PETA, the Good, the Bad, or the Ugly? - City of Heroes Forums

sheld0n · 04-12-2005, 03:57 AM

yay, the debates forum is back!

Ahem, ok, so heres the deal: PETA (aka People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is an organization that fights for animal rights all over the world, by creating demonstrations, suing companies and defaming them.
Their goal is noble, no doubt and they certainly brought some progress to the world on this field, but are all their actions really justified?

They may look nice and pretty on first sight, but lets not forget fiascos such as Keiko the killer whale (the one from Free Willy), who was freed thanks to public pressure generated by PETA, and who kept trying to return to its artificial environnement, but was forced out.

Also, their more recent actions show PETA from a little less heroic angle. Specifically, their demonstrations against killing seals in Canada.
The canadian image they managed to create is that of sadistic bastards who grin as they smack poor little seals with baseball bats in the head. It looks grotesque, as if these people took pleasure from killing these animals in the most barbaric way possible.
People in Europe made a big scandal out of it, and they consider it a great shame for Canada.
But the truth is, that the above is nothing more than the image created by PETA, who, like any other organization, needs money to function (and people gladly give donations when they hear about how brutally the seals are killed).

Obviously, they arent lying, the seals are indeed killed with bats, but they neglect to mention two important factors in this situation:
-Canada has too many seals, we need to kill a certain ammount of them to maintain the balance in the environnement.
-The hunters use special bats, each of them is approved and verified to work properly. The thing is, seals have very fragile skulls, and hitting them in the head very hard is the least painful way to kill them, since they die before they can feel anything. This is a result of studies made by the canadian government to find whats the best weapon for them.

Nobody can say PETA didnt know this, but they continued their campaign anyway, since they needed the money.

Obviously, as i said before, PETA did many good things in the world, including the fight against KFC and battling in the good of animal rights, including the fight against pet brutality.

So, what is your opinion on the subject? In the end, does the fact that PETA did alot of good in the name of animals justify their little purpuseful miscalculations, or perhaps should something be done about their propaganda?

Now that i wrote it, this post doesnt seem fence-sitting'ish enough for a start of a thread, but i would really like to hear your opinion on this.

Plasma Wisp · 04-12-2005, 04:36 AM

THe problem with PETA is blatently obvious. They care for the cute animals or the easy ones people care about. I have yet heard of the maltreatment of the endangered shark in the japanese culture that continues to fish this beautiful, yet deadly creature to death. I don't hear about any PETA protesters in India or in the local area that sell Tiger parts on the black market.

Nothing on saving Kangaroos or other Austrailian animals being killed in the traps and fences that scatter along the outback. The problem with PETA is the members only care for the cute animals, or animals WE eat. My step-brother is an avid equal animal rights, but cares little for his dog, and had his pet Siamese fighting fish die from lack of care.

PETA is considered cool in certain circles so it's trendy when supposedly.

coldcut · 04-12-2005, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plasma Wisp

THe problem with PETA is blatently obvious. They care for the cute animals or the easy ones people care about. I have yet heard of the maltreatment of the endangered shark in the japanese culture that continues to fish this beautiful, yet deadly creature to death. I don't hear about any PETA protesters in India or in the local area that sell Tiger parts on the black market.

Nothing on saving Kangaroos or other Austrailian animals being killed in the traps and fences that scatter along the outback. The problem with PETA is the members only care for the cute animals, or animals WE eat. My step-brother is an avid equal animal rights, but cares little for his dog, and had his pet Siamese fighting fish die from lack of care.

PETA is considered cool in certain circles so it's trendy when supposedly.

Bingo. They're not even environmentalists. They're cause hounds who are more after attention than whatever bizarre philosophy of animal equality they're actually supposed to be pushing.

Akamaz · 04-12-2005, 02:55 PM

here's a story a favorite author of mine wrote regarding PETA like "environmentalists"

http://www.baen.com/library/0671878662/0671878662.htm

check out chapter 3.

By the way, the bopok is "Fiddler Fair" By Mercedes Lackey.

BugBite · 04-12-2005, 06:14 PM

I like the OTHER PETA better: People for the Eating of Tasty Animals.

MikeKAY · 04-12-2005, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BugBite

I like the OTHER PETA better: People for the Eating of Tasty Animals.

Ya, me too. I'm a proud member.

Quakester · 04-12-2005, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BugBite

I like the OTHER PETA better: People for the Eating of Tasty Animals.

Never thought I'd say this but I agree with Bugsy.

Tsarmina · 04-12-2005, 06:53 PM

Hehehe. Leave it to Bugsy to show up as soon as there is a debate begun.

MikeKAY · 04-12-2005, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsarmina

Hehehe. Leave it to Bugsy to show up as soon as there is a debate begun.

I was thinking the exact same thing...

Dark AngelHawk · 04-12-2005, 08:31 PM

I agree with them on some levels but then again I don't.

I would not however, watch someone kill any animal for "just cause."

My theory is if you're going to kill it, use it, eat it, don't just throw it away after you kill it. That's a wasted life!

Now about controling population....I hate to say this but thats a "human" term.....we don't control any population...I mean look at us as humans, we are over populating the planet.

What "controling population" is as I see it is making room for more people, which to me seems unfair.

But I guess in the end only humans will be left and then it'll be complete choas.

I could rant forever on this but here's just somethings as I see it that bother me on the subject. I know I would protect an animal life if it was going to just be destroyed, and I have in the past and will continue to do so in the future.