IrisSwope wrote:
are you sure? I don't believe that leather is a by product, I believe it is a separate product from separate sources.

I am absolutely sure.  Uncle is a cattle farmer.  Masters from Harvard in biology, and one of the first organic cattle farmers.
It's economically absurd not to use every profitable part of domestically raised animals.  99% of the animal is used.

I worked for him for seven summers.  Make hay while the sun in shining.

Brian Diaz wrote:

It is, especially considering how many plants are to some degree animal products.  Many plants, particularly vegetables we use as food, require animals to pollinate them, and many of those animals are domesticated and live entirely in human captivity.

Leaving plants out of the equation just for the sake of the discussion so we don't muddy the waters, it is still practically impossible to get anything today that does not use animal products in some manner. Jebus, even the adhesive used to make plywood uses animal-based glue. Many medications use animal stuff for various reasons. Cosmetics are a given. Organic food is also a given. And the list goes on, and on, and on.

I have nothing at all against vegans or vegetarians. Their body, their choice, none of my business. In fact, I really enjoy some of their dishes a great deal. My only point is that even the most strict vegan is likely not nearly as vegan as they think they are.

Buy the car.

SAND DIAL wrote:

Ex Vegan here, 40+ years Vegetarian.

I was never much for the 'wont touch leather' thing.

What about animal testing for cosmetics and meds?
A billion? rodents a year killed.
Do vegans use cosmetics and RX?

there are lots and lots and lots of vegan cosmetics you know

http://www.sugarpillshop.com/

http://www.rockeresque.com/

http://www.urbandecay.com/vegan-cosmeti … lt,sc.html

meds vary but there are also tons of vegan vitamins and supplements

http://www.foodfightgrocery.com/supplements/

Lohkee wrote:
Leaving plants out of the equation just for the sake of the discussion so we don't muddy the waters, it is still practically impossible to get anything today that does not use animal products in some manner. Jebus, even the adhesive used to make plywood uses animal-based glue. Many medications use animal stuff for various reasons. Cosmetics are a given. Organic food is also a given. And the list goes on, and on, and on.

I have nothing at all against vegans or vegetarians. Their body, their choice, none of my business. In fact, I really enjoy some of their dishes a great deal. My only point is that even the most strict vegan is likely not nearly as vegan as they think they are.

Buy the car.

most vegans do the best they can to avoid animal products...for the most part it's entirely impossible to avoid them entirely given how integrated it is into human culture.  but doing the best they can in their food, clothing and luxuries while, though unwilling, understanding that they're unable to avoid it 100% doesn't make them any less of a strict vegan...that's just being a realist

but owning a car with all leather interior CAN be avoided and is unnecessary in daily life, thus making it completely understandable that a vegan wouldn't buy it