Reply #76: I totally support PETA. [View All]

[PinkyisBlue]

I equate some of their actions with those of Greenpeace, whose members actually put themselves (in boats) between the hunters and the victims (whales). It's true that PETA is not a passive organization, and it relies very much on activism to get the word out about animal abuses. However, PETA does not advocate violence or property destruction; it aims to change human behavior primarily through education. I think it has done a great job in exposing a lot of the animal abuses we would never know about, from circus elephants to IAMS research labs.

I'm tired of hearing the right-wing lies about PETA. Basically, the people and corporations who hate PETA hate them because PETA is costing them money (everything always comes down to profits and money). It costs more money to treat an animal humanely than inhumanely. And there's lots of profits to be made in the industries involving fur, puppy sales, exotic foods (like liver pate), etc.

PETA tries to take urgent action because the need is immediate. If animals are being abused in a research lab, factory farm or circus, those animals need to be helped NOW, not five years from now when the laws regulating animal care may or may not change, or when the inspectors get around to doing their jobs.

I think a lot of one's views on PETA have to do with his/her view of animals in general. If you think animals have basic rights, you probably believe PETA's campaigns taken to ensure their humane treatment is justified. And if you don't think animals have basic rights, you probably think PETA is a crazy bunch of extremists.