I don't know if this counts as a conscious lifestyle change, or decision, but when we decided to have children it's certainly changed everything. I changed considerably.

It certainly does count. I have no children and the thought of being responsible for a totally dependent and defenceless, small human is pretty scary. I admire anyone who has the guts to have children.

Also, regarding you being persecuted by people, I have to say that you bring much of this upon yourself. I saw that earlier you posted a cartoon in response to someone's discussion of Amish meat. It's super passive aggressive and had nothing to do with the conversation at hand. There's a time and a place for certain things, it's social etiquette and when you ignore that, people get pissed.

I understand that very well. I'm not trying to win a popularity contest and it saddens me that people see a simple sign post asking to be kind to animals as something rude and unappreciated. It's like walking into an anti-gay protest and say "please be kind to gays". I don't understand what is so wrong with bringing up the discussion about discrimination, regardless of context.

I won't apologise for not respecting the animal rights taboo. If I'm going to wait to discuss animal rights when I'm given a window by those abusing animals, I'll be waiting forever. Social etiquette does not trump discrimination in my books and I will be breaking social etiquette for as long as there is animal abuse.