After sending out the latest OrganicAthlete eNews, a reader commented, "...I think it would be wise to keep politics out of the discussion and stay focused on veganism, athletics, and health..."

Should politics and sports stay separate?

David Zirin's most recent article in the Washington Post explores that question. He starts, "It's a long-standing lament of the political activist: 'If only people devoted the time, effort and attention to politics that they apply to sports, we could change the world.'"

It's true. And to me, what we're doing at OrganicAthlete is, in many ways, expressly political. Have you ever seen the bumper sticker that reads "Veganism is direct action"? The same could be said for organic farming. By educating people about healthy living and building a community around our values, our organization is participating in and shaping relationships that make our society.

What I'm talking about is less about governmental politics and more about the political structure of our society as a whole, and I think what the reader responded to in this case was my overt reference to presidential politics. But still, let's not forget how the Bush administration nearly wrecked the organic standards. We have to stay engaged. In the 2005 election a group of OrganicAthlete members helped stage GE-Free Sonoma County parade for Measure M.

I want to thank our reader for bringing up this subject and creating a wonderful opportunity to start a discussion.

What do you think? Write your thoughts in the comments below.