Knowledge is power - editor's note

One of the office decorations I inherited when I joined VT 2 years ago was a cartoon I've posted on my largest file cabinet. A mutt stands over three bowls--one labeled "food," one labeled "water" and one labeled "information."

I love the drawing for its message that man (in this case, beat) needs more than physical nourishment for survival. To thrive-really, to live--we need something to feed our minds.

What's information, really; but the path to knowledge?

Philosopher/statesman Francis Bacon, paraphrasing Proverbs, said that knowledge is power. Nobody's been able to put it better for 400 years.

VT, like my cartoon dog's third bowl, is a source of information we hope ultimately empowers you, our readers. To that end, we've added a new department called "Etc." that will address many of the most compelling and controversial health- and environment-related issues of intermediate interest to vegetarians. We expect these columns to spur you into action, or, at the very least, help you make informed decisions. This month, we start with a hard-hitting look at the effects of caffeine, and we'll follow up in subsequent months with journalistic reports on genetically modified organisms, food-borne illnesses, NAFTA and the organic labeling law. Whether the column motivates, inspires or simply annoys you, it will teach you something. Please let us know if it doesn't. And please let us know if it does.

One thing you've let us know about recently is your interest in Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination who happens to be a vegan. Learn more about this dynamic activist at www.kucinich.us. We'll be keeping up with his campaign right along with you.

A newsmaker whose work you've likely heard of but whose name you may not know is Arthur Agatston, MD. This month, we high light his wildly popular South Beach Diet. If a better physique is on your list of New Year's resolutions for 2004, maybe "The South Beach Solution" (p. 62) is right for you.

Speaking of New Year's resolutions, here are some of ours:

* To publish even more recipes that are tasty, original, simple and wholesome;

* To incorporate more of your suggestions into the pages of VT,

* To support your efforts to bring vegetarian-themed events to your communities;

* To enable you to live well while living responsibly.

Please hold us to these because we want VT to consistently nourish your mind. And for our magazine to be one thing you won't--no, can't--live without.

RELATED ARTICLE: Happy Anniversary, VT!

November 2004 marks our 30th anniversary month and will kick off a year-long celebration. Readers, here are two ways you can help us make this anniversary unforgettable. 1) Send us your old issues of VT from 1974 to 1980 for our permanent archives, and we'll send you a VT cookbook. 2) Send us a brief essay (up to 200 words) telling us what VT has meant to you over the years, and if we select yours, we'll publish it in the November 2004 issue.

Carla Davis

Managing Editor

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