What do you think of PETA?

[kris]

I don't like them at all. I like the idea of animal rights to an extent, but PETA bothers me. They go about it so badly IMO. They support a freaking terrorist group (Animal Liberation Front). They make up lies about almost everything they say (chimpanzees don't eat meat according to PETA) and they brainwash people with this crap. They only spend 1-2% of their budget on actually helping animals...the rest goes towards lawsuits. And finally, most people that I've met that "support" PETA's cause have no clue what PETA actaully does. They just jump on the "animal liberation" bandwaggon because their dogs and cats are so cute and being a veagen is the best.

lol. That just about sums up my opinion on them as well. Now I love animals just about as much as anyone but as you said, the way they go about is absolutely ridiculous. It's too bad we have such a crazy organization looking after the animals. It would greatly benefit the cause if the organization carried at least a little bit of sanity.

[Shorty]

I just can't believe there are humans that put animals before people.

Really? You can't believe that some people advocate for animals that are treated miserably when they can't speak for themselves? Like those opposed to bear baiting, cock fighting and cruel farming methods?

What has that got to do with putting animals "before people"? Of course there are times when the life of an animal should be put before the wants of a human.

[Leftygolfer]

Really? You can't believe that some people advocate for animals that are treated miserably when they can't speak for themselves? Like those opposed to bear baiting, cock fighting and cruel farming methods?

they are way over the top. I think that mindset that we are equal is crazy. I am huge animal lover, don't hunt, have had dogs all my life. But I had to choose my child over my dog when we were moving in order to better provide and have a better place to live. The NRA has done more for conservation of wildlif than PITA or other crazy left wing orginization.

I don't disagree animals have rights. But a cow doesn't have feelings or know that they are in a barn. They don't think.

[jonnythan]

Really? You can't believe that some people advocate for animals that are treated miserably when they can't speak for themselves? Like those opposed to bear baiting, cock fighting and cruel farming methods?

No, he can't believe that there are people who actually attack and injure or kill people like, say, scientists conducting cancer drug research, in the name of animal rights.

[Shindig]

I am a member of the other PETA, People Eating Tasty Animals.

Ah, a fellow member! I dated three vegetarians (one each of type I, II, and III) as an undergraduate, and I'm very glad none of them converted me!

No, he can't believe that there are people who actually attack and injure or kill people like, say, scientists conducting cancer drug research, in the name of animal rights.

We had that as an issue recently in the UC system. Two animal researchers at UC Santa Cruz (I think) recently were attacked. But I don't think that was PETA. There was a protest regarding animal testing at UCLA a month or two ago; several people made T-Shirts that said "PRO-Test" (as in, "I am in favor of testing [on animals]") and counter-protested. If I didn't have to go teach that day, I would've considered joining (on pro-test side).

As for my own views, yeah, PETA is extreme. I think I read somewhere that they kill more animals each year than one of the big factory-farm companies. One of their leaders once said he would oppose a cure for AIDS if the cure necessitated animal testing. As for the whole animal rights and treatment thing, I'm a big meat eater. All other things being equal, I will go for kosher or halal meat, barring a significant difference in price. For obvious reasons, I can't do this when I go for shrimp or lobster, but it's a reasonably good sign on things like hot dogs. But my concern there isn't really animal rights. Interestingly, it isn't a religious reason, either. I just find I like the kosher/halal meat better in many cases. But animal treatment in movies doesn't bother me. I think there's only been one movie in recently history that AHA didn't certify, as an animal trainer hit a chimp after it hit an actor. I don't really know enough about animal training to know if that's appropriate or effective, but it didn't stop me from seeing Speed Racer . If a movie production were to systematically brutalize animals, maybe it would make me stop and ponder.

[allin]

I love these kind of issues. When extremist organizations like PETA polarize the issues then real discussion ends and reasonable goals, like elimiating abuse and unecessary suffering get lost. For example should we not kill disease carrying rodents? On the other hand some livestock practices do seem cruel.

[denver_nuggs_15]

Really? You can't believe that some people advocate for animals that are treated miserably when they can't speak for themselves? Like those opposed to bear baiting, cock fighting and cruel farming methods?

PETA wants "total animal liberation." As in, animals would have the same exact rights as humans. Actually, one of their officers or something like that said they want animals to have the same rights as "retarded children." I'm not really sure what that means at all. In any case, most animals are not conscious. They do not know they exist. Therefore, even if they could speak, they'd have nothing to say.

And what does this have to do with putting animals before people? One PETA officer said that if his boat were sinking, he'd save a "bright dog" before a "retarded baby." PETA also has supported the ALF's actions of hurting/killing humans in the name of animal liberation. "There's nothing wrong with terrorism as long as you win."...That's PETA's defense. They find an animal's life more important than a human's. If animals and humans are equal, then how can they justify killing a human? Shouldn't they be killed for that? If I don't have the right to eat animals because they are killed, they have no right to kill a human for anything. Because what if that cow I'm eating killed some grass and stepped on some bugs...then I guess I'm fine in PETA's eyes. And why the hell can a snake kill something and I can't? Just some other cool things PETA does and promotes: no pets allowed, veganism is the way to go, and milk causes cancer (seriously they said this). And the coolest thing is that plants hurt too according to some scientists. If I can't eat something because it hurts when killed, then I can't eat animals or plants. Well, I guess I'm screwed...thanks PETA.

[CarlSpackler]

The only protest that we've had in our city is a PETA member (female) protesting nekkid in a cage in downtown. Talk about a traffic jam. LOL.

[wedge player]

I am a member of the other PETA, People Eating Tasty Animals.

http://www.tonyrogers.com/humor/peta_geese.htm

[CarlSpackler]

http://www.tonyrogers.com/humor/peta_geese.htm

I guess they won't be crapping on the course anymore.

[Big_M]

That being said.. PETA?Lying, manipulative, hypocritical, terrorist, the-ends-justify-the-means BS organization.

agree 100%

I am a member of the other PETA, People Eating Tasty Animals.

as am I.

The NRA has done more for conservation of wildlif than PITA or other crazy left wing orginization.

I'll go one further than the NRA... hunting licenses pay the vast majority of states budgets that allow for habitat and wildlife preservation... my killing of an animal here and there (which helps check the population), provides an immense amount of funds so that many other animals have cleaner habitats.

PETA is worthless.

[whip_it_out]

PETA? People Eating Tasty Animals?

Yeah, I'm a member.

[n8ron]

The PETA HQ is in Norfolk, VA. When I was stationed there, a local radio station had an annual PETA Bass fishing tournament right outside of PETA's building on Chesapeake Bay. That show; Tommy & Rumble were always ragging on them.

Oh yeah, my thoughts on PETA...
Useless bag of self righteous idiots... or something like that.

[soonerfan]

I always thought PETA stood for "people eating tasty animals"

[zeg]

If animals and humans are equal, then how can they justify killing a human?

Well, the screwy logic is similar to the anti-abortionists who support (or turn a blind eye to, etc) murdering doctors who provide abortions. The greater good is served when the many evils that the scientist or doctor is stopped by the single evil of his murder. I'm somewhat sympathetic to the utilitarian approach, but the logic is so incomplete that their conclusion is crap.

I'll go one further than the NRA... hunting licenses pay the vast majority of states budgets that allow for habitat and wildlife preservation... my killing of an animal here and there (which helps check the population), provides an immense amount of funds so that many other animals have cleaner habitats.

While I don't hunt or own guns, I firmly support responsible hunting when the food and other products from the animal are put to good use. PETA, if they had half an ounce of self-consistent grey matter in their tiny little skulls, would support it as well. Think of it this way -- if you hunt and properly kill a wild deer, it is put to a quick and humane end to a natural, free life. The meat you take home replaces meat you would otherwise likely buy from a factory-farmed, industrially processed cow. Thus, you are actually reducing the "suffering" of animals in horrid conditions by the act.

Trophy hunting where food is not a product I have some issues with. That seems cruel, but hunting for food, even when not *necessary*, is less cruel than buying a steak in the supermarket. PETA disgusts me. I support treating animals well, but they take the idea to an absurd extreme that ignores basic facts about nature. And, please, whoever compared them to the ACLU, don't do that again. There are valid reasons to disagree with the ACLU, but I just don't see how they're comparable. I'm personally generally impressed by the ACLU for its willingness to support extremely unpopular figures when their rights are endangered -- sleazebags and criminals should be punished, but they still deserve the protection guaranteed by our legal system. Oh, and doesn't PETA stand for "people eating tasty animals"? I thought for sure someone would have posted that by now...

[Shorty]

In any case, most animals are not conscious. They do not know they exist. Therefore, even if they could speak, they'd have nothing to say.

Good Lord. Now I know why I prefer the company of animals to that of some humans.

[Mr3Putt]

Say your pwayers wabbit.....

[youngskip40]

^
yup... probably a little overboard.