WTF PETA?!??!?

This, I think, is taking animal rights advocacy a touch too far.

Their initial message was wonderful: protect animals from abuse, and prosecute those who abuse animals. Sadly, this message has been lost in the jumble of theatrical stunts and gore-filled videos. More often than not, PETA is viewed as a sideshow amusement. People point and laugh when they see naked women in cages painted as cats; they grimace and turn away in horror at a video of abuse in a slaughterhouse. Most recently PETA has advocated replacing cow milk in ice cream with human breast milk, and have also publicly stated that no one should own pets; that all animals should be free.

There's a thin line between activism and extremism, and PETA obliterated that line ages ago. Now, they're a laughingstock; a group who provides brief entertainment with extreme demonstrations before fading back into obscurity for several months.

This is coming from someone who has higher regard for animals than for humans. I'm ecstatic that there is a group out there that feels the same way, yet also horrified that it's PETA. Seriously, let all animals roam free? I think my two neutered, front-declawed cats would have an issue with that. They've come to rely on The Wife™ and I for food, water, shelter, and safety. I seriously doubt that they'd be able to survive outside, nor would I subject them to that. They're safe and happy right where they are, and seem to be rather fond of us. We don't "own" them; they're part of our family and would be deeply missed if they weren't there. Replace cow milk with human breast milk? Did they consider the ethical and biological ramifications of this statement before they sent the press release?

PETA needs to gain back some credibility; convince the public that they're not the lunatic fringe they appear to be. The question is how. Not that they'll listen to a guy on a blog with a handful of readers, but here's a few suggestions:

• Step back a bit. It's fine to think outside the box, but keep the box in sight.


• See the other side's point of view, and work from there.


• Tone down the theatrics, and present your message clearly and coherently.

Perhaps if they do that instead of locking naked cat-women in cages they'll start to attract people who are genuinely interested in the cause.

Maybe then they'll start making a difference.