Being PETA II

Not being a big fan of PETA, even though I have been in the past, I was annoyed that they used Michelle Obama's image without her permission and refused to change it. This decision, as well as many others, does not endear me to this rather extremist organization. What about the ethical treatment of people?



PETA reasons that it's a public service announcement so the FLOTUS's permission was not needed. (Forget respect, eh?) My reasoning is does PETA intend to collect donations during the time her image is on billboards and buses? What might the recourse of the FLOTUS be?

The POTUS and FLOTUS are astute lawyers so I'm sure something is being worked out or at the very least it's being dealt with. I assume PETA thinks that it would be a public relations nightmare if the Obama's sought legal action. They could not use my image without my permission. Can you say lawsuit?

Being PETA

While the work that PETA does is commendable in many aspects, I often think that they go too far, often infringing upon the rights of others. I have written of this here before. Listening to a PETA spokesperson on a news show say that Michael Vick should not be allowed to make a living in his profession, after having gone to jail and serving 18 months, until he gets a brain scan is absolutely ridiculous. The spokesperson was annoyed that Vick could receive millions of dollars. He thinks that Vick isn't worthy of such. But the man served his time and has been working with the Humane Society. Who is PETA to deny another a livelihood? If Vick was a garbage collector before doing time should he now not be allowed to collect garbage? Should he not be allowed to make a living in his profession?

Being Ingrid Newkirk II

After reading that PETA launched an all out assault on the Bidens and the breeder that sold them their German Shepard I was ticked off and realized exactly why extremists of any kind disturb me. I have written here before of Ingrid Newkirk, the President of PETA. She seems to want to restrict freedoms and intimidate with fear. If I want to buy a dog from a breeder that is exactly where I will go. If I want to adopt a dog from a shelter, I will go there. What is for certain is that PETA would not be telling me anything about where I should purchase my dog. PERIOD.

The Bidens have agreed after receiving flack from PETA to purchase a second puppy from a shelter. On PETA's website Ms. Newkirk said the following: "Thanks go out to VP-elect Biden for raising the issue of the companion animal overpopulation crisis in this country, which is as bleak as our economy. Animal homelessness also requires urgent attention by cutting animal breeders off at the pass and bailing out animal shelters." Hmmm, "as bleak as our economy?" I wonder if the consequences are as dire nationally and internationally.

While I completely think that animals should be loved and cared for and that it is our responsibility to care for them as there are not colonies of dogs where there is self-rule. (Although, if you lived in the Bahamas for any length of time among the people, potcakes, stray dogs that roam the streets, you will notice that there is without doubt a hierarchy and system among even these.) It seems that sometimes when there is an absence of spiritual awareness, something takes its place. I am not sure about Ms. Newkirk but she strikes me as an extremist whose God is four legged animals which she uses to intimidate others with threats and violence. Who is she to tell any family what kind of pet to buy. This is probably why it is taking the Obamas so long to buy a dog that best suits their family. Malia has an allergy and needs a specific kind of dog.

Linda Brown, the breeder who sold the Bidens the puppy, is sorry that she did and advises other breeders to stay clear of the Obamas or other high profile people. It's not worth it. According to NBC Brown said that "she has been been investigated, scorned and had her life threatened." PETA "seized the moment as an opportunity to blame the killing of shelter animals on people who buy from breeders. The organization's TV commercial, 'Buy One, Get One Killed' ran in Delaware after the Biden puppy story made headlines."

Brown says that she "was cited for a piece of kibble on the floor and five strands of dog hair. They took a picture of that, they walked around, snapped pictures and don't tell you why...She was found 'not guilty' for each citation, but hiring a lawyer for the court hearings has cost her $4,000 so far in legal fees."

Perhaps PETA should pay for those fees and the fees of any other people whose professional and lawful businesses have been hampered by the likes of PETA.

Being Ingrid Newkirk

Watching a special on PETA, I must admit to being more than a bit alarmed and disturbed by both the co-founder, Ingrid Newkirk, and those who mistreat animals; they are all extremists.

I had been a vegetarian for 12 years or so and could not eat the first turkey that I prepared this year. But, if Ingrid Newkirk came to my shop to protest by defaming my property, I would probably not idly sit by and watch.

Besides publicity, is her desire violence? Some say that PETA and the Animals Liberation Front are terrorist organizations, seeking to evoke fear and rule by demanding conformity to their sense of ethics--love and respect for animals aside.

There seems to always be a righteous cause for religious zealots of all faiths to take a "by any means necessary" approach. It seems that the nonbeliever Ms. Newkirk has chosen animals as her God and violence and fear as her means for an ethical society.