Vegetarian Star » Dennis Kucinich

Dennis Kucinich Settles Over Olive Pit Induced Tooth Injury

Vegetarian Star — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 01:06:39 +0000

Dennis Kucinich and his people have reached a confidential settlement in the matter of damages sustained after he bit into an olive containing a pit during a visit to the House of Representatives cafeteria for a sandwich.

After reading more about the chain reaction the event set off, it’s easy to see why the vegan politician asked for $150,000 for the incident.

After biting into the olive, Kucinich experienced a split at the bone level of the tooth. The damage wasn’t visible but downright painful! The injured area became infected so he took antibiotics. The antibiotics gave him an intestinal obstruction which required emergency attention. After the bone healed, his first tooth implant failed. Months later, the second implant worked, but he had to have six other teeth realigned in order to make that happen. None of this was covered by insurance.

Kucinich had this to say in a statement released on the matter:

“The parties have exchanged information and after some investigation and discussion have resolved the matter for an amount all parties believe reflects the actual out-of-pocket expenses related to this incident. The terms of the settlement are confidential; however, I feel that the defendants have responded fairly and reasonably. I don’t want to have to make another dental visit for a very long time, and will be making no further comment on this matter.”

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Dennis Kucinich Sues Congress Cafeteria For Dangerous Veggie Sandwich

Vegetarian Star — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:39:10 +0000

It’s nice to have vegetarian or vegan options at the cafeteria at work, but it’s also comforting to know you won’t have to dip into your company health insurance plan to get your mouth fixed after biting into something.

Dennis Kucinich is suing the Congressional Cafeteria (yes THE Congressional Cafeteria) for $150,000 on 4 counts of negligence and breach of warranty because he was served a dangerous sandwich.

According to Courthouse News, the vegan congressional member ordered a sandwich wrap at the House of Representatives cafeteria that was supposed to contain pitted olives.

After biting into the wrap, Kucinich discovered at least some of the olives indeed had their pits. Kucinich “sustained serious and permanent dental and oral injuries requiring multiple surgical and dental procedures, and has sustained other damages as well, including significant pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment.”

In other words, “Ouch!”

Injuries sustained from biting into an olive pit may include fracture and broken tooth. Not to mention the inability to enjoy that delicious veggie wrap and then have to go listen to Nancy Pelosi talk on an empty stomach.

From now on, we’re staying clear of olives stuffed with anything other than garlic or pimento.

The entire complaint can be read here.

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Dennis Kucinich Writing Vegan Diet Book

Vegetarian Star — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 21:37:48 +0000

When some politicians write books, they discuss the scandals, the life on Capitol Hill and their next career move.

Representative Dennis Kucinich would like to tell you about his diet.

From the Bloomberg Businessweek article on vegan powerhouses, it’s reported that the Ohio congressman is working on a book about his vegan lifestyle, tentatively titled, “The Cleveland Diet.”

Kucinich is such a good political talker, he was able to persuade Representative Robert A. Brady (D-Pa.), the head of the Committee on House Administration, to put vegan options on the menu at the cafeteria during Congress’ sessions.

Here’s hoping he wins plenty of votes for the diet when the book is released.

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Vegan Congressman Dennis Kucinich Urges Getting Back To Nature (Video)

Vegetarian Star — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:08:39 +0000

Dennis Kucinich was a speaker at the 2010 Animal Rights Conference in Virginia this past week where his message was to reconcile with nature.

Kucinich says we’ve disrupted this harmony by reckless exploitation of animals and destructive environmental practices that came with the industrial age.

“The central challenge of our times is to effect a reconciliation with nature. The schism between mankind and the natural world has become so pronounced in the 20th and 21st centuries.” After naming some examples of mankind disrupting nature’s balance such as mining and destroying animal habitats, Kucinich added, “All of these are indications of how far we have gone to separate ourselves from the natural world.”

Kucinich is suppose to announce sometime next month an initiative on how we can get back in touch with nature, or in his words, “relates to our connection with the earth and the environment.”

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Dennis Kucinich “Right To Know” GMO Bill Motivated By Alfalfa Seed Ruling

Vegetarian Star — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:45:29 +0000

Ohio representative Dennis Kucinich has introduced three bills meant to educate and protect from the presence of genetically modified organisms in a product, H.R. 5577–The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act, H.R. 5578–Genetically Engineered Safety Act and H.R. 5579–Genetically Engineered Technology Farmer Protection Act.

H.R. 5577 would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Federal Meat Inspection Act, and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to require any food containing GMOs or produced with genetically engineered material be labeled accordingly. H.R. 5578 would prohibit the open air cultivation of genetically engineered pharmaceutical or industrial crops, while H.R. 5579 would provide economical protection for farmers that may be harmed from genetically engineered seeds, plants or animals.

The proposed legislation was motivated partly from a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows experimental planting of genetically modified alfalfa seed before environmental review is complete.

Kucinich said in a statement about the ruling, “Today the Supreme Court ruled that when it comes to genetically modified organisms, we as consumers, have to wait until the damage is done and obvious, before we can act to protect health and the environment, even if that damage could be irreversible.”

“Haven’t we learned from the catastrophe in the Gulf of the dangers of technological arrogance, of proceeding ahead with technologies without worrying about the consequences? Why do we continue to throw precaution to the wind?”

Kucinich has introduced similar versions of the bills in previous sessions of Congress.

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Vegan Dennis Kucinich Will Eat Hamburger For Soccer

Vegetarian Star — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 01:19:59 +0000

After the U.S. soccer team tied with Slovenia on Friday, representative Dennis Kucinich received some complaints on his Facebook that had nothing to do with politics.

Fans questioned the offsides penalty call player Maurice Edu received after what would have been a winning goal for the U.S.

“If Edu was offsides then I’ll eat a hamburger,” Kucinich told his followers.

Relax, guys. Of course he was only joking.

Still, thank goodness, the ref, Koman Coulibaly, was dropped from the next round of World Cup Games. Wouldn’t want to hear any threats of Kucinich consuming a cheese log and milkshake over the next penalty call. Maybe he should feed the U.S. team vegan chocolate chip brownies as a consolation prize.

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Celebrity Couples Who Love Tofu And Each Other

Vegetarian Star — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:13:59 +0000

Valentine’s Day is over, but if you share the love of all things vegetarian with your partner, the passion lasts 365 meals a year. There are several great vegetarian couples in the media eye.

Here are a few favorites.

Dennis Kucinich and Elizabeth Kucinich. Dennis is one of the few vegan politicians (or at least the few who come clean about it) and has been open about how switching to a vegan diet alleviated several health problems. Wife Elizabeth is the public affairs director of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a group that advocates a vegan diet.

Zooey Deschanel and Ben Gibbard

Zooey Deschanel’s vegetarian platter is a little harder than average to create. As the contestants of Top Chef learned, Zooey not only does vegetarian, but needs gluten-free and no soy. Ben better study up on the cookbooks when he’s not on tour with Death Cab for Cutie.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi

The couple decided to go veg together after a dinner date discussion of the ethics of animals in fashion.
The two were honored by the Humane Society for publicly advocating better treatment of animals.

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Elizabeth Kucinich, Nutritionist Offer School Lunch Solutions

Vegetarian Star — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:52:23 +0000

Michelle Obama recently spoke about her initiative to reduce obesity rates in children.

The administration is requesting $10 million dollars over the next decade to improve the school lunch program, which includes making more fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products available.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine advocates a vegan diet, and two of its representatives, nutritionist Kathryn Strong and public affairs director Elizabeth Kucinich, the wife of representative Dennis Kucinich, have offered their insights.

Strong suggested that subsidies to the meat and dairy industries be cut. If these higher fat meat and cheese items aren’t as cheap, they may be less likely to be included as a regular option in schools.

Kucinich emphasized the value of healthy foods as preventative medicine for obesity related illnesses like diabetes.

“What is the cost to the nation if we don’t [consider it]?” she said, according to the Epoch Times.

Kucinich also emphasized that for some low-income children, the school meal might be the only meal they eat.

Dairy sensitivities and/or lactose intolerance is common in minority groups that are often over- represented in low income school districts.

A carton of soy milk replacing 2% on the lunch tray may give schools a better report card in future semesters.

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