The idea that animals should be treated with respect is not a new one; in fact, the first American protection law dates back to 1641 when the Massachusetts Bay Colonists established the basis for humane cattle farming (see above). The first activist group, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, emerged after the civil war, and by 1907, every state had enacted some form of a protective statute. Since then, animal rights activists have splintered into innumerable groups and associations, each with their own unique opinion and methodology. But, while 96% of Americans agree with a degree of protection from harm and exploitation, one organization by the name of PETA consistently crosses the boundary of acceptable and appropriate.
Since its establishment in 1980, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has taken its proposed ideology of kindness and awareness to the extreme. Some of their most inflammatory propositions include:
- Suggesting that a U.K. music group named Pet Shop Boys change their band’s name to Rescue Shelter Boys
- Designing a vegetarian ad campaign to inform men about how eating meat hurts their “manhood”
- Brainwashing children against their parents with the use of graphic and disturbing anti-fishing and anti-fur flyers
As recently as September 2008, PETA wrote a letter to Ben and Jerry’s Ice-cream in Burlington, VT proposing that the company use breast milk instead of cow’s milk to lessen animals’ suffering. Within 24 hours PETA’s blog was flooded with baffling logic and health statistics that attempted to prove that cow’s milk was the leading cause of conditions such as allergies, obesity, and heart disease. After two weeks of intense publicity, during which the activist group thoroughly reveled in the attention garnered from their “buxom beaut of an idea,” PETA continued to stoke the media’s flames; virginal baby Jesus sharks, hunting-induced impotence, or naked fur-free campaigns anyone?
With one absurd proposal after another PETA continues to generate waves of rabid controversy, planting the animal rights movement firmly in the media spotlight. Whether their extreme tactics and inflammatory claims are justified- well, that’s up to you. But judging by the fervor of their endless self-assertions, there can be no doubt that PETA enjoys all the attention. Watch out ladies, with PETA on the prowl breast-feeding women may just become the next hottest commodity.