I'm an animal rights activist and about as hardcore vegan as they come. I put animal rights before everything; it is my number one priority. But being an animal rights activist does not mean that one must endorse all animal rights organizations, just as being a human rights activist does not mean that one endorses all human rights organizations. And, as effective as they are, certain elements of their behavior must be condemned. This, not from the usual angles of those attack them but rather on an animal rights basis.
People construct a portrayal of PETA that they are a bunch of idealistic hippies and in some cases they are. But when they demand factory farms to allow for better living conditions for the animals, the KFC spokespeople are wrong; PETA is not trying to get them or any other organization to become a vegan outlet.
At the same time, some of their idealistic behavior is so disgusting that one can hardly believe they are called an animal rights organization. It seems as though they are so engaged in idealism at times that they make the most horrible of decisions. The most recent example pertains to dogs.
Through the eyes of PETA, not every dog can find a loving home. In fact, not every dog is lovable and in turn, many must be euthanized in order to end their suffering. PETA is adamantly opposed to no-kill shelters and they actually have campaign materials and articles opposed to them. When the Michael Vick scenario took place, PETA said the dogs had to be executed.
All of the dogs from Michael Vick's dogfighting ring (minus the ones he found the need to hang and drown of course) have found loving homes. The same dogs that PETA said were too vicious for homes, the ones that they, with their demagogue status, demanded be executed. Euthanasia is something done by choice, this is the death penalty.
Nathan Winograd's book 'Redemption' provides the explanation for how it is possible for every single dog to live. Winograd knows something about this, as the operator of no-kill shelters.
The individuals who run PETA execute animals by the dozens. They don't keep it a secret because they believe it is the ethical thing to do. But when did PETA get divine intervention? I watched 'I Am An Animal' the HBO documentary about PETA president Ingrid Newkirk who demands during the documentary that a happy-go-lucky dog be put down because he has heartworm. We don't put down prisoners when we feel that they are suffering too much with AIDS and no one loves them because they have no outside family, etc. The truth is, it is not for us as humans to decide.
The international animal research organization Huntington Life Sciences has gotten a free pass from the world's largest animal rights organization because they don't want to be associated with the radical group Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty. That is sacrifice for public appeal. SHAC started following the release of footage of HLS employees holding a dog by his throat and continually punching him across the face.
When it comes to dogs, PETA will do anything but ensure that they get a dog's life.
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I never realized they were against no-kill shelters, something I think is one of the best things in the world for pets. I did know that they were pro-euthanasia, and that they promoted it as the only humane way to kill animals. Either way, they are killing animals for the sake of convienence, something I will never agree with.
Those dogs were violent, yes, and posed a threat to small children. However, they were violent because they were forced to fight each other, and that was how they survived. Teaching these dogs to be calm would have taken a lot of work. But there are a lot of people out there willing to give that time and energy so these dogs would trust humans again and be able to find happy and loving homes.
PETA is also willing to kill cows in front of restaurants to prove that killing cows is wrong. I hate that damned organization for more than one reason.
Thank you for shedding light. It's nice to hear a vegan/animal rights activist not all hung up on the bullshit that comes along with many PETA [and other such] psychos ;-)
Keep up the good work. This is well written.
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You are the Voice of the Childwen of the Revowution! [Toulouse, Moulin Rouge]
Ingrid's a quack... she has been quoted comparing the slaughter of cattle to the Holocaust. She makes me want to cry.
On another note, I welcome your comments and perspective as a vegan on my blogs linked here. I have yet to be able to convince a vegan / vegetarian comment so we can have a debate on the inherent subjects.
http://www.progressiveu.org/001209-i-am-a-meat-eater-and-im-proud-of-it-...
http://www.progressiveu.org/090133-don-t-blame-the-beef-protecting-yours...
I took a look at the first post you listed and there is a lot to be addressed. That's blogworthy for me. I welcome the challenge but I don't think you'll convince me. I may have issues with PETA but I am dedicated to my beliefs. I will say that it is an interesting piece and I promise to reply to it in blog format. Promise.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/jloigman
Excellent! I enjoy a good debate!
I'll look forward to your future blog(s).
Thanks for this blog. I've pretty much hated PETA since they had the ad with a picture of chained animals next to a picture of actual slaves. I'm all for animal rights, but PETA sort of makes me sick.
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