From: altar@beaufort.sfu.ca (Ted Wayn Altar)
Subject: vive valeque
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 18:15:05 GMT

LTAR ALSO WITHDRAWS FROM THE FIELD
 
Well, UNTIL Michael Traub returns then I too will now withdraw
into peaceful silence and leave the fray for others to speak in
favour of vegetarianism.  This will be my last posting unless
Michael can be persuaded to return.
 
Much of my incentive for participating here is diminished now
that Michael Traub is no longer present.  To see one of the most
active, helpful and conversant vegans become despondent from lack
of support is indeed distressing.  I always looked forward to
Michael Traub's posting, his *ORIGINAL* recipes, his *INFORMED*
information about being a vegan, and his merciful to the point
messages and *INCISIVE* replies to some of our quibblers (unlike
my more verbose postings :-) ).
 
I believe that Michael Traub was a member of, or had contacts
with, the BRITISH VEGAN SOCIETY and now we don't have this
contact with this long-standing and important source of
information, certainly not one as assiduous in passing on so much
information as Michael Traub.  Indeed, Michael drew upon may
relevant sources concerning vegetarianism/veganism, having read
many articles and books on the subject.  No doubt, some of you
may have disagreed at times with what he had to say, especially
when he felt obliged to address what he saw to be certain
misleading or incorrect statements particularly from a few of our
more eristic omnivorous kibitzers.  In any case, he was always
there to help answer those honest queries and misplaced worries
about becoming a vegetarian.  Indeed, Michael enjoyed helping to
pass on what he knew and experienced about being a vegan and it
is truly disheartening to see such a valuable resource person on
this conference become frustrated and thwarted in his honest
efforts to be helpful.
 
We all need to feel appreciated for our voluntary efforts,
especially from our colleagues.  We are only human, after all,
all too human.
 
I would deeply hope that Michael Traub could be persuaded to
return and so, if you haven't already done so, PLEASE send
Michael Traub some kind words to help encourage his return, or at
least encourage him to consider returning at some the future date
when some new readers have joined who are in need of the kind of
helpful advice that Michael Traub can provide about veganism and
vegetarianism.
 
Indeed, even our more critical and eristic omnivorous kibitzers
should also send their encouragement to Michael Traub, if indeed
their better intentions are benevolent and magnanimous towards
this conference.  After all, this is a conference that would
purport to provide information and dialogue relevant to
vegetarianism so that practicing vegetarians can advance their
practice, non-vegetarians can try out some vegetarian recipes and
learn about vegetarianism, and possible future vegetarians can
consider how to go about making this dietary change.  Michael
Traub ably and admirably served and provided an abundance of help
to all three of these key interests.
 
                                        ted
 
  P.S.  Two people have recently requested a file of my old info.
messages that I've here had occasion to post over the last 6
months.  If anyone else is interested then simply send me an e-
mail request.