixed feelings. I was excited about making a change in my life, but I felt terrible at the same time, realizing that I could have easily educated myself, but I never took the time to learn about where my food was coming from. I decided right away that it would be willfully ignorant for me to continue eating (or using) any products derived from animals. It has been a tough week, considering that I have very few friends who are even vegetarians (let alone vegans) but I am determined to make this work, and it shouldn't be too hard because I already eat pretty healthy, and I am really open to trying new things. I wish everyone I know could have seen the presentation I saw because I'm convinced that most of them would walk away feeling the same way I do now. It's frustrating to try and help other people understand, and educate them, but I'm happy for myself because I think becoming vegan is definitely a step in the right direction. I think what you two do is so wonderful, and it has really affected my life. I can never thank you enough for sharing your experiences and information with me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 9:18 PM

My boyfriend—already being vegetarian—decided to go vegan with me. He is very interested in seeing the video you showed. Is it possible to get a copy, or do you know of any other good videos online, he wants to put it on his mp4 player so he can show others. Let me know. Thank you!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 3:47 PM

I appreciate your visit. Not only do I admire your commitment to your cause and the power of your arguments, but as I indicated, my wife and I were/are at a tipping point on this and we have already found that there are many tasty alternatives to meat at the store. We just hadn't seriously looked in a while. So whatever else happens, your visit had at least one concrete impact.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 11:38 AM

I just attended your lecture in Phil Hamlin's philosophy class @ the University of TN, and I have really been thinking about what you said. I want to thank you so much for the wonderful lecture, you and Kate are both wonderful and moving orators. Thank you greatly for your speech and passion,

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 11, 2005 8:09 PM

You were recently at University of Central Florida talking about veganism and stuff, you mentioned a restaurant that you went to that was near the school that was all vegan food. Was just wondering if you still remembered the name of the restaurant or where it was located, thank you for taking the time to read this. I've given up meat since you gave the speech.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 2:04 AM

I am a student from UTEP who was part of your lecture and was impressed and interested. Due to my level of interest i have decided to write a paper on the subject. My paper is due one week from now so i would appreciate if you can help by returning an email.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 12:32 PM

I was at your presentation during my political science class today at UTEP. I just wanted to let you know that it was an amazing presentation. I've been a vegetarian for about 4 years, and became vegan about a year ago. The video you showed was heartbreaking, but I hope that it opened up people's eyes. Anyway, it was great having you in class today.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 12:02 AM

I am writing for two reasons. 1. I am very impressed with the presentation given. You not only presented it in a non-invasive way but also clearly answered all questions thrown at you, and I appreciate that. 2. I am writing an article that will be published in a college newspaper that will reach thousands and the main subject I will be focusing on is medical research and what alternatives there are and also the risks involved by using animals in substitution of humans. I know you are heavily educated in this area and are a big activist for it. I was wondering, in your point of view, what would be appropriate to include in the article. I want people to know that there is NO scientific reason OR ethical reason to use animals for research. Thanks for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 10:13 PM

I am in Greg Morris' Basic Reporting Class (Hunter-CUNY). I decided to try the vegan lifestyle after seeing your presentation. I've been doing a bunch of reading and haven't used any animal products for about four days now.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 1:12 AM

I wanted to thank you for coming in to speak to my media ethics class at Hunter College (NY). Your lecture really inspired me. So much so, that as of Monday when I first saw you and Katie speak, I gave up eating meat for good. My friends and family unfortunately do not understand, they think I'm nuts, but I don't care, because I know I'm making a difference, if only on a small scale, for the animals. Although I admit getting to the level of veganism will be more difficult for me, because I am so used to eating eggs and drinking milk, but I try to give that up as well. Once again, thank you for the lecture. You opened up my eyes to so many things, and I am truly grateful.

-----Original Message-----
From: Professor Alex Cvejic [Queens College]
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 12:05 PM

I just wanted to share a few brief excerpts from the [student] essays I am currently reading that address your lecture:

"I found myself sitting at the edge of my seat, wanting to know more and more. [regarding the big red story] the feeling of sympathy overcame me. including real life experiences in a presentation, such as this, again makes me want to learn more about the vegan way of life. After sitting through such an impressive presentation, I will think twice about what I consume and make an effort to change my daily diet."

"Gary and Kate had a great impact on me. I can never eat meat again."

"Lab-coats and men with dollar signs in their eyes have succeeded in desensitizing the public from the evil being inflicted, but people like Gary and Kate are avidly trying to remove the blinders that people have built up over the years. Armed with the facts, it is the general public's turn to resist the temptation of the taste of flesh and to revert to a diet from the ground."

"It is time that we turn to the many alternatives that we have which don't involve the torture of animals. It is time that we stop thinking just of ourselves and begin to think about the environment around us that is harmed due to factory farming and most of all, we must think of the millions of animals that are slaughtered, all just to fulfill our appetites for flesh."

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 11:12 PM

I am in Dr. Zartman's Animal Science 597 class at Ohio State. I really enjoyed the presentation that you and Kate gave to my class this past Thursday. It was a MAJOR eye-opener! Since high school I've wanted to go vegetarian and now I'm a senior in college and I haven't done it yet and really there is no excuse!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 6:47 PM

Thank you for your presentation today (Miami-Ohio). I have not had any milk since this morning, and needless to say, nothing else except an orange. I am very interested in the vegan diet, as we discussed earlier, I think it might help my [medical condition]. I was wondering about the doctor that you mentioned this morning, as I would like to get in touch with him/her and see what the next best possible course could be. Again, thank you very much.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 1:56 PM

Thank you so much, Gary. I can't wait to see you and Kate's lecture again! I appreciate your compassion more than you'll know. You and Kate finally turned me vegan (after two years of being a vegetarian), and I am ever grateful for that. I've been considering dedicating my life to this cause, for I feel it is an issue that must be pressed.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 12:28 PM

I am a student from Oakland University who has listened to your speech, and I am very intrigued by what you had to say. Because of your speech, I am writing a ten page research paper for my rhetoric class on the vegan lifestyle; why it is morally better, healthier and environmentally better. For this paper, I am looking for primary sources, (mainly interviews)and secondary sources (articles, books, magazines) and I am wondering if you or Kate would be willing to talk to me over the phone or e-mail me about personal experiences leading you to become vegan, and how it has improved your life. What was the major turning point in your life that changed you? Also, I was wondering if you had any further resources that I could use for this paper (books, articles, doctors I could contact, or others). If you could e-mail me back as soon as possible and let me know, that would be great! Thanks!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2005 11:05 PM

I spoke to you after your presentation at Rollins College. I am doing a presentation for my health class on vegetarianism, and I had talked to you about possibly getting a copy of your video to show. If you have any extra pamphlets that you passed out to our class, or you know where I can get them, that would be great.

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Comments from Students 2004

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 12:02 AM

I was born in the country in Germany and my family had a lot of land with lots of fruit trees and berry bushes as well as a green house where we would grow anything from potatoes to carrots and all kinds of different leafy produce. As a child I would naturally reach for the fruits and even prefer to eat raw potatoes and carrots right out of the ground with the dirt still on them. As an adult that might sound really gross, but as a child I remember eating these foods and being fully sated. I actually despised meat and only ate it after I was a teen and my friends would make fun of me for not liking hamburgers and pizza. I truly believe that if we let our bodies choose what we eat instead of our minds we would be quite surprised as to what we would be putting into our mouths. I am not a vegan right now, but after Yourofsky & Timko's presentation am fully disgusted as to what we are doing to the animals of this planet. The cruelty and non compassion for these animals has left me sore and I have watched my diet more carefully and have almost totally eradicated animal products from my diet. For me it is not so much a question on whether animal products are good or bad for our bodies, but rather an ethical, moral one. What we, as the supposedly superior species, do to these animals is inexcusable and cannot be ignored. I am very glad I was able to be there for the presentation and have started to make other people aware as well, so that we can all take a more responsible path in the future.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2004 7:05 PM

You came and spoke at our school a while back and I've been meaning to e-mail you. I really enjoyed your seminar. I've begun to slowly get rid of the animal products in my life. Your information was very motivating for me. Thank you so much.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 11:47 AM

Monday's lecture really hit me hard. I have not been able to eat meat since seeing that video and hearing them speak, and I really wanted to read more about the topic since we only got into it for 50 minutes. I would like to do my paper on animal rights and how it is not moral to take an animal's life, which is a living being, to benefit someone else. I have been reading about this topic since the lecture Monday and I have really enjoyed looking into it more.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 6:42 PM

I was at your lecture on Monday night at Eastern Michigan University. I am in our animal rights group, so it strengthened my beliefs. Thank you for that. Anyway, I was just wondering where you two are headed next. I have a lot of friends at the various colleges around Michigan, and I would be sure to tell them to go to your lecture. Let me know when you have time! Thanks so much!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 10:26 AM

I was at a lecture on being vegan that you gave about this time last year at Lourdes College (OH). I wanted to take the time to tell you what a life changing event your lecture was for me and my family. I had been wrestling for some time with the wrongness of being a carnivore. A week before your lecture, my then 11 year old son asked me if I loved animals. I told that, of course I do, that is why I have the job that I do (as a vet tech) and why I volunteer for a local wildlife rescue and rehab. He then asked me if I loved them, then how could I eat them. I had no answer to that. Laziness, habit, whatever ... none of that was something I could tell him. The following week, I went to your lecture. That night, I went home and was getting ready to eat a bowl of cereal. I got out the milk and set it on the counter, then I gagged. That was a huge changing point for me. A few months later, my son asked if he could be a vegetarian. I am so proud of him, and he is still going strong, which is not easy as a 6th grade boy. He gets a lot of teasing, but stays firm in his convictions. He even got the school to add a vegetarian choice to the lunch menu every day. He is teased a lot, and even got called into the vice-principal's office because she was concerned about his nutrition. Anyhow, I just wanted to thank you. I would like to take my son to hear you speak sometime. I think he would really be inspired.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 11:26 AM

On behalf of Students for Animal Rights at Eastern Michigan University, I want to thank you so much for speaking at our school on Monday. I think everyone in the audience got a lot out of your lecture. And I know that your talk definitely re-inspired the members of our group to be even more active on behalf of the animals. I wish you safe travels and best of luck at your talks in the next month.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 2:04 PM

First I'd like to thank you for coming to our class. I was able to learn many things from the presentation and powerful movie. It also helped me to understand more the views of Veganism. It is horrible to stop and actually look at the torture that we put animals through today. Too many animals are treated this way and hopefully the numbers will gradually decrease.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 3:28 AM

I was just writing to tell you that the presentation in Brad Kelly's class at Va Tech was very well done. It got to all the emotional sides that one can feel. I still eat meat, but you have opened the eyes of someone who didn't think about the animals when I had something from them. I wrote a paper on the ideas that you shared with the class. The overall presentation was good to open my eyes to some issues I didn't think about. Thank you for your time, and have a good day.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2004 5:02 AM

I want you to know that I think there was a great amount of controversial uproar [at Muskingum College in OH] because of your great conveyance of knowledge. I really appreciate what you do. I just want you to know that from what I know you definitely had a positive impact on the people of our campus. One girl who was previously veg is going vegan, her roommate is going veg, and of all great things ... my boyfriend is trying a vegan lifestyle. All the people I told you that you affected ... that is only the people that I directly heard about. I mean, I saw a girl crying during your 'Big Red' story. I don't really know what everyone decided about the impact you made on their life. BUT you DID make an IMPACT! Maybe not everyone is veg or vegan, but I know that they at least thought about it at their next meal. I just want you to know that I really appreciate what you are doing.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 8:48 AM

I just wanted to tell you both how impressive and convincing your lecture was on Wednesday at Oakland U. I hadn't expected that you would provide such sound sources for all of your information. (I was the one who had spoken to you before class.) And you were absolutely right, I do want to go vegan. I was also really impressed because one of my friends in that class, who didn't even want to show up and listen, is now considering veganism as well. So thank you for coming to speak to us. I totally admire your dedication to this important cause. Keep up the good work!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 12:38 PM

First off I would like to thank you guys for coming in on Monday to Brad Kelley's morality class (VT). I would like to say that y'alls presentation was informative on why humans should not consume meat and it was very compelling. I think y'all did a very good job and presenting points and appealing to the different areas of the mind. Your presentation did a very good job of appealing to the logos with the presentation of reputable doctors and health facts; to the pathos with the video presentation of the slaughter houses showing how the animals are treated and the little ducks going in to the grinder; and to the ethos again with pointing to the cruel treatment of the animals and how it would be wrong to consciously support that. Once again thank you for your time.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 1:17 AM

I'm in Brad Kelley's philosophy class (Virginia Tech) you lectured on Monday morning. Overall I thought the presentation was very well put together and displayed. I think the platforms you guys talked about were strong and valid.

I was impressed with the entire presentation as a whole. Yes I agree the video might have been a bit violent, but it certainly did get the point across! I think the best solution to the problem is to educate the public about why it's good to be vegan and that's exactly what you guys are doing, and kudos for that. Thanks very much for your time.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 12:35 AM

Just thought I'd drop you a line and let you know that I haven't eaten a bite of meat since I saw your presentation at UT-Knoxville. I had been thinking about going vegetarian for quite some time, but that video pushed me over the edge. Towards the end there was a pig with this, "why?" look on his face, and I decided right then that raising and killing a sentient being for pure taste satisfaction was immoral, especially when it isn't necessary for survival. Although my wife hasn't completely cut meat from her diet (she had a moment of weakness on Thanksgiving), she's trying her damnedest. Funny , how compassion spreads.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 6:43 AM

Thank you so much for coming to my philosophy class on Monday (VT) to discuss the ethics of veganism and how to live a vegan lifestyle. I was completely taken aback by your presentation. In this day and age when I hear that someone will be giving a presentation, I lean back and prepare for the powerpoint slideshow to begin. Your presentation was flawless and had an amazing flow to it. I really appreciate your time and have a great deal of admiration for both you and your cause. !

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 11:34 AM

You spoke in my philosophy class on Monday the 29th at Va Tech about animal rights. I did not have a chance to get to thank you all for speaking and presenting such powerful information! I truly am changed by this and seriously am considering becoming a vegan. My brother and several of my friends already are, and now I really know why! I really appreciated you coming to our class and admire that you travel around informing people of the mistreatment of animals. Thanks!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 10:06 PM

I thought that your argument was very compelling. I really enjoyed hearing information about vegan and vegetarianism because I had never been told anything like that before, but was always interested as to what it actually was. I absolutely had no idea that all of those diseases were caused simply because of the fact that we are eating meat which we are not naturally made to consume. I enjoy being healthy and am glad to know that there are lots of changes that I need to start making. I totally agree that the human race is addicted to meat. After watching the video in class I was repulsed. I love animals, and I know it is contradictory to say that because of the fact that I eat meat and other products like that on a daily basis, but seriously, I really do love animals! I could hardly watch the video and it made me feel horrible and almost want to cry. I didn't eat meat that day and told all my friends about what I had seen and heard. The people who eat meat aren't bad guys at all, it's just that a lot of them don't know all of the things that you have told us and don't know what they are doing to all of the animals. If there were more people like you telling morepeople like them all of that information then things would be changing rapidly. I have to put a lot of thought into what you have told me because yes, I admit I am addicted to meat. I am now simply asking myself why wouldn't I want to be healthy and why would I want so many animals to be harmed I don't want to get a disease and I certainly don't want innocent animal's lives to be taken away so I am going to seriously consider going vegan. Thanks for the presentation it was great and I'm glad to be informed!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 12:28 PM

I am a student at Virginia Tech and I wanted to comment on your presentation. I thought it was a fantastic presentation with the both of you avidly knowing the information and presenting it in a logical, organized and interesting manner. I especially liked some of your rhetoric; "concentration camp like conditions" and "walking graveyard." Those two images are something we can all relate to and help with your point. The idea of animal rights is an idea that is not realized by most American's, I would have never guessed or believed the cruel treatment of animal's that you showed in the video. The video made me cringe a parts but I believed it to be my duty to watch every bit to understand, realize and respect what is actually going on.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 1:55 PM

I thought your presentation today was extremely informative and eye-opening. It has defiantly made me contemplate my eating habits. You both said you had eaten meat for over 20 years, what was the turning point for you? Also, did you turn Vegan overnight, or was it gradual? Do you have any suggestions for someone who is thinking about adopting a Vegan Diet? Thank you for your time!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 10:55 PM

I'm a student at Virginia Tech, and I'm responding to the presentation given today to my philosophy class (morality and justice) about cruelty to animals, veganism, etc. I would like to say that even though I could not bring myself to watch the four minute movie that was shown, it still made me contemplate my eating habits now, and the fact I do eat chicken and turkey. Based on the rest of the class's reactions to the film which I simply heard, there's no doubt in my mind it was extremely powerful. I enjoyed the presentation, for it was certainly different, and I appreciate all the knowledge you shared. Thank you again for your time!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, November 20, 2004 4:44 AM

I wanted to let you both know that the presentation was a great success. Besides the multiple students who have told me of their choices or plans to go veg, just about everyone in school, faculty and students included, has the lecture on their minds. One person in particular who has consistently opposed AR for the last 3 years came up to me and said that he was deeply moved, and seriously reconsidering his lifestyle. Before today I could never imagine this person being receptive to veganism. There was, of course, some negative reaction, as can only be expected from students struggling to retain misconceptions that are now obviously false. I am sure that with reflection, a good deal of them will realize the truth as well. As for Miss Glissman (the bio teacher), I would not and do not take her seriously. She is renowned throughout the school for her false science, questionable morals, and ineffective, irresponsible teaching. She also holds a personal grudge against my school's vegan club, after I was forced to publicly expel her from the group over a year ago (for reasons you might be able to guess after meeting her). Thank you once again for coming to speak. I have never encountered a more compelling or better presented argument for AR. When I looked down to see the entire row of students in front of me sitting with their heads tilted upwards too conceal their tears I knew that your lecture had awakened the compassion within them. Your message got through to much of the audience, and set in motion the hearts and minds of everyone. When you make your way back around the country to Vegas, perhaps I could help you arrange lectures at UNLV and CCSN.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 10:09 AM

I saw you talk for my Politics of Food class at U. of Penn and remembered your email address. First of all, I want to tell you, and have been meaning to tell you, that I haven't eaten any meat since your talk! My dad is a little upset that he'll be eating Tofurky next week but I'm excited about my lifestyle change!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 8:16 PM

I am a student at USD. Thank you for speaking in my animal law class.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 2:51 PM

I was just in your lecture in USD's Animal Law Class. Thank you very much for the lecture and information. I sincerely am considering becoming a vegan. This is saying a lot because I am a VERY big meat eater. Is there any way you could please make a copy of that video you showed in class and mail it to me so I can show it to my girlfriend?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2004 12:27 PM

Thank you so much. Let Kate know she marked me for life with the milk section. Soy/rice will be my choice [from veg to vegan now]. God bless you for your hard work in the fight for those who cannot speak for themselves.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 3:48 AM

I am a student at Santa Clara University. Your presentation was wonderful and I am writing an essay about it now. I was wondering if your organization has a DVD or videotape of your presentation. If not, I believe that a recorded version of your presentation would be another great tool to spread the cause. Possibly bring copies to classes so that people could take them and show them to their friends and family which is something that I would like to do. Again, everything was great and I am making my contribution. It is not easy but I am trying.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 11:19 PM

I am student and good friend of Professor Kris Short and he gave me your e-mail and an immense amount of information on animal cruelty. In our aesthetics class he showed us a video of fur factories and animal rights and it changed my life completely. I always knew that the treatment of animals is unjust but seeing this video first hand changed and inspired a passion in me to try and make a difference. After meeting with Kris and seeing a video of your lecture I am inspired to contribute to your cause. I attend Rhode Island College and was hoping that you could give me some more insight. You are by far the best resource I can gather. If you could get back to me whenever you can and I hope there is something that I can do to spread the word. Hope everything is well and thank you for your inspiration.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2004 7:33 PM

I attended your lecture at Grossmont College last Tuesday and it's been on my mind ever since. To say that it made me mad is a gross understatement. It made me furious; and as someone born and bred in the Southern California "peace, love, and everything's nice" bubble, anger is not an emotion I'm very familiar with. But here I am, sitting in a café with an ocean view on a sunny November morning—and I'm livid. I'm angry at our society for so shamelessly promoting the mass slaughter and consumption of animals as part of a "nutritious diet" and at myself for not seriously questioning it. As an aspiring veterinarian, I have always wanted to do my part to help and protect animals. Even before your lecture, I often flirted with the idea of becoming vegan. I thought about it, talked about it, tried it out for weeks at a time. But, despite the urgings of my conscience, I never committed to it. Your lecture changed all that that and after a two-year battle, my conscience has finally conquered my cravings. In fact, your lecture changed the whole way I think of veganism. I used to think of veganism as a noble lifestyle choice and when the time was right, I would choose to embrace it. Now I realize that becoming vegan is not a noble choice, but a necessary one and the "right" time to choose it has long passed. I used to think that I had a big heart for merely considering giving up eating animals and using animal products. But thinking, talking, and trying are not doing; everyday that I didn't do anything to fight the inexcusable cruelty and violence against animals that occurs in agricultural and animal production, I contributed to it. In fact, as a college student who ate some meat or dairy with at least two meals a day, I gave more monetary support to the cause of animal abuse than to almost anything else in my life. However, as I sat there at your lecture on Tuesday night at Grossmont College, I started crying—crying in the middle of a crowded room, surrounded by strangers, over the deaths of animals I had never met. At that instant, I realized that all the times I'd sat in history class and read of other instances of mass murder and injustice that have occurred and the mass idiocy and ignorance that have allowed to them occur I'd been comforted by one thought: I have only been alive for barely twenty years. Those instances were not a part of my time, not a part of my history. How can I do anything about it? But you brought to my attention that such violence is happening again. And this is my time; it will become a part of my history. How can I not do anything? So, I know I've had a long way of getting to it, but I'm trying to say "thank you". Thank you for taking the time to give people like me the swift kick in the ass we need to realize that we should trust our hearts and do something to combat animal cruelty.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 10:00 PM

I'm from St. Mary's College. I was in Mr. Alex Green's English class today for your speech on veganism. I greatly appreciate your coming into the classroom and educating us about the cruelty taking place against animals in the food industry. Not to sound cliche or anything but you changed my life forever. I have chosen to give up meat products (both land and marine) and will work towards a totally vegan lifestyle. You inspired me to value life. My perspective on my own life and the lives of animals will forever be changed. I was curious to see if you could possibly copy the footage you showed today in class so I might show my parents. My mom is open to conversion and I wish to kind of nudge her on her way to becoming a healthy non-meat-eating citizen. If your footage is unable to be copied I was hoping you could point me in the direction of finding other, equally compelling footage. Thank you again for teaching me to live a better life.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2004 12:23 AM

I'm a first year student at the Midwestern State University in TX. Although I did not have the privilege of being a part of your recent presentation at the university, I heard all about it from my roommate who did. Just listening to her tell the stories was enough to persuade me to make a change. As a result, I'm now thinking of doing something on the topic for an upcoming persuasive speech presentation. I was wondering if you'd be willing to offer any assistance to me in that regard.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2004 4:21 PM

Thank you so much for coming to speak at Hunter College. Your depth of knowledge on the subject is impressive, as well as convincing. So convincing that I went vegan and am pleasantly surprised with more energy than I normally have.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 10:05 AM

You recently spoke at the University of Tennessee and informed me that ADAPTT would be making a video (a recording of the lecture) in the near future. I was wondering how I should go about ordering a few? Thank you very much!! And God bless :)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, October 24, 2004 3:49 PM

Professor Carrie Shea (WSU) suggested I e-mail you and tell you that your lecture last Tuesday night help me to decide to go Vegan. It is hard but I went grocery shopping and found a lot of food to buy and I went to that web site for recipes and made one thing off of it and my 2 boys even enjoyed it. My boyfriend doesn't understand but he is supportive. I was already on a diet where I was already cutting out meats so this shouldn't be that hard for me. Thank you for showing me the truth.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 1:53 PM

I really enjoyed your presentation at Oakland U. last week. There were many things I was unaware of and I have since re-evaluated my diet. We're doing a paper in class and I'm writing mine on vegetarianism.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 12:30 PM

Dr. Presser and Dr. Cable said that you were wonderful speakers in their classes. I was hoping that you could speak to my Introductory Sociology class sometime in November. I teach on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:15 until 12:05. Do you think that might be possible?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 1:29 AM

I'd like to sincerely thank you for coming to OCC. Long after you had left, we were still discussing animal abuse and what can be done. Both the video footage and the speech had a profound effect on me and many others in the class. It also put certain things into a new perspective for me, and I've been a vegetarian for almost eight years now. In the past few years, it has become evident that a number of things need to be changed in America. Helping college students and other young adults see the truth and shape their ideals seems to be the only rational method of making change. I've always been more of the preservation-of-environmental-standards persuasion, but working towards improved animal rights is just as important, and I would like to be able to help. What would you suggest I do to get my foot in the door?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 11:44 AM

First I would like to thank you for speaking to my class (Jack Lessenberry's at Wayne State on Thursday.) You delivered a powerful message that I am sure affected many of my classmates as much as it did me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2004 2:04 PM

First off, I would like to say that I highly admire you for dedicating so much of your time to fight for something you believe in. I am from the group at Wayne State University that you spoke to last week. I'm sure you'd be happy to know that all I can think of is that video when I see meat, and haven't eaten any since the presentation. I'm not sure about turning vegan yet, but your lecture had a profound impact on me as I realized what a hypocrite I am for eating the animals I love.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, October 16, 2004 10:53 AM

Wow, thank you so much for all that information. I appreciate the time that you took to write all this, it's going to make this process a ton easier. Luckily, most of my favorite foods aren't meat, and I was never big on cheese/eggs to begin with. Again, thanks. I'll let you know in a few weeks how progress is going. I've already cut out milk.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 12:21 PM

Thank you very much ... it has opened my eyes to reality, and I want to get involved in the animal rights movement.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 12:49 AM

I wanted to take this opportunity to once again thank you and your colleague for such an enlightened lecture this morning in Jack Lessenberry's feature writing class. I learned a great deal not only about animal cruelty, but also about the health advantages for a meat and dairy free lifestyle. Your obvious passion and commitment to the protection of animals is commendable. Thank you for your time and dedication to such a worthy cause.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 2:35 PM

I was in one of your lectures Tuesday night at Oakland University. I was the one who stated that I am just a vegetarian and not vegan. Anyway, I was fascinated with everything you said. I thought that I was doing my part by just eating diary and eggs occasionally, but you opened my eyes to a whole new understanding. I wish there were millions of more people like you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 5:13 AM

I attend Oakland Community College, and yesterday, my teacher John Simecek had you come in as a guest speaker to talk to us about veganism. I must tell you, I was among the complete skeptics that you no doubt face daily. I came in thinking that there was no way I could be convinced that eating animals was wrong or unhealthy, and even placed judgment on you before even meeting you. However, about a half an hour into your presentation, I started to understand why you dedicate your life to the freedom of animals. I'm going to copy and paste into this email an entry into my online journal. I hope you read it. "Today has been one of the more interesting days in my life. Very rarely are my beliefs rocked so much that I consider changing my habits. As I've told some of you, in my composition class my teacher randomly was going to have guest speakers about veganism. Going into it, I wasn't happy. I didn't want to feel guilty about eating things that I enjoy, or that I thought were healthy for me. I also didn't want to get lectured on being uncompassionate, or immoral. I thought not hunting and not ever intentionally causing harm to animals was fine for me.

Anyway, I sat down expecting some radical extremists that were going to yell at anyone wearing any animal products, maybe munching on some bamboo as a late snack. Boy was I wrong. Gary and Kate were two normal, likeable people. In fact, they seemed very down to earth, easy going, easy to talk to, etc. The type of people I like. Ok, so some sane people are vegan. I guess it's possible ... I mean, it could just have been a coincidence that every vegetarian/vegan I knew were kinda nuts. Anyway, I was still convinced that I was justified in eating meat, drinking milk, etc. etc. etc. They opened the presentation in a formal matter, with quotes from famous people ... moral things that really weren't going to affect me in my current mind state. Well, as if they were psychic (I guess they were just experienced), all they asked for was an hour of an open mind. Fine, I will have an open mind. They then showed a graphic from various slaughterhouses. That shit is sick. I thought the few vile things I saw in slaughterhouses before were isolated incidents. Wrong. He said he could make hours and hours of tape just like this, but four minutes was enough to get his point across.

Ok, so I started to feel bad. I don't have anything against farm animals, and in the back of my mind, thoughts like "they don't deserve that" start to form. But for 19 years of my life, I've been a proud meat eater, and dammit, it's good eatin'. Again, as if reading my mind, they went into the next part of their presentation, health. All of the things they said had credible medical sources, which was huge. I hate when people go on and on about things without anything to back it up. Things that really stuck out were: Milk doesn't help osteoporosis, it causes it. People who eat meat have a 50% chance of a heart attack from clogged arteries, people who are vegetarian/vegan have a 5% chance. Everything that your body needs can be found in foods from the ground. On and on with factual data, not opinions, on health related issues. Wow, I thought that people who didn't eat animals were harming their bodies. My favorite part of the presentation was Gary's carnivore challenge. I went into the presentation thinking humans naturally eat meat. Man I can be ignorant sometimes. Anyway, the challenge was that if you could go find a living animal, kill it without using any tools, and eat every part of it (fur, eyes, nose, blood, muscles ... you get the idea), then he would pack up his bags and never do another presentation. Man, I hope he never gets taken up on that challenge. Anyway, it got his point across. Humans are naturally herbivores. That's a huge, HUGE fact that I never thought about.

Anyway, after that, the rest of the presentation was on morality and compassion. I've always liked to think of myself as being a tough guy that doesn't care that animals are tortured, as long as I've got good food to eat. But I tried my very best to take off my blinders, and my bias, and have a completely open mind. It's cruel. Everything done to animals is cruel. They aren't here for us, they are their own being. "Animals value their own lives as much as we value our own". We don't own the planet, we aren't on the top of the food chain ... but it's all I've been taught. There was a break for the smokers in the class (just about everyone). Gary came back in fast, saying exactly what I say every time we have a smoke break "As long as I live, I'll never understand smoking". I agreed with him, but without prompt, the word HYPOCRITE flashed before my eyes. Weird. Why? Because I am one. Who am I to preach to people that smoking is bad for you, when I have a BMI of infinity and at 19 years of age, am already at risk for disease caused by obesity? Every time I eat something unhealthy, I might as well be smoking. Anyway, the Q&A session came up, where hunting was discussed (an avid hunter in the class was completely owned by Gary, it was funny). Some other good questions came up, but I'm getting tired and sick of typing. Anyway, moral of the story is ... my beliefs have been challenged. I don't know if what I do on a daily basis is right anymore. I'll let you know, but I'm highly considering something I used to make fun of almost daily: Veganism." You both do a wonderful thing ... it's amazing. I could never dedicate my life to something like this, although I hope that soon I can say that is false. I'd like to say more praise, but it's 5 a.m., and I'm sure you've heard it all before. Again, thank you.

NOTE FROM ME: U. of Central Florida Professor Mark Lanier forwarded 15 comments to me from some of his students:

-----Original Message-----
From: Prof. Mark Lanier [U. of Central Florida] Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 1:53 PM

"I enjoyed listening to the presentation and thought it was very informative. I am a cancer patient, so I was very interested in another way to stay healthy. After listening to this presentation, I'm seriously thinking of cutting out meat, milk and other things out of my diet to stay healthy. I'm glad I heard everything they had to say and they did a wonderful job of speaking."

"I never knew about the cruel treatment of animals in the meat/dairy industry. I took time out and went to the Meet Your Meat website and was disgusted by the inhumane treatment of these farm animals. The figures they gave about the deaths and diseases were eye opening. I think your organization should do more to get the message out. I believe if more of the population knew these facts and figures, things would change."

"I thought the presentation was awesome. It was very insightful, informative and interesting. The video of animals being butchered brought tears to my eyes. I like how they also injected humor into their presentation to lighten it up a bit. I had no idea that animals were treated that cruelly so the presentation really opened my eyes and I think it is horrible what is done to animals just so we can eat meat. I also thought it was disturbing to find that there is pus in my milk. All in all, I loved the presentation and since class on Thursday morning (9/30) when I had my last meat meal at McDonald's, I have not eaten anything made from meat, eggs or dairy products."

"I thought the presentation was informative. As soon as I got home I told all my friends the percentage of pus in their milk and as a result my roommate and I are going to stop drinking milk and eating meat. We aren't going to quit cold turkey but we are going to buy some Boca burgers this weekend."

"I learned a lot about how many animals are killed for our food and the conditions they have to live in and endure. It certainly made me think about what I eat."

"They have factual information about animal rights or the lack thereof. I found the information about free range animals and humans being herbivores to be most interesting."

"Their in depth knowledge of the subject matter was fantastic. It would be nice if other speakers could be as well versed as they are."

"It was nice to see that they had eaten meat almost all of their lives and converted to veganism. That proves that it can be done. I felt the presentation was effective."

"The presentation definitely messed up my appetite. I keep seeing images of the chicks being dumped down the funnel to be grinded. The video was very effective. The images are constantly haunting me during meal time. The presenters gave a wonderful, influential presentation that had great organization. The presentation did decrease the amount of meat I eat. I am motivated to eat more earth-friendly foods such as grains, tofu and vegetables. Soy milk is now replacing my skim milk."

"I really liked the presentation. Some of the best parts were the comments about how eggs are basically a hen's period and that once a year we use a turkey's butt as a pressure cooker for stuffing. They really made me think about what I was eating. Also, a fact that grossed me out was the pus count in milk. I will never look at milk the same again. "

"I thought the presentation was great. It makes me think every time I look at animal products. I am attempting to become a vegetarian. The presentation brought up so many good points such as health reasons, cruelty reasons and biological reasons. I find it remarkable that both speakers have devoted so much to this cause. That more than anything else is making me reconsider animal products. I brought seven friends to hear them speak and two of them have already decided to become vegan. They should keep up the good work. Everyone will see their passion for this cause and hopefully join."

"Filled with statistics and examples, they made a clear case for people to consider going vegan. They did make me rethink my eating habits. Health-wise it is a good move."

"I brought two friends to the presentation and both were equally disturbed with the video. Both were also impressed with the information, stats and facts of the presentation. I am sure Kate and Gary had given the speech countless times but they still acted like it mattered to them and it came off that way in their presentation. Neither of my two friends has touched meat or milk since the presentation so I guess they did a good job."

"I think they both did an awesome job. I did not enjoy the presentation but only because of the topic ... watching animals being abused is not my cup of tea. I will try to eat less meat and I do thank them for informing me."

"After sitting through Gary and Kate's presentation on the vegan lifestyle, I have really stopped to think about just what my family and I are consuming. In fact, I haven't had a drop of milk since I went onto the milksucks.com website. They brought many interesting facts to my attention and proof enough that humans are not meant to eat meat—we are not carnivores. They provided us with additional sources that enabled me to seek answers to the questions I had. I was shocked to find out just how many celebrities follow the vegans!"

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2004 9:59 AM

I was at one of your discussions at UCF with Professor Strawser in his philosophy class. I applauded you at the end of the class and shook your hand and thanked you. Your speech was well prepared and well delivered. I'm especially interested in the actual scientific information describing health hazards with the protein found in meat. Thank you for your personal interest in the matter.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 9:57 PM

I talked to you after and Gary made your presentation in Elysa Koppelman's class. Remember, I'm the one who became a vegetarian at age 11 until my family forced me to eat chicken and turkey in order to "get healthy"? Anyways, I wanted to thank you and Gary for your moving lecture. I hope other people become vegan after witnessing the atrocities that occur at slaughterhouses and also with their new awareness of the frightening statistics related to the consumption of animal products. After listening to you and Gary speak today and with your support, I have new faith that I can become vegan. I went to the two health food stores you told me about today (the Good Food Company and Whole Foods), and I found so many vegan products that I never knew existed. I purchased some vegan items so I could start my new life as a vegan as soon as possible, but when I told my parents, they freaked out. However, I asked them not to criticize me for my decision and explained to them my reasons for doing this, maybe in time they will accept it, but their inability to accept it now won't stop me from doing what I want. I had also talked to you about volunteering at Sasha Farm. I was wondering if you would send me the directions to the farm and let me know about any upcoming events, or how it all works with volunteering there because I'm very interested in it. Thank you so much for the information, advice, and support you gave me today.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2004 10:52 PM

Thank you sooo much for answering my questions. You have definitely clarified a few things for me. Thanks for those recipes too. I'll give them a try. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. The 'cow's milk is for baby cows' makes sense. I don't know why most people haven't realized that. Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 3:27 PM

I just wanted to thank you for the lecture that you presented today in class. I felt that there were definitely some great points that were brought to light during the presentation. And I do admire the passion and fervor of living out and educating others for what you believe in.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 1:38 PM

I know you won't know who I am, but the two of you visited my Ethical Theory class today (Friday) at UCF and left quite an impression. I had been a vegetarian for seven years before coming to college ... and somehow, I just forgot all those many reasons behind why I had become a vegetarian in the first place. Even when I ate meat and drank milk, knowing what was behind it, I had somehow become displaced from it. With your visit and talk ... I remembered all my previous reasons and found that there were even more now. As I'm growing older (though I have absolutely no plans on having children any, anytime soon) I want my body to be as healthy as possible, to be able to grow and live to its fullest potential. I am sure that people stopped you in the halls or after class to thank you, and I'm sorry that I did not get a chance. However, I wanted both of you to know what an impression you were able to leave.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 12:38 PM

I am writing because I was one of the students that came to Kate's and your lecture at Eastern Michigan University this past spring. I had been a vegetarian for 10 years, but your lecture was truly eye-opening and I became a vegan the next day. I have since gotten very involved in the animal rights movement. My partner and I started a group on EMU's campus called Students For Animal Rights. Just since September, we've already done tabling events, gotten letters to the editor published and we're trying to veganize the cafeteria. We also have our first demonstration planned for this Saturday. One of the goals of our group is to bring in a speaker. I thought your speech was so powerful last year.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 9:03 PM

I was in Professor Morris's class at Hunter-CUNY when you gave a lecture on animal rights and veganism. I have to admit that I am a meat-eater but you and Kate have grossed me out from drinking milk. I switched to soy milk. I don't know if I am ready to give up meat just yet even though the images we have seen are pretty tough to swallow, but hey only time will tell.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2004 4:41 PM

I met you this afternoon in my 3:30 English class at UCF. I introduced myself and spoke to you shortly. I went into your presentation with a very ignorant mind, as I had been veg for 3 years, and had convinced myself that my body needed to consume meat (and really didn't want to be told otherwise). After watching the video and a bit more lecture, I realized I couldn't come up with one reason why I am eating meat or meat products.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2004 11:42 AM

I was at your 9:30 presentation this morning at Seminole Community College. I enjoyed your presentation so much, and you definitely opened my eyes about the truth of the industries in our country. I have chosen to become a vegetarian/vegan. I want to cut meat completely out of my diet, because I want no part in what the world is doing to animals. I would love to receive information about organizations like PETA, so if at all possible please let me know of good websites to visit or petitions that I can sign to help stop the cruelty. Thank you for your time, and thank you for opening my eyes.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2004 1:51 AM

I just want to commend you on the wonderful job you are doing in promoting animal welfare. Your article - "info on Jesus & the Bible" is brilliant! I came to your lecture a couple years ago at the University of MN. When are you coming back?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 10:06 AM

Thank you for your time and again I admire the way you defend with so much passion what you believe in.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 9:50 AM

Hello from Valley Forge Christian College. I just wanted to tell you that I appreciated your coming and speaking with us. As of late, I can't eat most meats or dairy. My stomach no longer has the capacity or ability to digest food properly, mostly meats, dairy, greasy foods, or acidic foods. So I find myself getting frustrated that I am eating them still, when they make me so sick. And though everyone is against me in this, I am really considering veganism as an option. Your presentation was great.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2004 2:30 PM

I was at your lecture at Penn State Abington today. That video and the things you said really bothered me, and I am seriously considering changing my diet.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 1:04 AM

First of all I want to thank you for your presentation today in my Animal Sciences class at OSU. I think that takes courage, and I think more people need to be exposed to your message. As of today, I've been vegan. Thanks again for coming today.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 11:53 PM

I saw your lecture in Dr. Lanier's class at UCF. I will be taking a speech class and I have to write a persuasive paper. I want to write it about being a vegan.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2004 2:02 PM

Your passion for your cause is truly admirable. I thank you for your time and efforts. As you said you usually get "thank you, you really opened my eyes", with eyes already open, every bit of additional information is appreciated. Good luck ... and once again, Thank You!! Both of you!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2004 5:40 PM

You did a wonderful job at Hunter-CUNY today presenting a lot of controversial and complicated information. I vowed that I would turn vegan after the footage. I will do it gradually. The whole thing takes effort and concentration.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2004 10:40 PM

I am speechless after viewing your website. I thought I was the hugest compassionate animal lover. Then I looked at all that you have done and I feel so insignificant! The mink story brought tears to my eyes and when you wrote about terrorism, I would just like you to know that my faith in humanity is restored by people like you. I really want to be an activist as avid and zealous as you are. I can't wait for the topic of Islam and veganism. God knows how long I have looked for topics pertaining to this so that I can perhaps try and find some points with which I can convert my parents into a vegan lifestyle. I have already turned my brother and sister vegan.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2004 9:53 PM

I just wanted to let you know that your presentation at the University of Central Florida for Professor Lanier's class was breathtaking and an eye opener. Walking out of that class I knew I could not eat any meat or meat products anymore (my brother was there for the presentation as well and he agreed with me). The same day I went to the grocery store and bought soy products ... my brother and I decided to become vegans! I am so happy and excited with my decision ... and I could have not done it without you two. Thanks again. I'm talking to my sister and friends about maybe considering veganism too. Take care and keep doing what you're doing!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2004 1:49 PM

I just wanted to let you know that my boyfriend and I became vegan after your speech at UCF. For me, I saw your video a year ago and it touched me but didn't affect me. When I saw you speak this year, my whole outlook on things changed. We have been doing really well. You know were not missing anything. So I thank you for opening our eyes, and taking off those stupid blinders. Now we tell people every were we go. Thank you again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2004 6:53 PM

I met you when you came to Wichita Falls, TX, and spoke at Midwestern State University last year. I just wanted you to know that a young student - she's 19 now - heard you speak and became a vegetarian because of hearing you. Just wanted you to know how far-reaching your work was. You can take credit for her "enlightenment." Thanks for what you're doing.

NOTE FROM ME: These are essay excerpts from UTEP Prof. Steve Best's intro to philosophy class:

-----Original Message-----
From: Prof. Steve Best [U. of Texas, El Paso] Sent: May 17, 2004 5:30 PM

"This was by far the best presentation I have ever been to. Kate started off the presentation by asking all of us to have an open mind. I must say she kicks ass as a public speaker. She knew how to grab our attention right away. She had a great personality and a great attitude towards our class. All she and Gary asked us was to listen to what they had to say. They weren't like annoying Christians who immediately try to convert you. They only stated the facts and showed us the truth. What Gary said in relation to watching the videos really stunned me. He said if you feel you cannot watch certain parts of this video due to its graphic nature you can not watch, but remember that turning a blind eye never solved anything. There were so many points they made about living a vegan life that really pulled me in. I admit I love to eat meat. I am a steak and potatoes kinda girl. After I heard them, watched the video and read the magazine they passed out, I started to think of my diet differently. I went to Subway and got a garden salad and drank a smoothie made with no dairy. It felt really good eating right, actually. For me, I don't think I can become a vegan overnight. It will be a process, but one that I am willing to go through. This is possible for me because the presentation was outstanding. They also did it without offending meat-eaters, just stating the truth, stating the facts. I highly recommend other universities to have them present there."

"Gary & Kate's talk was very moving. They open a person's naïve perspective of what lies on their dinner table. I will never see meat and animal products the way I once did. I realize now that society has made it okay to turn these animals into commodities, stripping them of their God-given character and God-given rights. I admire Kate and Gary for their perseverance in seeking animal liberation. I plan on trying to become a vegetarian."

"They really put things in perspective for me. I have, as of this day, declared myself a vegetarian. When whites traded blacks, everybody thought it was inhumane after a long period of time. And I believe people will sooner or later realize that eating animals is only approved because it creates a profit. The videos just made me sick. I sure would not support the practice by buying or eating animal products."

"Wow, very powerful activists. Big time eye-openers. I think it is very sad how many animals get murdered everyday. America sugarcoats so man facets of cruelty that it is good to get a clear cut, uncensored view of what's really going on. To know that by the time I die - which may be prematurely forced by meat consumption - I would have contributed to 3,000 murders—that had a big impact on me."

"The movie clips they showed us were very graphic, however, they showed the truth. I really found Gary's comparison of humans and carnivores very interesting. We lie to ourselves saying we are meat-eaters. Society has gotten so used to eating meat, they know no different. To think most cancers and other diseases could be eliminated if we only eliminated meat from our diets is mind blowing. When logically breaking down all the aspects of meat-eating, it makes total sense that we shouldn't. I enjoyed being informed about all the aspects and options of becoming vegetarian. I am going to try some soy products. Hopefully, it will lead towards other transitions in my diet."

"This was a wide awakening experience, I must say. It is beyond me how people say animals feel no pain. It is more than evident that they do. People eat bacon for breakfast and never once think about what that poor little pig endured while it lived its short, horrible life. Once I found out I was drinking pus, I haven't touched any milk and don't plan to ever again. I really liked Gary and the way he presents his opinions. He doesn't shove them down your throat. All he wants to do is open our minds to a reality that we are completely blind to. I have dogs and cats and always felt love and compassion for them so I finally made the decision to extend those feelings to other animals through vegetarianism. I eat veggie burgers and will soon be drinking soy milk and just hope that it will rub off on my family."

"I remember seeing Gary last semester. What I did notice was the change up—the additional lecturer. That made the presentation. I am absolutely amazed that no laws exist for animals, but once you think about it, why would a capitalistic society take steps that would stunt a multi-billion dollar industry."

"These two speakers enlightened me on the myths about meat. When we saw the video, it really hit home. Then Kate opened our eyes to what was in milk, which was the grossest thin I have ever heard. PUS! I had heard that vegans were unhealthy, but I found this not to be true. The two speakers looked very healthy and when I think about it, I know they are healthier than me because I have eating meat my entire life. Change is hard but I really hope I find the courage to follow a new path."

"I found the guest speakers very enjoyable to listen to and never got bored with what they had to say. I agreed with what they had to say on the issue about no laws being active for animals. The Animal Welfare Act does not even deserve to be called a law. It excludes all animals that humans use for food. Eating meat and meat by-products cause a lot of different health issues that I was completely unaware of such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Why would anyone want to kill themselves for a bloody steak? It made really think about altering my diet into becoming a vegan."

"Definitely after hearing Kate and Gary's talk, my jaw was on the floor. I would like to mention that I truly sympathize with what Gary and Kate stand for. I've always looked for a passion, and throughout the years I have found punk rock is my passion. But after hearing Kate and Gary speak, my passion was minimized. Gary is a true example of a radical, someone who would do anything to change people's lives. I really learned a lot from the presentation. Violence towards animals needs to be condemned. Killing animals for consumption is something that we cannot tolerate. This presentation really took off the blinders I had on my eyes. Definitely, it shaped my way of eating. It is going to be hard to change from one day to another, but I think it is worth it for several reasons: My health, for the safety of this planet and the end of violence. I really look forward to continuing this path and giving my life a significant sense."

"Wow. I'm shocked. I'm at a loss for words. I was speechless, motionless throughout the entire presentation. Why am I learning all of this now? Why isn't every American taught all of this grotesque information starting from an early age? Why do they keep this information from us? Money talks. That is pathetic. It is amazing how Gary and Kate were able to give us so much information and open our eyes in a mere 90 minutes. I walked out of class, went to the theatre dept. and told everyone I saw, everything I could remember form the presentation. The arguments Gary made—proving how humans are herbivores—were amazing. I told my family everything I learned, too. The magazine they gave us, I could not put down. The video they shoed us was amazing. I could not believe what I saw. I had to fight back the tears. How could I have been so ignorant? It's also amazing how becoming vegetarian helps out so many aspects of the world: pollution, world hunger, saving the rain forest, health, etc. Gary answered every single question or comment one could possibly think of to oppose becoming vegan. He made his point and made it strong. So I think to myself, I HAVE to make this change. I believe I can do it. Gary and Kate have made a huge impact on my life. God damn."

"I can honestly say this was the most informational and powerful presentation I have seen in my life. Gary and Kate gave an unforgettable and impacting presentation about veganism. Their professionalism and acquired knowledge of the subject leads you to keep up with all the information about vegetarianism. The videos shown were cruel but real. It made me think, every time I eat, where my food had been. It also makes me wonder what I am doing to my body. Basically, we are poisoning our mind, body and soul. Morally, who are we to eat other living creatures in our world? When we can survive eating grains, fruits and vegetables. The presentation was powerful and informative and I will try to stop eating meat. I do not promise to go cold-turkey but I will try day by day to contribute to human kindness."

"All I can say is WOW! Thank you for bringing them to us. After reading Singer's book (Animal Liberation), these two were the perfect follow-up to push you right out of your old ideas and beliefs. And after reading the book, everything I had imagined was brought to life in the most horrific video I have ever seen. This is enough to make you sick when you look at meat. The video is gruesome and shows the unimaginable horrors animals are subjected to by the millions. Gary and Kate put everything out there in plain terms. I don't want to eat blood, flesh, veins, muscles and tendons. That's what meat is. Yuck! They are out there getting their message across and with our help I hope we can see this happen."

"This is the second time I have heard this speech and for some reason this time it has touched a chord deep inside me. This time, maybe because I am older, it really changed me. I know this is something I want to do. I don't know how I am going to give up cheese, but it is a sacrifice I want to do."

"I really enjoyed the lecture. My mother even came with me and she enjoyed the lecture so much she could not stop talking about it. The entire weekend I kept thinking about the lecture and even played the CD several times. The more I listened to it, the more I agreed with it. The lecture was so reasonable and the arguments were very clear. There are more benefits by going vegan than by having a meat-based diet. The most important being that animals will be liberated from their harm and will finally be free."

"I was very impacted by Gary & Kate's visit. I guess we find it easier as humans to simply forget or ignore things we don't like. It is a very sad and cruel reality which I and many others know is wrong. They made me open up my eyes and reinforce my own thoughts. As human beings we are very selfish and self-centered. Our needs come before any others and so we justify that animals are here for us to consume. I think this is completely wrong. I do not promise immediate change, but I promise steps. I have already begun by having an open mind to and accepting new ideas. I realize that sacrificing animals is wrong and I would not like to have anything to do with it."

"I have actually heard Gary before. But this time I came with an open mind and it was different. Besides Kate was hot! I have actually been thinking about being vegetarian. When I have a job and am stable, I think my fridge will be full of soy products. And I am totally serious about this. Back to Gary & Kate, I admire anyone who is dedicated to a cause. I don't know itf it's possible for our society to go non-meat, but with people like Gary & Kate, I think that will help the cause. They were great and I wish more people could hear them talk. I'm serious about becoming a vegetarian in the near future. Thanks for the knowledge."

"This was the third time I've seen Gary give his presentation and it gets better every time I see it. He's just so passionate about his cause that you can't help but be motivated. I haven't researched any of his arguments, but they make logical sense. I still can't get over the video—I forced myself to watch it. We see videos about the atrocities that occurred against Jews and it makes us sick yet we see the same torture happening against animals and we condone it. What is the difference? Hopefully in 20 years from now we will find these kinds of atrocities unacceptable and offensive. The same way Jews were hanged, burned, beaten, shocked and mutilated so too are the animals of our planet. Female animals are exploited as simply a resource. From a feminist standpoint, you could parallel the relationship women have had throughout history, too."

"Never have I heard a speaker so powerful as Gary Yourofsky. Everything he said had a deep impact on me. The videos that started the whole presentation left me with my mouth open. Never had I imagined such horrendous videos showing how they kill what we eat. Another thing that struck me was how animals are mistreated in the circus and other places where animals are exhibited. I would have never thought of a circus being bad—but seeing how the elephants are treated and waking up to the truth of circuses has totally changed my perception. As the presentation went on, I was suddenly exposed to facts and statistics that were truly surprising. And I realized that unconsciously I was being part of a truly insane idea that meat is good for your body. The fact that we are not meat-eating creatures, and that 10 billion animals are killed on factory farms in a way that is totally cruel and legal, will not leave my mind anymore. All the health reasons that were talked about made total sense. I had not been exposed to a reality like this and I honestly feel like I need to change my diet. I am not saying I will stop just like that, but I will little by little reduce my meat-eating until I eat none. The information and everything they had to say had a total effect on me and did what it was supposed to do; "wake me up."

"They talked about how animal rights is ignored. It makes me want to become a vegetarian. I had no idea how much animals suffered to feed me meat and that it is not even good for me."

"A shocking video and shocking introduction into the world of vegetarianism. When growing up I knew that animals were killed for food because I grew up on a small farm and my grandmother had us run after our dinner—go to the corral and run after our dinner, a big fat brown chicken. I never thought animals had feelings. Even though they do because I have a dog and a horse that showed me that they loved me. When I was young I saw [killing] as normal because it was part of my daily life. No one complained about it and actually no one cared. And to tell you the truth, I never cared either until today. The only thing for me now— to put an end to this madness—is to stop eating animal products altogether and to try a different life. I was not planning on becoming a vegetarian until today. Most of us are afraid of changes in our lives especially big changes that involve eating habits. Until today, I was just walking in my world and not thinking about animals. Racism [speciesism] comes into play. I care about eagles, birds, lions and endangered species but never thought about the ones that are used for food. How sad. The impact that lecture had on me was powerful and made me feel guilty about the consumption of animal products."

"There have been many discussions saying that animals cannot have any type of rights since they don't rationally think, and that we cannot compare humans with animals. Yet, I don't have that point of view. Animals do think, I believe, because they know how to solve problems, avoid predators, find a good place to live, find food—and you need to be able to think in order to do that. It is very important to not only defend animals that live on land but also those who live underwater. The guest speaker gave us an example to better understand how fish feel when they are removed from their habitat. Not too many people tell us about these types of things, which is why it is easy to eat animals."

"These two speakers gave me another perspective on the topic. Both speakers have a way with words. Since I know a lot about speaking in public, their tone of voice and delivery was very calm and reassuring. They made me want to listen to what they were saying and have an open mind about it. The parts I found most interesting were all the facts about how our bodies are not set up to digest animal meat. It made a lot of sense. I think I got a sick feeling in my stomach when Gary said that meat is composed of five components: blood, flesh veins, muscles and tendons. It was pretty gross when Kate pointed out that there is pus in milk and I have not had milk since."

"I found the presentation very informative and interesting. But also I respect and admire the work that Gary & Kate do because they travel to lots of places with one purpose; to make us think and persuade us to not eat animals. And that is not a simple thing. The videos they showed caused a lot of reactions. I was observing people around me and we were all pretty much in shock. I am sure a huge percentage of the population has no idea about all the suffering the animals go through so we can eat our roasted chicken or hamburger. I can't believe that humans can be so cruel and don't have at least a little bit of compassion for the animals. When I got home, I couldn't eat what my mom made for dinner. I explained to my family what I learned and they were amazed because they were ignorant about all the injustices and cruelty that animals suffer with every day. Since that day I have been working on changing my diet. With the tips they gave us, I am pretty sure I can do it."

"I really liked the way these two young people presented their topic. I was really impacted with the videos and sad because I never thought animals were tortured in such a way. I wanted to cry. I never thought that milk had pus in it, or that honey is bee vomit, or that the hen's egg is their menstruation. I never thought meat was so contaminated. They gave us an example of taking a piece of meat and throwing it in the toilet. Then washing it and cooking it. It was so disgusting. But that is exactly how chickens live. Full of crap and that is what goes into our stomach. After that I couldn't eat anything that reminded me of animals. I hated the smell of eggs and now I just can't stand dairy products. I have not become a vegan yet, but I started to give it a try with veggie products. And they don't taste bad. It was a great talk and I can surely say that it changed my point of view about humans and their behavior towards nature."

"The presentation began with a general discussion of how people react to ideas that at first seem radical. The most disturbing evidence was contained in the video. Overall, the discussion was well thought out and was met with an open mind by most of the students. It revealed facts and practices that I was unaware of."

"Kate and Gary gave a good presentation. I found Kate to be rather helpful. She is a good asset for supporting the women's side of it all. Since I had already experienced Gary's presentation before, I paid closer attention to what Gary was saying instead of concentrating on what I was seeing. I still agree with the message of vegetarianism. It all sounds real logical. Overall, I recommend the lecture to everyone. Every person needs to remove their "blinders' and step into reality. The brochure and the CD they handed out is packed with helpful information to get new vegans started."

"Before the presentation, I never stopped to think where the meat I consumed came from. Like many other people, I believed my meat just miraculously appeared on my plate. It is so cruel how female pigs are made to be baby machines and how they have no freedom to move whatsoever. We think animals have no emotions whatsoever but that is far from the truth. They feel and hurt just like we do. If this were being done to humans, it would be a whole different story. It is a sad thing to know these animals are being put to death just to feed us, yet we don't even need them to survive. I am going to try becoming vegetarian and then maybe vegan. I also think that if people stopped eating meat, our economy would suffer. Many people would lose their jobs. But at the same time, it would not be fair to the animals. It is time for their suffering to end as well."

"The first thing that comes to mind is selfishness. We are an immensely selfish and greedy society. We do not care who we hurt to get what we want. This is the American Dream—every man for himself. I am no different. I participate in mass killings because I eat meat. It is a completely selfish thing. After seeing the gruesome pictures, you have to sit and wonder why growing up you never heard anything about how animals are treated. I believe the bottom line in all of this is the money. I don't know what I will do about all of this, but I can say my eyes have been opened in a way that they never were before."

"Gary was honestly the most convincing speaker I have ever heard. The way he portrayed animals was a big convincing factor to cease eating meat. He was very open to other suggestions and knew how to counter several possible arguments. The videos he showed truly angered me. I enjoyed the way he made it clear that he was also concerned with our health. He made it clear that meat is cancerous and causes heart diseases. These are things I did not know. This is why I believe he will be successful. The dairy industry needs to be abolished as well. I did not like the fact that animals are treated as breeding machines and tortured when they do not reproduce anymore. Overall, it was a very convincing speech and I appreciate his struggle towards animal rights."

"Let me begin by saying Gary is the best speaker I have ever heard in my life. To make that a valid statement, let me give you a little background on where I come from. I am a Texan. A real one from the panhandle of Texas. My hometown is the #2 producer of beef in Texas and its population is only 8,000. My town, Dalhart, hosts the largest free Bar B-Q in the world. It is obvious I love beef. Gary is such a great speaker that his message broke through to me. The health facts were amazing. I know that it is cruel of me to consider cutting back on meat for MY sake and not the animals, but it is a start."

"They are exceptionally powerful and poignant speakers. They are extremely well informed and have such a passion for this cause that one cannot help but be moved by the speech. The speech prompted me to stop and think about where my taste for meat actually comes from. It never occurred to me that the consumption of meat was so unhealthy for my body. Yourofsky showed undoubtedly the negative effects that meat has upon our body. The fact of the matter is, meat-eaters are slowly killing themselves every time they sit down to a meal. Sadly, I never stopped to think about this issue until I was confronted with the indisputable evidence and graphic videos displaying the atrocities performed on animals so that humans can eat food that their body is not even suited to consume. I am so glad that they were able to speak to our class. After listening to the speech, I decided to research veganism. I think the speech has a very powerful message: if you care about peace and justice, you must reproach animal consumption. Before this speech I believed I was a crusader against oppression and justice. But my beliefs were shot down after hearing Gary's speech. How can I call myself a crusader for these ideas if I continue my prejudice against animals? The truth is, I cannot. But I really want to make the conscious effort to end my prejudices and fight for peace and justice for everyone, and for every animal on this planet."

"When I first entered our classroom on April 21, I thought it would be like any other day where we discuss our course readings and listen to animal rights activists again. Well to my surprise it was not quite like any other day. I have to admit that watching and listening to all the gory details of how animals are tortured and then killed is the hardest thing I had to sit through during the course of my studies. I found this experience astonishing because I work to protect the rights of children in El Paso County. Now I find myself taking my thinking one step further. What about animal rights? What came to my mind is: why I am allowing this to happen to animals? Is this not the same as letting children in this community go unprotected and continue to be abused and neglected? Being exposed to the truth has changed the taste in my mouth for the hunger I have for meat. I understand that we have been taught to eat meat since we were born, but why? Is it because we as humans do not know what we do? Many students including myself have and will continue to take the initiative to change the manner in which we live and take responsibility by being compassionate and respectful to all creatures on this planet. I believe that through education we can accomplish many good deeds such as not eating meat for the sake of the animals and for the sake of our health. I respect Kate and Gary for being the passionate people they are and for educating us about a new way of living."

"Gary and Kate's presentation on animal rights and the cruelty they are subjected to was very moving. Never in my wildest imagination did I envision animals being tortured and slaughtered the way Gary described it. I have eaten meat for 20 years and never thought twice about where it was coming from or whether it was wrong to be eating it. I could not bring myself to watch the video they showed in class and the 10 seconds of it that I did catch, made me cry. Now after hearing about all of the atrocities and the absolute disregard for their well being, I find myself confused. It is difficult to say whether turning vegan will be the answer for me, but ever since the presentation I have this huge guilt looming over me. Now when faced with food, I see what this creature once was and how much it suffered just so I could eat it."

"When Gary and Kate came to class, I thought it was just another talk on why eating meat is bad and becoming vegan was the way to go. But I was wrong. There is no word or phrase that can depict or describe the horrendous treatment the animals went through. Kate compared the factory farms to concentration camps, but I thought it was way worse than any concentration camp. I know the Nazis were dicks but I don't think they constantly performed castrations on their prisoners without anesthetic. Speciesism, a term Gary used, was an appropriate term for what the human monster is doing in this world. I am now trying to deprogram my body from almost 24 years of poisoning. I buy tons of fruits and veggies every time I go to the grocery store and now when I look in my fridge I see more and more soy-based food. At first I just wanted to eat healthy. But now that my mind is more open and wiser, I know that eating healthy is not why I should try to become vegetarian, but to end animal suffering. I don't think any living thing should ever go through that kind of abuse in order to feed humans."

"Well, first of all, Gary and Kate were both very very convincing. Their arguments contain many facts and as soon as class let out, I went to the Web and pulled up the 1966 Animal Welfare Act. It reminded me so much of the USA Patriot Act. So many words on paper yet it does nothing to protect the rights of animals just as the Patriot Act does nothing to protect us, the people of the US. The fact that Gary had been arrested 13 times in the defense of animals is very admirable. When Yourofsky mentioned that Buddhists are vegans, this reminded me of when I was in Taipei, Taiwan, a few years ago. I visited several Buddhists temples and whenever I was able to enter them, the peace I felt was incredible."

"I must start by paying much respect to these individuals for doing the work that they do for the rights of animals and all living things. Finally I have a million cool facts to tell my friends when they ridicule me for being vegetarian. I was so impressed by the amount of valid information they referred to when discussing how we are not carnivores. Don't people realize that animals develop relationships, have families, give birth, play and enjoy life just as humans do? Yet everyday millions of cows, pigs and chickens are being destroyed and massed produced to fuel a never-ending cycle of abuse and murder. The only thing you are left to wonder is how in the hell did we create a society that thinks this behavior is okay and natural. Our humanity has to start with the treatment of our animals."

"As I watched the video, I kept wondering, "What kind of person can do this for a living? Does this violence affect their personal life?" Then I realized that I was also responsible for this cruelty because I am a consumer of the products they send to market. The speech was certainly eye-opening and informative. Both speakers were passionate about their cause. To move from a meat-based diet to a vegan diet makes sense ethically and environmentally. I am glad they gave us a vegetarian starter kit. I am going to try the recipes that are included."

"Understanding that the same nutrients found in meat can be obtained from vegetable matter is critical. I think because Yourofsky looks fit himself, he helps to discredit the idea of the skinny, starving vegetarian. One of the most memorable facts about his lecture is that you will never hear of a plant being the cause of cancer. You will always hear that a diet rich in vegetables and fruits will reduce your risk for any number of illnesses."

"The presentation was very smooth and they seemed ready to defend their views from every angle. I was a heavy milk drinker and meat eater but learned this wasn't exactly the healthiest diet in the world. I have cut out a good amount of meat and am eating more fruits and vegetables. A last note would be that you can't judge a book by its cover. When I think of vegans, I imagine a real skinny dude but Yourofsky seemed pretty buff."

"The lecture today was one of the most informative and helpful lectures I have attended this entire year. I have read about animal issues, but never imagined the seriousness of the problem. The Animal Welfare Act does nothing for animals. The only purpose it serves is to waste paper. The video demonstrates the severity of abuse and cruelty. These types of actions outrage me and anyone who believes that animals are not to be on the dinner table. The best way to go is vegan. Overall the lecture was very informative, convincing and educational."

"The only thing I can say about Kate & Gary's presentation is that it completely stunned me. Up to this point in my life, I had not paid much attention to the idea of veganism. I had a year ago stopped eating any type of meat for Lent and since then I have had a hard time eating the products. I had no idea that drinking milk involved torturing animals. I was not well informed. I now realize that to give up meat is not enough. One must give up all products that come from animals. Gary and Kate have a passion for what they believe in and that alone demands respect. Veganism is definitely something I am thinking about. Both speakers intrigued me and made me think about my way of life and my eating habits. When the time for change will come for me, I am not sure. But I do know it is just a step away and I want to thank them for enlightening me with a new way of living."

"The presentation was very professional and very well organized. The speakers made some very good points, like the one that we are not meant to be carnivores and we never were. I believe it would be best for us as well as our animal brothers to not eat meat and eat more vegetables. I know this will not be an easy task, but if we persist we will succeed. I know I already started. First thing I did after class was go buy some soy milk. And there are so many good soy products it makes it much easier to go vegan. I can't promise to go vegan in a matter of days, but at least now I am aware of the situation and am trying to do something about it. I think we owe it to the animals to at least try to become vegan."

"I have heard Gary before and I think his speech is so powerful. In reality his speech makes a difference in my life every time I hear it. I cannot challenge Gary in any way because everything he has to say is the truth. In my personal opinion I believe that he inspires me to become vegetarian and most important of all vegan. I have been taught to live this way for many years and I cannot change this lifestyle in seconds. But I believe that I can change. And I believe my way of eating has changed drastically but still needs a lot of work. In my life becoming vegetarian or vegan is a process I must accomplish for my own good. I must accomplish this goal in order to make a difference. I know many people will not understand and one person becoming vegetarian will not make a difference but it does make a difference to me because I won't be contributing to an industry of murderers. I am glad every time I hear Gary. He reinforces my thoughts and goals."

"The way they structure their lecture is extremely well done. Instead of just showing us the horrors of what is done to animals, they gave us alternatives and proof of why we should become vegetarians and ultimately vegans. They just bombarded us with pure scientific facts as to why animal consumption is not good for us. They brought with them all the possible answers to any of the questions that might have been raised by the class. Hopefully in the near future I will be able to switch my diet so that I can help animals as well as save my own health. The speech did open my eyes a bit more. And I realized that once there is no longer a market for meat, the animals that are harmed and killed will no longer suffer and maybe one day society will realize that if we stop using all of our crops to feed our future food, then maybe we can stop hunger and end the suffering of everything here on earth."

"The things that I saw in class really made me think about some things. You can't help but re-examine your lifestyle after watching the graphic images. What was even more influential , however, were the words that Gary and Kate used. The horrible treatment of animals that was exhibited on the video definitely makes a person think about the breaches of common decency. Although they are animals, they still feel pain and suffer when they are beaten like elephants in the circus, or pigs that cannot make babies any longer. Gary and Kate's speech is more than animal rights, it is a humanitarian effort."

"I can totally identify with Kate and Gary because I am a vegan. Their speech is very useful and informative. The videos are strong, but that is the reality that animals are living. I am glad that they are trying to educate people about the best way to combat animal cruelty, which is veganism."

"The videos they showed were disgusting and very violent and yes I felt nauseated. I had just eaten a chicken sandwich from Quiznos before class. The statistics and figures they gave us were staggering. We eat meat and think we are not hurting anyone. As Gary said, it all comes down to common decency. I have looked over the PETA Veg Starter Kit and will listen to the CD Gary gave us. I have begun looking over the recipe section of PETACatalog.org as well. I am not ready to become a vegetarian as a way of life yet. One thing I do know, I will choose this lifestyle. Choose to not be one those people that contribute to animal cruelty. One thing I have definitely refused to do since the day of the lecture is drink milk. For 20 years I had enjoyed a cold glass of milk before bed. I can no longer do this. I refuse to drink anything that has pus in it."

"Gary and Kate gave a great speech on becoming vegan. Their speech was motivating and served as a wake-up call to myself. My feelings are that any action one takes in the direction of removing animal products from one's diet is a small step toward liberating animals from consumption. Personally, I hope to one day become vegan. However, currently I am too selfish to cut all those flavorful foods out of my diet. Since I have started exploring vegetarianism as a route to veganism, I have not enjoyed foods derived from animals to the extent I previously did in my unaware and uncaring state. With the help of my boyfriend (who is vegan), I am slowly developing a consciousness of the foods I eat. Now when I slip and eat animal products, which is quite often, I experience an intense sense of guilt. I am pleased to experience this guilt, for this means I know my actions are wrong."

"It's 4 p.m. Just got home and the refrigerator is waiting to be opened for dinner. What should I cook today? The only thought that resounds in my mind are the words that Gary Yourofsky said about the cruelty and uselessness of eating meat. For the rest of the day, I did not cook any meat or animal products. But how about the next day? I did almost the same thing, only that I used cheese on my salad and ate a cheese quesadilla. Sometimes we have all the intentions to live in a world in balance and harmony with nature, but the force of old habits prevail and make us fall into the temptation of eating a wide variety of meat-based foods. By saying this, I feel like I am a person without any will power over her dietary decisions. I agree that being a vegetarian is the best way to be healthy. Personally, I agree we should try to become vegetarians for many reasons, but in my case, it is not going to be overnight. There have been weeks when I have not eaten any meat and I didn't feel like I was missing anything. For that reason, I think my whole process of becoming vegetarian will be a gradual and consciously-planned one."

"Gary and Kate are fantastic speakers. They covered mostly every part of becoming vegan. Everyone in the class seemed pretty receptive to what they had to say. Hopefully, they will actually consider such a lifestyle change and not just dismiss it as another class lecture. It is difficult for me to see those PETA videos. But I think they are the most powerful tools activists have to educate the public. I have heard some people say that PETA fabricated those videos to push their efforts. It is incredible how absurd some people can be to try to continue their comfortable lifestyle. It just gets a bit annoying when people think the animal rights movement has no substance, and it's just meant to make the lives of the majority difficult."

"I would first like to comment on the great organization demonstrated by the speakers. The professionalism demonstrated by them always makes the information clearer and stronger. How do we eliminate meat? The only manner in which this can happen is though a slow process and everyone continues to make an effort to change. I really liked the fact that CDs were handed out. I was able to share it with my family. The presentation was great."

"Fantastic! I never cease to enjoy this presentation and this time it was even better. Gary was his usual self. Presenting without apology the truth about being a vegan. He is awesome. He holds nothing back. The films are still hard to watch. I see useless death and destruction, suffering and murder. It my breaks my heart. The addition of Kate this year added a whole new perspective. She was able to relate to the women in the class. She represented a softer but no less adamant side of becoming vegan and just how important it is to all of us to embrace this thinking or prepare to die. I don't understand how anyone could listen to the information that they bring and not make changes in their lives. How can we still make sick choices? How do people digest the facts and do nothing with it? It makes no sense to me. Gary and Kate made it clear that not only are we killing ourselves but when we eat a meat-based diet, we are killing the planet and we are nothing less than murderers. I am so thankful for the info that Gary and Kate pass on to those who are simply ignorant of what they are doing. I am thankful for people like them, who change so many lives, and thankful that I have heard the word and heeded it. This is how I have come to the understanding, that we must not only hear the word and incorporate it into our lives, we must be in the business of sharing it with others. If I aim to be a child of love—which is I want to be—this requires me to give to others what has been given to me. Things that will change their lives and in turn save every animal we can possibly save. It seems overwhelming, the task we have before us. But if I can lead one or two people a year into the vegan lifestyle, then I will have saved many lives and ended much suffering. I need to be about that and so much more. Thanks for having Kate and Gary here. They were awesome as they presented the truth and expected others to take it as their own. I hope lots were listening."

"The lecture gave me mixed feelings. I believe in treating animals in an ethical manner. I do feel that Gary and Kate made some decent points. I agree we shouldn't eat meat, if at the very least, for ethical reasons. I thought it was great that they cited many doctors and authorities to back up their points. I was surprised the videos weren't more graphic. They got their point across, nonetheless. It never ceases to amaze me how many students gasp in shock while watching these videos. Are there people walking around in a daze? Where do they think there food comes from? Their manner of speaking was very engaging. Almost like watching a televangelist, except they were speaking the truth. Without knowing Yourofsky's background and reputation, this was a pretty good lecture. They made some good factual points. Both seemed to genuinely care about their cause. I think they will grow in wisdom with time."

"No living creature deserves to go through the pain and treatment that these animals experience. Believe it or not, my lifestyle has changed since I have been in your class, especially after the presentation that Gary and Kate gave to us. I really try to not eat meat. I believe it is a start. My wife noticed the change in my diet and was quick to criticize me. I put it to her like this: How would you like for some maniac to come and kick the living hell out of your puppy and then stab him and skin him for supper? I know it sounds cruel and extreme, but I'll tell you what, she got the message. I'm not saying that I am a complete vegan, but you have to start somewhere, right? I'm trying some soy products and I'll have to admit they are not as bad as I heard."

"I really don't know what to say about Gary. He is a younger version of yourself, Dr. Best, with no hair. I don't like to sound like an asshole, but I really did not like the presentation. To cut this short, I understand the cause and am in favor of it. It was the technique I did not like. I really don't know what to say, besides that I just did not get a good vibe from the guy or the girl. Most people did like the presentation, so I only speak for myself. The things I did find useful were the Web sites they had, and the names of some books. I will try to green, but not because of their presentation."

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 10:22 PM

About two months ago, you made your famous vegan speech at Mrs. Cvejic's English class at Queens College. After hearing your lecture; I went vegan, pretty much, overnight. It was mainly your comment on how cow pus and antibiotics contained in dairy drain calcium from the body that convinced me to go vegan. The thought of muscle atrophy greatly perturbs me and I'm not going to let milk break all my bones. I plan on ordering a recording of your speech so I can commit your incredibly convincing arguments for veganism to memory and help spread the word. Fellow Vegan, Hsing Chen.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2004 1:36 PM

Is there any way I could obtain additional copies of the "Vegetarian Starter Kit" that you gave out at Lyndon State College (VT) last Friday? I got a chance to read it over once I got home, and would like to give some to relatives and friends who might be converted. Thanks! And keep up the GREAT work!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, May 07, 2004 11:33 PM

Thank you so much for coming to Lyndon State College. Both you and Kate were amazing! I heard a lot of people say that they are going vegetarian. What the two of you do is really important and seeing you both in action is very inspirational. Thank you so much.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: May 02, 2004 3:22 PM

I am a sophomore at Roanoke Rapids High School in Roanoke Rapids North Carolina. I was one of the students who heard Kate and you speak. I just wanted to say that, that speech was just amazing. Now that I am 16 yrs old and growing up, I'm making my own decisions about eating. I drink only soy milk or almond milk (which is my favorite). When my friends and I go to Burger King I order a veggie burger. Keep up the great work!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 12:40 AM

I'm from Fresno St.. You did a speech in Dr. Somma's class a while back and turned me and a few of my friends vegan. I, and as far as I know, at least 5 other people that I'm acquainted with from that class are keeping up the vegan-ness. I'm glad to hear that you're making progress so fast and so wide. Thank you soo much for opening my eyes. Please say hi to Kate for me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 3:58 PM

I am a field medic for the state of North Carolina. I am 21 yrs old and have seen a lot of disturbing things in my profession so far. But in all, I must say that viewing those clips you had shown the other day in class ... I was very moved by them and your purpose to speak for a creature who cannot. I have been down in NC for the past 4 years now and 1 of them I spent working for Perdue chicken putting myself through school. I have seen these processes close up and must say that those videos are a pretty good depiction of what actually happens. I am putting together a bomber series race car to run out at East Carolina Motor Speedway next season and am looking for sponsors to put on the side of my car . If you or your organization is interested I would love to help u out in anyway I can. Everyone has a role to play in this world and I commend you for standing up for what you believe in.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 9:43 PM

Thank you so much for coming to our VCU and speaking to us about veganism! I have been vegan for almost a year (I certainly wish it was longer), and I love it. It persuaded several of my friends to attend the presentation tonight, and it was nice to have someone besides me tell them about veganism for a change. I think the footage definitely had an effect on many members of the audience. I never become desensitized to it - I cry every single time I view that video footage. I wanted to extend my thanks to you for all that you've done for animals. It's great to know that there are people like you and Kate out there working to make things better for all animals. I am sure you converted some VCU students to veganism this evening. Again, thank you. I wanted to hug both of you after your presentation, just for being such darn good humans. This e-mail will have to suffice.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 8:00 PM

I have been meaning to e-mail you for awhile regarding your Eastern Michigan U. presentation. I assume you must get a lot of e-mails regarding your presentations and their effects, so excuse me if this is repetitive. You must feel great! You influence a lot of people, from what I have seen on your Web site. You have definitely influenced me. I believe it was 5 weeks ago you were at EMU. Since then, I have been vegetarian. I plan to dive into veganism as soon as I feel I am ready to make the change. Before the lecture, I had tried vegetarianism a few times but it never stuck. I guess I just needed the motivation. Your lecture brought a huge amount of motivation for me. When I had been vegetarian before, it was for different reasons than now. Before, it was just an experiment, for health and whatnot, but now it is for animal rights AND health.

I feel so great that I have made a change like this in my life. One thing I did do was watch "Meet your Meat" with my boyfriend. We were really affected by it. I think I was more emotionally, but he is really understanding about it. I know it can be hard for a lot of people who are starting the veg lifestyle so that is great. Since I have become a vegetarian, he has too, and is a lot more aware of the issues that you spoke about. It is easy to do with another person. We live together so we eat together and it is nice to have another beginner vegetarian to do it with. I am a huge animal lover. I have no idea why I never did this and stuck with it before. I have two cats (both adopted from a shelter, yay!) and I would never want to see anything happen to them. They are my life, really. I just want to thank you for how much you have influenced me. You are an awesome speaker and person. You have changed my life and it feels so crazy that someone I don't even know has done probably so much for me. I just thought it would be cool to get in touch with you and let you know, although as I said, since you are so influential, many people probably tell you this all of the time. Thank you!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 2:12 PM

Just a note to say I saw you on Brooklyn public access TV (NY) and it pushed me over the edge, inspiring me to get back to being vegan after years of slowly devolving to full scale carnivorousness. I've been feeling sicker and sicker and more depressed consuming this shit. Anyways, thanks and I hope you keep up the good work.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2004 11:31 AM

I'm a student at the U. of Delaware who just listened to your speech in Contemporary Moral Problems. I was extremely receptive to your presentation. A lot of things, definitely not to say all though, I already knew from other sources, but none of it had turned me to veganism. I really respect what you're doing. Thanks for your help. I'm off to the dining hall to see if they have anything that isn't tortured to eat.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 12:21 PM

I was in your vegan class in Atlanta at Sevananda Natural Foods on the 7th. You and Kate did a superb presentation. It opened my eyes and made me become more sensitive to how we abuse and slaughter animals merely for our pleasure and profit. You are doing a great work. Keep it up!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 7:32 PM

I have begun to make headway at my high school. I burned Meet your Meat to lots of CDs and I am passing them out. I am also copying your video to pass out to people. I would also like to tell you that your lecture has made an activist out of me. Before I was content to be vegan, but recently I have been spreading the word, more and more.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, April 10, 2004 8:40 PM

Thank YOU (and Kate)!!! I totally agree. The talk went very well and had a profound impact on everyone. Incidentally, I was teaching the chapter on food a few weeks ago (I'm also Spanish teacher) and I showed my students your video. I was called in to the principal's office because a parent complained. Well, I had to agree that I would not show it again since it is not part of the Spanish curriculum, which won't be difficult since I sent in my letter of resignation already for the upcoming year. The most important thing is that all of my students (and also the ones from last semester - before I got "caught") were exposed to the truth about factory farming. I'll take a slap on the wrist for that ANY day! I'm so impressed with your presentation. Your delivery was great, but you're right, Kate adds a lot and creates a nice balance and adds a woman's touch! I hope that we do have the opportunity to work together again sometime. I started a company a few years back called Vegetarian Marketing Consultants and I'm going return to that now that I won't be teaching in order to help these companies better market their meatless meat foods. I love that you and Kate emphasize that you're not against the taste of meat, just the source. If you haven't had a chance, see our nutrition chart at www.vegetariansolutions.org/nutrition.php. Ever since translating Why Vegan to Spanish, we've been getting over 60,000 hits per MONTH to our website and the nutritional comparison chart receives the most requests! All the best on your travels.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 05, 2004 2:47 PM

I heard the presentation you gave today in Valerie Santos' class from 9:30-10:45 at CSULB. Thank you for taking the time to come to our class. I'm not a vegetarian or a vegan, but what you had to say today did have an impact on me. I didn't think it would, but what you and Gary had to say really hit me and has had me thinking all day about animals and what is done to them, just so humans can enjoy their chicken or steak. I have a family history of having high cholesterol and despite what the doctors and I have tried to do, they put me on Lipitor (which you discussed in class). Thank you for speaking to the class today and I hope to hear from you soon.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2004 1:40 PM

First off, I wanted to thank you for coming to San Diego State and talking to our social ethics Philosophy class about animal rights. I left class on Tuesday with so many thoughts, questions for myself, and interest. I really feel you both are amazing at what you do. You took a very hard and not so commonly spoken about issue and presented it a class full of college students. I have to admit, walking into class on Tuesday and remembering we were having guest speakers made me want to walk right out—a free lecture to skip. However, I stayed and I am glad I did. I can not say that I will be Vegan overnight or that I am throwing out my leather jacket. Although, I now have more knowledge about animal rights than I did a few days ago, and if anything, I am sharing what I heard and learned that day with my friends. I feel that my first biggest step is being aware. I am going to start to keep a conscious mind of what I eat, buy, and do, but it will take time for me to transition. Thank you for your time and all you do. Like I said, I thought your lecture in class was inspirational.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2004 11:21 PM

I'm a student at Oakland University in John Simecek's rhetoric class. You guys gave an awesome presentation to our class a couple of weeks ago. You definitely got me rethinking my diet. After your presentation, I think I'll be giving up meats. Where on earth do doctors, mine included, get the health statistics for milk? I have read several articles about how bad milk is for your body and I know if I can read about how damaging cow's milk is, surely someone with a PhD can too. You know, I'm reminded of the movie The Matrix when it comes to the commercializing of things like the Atkins diet, which is totally crazy, and how "Milk does a Body Good." The wool is pulled over so many peoples eyes, then there are some like you guys who wake up and see the truth. I truly believe that the U.S. is only in the meat industry for profit, just like cigarettes are strictly for profit. Who cares if it kills you, just keep buying it so we (the U.S.) can make a profit. That's very sad. I respect and commend the two of you for your efforts on telling to truth and getting the public to come out of the "Matrix." God bless you both and please keep in contact with me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2004 2:13 AM
Subject: Your bad ass presentation

I attended your speech earlier today at Grossmont College. I was very moved by what you had to say. When I got home today, I attempted to pass the knowledge I learned earlier to my roommate, and he told me that I was full of shit. I only wish that he could have been there to see it all. If possible, I would like to get in some way shape or form a copy of your presentation. Not only to teach others, but also to re-educate my self in the future. Thank you for your time and insight.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 4:33 PM

I am one of the students who had the pleasure to listen to one of your presentations in Dr. Bertaux's class yesterday at SDSU. Thank you so much for sharing all that information with us. I loved your whole presentation because it covered so much ground and because your belief and conviction showed (and convinced) immensely. Your 60 minute speech brought some questions and issues to the surface that have become very easy to suppress in our culture. After watching the few minutes of footage at the beginning of the presentation I had forgotten all about my double-cheese-burger with bacon which I was planning on getting after class. I had to contain myself not to cry or throw up. I would like to thank you again for your efforts (if there were more people like you the world would be a much better place) and second I would like to inform that I am going to try going vegan. Last night I prepared one of the meals ('Fried Chicken') from the brochure and I was pleasantly surprised. Today I am planning a trip to Trader Joe's and Whole Food's to stack up on some good food.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 8:01 PM

I was in the sociology class you gave the presentation to the other day at SDSU. I wanted to let you know how great your speech was. I was already on the path to being a vegetarian, but like you said, every vegan has an epiphany. For me, my epiphany happened to be when you informed us that humans aren't carnivores, naturally. I had just always assumed that we were! Being a vegan is something that falls right in line with all of my morals, which I take extremely serious. I have been working on a philosophy for the past couple of years that all of our world's problems can be connected to one sole problem of overpopulation. It is my belief that we have already overpopulated earth by as much as 3x the amount of humans ecologically viable. I noticed that you sort of touched on the subject. Thank you so much for your presentation and all of your efforts. I felt that your presentation went beautifully and hope more people turn vegan (as I am attempting to do) as a result. Thank you once again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 9:53 AM

I just met you yesterday before you spoke to a group of law students at Cal Western School of Law. Thank you for your thought provoking words on the topic of food animals. I hope to see you over the weekend at the conference in SD and personally thank you, however this is my backup. Take care and keep talking. [I am a 3rd year law student, and Co-chair of the San Diego County Bar Associations Animal Law Section.]

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 8:13 PM

You really are an amazing man. I wish that your message could be heard by all of my loved ones. I really would love a complete list of vegan foods. Keep your message strong!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2004 9:40 PM

I am a student of Professor Somma, and I was in class today during your speech at Fresno St. I wanted to say thank you for the informative information. Although the video was hard to watch, It helped to understand what is going on. I was completely unaware about the hardships these animals actually face, and I never even thought about it; it was so sad I cried today because of the harsh reality. That is something I and so many other people do not take into consideration when eating those products. I never though twice about eating chicken or anything else until today, after the class. And I wanted the thank you for broadening my perspective.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2004 5:56 PM

Thank you so much for your presentation and efforts. Today in Mark Somma's class at Fresno St., I have learned everything I wanted to know about vegetarian and vegan ways. I have read a big portion of the Vegetarian Starter Kit, and I'll visit the websites you provided in a minute or so. I have decided to stop eating meat and all the by products. My mom is going to be especially happy and proud, she's been trying to get me to stop eating meat for years now. I'm writing this letter to thank you for presenting me with this information and letting me know of alternatives. With out-most respect and gratitude, thank you. Keep up the awesome job you guys rule.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 7:21 PM

I am currently a vegetarian looking to study to help animals in some way. I see that you will be back at UTEP in April. Will your speeches be in an open classroom? I would like to take some close friends to experience the power of your speech (you are responsible for opening my own eyes).

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 5:44 PM

I was currently an audience member at one of your presentations at Fresno St.. I must say I applaud you for all the effort you and your associates have put forth on the topic of animal cruelty and veganism. I have been a vegetarian from birth, not a strict vegetarian, but I have always rejected the taste of meat. I believe that meat consumption is partly an assimilation because I have avoided as best I can from my young ages of childhood to reject the meat I was fed. I would often spit it out or force-swallow it till all the taste was completely gone.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 8:52 AM

[About your talk at the Unity of Livonia Church in Mich.] ... One woman hugged me and said "I'm so glad I came." She was crying. I think some people were too overwhelmed to say anything, but I didn't get any negative vibes. There were lots of hugs and tears! People were overwhelmed. People expressed that you both were excellent. Many liked that Kate did the female reproductive stuff. Of course, all the vegetarians and vegans in attendance thought you both were awesome. Jerry and I are so impressed with your passion and dedication to the animals. Kate is a real Plus. Thank you so much for doing your presentation at Unity of Livonia. I hope we can have you back again! It was funny Jerry and I did a presentation Friday night; and when we compared it to your talk we realized we need a whole lot of work on our talk! It was great how you shared the talk, it seemed very natural. We did a tabling for Earth Day at University of Detroit-Mercy where you both spoke for Prof. Whitty's class a few weeks ago. Several students told us they heard you both talk and how much they learned and wanted lots of our literature. Prof Whitty seems to really admire you both very much. Kelly, one of his students, was very enthusiastic about your talk. Thanks again - you two were GREAT! You're changing lives!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 9:47 AM

I just wanted to say thank you for presenting at Eastern Michigan University. Your presentation truly changed my life! Ever since I heard you speak, I have not eaten dairy (or a single animal product for that matter). I had been wanting to go vegan for a long time and was trying very gradually. However, your speech made me realize I needed to stop wasting time and just do it! So I did. :) The next day, I went out shopping and now I have a lot of vegan stuff in my refrigerator (I'm loving the Tofutti Cuties "ice cream" sandwiches). I know you made a big impact on Linda (the director of Women's Studies) as well. We were at the graduate research fair dinner this past week and she said that ever since she saw you, she has given up meat. So thank you very much! I think what you're doing is incredible and I wish you the best of luck on the road.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 10:01 PM

Before you came to speak [at the U. of Michigan] I was convinced that drinking organic milk and eating organic eggs was the animal friendly way to get my protein. So, after being unblinded (I really don't know why I thought that, now that I come to think of it, that doesn't really make too much sense) I have started to stop my consumption of these things.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 10:26 PM

I just wanted to say thank you to you for doing what you do, for living and speaking from your heart, sharing with all of us your passion for life! I brought 6 of my housemates along to your talk on Tuesday at the U. of Michigan, and it was really neat to see the range of their reactions and pledges to try to be vegan after you and Kate did your thing! I hope you continue to have wonderful experiences sharing with people around the country. It is *SO* awesome to know you're out there!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 2:29 PM

Ever since you spoke in my Ethics class, on March 11th, at Oakland University, I have looked at my diet and way of life in a new light. I've always eaten meat and I enjoy it, but now every time I do I just feel physically sick and mad at myself.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 1:41 PM

I just wanted to personally thank both of you for talking to us today. It was very insightful and persuasive. You have personally altered my ideas on vegetarianism and on veganism. Thanks again, and good luck in continuation with your work!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: , March 18, 2004 2:03 PM

I went to your talk at the U of Michigan on March 16. I stopped eating meat four years ago ... over these years knowing the truth from people like you makes me more determined to stay vegetarian.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: , March 18, 2004 8:56 AM

I heard the lecture you did last night at my class at Oakland Community College. It really interested me. Thank you for your time!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: , March 18, 2004 4:37 AM

Thank you!! It was a pleasure having you and Kate this semester at the U of Michigan and we will definitely look into having you two back next fall. It is amazing to look through the surveys and see what an impact your talk has. 13 of the 32 people in attendance said they were going vegetarian or vegan!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 9:14 PM

I wanted to thank you for the presentation you offered in my English class this morning at Oakland Community College. I feel the information you and Kate presented me with has changed my view on so many things, things that I have felt very strongly about for a long time, but was to afraid to find out the true devastating facts that you have shown today. I want to know so much more, and I truly want to know what I can do. Though I do not have much money to offer for support, I would like to do all I can, and if possible I would love to offer my services in this battle against such animal cruelty. Please let me know how I can help.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 8:34 PM

I attended your lecture last night at UM's Ann Arbor campus. It was great. It was a reminder to me that I'm doing the right thing. It's been awhile since I've heard all the facts and seen the 'shocker' videos. Keep up the wonderful work!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2004 10:10 PM

I attended your lecture on veganism tonight, the 16th of March, at the U. of Michigan. You made wonderful arguments against eating meat. The main thing that hit me is that people claim that humans are carnivores or omnivores when the truth shows nothing but the opposite: we are herbivores. I also liked that you brought bible passages into the argument. I believe that God's intention for humanity was vegan and that the Bible has fault -- you proved it with that Timothy quote about how women should be silent. Anyway, I am wondering how hard it would be for you guys to come to my school to chat with people. If you would be willing to come out I'll bring it up the administration. It's a small school, K-12, with around 500 kids attending also, and nearly all of them are meat eaters. There are many that I've told about veganism, but I've yet to see one person change, and I think your lecture could do that. Thanks for the great lecture.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 10:47 AM

I wanted to let you know that since you gave the speech concerning veganism, I have completely stopped eating red meat and chicken. I don't mention pork because I stopped eating that since I was about 15. At this moment, all I'm eating is seafood along with all the grains as possible. I thank you for opening my eyes and seeing that this animal torture has to come to an end.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2004 5:08 PM

I was at your speech for the Crime in America class at UCF. Since your speech I have not eaten meat at all. Your speech was very enlightening. I am very glad I got to hear you speak. I hope your future speeches go just as well.

NOTE FROM ME: A woman who went vegan after the U. of Michigan lecture—and who previously consumed 'organic' milk and eggs—sent me a response she received from Horizon which produces 'organic' milk. Horizon was very open and honest about their cruel, barbaric practices on dairy farms. Thought you might like to see it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2004 6:45 PM
-----Forwarded message from Darlene Campbell at DarleneC@horizonorganic.com-----

"Your concerns about humane treatment are very important, and are a high priority to us as well. The calves are separated from the mothers a few hours after birth. Since they do need to be separated for a dairy farm to run, we feel it is less difficult to do this before bonding happens. Also, the most common way for disease to spread is from the calf, so separating them allows us to monitor the calves' health before she has contact with other cows. Our male calves and the cows that have stopped producing milk have to be sold. We are not aware of any commercial dairy in this country that keeps their bulls and older cows. It isn't easy for us and we wish there was a way to do so, but there is just not enough land to sustain each and every cow or bull that is born in this country until they die a natural death."

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2004 2:33 PM

I just wanna thank you for your talk. You came into my Nutrition class in South Lake Tahoe a few weeks ago. That day that you came I cried when I watched your video ... and I came home and decided I was a vegan ... I'm 17 and been eating right since you left and I can't even explain how much energy I have ... I mean it's almost hard to get to bed because I'm just so full of energy. I've actually converted a couple of my friends to vegetarianism. Thanks for making me healthy! I've always known that I should eat right and stuff ... all my grandparents have died from cancer and my grandmother that is still alive has cancer ... my dad has high blood pressure, my mom is on the Atkins, so she's on her way there too ... I just figured that i might as well be the first in my family to live past 80! Thanks again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2004 12:33 PM

You gave a speech today in my 10 a.m. class at Oakland U. Thank you for your time and I enjoyed the speech today.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 9:38 PM

I heard your presentation today in Sherry Wynn's 2:40 class at Oakland U. I was sitting behind the guy who brought up hunting and was very impressed. In a sense, you were already preaching to the converted but your presentation gave me the extra motivation that I needed to jump into the world of vegetarianism. One of the main reasons that I'm making the change has to do with a job that I used to have. I was a pharmacy tech for two years and meds like Lipitor, Cozaar, Prilosec, and Nexium were some of the biggest sellers. After a while it just seemed like a crime that one set of corporations makes billions from feeding people food that destroys there bodies and another set of corporations makes billions by treating people after its already too late. Anyways, I have a lot of admiration for what you do. So keep up the good work and I wish the best of luck to the both of you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2004 11:54 PM

You spoke about animal rights at Queens College. I was there and let me just say great presentation.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2004 12:44 AM

I was in Professor Morris' journalism class on Tuesday at Hunter-CUNY. I spoke to you about my grandfather and his diet at the hospital. First off, I want to say that I had heard Gary's lecture before (he came to Hunter last semester) and I had seen a video similar to the one shown on Tuesday. The first time I saw the video and heard the lecture, I basically brushed it off as nothing. For some reason this time, it really hit me what we as a society do to animals and how heartbreaking it really is. I have decided to give a trial period of six months devoted to vegetarianism. Thank you so much for coming. It was really awesome to meet you! And my grandfather came home, and he's on a diet slowly taking him off meat.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 9:28 AM

I am one of the students that was in your 8 a.m. animal rights presentation today at New Jersey City University. I spoke with you after the class. The video you showed was slightly graphic for me but is it possible to get a copy of it? I want to be able to show my mother, brother, and boyfriend. It will be a lot easier for them to rethink the way that they eat when they see that video and it will be easier for me to avoid having that food in my house if we all change what we buy at the grocery store. I want to thank you both for coming to the class today.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 7:08 PM

I am a student at Lake Tahoe Comm. College, and today you gave a speech to my nutrition class on veganism. I haven't been able to get my mind off it all day. I just want to let you know how incredible that lecture was. It blew my mind away, and left me in awe. At first I was a very upset and uncomfortable with the graphic clips of the slaughter houses you showed on TV, but I was glad you showed it. The thing that makes me upset is the fact that so many meat-eaters are so oblivious to the truth behind their meat. Like you said, they have their blinders on which don't allow them to see the truth. They see what they want to see, and nothing else. You gave a convincing speech, and you definitely knew what you were talking an out. You were brutally honest in exposing what really goes on in these slaughter houses. I am so grateful for people like you. You are going to change the world, I know it. Because just in our small nutrition class, you shone the light on what they were afraid to see. You didn't just tell us that killing animals for meat is wrong, you gave us proof on everything you talked about. You educated us about the truth. Many people are probably thinking twice about how they live and eat. I know I am. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I am very grateful and impressed of all the efforts you're making. You are an amazing person. Please don't ever stop what it is you're doing. We need people like you to be bold and stand up and educate the world. I just wish there were more caring individuals like you out there. You just gave me hope that we can change the way we live, and we can help all the animals who are being murdered inhumanly for food. I know I'll be hearing more about you in the future. Just know that there are many people who support you. Good luck!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 4:11 AM

I am a student at Miami-Ohio University. I attended your speech and am very thankful I did. As you were giving your speech, I had thoughts constantly entering and debating in my mind. Afterward I could only personally thank you for the thought provoking hour. Your speech has helped me realize the moral truth to the meat problem. To me, the strongest part of your speech was your reasoning that expelled common myths of the lies we believe in order to eat meat. Scientific reasons aside, the issue to me hit morally. Your speech has shown me the truth. Such a powerful speech that has changed my opinions will lead me to direct change.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 7:44 PM

I was at your lecture tonight (Miami-Ohio)and just wanted to say that I thought everything you had to say was absolutely amazing! I originally went to your speech for my Communications class (extra credit) but found myself really agreeing with what you had to say. I admire your dedication and think that what this society really needs is a good dose of morality. You really opened my eyes to how cruel and unjust our society is and how this is something that is not imaginary, as so many people like to convince themselves. I wanted to thank-you for taking off my blinders and I think that listening to you speak was the first step in changing my own habits and way of thinking. Thanks so much for coming and I look forward to your email.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 4:15 PM

I just attended your lecture at The University of Akron about animal rights and veganism. I wanted to tell you that you really opened up my eyes and showed me that what I have been eating for eighteen years is all wrong. My family was raised on meat every night for dinner and after hearing everything it does to your body, it makes me physically sick. Especially after viewing the video of all the cruel and unethical things that happened to these innocent animals, I have decided to go Vegan. There is no way that I could possibly eat another bite of meat, another sip of milk, without picturing these defenseless animals suffering so that I can have just a sandwich. I am so glad that I attended this today, because I would have probably never opened my eyes to see what I was really putting into my body. Your way of presenting this material couldn't have been better. I greatly appreciate what you are doing and I would like to get more involved. Thank you again and please keep spreading this important knowledge to other ignorant meat eaters like myself. Thank you!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 4:34 PM

EXCELLENT talk today!! If I already wasn't vegan, I would have gone vegan today if this was my first time being exposed! You are doing a wonderful job educating and challenging others. Knowing that you are out there educating students across the country, is inspiring and commendable.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 12:31 PM

I'm wanting to explore the vegetarian realm more. I was wondering what soy-meat products you recommend.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 12:06 PM

I wanted to thank you for speaking yesterday to my Animal Science class at Ohio State (the 4:30PM class). I am currently a vegetarian, and am also planning the transition into becoming a vegan, partly because you shared some things with me that I did not know about completely. Again thank you for speaking to my class, you have been one of the best speakers I have heard.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2004 5:24 AM

I just wanted to write you an email to let you know you changed my life as well as the many others you have talked to. You came to Rollins College (FL) on February 4th and spoke to my class. Since you delivered your speech and presentation, I have changed my lifestyle and am now a vegetarian. Before I listened to you, I never really thought twice about eating meat and/or where it came from. I cannot thank you enough for opening my eyes to the true practices of the meat industry as well as the truth behind the real nutritional needs of humans. I have known several vegetarians and vegans in my life and always thought they were a bit eccentric, but now I see where they are coming from and am only too happy to join them. Thank you very much, I owe it all to you! I have since talked to some of my coworkers, my roommate, and my boyfriend and they are all interested in seeing the video and hearing your speech. My boyfriend has supported me 100% and has since refrained from eating meat, out of respect for my choice. However, I would like him to see the video so he can make an informed decision as well. A couple of my coworkers would like to hear you and see the video as well. If you could please email me and let me know what I need to do in order to obtain a copy I would appreciate it. I would love to pass on your message and hopefully reach a couple more people. I have to say I was really upset and disappointed with my mom when I told her about it and she told me there was nothing anyone could do. I was so upset!! Of course there is something I can do! Even if I am only changing me, at least that is one more person on the animals' side!! Thank you again and I hope to hear from you soon! God bless and best of luck to you in your endeavors!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2004 6:08 PM

Thank you for coming and sharing with my ethics class and Dr. Marino's Christian Thought class your views on animal rights. I greatly enjoyed your lecture in the ethics class and found your points challenging. I am not a vegetarian but I do admit you are making me revaluate my views, for that I say thank you. Most of all I admired your passion and dedication to this cause. I do not believe we often see people who are passionate about what they feel and believe, so it was very encouraging to see it. I also wanted to let you know that your lectures made many students think about animal rights beyond what they had before. I have heard many students talking about the issue days after you came. I hope your lectures continue to go well and if possible to have you come back to Valley Forge in the future.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2004 1:30 AM

what were the other scripture references that you used about not eating meat? (I heard you speak at Valley Forge Christian College). I am honestly considering becoming vegetarian or vegan... I might as well... I never really liked meat anyway ... and now when I drink milk I gag, thinking mmm... pus... please send me the scriptures that you used in class.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 8:09 PM

I just wanted to say that my twin sister and I have not eaten meat since we heard your lecture at UCF. I begin to tell how much better we feel already. So, thank you for opening our eyes to a healthier way of living.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 9:21 AM

i heard about you from my son. i am writing you to let you know how wonderful it is that you are speaking to college students and making them aware of the issues. i am a vegan myself for over ten years and have been a vegeterian prior to that. I feel very strongly about eating properly for health and at the same time treating animals in a humane manner. I am sure you are making a difference by speaking out and opening other peoples minds and hearts to see what is really happening in the world. All the issues, environmental and otherwise need to be addressed. As much as my son sees me following through on my beliefs, he was very impressed with hearing it from other sources. I feel you are doing a great job!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 9:19 AM

I am a student at PSU who spoke to you about vegan foods. I was hoping that you could send me a list of the foods that you eat or have tried and liked. Thanks for your time, and for coming in to speak with our class. Thanks for everything you do!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 10:12 AM

My sister and I met you at PSU Abington this week. I know you meet with a lot of people, but we sat with you for a while after your 11:00 lecture on Tuesday, and I need to tell you what an incredible impact you have had on me. I had given up red meat a long time ago, and gave up chicken about 2 weeks ago. Now I am trying to stop eating eggs and milk. Thank you so much for your time.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 10:15 PM

My son attends UCF. I have been trying to get him to eat healthy (vegan) for the past years! One seminar from you and he's a vegan. Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 12:26 AM

Man, you were in my Christian Living class tonight at Valley Forge Christian College, and you were freaking convincing. I give you all the props in the world bro. Your cause is worth fighting for. So, I was thinking, and I really do want to get healthier, and heart disease is huge on both sides of my family, so I'm gonna work at it. I mean, I see the moral/ethical reasoning and health reasoning behind this whole issue. God bless you bro.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 2:24 PM

I attended your presentation on February 5th at UCF. First of all I would like to say that I am not a vegan. I have grown up in a "meat and potatoes" family, but after listening to your presentation I am doing a little research on my own concerning my eating habits. I found your presentation to be very enlightening.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 2:18 PM

I just wanted to thank you personally for coming to UCF and giving us your time, presence, and information. I had always suspected cruelty at slaughterhouses/factory farms for years because it's overwhelmingly obvious it isn't a day camp for animals, but to have witnessed that sow being bludgeoned in the head with a cinder block keeps rolling back and forth in my head and truly enraged me and my friend, a Muslim, who commented to me how enraged he was at the de-beaking of chickens. I was fascinated and horrified in a way I haven't ever been but thankfully you have given some direction. I want to abstain from meat altogether seeing as I've always enjoyed boca burgers anyways and their chickenless patties are pretty damn good too. Anyway thank you dude, you changed my life.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 12:39 PM

I am a junior here at Cabrini and just wanted to email you to comment on your speech this morning. First of all, I wanted to commend you on being an activist and let you know that you are a very inspirational speaker. My situation is that I first began to learn about animals and their connection to the food we eat back in the start of middle school. As soon as I found out what hot dogs were made of, I stopped eating them. Soon after, I stopped eating all types of pork, and later beef. I do however eat chicken, turkey, and dairy but would like to become vegan. I am allergic to soy, are there any alternatives for me?? Thank you for you time.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 10:35 AM

I thought it was important to tell you that I found your speech at PSU informative. I have experienced some of what you spoke about; I have been on a heifer farm before and I also hunt with my family. (We do the butchering ourselves). Well point being I don't turn new experiences away, obviously if I did I would not be in college. I was wondering if you could construct a basic food plan so I could try something new. It does not have to be fancy, probably what you would have eaten in the past week. I feel that what you had to say is more then likely true about meat not being good for you and that it is a learned pleasure. Here is a personal story for you about meat. I distinctly remember when I was young that I did not like to eat steak. Now at age 20 I can not get enough of it. It is strange when someone gives you a different view point on a topic. I would not say it gives people clarity but instead lets us make decisions for ourselves. I always thought of vegetarians being strange as well as vegans, but just by learning a small piece of information about someone's ideals you change your own. Thank you for your time.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 1:30 AM

I was lucky enough to be able to see your speech last week on veganism ay UCF. My friend was is in the class and he knew I would want to see your speech. I thought you were awesome and I really wish more students had the opportunity to learn the truth! Unfortunately I had to leave the class early and go to work so I missed the end of your speech. I have been a ovo-lacto vegetarian since I was 5 (when I found out that bacon was made from a pig) I am 23 now and haven't touched any meat since and I even turned my parents vegetarian (they are now actually vegan after a trip to the veggie summerfest). I recently turned vegan (after your speech actually), and my friend Jesse who brought me hasn't touched meat or dairy since (he was previously a meat eater). I never realized that these dairy animals suffered so much. I was truly inspired by your speech, and want to know how I can get involved in animal rights. I would love to do something like you are doing and help teach people the truth about this disgusting industry Thank you SO much for coming to UCF and sharing your knowledge!!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 10:08 PM

I'm a student from the Ethics class you spoke to on Monday at Valley Forge Christian College. I just wanted to say thanks for coming and speaking to us. I found the information interesting and it has sparked in me a renewed interest in the mistreatment of animals. Although I would disagree with you in that I do not believe God created animals to be equals with man, I do believe that He created them for us to love and to enjoy their company. I do NOT think that He is pleased with the way many people treat them. I also believe that it was God's intention for humans to be herbivores, but because of our foolish decisions, we contributed to a fallen world. Well, thank you again for your time and for caring. God Bless!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 10:10 PM

I just want to start off saying that your presentation at PSU today really got through to me. No one has ever touched me like that before. After the first five minutes my mind just opened up to what is really going on here. You were so right about "having blinders on" and not seeing what is really happening. I had no idea these people were treating these animals this way. From that point on I will never be able to eat meat again. I am feeling this incredible force of guilt because of what I have consumed before today. I feel like I should have known about this already but I guess I just needed you to knock some sense into me. I know you already know this but I want to tell you that you are doing such a great thing in bringing this cruelty to everyone's attention. Anyway, after I was finished with my classes today, I went to the grocery store and purchased non-dairy, dairy products and other random items that will qualify as part of a vegan's diet. It's going to be rough at first but it is worth it. I can honestly say that I want to be a vegan. You changed my life and the way I view the lives of others. Thank you for that. There is no way I was the only one who was moved by your speech. You did a wonderful job.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 1:23 PM

I'm a student at Penn State Abington. I was very fortunate to hear what you had to say about the whole animal cruelty thing and going vegan and I very much agree with you. After seeing the videos and your presentation i don't think i can ever eat meet again (which is a good thing). I would greatly appreciate it if you can email me a list of some vegan food. THANKS!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 6:31 PM

I watched your presentation this morning in Dr. Seesholtz's 8:00 a.m class at PSU. I don't think it's a problem of people not knowing what happens to animals on factory farms. I always knew what happened I just never really put much thought into it. Your presentation forced the truth to the forefront. Out of sight, out of mind is not a good philosophy for life. My friends and family are convinced that vegans are crazy hippie people with long hair who don't shower. I want to show them your lecture and make them understand that there are completely logical and sane reasons to change your diet.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2004 12:41 PM

I was at one of your lectures at UCF. I just wanted to thank you so much for coming and talking to us. I was very much a carnivore before I heard you talk but I was so disturbed by what I saw and heard that day that I have decided to become a vegan. My girlfriend who was also at the lecture (it was actually her class that she brought me to, and I'm so glad she did) has decided to become a vegetarian and then ease into veganism. I really can't thank you enough. We are also going to start going to the BARC meetings, which is UCF's animal rights group. I just wanted to say thank you and see if you had any tips to aid in the transition. Thanks again!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2004 12:46 AM

I was present for your speech about animal rights and the benefits of 'going vegan' on Friday in Dr. Strawser's Philosophy class at UCF. It was actually quite a coincidence that you spoke that day because in one of my other classes we have been discussing the transatlantic slave trade and about a week before you came I was thinking about the possible comparisons one could make regarding human rights violated then and animal rights we continue to violate. I was still trying to make up my mind when you came to speak and I think that you did a considerable job helping me make a decision. My main problem is helping my friends and family understand my change in heart. I used to think that vegetarians were part of a trend, and that veggie people were weird. I now recognize that I was wrong and judgmental, but some people have a hard time accepting that I am considering making such a huge change. Specifically, my girlfriend thinks I am being somewhat of a hypocrite for making fun of vegans in the past and now want to be one. I could talk about animal rights with her for hours and for the most part, I think she would agree with me. Still she has difficulty accepting my change. To get to the point, I was wondering if you have any advice to help me explain to those close to me why I am now going through this hypocritical conversion and becoming what I made fun of in the past, apparently I lack the eloquence to adequately explain this to my friends and family. Thank you for your time.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2004 2:30 PM

You gave a lectured today in my intro to philosophy class and I came up to you at the end of class and asked you a few questions. You said you had written something about the Bible and Veganism and I was just wondering if you could send that to me. I was moved at least a little by your lecture and am interested in learning more about what you think the Bible has to say about it. So if you could please send me that info, that would be great. Thank you for your time and your efforts in what you do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2004 12:58 PM

I heard your speech today on veganism. I thought it was very interesting. I've grown up a meat eater and I've never even had second thoughts as to where the meat came from. Nor did I even care. I was one of those people that told everyone "Give me the knife and i'll cut the cows throat, I had no problem killing for food." I always assumed that eating meat was part of the human biological nature, and that by eating meat, I was following my nature. Your presentation opened up my eyes. It made a whole lot of sense. I don't know if I could ever become a vegan and give up meat and meat by-products, but I'm willing to give it an honest try. Thank you for your presentation today.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 10:59 PM

I was in the english class you spoke to on Tuesday at UCF. I want to first say how wonderful a job you did on presenting your knowledge about animal rights and vegan lifestyle. I learned a lot from you and have really become interested in taking the first steps into maintaining a more health-conscious and animal-friendly lifestyle. I am writing a rhetorical analysis on your speech for an assignment and I would also like to know if you have a title for your speech that I may reference in my analysis. Thank you so much for your visit and I hope to hear from you very soon.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 3:02 PM

I was in Steve Etheridge's English class yesterday at UCF when you spoke about animal rights and becoming a vegan. I am writing an analysis on your lecture and I want to do a really good job because I really was completely changed by your speech to us. I now never want to eat meat ever again. Thank you very much for everything and being so informative.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 4:47 PM

I just wanted to thank you again for reminding me why I it was so important being vegan and vegetarian. I'm going back to being vegetarian then vegan and eventually (hopefully) raw vegan. So thank you again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2004 2:53 PM

Well, I have been a vegetarian for 7 or more years now but finally decided to become vegan 6 months ago after watching "Meet your Meat" but most even more so by watching your speech on a video that a new friend of mine from ADAPTT gave me. What a life altering experience. I think you can change anyone who gave you an hour to talk. I thought being a vegan would be hard but it is a lot easier than I thought. Once you know what you can and can't eat it is easy. Just takes a little time to educate yourself but it is so worth it. Not only have I lost tons of weight but I feel better. Not only physically but mentally. I am now talking to everyone I know about it and educating whenever I can. I am in the process of saving money to make copies of your tape so I can spread the word to everyone and hopefully get many people to go vegan. Anyway I am very proud of myself and do everything I can to get the word out. God Bless you all, Keep up the life changing work.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 4:20 PM

Just writing to tell you that you did an awesome job! You touched a bunch of people's lives. People have been coming up to me and telling me how much they liked you, and you've made at least five vegans. People went to lunch after your presentation and gave all of their food away because it was meat or animal product. The majority of the students that came to hear you speak were touched and changed forever. Thank you very much, you are an excellent speaker and our school needed somewhat of a reality check.

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Comments from Students 2003

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 2:35 PM

I'm in Professor Berteaux's Philosophy class at SDSU. I loved your speech on animal rights and veganism. I did a research paper last year on animal rights and decided to become a vegetarian. After listening to you speak I realized that veganism is really the way to go.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 3:18 PM

I just wanted to tell you that I showed my parents your video, and they both decided to go vegetarian. This is really exciting for me! I know that it is not vegan, but it is a big step for them.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2003 3:35 PM

Thanks for the encouragement to go vegan. I decided to do so that night that you came to speak at Saint Mary's college, and went home and purged my stuff of non-vegan items. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders/conscience that I didn't even realize was there. The past few days have been amazing and I feel great emotionally/physically. You made a huge impact on my life and I wanted to thank you for taking the time to come out and speak at Saint Mary's. I hope that you are enjoying a rest from your hectic schedule...it is so exciting to see people going out and making a difference and an impact on peoples lives.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2003 10:35 AM

We met when you did your presentation at Grossmont High School in San Diego. Also just to let you know, I've gone from vegetarian to vegan since Tuesday. I showed your tape to another vegetarian friend of mine last night, and he's now gone vegan. I have other friends who are interested and so I'll be showing them as well. I think what you do is amazing Gary, and I'm so happy that you do it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 6:10 PM

I just wanted to let you know that after the lecture you gave in Mr. Becker's class atFresno St. on Thursday at 2:00 p.m., I decided to go Vegan. I am so excited and can't believe it took me this long to feel how I do.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 2:19 PM

I'm from San Diego State University. I was the one who gave you my hunting license. I wanted to get a list of good vegan food choices. During your presentation you also mentioned "the vegan starter kit?" Can you get back to me as soon as possible? Thank you again for helping me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 12:48 PM

You caught on that I tend to be philosophical -- and I can't lie, for I love philosophy. However, I do not use philosophical "what ifs" as a tool to justify or rationalize what I already believe. I find it unfortunate that such bastardizing of reason happens with so many people; I suppose it's our nature as humans not to want to change, and that's why people often put the blinders on when confronted with truth, like you said. Reason and philosophy should be used to shape the individual, not the other way around. If I approached every truth with over-rationalization and justification, I would not be a born-again Christian today. Thus, I've given up trying to make the world in my image, but rather conform my life to what I know to be true. So I respect you greatly for that; it takes great courage to change your lifestyle to suit truth, much more to continue sacrificing yourself for your cause like you have been these past years. Your actions give great tribute to your character. I am quite disappointed that Christians are not found in the foremost ranks of environmentalism and animal rights, since we know that God has given us an humans responsibility for maintaining the earth and its creatures. Christians, in my opinion, tend to use the dominion God gave man in Genesis as an excuse to do what we want with them, when we should really be the ones to understand that with dominion comes responsibility and compassion. Thanks for your presentation. You're a very persuasive speaker.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 4:52 PM

I was in the Philosophy class at SDSU that you gave a presentation in on Tuesday. I was deeply moved by your presentation and have a few questions that I didn't have the opportunity to ask. First off, I want to tell you that I am incredibly interested in becoming a vegan due to your presentation. It was an incredible eye opening experience for me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 2:34 PM

Thank you for your thought-provoking and inspiring speech given in my philosophy class this morning at SDSU. I was wondering if you could please send me the list of your recommendations for a vegan diet when you have a chance.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2003 10:54 PM

I just wanted to send you a few words regarding your talk the other day in my husband's class at Cabrini College. First, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I honestly thought that I knew all there was to know—but of course, I was wrong. Ben and I will have been vegetarians for a full three years on the 28th, something we are both extremely proud of. We have tossed around the idea of veganism a few times, but much to my chagrin, not ever as seriously as we did the night after your speech. We made the mutual decision that although it would be hard, that we would pave our way down that road now. I really appreciate all that you do! After I heard your talk, I thought about so many things. I thought your speech was superb! I really liked the scientific and empirical components of it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 3:44 PM

I want to thank you so much for finally opening my eyes to the way animals are treated. For years I've tried to cut meat out of my diet but I was so accustomed to it that it was hard, but now with those images and facts in my head I don't think it will hold the same attraction it once did. Now comes the hard part explaining to my parents why I'm not eating turkey on thanksgiving.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 11:54 PM

Tonight my roommate and I took the first step! We went grocery shopping and bought tons of vegetables, Boca vegan burgers, Boca Meatless Chicken, Silk soy milk, Fantastic soy taco filling, etc. And as well we threw away leftovers that contained meat and are giving the chicken and hamburger we have in our freezer away! I am going to send my mom information on the protein content in fruits, vegetables, seeds, etc. so I think she will start to understand that this is actually a healthier way of life! Well I just want to thank you again for your talk at SCSU, the information on vegan food, and your help in my start to a healthier way of living!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 1:43 PM

I wanted to thank you for coming to St. Cloud and giving your speech on speceism. As part of the vegan/vegetarian group here on campus, I feel your points were very essential for the St Cloud students. Thank you for being a strong activist, spreading the word, and reinforcing my life choices. Keep up the good work!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 1:54 PM

I was at your talk today at Saint Cloud State University and I just wanted to let you know I thought it was unbelievable! I have always thought about becoming a vegetarian and like you said, the taste of chicken is just too good! But after listening to you and seeing those graphic videos, it made me think whether or not the taste of meat outweighs the health effects and ethical violations. When I came home for lunch today there was no way I was eating meat after hearing what you talked about. You definitely removed the blinders from my eyes! I think what you are do is great, not only for animals but for the health of humans. I was also wondering if there is any way I could order your video. I have some friends that I think would love to see it! I told my parents when they were in town my plans and I think it was quite a shock! My dad is a big hunter and my mom is worried I won't get enough proteins and vitamins. I think they will get used to the idea though. My roommate, who has been my best friend for 10 years, has always wanted to become a vegetarian too and I told her about the talk today and, I think after seeing your video, will for sure want to lead the vegetarian life now! I think you are changing a lot of people's lives in a good way, keep it up!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 2:14 PM

I attended your seminar at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. I thought your presentation was very moving and I am interested in changing my eating lifestyle. I was wondering if you could please send me a list of good soy alternatives. Because as you mentioned, some may not be as good as others and I don't want to get discouraged and start to think that all vegetarian foods are gross. Thanks a bunch! I appreciate it!

-----Original Message-----
From: Andy Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 3:16 PM

Thanks for coming to SCSU and speaking to us on animal cruelty. It was very informative and good to listen to the other point of view. I will now think again on what types of meats I eat.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 7:18 PM

I just wanted to say thank you for your lecture today. Your passion is inspiring! Thank you so much for your time and beautiful energy!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 10:06 PM

It was so nice to talk to you after your speech at St. Cloud State on Tuesday afternoon. I can't tell you how much I admire you and your passion that you have for animal rights. I also admire your intensity that you have for animal rights and your dedication to the animals. Thank you so much for speaking for the animals and educating people about the atrocities to animals and the benefits of Veganism. Hearing you speak gives me more of a push to keep educating people about animal rights and doing more. I have always felt strongly about animal rights but now it is time for me to do all that I can for those that can't speak and defend themselves. Thanks again, you are awesome!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2003 4:01 AM

I met you inTampa at the USF lecture. Just wanted to drop a line of encouragement. What you are doing is a truly unique goldmine for the struggle against the commodification of innocent lives, be they animal or human. The message is universal really. We appreciate a speaker of your caliber coming to the likes of Tampa. The buzz is still in the air. Keep strong my brother. You know you leave a trail of changed lives. Your confidence is inspiring.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 12:29 AM

I wanted to thank you for your presentation today at UTA. I was a student in one of Professor Short's class. I am horrified by the cruelty. What impressed me the most about your presentation was your passion for the emancipation.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 12:11 AM

I was in Kris Short's philosophy class at the University of Texas at Arlington. I found the lecture to be quite intriguing and am actually seriously considering veganism. Your lecture really made me think more intensely about such things as animal rights and I'm glad it did. Any suggestions for a transition to veganism? Thank you so much for your insight. Take it easy.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 9:49 PM

I attended your lecture last Wednesday at U of M-Dearborn .Wow! I don't really know where to start! First, the lecture was much better than I had expected honestly. It pretty much confirmed things I knew but was so nice to see real people (you) that feel/think the same way. I've been vegetarian for over 3 yrs and flirting w/veganism for a couple of months and the day after your lecture I became officially vegan. My brain hasn't stopped thinking about everything you said all week. Your lecture was great. Kudos to you a thousand times. You're doing an excellent job.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 6:37 PM

I must say your speech was phenomenal. I just watched it again last night on video, to motivate me to keep up the vegetarian thing this week. I haven't had meat since I heard your speech. You told me to email you if I needed some Vegan recipes, please send some to me. I want some options. Thanks again for speaking to our class Thursday at Wayne State. You're doing a good work.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 5:23 PM

Last week you spoke to Jack Lessenberry's feature writing class at Wayne State University, and I am glad to say I was there to hear it. I was meaning to purchase a video of your lecture, but unfortunately I had to leave before you were finished. Do you do mail orders for your tapes. Thanks a lot, and I really enjoyed your lecture.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 7:39 PM

I was in Jack Lessenberry's class at Wayne State on Thursday. You said a lot of things that made sense and I wanted to buy one of your videotapes to look it over and show some of my friends. I haven't eaten meat since class. Hardly a long time, I know, but it did have an impact on me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 7:18 PM

I am the guy you spoke to at the University of Akron about weightlifting and that bought a video from you. FYI: I haven't touched meat since your presentation. Thanks. I am going to write an argumentative paper for a class of mine supporting and arguing for veganism. If you could send me those websites you had on the board during your presentation that would be great. Thanks man!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 1:09 PM

I was one of the students in Professor Simecek's rhetoric class atOakland U. and I wanted to thank you for your presentation. Before seeing these graphic videos and hearing what you had to say, I never though twice about what I ate. I now look at things very differently. Instead of going to the OC and getting that Subway sandwich that I was craving, I got a salad instead. I also plan to make a trip to the grocery store and find vegetarian foods. Although I know it will be tough, I know I will be able to do this. Thanks so very much for inspiring me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 7:18 PM

I attended part of your speech at Miami University. It was really hard for me to see the images from your video. Thank you for your time, and thank you for speaking for the animals. I have been constantly thinking about your speech. I don't know how anyone who comes across you isn't impacted by you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 12:55 PM

I just want to thank you. I've been going back and forth with my decision to become vegan for quite some time and this was a swift kick in the ass to make the right choice.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 5:19 PM

I was fortunate to hear you speak at U. of Michiagn-Dearborn yesterday. Your lecture was informative and motivating. I have been very distracted by the truth that you presented and would like to get more involved. Before you came to campus, there were some warnings that were floating around about you and how evil and violent you are and I decided to see you any way. I'm glad I did and consider yesterday a very important day in my life. I am on the staff advisory board at the Women's Resource Center on the Dearborn campus and there are people totally opposed to that operation. I don't understand why helping someone or preventing harm is so hard for most people to grasp. There's a woman in my office who confronted me when I walked in the door because she knew that I went to your lecture. She gave me all these excuses and lectured to me. I didn't really see any point and her reasoning was shaky. "Humans have dominion over animals", "the bible says this and says that", and "we need to protect animals" but "we need to test on them". Gary, why do you think people like her exist in the world and how do they live in their cruel, exclusionary minds? Your delivery is awesome and I mentioned yesterday that your lecture was the best that I have seen ever.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 8:04 AM

I can't say that I really enjoyed your talk last night at U of M, due to the disturbing nature of the material you were presenting, but I can say that I have decided to finally make the commitment of being vegan. I have been a veg for about ten years, but I got to this point where I was like, "Is this really enough?" So, I thank you for helping me come to a decision that is the only ethically sound decision in my opinion. I left your talk feeling sad, mad, and very frustrated. For a while now, I have been wanting to make some major change, do some major action to draw some attention to the grossly wrongdoings of the agribusiness industry. I feel helpless, to be honest. So I decided last night to go vegan. Thank you for your time, commitment, and patience with your mission.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 12:39 AM

Your lecture was fantastic! I was really glad that Debbie and I got a chance to stick around afterward to say hi. I think that it is fantastic that you are getting all of these gigs to speak, and I have to say that you are the best at what you do!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 9:42 PM

I attended your presentation tonight at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and first of all, I want to say thank you so much. I am a vegetarian, and you convinced me to make the step up to veganism. I want to be a vet so I can help all animals, not just cats and dogs and not just animals with human companions. I want to help strays find homes rather than work with breeders, and I never, ever, want to declaw a cat. Are these things possible? Is my goal realisitic? Thank you so much for you time and your amazing efforts.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 9:42 PM

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 1:53 AM

You visited Kris Short's philosophy class at UNT last spring. I was a student then and became a vegetarian in February as a result of your visit. I also gave up all my leather products and have only bought cruelty-free clothing since then. I am hoping to make the full transition to a vegan lifestyle, especially with the news that the FDA has approved the use of cloned animals for meat and dairy. The footage you showed our class was like nothing I had ever seen before. I would really appreciate it if I could get a copy of the video you showed or whatever your most recent information may be. I would like to show the video to my family at Thanksgiving when they give me a hard time about being a vegetarian. In addition, I would like to get more involved in the campaign for animal rights. I have a degree in sociology and I would like to work for non-profit groups that support animal rights.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2003 5:13 PM

First, I want to thank you for coming to speak at Miami-Ohio University. I have never heard such a strongly argued view from an animal rights activist. Your speech definitely made me think about eating meat, and I have been able to discuss it with my friends.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2003 4:08 PM

I am currently a Junior at The University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. My brother attends Miami University and he recently saw a speech of yours on Animal Rights. He has been talking to me non-stop about why he has recently chosen to become a vegan and I was wondering if you could answer a few questions of mine so that I could decide whether or not to become a vegan too? I really don't know much about this veganism, so I really would like to be informed.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2003 12:48 AM

I was at your lecture tonite at seven o'clock at Miami-Ohio. I happened to decide to go to it at the last minute. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you for 'opening my eyes' so that I can discover the truth of the slavery, the mass murders, and the torture that so many animals are experiencing today. I listened to every word you said, every fact and statistic you gave, and the more you spoke, the more I felt like I needed to do something about this. I came a little late, unfortunately, and I sat down right before you showed the film. I didn't know what to think, or do, after seeing the holocaust of those innocent beings. I almost had to close my eyes to protect myself from the truth, but I knew that I had to watch it all and listen to you like I have never listened to anybody in my entire life. When I saw those chicks squirm as those men cut their beaks off, like taking off a piece to a car in an assembly line, I couldn't help but think of my dog when he caught his tail in the door and the sound and expression that he made, it was so much like the chicks reaction. I realized that my dog is like all the animals shown in your lecture, and even the animals not shown in your lecture. Every animal is capable of experiencing pain...these animals are like us in that one respect. Nothing should have to live a life like the thousands of animals in those factories. It is a life of slavery, torture, immense cruelty, and oppression which nothing should ever be forced to experience.

With this said, and everything you showed me, I have decided to become vegan. I only hope that I am strong enough to resist the temptation that comes with my acquired taste of the meats, fish, dairy, etc. I have crohn's disease, so I have to watch my eating to begin with. However, I was looking more into it and I think that by turning vegan, it would lessen my attacks (that of abdominal pains), which occur because of an inflamed intestinal tract. When you were talking about a human's intestinal tract compared to that of a tiger's, it made me think of how I could have attracted crohns. My intestinal tract, like you said, is too long and thus I do not efficiently digest or pass the meat (which I should not have digested to begin with). This is why so many people, who have chron's, have to have surgery...to shorten their intestinal length so that their food, like meat, can pass through their 'system' quicker so not to inflame the intestines as much.

Anyways, I want to again thank you. I want to do anything I can to help the cause and to stop what is happening to so many animals everyday. I will begin by becoming a vegan and anything else I can do...I will do, just let me know. I am passing the word to my friends and anyone that I talk to. The only time, now, that I am going to go to the dining hall is to have their fruit and salad, not their subs or chicken tenders. I just hope that I can be as mentally strong as you in turning vegan. I wish the best for you, and the cause to start giving animals their natural and much deserved rights. God will reward you for your immense compassion that you have shown for these innocent animals, that are looked at, by many, as either money or food(not as beings); and, the knowledge of the truth that you have passed on, through(I can only imagine) many rough and difficult times. "Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they both not fall into the ditch?" Luke 6:39...because of you, and the truth that you allowed me to see, I will not fall...thank you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2003 2:48 PM

I am writing to tell you how great your lecture at NYU was on Thursday, Oct. 23. You opened many eyes to the need for animal rights. The speech was convincing, confident and inspiring. Hearing about such horrific animal abuse can be overwhelming for the audience members, but your humor eased the tension and made the audience feel more comfortable. Many attendees have told me how much they enjoyed your speech and that they want to do something more to help animals. I am proud to have coordinated such an event, and grateful to have booked you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 4:09 PM

First of all, I was at your speech last night at NYU and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have been a vegetarian for about 7 months, and think I am now going to go vegan. Can you give me some advice about what to avoid so I don't accidentally eat something with eggs or dairy in it? Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 1:02 PM

My husband and I were at your lecture at USF earlier this month. I have decided to become an activist and would like your advice and/or any information you can give. Any help will be greatly appreciated as I am new to this.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 10:43 AM

I just wanted to follow up our brief conversation after your lecture last evening at NYU with a few more words of thanks for your time and remarkable efforts on behalf of the voiceless creatures of our world. You are a wonderful inspiration and I wish you all the best in your life and future endeavors.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 11:36 PM

I am from Rollins College (FL). You spoke on veganism and cruelty to animals in my Buddhism class. My dad owns a restaurant in Clearwater and, after a lot of pleading, he agreed that if I could create a vegan menu. Also, at the top of the menu, I'm going to state why I created it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 1:25 AM

A couple weeks ago you came to UCF and spoke to my environmental ethics class. In many ways I wish you hadn't because making the transition to vegan is proving difficult. It was so much easier to just go along doing what I had always been doing. Now, each purchase is a struggle. So is each meal I share with my boyfriend, who is turning out to be a real a--h--- concerning this matter. But I can't continue with my former practices. Since the "appetite" issue of Adbusters magazine a couple years ago I'd been railing against the fast food industry and the sugar pushing corporations because of the human consequences. And in an abstract sort of way I'd been considering becoming a vegetarian, mainly for my health but also because of my ethical standards. Gary, you forced my hand. You called my bluff. Thank you. The funny thing is that I'm facing more opposition now with this change in my eating habits than I've ever faced with any of my other personal revolutions. My family and friends are used to my alarming statistics and dire predictions concerning corporations, the government, and the environment, but when the facts and figures started implicating their personal actions, their dinner plates, they got violent. It's actually quite telling, the responses I've gotten. Regardless, I believe in taking responsibility. I've always believed in direct action in standing for my ethical beliefs. I just don't think I had made the visceral connection between what I was eating and what was being raised a mile away from me down the country lane growing up. You've made a real impact on me, and I just wanted to let you know.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2003 9:11 PM

I just came from your presentation at NJCU. Please send me a list of everything vegan. All your points got me thinking about changing my eating habits. It was very inspiring. Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2003 12:32 AM
Subject: Just a big, fat Thank you

I just wanted to let you know how much admiration I have for you. You give me hope, something I lost a few years ago after coming across Free the Animals by Ingrid Newkirk. I still don't think animal cruelty will ever disappear because too many people don't care. But with you educating so many students, it gives me a new sense of hope that perhaps animal rights can be considered important and not just some joke. The problem is, most feel that animals were put here for our use and pleasure. You have no idea how many arguments I have had with my parents, the most loving people I know, trying to convince them otherwise. If they don't understand then who will? There are only a handful of us out there and it breaks my heart. But then I hear you speak and I see people around me responding and considering changes in their lifestyle. You just have this amazing talent, this amazing purpose. Thank you for all you have done and just know that your purpose in this life is special, important, and meaningful.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 8:27 PM

I would like to tell you that I think what you are doing is wonderful. I have considered becoming a vegetarian for a long time, but did not have enough information. Previously I believed we needed meat to survive because of the vitamins and protein in meat (as I told you after class at PSU on Wednesday, I am hypoglycemic and doctors have been telling me to eat meat and cheese for protein when my blood sugar goes haywire to get it back to normal). By listening to your lecture I now know I can get the protein I need from many other foods that do not include meat and cheese. I also did not think I would have the willpower to give up meat and cheese because I have a great love for cooking and of course eating all kinds of foods. My meat sauce is my specialty (made with crumpled Italian sausage, ground beef, and my own homemade tomato sauce) and I was worried I would never be able to make it again if I did become a vegetarian. Thanks to you I know there are many mock meats out there to use instead, and can continue cooking some of my best meat dishes without harming any animals. I am really serious about not eating meat and any other food that has products made from animals. After seeing the video in class I do not think I can look at meat as a tasty dish ever again. By seeing what goes on with my own eyes, it showed me the REAL horrors of what happens on the farms we get our meat from and I cannot bear with taking part in helping along such a horrendous act. I feel like such a hypocrite for telling people I am a huge animal lover, meanwhile I have been eating animals for 23 years. From what you have said and shown us in class, I have decided to stop being a hypocrite by becoming a vegetarian. Thanks again for educating me on this subject. Even though I didn't look at the whole video because it made my stomach turn, and even though it was not something any human being in their right mind would want to see, I am glad you brought it in. I am glad because it was a very, very strong motivator and gave me much willpowe r to stop eating animals. Keep up with the good work.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 2:19 PM

We had a class discussion last night in Dr. Compson class at UCF and asked if your speech changed anyone's eating habits and to raise to their hands if it did. About 70-80% of the class raised their hands. Good work, my friend. One kid, the one that said he wanted to play "God's advocate" and commended you on doing a good job, he's changed his eating habits and went into this long speech about truth and when u know its there in front of u, u cant help but to be drawn to it. He's a hardcore Christian and a lot of things he said last night shocked me, but in a very good way.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 7:34 PM

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for speaking with our class today at Penn State. Having seen your full presentation previously, I was exponentially impressed with the Q and A session you held especially for my classmates and I. I would be most grateful if you responded to this message, and included your athlete friend's email address so I might give a vegan diet another chance. Thanks again!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 1:43 PM

I am in professor Hanley's philosophy class at the U. of Delaware. I am writing you to tell you that I really enjoyed your lecture today in class. It really got me interested in the stuff that I eat everyday. Your lecture made me think about what happens to the animals. Because of you, I might decrease the amount of meat that I eat overall. So thank you for the lecture, it was really interesting and actually kept me awake during philosophy. haha.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 12:14 PM

I was in Dr. Halnon's class yesterday at PSU. I enjoyed your lecture. The video got a little gross at times but I know you wanted us to see what is going on. Thanks and I hope to hear from you soon.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 7:46 PM
Subject: Inspirational

You spoke today in my class at Penn State-Abington today. I was wondering if you had a list of some vegan food for me to try? Your talk was very inspirational and thanks for coming in. Good luck with all you do!.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2003 7:06 AM

I thought this might bring a little bit of a smile to you. I showed my roommates your video and spoke a little on why I was going to stop the endorsing of killing innocent creatures and not only did they notice how eloquently you spoke about the horrible truth, but they are also swearing off all meat products as well; or as you put it best anything that has had a mother, a face, or a bowl movement J My roommates and I all went to Wal-Mart last night and bought all new food products; including the soy chicken by Lightlife.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2003 12:29 AM

I just wanted to let you know, that you changed my life. You spoke to my class at The University of Central Florida on Thursday, and on Friday I became a Vegan. I wanted to say thank you. Also, I wear makeup. I would like to know where I can find out what products use animal testing and which do not. I would like to be able to buy my makeup at the local WalMart and not through the Internet if possible. Please let me know if you can help me. And once again, thank you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 10, 2003 11:16 AM

I was in one of your lectures at Stetson U. I really respect what you are doing and am considering a change. .

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 10, 2003 12:04 AM

Your speech really touched me tonight bro. The stuff u said, and the way u presented it was straight to the point and in your face, the way it should be. I hope the rest of your presentations go well and hope we can keep in touch.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2003 5:33 PM

I am in Mark Lanier's class at UCF, where you recently gave a speech. I just wanted to write to tell you that your speech has had an enormous impact on my life. I have always believed that animals deserve to have just as many rights as humans have. But listening to your speech brought me to terms that my defense for animals has not been good enough. I never really stopped to contemplate about all the brutality the cows, horses, pigs, and other, shall we say, "commodities" have gone through. Your speech has put into perspective the reality of the meat market. And let's just say I will never sip a glass of milk or milk-derived product ever again. It's astonishing to think that since certain animals don't possess the ability to move their thumb or speak a certain dialect, that we, as humans, are allowed to brutally murder them with no remorse. I applaud the work you do and thank you for helping educate ignorant individuals; we all make a difference, and for those who don't, you make up the difference.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2003 5:33 PM

I literally just saw you at UCF like an hour ago and I feel really informed by your presentation. I'm going to visit the sites you listed in class and I'm going to try and structure my diet properly: fingers crossed. I'm sorry to take up your time and I'm sure you get tons for e-mails, but I'm really interested and I feel that this could seriously change my life.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 3:00 PM

I'm from Mrs. Radley's class at Stetson U. Thank you very much for coming and speaking to my class today. I really agree with the cause and I have a few questions for you. First, what am I supposed to eat? lol. I really don't know. I don't especially want to drink dairy products anymore, nor do I want to eat eggs. So if you could help me out with some type of a menu selection I would really appreciate it. Also, I would really like to help solve this whole problem. I don't know how, but where there's a will there's a way. I'm willing to help in any way I can. Again, thanks for sharing what you've learned with us. It's like Margaret Mead said, "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For indeed, that's all who ever have." You're one of those people. Keep it up and everything will turn out for the best.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 10:12 AM

I'm one of the students in Professor Gomrad's class at UCF from Tuesday night. I'm just wondering if you could direct me to some websites that offer vegan recipes and, perhaps, reviews on different vegan products. Any recommendations you have for specific products would also be greatly appreciated.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 2:25 PM

You were a guest speaker for my class at UCF today, but I did not have time to talk with you after class. I am interested in buying a video of your speech and I would like to know more information on the food and book options that you spoke about.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 2:06 PM

I was at a speech that you gave at a UCF and enjoyed your speech very much. I have already begun to change my eating habits and will actively seek a role in spreading the information to others. I have a quick question. I drink a protein shake after I workout and did so with milk. Is there an alternative to milk that will still make the shake taste good instead of water?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 9:51 AM

My husband and I heard you speak at USF on Saturday. I just want to say thank you so very much. We are new activists, we attended our first demo which was a KFC demo the same day as your lecture. We were so moved by your words. You are the first person we have heard speak on the subject of animal rights. I had asked my husband a few weeks ago when we decided to get involved in animal issues, if he was passionate enough about the subject to get arrested. He said no. He said he was extremely passionate about the subject but he thought that is was unnecessary to be jailed for it. After your lecture, he said yes he would go to jail for it. Thanks for putting some umphhhh in our motivation. Thanks for the autograph as well.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2003 8:33 PM

I am a student at UTEP where you recently did a couple of talks on veganism. I myself have been a vegetarian for 9 yrs. For that reason I chose that topic for my journalism writing class. I thought it would be a great idea to add some of your quotes to my article simply because - after listening to you - I had never heard anyone else with such passion and great word use when it comes to animals. If you don't mind and if you happen to have time I'd appreciate your help answering a few questions for my article. Thank you very much, not only for this but for educating many of my peers on the subject.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2003 10:46 PM

It was so nice to meet you Saturday evening at USF, and I just wanted to let you know that we (my husband and mother in-law) thought your speech was very educational, inspirational, and well - just outstanding!!! The words that you spoke and the images that I saw will remain with me for the rest of my life and I'm sure that it will for others too. I just wanted to say thank you for being a voice for the animals. You are making a BIG difference for them as you change the hearts and minds of people. Thank you Gary!!!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, October 03, 2003 1:41 PM

I'm a student at the University of Central Florida. I'm helping start up a club on campus devoted to animal rights, and I had no idea you were giving talks about it right here at UCF! Yesterday I went to a KFC demonstration in Orlando, and they gave me your contact information, and then today one of my friends told me that you gave a speech in her Philosophy class. The girl who heard you this morning, said that it was enough to convert her to vegetarianism! I have a class with her right after she heard your speech, and she told me all about it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2003 11:57 PM

I was present at one of the lectures you gave for Dr. Best's class. I was unable to stay and purchase your video and would like to know if there is any other way I can get it. I'd really appreciate the info. I'd also like to let you know that your visit has forever changed my life and the way I see it. Thank you so much for the pointers. To think that there was a time when I was doing an all animal protein diet, Atkins, now disgusts me. Thank you so much for opening my eyes and befriending not only me, but everyone else in that classroom.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2003 11:23 PM

I am the woman who asked you to respond to the "Christian right/domination" over the animals as an excuse to eat them. Anyway, I just want to let you know how impressed that I was with you. I have been talking about you and your presentation since Monday evening. You are one, if not "the best," speaker I have ever heard on any topic (I'm a fallen vegetarian with new motivation; thanks to you). I called Dr. Best today to be sure that he purchased one of your DVD's for me before you left town. Please let me know when/if you return to El Paso. Thank you so much for your efforts!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2003 4:10 PM

I am a student at Riverside and I would like to know if you could please send me a copy of your speech that you give when you give your presentation. I know someone that heard your talk in University of Texas at El Paso.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2003 12:30 AM

I just wanted to tell you that your lecture today was amazing. I must say that I was shocked and ashamed for eating what I do, it's like it was a secret that the industry just was hiding. I was wondering if you could maybe give me a few pointers for starting to be a vegan. At the current time being I just eat fat free foods but I want to totally stop eating anything from animals. Once again I just want to say thank you so much, you have changed my out look on life and what I eat for the rest of my time on this planet. Thank You

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 7:55 PM

I was a student in Dr. Best's class at UTEP today, and I was interested in getting some recipes from you. I think it'll be very hard to actually change into a Vegan but, I'm really interested in trying it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 6:16 PM

I just wanted to let you know how appreciative I am for you taking the time to lecture in today's philosophy class at UTEP. After today's lecture, I was for the first time in my life actually given the choice to eat meat or not. Since I was a child, my mother would serve us dinner and we had to eat it period. There was no choice. It was either eat it or spend the night in your room. I guess after I got out of my mother's home, I stuck to the same diet she had introduced me to and found myself preparing very similar meals for myself and now my 6 year old daughter. After today's class I felt that I finally had all the knowledge and opportunity in front of me to make an educated choice on what I eat. I wanted to really say thank you for this opportunity that I am sure I would not have run into anytime soon if at all. Now I want to break the brainwashing cycle and provide my daughter with this choice until I feel that she has reached a state of maturity to make her choice. I have decided that I will raise her to eat vegan. I wish my mother would have given me this vegan lifestyle to begin with. Now I find myself feeling incredible guilt for contributing and supporting the slaughter of innocent life. THANK YOU!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 5:14 PM Subject: wow!!

I attended a class with a friend while you were giving a speech at UTEP. And let me tell you, I was very impressed. If anyway possible, I would love more information. Thank you very much.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 4:56 PM

I'm in Dr. Best's class at UTEP and I'd like to have that list of vegan food. I just wanna try.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 4:13 PM

I was at the lecture you gave at UTEP today. Let me explain my situation before I ask you my question. I'm a track and field athlete, a sprinter. I'm in UTEP's track program and have to work out hard 5 days a week. I'm also on the Dutch Olympic relay team so I'll be going to the 2004 Olympics, I also might make it there individually. I now run 10.27. I need to break 10.20 to go individually (I'm from the Netherlands). I realize that eating meat is not only immoral but also unhealthy. And as you can imagine my health is very important to me. I'm done with eating meat.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2003 11:09 PM

I wanted to say thanks for stopping by the 10:30 class this morning at UTEP. People need to become increasingly aware of new and better ways to eat healthy. Also, it is good to periodically get a "behind the scenes" look at just what it takes to provide societies present level of creature comforts. It is my hope that we can meet again.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 12:02 AM

I'm from the Student Organization for Animal Rights at the University of Minnesota. I, along with many others, appreciated your strong message during your lecture last February and would be very interested in having you back. Thanks to that lecture, two of my friends went vegan that night!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2003 4:26 PM

I know some time has passed since you spoke at Dr. Calore's philosophy class at Penn State on June 3, but I wanted to have something to say before I wrote. After you spoke to our class, I felt so ashamed that I ever ate anything resembling an animal. I felt like a huge murderer. I know that wasn't your intention, but that's how I felt. I have always opposed the wearing of fur; I just never extended my feelings about animal rights past that thought. I've been a vegetarian since the day you spoke. Initially, I got some crap from my friends about my decision. I was so angry with the narrow-mindedness I encountered. Previously cool people just got a lot more juvenile and small. There was nothing fun about some wonderful comments made during the first week of my 'coming-out' as a vegetarian. What it came down to for me was the simple fact that it is my body I'm changing and it has nothing at all to do with any of these people. Their opinions are immaterial; the decision was already made and I was just giving them the courtesy of information between friends. Additionally, my parents were okay with my decision. Neither one, -plus friends, thought I would stick with it, but it is a stable healthy choice. My mom even bought some veggie stuff. Point is, thanks so much for your amazingly awesome influence. Also, are there anything transcripts of you lecture available for purchase? You've provided some of my best defenses.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 5:19 PM

I just wanted to let you know that the lecture you gave in Ms. Greenough's class at South Tahoe H.S. really got to me. I am seriously considering becoming a vegan!!! I never want an animal to die because of me. I don't get why its sooo wrong to kill a human, slit their throat and dismember their bodies but it's okay when they do it to animals!!! Pretty much what I wanted to say was thank you!! I knew this was happening to animals before but I never actually saw it with my own eyes. That lecture made me think twice about what I was eating and putting into my system. I felt so disgusted!!! Thank you very much. I just wanted to let you know what a good job your doing on letting people know about what people do to animals!!! I also want to thank you for the recipes!! I wanted to be a chef and I still do but now I want to open a restaurant with no meat at all!!! Thank you very much.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 4:20 PM

Just heard you this morning at the U. of New Hampshire. I've been discussing your talk with my sister all day because she heard you during the Spring semester at UNH. She hasn't eaten meat since, and I have to say that I am going to try veganism beginning today. I wish that I could turn the other way and go on with the usual, as it would be easier than changing habits, but that isn't a possibility. I will be challenging everyone I know to watch your video and make an educated decision for themselves. Thank you for your honest work. It is a breath of fresh air in this world. I love your dedication--you are making a huge difference Gary, at least in my family's life. All the best in your journey.

NOTE FROM ME: From 2002-05 I was an independent contractor for PETA. They sponsored my lecture tour.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2003 6:19 PM
From: Professor Jennifer L Keys [Kenyon College in Ohio]
Subject: Comments from Kenyon College

Your presentation was an intense emotional experience both for my students and for me personally. Academically, I think there was tremendous value in the students seeing the way a social movement activist frames an issue with powerful imagery and rhetoric. Throughout the semester, we have talked about how social change comes about and so this was a perfect illustration of how a "moral entrepreneur" can raise the consciousness of individuals and sweep them up in the mobilization. My husband and I have been a vegetarians for five years. I am not sure if it was the forceful way you articulated your message or if it was just that it was the right moment for me to hear it, but as one of my students said, "my peace of mind was totally disrupted."

I had heard and seen nearly all of this before so it is hard for me to identify precisely why this struck such a resonant chord. After you left, I gave some final thoughts about the semester. I said something like, "my sincerest hope is that you leave this course more inspired to bring about social change than frustrated." I had tears in my eyes when I said this because I felt so completely overwhelmed—so small and ineffectual. I realize I don't know you that well but you asked me about the impact of your talk so here it goes... I spent most of the next day crying, beginning with opening the refrigerator for breakfast and scouring the ingredients lists to find something that I could stand to eat. I will never drink a glass of milk again because I all I can think of now is the horrific treatment of the dairy cows. The three fold argument you made—ethical, health, and environmental—was very effective. I experienced a small bit of relief after being more proactive by ordering some vegan cookbooks and stocking my shelves with some of the products you recommended. O.K., so if I could become a vegan overnight, than maybe education really can make a difference.

I often chastise myself for not devoting more time to activism—not just with animal rights but with other issues that I committed to. I have to remind myself that each semester I have the opportunity to teach 50-75 students. Most of those who took the social problems class plan to continue their volunteer projects at the humane society, the battered women's shelter, the nursing home, and the hot meals program. Reading the final exams, it was clear that the topics we addressed had stimulated their thinking. I am attaching nine essays that students wrote on the final exam about your presentation - there were definitely some converts.

There is one last thing I want to communicate to you about the effect that your presentation had on me. One of the students mentioned a similar transformation in her essay—never before have I felt so compelled to tell others what I had witnessed. Never before have I found the actions of others so intolerable. When you mentioned that you don't eat with your family because they eat meat, it was like a light clicked on. I don't tolerate racism, sexism, or homophobia, but I have been so politely apologetic about my choices not to eat meat instead of calling other people on their behavior. What a dilemma. To close, thank you for giving me and my students so much to ponder. The work you are doing is incredibly important. It was great to meet you.

Here are the excerpts from the student's essays—the essay question is listed first:

Phillip Slayter describes a pattern of thought which he terms "the toilet assumption: the notion that the unwanted matter, unwanted difficulties, unwanted complexities will disappear if they are removed from our immediate field of vision". Is there a social problem that we covered that you would have preferred to have not known about (because it was too disturbing/upsetting)? Explain the effect that awareness of this issue has had on you.

"I would definitely have to say I would have rather of not heard and seen Gary Yourofsky's talk about PETA and animals rights. Since that day I rarely can sit down at a meal without having some image of an animal being brutally tortured pass through my head, for just a split second. Going into the talk I had somewhat of an idea of what goes on in the meat industry, but I had no idea the magnitude to which it occurred. I started wondering how can people that work their everyday go home at night and feel like they have put in a good days work. I'm sure they have become accustomed to it, but I don't think I could go to bed at night after hearing those blood curdling screams all day. I do have to say that Mr. Yourofsky's speech was very interesting. This presentation is something that I will probably remember for the rest of my life, and look forward to keeping an eye on PETA and see how the challenge to turn the world vegan is coming along."

"The last class, Tuesday, April 29, we had a speaker come in sponsored by PETA. The video that he showed was both heart and stomach wrenching. Some small part of me is glad that I experienced that. I have been told about the procedures used in slaughterhouses for years, but seeing them is a completely different story. However, my gut reaction is that I wish I had never seen that. For about three days after seeing that video I had trouble sleeping and eating. If I even saw meat or the video was mentioned I felt sick to my stomach; I think I only ate carrots and cucumbers for most of those three days. The images haunted me. Every time I tried to lie down to take a nap or sleep at all they would flash in my mind. The eye of the cow whose blood was being collected in a jar came to me the most, along with the pig being dismembered while fully conscious, and once these images came I would start gagging and sobbing. For a few days, I could not figure out why this had such a huge effect on me. Seeing that video has seriously altered my eating and sleeping patterns."

"The problem with knowledge is that once you have it, you can't get rid of it. There is no instantaneous flushing out the thoughts, ideas and information we don't want. As Peter Berger, the author of "Sociology of Freedom" states, "Anyone who pursues the sociological perspective to its logical consequences will find himself undergoing a transformation of his consciousness of society ... It also produces unsafely (sometimes with catastrophic effects) for his own peace of mind." This semester, we have learned about some truly appalling social realities. From the jailing of women who kill their husbands after years of torture, to the frightening reality of price fixing in our free market, I feel that I have taken Things to Be Mad About 101 this semester. Marjorie Spiegel, the author of The Dreaded Comparison wrote, "Our approach to social problems is to decrease their visibility." Our society is gifted at pretending some of our biggest social issues aren't important, which is why learning about these issues is essential. With knowledge comes power, and the more one knows about an issue, the more tools one has to bring about social change. However, as I stated before, we don't always want to learn about certain things no matter how important the issue. For me, this subject is a recent one. I was disturbed enough about some of the truths behind the treatment of animals-and slaves for the matter- after reading The Dreaded Comparison. When the speaker for PETA came to speak I was downright appalled. Perhaps growing up with dogs has made me an intense animal lover, which is why I haven't eaten meat since middle school. But the presentation by Gary, including the film he showed, made me ashamed of not being a strict vegan for the last 19 years. After seeing how animals are treated even when not being used for meat made me feel downright nauseated. I hadn't, for some unclear reason, made the direct connection between fur and leather before, which makes me now want to boycott both products. I even feel guilty now for ne ver successfully (I've tried before) becoming a vegan. Most sadly, I have noticed myself becoming annoyed lately when I see people eating meat around me, which has never been an issue in the past. My peace of mind has been totally disrupted. I believe the equal treatment of animals is important and necessary, but my goal has never been to bother others with my vegetarian lifestyle. I know that it takes radicals in every social movement to make the issue prevalent, but for me, ignorance was bliss."

"Throughout the semester l would leave class feeling as though I had been contributing to social problems by my inactivity or that society's ills are too complicated for me to do anything about. I agree with Spiegel's quote, "... unwanted complexities will disappear if they are removed from our immediate field of vision" (Spiegel 77). I'm just as guilty as the next person when I forget about specific social problems because they fortunately don't affect my life. When something is out of sight, very often it's out of mind. I hate the fact that at times I conduct myself in this manner. There were moments after class when I felt completely useless, too small to make any kind of contribution even if I did change my own actions. Thankfully, there are many other times that I realize the only way to bring about change is one action at a time. The social problem that I had the most trouble reading and hearing about related to Animal Rights (our last class). I know that animals have always been mistreated and used for a variety of purposes. But the details, video-footage, and statistics were just too much for me to take in at once. Like many other people, I have a dog that I love and adore with all my heart. It was hard to see that so many other animals on this earth are severely mistreated and killed without ever really having a chance to live. I would have preferred not to be reminded of the human beings who have so little regard for life, whether it is human life or animal life. Both species are capable of suffering. Overall, I'm glad I have a heightened awareness about this problem even though it made a huge impact on me—both positive and negative. Unfortunately, whenever I look at or eat turkey now, I feel guilty because I'm picturing the horrible methods people utilize that allow me to eat the turkey in my sandwich. I am actually reconsidering whether I want to continue eating meat. There is no question that I would prefer being aware of problems that affect our society, rather than being completely ignorant. With awareness comes the ability to think, make choices, and take action. Ignorance will only serve to entrap us in conditions that may not be beneficial to human beings."

"In his short essay "Sociology and Freedom," Peter L. Berger writes "Anyone who pursues the sociological perspective to its logical consequences will find himself undergoing a transformation of his consciousness of society" (Berger 368). While watching the presentation by PETA [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals] representative Gary Yourofsky, I found myself undergoing this transformation of consciousness. Although I have been a vegetarian for almost six years, I stopped eating meat (but not eggs or dairy) on a whim and continued to be a vegetarian for years out the simple habit and a slight moral nagging. When people asked me (usually with a slightly condescending tone) why I was a vegetarian, I usually brushed aside animal rights considerations and said either "health reasons" or "because I don't like meat." After Gary's lecture, I question my choices both to continue eating eggs and dairy and to not be more vocal about the animal rights causes. As our class watched the video that Gary showed during his lecture, I noticed that many people, myself included, turned away in horror from the graphic images of animals being slaughtered and mistreated. Gary warned that we might do this, so this is clearly a common reaction. It is as though people believe on some level that if something is not seen or heard, than it does not exist and will not have to be grappled with. If seeing is believing, than not seeing is not having to believe. I would rather understand a social problem and have to change my actions or view of the world accordingly than not know about the problems and live in ignorance. Berger writes, "[Transformation of consciousness] also produces unsafely (sometimes with catastrophic effects) for [a person's] own peace of mind" (Berger 369). As the cliché goes, ignorance is bliss. But it's also ignorance. Without this "unsafely" there is no room for a person or a society to evolve. Is increased knowledge of social problems liberating or limiting? I think it is both. I have challenged myself to eat a vegan diet for this rest of the school year and the summer. Already, it's hard, and I know it will limit my options when my friends order a cheesy pizza or when I crave my morning omelet. But the issue of animal rights has become too closely aligned in my mind with both slavery and the holocaust for me to ignore it. I like to think that I would have been an abolitionist during the time of slavery and would have fought against Nazi oppression during WWII. It is liberating to know that I can be part of the solution to the oppression and mistreatment that occurs in my own lifetime instead of part of the problem."

"We studied a variety of upsetting social issues this semester. I was most upset by problems that caused people to experience physical suffering, including domestic violence, homelessness, and gender issues in the military. Gary Yourofsky's presentation about animal rights had a similar effect on me. Despite my emotional reactions to some of our subject matter, I do not wish I had never known about it. I would rather be aware of and upset about a problem than ignorant of it. There is no single problem that I would have preferred to have not known about. If I were required to choose one social problem to forget about entirely, I would choose the animal rights movement and the practices of the meat industry. Issues like domestic violence and homelessness, while moving and upsetting, do not relate directly to my everyday life. Learning about the meat industry, however, forced me to question the ethics of my daily eating habits. I found the possibility that I was previously unaware of my own ethical trespasses extremely discomforting. Charon would probably call my experience a typical, if not a fundamental one; he defines sociology as the frequently uncomfortable process of objectively examining one's life and society. Forgetting all about the animal rights movement would permit me to return to a state of safety. I would not feel obligated to believe I had done something wrong. Regardless of the comfort that forgetting what I have learned might give me, I consciously choose not to try to forget. Beyond causing me to question my own beliefs and actions, learning about the animal rights movement also inspired me to act. Although I did not "embrace veganism!" as Yourofsky kept urging us to do, I tentatively decided to try vegetarianism. Berger might credit my decision to sociology's liberating but conservative qualities. He describes sociology as a discipline that inspires people to change society's ills in a prudent way that preserve's its benefits. The most valuable skill I will take from this class is the abili ty to approach the study of social problems with the idea that they can somehow be solved."

"I would have preferred not to have learned about animal welfare in the United States. As a lifelong carnivore, I was astonished through reading The Dreaded Comparison and by the video clips by the PETA national orator about the conditions of animals that we consume. Although I thought the comparison of meat animals' living conditions similar to that of Jewish concentration camps a bit radical, I was appalled at how inhumane their living conditions were. The fact that female sows could not turn around in their cage because it was too narrow was unbelievable. The fact that young chickens and pigs had their beaks or teeth removed to ensure no imperfections to the meat that could be damaged through fights was unheard of. I felt deceived learning that "free-range" with regards to chicken's living conditions only meant that the owner provided a door and a small pen. After the presentation given by the PETA orator, I swore off meat so that I could save 3,000 animal lives. My roommate argued that they would lose their lives in vain then without my consumption; however, I believe that by not consuming animal flesh I will decrease the demand for meat overall, thereby decreasing the overall supply of meat to humans. Although I was affected by the social problem of animal welfare the most, it was the hardest seminar discussion I have experienced this seminar. Because of my new-found consciousness of the lack of animal rights, I lost my appetite completely for a week and had trouble walking through Peirce Dining Hall looking at the flesh of animals that had died to satiate our cravings for animal protein. Peter Berger talks about the issue of "bringing of consciousness" in his article "Sociology and Freedom". Berger states that through the subversive nature of sociology the institution challenges and threatens assumed constructions of society. Berger best summarizes this point by saying ".. .it shows up the fallaciousness of socially established interpretations of reality by demonstrating that the facts do not give with the 'official' view..." (368). By challenging the assumed constructions of society, a sociologist encounters a new level of consciousness about society, however, this new found freedom of thought can sometimes be depressing because of the realization of the many social problems that our society is fraught with. I agree with Berger's point since although I am glad that I have turned into a vegetarian after learning about animal welfare, it is not comforting to know that our society discriminates so cruelly against animals. Joel Charon discusses how the characteristic issues of democracy are studied in sociology. Charon best captures this point in his article "Sociology and Democracy" when he writes "To ask questions about human nature is to ask simultaneously questions about the possibility for democratic society, a society built on qualities that are not often widespread in society: respect for individual difference, compromise, and concern over inequality and lack of freedom" (374). All of these qualities can be related to the issue of animal welfare since often vegetarians and animal rights activists are considered radical. Moreover, if people would compromise on the amount of meat they consumed, perhaps animals could be treated more humanely and less like a product. Lastly, these animals are essentially slaves to their human masters. Although the study of sociology has been conscious-raising and has given me a sense of freedom of thinking, it is still depressing to learn about the multitude of social problems that our society disregards and perpetuates on a daily basis. I agree with Max Weber's conclusion on why he continued to study the pessimistic nature of sociology when he said "Because I want to know how much I can stand.. ."(Berger, 369). I think it is essential that every citizen push themselves to confront the saddening aspects of society in order to achieve social change.

"The Dreaded Realization -- Joel Charon once said in his essay Sociology and Democracy, "We are never the same once we bring sociology into our lives. Life is scrutinized. Truth becomes far more tentative." Whether or not one brings sociology into their lives however depends on what he or she would rather enjoy: the ecstasy of ignorance or, as Berger calls it, "the ecstasy of freedom," that consists of "standing outside the routine ways and assumptions of everyday life." With this in mind, I am definitely the type of person that enjoys the latter more scrutinized way of life. Although I am this type of person that always wants to know the truth, the one truth that I sometimes wish I did not know about is the inhumane treatment of animals. After reading the book The Dreaded Comparison and seeing Gary Yourofsky's presentation on animal rights and slavery, I have never been able to look at meat or animal products the same way. Even before I saw footage or learned about the actual process by which they slaughter livestock, I had already been a pseudo-vegetarian since I was 13(not eating red meat and for a 3-year period not eating any meat at all). However, I did so solely due to the fact that I was repulsed by the thought of eating muscle, blood vessels, etc. But now I have learned about how animals are treated and I have seen the footage of it .. .and now I can never go back to eating meat again. Right after I left the classroom, I knew that that was my last day of enjoying the tender taste of chicken and the comforting nature of ice cream; and respectfully, ever since then I have been a vegan. Although it has been a harsh realization that has changed my everyday life, like I said earlier, I would rather be aware of the truth than live an ignorant yet blissful life. Unfortunately the "ecstasy of freedom" that comes with this awareness often yields desperation, which I happen to be experiencing right now, with my incessant cravings for chicken nuggets and chocolate (Berger). Even though I sometimes wish that I could go back to my "world-taken-for-granted," as Alfred Schutz terms it, I do not wish to return to my "prison," constructed by society's untested cultures beliefs (Charon). As Joel Charon says, "there are always alternatives," no matter how challenging and uncomfortable they may be.

"The problem that we talked about in class this semester that was the most shocking and hard to take in was in the very last class when Gary Yourofsky from PETA came to talk about veganism. The video that he showed of animal concentration camps, abuse, and slaughter was extremely graphic, nauseating and heart wrenching. I came into class expecting to hear harsh words, but I was in no way prepared for the video clips that were shown. The clips took what in my head I had imagined as one level of a problem and showed that the abuse was even worse than I had ever dreamed that it could be and did it in a very blunt manner. My first thoughts after leaving class that night was that I wish that I had skipped class so that I wouldn't have had to watch those images or hear the words that Gary spoke. But, as I sat and contemplated the images and the message that had been shared with us, I was able to come to terms with the fact that I had seen them, it just left me the problem of what I was going to do about it. While I was not a vegetarian at the time, I had been for a long time in the past, so I knew that it was possible, just hard sometimes. I also knew the moment he started showing the clips that there was no way that I was going to be able to eat meat again for a while or ever. It was the truth, when I sat down to lunch the next day, I had my veggie sandwich, but every single one of my friends that I was eating with had more than one type of meat on their trays. I asked one friend how she could sit there and eat all of that meat after I had described the images that I had seen to her in detail after returning home form seminar when I was looking for someone to talk to. She looked at me and responded, "it was there, it tastes good, and I just don't think about it." In thinking about my feeling on this information now that I have time to let it all sink and have the images stored further back in my brain, I have come to the conclusion that it is not that I did not want to know what was going on in all of the animal concentration camps, it is just that ignorance in this case was bliss. I do not think I would have been upset never knowing how female pigs go crazy from not being able to move or turn around in their cells and so they start to bite the bars, or how their babies have their teeth cut out, their tail cut off and their testicles removed all without painkillers, or that chickens have their beaks cut off so they cannot fight or the large number of animals kept in really small cages. The fact is that treatment like that is not something that most people would wish upon their worst enemy and if this is true, why should we inflict this pain on innocent animals just so we can eat them?"

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2003 9:29 PM

At 2:10 last Tuesday you gave a lecture at UNH about animal rights and vegetarianism. At 3:30 I became a vegetarian. I knew previously the torment the animals go through in order for us to eat but I have to say that the video clip that you showed tore my heart out. I know that it was dramatic for a reason, and it worked (if you get to one person you've made a difference). I found the information on milk fascinating and disturbing as well as the statistics on how much it takes to feed the animals when we could be using that energy to be feeding people. Anyway, you get hundreds of e-mails and I'm sure that mine is just another you'll forget ... but your lecture is one that I won't, so thank you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 9:50 PM

I saw your presentation last Thursday at UNH. I was quite moved by it. As a peace activist myself, I've advocated non-violence for 3 years now. Never before had I realized I'm perpetuating violent behavior by eating animals. Thank you so much for bringing me to that realization. Your work is so important. I've been following a vegan diet since I saw your presentation. It actually hasn't been all that difficult. I feel so much better in so many different ways. I can't stop sharing the information you gave with my friends. Thanks again, and good luck educating for justice!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 9:02 PM

I just wanted to write to you to let you know what a huge impact your presentation had on me. I actually am an African American Studies minor, so a lot of things that you said really connected with me and my true passion at heart. For a few hours there, I was convinced that I could minor in both since they are so closely related and linked. I was really moved by the connections you drew with the enslavement of animals to those of Africans. I hope, like you said, that one day we as people will all look back on this enslavement of animals and shake our heads in disbelief as we do when we imagine African enslavement. After class I felt really inspired to try to help and stop this horrendous cruelty towards animals. I watched the video when I got home and really just could not stop crying, nor could I sleep. I called my parents that night, crying still of course, and made them promise not to eat any meat or dairy until they saw your video. I drove home the next morning, 2 hours away, just so they could watch it. They were also both shocked and are definitely cutting back on meat and dairy from their diet--hopefully they will soon wean off from it and go vegan all together though. I bought about $50 worth of vegan food for us all to try, and we all agreed it was much better than the real thing. One of my friends also watched the movie, who is already a vegetarian, and she is now attempting veganism. I am so happy!! Now we can cook great meals together! So, I really just wanted you to understand how you greatly impacted my life. I am proud to say that I have been a full fledged vegan since your presentation. I have faith that I will have no problem maintaining this diet--especially after viewing the video and tasting how wonderful the soy products are. Well, thank you again. And I have been sure to spread the word of veganism. Each one teach one, right? I truly hope that people will soon understand exactly what they are eating and the toll it takes on precious animals--maybe one day the reality will hit them with the help of people like you, and they will also try to stop this insanity. Take care, and thank you, thank you, thank you!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 1:30 PM

I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your presentation and I am trying to become a vegetarian. I loved your presentation. You are a wonderful speaker, and I want to try to encourage other people that what we are doing to these animals and to our bodies is wrong

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2003 9:56 PM

I attended the fundraising banquet in Ann Arbor for SASHA Farm this past Saturday. I wanted to formally thank you for the excellent presentation that you gave at that event. I have been a PETA member and vegan for over two years now. I have successfully converted my sister and two best friends to veganism and did it largely with the help and inspiration of PETA. I plan on spending the rest of my life doing exactly what you are doing. I simply wanted to say it was a pleasure to hear you speak and that you made me feel more comfortable about the idea of speaking frankly, without apology, about my beliefs. Thank you for all you've done.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2003 4:18 PM

Uh...no, you're not too gifted are you? I heard you speak at the SASHA Farm fundraiser last night. No doubt you will continue to plant seeds in the hearts of many. These seeds will grow and grow inside to produce vegetarians, vegans, activists of all kinds, and people who are be willing to do whatever it takes to change this world and the way we live in it. You are very inspirational.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2003 6:23 PM

I just wanted to thank you again for the lecture you gave at UNH last Thursday. I really agree with what you have to say. I'm thinking very seriously about trying the vegan way of life. I know it will be a much healthier way to eat and live. Thanks again for your time and thoughts, it is very much appreciated.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2003 7:53 PM

I was at UNH when you gave your speech. I would really like you to know that I do not eat meat any longer. I would really like to thank you for making me cry in class. It's exactly what I needed. I would also really like to show my parents and friends the video. I've been talking about it ever since and how much it has affected the way I think and eat. Rest assured that I will be showing it to whoever I can get to watch it. You are absolutely inspirational and I just wanted to let you know how much you have changed me. Thank you and please respond with how I can get a video.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2003 10:54 PM

I'm a student at UNH and I attended your lecture on Thursday. The video was harsh. Like many others, I cried and I was revolted at what I saw, but during some of the last few scenes when you showed the sheep being killed (ILOVE SHEEP), I had to look away. It was at that point that I realized that I can no longer bring myself to put meat into my mouth (or milk). I don't know anyone that loves animals more than I do, but isn't that hypocritical if I'm eating meat? Anyway, I'm starting off slow: no meat and no milk for now. I eventually hope to work out the eggs and cheese as well, but I don't want to alter my diet so drastically right away that I end up failing miserably. But I won't give up!! Your lecture made an impact on me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2003 11:57 PM

I personally thought the lecture at Wheaton College was great. I know a lot of people who have at least become vegetarians and some vegetarians who are working on becoming vegans, including myself. So you certainly got through to many people!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2003 5:02 PM

Gary Yourofsky came to the U. of Rhode Island on April 7. I first heard of Gary when I was at the 2003 Liberation Now, student animal rights conference in Berkeley, California. It was at Liberation Now where I met a girl who recently had gotten involved in the animal rights movement. I asked her, as I do to most activist I meet, why she was an animal rights activist. She told that a man named Gary Yourofsky had given a lecture at her school, the University of Colorado Boulder, and she went vegan that night. It was at this time that I knew Gary would be good. I now know first hand how effective Gary actually is. Gary spoke to a crowd of about 100 people in the student union. Gary's approach to animal rights was awesome; he used a smart, balanced mix of common sense and compassion to deliver the message to the crowd. He used first hand experience and facts to present animal rights as unquestionable truth. He answered every question and left no argument open so that the only questions left to be answered in our question and answer section were comparable to "how many animals will be saved when I go vegan?" The crowd was full of many different types of people. Among the crowd were people who were being introduced to animal rights for the first time and there were also those who have been vegan for years. Afterward, the husband of the president of the Rhode Island Animals Coalition, Mr. Tucker, came over to me and said exactly what I was feeling at the time, "You know, I have heard everything Gary said a million times however, there was just something different and more effective in the way he said things." I could not have put what Mr. Tucker said more perfectly, I believe every animal rights activist who listens to Gary gains many new ideas and arguments to use in improving the message. I have been vegan for over three years, throughout this time I have tried effortlessly to make my toughest critic, my mother understand. In about one hour, Gary did what I have tried to do in over three years of debate. It was amazing to hear my mother say, "I think I am going to drink soymilk and eat less meat." This was her way of letting me know she finally understood and was ready to change. Aside from my mother, a vegetarian at the conference told me she was going vegan and another girl told me she was going vegetarian, both after hearing Gary speak. I have heard many people speak about animal rights, the three most effective I have ever heard include Ingrid Newkirk, Dr. Stephen Best department chair, philosophy, University of Texas and Gary Yourofsky. I can't even begin to imagine how many animals have been saved throughout Gary's career as an activist. I guess I can only hope to one day be as effective as he is.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2003 2:44 PM

I was in the class at UNH. WOW ... is all I can really say. It was pretty eye-opening, to say the least. Its hard for me because I have been a dedicated 'meat-eater my entire life. But I can not stop thinking about your presentation. It's gonna be hard for me to give up meats, cheeses and milk ... but I am going to give it an effort. I was wondering if I could get a copy of that presentation on VHS. There are a number of family and friends that I would like to show it to. I have told many people about it already, but I think it would have much more of an impact if they see your presentation. I gotta beleive that if it had an impact on someone like me, it is bound to have an impact on others in my life. So, if you could let me know how I could get a copy on VHS, that would be great. Thanks again for the amazing presentation.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2003 8:00 AM

I am in Prof. Chris Schadler's class at UNH. You said that you could suggest a bunch of different types of food, which are alternatives to animal-based products. What would you suggest? Thanks, and have a good one.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2003 4:47 PM

First of all I'd like to say that you are amazing! I've thought about becoming a vegetarian before, but your presentation made me realize that I HAVE to do it! I would really love to have a copy of the presentation, the video that you said we could buy. I have a few people that I need to show the video to. I cried so much during your presentation, but I didn't leave because of what you said: "if this isn't good enough for your eyes, how is it good enough for your stomach?" I owed it to myself to watch it completely, and I'm glad I did. It wasn't a "good" thing to see, but it helped me.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2003 5:55 PM

I was in Professor Chris Schadler's class at UNH today. I just want to thank you so much for coming and speaking with us. I know I'll definitely be changing some things in my life because of what you had to say and the videos you showed us about all the cruelty and abuse that these animals endure. I'd also like to buy the dvd of today's lecture. I had to run after class so I didn't get a chance to speak with you then.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2003 6:52 PM

I was in the audience when you lectured at UNH. I was moved by your presentation and I was wondering what kinds of things I could do to help with the animal rights movement. The clips you showed crushed me and I feel like there is something I can do to help.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2003 9:10 PM

I am a student at UNH and I saw your presentation today. I just want to thank you for opening my eyes to something I never saw. I cried through your presentation and I left a changed, vegan woman. I am ashamed to be a human sometimes. I am also interested in buying one or two of your videos. You're an awesome person. I, too, will stand in front and stand strong.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2003 9:42 PM

I'm one of the board members of the Rhode Island Animal Rights Coalition (RIARC), one of the co-sponsors of the University of Rhode Island conference you spoke at yesterday. I thought your presentation was great! It was very motivating. I've been feeling disenfranchised and out of touch lately with my 'activist' side. This conference, especially your presentation and Lyman's really got me back in touch with why I've been a vegetarian for the past 13 years and vegan for the past 10 years. I picked up a copy of your DVD. I want to show it to all my family and friends (especially my mother!). Thanks!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2003 12:30 AM

I am a Wheaton College student and an avid animal rights activist and vegetarian. I just came from your lecture tonight—I didn't have time to stick around and talk b/c I had to drive a friend home, but I wanted to tell you how much I loved the whole thing. I really thought it was amazing and I learned so much from it. I have been a vegetarian for 6 years and I really thought I knew just about all there was to know to wage a good defense for vegetarianism, and a good bit of what you said I had heard before (not that it can hurt to hear again), but quite a bit of it was new to me. It was also just great to hear someone say all of the things that are always in my head, all of the frustrations and concerns. And for once to have someone mock the non-vegetarians and some of the ignorant comments they can make was also great! Many of my friends are very disrespectful towards my lifestyle as a vegetarian, and I constantly am hearing people gag in disgust when I eat soy meat products or tofu, because apparently that is more disgusting than meat. I also have very religious friends who try to tell me that God made us this way, blah blah blah. Anyhow, all the ignorant comments that you can imagine, my friends say. It was wonderful to hear you respond to them all and it gave me more ideas of how to handle those awkward situations in the future!!! Being a vegetarian puts people in hard situations, we are expected to take all the anti-vegetarian jokes with a grain of salt, but if we ever make a similar joke towards meat eaters, they instantly get on the defense and say that we are preaching to them. You also were able to give me a lot of ideas on how to speak to people in both confrontational and non-confrontational manners, so basically it was just a very educational night for me! My friend and I have also decided to go vegan after your speech tonight. I am sure you made a difference for a lot of the people at your lecture tonight and in general with all of the lectures you give and all of the things you do, but I also know just how rewarding it is to get some positive feedback after all the hard work, so I just wanted to tell you how much you taught and helped me! Good luck in all that you do, maybe I'll run into you again in the future, I plan on going into a career in animal activism myself. :)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2003 10:32 PM

I was at your lecture tonight at Wheaton College. I just wanted you to know that I was really inspired and enlightened, and I think that there should be more people like you in this world (I wanted to come shake your hand after, but I didn't have any specific questions and people were lining up). I was wondering if you could send me a list of the vegan foods you had listed on the board.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 10:15 AM

I attended your presentation yesterday at Indiana State U. I want to thank you so much for your passion, thanks to you I FINALLY made the decision to go vegan. I had been struggling with it for a long time, and it finally clicked yesterday. Thank you!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: March 31, 2003 5:14 PM

My husband and I were at the Mid Hudson Vegetarian Society's meeting that you spoke at on March 15. We were already vegetarian when we came to the meeting, although we both had continued to use dairy products. Your presentation changed that! We really look forward to sharing your video presentation with friends and family. Thank you for opening our eyes. It makes me crazy to realize that I spent two years of college to get a degree in Dietetic Technology, passed the American Dietetic Association's National Exam, became a registered Dietetic Technician, and yet a good portion of what I was taught (and in turn to others) was propaganda from the meat industry. Thank you again for an eloquent, thoughtful and thought-provoking presentation.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2003 9:00 PM

You spoke in my class last week at th U. of North Texas in Denton. I appreciate you stopping by. At first it offended me and I was in shock, but then I started to think, he's right. Ever since you spoke and showed the video, I haven't been able to eat meat. You might not remember but I am the (black) young lady in the 10-10:50 philosophy class, who only had 6 dollars to pay for the tape. I really appreciate you. I have a whole new outlook on eating. I've also shown the video to my family and friends. My fiance wants to start also.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2003 11:27 PM

You spoke in my philosophy class this past week at North Texas, and said that if I emailed you that you could send me a list of vegan food. I found your speech very interesting and learned a lot of interesting facts.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2003 8:28 PM

I attended your lecture yesterday at Va. Commonwealth U., and I thought that it was excellent. SO excellent, that I want to share it with all my non-vegan friends and family! Unfortunately, I had to leave before you were finished (you were still answering questions when I left) so I was wondering if there was any way if I mailed you a check for the cost of your lecture on video that you could mail it to me?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2003 11:54 AM

I attended your lecture at the Bronx High School of Science. Your speech was very inspiring to me. For this past week I have been working towards becoming a vegetarian.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 10:59 AM

I would like to receive the full food list that you email to whoever is interested. And if you have any other information that may be friendly to the beginning Vegan.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 11:15 AM

Hey I saw you at New Jersey City U. in my environmental ethics class. Your speech and video really moved me. Now I don't want to eat anything that was ever alive!! I just wanted to thank you for opening my eyes to what is going on in the world. It is unfair to treat animals like this. The day you spoke to my class on the 17th, I went out and bought soy milk and told all my friends that cow's milk is bad. I never would have known if it wasn't for you!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 9:37 PM

I was at the Bronx High School of Science lecture today. I was wondering if you could possibly send me one of your videos so I may show my mother and friends the horrible tortures done to animals just so humans may eat meat.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2003 4:23 PM

I just wanted to thank you again for coming to Mizzou-Columbia. Your speech was incredible. Brendan's roommate, Kit, decided to become a vegetarian. Brendan's friend Thrisa said she was becoming a vegan. Ginney wrote to me saying she was going to go vegan. Before she heard your speech she was vegetarian. She said that the emphasis you put on how bad the dairy industry is had the greatest affect on her.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2003 5:57 PM

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your lecture. You are a great speaker. I'm taking classes at night and I'm currently in a speech/presentation class. You are very good at keeping the audience's attention and getting your message across in a very positive, yet serious manner. I have to present a 'persuasive' speech in a few weeks. Until yesterday I had a few ideas I was considering for my topic, but yesterday helped me decide. I'm going to attempt to do a persuasion speech on becoming a vegan. If it's okay with you, I may show a few clips (not the entirety) of your video I purchased. I am really excited about the topic and the possibility of presenting a totally new idea to some of my classmates. I had to turn away a couple of times during the video, it definitely makes you do a reality check. I did 'get' it and I am converted. I can't promise to go vegan overnight, but I have definitely made the decision to do it. There's no doubt in my mind now. I started to order a hamburger for lunch and literally got sick to my stomach immediately, and chose the salad instead.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 4:23 PM

I am in Dr. Zartman' s animal science class at Ohio State. When I saw you speak a few weeks ago, I was blown away by your passion for the cause of animal liberation. I thought you might be able to help me with a speech I have coming up in that same class. On this coming Tuesday—March 11—I have been charged with presenting to the class a defense of the statement "Animals Should Not Be Used For Fighting Or Property Protection."

NOTE FROM ME: From 2002-05 I was an independent contractor for PETA. They sponsored my lecture tour.

-----Original Message-----
From: Professor Julie Andrzejewski (SCSU)
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2003 3:58 PM
Subject: Comments from St. Cloud St.

"This week's speaker was very powerful and very passionate about animal rights. No person that I have ever met has even made me think twice about not eating meat. Gary spoke about veganism and what it means. Gary was very graphic on his descriptions of animal cruelty for the purpose of human luxury. Before Gary I have always stereotyped vegetarians as women or sissies. Gary is a big guy and the pamphlet that was handed out had some world-class bodybuilders in it that are vegetarians. This changes whole my view about vegetarianism. Veganism is a brand new ideology to me and I would like to learn more about it. This week I am going to visit the website that Gary recommended to learn more about it."

"He was an incredibly powerful speaker. What made him also really good is that he was so knowledgeable. He made me really think about what I was eating, and especially drinking milk. Gross to think about all the pus and stuff in milk that doesn't come out through pasteurization. Overall, he made a huge impact on what I consume. I will definitely think about what I eat now."

"It was very interesting hearing Gary Yourofsky speak. He really made me question some things that I needed answers to and also he answered some of the questions that I had. He made me think critically about veganism. I have tried it a few times before, but when he talked about eating veal as a comparison to drinking milk, I wanted to start crying. He was an inspiring speaker who wanted to make you leap out of your seat and do something."

"I thought that the PETA speaker on Tuesday was excellent. I wasn't so sure about animal rights and vegetarianism and veganism up until this point, but he really made a huge impact on me. I am not sure if it was the way the speech was delivered or the information he provided, but I have already quit drinking milk and my mind is wondering and pondering al sorts of other animal rights issues. I am finally getting used to the idea of animal rights and veganism and I am starting to have an understanding of these topics.

"The challenge in class this week was the PETA speaker. More and more I want to become a vegetarian. It seems so hard now because I'm so used to eating meat. For the upcoming week, I am looking into starting a new eating habit that will eliminate meat."

"I'd say the hardest thing this week was going to Gary Yourofsky's speech. Even though we've already gone to a speaker on animal rights, I thought Gary did a great job of explaining the facts. He gave a lot of information to take in but did it in a reasonable fashion. It was interesting to learn a bunch of things he said. All he did was give us facts and let us choose what we wanted to believe, which I liked. I don't like speakers who try to convince you or try to make you believe a certain way. If they just give you the facts and let you choose, it seems to be much more affective."

"It was very interesting to learn about Gary Yourofsky, the animal rights activist. After I went to the speech I starting telling my roommates about the things he told us, and I told my boyfriend. He was pretty grossed out."

"The speaker was very moving. The more I hear about this topic, the more I think about it outside the class. It's nice to see someone so passionate about what they do and stand for. He brought up things I'd never heard before, like that humans are naturally herbivores. I have been trying to cut back on my meat intake, and if I do eat it, it's hard not to get the images from the videos in my head."

"The speaker this week was an AMAZING speaker! The way in which he spoke was so very powerful and it really made in impact on me. I feel like I walked out of his presentation more knowledgeable and aware of the food I eat than from previous speakers on this subject. The thing that sticks out most in my mind is about the pus found in milk! They restrict alcohol beverages until 21 because they feel you are an adult and can make your own decisions then What about the children who are drinking pus?"

"I did not learn anything from the speaker per se; he didn't speak on anything that is new. I did feel like he was trying to convert people to veganism rather than getting his point straight across."

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2003 1:16 PM

I was very impressed with your speech at St. Cloud State U. Thanks for opening up my mind about veganism. I was already a vegetarian (since September) but I am looking into being a vegan or at least trying to go vegan for some meals.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 8:50 AM

Thank YOU for coming to St. Cloud State U.! Your lecture was excellent! Your talk was really convincing. I believe there were a lot of people in the audience who became vegans. One woman, Cathy, already sent me e-mail saying the lecture was awesome! Joel, a male student, said it was great that you covered every aspect of animal rights. Theresa, a female student said you are the best speaker she has ever heard. (She is an activist and invites and listens to a lot of speakers, but she said you are the best speaker!) Thank you again for your efforts and an excellent speech!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 4:45 PM

Thank you so much for speaking at St. Cloud State University. You are an awesome speaker with so many good things to say. I have eaten Vegan for the last 10 years. The world needs more people like you, a strong and courageous person and champion for all living beings! Especially the ones that can't speak for themselves. I hope you keep doing what you are doing. I know that you have inspired me to do more for animal rights and animal protection.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 2:40 PM

I met you at St. Mary's College (Cal. on 2/20/03). You gave a speech on the unethical treatments of animals. Well I just wanted to thank you again for how you really opened my eyes and made me think. My roommate and I are pleased to say that we are going to desperately try and become vegans! Thank you for what you are doing, I think your random acts of kindness are examples we all should follow.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2003 1:39 AM

I am one of Dr. Best's students at UTEP, and I have decided to go vegan. I have discussed it with my mother and she also wants to do the same, and that's good because if she does it then my 14 yr old sister will too. Now I realize what loving animals really means. I knew these things were happening to animals, but I was obviously in denial. You educated me and I am so grateful. Now I will try to educate as many as I can. I heard you mention that you had tasted almost every soy product and other vegan products and that you would send a list of what you thought were the best. I would like for you to please send me some of that info. I would like to order two copies of your speech, one in VHS and the other in DVD format.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2003 3:28 AM

I am a student in Dr. Best's class at UTEP and was very interested in your talk. I also want to make an attempt in changing my eating habits and was wondering if you could send me a list of foods to try.

-----Original Message-----
From: Teachers at Eisenhower H.S. (Mich.)
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2003 9:21 AM
Subject: Here are excerpts from 134 comments

"After your talk at Eisenhower H.S., I just can't look at meat the same way. It disgusts me. I understood what you were saying and only wish that everyone else did the same. I respect you as a person for what you are doing and thank you for educating me. This was quite life-changing. I am becoming a vegan. This presentation opened my eyes to things I never thought existed. I have never been more disgusted at the human race. Thank you for helping me realize how cruel people are to animals."

"I completely agree with you and admire you for being so against cruelty to animals. I think it's awesome that you can go against the mainstream ways and do what's truly right. I'm working on cutting all meat and animal by-products out f my diet and I'm trying to convince my family that it's the right thing to do. You know what they say, 'The right road is never the most traveled'. Thank you for opening my eyes and probably saving my life."

"I thank you for opening my eyes to this issue. Ever since your presentation, I have not had any meat or milk. I am not sure if I can continue it, but I know that there will be a definite change in my diet. You truly impacted me."

"Let me tell you that I have not eaten any meat since that presentation. I can't think of anything but those poor animals. You informed me of what I didn't want to know, but it was useful and I'm glad you did."

"You have changed my entire perspective on life—okay maybe not entirely—but you sure made me think. Since your presentation, I have not eaten any meat because I am ashamed and disgusted with the human race. I know that you changed a lot of people's minds. I am slowly but surely becoming a vegetarian."

"You are by far one of the best speakers I've seen, in part by your passion. I was completely ignorant to animal rights. This is a real eye-opener. Going into your lecture, I never imagined that animals could be murdered. Some thought you were crazy, but you could be the closest I've seen to a crusader for peace."

"You really changed my views about eating animal products. I won't ever look at a hamburger or a piece of chicken the same ever again. I have not decided whether I'm giving up animal products for good, but thus I haven't been able eat any meat even though I wanted to. Without the video you showed us, I never would have believed it really happened."

"I thought you were awesome. The way you put everything together and the things you showed really made an impact. I was never a big meat eater, but after your presentation, I will not eat any meat. I agree that it is wrong and un-human. My dad and I argue all the time about animals being used for food, and I can honestly say I put some sense into him last night. My family decided to cut back on meat and dairy, as well as leather and animal products. Thank you for your time and effort. You really made a difference."

"I've made an effort to cut back on meat and dairy products and think twice about what I'm eating. I told my parents all about the things I learned from you and we've gone grocery shopping for soy foods to replace some of the meat. I'd like to become a vegetarian. I can only hope that my fellow students got as much out of your speech as I did."

"In my three-year high school career, this has been the most informative, touching, and inspirational thing that has happened to me. In a society that is bent on lies, and the 'All-American-Way', a good eye-opener was what some of us really needed. I have decided to become a vegetarian. I feel as though anything that breathes should have a shot at life. I wasn't put on this earth to be murdered and eaten, and why is it that people feel an animal was? I feel as though life is a beautiful thing and should be shared with all, even the animals. So I thank you, thank you for letting me see the truth. This is something for me that will enhance my morals."

"On an optimistic note, I have cut down my meat consumption. I've even arranged for a group of friends (about 10) to try the veggie burger at Ruby Tuesday's like you suggested. In fact, I felt so passionately about your speech, I got into a big argument with my dad, and got grounded. Your message has not fallen on deaf ears."

"I have decided to become vegan. I never thought I would be an animal rights supporter because I don't like animals. I want to thank you for enlightening me on this subject. I would be interested to know how your quest is going."

"Honestly, your presentation questions my character because I wish I was ignorant to the fact."

"All in all, I think your presentation is a wonderful learning experience for everyone, meat-eaters and non meat-eaters. And I believe more people should be better informed on what really goes on, so even if they are not willing to change, they at least have knowledge of what's going on."

"Your presentation touched me. I am furious I remained in such ignorant oblivion for so long. The videos were horrible and beneficial, and I wish to share it with those who did not attend your presentation. I grew angry with some of my friends, who after the talk, remained stubborn in their views about animal rights. I realize everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I can't understand how some people can be arrogant about something so brutal. Now when I go get something to eat, the idea of eating meat makes me shudder and feel literally sick."

"Your presentation opened my eyes to what's going on out there that no one wants to talk about. After your presentation, I decided to become vegetarian. I can only hope that others realize what's going on and become vegetarian. Thanks for showing me what others were hiding from me."

"Your presentation produced a great impact on my life. I am in the process of becoming a vegetarian at the moment. I also think the visual impact was worth so much, a picture is worth 1,000 words." Jessica E.

"After your presentation, I got that last needed push to become a vegetarian."

"I highly enjoyed your presentation. I love being able to open my mind and take in new things. I can't believe it isn't illegal for those people to treat animals so badly. I want to know more about substitution meat. I hate the fact that I have been raised in a conditioning environment thinking that those heartless things were acceptable. Good luck in making the world a better place."

"I was shocked to see how badly those animals were treated. I never knew that anything that bad went on. I am glad I got to see this and learn the facts about food and animals. I'm not sure I will change completely, but I may try it."

"I respect your ideals and what you are doing to make our world a better place. It's good to know that there are people out in this world that don't want to accept 'tradition' just because it's 'tradition'. You have provided me with an alternative way of thinking. Thank you for the enlightenment. It has made me more aware of many aspects of this world."

"Your speech greatly affected the way that I'm going to live my life from this day forward. Both me and a couple of friends are trying to be vegetarians now."

"I had been a vegetarian for about a year and a half, but recently went back to meat products. Now that I have seen your speech, it has given me incentive to go back to strictly eating vegetarian."

"I can no longer eat a piece of meat without the picture of tortured animals in my head. Milk just makes me sick and I refuse to drink it. Thank you for the realization, or I guess the eye-opener."

"You have changed the way I look at all animal products. I am thinking of becoming a vegetarian. Watching and listening to your presentation made it so I couldn't even eat my sandwich for lunch that day."

"You have impacted me personally, and I am going to work on cleaning up my eating habits. I like the way you explained that we are naturally herbivores. I don't see how anyone could disagree with you. Thank you for opening up my eyes and explaining everything so well."

"I think many people in the crowd were affected by what you had to say. I think that a good portion of the crowd is going to either cut out or cut down on meat consumption. It looks as if you swayed a good portion of the crowd with your opinion."

"I was completely disgusted with the footage and it had made me think twice about eating meat. I went home and told my family about everything that was said. I showed them the booklet and shared with them my opinions. It was educational and informative."

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 7:42 AM

First off, I would like to tell you that you have an incredible delivery of your lecture information. I used to be a member of PETA in high school but for some reason I quit the whole tofu deal and convinced myself that "God created animals to serve man." Ever since watching the video, it literally makes me sick to drink milk. Now I'm trying to dump the meat again which will be better for me anyway. Plus I know it will help me lose weight again. The part in the video about the circus and euthanizing the puppies almost made me cry. As for the circus--to think an endangered creature gets beaten for entertainment is just wrong. One interesting point that you brought up was that feminists tend to lean toward vegetarianism. I am a 'feminist', social work major.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 5:35 PM

Thank you so much for coming to Louisiana for the student council conference on Jan. 19. You were so great, and since you came, a lot of the people you talked to have become vegan too! Thanks again, you're a huge inspiration!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 12:55 PM

Thank you very much for inviting us to eat dinner yesterday with you and your friends. I had a very good time and so did my friend, Natalie, and her mother. It was actually great food, and it was fun talking about the things we did. Natalie probably already told you but I am starting to become vegetarian and Natalie is becoming one and trying to become vegan also. Her mother actually decided to try and become vegetarian on the way home also, she said it wouldn't hurt. So if you are ever up for going and don't mind us tagging along on another day, please email us we would love to go. It was great meeting all you guys and it was much fun. Thank you for everything.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 12:30 PM

Thanks for coming to talk to us at Oakland U. the other day. It was very informational and I loved your enthusiasm. Thanks so much. Good luck with your tour!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2003 4:22 PM

People here (NJ) are still buzzing about your December 12, 2002, speech at Brookdale Community College! Ever since I received your DVD, I haven't even actually had it in my possession! Everyone wants to borrow it!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2003 12:21 PM

Just wanted to let you know the lecture on Friday at Oakland U. had quite an impact on me. The reason it hit me hard wasn't just the graphic video, which by itself is reason enough to be shocked. I have been feeling guilty for years about eating meat. I deliberately avoided watching this kind of video footage so I could go on guiltlessly eating my chicken. I switched to organic meat a few years ago rationalizing that at least they had better lives than their Con-Agra and Tyson cousins. Now I believe I will finally listen to what my conscience has been telling me all these years. I will never forget those Neanderthals beating those elephants. It makes me cry every time I think of it. I've been hugging my dog all weekend! Anyway...thanks for raising a little consciousness.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2003 2:21 AM

I wanted to Thank You for speaking in my class at Oakland U. You really opened my eyes to a lot of things and I am going to work on becoming a vegan. Before I ate little to no meat but, from what was said I realized that that was not enough. After class I went home to share what I have learned and what was brought to my attention -- with people I know but, I couldn't say the things you said. I was just wondering if there was still a way to purchase a DVD of your presentation?

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 01, 2003 2:08 AM

I saw you speak at Oakland U. today and am very interested. I want to know if there is any ways of me being able to get your DVD. You really touched me and I would like to hear the lecture in more detail so I can help spread the word! Good Luck on all of you school tours.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, January 31, 2003 8:23 PM

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions and send me information on great vegan foods. I actually just came back from Kroger and picked up some great soy yogurt, ice cream, and veggies burgers. Some of which you recommended. You might be pleased to hear that I have been spreading the information about veganism to others and have been quite successful. My boyfriend has decided to cut down on his meat and eat more soy and non dairy products.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, January 31, 2003 11:02 AM

I attended the speech today at Oakland U. and, needless to say, it woke me up. I mean, I've read about things like that, but I guess you really never get them in your head unless you see it first hand. Even though it's just a video, it still woke me up. I'm very interested in learning more about the vegan diet. If you could send me that food list you were talking about, I'd really appreciate it. Very good speech today. I really think I'm not the only one you affected. So thanks for opening my eyes.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, January 31, 2003 12:25 PM

I just wanted to thank you for that wonderful presentation at Wayne State U. the other day. It really moved me and it motivated me to cut back on the animal products that I consume and use. I am also interested in that complete list of foods that you mentioned you had. Thank you for your time, and good luck in your future

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 11:38 PM

I recently listened to one of your speeches at Eisenhower High School on 01/29/03. I will not lie, at the beginning of your presentation, I didn't care for what you had to say. And it wasn't really until a day later that I realized how true many of your comments were about animal rights. I was disgusted by the real truth of what is really happening to animals. Again, I will not lie. I do eat meat mostly a lot of poultry. I am not a large fan of red meat. But I really am wondering what I can do to slowly replace meat in my diet. Another thing you said that is sticking with me—which is not your exact words—but at least is what I received—is that people can't always swallow the truth. We don't want to believe it because sometimes the truth hurts. I feel your speaking has changed many peoples' lives. And I will try hard to improve my diet and lower my intake of meat. So again I thank you and I am looking forward to hearing from you, and hoping to keep in touch with you to discuss things and hopefully answer questions that I may have in the near future.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 7:51 PM

You spoke at my school (Eisenhower) on Tuesday about animal rights. I am sending you this e-mail to thank you for coming. You have truly changed my life for the better. I thought you were a very powerful and educated speaker and you have taught me so much. I have now decided to become a vegan because I do not want to contribute to the mistreatment and murder of God's animals. The video really opened my eyes to what's really going on and it hurt me more than anything. I want to help! Please e-mail me some ways to get involved to help stop the inhumanity that's going on in our world. Again, thank you so much!!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 8:13 PM

You gave a presentation at my school yesterday, Eisenhower. I have to say, you really inspired me. Seeing your selflessness for your cause made me want to do something for the cause too. See, I am definitely planning on going vegan. I really would like to get involved in some animal rights organization. I'm tired of sitting back here, idle, and not contributing to something I believe in. I guess I just e-mailed you to say that you have inspired me, and I thank you a lot. My psychology teacher, Mr. Roth, is planning on doing a significant section of the semester dedicated to animal testing and animal rights and the sorts. I feel this year will be the year of positive change for many Eisenhower students.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 12:26 AM

I go to Eisenhower. I was really inspired by your performance this afternoon to become vegan. I've always hated meat, but my mom forced it on me because she said it was better for me. Now that I know it's not, I can stop eating it right away without problems. Thanks for your speech.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 7:00 PM

I go to Eisenhower H.S. where I was fortunate enough to watch your speech. I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I was heavily influenced by it. It's funny because a long time ago I got a PETA handbook, went vegetarian for a while, and then went astray. But your speech showed me why I did it in the first place. Now I'm eating morning star shit like it was my job.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 3:19 PM

I'm a student at Eisenhower High School and I just wanted to let you know what an impact you had on me today. I never thought anyone could ever make me think about being a vegetarian, but after listening to you today, I am actually considering it, or at least majorly cutting down on my meat intake. I never thought anyone had a good enough point for me to stop eating meat, but now I see why I should. Thank you so much for opening my eyes to this information.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 5:04 PM

I was at you speech today at Eisenhower High School. And I was really moved and disgusted. I am glad you came to our school. I want to become a vegetarian, and I would really appreciate it if you would send me like a list of food I can eat. And I would really appreciate it if you would name some brands of tofu that are good. Thank you very much.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:57 PM

Hey I saw your presentation today at Eisenhower High School. I tried to go vegetarian before and it only lasted about 8 months because I ran out of food ideas. Please if you have that time email me some good meals or diff. foods that you enjoy. I am going to go shopping and start out with some veggie burgers. Thanks so much for coming to talk to us.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 3:11 PM

I attend Eisenhower High School and saw your presentation about the vegan diet. I am really interested into becoming a vegan or at least a vegetarian for the time being.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 12:50 AM

Since we last saw you (at Midwestern State U. in Texas) our entire family has become vegan. We have given away all our leather, down and pearls, not that there were that many! We have, all four, dedicated our lives to veganism and activism. My 14-year-old brother-in-law is vegan, too. Thank you for enlightening us. Our lives have been so much better due to veganism. My little one, Donovan, is primarily breastfed, and will only know a vegan lifestyle.

-----Original Message-----
From: Professor John Simecek (Oakland U.)
Sent: Saturday, January 4, 2003 3:48 AM
Subject: Comments from a few students at Oakland U.

"There was no 'I'm not going to listen' or 'I'm not going to look' mentality of those in attendance. Yourofsky was inescapable. The pain and suffering of these animals was inhaled, and when one went to exhale, nothing came out but air."

"While in that room, the only thing on our minds was how the consumption of animal flesh is ungodly immoral. That's right, immoral. He caused the audience, if only for a short time, to take a long hard look at their morals, their ethics, their virtues, their logic. They began to think 'maybe I shouldn't eat meat' and 'maybe what I have been doing my whole life is wrong.' Tears were shed by some, and nausea felt by others."

"Sure, the massacring of hundreds of thousands of Jews in concentration camps was sad, but in that instance we were killing our own species, not millions of harmless animals. No matter how much the audience squirmed, Yourofsky's appeal to the logic and reason of the crowd was unquestionable. One student thought that '[. . .] any petty fault we find in Yourofsky's presentation would not be enough to crack this altercation. Most of his presentation was very powerful and almost solely based on factual information.' To get someone to even think that the morality that he or she had been spoon-fed for eighteen to twenty years could be wrong is no elementary task, but Yourofsky was able to succeed in doing this."

"Pathos was the area in which Yourofsky shined. His every word was dripping with emotions. His excitement about veganism, his grief at the horrific animal abuse taking place in the world today, as well as his impatience for the rest of the world to act against speciesism, were all apparent to the audience. One of Professor Simecek's students claimed that you should 'support and do what you feel passionate about, and if your passion is being vegan, then go for it. This is all Yourofsky was doing in his argument: voicing something he is passionate about; and we need more people like him being passionate about things that need to be changed. You've got to give him credit even if you don't agree with him; at least he is doing something about what he feels needs to be changed, which is something that not many of us can say we do.' Yourofsky's success in appealing to the audience caused mouths to gape, tears to well up, and hearts to pound. He had not only reached his audience, but had also grabbed students' hearts and squeezed."

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Comments from Students 2002

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2002 12:00 AM

I have just watched your video and even though some of us have a long road in animal rights we are still moved and shocked by your lecture. If I ever feel weak, tired, burned out in my fight for animal rights, be sure that I'll watch your video again and that will give the strength and power to not fail or give in. I have no words (literally) to thank you for your amazing work. I will never forget that video, thank you very much.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2002 2:28 PM

The husband of our part-time housekeeper watched your oration (on video) last night and said he was going to go vegan!!!!!! This is HUGE!! My housekeeper is 22 years old and went vegan about 6 months ago by being around me and seeing such tapes as The Witness and Diet for A New America. It's been very hard for her because her family had given her a really hard time about it, especially her husband. But, she had stuck to her new found belief and now her husband is on board!! AND, it is because of you! Marlena said it is the BEST video I have given her!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2002 12:24 PM

I met you a long time ago at UTEP in Dr. Best's class. You gave a lecture on animal rights which was probably one of most fascinating lectures of the semester. Really, that one probably stands out the most. I'm not sure if you remember but I spoke with you after class and asked you about fish farms. I'd like to know a bit more about what goes on fish farms.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, December 16, 2002 2:42 AM

I just wanted to thank you so much for giving your speech at Penn St-Abington last month. I've been telling everyone about it and I'm sending out an email about peta to my friends. I have visited the site and donated money. I feel so overwhelmed with this info though because it is so tragic and it really upsets me. My boyfriend watched the site about animals being killed for fur and it brought tears to his eyes. Why can't this stuff go on action news or something? I think about animal rights a lot during the day and I'm so disgusted. Please email me back and thank you for opening my eyes.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2002 8:52 AM

good news- the few vegetarians that were at your speech have gone vegan. they said that it was the extra kick in the ass that they needed to make the switch for good. so that's awesome! also about 8 of my co-workers came to your speech and no one at my job has stopped talking about your lecture. (we actually got in trouble for talking about it too much) I am going to get the VHS tape soon because there are a ton of people who want to see it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, December 14, 2002 1:13 AM

Thank you so much for coming to speak at my college (Brookdale Comm. C. in NJ). The speech blew my mind, it was even better than I thought it would be! The speech was phenomenal. I couldn't stop thinking about it all day at work. I didn't stop talking about it either. One of my co-workers who went to the speech heated up her dinner tonight and she couldn't eat it because it had chicken in it. She threw it away and said she can't eat meat ever again after seeing your lecture. I can't tell you how awesome your speech was. Your speech was the best that Brookdale has ever seen. You've inspired me to do more as an activist.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2002 11:46 AM

Let me start by saying......you are the @$#%^&* man. We need people like you telling the TRUTH, stopping all the misinformation, and not taking any shit from anyone. I had to come and see you at the Brookdale College Lecture because I have been vegetarian for 8 years and work at a completely vegetarian restaurant in Belmar, NJ named Veggie Works. We got invited to PETA's 25th Humanitarian Awards, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, last year in NYC. We were honored to be there. Keep up the awesome work and don't take any shit, I know you won't.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 9:23 PM

I would like to thank you for your lecture it was interesting and informative. I enjoyed it very much, and I anticipate reading more about PETA in the future.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 10:13 PM

One of the students who attended your lecture at Simmons College was really moved and she wants to start an animal rights group on campus. So it should be exciting. Your lecture really is amazing. I would really like for more people to experience it. I think that the lecture in itself is a cathartic experience, but to then go into the real world and try to rationalize it to others who haven't experienced it is a whole battle in itself. I truly don't think that I am the same person that I was pre-lecture.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 5:02 PM

I am a student at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. On Friday, Dec. 6, I had the opportunity to see Gary Yourofsky speak on the CU Boulder campus, and he helped me decide once and for all to go vegan. I was wondering if he would be coming to CSU any time soon because there are many people who would like to see and meet him, that could not make it to Boulder on Friday. If you could let me know if he is coming that would be great, or even if he is going somewhere else in Colorado, that could be helpful too.

NOTE FROM ME: On 12/6/02 at UC-Boulder, 220 people showed up for an OPEN lecture. After the talk, I turned to set up the mike and other stuff for the Q&A session. Then, out of the corner of my eye, somebody walked up to the stage and dropped something there. Since I was busy preparing for the Q&A, I didn't see exactly what happened. Then, I turned and saw something that blew my mind; a pair of leather shoes and a leather belt. Many audience members were staring at the shoes and belt and smiling. I asked the crowd, "What happened?" About six or seven people blurted out, "Some guy just went up there, took his shoes and belt off and left!" Wow, wow, wow, is all I have to say! I know many people have been converting after my talks, but this is the most RELIABLE proof ever! Anyway, I was so glad that he also sent me an email the following day. His is the next one.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 4:07 AM

You have changed my life, opened my eyes, and redeemed me from my ignorance. I dropped my leather at the meeting at CU and went home barefoot. I want to help. You are a good man to lead. People will follow and lead. Have faith in inherent goodness. If it is cool, I'd like a copy of the videos, and the script of your speech.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 12:57 PM

I was at your talk last night at CU-Boulder and I just wanted to say I thought it was incredible. It was so refreshing to hear someone talk about the same ideas that I think about--but am always too afraid to say. Watching those videos made me feel sick--knowing that some humans can actually listen to animals suffer--or even want to cause such pain to any living being. I just wanted to say that you have given me a renewed sense of hope that there is a way to help animals.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 5:23 PM

My 18-year-old daughter attended Gary's speech last night at Colorado U. She's vegetarian, but not yet vegan. However, when I talked to her today she raved about Gary's talk and told how the videos made her cry and she said "I'm really going to try hard to be vegan." She also brought a guy friend with her to the event. He's a committed meat eater but he did concede that the presentation made him think about where his food came from. He wants to be a chef and will be attending the Culinary Institute of America this spring. I told my daughter that even though the presentation didn't convert him, it might be the first step to helping him evolve.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 7:20 PM

First I would like to say thank you for coming to CU and lecturing last night, Friday the 6th of December. I thought your talk was eye opening and inspiring. I was not a vegetarian before, nor had I really considered it, but upon having to see those poor animals in the conditions they were forced into, I think I must reevaluate my choice of food. This process will probably be difficult and lengthy, but I aim to complete the transformation within a year, hopefully less. With this being said, I feel a further point ought to be addressed in addition. I think the manner in which you handled my questions were fantastic and I thank you for breaking the 'mold,' so to speak, of many other activists whom try to dodge questions when they do not like the ultimate conclusions. I thank you so much for your time ... both in reading this email, in providing a response, and in spending an hour or two with the people of Boulder; people who came out of your presentation with their eyes a little wider, and their minds a little more open.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, December 02, 2002 11:35 AM

Thank you so much for visiting Midwestern State U. last week. Your presentation was very inspiring. I have since changed from a simple vegetarian to a complete vegan. I went out and purchased new shoes, belt, and a jacket that are all cruelty free. I have given my leather goods to people in need. I plan on purchasing your video so I can share your presentation with others as soon as I can. I wanted to give extra thanks now that I have become more committed due to your presentation. You are an inspiration.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, November 29, 2002 12:46 AM

I wanted to email you because you have been on my mind, and my husband's too since Monday. We are so glad we heard you speak at Midwestern State U. On the way home from the lecture, all I could think about were your words. I have been a vegetarian for so long, and a vegan for several months. However, the way you see things, and communicate your views, has really changed me. I now know that it is my duty to peacefully co-exist with my fellow beings. It is not enough for me to refrain from eating them, I now believe that I must advocate and speak out for them, because they can not speak out for themselves. Thank you , so much, for coming here. Every day we have discussed your lecture. We are looking at the earth so differently thanks to you. You have really changed our lives.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2002 5:52 PM

Thank you for that awesome presentation in our class at St. Mary's College (Cal.) last month.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2002 12:48 PM

About a month ago, you came to my school (Saint Mary's College of California), and you spoke passionately about animal rights. Thank you for that. It was a very eye-opening experience. Also, I was wondering if you will be coming back to the area any time soon (within the next year). I want to bring some people to your next lecture.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2002 1:32 PM

I was in the animal science class at NC State that you spoke to recently. I just wanted to thank you for taking time to come speak with us. I thoroughly enjoyed your speech. I have been a vegetarian for 3 years now, since I was in high school and read an article written about downers. Though I have been donating money to PETA for a few years, this was my first opportunity to really hear someone from your organization speak. You did a wonderful job!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, November 24, 2002 7:13 PM

I had fallen off the vegan wagon for a while, but your video footage and lecture at NC STATE got me back on.. So thank you for that. It's really great that somebody would give so much to a cause, I really admire you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 3:46 AM

Just a quick e-mail to let you know how much I appreciated your presentation for my Sociology class on Friday, November 15, at SUNY-New Paltz. Wow is all I can say to how blatantly your discussion shed light on my ignorance. All I can say is thanks, and I'm looking forward to actually sticking to my vow and never eat meat again. Your statement, "If it's not good enough for your eyes, why is it good enough for your stomach?" really hit home ... that's what made me realize that knowing of the horrors yet trying to play into the hear no evil see no evil tactic was completely ridiculous. Thank you again for finally helping me to open up my eyes ... I can see it's going to be a struggle already considering I've encountered about 10 fights with family members and friends within the past 3 days ... but it's a struggle well worth it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 12:25 PM

Your presence at Marist U. was felt and surprisingly received. Being the only incredibly outspoken activist on campus, I have been in touch with tons of people who want to learn more or just discuss what they saw and heard from you. I am extremely pleased to meet a successful (from a social change point of view) militant vegan activist. To put it another way ... you, my friend, are the bomb!!!! And I am greatly appreciative of your presence in the world and the support you have provided me with.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2002 12:47 PM

I just wanted to thank you again for coming to Marist and educating. I know that it can be difficult at times to try and open previously closed minds, especially at a place like Marist. I also wanted to thank you in advance for sending me a hard copy of the speech that you so capably give. The document will be invaluable in both the rest of my academic and activist careers, respectively. Thank you again for coming.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2002 4:41 PM

My sister is a student at the U. of New Hampshire and she told me that your video made her face the reality of animal abuse. I would like to know how I could see that video.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 11:59 AM

My roommate and I really enjoyed your speech at Cornell. I've ordered a copy of Liberator to Educator on VHS. :) Good luck

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 3:32 PM

Thank you for your presentation at UNH on November 5, 2002. It's clear you are very committed to your principles. I doubt the world would ever know the true carnage that occurs to create "Mmmm, mmm, good" had it not been for your daring and courage to talk about it. On days when it seems like perhaps you are not making the progress you had hope for, or are moving backward across Schopenhauer's stages, take heart in the knowledge that the animals in those places saw you there on those days in the moments before their deaths, and they knew, as only animals can, that you were not one of "them", but a secret friend who would tell all those who would listen, and eventually even those who ordinarily would not, the whole sad, sordid tale so they would not die in vain. You are their champion and it is a trust well placed.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 8:14 PM

I received your DVD!, It's amazing!!, I love how you are so passionate when you give your lectures! I really enjoyed the DVD, so I passed it on to student council and I'm hoping they will let me show it to the school, through an assembly.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2002 5:54 PM

Thank you so much. I wish I could tell you all that I am left thinking. And I held a discussion section with some of the students following your presentation. There were many good questions, some tears, and a long talk about eggs and the poultry industry, which is something else I am particularly interested in. You are a very powerful presence, and I could see the effect you have on students. I guess we all contribute in our own ways, yours being high profile and mine being small scale education, but on every level, it counts. And I am very pleased to have had the chance to meet you. I would have enjoyed talking to you more. I WILL KEEP IN TOUCH! Because I think you have a wonderful way of presenting some very difficult information, and more and more people need to hear it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2002 1:25 PM

Thanks for speaking at Simmons College last night. I learned so much about animal rights. Most importantly, I now see the need to encompass all life in my concept of social justice. I thought I did that before, but now I really see it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 5, 2002 12:57 PM

I was in theU. of New Hampshire class today, and was totally captivated by everything you said. I know that, despite the horrible images you showed us, there are still skeptics out there. How that is possible is light years beyond my comprehension. The brutality towards animals and the idea that humans are somehow separate and above other animals was something I've been aware of for a long time. But, it didn't hit hard until today. I feel enlightened and compelled to act on that. There's an Animal Rights Alliance on campus, and I just emailed them about joining their effort. Thank you so much for speaking to us today. And best of luck with everything you set out to do for PETA.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 1:22 PM

You spoke in my ethics class today at the University of Akron. I was really moved by the video that you presented to us, and I felt that your presentation was very strong. I had no idea that that was what happened everyday, and truthfully, it sickened me. I don't want to eat now. In fact, I am strongly considering becoming a vegetarian.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 12:24 PM

I was in the lecture you gave on Tuesday at Ohio State and I wanted information about where I can order your lecture and where you will be next. I also wanted to thank you. I had never seen animals treated so awfully and it made me realize how naive I was. So again, thank you for helping me open my eyes and my mind. I truly appreciate it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2002 7:35 PM

I was just in the lecture you gave at Ohio State. I would really like my dad and girlfriend to get to hear it. I think I am going to make another strive for vegetarianism... and most likely veganism.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2002

First, I'm so very sorry for not having followed up on your event at Deerfield Academy yet. It was absolutely wonderful and those who attended were not only enlightened, but influenced greatly. Since then, there have been several students who made their diets much stricter and now consider themselves vegan, and many others have been experimenting with vegetarianism. Our vegetarian table has become rather popular too.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Fri 10/25/2002 6:04 PM

I am a graduate student and instructor at Illinois State University. I want to start by saying Thank You for being such an inspiration this afternoon; (I obviously attended your discussion at ISU). Your job as an animal rights educator is my dream job. Don't get me wrong, I am not dreaming of arrests and gaining repulsive undercover footage; I am however dreaming of raising people's awareness to these issues on a larger scale. Though I educate on these issues any time the situation arises by speaking up in social situations, writing editorials, and writing protest letters, it never seems enough. I have been teaching writing at the college level for four years now and am currently working on my Ph.D. in rhetoric and composition. Gary, you are one of my heroes! I can't possibly express to you how much I appreciate and respect what you do. You are an amazing speaker that made me feel more powerful leaving that classroom today. That is, more powerful in the sense that my individual actions can have an affect and that I need to spread what you shared with us today to as many people as possible.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2002 1:54 AM

I attended your lecture at Western Illinois U. this last Monday and I would like to thank you for coming. Your presentation was inspired and I applaud your work. The main reason I am writing you, however, is not a mere virtual handshake, but to thank you for changing my life. I did not fully realize the impact of the things you said until last night, when I pulled some handi-snacks (the pizza kind) out of the fridge. The package contained some pepperoni and the sight of it simply turned my stomach. I pictured the animal origins and those thoughts aroused deep feelings of repulsion. I felt the conviction and made the decision then and there to go vegan. I am very optimistic about this decision and looking forward to making a change for the better in the world. I want to communicate the gratitude I have to you for helping me see this part of me. Keep up your efforts and know that what you are doing is making real changes for the better.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2002 12:14 AM

I am a student at Loyola-Chicago. I wanted to thank you for coming to speak to us today. it was a very educational experience. Thank you again for speaking to us.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 3:12 PM

I just wanted to send you a quick thank you for the speech that you gave on Monday at Western Illinois University. I have been a vegetarian for three years, and I knew all of the gory details of everything from an experience with an animal rights organization in high school. However, all of your photos and information reminded me- very firmly, might I add- why I became a vegetarian. It is also the reason that I have turned vegan now. This is a very difficult change for me, because I am a humongous fan of cheese and ice cream. However, I know that I can do it, especially when it helps stop suffering around the world. I wrote an article for the school paper (I'm a journalist, and I REALLY wanted to write a story on your speech), and if you would like, I could send it to you. It achieved first page status, and I have already received Kudos on it from one of the news editors. I will probably send a copy of it to PETA. Thank you very much for your wonderful speech. I know a lot of people were moved and affected greatly by it.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2002 6:13 PM

I was one of the TAs for the INDV 101 course you spoke to on Wednesday, October 16th at the University of Arizona. I wanted to thank you for your talk and let you know that your message had a serious impact on me. As a grad student in Cultural Studies, I do my work in discourse analysis and am very aware of the nature of power, dominance and ideology that is at work in the way our country deals with food production and consumption. I have a very soft heart where animals are concerned, I dote on my rescued dog, and have shied away from info on factory farming because I just didn't want to know. Though, repeatedly through my travels, my reading and my own work the information has been surfacing, which has forced me to keep coming back to the inconsistency between how I feel about my dog and how the food I eat made it to my plate. After your talk, the big picture (ecological, moral, health, political issues) fell in to place. What really motivates me is the personal and I keep coming back to the glaring inconsistency between how I feel about my dog and how I (don't) deal with the casualties of factory farming. I realize that I can no longer live with that inconsistency and am taking the steps necessary to become fully vegan. I just needed a good kick in the pants from the likes of you. Again, because my own work is discourse analysis, I found your talk fascinating as much for how you made your presentation, as for your content (though the content obviously had a big effect on me). I don't have the time or space to go in to the whole critique but your sophisticated arguments that preempted every rebuttal reflected well on your message, your organization, and radical activism. Thank you for your time and your passion—you have made a convert (who will probably make more over time as I subtly influence my friends and family.) I wish you the best in your future work. .

-----Original Message-----
Forwarded by: Dr. Steve Best (Professor at UTEP)
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 7:16 PM

I've never thought of being a vegan but listening to your lectures all year sparked an interest, I've cut down my meat dramatically but my dairy hasn't been all that easy. I grew up with dairy, and eat some at least for every meal. But hearing Gary Yourofsky today I have decided I'm going to try and be totally vegan.

-----Original Message-----
Forwarded by: Dr. Steve Best (Professor at UTEP)
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 3:38 PM

Hello Dr. Best, I just wanted to let you know that I have been enjoying your class. Today's guest speaker, Gary Yourofsky, was very interesting, especially the video. As I was watching the video, it made me realize what was going on ... THE REALITY!!!! Sometimes as humans we do not want to take a minute and think about it, literally I was crying to see how people sacrifice animals just for other people's appetite, for MEAT. I want to thank you for giving us these kinds of lectures and letting us see animals and nature as part of us, not just what we can consume from it. Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 1:30 AM

I really enjoyed meeting you and your lecture was awesome!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 10:15 PM

I was at your lecture at Henry Ford Community College last week and would first off like to thank you for your touching, motivating, and enlightening words. I personally was very moved by your speech and have a feeling that you gave me the kick in the ass i needed to get my ball rolling! an epiphany if you will. Anyway, when I was quite young (13 yrs old or so), I decided to become a vegetarian (against my family's will). I was successful for about 2 years and then for some reason (perhaps not enough education or exposure to keep me true to what I believe), I gradually fell back into the "normal, accepted, easy" diet that most Americans follow. Over the past year or so I have once again started picking back up the vegetarian diet (although I was not following it quite at strict or intently as I wished). After your lecture I decided that I would like to try the vegan diet....well not only diet but lifestyle.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2002 2:15 PM

I hope you've made it to your other destinations safely. I want to thank you for bringing veganism back into my life. It really has made me much happier.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2002 12:27 PM

Thank you for coming into our class at Wayne State U. and opening our eyes.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2002 5:29 PM

I just wanted to drop you a quick email, and tell you again how wonderful it was to have you come and open some eyes here at Oakland U. So, in honor of your visit, I decided to see how much practice there is in what you preach—I simply went online, typed in your name and was immediately blown away by the amount of press you have single handedly stirred up. Anyway, I'm sure you've heard all of this a million times—but I hope you don't mind just a little more support in your quest ... or whatever you are calling it these days. You can add me as a "fan" on your list of "Fans and Foes"

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