by Sean Beesley, Spin Killer
august 18, 2004
The shock jock of radical activist groups is at it again. With a long list of advertisements and campaigns designed to shock and offend People for the Ethical Treatment of animals (PETa) is deliberating whether to exploit Ronald Reagan's tragic battle with alzheimer's.
The proposed banner, which sports a picture of Reagan and states "Win one for the gipper…animal fats double your risk of alzheimer's" appears on the PETa website , along with a poll as to whether the billboard should be used. PETa states that they petitioned Nancy Reagan for support in this campaign, however Nancy Reagan's office has demanded that PETa " cease and desist."
PETa representative Matt Rice tells Canada Free Press that President Reagan is a public figure and as such PETa has the legal right to use his image and run the add. However, Rice states that PETa is using its online poll that provides visitors an option to vote for running the billboard ad or not, to determine whether they will use the billboard ad. Curiously, the poll appears to be another example PETa's soft science and does not provide any results to the participant, nor does it restrict participants from casting multiple votes at a time. Despite these inconsistencies, Rice insists that PETa will release and use the questionable results to decide whether the ad will run.
PETa's colorful History …
Recently in Canada, PETa caused massive outrage with a billboard depicting a young woman and pig with a slogan stating "neither of us is meat." Which referred to a massacre that took place at a pig farm in British Columbia in which health officers claim that meat from the farm may have been be contaminated with the human remains of the female victims.
In 2001, Bruce Friedrich, PETa’s vegan campaign coordinator, at the "animal Rights 2001" conference appears to support violence and terror tactics stating, " "If we really believe that animals have the same right to be free from pain and suffering at our hands, then, of course we’re going to be, as a movement, blowing things up and smashing windows … I think it’s a great way to bring about animal liberation … I think it would be great if all of the fast-food outlets, slaughterhouses, these laboratories, and the banks that fund them exploded tomorrow. I think it's perfectly appropriate for people to take bricks and toss them through the windows ... Hallelujah to the people who are willing to do it."
In December 2003, PETa targeted children with fliers stating " "Your Mommy Kills animals." featuring a depiction of a mother stabbing a rabbit in the stomach with a knife.
Quick research into PETa reveals a litany of similar advertisements, campaigns, and quotes. While attention and efforts to combat alzheimers are needed, the question as to the validity of PETa's new campaign may be summarized in the context of the history of the organization itself as stated by Ingrid Newkirk Co-founder and President of PETa, "We are complete press sluts".
Sean Beesley is the publisher and editor of Spin Killer www.spinkiller.com he is also a regular contributor at The Western Standard's Shotgun blog.
Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 1997-2024 the individual authors. Site Copyright 1997-2024 Canada Free Press.Com Privacy Statement