Grrr.... That thread in General Discussion has me all riled up

[justiceischeap]

Just had to get that off my chest.

Why is it that when people speak of PETA they compare them to ELF or ALF? PETA is not ELF, PETA is not ALF. Yes, PETA donated to an ALF member's defense fund but they have also donated to many other activists who have done nothing but speak their minds at peaceful protests (these donations far outweigh the support given to one ALF member years ago).

Another thing I don't get is why folks get so riled up over the fact that PETA's main objective is compassion for ALL living beings. I guess I take it more personally than most for reasons I don't want to divulge but if you put your thinking caps on maybe you can figure out.

Lastly, the argument that pisses me off the most is the "publicity stunt" one. It is because of everyone in the world that PETA has to be more and more outrageous to get publicity. If PETA does a serious news conference, hardly any press will show up but you get their activists naked, and the reporters come out of the woodwork.

Argh!

[JackieO]

1. I take it personally, too.

Speciesism, that is. More and more I just can't tolerate it. To me, it's just like racism or homophobia... it makes me sick. Which sucks for me cuz we got a looooooong way to go before we get over that hurdle.

[Borgnine]

2. Yeah, I know.

Some people just don't understand the vegetarian mindset and how we view animals. Granted, PETA doesn't do us any favors with their brash tactics, but it doesn't mean every animal-rights group is trying to "convert" them from their Big Macs and whatnot.

[justiceischeap]

3. Their brash tactics

Are only used because it's the only way to bring light to the situation. Whether you agree with them or not, it gets the situation into the media and therefore before the public.

[flvegan]

4. PETA's tie to Rodney Coronado will always

be thrown out there, as if they were paying him to do what he did. Hey, they loaned some money to a guy who was on trial. Not like he was convicted and they paid for his appeal. Rediculous.

I met Rodney a couple years ago. He was speaking at an AR conference the same day that I was speaking. We served on a Q&A panel together. He listened to my discussion (regarding an open rescue a group of us did at an egg farm here in Florida). He shook my hand and thanked me for what I did and for talking about it. I guess that makes me some sort of terrorist confidant, or something.

[KnowerOfLogic]

5. People are just looking for an excuse not to have to care. That's the

bottom line.