Oh, Controversy! What Do You Think of PETA?

on January 25, 2010
in All Posts

I had a rather interesting Twitter exchange with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) this afternoon.  It started after I read this blog post from PETA about Gail Shea, Canada’s minister of fisheries and oceans, who supports baby seal hunting.  Shea was pied in the face by a rather extremist supporter of PETA.

A woman apparently protesting the seal hunt pushes a pie into the face of federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea, seen here in an image captured on video.

(Source)

 

So, anyway – PETA tweets:

1a

I obviously don’t like the idea of baby seals being clubbed to death; however, I’m not going to pie someone who supports the industry.  I tweet:

1

PETA responds:

2

(Just so everyone knows, I think it’s technically battery. The point is, you don’t have to use a weapon for it to be a crime.) 

3

PETA responds:

4

And I responded once more before withdrawing for fear that PETA is going to come to Orlando and pie me.

5

I thought this was a rather interesting exchange.  It quickly became very obvious to me that it was a “winless” argument with the PETA Tweet-er.  PETA believes their tactics are correct, and there’s no convincing them otherwise.  A few other bloggers joined the Tweet-troversy and got similar responses.

 

It’s ironic because PETA is actually one of the reasons I went vegetarian.  They have a lot of information about animals raised for food on their website, and their videos are horrifying and difficult to ignore. 

 

Also, I admire some of PETA’s efforts, especially their undercover investigations.  Remember how they took down fast-food giant KFC a few years ago?  Many of their investigations have exposed animal mistreatment and resulted in criminal charges, which is awesome for the animals involved.  They also help fight product testing on animals and are anti-fur.  And they do a lot of good for animals in shelters, etc.

 

However, in general, I think PETA is WAY too extreme.  Mostly, I feel like PETA teaches people that vegetarianism/veganism is this “crazy,” extremist thing.  PETA makes all vegetarians sound like radicals.  It turns people off to the idea of vegetarianism. 

 

In general, I hate PETA’s advertising techniques. 

FeedingKidsPetaAd_72.jpg

Basically, I feel like PETA’s tactics give vegetarians/vegans a bad reputation.  Also, I feel like PETA would probably like to burn me at the stake (or pie me with a tofu-cream pie) for being a lowly vegetarian and not a vegan.  I always feel like I’m not “good enough” when I’m on the PETA website. I don’t judge anyone for eating meat, not eating meat, or eating dairy.  It makes me nervous when I feel so intensely judged.

 

So, regardless of whether you’re a meat eater, vegetarian, or vegan, what do you think of PETA?  Love it or hate it?  Admire it or fear it?  Or do you just think PETA is an incredibly talented PR machine…. after all, I’m talking about it on the blog, aren’t I?

{ 264 comments }

 

  • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete January 25, 2010, 2:39 pm

    I completely agree with you! I don’t think that this really helps their cause. I think that it just makes them look crazy. And really, no one takes crazies seriously.

  • Evan Thomas January 25, 2010, 2:39 pm

    Haha, I was waiting for this one. I think PETA is a group of extremists, which is a shame because they really do represent a good cause. How they go about getting their message across makes the general vegetarian population look worse and it’s a shame.

    I forget what comedian said it, but this always cracks me up when I think about it: “I’m mostly vegan. I don’t eat any animals, I just love them too much. The only meat I do eat is people. Oh God, how I hate people. But animals I love.”

  • Maura January 25, 2010, 2:41 pm

    I couldn’t agree more! They’ve got some good core beliefs but the tactics they’ve turned to are embarrassing and just… wrong!

    • Yasmin January 26, 2010, 11:33 am

      They are PR geniuses!

      In today’s culture, moderation does not sell or attract attention. They know this.

      Just look at how riled up they’ve got everyone here! And in the process of raising spirited dissent, they disseminate statistics and knowledge about their cause. Honestly, I learned a lot about animal treatments just by reading the comments here that disagree with one another.

  • jessica g January 25, 2010, 2:41 pm

    i’m a vegetarian and a huge animal rights activist but i do not support PETA. More than anything i am a pit bull rescuer and advocate. The president of PETA, Ingrid Newkirk, believes pitbulls should be banned. various lawsuits and studies have shown that breed specific legislation does not work to curb the abuse people put onto these animals.

    I do not support PETA

    • Caitlin January 25, 2010, 2:42 pm

      i love pit bulls! how can PETA dislike them? 🙁 hate the deed, not the breed.

      • jessica g January 25, 2010, 3:05 pm

        much love caitlin, much love.
        thanks!

      • Lauren January 26, 2010, 12:35 pm

        Aw I couldn’t agree more! I have a pit bull mix and he is the sweetest dog ever! We adopted him from an area rescue when he was just 3 months old, and he’s grown to be one of the best dogs I’ve ever encountered.

        Anyway, on point. PETA’s justification for supporting breed-specific legislation is that too many pit bulls unfairly suffer at the hands of ignorant/cruel owners. I do agree with this (to a VERY limited extent), but their call for a universal ban on pit bulls only stigmatizes the breed more, deprives responsible, caring people from adopting pit bulls, and puts more pit bulls on the street, unwanted and unloved.

        I emailed PETA several months ago with what I thought was a very well-reasoned defense for not supporting breed-specific legislation. The letter they sent back to me pretty much accused me of being uneducated. (It seems to be one of their favorite words?!) I was majorly insulted, and immediately put an end to my subscription to their emails/alerts. I have regularly donated to PETA and supported various causes, but I won’t be doing it again.

        In short, I feel like PETA does much good for many animals. However, their efforts should be directed across the board, not at the exclusion of certain types or breeds.

        Oh, and I too really dislike so many of their arrogant/sexist/elitist ad campaigns. Marginalizing women and making fun of the overweight is not, IMO, an acceptable way to convert people to vegetarianism.

    • Jennifer @ His N' Her Health January 25, 2010, 5:27 pm

      This is the main reason why I hate PETA too. I have two pit bulls. They claim animal rights yet want to ban a breed. I have read that they have killed pit bulls (and other animals) as well. I have absolutely no idea if this is true or not though.

      • Morgan January 25, 2010, 9:46 pm

        PETA also euthanized 85% of the animals they took in…I forget the year. There is a nice article in NYMag this week-about the humanizing of dogs (don’t worry, it’s a good article).

        PETA needs new leaders if they are going to retain that name. Anyone in for an overthrow of power?

        Throwing a pie in the face is actually hilarious, even though I’m sure the pie-thrower deserved one too!

        I support Bestfriends.org-hands down the greatest philanthropy dealing with animals!

        • Alissa January 26, 2010, 4:05 am

          Ok this is one thing that the general population just doesn’t seem to get…PETA is NOT AN ANIMAL SHELTER!
          I grew up in Norfolk, Va (where the actual headquarters are) and volunteered there throughout high school.

          PETA doesn’t not shelter animals…often times people will just dump their animals at the headquarters thinking that PETA will take care of them. That’s not their objective.
          Furthermore, euthanasia is an extremely sad and utterly unfortunate reality. Euthanasia ends up being last resorts often because there isn’t anyone who can readily house an animal.
          If people STOPPED BREEDING PETS there wouldn’t be overcrowding in shelters. Shelters who are no-kill often have to turn away animals because their is no room for them.

          I just wanted to set the record straight with the euthanasia issue.
          And Morgan–do you have a link to this NYMag article? Their website had no such article from what I just saw.

        • Caitlin January 26, 2010, 7:34 am

          I dont know a lot about the euthansia issue with PETA, but I’m aware of it and I have to side with Alissa. Unfortunately, animals must be put down sometimes because shelters are so overcrowded. It sucks (and it makes PETA look reallllly hypocritical) but that’s reality.

        • Anna M January 26, 2010, 9:28 am

          Yes, Best Friends rocks! I think to make a point to PETA, we should all start pie-ing people who disagree with us, or anger us. Like in traffic, if you cut me off, you get key lime on your bumper. Bad grade on a paper? Teacher gets lemon meringue. Haha! In all seriousness, PETA totally turns me off with their campaigns, AND I can’t stand the waste involved with it. How about instead of throwing red paint on an expensive coat, auction it off to charity and donate the money to shelters.

        • Morgan January 26, 2010, 10:31 am

          Oh, no I totally agree-euthanisa sucks but in our lifetime it’s completely avoidable. However, to the general public PETA is an Animal “happy place” whether PETA is a shelter or not, they could have directed the animal be taken to an actual shelter. I think what that statistic shows is that PETA is very careless and shows how hypocritical PETA is. PETA has the networks, contacts and resources (in 2008 they made $33 million) to place animals in proper shelters rather than just euthanize for space purposes or whatever purpose they may have. I don’t understand how PETA can be against animal testing and against killing animals for food, but it’s ok to “euthanize” most of the animals they take in? In 2005 Newkirk killed 90% of her defenseless animals and adopted only 6% – a ratio far worse than almost any pound in the country. Read back over the 2005 controversy with PETA and the courts-interesting. Also, read about Newkirk-that woman needs a few mince meat pies to the face (among other things). PETA puts the cruel back in cruelty-free.

          NYMag article for funsies:
          http://nymag.com/news/features/63232/?imw=Y&f=most-viewed-24h5

      • Morgan January 26, 2010, 10:36 am

        And for the record, when I win the lottery, I plan on starting an Animal Rescue!!! I shall call it: “PETA sucks, so bring your animals here”. Hahahahaha!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet January 25, 2010, 2:41 pm

    Hate it! Totally agree that it gives vegetarians a bad reputation!

    • Pro-animal, anti-peta April 2, 2015, 4:06 pm

      People Eating Tasty Animals: Uncompassionate losers for animals since 1980

  • cait January 25, 2010, 2:42 pm

    As I said on twitter (ywca_hamilton) PETA’s shaming campaigns are outrageous. I am DEFINITELY againt cruelty to animals, but why oh why must PETA target women by making them a)purely sexual objects b)use fat shaming tactics and/or c) assult…whether it’s a tofu pie or not.

    Despite the good message, the means by which it is presented completely offend me. The message that cruelty against animals is wrong should (and can!) stand on it’s own. Why shame/objectify women?

    • Shelly January 25, 2010, 3:10 pm

      Yes. I feel very alienated by how sexist a great deal of PETA’s ad campaigns are! There are better ways to make a point.

  • Melissa January 25, 2010, 2:44 pm

    I can’t stand them and don’t support them in the least. They are on the same level for me as the “mothers who don’t breastfeed and cloth diaper their children are child abusers” people. There are good things to their message, but it’s hard to see it through all the hateful hard nosed crap.

  • Angela (Oh She Glows) January 25, 2010, 2:46 pm

    I can’t stand PETA. They give vegetarians and vegans a bad name and I am quite frankly embarrassed for them! Childless acts and extremely derogatory and sexist advertisements.

    • Julie @SavvyEats January 25, 2010, 4:59 pm

      Yes! Shoving a pie in someone’s face because you disagree with their opinion is childish, and not the way to win support. There are better ways to raise awareness!

      • Angela (Oh She Glows) January 25, 2010, 6:19 pm

        I just re-read my comment…I meant to say childish not childless…LOL. Glad my point was clear regardless!

        • Julie @SavvyEats January 25, 2010, 9:48 pm

          I knew what you meant! Just didn’t want to call you out on HTP 😉

  • Lindsey January 25, 2010, 2:47 pm

    I completely agree with your post! If you have HBO be sure to check out the newly posted documentary called “I am an animal”. It really shows how ridiculous their advertising and protests have become.

  • Suzanne January 25, 2010, 2:49 pm

    You’re right, what they did is considered battery, and in a civil court, they would definitely lose a law suit. Even if the assault doesn’t cause any physical harm, by creating offensive physical contact with another person with either a body part or an extension of that body part (the pie), it’s an act of battery.

    Huge nerd. Right here.

    When I was a vegetarian, I found myself often being judged by others for my lifestyle choice (which was funny, since it definitely didn’t affect them…). People assumed that I would get mad at them for eating meat, when that never mattered to me. Extremists like PETA propogate these stereotypes. I think that if they pulled back a little bit, people would be more willing to listen to their viewpoints, and maybe they’d find a lot more people would begin to listen to them and help them make a difference.

    • Foy Update - Cook. Garden. Write. Repeat. January 26, 2010, 12:42 am

      It is an interesting line to walk – being an herbivore among omnivores. I used to eat meat if it was served to me. I actually still eat meat, but only if it has been raised in certain humane and healthy ways, and I won’t eat seafood because of over fishing and the stress on the environment it causes.

      It’s always been a struggle with me. I don’t want to make people uncomfortable yet I want to stand for my own beliefs. I eventually decided I simply won’t eat meat or seafood even if someone serves it to me. I also have the rule that I won’t complain about my limited food options and only explain my choice when asked.

      I recently decided I won’t use Styrofoam. I bring my own travel coffee mug to the café and so on. My biggest problem is the boxes they give me for leftovers at restaurants. I usually ask the wait staff to put it in aluminum foil if they don’t have a cardboard container. And I ask them find me something. I have yet to encounter a waiter who hasn’t accomidated me. How will things change if I don’t do my part?

      Granted my choices not to eat meat and not to use Styrofoam have put me is some uncomfortable situations. But putting myself out there is my way of effecting change. I believe it was Gandhi who said, “be the change you wish to see in the world.”

      My change in the world is a little uncomfortable but it does not involve tofu cream pies to the face.

      • Julie May 16, 2010, 9:48 pm

        I know this reply is really late, but if you take in a piece of tupperware I found wait staff are more than happy to put your leftovers in that for you instead of a disposable take home containers.

  • Allison (Eat Clean Live Green) January 25, 2010, 2:49 pm

    I can’t stand PETA. Animal rights are a very important issue, but their approach is often offensive, and I agree with you – makes many people think that vegetarians/vegans must be crazy too.

    Their approach does get people talking, but not in a ‘oh that’s interesting, maybe I’ll look more into it’ way, but in a ‘PETA is insane. Ignore what they say’ way.

  • Alison January 25, 2010, 2:49 pm

    Good for you for sticking up for what you believe! It’s so hypocritical to hurt and shame humans when they don’t believe in hurting animals. Kind of like the person who shot the abortion doctor … really? Does murder solve anything? Ok, way off topic now! But I think it’s great that you fought the good fight.

  • Lauren @ Eater not a runner January 25, 2010, 2:51 pm

    I honestly can’t stand PETA. They are just obnoxious!

  • Samantha January 25, 2010, 2:52 pm

    I am not a big fan of PETA although I have gleaned a lot of useful info from their site. I think the cause is admirable, but I think they are a bit extreme. People always ask me about PETA when they find out I am a vegetarian and avoid buying products that are tested on animals. They probably think I am a bit of a lune or something. I always have to explain that you can support the cause and not be that extreme.

  • Allison January 25, 2010, 2:54 pm

    Wow, I am surprised at some of the venom being spewed at PETA. Sometimes, to get progress for a cause you have to be extreme. Think of the civil rights movement or the fight for women’s right to vote. Sometimes you have to be extreme to make moderate views seem a little more appealing. Should they be throwing pies in people’s faces? Of course not. Should they make fun of fat people in their advertising? Again, I don’t like it at all. I also don’t think they should throw red paint at people wearing fur, even though I would never think of wearing it. But sometimes that extremism is what raises awareness of an issue and gets people thinking.

    • Andrea January 25, 2010, 3:06 pm

      I see how you think extremism is what would raise awareness on the situation but all to often this just makes people want to do the opposite.

      • Allison January 25, 2010, 3:12 pm

        Oh, I definitely think that there are a lot of wackos in PETA and they don’t realize that doing things like assaulting people with pies actually turns off people who might actually be open to listen to their message. I just think it is also extreme to say things like “I can’t stand them” because have you met all of “them”?

        • Jessica January 25, 2010, 5:31 pm

          I don’t think she meant “them” so literal; but possibly as an organization.Extremism is one thing but violating the law is another thing.

        • Angela (Oh She Glows) January 25, 2010, 6:36 pm

          I think it is their extreme approach that causes many people to quickly brush them off. I think that it backfires. Most people don’t want to associate themselves with that sort of behaviour so I think their approach works in the opposite way they want it to.

          I agree with most of their desire for awareness and prevention of animal cruelty, but I do not agree with their ACTIONS in any way shape or form.

    • Kayrah January 28, 2010, 11:36 am

      I couldn’t agree more!

      • Julie May 16, 2010, 9:54 pm

        I generally think extremism pushes away more people than it attracts and does not stand the test of time. Hippies? The black panther party? Not super successful in the long term.

  • Chari January 25, 2010, 2:54 pm

    Way to stand up to them! I can’t stand them. Their advertising is crap and unfortunately, a lot of it is misogynist. [just look at the ‘save the whales’ billboard]

    The great research and investigations they do end up being negated by the idiot loon things they do like smacking someone in the face with a pie.

    They scare more folks away from their advocacy then they attract, thanks to those tactics.

  • Sarah January 25, 2010, 2:54 pm

    I’m with you. Peta just alienates people, and makes vegetarianism appear cultish. I think that more often than not they hurt their cause rather than help it.

  • Jessie January 25, 2010, 2:56 pm

    I love how you stood up against their actions. I agree that assualting any person is not an appropriate way to get their message out.

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) January 25, 2010, 2:56 pm

    Good on you for engaging in the twitter argument. I DON’t know a lot about PETA – but it seems that throwing a pie in sometimes face is unlikley to achieve anything positive for their campaign?! Publicity – yes. Positive publicity – unlikley. They have such a great message to share – I am just not sure that pie throwing is the way to do it…

    • Julie May 16, 2010, 9:55 pm

      I think it is also good you knew when to let it go. Some people can’t be reasoned with.

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg January 25, 2010, 2:56 pm

    I agree with you– I feel like PETA can give vegetarians/vegans a bad name. Most of the world already thinks that the veg lifestyle is for “crazies,” and PETA only adds fuel to that fire.

    In a similar vein (contraversial veg issues), I posted today about vegan vs. vegetarian. So many issues, so little time 🙂

    It’s like we’re all on the “hot topic” day at The View 🙂

  • meghann January 25, 2010, 2:57 pm

    Its almost the same as skiiny bitch bullying people to eat vegan in their book.

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) January 25, 2010, 2:57 pm

    I despise PETA’s tactics. There are ways to get your point across without damaging or injuring others mentally or physically. And just because you are vegetarian or vegan doesn’t mean you are healthy. They are drawing conclusions that are not fact.

    I support people who do so for their own beleifs but I don’t like being criticized for eating meat on occassion. I take your approach Caitlin.

  • Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com January 25, 2010, 2:57 pm

    I agree with you – pieing someone in the face isn’t the way to make a point! *two wrongs don’t make a right’ blah blah..!! It’s better to educate properly – my psychologist side is gonna come out now – but shock tactics never work, the results are just short lived.
    Animal rights is important, but I think they go the wrong way about it,and they DO make all vegetarians seem like quacks cos *one* links PETAs extremisn with vegetarianism.

    Personally, I think we should do what we feel is right – all credit to PETA for highlightiong animal suffering, but don’t pie someone in the face about it!!

  • Amy January 25, 2010, 2:57 pm

    Not really a fan myself…. I think they lose all credibility the second a pie is launched. Totally unprofessional.

    Oh, and last time I checked meat didn’t make kids fat! 🙂

  • Alison January 25, 2010, 2:58 pm

    I think the people behind PETA are as intolerant and ignorant as they claim non-vegetarians/vegans to be. I’m definitely not fan.

  • Erica January 25, 2010, 2:58 pm

    I agree….I think PETA is a little crazy and don’t want people thinking I’m automatically a PETA supporter just because I’m a vegetarian. Their ways seems a little childish sometimes!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) January 25, 2010, 2:58 pm

    I couldn’t agree more…PETA is incredibly radical and obnoxious. You’re right: assault and/or battery doesn’t solve anything and if anything keeps the general public from wanting to do anything to help. I also think it’s ridiculous how they use the base instinct of “sex sells” to promote their organization by having naked people all over the place. It just disgusts me more than anything.

    I digress! Thanks for standing up for yourself and those of us who dislike PETA as well!

  • Karissa @ CardioFoddie January 25, 2010, 2:59 pm

    I was pretty shocked after reading the Twitter conversation. Whoever was representing PETA on Twitter made them like foolish and childish. Whatever message they were trying to communicate was lost in their bad behavior if you ask me. You are correct that what they did could be considered assault, maybe even battery. I believe two wrongs never make and right, and if that is how they chose to support their cause then I won’t support their organization. Good for you in sticking up for yourself!

  • Jessie (Vegan-minded) January 25, 2010, 3:00 pm

    As a vegan, I can honestly say that I despise the way that PETA represents vegetarianism. They make it so confrontational and controversial, when it should really be about educating people in a more peaceful manner. I think their tactics turn many people off and lead them to think that vegetarians are crazy. There is no way that it is okay to through a pie in someone’s face, no matter what their beliefs are. Ugh, this makes me so mad! Thanks for at least trying to put them in their place, whether they listened or not!

  • chrissy January 25, 2010, 3:01 pm

    I’m a vegan and an animals rights activist, but I’m also a feminist and a humanist. PETA consistently objectifies women in their ads and then defends them by saying, “Sex sells.” I’m not for any group that throws one group under the bus (IE, women) while attempting to liberate another (animals).

    • Hangry Pants January 25, 2010, 3:13 pm

      This is such a good point and I think my argument as well. They are good at getting attention, but do it in the wrong way. It’s like the little kid in class that always calls out instead of raising his hand. It does make me feel embarrassed and like I have to defend vegetarians and vegans as not all being that extreme.

  • Bree@beeskneeslife January 25, 2010, 3:02 pm

    I am not vegetarian, but think PETA gives veg/vegan eaters a bad name. I saw that Save the Whales billboard campaign a few months ago and blogged about it. Being overweight has nothing to do with eating meat or animal products. Eating vegetarian does not equal being thin or even healthy by default. I agree – PETA is a little over the top and slightly hypocritical.

  • Anne P January 25, 2010, 3:02 pm

    I definitely think PETA gives vegetarians/vegans a bad name. That’s what a lot of people automatically think of and they are SO extreme. Not a good thing!

  • Jess January 25, 2010, 3:07 pm

    I think PETA is absolutely way too over the top, but in some ways it draws attention to the issue. However, I still take issue with some of their advertising tactics. They seem to take special aim at women and display them in rather unflattering and negative ways.

  • sarah January 25, 2010, 3:08 pm

    Just for the sake of debate, I’ll argue the opposite side. PETA raises awareness for animal issues in a way that few animal rights organizations can match. It’s extreme, but people PAY ATTENTION. It’s an advocacy group for a reason – you don’t convert anyone to your cause just by eating vegetarian. Animal rights are so far off people’s radar that it might take cream pies to make most pay attention. For vegetarians and vegans, it’s redundant and embarrassing. For people who are never gonna change their minds, it’s something to laugh about. But I think PETA might be aiming at some middle group that will start giving more thought to animal rights after seeing some of their stunts.

    • Caitlin January 25, 2010, 3:09 pm

      true! all good points.

    • stina January 25, 2010, 4:26 pm

      You’ve got good points. However, as a member of that “middle group” (I’m not a vegetarian or vegan, but I have been reducing my consumption of animal products and considering vegetarianism.), I’ve been way more influenced by people like Caitlin and Angela at Oh She Glows. I can honestly say PETA has never done anything except make me think that the people involved in PETA are insane.

      • Caitlin January 25, 2010, 4:31 pm

        This makes me happy 🙂

        • Jessica January 25, 2010, 4:56 pm

          honestly until i read this post…I also just thought they were a bunch of sillies just trying to get attention.

          People will find anything to debate if it gets them some attention.

    • Tara January 25, 2010, 5:57 pm

      I agree with Sarah. For the most part our society does not want to see the process of how that fur gets on the jacket or how that ground beef ends up in the pretty package at the grocery store. PETA certainly takes extreme measures to get the message across but clearly it’s having an impact. Although, sitting behind my desk I am distant from the view of the seal being beaten over the head but if it were right in front of my face, I’d be throwing a lot more than a pie in someone’s face to make them stop!

  • Kiersten January 25, 2010, 3:11 pm

    I am a vegan and I do NOT like PETA. I think that have potential to make changes and really help the animals, but instead they focus too much on using ridiculous tactics to get attention. It’s like a joke now- when people think of PETA they think about nude women protesting, offensive advertising, and immature stunts like the pie incident. What happened to just getting the facts out there and letting people see how horribly the animals are treated? Since when do women have to dress up in lettuce bikinis to get that point across? I think they focus too much on trying to be outrageous and get their name in the paper that they have lost focus of the real cause- the animals.

  • Katherine January 25, 2010, 3:11 pm

    I totally argree with everything you are saying. PETA goes to the extreme with these sort of messages. I am an animal lover and vegan/vegetarian supporter but don’t agree with the things that PETA are doing, which includes assult.I’m glad you stood up to them.

  • Kathleen January 25, 2010, 3:12 pm

    I agree that PETA is far too extremist but it gets attention. It has definitely raised awareness (whether it has done it in the right way or not can be argued but I believe that it has been effective) and I find that to be a valuable contribution…

    There is a Superbowl ad that was banned that I found really funny (and got all my guy friends more interested in vegetarianism) found here: http://www.peta.org/content/standalone/VeggieLove/

    Way to go standing up to Peta, Caitlin!

  • MaryB January 25, 2010, 3:12 pm

    I am behind you 100%. Peta is way too extreme, which just makes them a joke.
    It sure gets them attention though huh. Like an annoying 3 year old

  • Tammy January 25, 2010, 3:12 pm

    It is awesome to be passionate about something you care about…al Quida is passionate about their cause, but that dosen’t make terrorism ok! When someone I know became a Vegetarian, she immediately started preaching at me about PETA…needless to say, I didn’t have too favorable an opinion of Vegetarianism! That is a great way to turn people off…and isn’t that the opposite of what they want to achieve? Sad, because people will just tune them out!

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) January 25, 2010, 3:16 pm

    I’m with you on also believing PETA is way too extremist. I’m not a vegetarian, but I do believe in animal welfare and treating even animals deemed for meat in a humane, ethical manner.

    I think it’s sad that they’re so extreme. We could definitely use an animal welfarist group out and about, promoting vegetarianism (or eating a lil’ less meat or being awair of where are meat *does* come from) that doesn’t have to resort to pie’ing people or promoting sexist advertisments in order to get attention.

    You made some great comments to PETA. Whether or not they take it is one thing, but at least you’re bringing attention to it for the readers!

  • Jennie {in Wonderland} January 25, 2010, 3:17 pm

    You know how I feel! LOL

    Basically, I think PETA are disgusting. It’s a shame because their site, goveg.com got me firmly on board with vegetarianism. The cute little pics of the piglets won me over. But for real, PETA are heinous. They produce advertisements that either fat-shame or compare women to meat. They are sexist. They are childish.

    Instead of actually communicating with people about the horrors of factory farming, they dress women up in lettuce bikinis. It’s ridiculous. They have so many resources, so much information – they could do a myriad of positive and valuable things with the resources at their disposal. Instead, they pie people in the face.

    Plus, their ‘outrageous’ tactics are not so outrageous. Why don’t they show the videos they have of factory farming? Of animals being tortured? Of seals being clubbed? THAT would be more effective – that cold reality – than a million naked women. And it wouldn’t piss off every feminist on the planet.

    It just makes me sad, because they give vegetarians and vegans a bad name. When we all really need to care about our planet, our animals and our future, they are distracting from the issue. Maybe that’s why a lot of people think they are actually funded by the meat industry? Something to think about.

  • Retta @ RunRettaRun January 25, 2010, 3:17 pm

    I completely agree. I love the work they do but their tactics are so extreme. You tried to get your point across and they refused to see that it was indeed, assault, regardless of weapon.

  • Meredith January 25, 2010, 3:17 pm

    PETA is ridiculous. In my opinion, the ASPCA does a much better job both conveying and implementing their mission to stop animal cruelty and to give animals a second change.

    Any organization who physically harms someone to get their non-violent message across is just ridiculous and hypocritical.

  • ida January 25, 2010, 3:18 pm

    I feel like both PETA and Green Peace could do so much more good by promoting small changes rather than this extreme all-or-nothing. I’ve gotten to the point where i just ignore them and listen to more moderate advocates like Pollan.

  • Ashley January 25, 2010, 3:19 pm

    This is the first time I’ve commented on your blog, although I read it everyday. This post however really opened my eyes. PETA is like the bully in the veggie/vegan world. I absolutely hate how their ads (and the way they twitter’d you) makes me feel!
    Ughh I feel like their association is a good one, but their approach tactics completely hinder any good they are doing

    • Caitlin January 25, 2010, 3:20 pm

      Thank you for delurking 🙂 nice to meet you!

  • Juliene January 25, 2010, 3:19 pm

    I am on the fence on this one. On one hand I completely agree that any form of abuse(pies in the face, fat billboards, etc) are a terrible means of spreading the word about the cause. However, I can’t help but notice that a lot of people know about PETA for these reasons alone. I tend to think that there are appropriate means for us to get our point across without crossing these lines but I think the extremist works for PETA. I wish the world wasn’t the way it is but unfortunately a lot of us feed into this mentality and help perpetuate the cycle. Good for you standing up for your opinion though. Take PETA down a notch

  • Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place January 25, 2010, 3:20 pm

    As much as I love animals, I do think PETA goes way too far in many cases.

    I totally agree with you on the pie in the face issue. It’s assault, and two wrongs don’t make a right! This may sound cliche, but it’s true.

    PETA is acting very immature in my opinion. Maybe people would take them more seriously if they respected the rights of humans just as deeply as they respect the rights of animals.

  • RhodeyGirl January 25, 2010, 3:21 pm

    Antics like this leave me fuming.

    What is this? Love animals, disrespect humans?

    There are other ways for PETA to advocate its cause

    • Elizabeth January 25, 2010, 6:21 pm

      This. Exactly this.

      I’m a long time vegetarian but I do not support PETA.

    • FoodCents January 26, 2010, 10:30 am

      Well said, RG. How can you (PETA) respect one thing and not the other? It does not work, there is no logic behind their thought process.

  • Bonnie January 25, 2010, 3:24 pm

    I feel the same way about PETA basically, especially when going to their website, like you said. I’m a vegetarian, I still eat dairy and eggs and I occasionally eat fish. I think this is perfectly fine and that it’s a good thing to, for the most part, not eat animals. While I do occasionally stray from my vegetarianism, I believe that I’m at least doing something.
    However, when I think about PETA, the first thing that comes to mind is extremism. I don’t think anyone really takes them seriously, because they come up with advertisements like the ones you posted above. I would personally be more affected if they showed a picture of a cute cow and said, “wouldn’t you rather see me live than see me as a steak?” But that’s just me.

    You should read “Animal Liberation” by Peter Singer. It’s a dull read at some points, but it poses a lot of good questions about the way we treat animals and how we got there.

  • Clarke January 25, 2010, 3:24 pm

    I used to be indifferent toward PETA, thinking they were at least supporting animal rights. However, living relatively close to their headquarters in Norfolk VA, their hypocrisy has gotten more exposure than it ever will in the mainstream media. Visit http://www.petakillsanimals.com for some pretty disturbing info. Penn and Teller also did a great expose on their show. Of the animals they take into their “care” at their shelter, they euthanize around 90%. Ingrid Newkirk (who, in my opinion, is totally insane)also believes that having an animal as a pet should be considered cruelty. The reaction to your tweet is of no surprise- they actively endorse and fund violent activity as a way to support their cause. So beyond their extremist tactics, they’re also the epitome of hypocrites. There are plenty of other NPOs to support that actually do some good for animals that isn’t in the form of lies, violence and propaganda.

  • Samma January 25, 2010, 3:25 pm

    I think extremism of all kinds can do more harm than good. Also, the pie throwing, and paint on fur coats is ridiculous! I would never buy a new fur coat, but do wear my grandmother’s occasionally- should I destroy it instead? Also, I find the naked ads to be a bit sexist, honestly- there’s an interesting post about that here http://jezebel.com/5453982/ingrid-newkirk-is-the-worst-person-in-the-world

    So, all in all, although I support many of the same things that they do, I am not a PETA fan.

  • Erin January 25, 2010, 3:25 pm

    I do not like PETA at all. They are just too extreme. The longer that I live the more I am realizing that extremes in either way are usually bad. If everything was practiced in moderation life would be much better. I totally agree with you. Just because they did not agree with the baby seal hunting is no reason to throw pie in someones face. They need to grow up and act like adults!

  • Samantha January 25, 2010, 3:26 pm

    I don’t want to disclose what my profession used to be as I’m afraid of being lashed out at. However, I had PLENTY of opportunity to cross paths with PETA supporters. Unfortunately there were more instances like you posted than opportunities for educational, mature, debate. And I am ALL FOR animal rights, always have been. I have witnessed with my own eyes, an instance of PETA injuring an animal (that was ultimately put down due to his injuries) during a protest to prove their point. A protest in which, be letting said animal free (a rodeo bucking bull) they also injured humans in the process. Just for one example. Sometimes it seems people become so emphatic about championing a cause, that they forget WHAT they’re fighting for. This organization, sadly, has a long history of this.

    Kudos to you for sticking with your lifting challenge! I’m doing the same one (I followed her summer shape up last year) and am loving it! It’s great to see you bouncing back from your marathon and diving into other things too (new and old!)

    Pssstt…since you wear so much brooks, you should consider applying for their id program.

    • Caitlin January 25, 2010, 3:27 pm

      I have applied and they rejected me! WAHHH.

      • Samantha January 25, 2010, 3:30 pm

        I was in the program for 2 years but didn’t reapply for 2010 since I’m not running much. I know they said in our group messages they were going to start being much more selective about who they pick. But I can’t imagine how someone reaching out to the masses with a healthy living blog, who runs smart, has come back from injury the right way, and encourages an active and well rounded lifestyle (not to mention speedy) wouldn’t be considered.

        • Caitlin January 25, 2010, 3:31 pm

          Wahh. I think they didn’t want me because I’m a women, low mileage, wear a size 7.5, aren’t wide footed, and don’t have any weird foot issues. LOL. Basically, I’m too normal. Maybe I’ll reapply!

  • Lauren January 25, 2010, 3:27 pm

    I started eating a vegetarian diet for health reasons (instead of taking meds- and it worked! But I think I became a “vegetarian” after reading, “Diet for a New America,” …similar PETA shock value facts/pictures/stories and it definitely did the trick, but I was SO upset about it that initially I started over-sharing my feelings on the topic with ANYone would listen (including my meat-loving fiance). Finally, I was tired of the debate and unnecessary arguments and I realized that there HAD to be a better way to communicate how I felt and since then I’ve found a much happier medium and balance with people and my fiance. I’m still a vegetarian (would be a vegan if I didn’t love me some cheese…lol), but I don’t try to force feed my beliefs anymore which actually has brought a lot of people closer to the idea of eating healthier diet whatever that means TO THEM, and that feels good enough for me 🙂

  • Gracie @ Girl Meets Health January 25, 2010, 3:30 pm

    I saw your tweets and was waiting for this post….

    I couldn’t agree more. The thing is – PETA would probably be so much more affective and influential if people RESPECTED them. I’ve thought about going vegetarian many a time, and although I would never base my decision on PETA, I certainly wouldn’t want anyone to think I was “one of them.” The best way to set an example of non-violence is THROUGH non-violence, not more violence!!! It’s so frustrating :/ I think veggies/vegans should start a new, less extreme organization…

  • Cassie January 25, 2010, 3:36 pm

    I agree with all the comments that PETA is too extreme. While I believe that everyone should have their own opinion and should feel free to support it, there are certain lines that you do not cross. The level that they go to in order to prove their points often push the non-vegetarians away from that lifestyle instead of drawing positive attention to the issues at hand.

  • Lara (Thinspired) January 25, 2010, 3:37 pm

    I haven’t done a ton of research on PETA, but from what I know, I think they send their message entirely the wrong way. I have been yelled at outside of Harrod’s, and yes, I HATE those advertisements.
    I am really proud and impressed that you held your ground in the Twitter argument. You rock.

  • Tiffany January 25, 2010, 3:38 pm

    I agree with you. That is totally unacceptable! How can you be loving when it comes to animals, but not humans???

  • Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama January 25, 2010, 3:40 pm

    PETA thinks that the rules don’t to them and their “I’m Holier than you” attitude. I am vegetarian/vegan because of my own health and moral reasons. I think PETA puts a bad name to vegetarians and vegans because of their extreme protests and crazy antics.

  • penguin January 25, 2010, 3:41 pm

    Completely agree with you and am impressed that you stood up to them. I feel like PETA often gets their message across at the cost of exploiting and humiliating humans. Isn’t the goal for us all to live in harmony?

  • Angie January 25, 2010, 3:43 pm

    Excellent topic, and kudos to you for those tweets.

    I am a vegan, I have been for nearly 2 years now, and vegetarian for 4.

    I do appreciate that PETA is out there, spreading the vegan word, and lobbying for change, but I do find some of their tactis abrasive. They almost lose their meaning because they tend to shoot for the shock value.

    Sometimes I find that when people find out that I am a vegan, they immediately start defending their eating habits to be. I would never attack or comment on others eating habits, but I realized that they expect me to have that condemning vegan attitude, that PETA portrays.

    Overall, I think they give us vegans a bad name.

  • Heather January 25, 2010, 3:43 pm

    I totally agree with you. PETA is sending the wrong message and most people are turned off by their extreme tactics. I wonder if they have some sort of stat for how many people they actually convert with their offensive posters. Most likely they get self conscience girls and smothering mothers.

  • Kate January 25, 2010, 3:43 pm

    I also went Vegetarian because of PETA – “Meet your Meat” – but I agree on how they are extremist. In my experience, it’s a lot better to present vegetarianism as something normal, “not a big deal” and just something that’s part of my life, than this crusade I’m on. If people ask, I’ll explain. If they don’t, well, I respect their right to eat what they want if they respect mine.

    And hey, kudos to being vegetarian. Sure, we’re not vegan, but we’re doing a lot more than most people!

  • emily January 25, 2010, 3:46 pm

    Great post! I pretty much share your veiwpoint. Did you see the latest Obama/PETA contraversy? I can’t find the original link, but here is the post I talk about it in – http://eatventures.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/professionalethicstheyreextinct/

    What do you think about that one?

  • Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) January 25, 2010, 3:49 pm

    I had no idea about some of that stuff! I’m glad you posted. I always thought PETA was a little too intense but wow!

    I love your tweet conversation with them. I agree with you, it’s not fair to pie her in the face regardless of what she supports. A strongly-worded email would go much farther.

  • Katherine January 25, 2010, 3:49 pm

    I agree with your view that PETA is impressive in some ways, but WAY too extreme in other ways. I recently took a psychology class about the relationship between humans and companion animals (dogs, cats, etc…) and one of the speakers was an animal rights activist for the ASPCA. The point that she made that has always stuck with me is this: PETA is SO over the top that they actually help other groups get their point across by appearing much more normal and down to earth in comparison. Her end note was that PETA’s extreme ways get things done by allowing the aim of other groups to come off as a “compromise”.
    If that’s the case, then Go PETA I guess. But honestly, they need to chill out. This is coming from a vegetarian of over 12 years–(I’m only 26!) and an obsessive dog mother.

    • Janessa from Epicuriousvegan.blogspot.com January 25, 2010, 7:09 pm

      Those are pretty much my thoughts, Katherine–by being so over the top and ridiculous, PETA encourages bonding among vegans, veggies, and omnis. They’re the ‘shared enemy’, so to speak. They have so many great resources and websites–that are actually helpful to people–then they go and commit obscene stunts that only alienate people. They’re so polarizing, you have to assume they know what they’re doing on some level.

      It seems their goals are:
      1. Get people talking about animals, veganism, vegetarianism. People who would otherwise never know what a “vegetarian’ is probably does after some of PETA’s stunts. (And then those people may look into other avenues of information)
      2. Take most of the bad press about animal rights, veganism and vegetarianism, so that other groups can thrive.

  • Sarah January 25, 2010, 3:53 pm

    I’m not in favor of a “only-meat is good” based diet, but I think Peta kind of misses the point. There’s a huge difference between industrial farming where animals suffer on a daily basis and organic farming where the farmer respects and “loves” his animals. Farming is becoming really difficult and I find we should support farmers that care about animals, without eating meat every day, but knowing where our food comes from is already a big step. Throwing a tofu pie in somebody’s face won’t help getting any message through.

  • Michelle January 25, 2010, 3:55 pm

    As a lawyer, I can tell you that you were correct about it being criminal assault and certainly civil assault & battery. Ask PETA how they like dem apples.

  • Nicci@NiftyEats January 25, 2010, 3:57 pm

    I feel PETA is to extreme for me, but they did inspire me to become veg years ago. I don’t thnk thowing a pie in someon’es face is going to make them change their beliefs. They go too far and do make Vegetarians and Vegans look bad.

  • Noelle Miller January 25, 2010, 3:57 pm

    I completely agree with you. Peta is way too extreme & gives vegetarians a bad rap (making us seem crazy).

    It is also frusterating with how they push for veganism on their site. Its like nothing is ever “good enough.” Their tactics for trying to convert people to vegetarianism/veganism are just not realistic and alienate people rather than educating them.

    The overconsumption of meat is not something that can be solved with gross/graphic videos because most people simply *don’t care* enough about the pain they cause animals by butchering them.

    Moreover, becoming vegetarian doesn’t automatically mean you are healthy. As I’m sure everyone knows there are PLENTY of overweight vegetarians (cheese fries, anyone?)

    Good post though.

  • Kendel January 25, 2010, 3:59 pm

    I agree that PETA is too extreme. In college I lived across the hall from a PETA-crazy vegetarian. Although I am a vegetarian as well, she once tried to attack me with a fork because I was a waitress at a mongolian-style restaurant. She said I support the murder of animals and deserved to feel what it was like to be eaten.I recently read Skinny Bitch and was prompted to revisit goveg.com. I was last there probably 5 years ago and also felt guilty for only being a vegetarian. But to each his own. I think you’re doing a great job living an ethical and animal sensitive life. Congrats for standing up for what you believe in!

    • Caitlin January 25, 2010, 4:06 pm

      The fork incident just made me LOL so hard at my desk. She should apply for an internship with PETA.

  • Leo @ cupcakes in Paris January 25, 2010, 3:59 pm

    I don’t know much about PETA. But from what you are showing here, I think they are way too intense and that must turn people off. What kind of message are they sending???? They seem extremely rude and unrespectful.

  • Abby January 25, 2010, 4:01 pm

    I’m a vegetarian and I can’t stand PETA. I believe that we should treat animals ethically, but since when is it ok to treat animals better than humans? I think you did the right thing in bringing it to their attention and then stepping off. My dad also tells me that it’s impossible to reason with an illogical person. PETA is illogical, so you’ll never get through to them. Your actions and your humanitarian work in Operation Beautiful speaks to them louder than your words ever could!

  • kate January 25, 2010, 4:04 pm

    i couldnt agree with you more. i originally went veggie because of peta too, but came to realize that it is SO extreme. you summarized it perfectly!

  • Erin January 25, 2010, 4:04 pm

    I think PETA’s radical marketing campaigns are counterproductive. When I tell people I’m vegetarian, the usual response I get is “oh…cool…” and I can tell they think I’m crazy. When PETA does nutball things like pie people in the face, they seem crazy, and it makes veggies/vegans/animal activists seem crazy by extension. So I think it actually drives people away from the cause, rather than bring them in.
    That being said, I guess there needs to be one extreme group out there to get their point across, and if that is PETA’s goal, they’re doing a damn fine job of it. I just wish they weren’t the most visible organization and unofficial representative of vegetarians & vegans.

    Side note: I’m a dedicated vegetarian, but I will likely never go vegan, either. I just love cheese waaayyyyy too much.

  • sarah January 25, 2010, 4:09 pm

    i agree- i think PETA is crazy-extreme. i did a project on animal testing in hs (haha…22 typed pages! my english teacher refused to read the final copy 😉 and they proved back then that they were irrational. read jane goodall’s “reason for hope”…i just finished it actually. she’s amazing and discusses the most effective way to get the word out about animal welfare…gently and with kindness. i’m mostly vegetarian but might make the full commitment soon. i just wonder biologically if it’s what’s best for our bodies…

  • allijag January 25, 2010, 4:10 pm

    I couldn’t agree with you more my dear! The thought/idea of animal cruelty makes me cry, but that doesn’t mean there should be a double standard, and we should go around harming other human beings! well said!

  • Kirsten January 25, 2010, 4:11 pm

    This was such a great post. I used to support PETA by donating to them every month. When I tried to cancel the donation (it was automatic) they never answered me and I had to write back a second time. I hate companies that do stuff like that. I know you got my first email but they wanted to keep me donating so I had to cancel a second time. I also hate their campaigns. I think they have good intentions but take everything way too far. And my one last complaint with them is that they make me feel like being a vegetarian isn’t enough, like one has to be a vegan in order to really make a difference for the animals and I completely disagree with that.

  • Amanda January 25, 2010, 4:12 pm

    I’m torn on how I feel about PETA. While I don’t agree with throwing a pie in someone’s face, PETA is very effective in terms of getting people to actually pay attention, as a few other people have commented. Cruelty to animals is a subject that many people would rather not think about, and in a way, PETA demands your attention. I’m not sure that the end result is as productive as it could be, but it does engage many people who might otherwise not pay attention.

    Semi-related to this topic, I’m in the middle of reading a book called Eating Animals, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about factory farming -where their food is coming from and how it’s produced. The book is mostly factual, very informative, and it has been extremely eye opening for me.

    • ari January 25, 2010, 5:54 pm

      eating animals = amazing.

  • Sarah January 25, 2010, 4:18 pm

    i completely agree with you caitlin! i think it is ok to put your views out there put PETA just goes to extremes…i mean it is almost child like. they way to get people to listen to you and respect is not by throwing pies in thier faces!

  • Maura @ Maura Me to Love January 25, 2010, 4:25 pm

    I’m guessing many PETA members look at those who eat meat and animal products and think, “How do you sleep at night?” I look at the person who pied that women in the face and think the very same thing.

  • Vicki January 25, 2010, 4:26 pm

    I don’t always love PETA. I think their extremism reflects poorly on vegetarians. People need to see that a vegetarian/vegan is not extreme and can be totally normal, but PETA makes it look like you have to be a nut to care about animals.

    On the other hand, I support their cause and they DO help raise awareness.

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) January 25, 2010, 4:28 pm

    Bahaha I love that you posted your Twitter fight with them 😀 And you’re right – they’re so narrow minded it was going no where.
    I completely agree with you, though. I mean, obviously I believe in what they stand for, but it seems to be the ONLY thing they stand for. They’re OK with violence, sexism, vulgarness, and plain old rudeness – so long as they’re doing right by PETA.

  • Karla January 25, 2010, 4:29 pm

    I’m a vegetarian but honestly I don’t know too much about PETA, nor do I care to. All my knowledge of them is of extremism and I don’t think that’s helpful. I think my reasons for vegetarianism are a lot different than PETA’s advocacy.
    Not related but this is almost as bad as Pat Robertson saying Haiti made a deal with the devil and that’s why they’re suffering. (http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/01/13/crimesider/entry6092717.shtml)
    Sometimes I’m not sure extremists think everything through… 🙁

  • Anonymous January 25, 2010, 4:31 pm

    Personally, I think the people at PETA are screwball, psychos. I’m all for raising awareness, but I have yet to see a single campaign of theirs that is worthwhile. They are extremists and it pisses me off. When I heard about the “pie-ing” it just made me angrier. Of COURSE I am against unethical treatment of animals, but I am also FOR the ethical treatment of people. Which they are not, obviously. They treat animals better than humans, and while I’m for treating animals well, I’m more for treating humans with respect and dignity. I think you handled it very well. I hope someone shoves a pie in their (PETAs) face someday and it breaks their nose or something.

  • Miriam January 25, 2010, 4:32 pm

    I agree with you. However, they choose to go into shocking advertising. I believe that it worked : everyone knows of PETA. They’ve been renowned to pie politicians and public figures who perpetuate the idea of fur and animal hunting. They don’t think that freedom of choice is an option when it comes to animals, they are truly extremists in their field. I do not think that they are violent extremists but they like public disturbance, it is reprehensible by law but truly inoffensive to all. As long as nobody’s get hurt… However, it is true that people can easily link all vegetarians and vegans into the same whole pot but well… that is call ignorant, racist.

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers January 25, 2010, 4:35 pm

    I love that they responded to you so many times. I don’t know all that much about PETA because every interaction I’ve had with them has been very in your face and rather degrading, so I hadn’t made the effort to learn a whole lot more. In my opinion, if you’re trying to get someone to change their view on an issue, you should have more than one tactic in your arsenal. Yelling at someone and forcing your view on them is not a very likely way to get someone to change their mind or become open to a new idea. I’d do the opposite of what they said just to annoy them. Soooo they might want to consider backing off a little to include more people in their mission.

  • Stina @ Girl Can January 25, 2010, 4:35 pm

    In my opinion, PETA has god ideas with poor execution.

    As a “bleeding heart liberal,” I totally understand the need for activism and that sometimes you need to be a little crazy to get people’s attention. However, there is a fine line between getting people’s attention in a way that gets them to think about your cause and getting people’s attention in a way that totally turns them off to your cause. PETA doesn’t seem to get that, and in the process I think they actually alienate a lot of people who would be open to their message if they made their arguments in a more poignant manner.

    For example, I’ll never forget the first time I saw The Clothesline Project on my college campus. Seeing all of those t-shirts made me want to find out more and it ultimately got me more involved in the cause of fighting sexual assault. Hearing a PETA member pied a Canadian official in the face just makes me want to get as far away from them as possible lest I offend them and get pied.

    • Julie @SavvyEats January 25, 2010, 5:07 pm

      I like this! It shows that there are other effective ways of getting people’s attention without submitting someone to assault/battery!

  • Tina January 25, 2010, 4:37 pm

    I think PETA is beneficial for helping to reach out and educate people on issues that would otherwise probably be ignored, but yes they are too radical. Those advertisements are ridiculous, and as you said, they aren’t going to win my support with making me feel guilty for my diet or anything else.

  • CJ January 25, 2010, 4:43 pm

    I agree and personally cannot and never will support PETA’s tactics but they’re effective at what they’re doing. They need to be extremists in order for the more moderate charities that also promote animal rights to function properly.

    It’s the same as organisations like Greenpeace, who also have some extreme tactics and while Governments are less likely to interact with the extreme groups they do interact with organisations like the National Trust, Woodland Trust and whatever the US equivalents are.

    In that role they’re successful and effective.

    – CJ

  • susan January 25, 2010, 4:46 pm

    wow, i read through at least 60 of the comments you’ve gotten on this post and was shocked that only 1 of them (out of the ones i read) defended PETA!

    i don’t believe in any of the hypocritical approaches to social issues:
    -assaulting people to show that cruelty to animals is wrong
    -killing/bombing abortion doctors to show abortion is wrong
    -using the death penalty to show that killing is wrong
    -violently/destructively rioting for peace

    it doesn’t make sense to me…

  • Jessica @ Jessica Balances January 25, 2010, 4:46 pm

    Great post! As others have said, I don’t know a lot about PETA but I completely disagree with throwing a pie in someone’s face… This post defintely opened my eyes to an important issue and I’m glad you have the guts to call PETA out on Twitter! It sounds as if their marketing tactics turn a lot of people off – including vegans and vegetarians – which seems to sort of defeat their purpose.

  • caronae January 25, 2010, 4:49 pm

    I think they are a little too extreme, and those ads that you posted are kind of misleading. I also think that you’re in the right about the pie incident. I totally support animal rights, but I think there are moderate ways to do that.

  • Jacquelyn January 25, 2010, 4:50 pm

    In my opinion, dealing with PETA is one of the worst parts of being vegetarian. When people find out I’m vegetarian they always assume I associate with PETA and condone their sexist ad campaigns or juvenile attempts at media attention. And to try to excuse their actions (assault by pie!) by saying that it’s less than what people do to the baby seals (club them)… that’s ridiculous! You can’t get away with chopping off someone’s arm by saying “but they chopped off my leg!”
    Also, check out http://www.petakillsanimals.com/
    As a (well-educated) vegetarian, and former vegan, I would NEVER support PETA.

    • Jacquelyn January 25, 2010, 4:53 pm

      Thought I’d add…

      Also, as a Canadian, the seal hunt isn’t a black and white issue.
      And pieing someone in the face doesn’t change the fact that there are social, political, economic, and ethical facets of the issue.

  • Kate January 25, 2010, 4:51 pm

    I’ve been unimpressed with PETA for awhile now. When I was considering being a vegetarian I used their site for information–but I totally felt the organization was a little over the top. (I personally won’t wear fur, however I live in a state where people need to wear fur to survive so I probably won’t meet the PETA test.)

    The “Save the Whale” campaign was the final nail in the coffin. I had lost weight by cutting calories NOT animal products and I felt the billboards were just an excuse to put body shaming tactics to work.

  • Meredith January 25, 2010, 4:52 pm

    I live in Va Beach, next to Norfolk — aka home of PETA’s headquarters. for those of you who have not seen it in person, the building is a BEAUTIFUL building on WATERFRONT property. just imagine how many animals were affected by the construction of this building! I used to be a vegetarian and after (finally) reading “Omnivore’s Dilemma” I’m slowly working my way there again. I believe in ethnical treatment of animals, but I think PETA is too militaristic in their tactics. It is more shock and awe than actual education and support. I think what PETA stands for is great, but they go about it in the wrong way. And I, too, feel unworthy since I am not a vegan! I just can’t give up dairy and eggs!

  • Mel January 25, 2010, 4:54 pm

    I just cannot support PETA and a lot of their tactics. I did some research awhile back about some of the campaigns that they’ve used in the past… advocating whale killing instead of chickens or pigs? How in the world is that any less cruel to animals? It’s just substituting one for another… Or the GOT BEER? campaign, where they went as far as to promote toddlers drinking beer instead of milk. Seriously, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that there are plenty of other non-dairy substitutes out there. I could go on, trust me, my father has been on their radar more than a few times (and he doesn’t even do anything cruel to animals!) and I just cannot agree with the way that they conduct their business.

    • Molly @vegandorm January 25, 2010, 6:03 pm

      the Got Beer campaign wasn’t saying to feed your kids beer. it was saying that beer is bad for them and you wouldn’t have them drink it, so why would you have them drink milk?
      your point is still valid – just clarifying.

  • Therese January 25, 2010, 4:55 pm

    The hubbie and I went to the circus when it was recently in Orlando and PETA was all over the place. Our friend’s dad got us tickets because he RUNS the show and could attest to the very humane treatment of their animals.

    PETA reps were handing out graphic pictures of abused animals at ELEMENTARY schools in town the week prior! That’s just ridiculous. I can appreciate that they have the best of intentions, but there is a diplomatic way of going about things. No one will ever respond positively to violence.

    Long story short, you tell ’em girl!

  • Sara January 25, 2010, 5:01 pm

    Sometimes PETA makes me want to eat meat just to spite them. Just being honest. I think it is hideous to preach one thing (not killing animals/being humane) and then do something like throw a pie in someone’s face or pour paint on people’s fur coats. It’s completely hypocritical and absolutely disgusting. Why do you think we worship heroes in this country who achieved their goals through NON VIOLENT methods (MLK, has his own holiday. PETA does not), intelligence and other favorable qualities. Finally, the campaign PETA launched about how if the cure for AIDs (I believe?) could be found by killing one animal it ‘shouldn’t be found’ was one of the sickest things I have ever read in my entire life. I love animals, I am vegetarian about 5 days a week (I reserve the weekend to ‘be who i be’ 😉 and that includes bacon…) and if the cure for AIDs could be found by killing my dog, as much as I love her I would allow her to save all of the people suffering from that horrible illness. I’m sure i’ll get slammed for saying that, but sorry. My dog is wonderful, I love her to infinity and beyond but she is not a person. Period.

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) January 25, 2010, 5:05 pm

    PETA is an incredible PR machine and does a lot of good. I agree with them on many issues.

    That said, I think they take it too far sometimes. PETA rarely concedes that the other “side” may be right and loves to push buttons, not caring who is offended in the process. Like who’s to say that an obese person ISN’T a vegetarian OR that every vegetarian/vegan is healthy?

  • K January 25, 2010, 5:05 pm

    Yeah, I have a similar love-hate relationship with them. Yes they are promoting a cause I feel strongly about, but their work makes all vegetarians/vegans appear to be crazy radicals and since they seem to get quite a bit of media coverage, that is the only exposure many people get to vegetarians. Sadly, that is not exactly the image I want people to get when they hear I am a vegan. 🙁
    I really wish they would go a little less extremist with their message.
    -K

  • Abby (Abby's VeGaN Eats) January 25, 2010, 5:06 pm

    I see the “pie attack” as a waste of food, which considering the situation in Haiti is disgusting.

    • penguin January 26, 2010, 10:49 am

      Good point!

  • Kerry @ Running on Faith January 25, 2010, 5:07 pm

    Well stated

  • Mama Pea January 25, 2010, 5:09 pm

    I have some really mixed feelings about PETA. I totally disagree with a lot of things that they do, from splashing furs with red paint, pies in the face, exploiting naked celebrities and thereby promoting poor body image, etc. BUT I also appreciate that they do bring to light a lot of issues dealing with animal cruelty and mistreatment.

    I’m glad you stood up for something you believe in. Would we expect anything less?! 😉

  • Karla January 25, 2010, 5:13 pm

    I am shocked how an organization could ever defend the act of shoving a pie into a government official’s face. That in itself is completely inexcusable, but combined with their rudeness to you and others who called them out is downright appaling. Good for you for standing up to those PETA extremists!

  • Sam January 25, 2010, 5:14 pm

    I think peta does it to get people attention and it’s working! I think it is a little extreme and makes all vegetarians and vegans look crazy. I like this ad though:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wDE9XpmDHE&videos=wx8b6_P8Hpc&playnext_from=TL&playnext=1

  • Sonia January 25, 2010, 5:14 pm

    I love this post! Good for you on trying to get PETA to explain the pie incident. I used to be a PETA supporter and thought they had a lot of information about veg lifestyles and animal rights. However, I did a speech for a class last year on why I am a vegetarian, and when I started researching what PETA was all about, I got a few SHOCKS! While PETA is all for animal rescue and against euthanasia, they themselves kill over 80% of the animals they “rescue.” They also have members plant bombs in the cars, laboratories, and even the homes of people who conduct research involving animals. I could go on and on about this excuse for an organization… If you have ever watched Penn & Teller’s show on Showtime- they have a great episode about PETA- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0exLa6saV9o . You can watch it on YouTube. I will get off my soapbox now 🙂 If anyone knows of any organization that promote animal rights and a veggie lifestyle a little less obnoxiously…I would love to hear about it!

  • J - Money January 25, 2010, 5:14 pm

    ‘Basically, I feel like PETA’s tactics give vegetarians/vegans a bad reputation.’

    This is 100% true. Extremists make the news and are much more visible. Muslims are dealing with the same issue….

  • Janna (Just Flourishing) January 25, 2010, 5:17 pm

    PETA goes to extremes like this to get attention. It’s too bad that it gets them only the WRONG kind of attention. Their cause is to promote the ethical treatment of animals but when they commmit stunts like this, no one has time to think about the animals when all they can think about is how crazy PETA is!

  • Guen January 25, 2010, 5:24 pm

    Just another instance of someone with a good idea who has gone too far.

  • Nicole January 25, 2010, 5:27 pm

    I’m a vegan and what some would call an “extreme” animal rights activist, and I think that PETA is pretty ridiculous. I think most of their “actions”, like this pie thing, is just silly. I DEFINITELY don’t support how, like someone else said, PETA throws one group under the bus, to advocate animal rights.

    Sure, I suppose they bring a lot of light to the issue of animal rights, but I just can’t support them. I don’t even think some of the stuff they do is that extreme, it’s just so silly! Dressing up in lettuce bikinis and handing out tofu dogs? Not my thing!

    I guess I have mixed feelings. I could never support or work for PETA, but I do admit that if PETA wasn’t around, there might be quite less talk about vegetarianism.

  • Harriet January 25, 2010, 5:30 pm

    i agree with i think everything you just said, i am vegetarian and mostly vegan but it is NOT due to organisation such as PETA. they intimidate me and like you said make me feel like i am not good enough by being “just” a vegetarian or whatever. and i agree about their advertising. i think incidents like this make them look petty and i do think they have lost sight of their original aims. however, i do get the point someone above mentioned about it bringing attention to the cause if they are more extreme.

    also they are using a classical argument flaw, “tu quoque” or two wrongs don’t make a right. their argument is weak and well done for standing your ground 🙂

  • Dynamics January 25, 2010, 5:31 pm

    History is history. Educating is educating. Learning is learning. At no point is ANY form of violence okay and sets a bad example to Children!! In this world there is a winner and a loser. PETA’s opinions and the audacity to think that they are ALWAYS right is just wrong. Opinions are just that, opinions and PETA needs to learn to step aside. Not everyone will agree and that is okay. How do we educate PETA!!!!! How do we make them understand? grrrr

  • ari January 25, 2010, 5:34 pm

    i agree 1000000%. i think peta has some really good information and ideas, but the way they go about distributing that information is unacceptable. i read somewhere that peta showed some of their videos to like pre-schoolers or something, like really young kids. that’s how you give children nightmares, not how you change the way they eat.

  • Wendy January 25, 2010, 5:46 pm

    Caitlin, I am SO glad that you feel this way about PETA, and agree with you 100% about their violent acts & unethical advertising tactics. As someone who is involved in the dairy farming industry, I can honestly say that I LOATHE PETA. I believe they (along with ALF & the innocent-sounding HSUS) are nothing more than domestic terrorist groups. As for their undercover investigations? I have read accounts of implanted PETA representatives CAUSING animal suffering because they are too busy creating footage to do the jobs they were hired to do. Ironic, huh?

    Sorry for all the “shouting”. This topic really hits a nerve for me. And my respect for you (which was already pretty high) has grown immensely.

    • Wendy January 25, 2010, 6:08 pm

      Also, I want to point out that PETA’s undercover investigations give a grossly inaccurate portrayal of how food animals are actually treated. Most farmers take good care of their animals, so that their animals stay healthy and productive!

      • ari January 25, 2010, 8:05 pm

        do you mean to say that factory farmed animals are treated well?

        • Wendy January 25, 2010, 8:46 pm

          Please define the term “factory farm”. This term gets tossed around a lot, but I’ve yet to hear a clear definition of it.

          What I mean to say is that the dairy cows I know are well fed, have a safe, comfortable environment in which to live, are treated with appropriate medicines if they become ill, and are treated with kindness & respect. Contrary to what PETA says, animals are not people, and have very different needs. Much research has been and continues to be done to establish what these needs are, and farmers care for their animals accordingly. I do not like the generalizations that are drawn from the gruesome propaganda that PETA & other groups put out there. These cases are, in my experience, the exception, not the rule.

          I realize that I am in the minority here when I defend “conventional” animal agriculture methods, and I do not do so to pick fights. I just know that it hurts when the livelihoods of the well-educated, hard-working farmers I know & respect are attacked, and I have a hard time letting these attacks go without saying something to defend them.

          P.S. Caitlin, I still love your blog, even if we have vastly different perspectives!

        • Jess (What's Normal, Anyways?) January 25, 2010, 9:36 pm

          Wendy,

          I understand what you are saying, since I live a rural agricultural town too, where cows still graze peacefully and are treated kindly by those who interact with them, sadly from what I have read and watched regarding this issue, our communities are becoming the minority, when they should be the PRIORITY.

      • ari January 25, 2010, 9:43 pm

        i understand that there are still a few small farms that show respect and love for their animals, but that is not where the majority of meat in america comes from. those farms are the ones that i mean by “factory farms”; big corporations like perdue and smithfield that supply 99% of american’s meat.

        • Wendy January 25, 2010, 10:19 pm

          See, even words like “small”, “big”, and “corporation” have fuzzy definitions in this context. Our farm has over 350 dairy cows. It is also a family-owned corporation. They are well cared for, but live in barns and do not graze (which I’m sure they appreciate when the temps are in the teens & there’s no grass to eat anyway). I’ve worked on dairies that have thousands of cows, and the same goes. Just because it’s not the idyllic picture of what many perceive a farm is supposed to be does not make it cruel or unethical. I’ll give you Fair Oaks Farms as one shining example of a large, modern, well-managed dairy: http://www.fofarms.com/

          I understand why this would be difficult for many people to accept, and I can see how many would choose to become vegetarian/vegan when they perceive modern agriculture systems to be as cruel as what PETA et al. would have them believe. I just wish I knew how to bridge the huge disconnect that exists between the perceptions & realities of agriculture!

        • Caitlin January 26, 2010, 7:32 am

          Wendy – Thanks sooo much for your comments. I’ve thought a lot about this – how not all farms are factory farms – and it makes me a happy vegetarian to know that at least some animals are raised like that. i wish it was a higher percentage. all farms should be as nice as the ones you described, instead of the mass majority of meat coming from factory farms. 🙁 anyway, thanks for your comments! i know its sometimes hard to be the voice of a different opinion and i really appreciate you doing it. it’s important for everyone to learn more and not just spread false messages.

  • Heather January 25, 2010, 5:47 pm

    CRAZY EXTREME. PETA helped me along my journey to becoming vegetarian, and I think anyone on the fence about not eating animals should watch their “Meet Your Meat” video. HOWEVER, their ad campaigns are sexist, and they’re fatphobic. Yeah, PETA, because ALL vegetarians and vegans are A) thin, B) got thin by going veg, and C) *WANT* to be thin! Their “I’d rather go naked than wear fur” campaigns rely on sex to sell a message, and while I have no problems with nudity, I think it’s gross to use sex to spread anti-fur messages.

    Seal clubbing SUCKS, but education is what people need to hear about, and how to help it end, NOT by throwing food like a child. Are they adults or back in the middle school cafeteria?

  • Christie January 25, 2010, 5:48 pm

    Last week PETA was protesting at one of the elementary schools in my town because the circus is coming and they wanted children to know how badly the animals are treated (http://www.13wmaz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=73997). This seems ridiculous to me. As do many of the things PETA does to promote animal rights. I’m a vegetarian and I totally support animal rights but not PETA.

    • J - Money January 25, 2010, 5:51 pm

      They are doing this at one elementary school in every town that the B&B circus travels to. They just did it near me as well.

  • Jessica @ Fit Chick Wannabe January 25, 2010, 5:50 pm

    I love that you got into an argument with PETA via Twitter! I completely, 100% agree with everything that you said. They absolutely DO give vegetarians/vegans a bad name. And I understand when you say that they make you feel like you aren’t “good enough” because you are not vegan. I went veggie for a few months last year after seeing a documentary on how they treated the animals. The entire few months, I felt uncomfortable. I felt like I was doing a good thing because I wasn’t eating meat, but that it wasn’t good enough because technically if I “love animals so much” as people would say to me, I should go vegan. The part of me that loves animals gets upset every time I THINK about where my meat is coming from, and wants to be vegan. But I know that I couldn’t do it. I don’t have the willpower for it. In my opinion it takes a real strong, dedicated person. I give you and all the other vegetarians/vegans out there a lot of credit!

    I <3 the new profile pic btw lol

  • Molly @vegandorm January 25, 2010, 5:55 pm

    I agree with you that Peta is way too extreme!
    HOWEVER, PETA does a soooo much good! I went vegetarian and then vegan b/c of PETA undercover footage. I hadn’t heard the pitbull thing (if its true, (which I’m not sure about) I for sure think that’s wrong.

    I don’t judge the way anyone eats either. If you want to be vegetarian, that’s great! You’re doing yourself and the world a lot of good.
    I do think that it’s important to note that if you’re trying to stop animal cruelty, dairy animals are treated just as cruelly if not more so. However, every little bit counts!

    Those ads are designed to be shocking, and compared to all the crap the meat and dairy industries advertise it doesn’t bother me all that much.

    Bottom line is, I feel comfortable co-existing with PETA. They keep me updated on animal rights issues, and I use their polite petitions to do what I can.

    Obviously the pie thing was wrong, but at the same time, it’s a publicity stunt. I’m more upset over the seal clubbing than her getting hit in the face with a pie. (Still not saying it’s right.)

    • Janessa from Epicuriousvegan.blogspot.com January 25, 2010, 7:22 pm

      Molly– that’s a good point–would I rather a baby seal be clubbed to death or a woman get a pie in the face?

      Well, really, I’d prefer neither.

      But in the face of trying to raise awareness about the plight of the seals, it doesn’t seem as bad.

      (Can’t we all just get along?! I abhor cruelty to animals AND humans, something I’m not sure PETA always agrees with me on).

      • Molly @vegandorm January 25, 2010, 8:06 pm

        exactly – neither one is right!

      • haya January 26, 2010, 8:36 am

        clubbing baby seals has been banned in canada for a long time now but PETA still continues to use the images of cute baby seals just to get people to protest the seal hunt in general, which is misrepresentational.

    • Naomi January 25, 2010, 8:08 pm

      Molly – I totally agree. Yes it’s really unprofessional and obviously a publicity stunt but I think they’re probably so frustrated by people ignoring their passive campaigns that they feel like they need to step it up a notch. Most people I know wouldn’t sit through ‘Meet Your Meat’ or ‘Earthling’ they just don’t want to know what actually happens to the animals, they prefer to be blissfully ignorant.
      I do agree that you can’t go around pie’ing people but I also feel the frustration that PETA feels at having to sit back and watch animals being slaughtered.

      • Caitlin January 25, 2010, 9:13 pm

        This kind of reminds me of Michael Pollan books. Everytime I’ve reviewed one of his books on the blog, I feel like I’m preaching to the choir! And who’s going to buy a Pollan book unless they already care? His points are so valid though.

  • Rachel January 25, 2010, 5:55 pm

    DO NOT GET ME STARTED! I live in Norfolk, VA which is PETA’s headquarters. Don’t get me started on my hatred for the PETA stickers, shirts, vans, and billboards in my town. I have no problem with those who are vegetarian or vegan, but I don’t like feeling like less of person because I eat meat. It’s a personal choice, and I shouldn’t feel guilty over my choices.

    I’m sorry this happened to you. Sounds to me like you handled this much better than PETA! Chances are the “tweeter” lives in my neighborhood. If you want, I can find ’em and pie them for you 🙂

  • Rachel January 25, 2010, 5:56 pm

    wow, i completely agree with you. i’ve never been a fan of PETA for similar reasons. i think they are definitely too extreme, and i also feel like i’m not good enough because i’m “only” vegetarian and not vegan. i respect everyone’s opinions and choice of what to eat, as long as you are informed. kudos for speaking your mind : )

  • Danielle (Coffee Run) January 25, 2010, 5:57 pm

    I totally agree with you. Whenever someone asks if I support/am associated with Peta I get really defensive. I wouldn’t want people throwing pies at me for being vegan so why is it ok to do this to other people?! So dumb

  • Neely January 25, 2010, 6:05 pm

    Though some of what they do is extreme (and some of it downright silly, IMO)… I respect most of what PETA stands for/puts out.

    Just speaking to the domestic animal situation…there are A LOT of people in this world who call themselves “animal lovers” and put their little pets in sweaters, etc. and are so amazed that PETA or “kill shelters” advocate euthanasia. PETA is about the humane (ethical) treatment of animals. Yes, they would rather put animals to a humane death than contribute further to the overpopulation problem. I wish some would realize that there aren’t people just lining up everywhere to give all the cats and dogs of the world homes, (and if you bought your animal rather than rescue, YOU are a huge part of the problem).

    Quite coincidentally, just today at work I personally had to wrap up a dead feral cat in towels and double trash bags as it lay dead in our parking lot. It seems someone may be poisoning them as they live their tough life on the streets. Do I wish PETA had humanely put this poor animal down instead? Hell yes.

    PETA has the balls to say what others dance around for the sake of decorum.

    And I think if someone is truly offended by their ads that you would be offended by about 95% of what you see advertised/going on in the world today.

    Just my two cents.

    • Molly @vegandorm January 25, 2010, 8:07 pm

      I’m with you 100%.
      euthanasia isn’t always cruel – sad but true.

    • chrissy January 26, 2010, 9:45 am

      “And I think if someone is truly offended by their ads that you would be offended by about 95% of what you see advertised/going on in the world today.”

      I’m definitely offended by nearly every ad I see. It’s not limited to PETA. 😉
      Also, I love my dog more than most people, but if I’m given an opportunity to lessen his suffering in old age through euthanasia, I will. It won’t be easy, but if it’s best for him than I’ll do it.

  • Tracy January 25, 2010, 6:05 pm

    Um, you’re basically AWESOME. Love that you speak up for what you believe. They are extreme for sure, which achieves the opposite effect of what they’re going for. LAME.

    And I love how because it was a TOFU cream pie, it’s OK. Wtf? LOL

  • Jennifer January 25, 2010, 6:12 pm

    I lost all respect for PETA last year when they sent a letter to Ben & Jerry’s suggesting that their ice creams should be made from human breast milk rather than cow’s milk…seriously?! http://www.peta.org/mc/NewsItem.asp?id=11993 They definitely know how to get media attention, but the ways they go about it make them look ridiculous and don’t help to raise awareness about animal cruelty.

  • Becka January 25, 2010, 6:12 pm

    What if that person was horribly allergic to tofu cream pie and had an awful reaction? Then what? 😉

    But seriously, that was childish. You can disagree with someone and find better ways of making your point. I’m a vegetarian, I originally went veg after reading a peta pamphlet on my university. But… I think their methods and advertising are too extreme and do nothing to build respect for their cause or for their supporters.

    I get flack all the time for being a vegetarian by friends who assume that how peta behaves is how all vegetarians/vegans behave. No good.

  • Melissa January 25, 2010, 6:13 pm

    Love your Twitter exchange with PETA. They’re about as bright as the people who don’t agree with abortion but think that murdering a doctor is okay. Assault, battery, whatever you call it is not a civilized response to something you don’t agree with. I belonged to PETA when I was vegetarian about 7 years ago. Now we belong to a different PETA group: people eating tasty animals. Uh-oh, I’d better watch out! I might get a pie in my face for that. And I know more overweight people who are vegetarians than not. Vegetarianism doesn’t mean you’re healthier than meat eaters.

  • Annalisa January 25, 2010, 6:16 pm

    I don’t like PETA’s scare tactics. However, in order to reach a middle ground going to extreme can be effective.

  • Runeatrepeat January 25, 2010, 6:16 pm

    I don’t understand it when adults don’t know how to keep their hands to his/herself?! My kid brother knows that shoving something in someone’s face is wrong, how does PETA not get that?
    When someone is arrested for assault the police are not allowed to assault them. No, when a person clubs another person they are arrested and punished as the court sees fit. But, for some reason PETA thinks it is okay to play judge, jury and executioner when it comes to hurting animals.
    I think animal abuse is disgusting and wrong. But, keep your hands to yourself and get your message across in another, more effective way.

    • Julie @SavvyEats January 25, 2010, 9:53 pm

      Just had to say that I laughed out loud when I read the first paragraph of your comment!

  • Jules January 25, 2010, 6:21 pm

    While I disagree with PETA’s tactics and I believe there are better ways to get the message across, they did exactly what they set out to do. If they chose to picket outside and had not “pied” that woman in the face it wouldn’t have made the news. The more dramatic the act (however unfortunate) the better chances it has of making the news. Look at how many good things there are in the world (and yes there are good things out there) but how often does the news cover those things?

  • Jenna January 25, 2010, 6:23 pm

    I’m not a vegetarian and I don’t agree with how they advertise either!

  • Kate January 25, 2010, 6:28 pm

    I love how they think they did absolutely nothing wrong. Guess if you have a differing opinion, you lose your rights as a human being….I guess it’s okay to treat another person badly, but you touch an animal, you’ve got hell to pay…

    And I’m sure that pie in the face will go a long way with making Shea change her opinions…way to solve the problem, Peta! If anything, I bet it only makes her stand her ground more.

  • Kailey (SnackFace) January 25, 2010, 6:29 pm

    Oh, PETA, how you amuse me.

    Over the summer, I worked a booth at the animal rights conference in LA. What I found most interesting about people who are fighting for the animals is that they are often rude, cruel, ignorant when it comes to human beings. That’s not to say all activists are like that, though.

    I just imagine if someone cream pied a cow in the face, how would PETA react? My bet is they wouldn’t be pleased one bit.

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing January 25, 2010, 7:25 pm

    I agree with you, they are WAY too radical!!
    Especially that billboard… umm yeah, not all vegetarians are skinny or healthy. Losing weight is not the sole reason for going vegetarian. And trying to scare someone into being a vegetarian… not good. While they do good things, sometimes, I do not like PETA overall.

  • Janessa from Epicuriousvegan.blogspot.com January 25, 2010, 7:26 pm

    Does anyone know if it was someone that works for PETA, or just a PETA supporter?

    • Caitlin January 25, 2010, 7:31 pm

      It is the official peta twitter.

    • Molly @vegandorm January 25, 2010, 8:08 pm

      I actually think it said it was a PETA supporter, not something PETA planned, although they seemed pretty happy about it.

  • Susan January 25, 2010, 7:27 pm

    Poor Gail Shea. I’ve interviewed her, she’s a really nice woman…

  • Sarah January 25, 2010, 7:27 pm

    I am a vegan, and I REALLY dislike Peta.

    I think they are sexist, and I think their tactics do, as you say Caitlin, give vegetarians and vegans a bad name. I wish they weren’t the fact of veg*ns because I really think that misguides people into thinking we are self-righteous, in your face, and willing to sacrifice the dignity of others to prove a point and try to promote our cause.

    The truth is, I don’t know any vegans that support Peta. It has been a long-recognised and lamented fact that they do a lot of harm, a little bit of good, and lower the tone of the entire debate. Problem is, of course, that this has splintered a small movement even further.

    At any rate, great post, Caitlin. I really appreciate a popular blogger like yourself, who has a reputation for not being preachy or a “crazy” vegetarian, has posted this.

  • Coley January 25, 2010, 7:44 pm

    Great post, Caitlin! I think PETA takes it to the extreme and they all need to chill out! The truth is every vegetarian or vegan I know dislikes PETA.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) January 25, 2010, 7:54 pm

    I am not a fan of PETA, they are WAY too extreme, and I think they are hypocrites because of what they do to people.

  • Jess January 25, 2010, 7:57 pm

    You go girl! That post just gave you many points in my book (not that you are lying in bed wondering how many points you scored with me today lol hehe)! I agree 100% with you. Thank you for saying that and honestly, the fact that you ARE veg and say that means a LOT. thanks!

    • Caitlin January 25, 2010, 9:13 pm

      I could always use more brownie points.

  • Jess (www.upsanddownes.wordpress.com) January 25, 2010, 7:58 pm

    oops- forgot to press-junk my blog 😉

  • Sarah January 25, 2010, 8:08 pm

    I completely agree with you!! I do not believe in treating animals cruelly. I love animals BUT I do not liked to be judged for being a vegetarian so therefore I would not judge anyone for eating meat.

    TWO WRONGS DON’T MAKE A RIGHT!

    I support PETA’s message in regards to animal cruelty and I like that PETA brings awareness of inhumane circumstances like the KFC scandal. BUT there are other tactics to promote awareness than pieing people in the face and throwing paint on fur. Everyone is free to make personal choices in regards to what they wear, believe, act, etc and if it’s not against the law-then that person has every right to behave in that manner without fear of persecution, taunting, or being pied in the face. I choose not to eat meat or wear fur. It’s my personal decision and affects my life not anyone else.

  • Laura @ Backstage Pass to Health & Happiness January 25, 2010, 8:08 pm

    I can’t stand PETA, either. I can’t believe that they think that assaulting someone is not wrong. Any form of violence is wrong.

  • Allison January 25, 2010, 8:19 pm

    I think there are better ways to raise awareness for animal rights and promote vegan/vegetarian lifestyles than PETA’s tactics. I understand that extremism is their way of getting people to “wake up and smell the coffee,” but I think it turns most people off to their cause. I had no idea they were using fat shaming in their ads, which is completely disgusting. Makes me dislike their approach even more.

  • Sara January 25, 2010, 8:20 pm

    Being a vegetarian doesn’t make you skinny. Just like eating meat doesn’t make you fat. I eat meat and I’m lean, and I have plenty of vegetarian friends who are heavy.

    Point being, what angers me about PETA is that they want to promote the philosophies of vegetarianism/veganism by employing an advertising philosophy that is illogical and erroneous. For the record, I thing vegetarianism/veganism is great, and while my own eating habits aren’t influenced by PETA, if I were on the fence I would NOT be swayed by them because their message and methods do not align.

    I think you made a good fight, Caitlin! Go get ’em!

  • Nicole January 25, 2010, 8:25 pm

    Wow! I don’t even know what to think, but those billboards are BOLD statements and rather offensive, I think.

  • Jenny January 25, 2010, 8:38 pm

    Whoa, I honestly didn’t know that much about PETA before seeing this post. I have a lot of respect and compassion towards animals, even though I am not a vegetarian. I cannot restrict myself in that way.

    But I agree with you that PETA’s tactics are absolutely insane, and really do seem to give vegans and vegetarians a bad rap. Go YOU! 🙂

  • KatieF January 25, 2010, 8:38 pm

    I despise PETA. I have been on the fence of becoming vegetarian for several months now (I eat meat about twice a week), but they make me NOT want to do it because of their disgusting and hypocritical tactics. Because much of the general public has not had much exposure to veganism or vegetarianism besides PETA, many people associate these dietary choices with extreme and radical ideas–which probably hurts the cause of vegetarianism and veganism overall. Do I think that as Americans we generally eat too much meat and treat animals poorly? Absolutely. But I also think that hurting human beings (psychologically or physically) to save animals is by far the greater evil.

  • Helen January 25, 2010, 8:45 pm

    I’ve never actually commented on here before, but have been reading for well over a year. I’m going to have to agree with you about PETA. As a vegan for 8 years, I hate when people automatically associate my beliefs on animal rights with PETA. They are extremists in every sense of the work and their VP (MaryBeth Sweetland) is a ridiculous hypocrite. As an insulin dependent diabetic, she uses insulin tested on animals and openly states that her life quest is more important than and animal’s life. I can’t support a group that turns to violence in any sense

  • Steph @ My Life In Motion January 25, 2010, 8:57 pm

    I can’t stand PETA. They are extremists that will do anything for attention. As far as they’re concerned, any PR – good or bad – is still good. It gets them on the news. I equate PETA with an anti-abortionist bombing an abortion clinic,killing people in the process. They just stop at nothing. I used to work in a research lab where we worked with animals. The animals were always humanely sacrificed…there was never anything done that shouldn’t have been done. We constantly had fliers put on our cars asking us to call in if we knew of any mistreatment of animals. It was from….you guessed it…PETA. We even had safety seminars about guarding our labs and being very careful because there had been some PETA extremists that had broken into labs and freed the lab animals (which is a terrible idea by the way. They can’t survive outside the lab). I always thought vegetarians/vegans were also extreme until I read awesome blogs like yours, Angela at Oh She Glows, Bobbi at N Her Shoes and Gina at The Fitnessista. Thanks for all the insight you provide on a daily basis!

    • Morgan January 25, 2010, 9:55 pm

      I worked in a lab where research was conducted on mice for fetal alcohol poisoning. The lead researcher was an animal rights activist, and she said a little “prayer” each time a mouse went under (euthanized first) and sometimes she choked up. However, she was doing research to help human fetuses and discover if there was a way to reduce the effects of alcohol in the womb. I think there are extreme cases of animal abuse in the laboratory, however I think it tends to be with make-up and even Purina was abusing their animals (GASP!). The medical field *tends* to be humane.

    • Alissa January 26, 2010, 4:25 am

      PETA has NEVER killed ANYONE!
      Nor have they ever truly endorsed breaking into labs.
      Try looking up an actual “extremist group” ALF…They’re the ones who are caught and sent to jail.

      • Nicole January 26, 2010, 8:07 am

        To my knowledge though, while they have been caught and sent to jail, the ALF has never actually physically hurt a person either.

        I don’t mean to say what they are doing is right- just figured it’s worth mentioning, maybe!

        • Caitlin January 26, 2010, 8:10 am

          I actually watched a Law and Order episode last night about an environmentalist extremist group that accidentally killed someone when burning down a building. But they got Manslaughter 1 because it was unintentional. Just a side note. LOL

        • Nicole January 26, 2010, 8:23 am

          Man I love the episodes of Law and Order with the animal rights/environmental groups and now I’m kind of bummed that I missed it!

      • Steph @ My Life In Motion January 26, 2010, 9:23 am

        Sorry, I didn’t mean to infer that PETA has killed people. (Although apparently they’re ok with killing pit bulls and whales?) I just meant that they are on the far extreme side of their beliefs. Wanting to call fish sea kittens so that people won’t eat them? Weird. Asking Hamburg change their name to Veggieburg? Asking Ben & Jerry’s to use human breast milk instead of cow’s milk? They’re extreme on the marketing side. As I mentioned in the original comment, any PR they get is good. I don’t think they even believe in the things I just mentioned, but they do it to get press.

  • Kyle January 25, 2010, 9:02 pm

    …For the most part, I agree with you. That exchange that you had with them proves that…some of them are crazy. I subscribe to the basic idea of the organization – stop eating meat, educate people, etc. But I CANNOT stand the extremist side. They kind of use a “ends justify the means” idealogy for all of their extreme protests, just like how “they” (I really wonder who is in charge of their tweets – a drunk college intern?) responded that “a pie isn’t as bad as being clubbed.” WHO CARES?! It’s still a pie in someone’s face. It STILL makes you and other vegetarians/vegans look like intolerant doody heads to everyone BUT the crazies that subscribe to your extremist tactics. Not cool, PETA.

    I own a big VEGAN hoodie from peta, along with a “save the world, go veg!” t-shirt, and I still overall support the organization…and thus far, I know of no other group that has the same general message without the violence and psychotic-ness. We should start our own…the peaceful no-meat athletes! : )

  • Kyle January 25, 2010, 9:05 pm

    ..and I agree with #151 above my previous post – seeing NORMAL vegans/ vegetarians is so refreshing in the blog-world. Angela of OSG, you, Chocolate covered Katie, Gena of Choosing Raw….vegans who don’t look stupid or intolerant. I *hope* that I present myself that way. I’ve been a vegan for 4 years now, and I usually wait a LONG time before I tell new friends, just so that I can have a good long rep of normal behavior and good health to speak for me. People would never guess that I’m a vegan, yet if you tell them that the first time you meet them, they make split-second judgements about you that are entirely innaccurate.

    • Naomi January 25, 2010, 9:12 pm

      Yay for ‘normal’ vegans. I hate the hippy / weirdo stereotypes and I love Angela @ OSG and Gina @ Choosing Raw.

  • Rachel January 25, 2010, 9:30 pm

    I agree with you about PETA being too extreme. I could never support a group that believes hurting, shaming, or embarrassing others is an appropriate way to inspire change. Though PETA has a lot of valuable information concerning vegetarianism & animal rights, they need to brush up on their manners.

  • Michelle@eatingjourney January 25, 2010, 9:34 pm

    Although I don’t agree perhaps with some of the radical tactics of PETA because it detracts from their important message.

    However, good on them for being radical.

  • Kristina January 25, 2010, 9:36 pm

    I can’t stand PETA. One of the biggest recent reasons why is because they were for euthanizing all of the Vick pitties. It seems that they are for killing all pit bulls, period. Oh yeah, this was also pretty idiotic:

    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/PETA-urges-Hamburg-to-change-name-to-Veggieburg/articleshow/44257241.cms

    The whole Hamburg/Veggieburg scenario.

  • Jess (What's Normal, Anyways?) January 25, 2010, 9:44 pm

    Wow, what great points everyone has been making. Great post to spark conversations, Caitlin.

    I have had issues with PETA and the even more extreme ELF/ALF groups when I used to work in medial research. Working on research animals (mice in my case) is absolutely critical in many areas, however they see it as “animal cruelty.” We always treated our animals with utmost respect to ensure they did not suffer unnecessarily. And yet, ALF has repeatedly broken into research labs and released the animals into the “wild”.

    As you can guess this is the worst possible idea since the supposed “rescuers” were certainly sending these dependent, lab bred animals to their deaths not to mention the possibility of infection of wildtype animals. So frustrating. Luckily higher security at research facilities has cut down on this problem in the last 5 years or so.

  • Amanda January 25, 2010, 9:50 pm

    I appreciate the most basic message of PETA, but their actions are childish and unprofessional. As an organization who is trying to impress upon other people new views I feel that they should be above that. Who can take that seriously!? They have made themselves a big joke and its really a shame because they could have really changed lives.

  • Anna January 25, 2010, 10:08 pm

    In high school I did a research presentation on seal hunting…I thought at first that I would be anti-hunting but it turns out this is a sustainable indigenous activity that has been a part of northern ecosystems for hundreds of years. Unfortunately too many animals are exploited today…but it is always important to look at all sides of an issue! I was surprised at how I understood the seemingly evil traditional practice once I researched it more. (don’t get me wrong, corporate fur industry is bad)

  • Alexandra January 25, 2010, 10:44 pm

    I completely agree with your stance on PETA, Caitlin!

    I’ve been a vegetarian for two years now and one of the reasons for my transition to this diet was also because of the poor treatment of animals in the food industry.

    It is disheartening to see the way PETA portrays vegetarian ideologies. Their ads (like the ones you have shown above) and others (like this one: http://www.peta2.com/Trollsens/index.asp) definitely give off the wrong impression.

    Being a vegetarian is more than just eliminating meat, poultry, and fish from your diet. It’s about harmonizing with your environment and those around you and living a more peaceful life.

    I don’t care if it was a tofu pie, or a custard pie..
    When you begin to act against your very own species, even if it is in the name of animal justice – you are disturbing the peace!

  • Foy Update - Cook. Garden. Write. Repeat. January 26, 2010, 12:27 am

    Ick. You put your finger right on my problem with PETA.

    This equation is wrong “meat = fat people”. I wish people would stop demonizing food or reducing it to good and evil. Our Western methods for processing and cooking food along with our current food culture has much more to do with fat people than if they eat meat.

    If PETA really wants to help the should stick to promoting knowledge and ditch the scare tactics and publicity stunts.

  • Laura January 26, 2010, 1:15 am

    i have no opinion regarding PETA. i really dont think that we can change the way they act & behave. i like to let people do what they believe in

  • Janessa (epicuriousvegan.blogspot.com) January 26, 2010, 1:20 am

    I just got home from work and told my boyfriend about this whole discussion about how lame PETA is versus how effective they are sometimes.
    His response?
    “If someone pushed a pie in my face, I’d push one right back into theirs. Except instead of a pie, it’d be my fist.”

    😀

    He’s a sweetheart who wouldn’t hurt anyone, so it was said in jest, but he totally made me laugh.

    • Caitlin January 26, 2010, 7:33 am

      i love the way men think sometimes. because i would totally bitch slap someone if they pied me.

  • meagan January 26, 2010, 2:03 am

    I despise PETA. Even when I was a vegetarian I thought they were cruel, manipulative and exploitative. They might produce some good videos–I don’t dispute that–but they’re attitude towards objectifying women and assault attacks on people they disagree with degrade the cause of animal rights.

    Their stances on animal rights are also un-nuanced. What about the indigenous seal hunting? What about facing the fact that not everyone will become vegetarian or vegan and supporting other solutions–such as sustainably farmed, grass-fed, local, humanely slaughtered meat? Or the fact that in some cases, meat IS more efficient than grains and/or vegetables (see: rocky, eroded terrains that support goats/sheep but not vegetables).

    I don’t mean this to be nit-picky, but I’ve thought about this subject for years, especially regarding PETA. I don’t like them and I wish their resources were allocated to a more responsible, clear-headed animal rights group.

    Good for you for standing up to them in the public forum. That took balls.

  • Laura January 26, 2010, 6:48 am

    My partner and I were discussing Peta after I read this post.. we agree..for 5% of the time they might turn people onto the ideas of vegetarianism but for 95% of the time they make vegetarians and vegans look like crazed lunatics which is doing more harm than good.

  • rachael January 26, 2010, 7:51 am

    I don’t think violence is ever the answer. It seems odd to me that they would use violent tactics to demonstrate what should be a message of peace.

  • Angie All The Way January 26, 2010, 8:06 am

    When I saw your twitter exchange with PETA yesterday on Twitter my jaw dropped. I was confused because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! I’m not a vegetarian and I haven’t followed PETA very closely, but have always respected the cause very much and those who chose to be vegetarians and vegans for their own personal reasons. When I saw their tweets of support of the assault on Gail Shea as justified because it was a “tofu pie” I couldn’t believe it! Whooopdiefriggindo that it was a tofu pie, it WAS assault and from what I hear, the person is being charged as such.

    Hypocrisy is never a way to gain respect and support. In fact any respect I thought I may have had for them has slapped ME in the face!

    Kudos to you for making your thoughts known to them and hopefully this comment thread will speak for itself.

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat January 26, 2010, 9:25 am

    I’m vegan and have found PETA to be incredibly informative with the information on their website. It’s helped me find some foods I hadn’t heard about and also educated me on the cruel treatment of animals.

    However, I do think they take it way too far. Especially since I find veganism to be a peaceful lifestyle, that is not the way to get people’s attention. I think they’d be more impressed if you walked up there and gave them a hug.

    Hate and violence of any kind does not solve anything.

  • Kristin P. January 26, 2010, 10:20 am

    I’m a big supporter of PETA. I strongly believe in their core values: the ethical treatment of animals. I do agree that sometimes they are over-the-top, but for the the occasional attention-grabbing stunt, they are doing a lot of work behind the scenes to help animals and free animals that are being abused. Take a look at their website to read about the change they have facilitated and the horrendous abuses (which, unfortunatley, are very common and acceptable in our society) that they are working to stop.
    For the record, I dont agree with the pie stunt or necessarily throwing red paint on someone’s fur coat BUT I think that the fur stunts help people to WAKE UP and realize where that fur coat is coming from. Yes, it was actually ripped off an animal.
    They could probably accomplish the same thing w/o involving a bystander- they could buy some faux coats and pour red paint on them or something. Whille I think they should protest w/o being aggressors, I think those stunts are about raising awareness and starting a dialogue among people.

  • Elizabeth January 26, 2010, 10:24 am

    I give you a lot of credit for challenging that tweet, and also for recognizing when an argument is going nowhere fast. As a lifelong vegetarian, I’ve never felt closely aligned with PETA. If you have to comprise your treatment of humans in order to convey a message about animals, how can you expect to be fully effective? Raising animals for fur is wrong, I get that. But why ruin someone’s coat? Killing baby seals? Also bad. No need to smash a pie in a lady’s face. Their need to inflict hurt while delivering their message makes me crazy.

    I think their extreme tactics (not to mention horrifically offensive and misleading advertising) succeed in garnering attention, but do little to persuade. Whew… I think I need to take a walk! 🙂

  • Amber K January 26, 2010, 10:35 am

    I agree, some of the things they do are just too extreme for me! And I’m a vegetarian! But they wouldn’t like my reason. I simply HATE the taste and texture of meat.

  • karina January 26, 2010, 10:44 am

    I don’t agree with a lot of PETA’s tactics. I think they’re extreme and harm their causes more often than they help… but I hardly see this as assault. We are animals, and I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing to have a little physical contact every now and then, so long as no one is badly injured. At worst, she suffered a bruised ego.

    Sometimes I think public discourse needs more reason and civility… but other times, I think it needs more pies.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS91gT3XT_A

  • FoodCents January 26, 2010, 10:45 am

    This is a great discussion. PETA lacks class and tact, but fact of the matter is they could care less about that. While they are entitled to their beliefs (and I will say they have done good work on exposing conditions and such), the way they go about it with their “shock and awe” tactits, just makes them laughable. It’s their way of the high way and the individuals who run their Twitter page are flat out rude.

    I have to say, as a meat eater, in no way do alot of people think that PETA is the spokesperson for people who obstain from meat and other related products. Everyone is entitled to eat as they wish and for all the craziness that PETA brings, they only represent a small portion of the veggie/vegan world.

    Caitlin: I applaude you for bringing this up… “If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything…”

  • Ildie January 26, 2010, 11:02 am

    In my personal opinion, PETA is going about it ALL wrong. I watched a very informative episode of Bullshit (a show with Penn & Teller) on PETA. You should check it out. It changed my opinion that’s for sure. I loathe hypocrisy! PETA oozes it! They also resort to violence and fear tactics. I find both to be disturbing and disgusting.

    Great post!!

  • Lindsay January 26, 2010, 12:49 pm

    My biggest issue with PETA are stunts like this:
    http://gawker.com/5457197/peta-to-america-here-is-some-free-porn

    For some reason they have no problem exploiting women for their cause. It makes me think that they care more about animals than human beings.

  • Tavolini January 26, 2010, 3:43 pm

    100% agree with you. I’ve been vegetarian for most of my life, but have always been wary of PETA. So many of PETA’s campaigns involve disrespect and mild violence. It’s the exact opposite of what one would respect from an animal rights group, imho.

  • Maria January 26, 2010, 5:16 pm

    I have been a vegetarian for almost 8 years now. I originally became a vegetarian because I lived in Portland, Oregon and almost ALL of the people in our building were vegetarian or vegan. One of my neighbors loaned me the book “Diet For a New America” by John Robbins. It changed my life and shook my belief system to the core. In the beginning I was a PETA supporter. I have a few PETA bumper stickers on my jeep still, but have not supported them in any way since they started using the ‘fat’ slogans and generally trying to make people feel bad about themselves. I am for lifting people up and teaching them and then letting them make their own decisions once getting ALL the information. I am NOT for hurtful, ugly, commercial type propaganda that makes people feel less of a person because they aren’t doing something or aren’t doing something the way someone else thinks they should. I too was involved with the PETA twitter conversation yesterday ‘realfitmama’ and hope that my voice was heard. I am raising two little girls to be animal AND people loving women who will treat EVERYONE with dignity and respect even if they disagree with their opinions, politics, religion, lifestyle etc. I truly believe that ‘World Peace Begins With ME…’

  • Ruth January 27, 2010, 1:02 pm

    I’m a vegetarian for ethical reasons, but not vegan for financial and marital reasons (my omnivorous husband thinks veganism is unhealthy and unpleasant). PETA does have some great resources available, but the bad behavior has become a barrier to everything they are trying to accomplish. The only people willing to listen to them are people who already agree with them. They can’t make any progress like that!

  • Raine May 8, 2010, 7:18 pm

    PETA’s attitude sure has changed over time.
    They have done great things in the past, certainly.
    But, it’s only recently that they have gone overboard with some of their petitions and such…
    Maybe, it’s because of new amateur people entering the organization without the same values or morals as before?

  • Raine May 8, 2010, 7:19 pm

    I agree with Ruth.

  • Heather May 10, 2010, 8:10 am

    this is hilarious. I love it. I also love that I guess I was “abused” as a child becuase I eat hamburgers? I am not overweight but I guess they don’t care lol! Extremists crack me up.

  • Ashley March 10, 2011, 10:18 pm

    I hate them. Seriously. Even if I agreed with the cause (and I’m talking ANY cause – not just PETA), I CANNOT support an organization that goes to the extremist measures that PETA employs. It’s just not right. Pie in the face is mild compared to some of the stuff they’ve done!

  • Ché @ Knight at the Restaurant March 11, 2011, 12:57 pm

    PETA is a funny thing. I don’t like their tactics at all (bombings, harassment, etc.) but I’m glad they’re there. Here’s why:

    I had a friend that worked for a pharmaceutical company, in the factory. His location was where all the animal testing happened. When he told me this, I was shocked and sad and couldn’t understand how an animal lover could enjoy working at an animal testing facility. When I told him this, he waved me off and said that for the most part, those animals are treated better than the people working there. People go in and play with them, they have plenty of food and water, their cages are large and full of items that stimulate them. Apparently the monkeys had TVs in their cages…

    Anyway, he said the reason for the humane treatment of the “test subjects” was that other facilities had been bombed or gassed or whatever, so the company overhauled their practices to avoid it happening again.

    NOT saying it’s right, and definitely NOT saying I think that animal testing is ever ok, but if it weren’t for the crazy, extremist actions of PETA keeping extremes in the other direction under control, there would be no balance. Someone out there has to be crazy enough to keep things balanced.

  • Katie of Cabbage Ranch October 13, 2011, 11:00 am

    I’m deeply involved in (and formally educated in) agriculture. I do love animals, and like most agriculturalists I believe absolutely in animal welfare. PETA often pursues agendas that will garner the most attention, not those that might truly improve the quality of life for animals. That, to me, speaks volumes.

  • Bailey November 14, 2011, 7:24 am

    I wasn’t really sure what to think of Peta! After reading your article, they sounds like extremists. :/

    I also came across a Peta website that totally bashed another site that wanted to conserve animals as well. Complete slander, Peta is, they totally bashed the site. And MAYBE that site was in the wrong (it was the WWF), but who knows.

    I find it hard to find an organization that is reliable and true to their aim. :/

    I just wanna save a freaking bunny. <3

  • Christy April 8, 2012, 2:30 pm

    Wow, this PETA pie event was I while ago but I have just read it for the first time. I LOVE PETA and what they stand for, which is kindness and compassion for all animals. However, I don’t agree with throwing a pie in someones face, I could never hit anyone. So I just want to say in PETA’s defense that they pull these kinds of stunts simply for the media attention. It is a cheap and easy way to make the public think about animal rights. I agree that it might spark different reactions from some, like PETA has double standards on violence. But the point is they are just attempting to make people think. Rather you support them or not, I hope we can agree that ending animal suffering is a great goal to work towards.

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