My pal Mary links to this article from Newsweek on “flexitarians” – folks who, for a variety of reasons, eat meat sparingly but without being full-bore vegetarians (or vegans).

I think this is all to the good. In particular, as veggie options become more widespread and palatable, people will recognize that you can eat well without eating meat.

Nevertheless, while I prefer the more irenic approach of the Humane Society, I’m still glad there are groups like PETA out there making the case that animals are subjects in their own right who deserve to be treated as such. Health and environmental concerns are completely legitimate reasons for cutting back on meat, but I think the more radical position merits a hearing too.