Peter:
>If eating meat is indeed part of our nutritional make-up and if diet  has
>anything to do whatever with enlightenment, which I think is highly
>unlikely, it would seem that it would be a prerequisite rather than an
>obstacle to attaining enlightenment.

Could you expand on this, Peter?  I think I follow your argument but I'm
not sure.  Maybe if I explain my outlook, you'll see why I'm having
difficulty.
It seems to me that, if your goal is maximum physical health, then perhaps
you might eat some small amount of meat (I'm not saying yes or no
here**).  But if your goal is spiritual enlightenment, you would walk down
a different path where you follow your compassion/respect/whatever
for all beings.  It's a question of priority.  From what I've read and heard,
there's little or no corrolation between physical health and spiritiual
growth.  An example that comes to mind is Sri Ramakrishna, who died of
cancer.  Other lifestyle choices enter into the picture as well.  While a
saintly person might say "turn the other cheek," it's been shown that
feistiness, standing up for oneself, is a common factor among long-lived
people.
** BTW, Peter, you, as a self proclaimed "vegan with an identity crisis,"
have done more to shake my faith in veganism as best for human health
than Kirt with his many pro-carnage rhapsodies.  Not that I'm actually a
vegan myself.  I'm close to it, but it's been an elusive ideal for me, always
out looking for non-leather replacements when my leather shoes wear
out, etc. etc.
This reminds me.... My Reebok high-tops are coming apart.  I loved those
shoes, and wore them for years after most people would have put them
out of their misery.  Does anyone know where a non-leather equivalent
can be had?  Like denim or something, but that same high-top style?

Cheers to all,
Martha