Their Spring is Broken

PETA stinks. Their methods stink, their philosophy stinks, and the people they put on camera probably reek of patchouli oil. In one case, they are on the right track, but for all the wrong reasons.

Humans and other animals form symbiotic relationships. Dogs protect humans from intruders, and humans feed dogs. Humans feed cats, too, and in return, the cats send favorable reports back to their home planet. Humans have farms; so do ants. Cows, sheep, and chickens are utterly dependent on humans for their survival, and we reap benefits of living from keeping them: milk, meat, eggs, wool, leather, and feathers.

However, no other animal kills or causes suffering for the sake of vanity. What good are minks to humans, besides their fur? How is someone's life enhanced by eating veal or goose liver paté instead of beef? The only thing humans typically want from elephants is ivory; just ask the poachers in Africa (if you dare!).

All vertebrates feel pain. The few vertebrates in permanent anesthesia tend not to survive, after burning themselves or breaking a bone and not realizing it until it's too late. Humans can and do take special care of their own who need special protection, adjusting the environment for the needs of those who never feel pain and injury. (Hey, PETA freaks: show me any other animal that does this.)

The ancient Hebrews were instructed to use the most painless method available to kill their livestock for slaughter. In their case, it was by slitting the throat with the sharpest possible edge. In this day of BSE, it might not be a bad idea to get your beef in a kosher market.

Another "just for our vanity" venture is sport hunting and fishing. If the only reason you have for killing that deer, or salmon, or whatever, is to mount it on a wall as a trophy, don't do it. If you don't intend to make food out of it, leave it alone. There are plenty of ways to show the world what a manly man you are, that don't involve death and suffering. Better yet: study humility instead.

So why do I have such a problem with PETA? They try to denigrate themselves, and everyone else with them, with their false claim that humans should have no contact with any other animals. Their tactics alternate between illegal (public nudity), dangerous (releasing a large population of minks without consideration of other local wildlife), and just plain stupid (demanding a meatless society). Their claims use "science" in a very selective manner, ignoring obvious points which contradict their agenda. When their last "reason" fails, they can make only fearful and sympathetic arguments.

Phooey on PETA. A stopped clock may be right twice a day, but it's still useless as a timepiece.

Posted on 03/15/2006 at 03:41:00 PM EST.