General Discussion

athena

(4,187 posts)

98. Blaming the messenger is very popular!

Fri Nov 8, 2013, 03:16 PM

Nov 2013

This has been an educational experience for me!

If you knew me personally, you would know that I am not a condescending person at all. I find it very interesting that so many people have attacked me for being "condescending" or "arrogant" (while ignoring the points I was trying to make).

The reason I used the term "thoughtful omnivores" is that I have been attacked numerous times on DU by meat-eating bullies on threads about plant-based diets. Some people, unfortunately, come to DU not to have a discussion but to cause trouble. They get a kick out of insulting and attacking people. If calling everyone else "thoughtful" makes me "condescending," then I am proud to be so.

ETA: You forget that it's the meat industry itself that encouraged such a high demand for meat. People used to eat much less meat just a few decades ago.

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PETA Is Not the Enemy. [View all] athena Nov 2013 OP

i would say they are if you eat meat and dont want to be vegucated loli phabay Nov 2013 #1

I was a big meat eater for a long time. athena Nov 2013 #5

yeah because people who eat meat are too dumb to know where food comes from, really loli phabay Nov 2013 #10

This post was not aimed at you. athena Nov 2013 #17

Wow. I'm impressed. Kingofalldems Nov 2013 #79

i have noticed that it does not take much. loli phabay Nov 2013 #220

Didn't get past the topic, eh JanMichael Nov 2013 #110

i am sure its in the peta manifesto though loli phabay Nov 2013 #221

You say that as if you haven't read it and are assuming. cui bono Nov 2013 #237

We are vegetarians JanMichael Nov 2013 #251

It's farming, period, that they object to, because to "use" animals is slavery to them. duffyduff Nov 2013 #228

Or if you enjoy having pets CFLDem Nov 2013 #211

It makes perfect sense for PETA to kill animals if they indeed believe animal domestication duffyduff Nov 2013 #230

good post. cali Nov 2013 #2

folks who insist on telling others how to live their lives... mike_c Nov 2013 #3

even better post cali Nov 2013 #6

No one is telling you how to live your life. athena Nov 2013 #11

This response is indicative of what I see as arrogance of the vegan/veggie crowd. Sheldon Cooper Nov 2013 #16

Your response is indicative of the arrogance of the anti-vegetarians. athena Nov 2013 #21

Oh blah blah blah Sheldon Cooper Nov 2013 #25

I agree with you 100% Beringia Nov 2013 #80

I have such moments, too. athena Nov 2013 #88

you do know that whether YOU personally eat the hamburger... Scout Nov 2013 #89

You assume Beringia Nov 2013 #101

"It is a conscience thing." Scout Nov 2013 #122

Why is that so hard to believe Beringia Nov 2013 #133

That's the point. To get massive amounts of people to change their eating habits. cui bono Nov 2013 #239

Just because you don't emathize with plants, does not mean they are not suffering. jeff47 Nov 2013 #111

It is not the death Beringia Nov 2013 #113

My point is the kind of death the animals have jeff47 Nov 2013 #139

A quick end to a horrible life Beaverhausen Nov 2013 #143

And it's still more pleasant than dissolving in acid. (nt) jeff47 Nov 2013 #144

Have you actually Beringia Nov 2013 #156

While I may disagree with the OP, yours is an argument I loathe. yewberry Nov 2013 #213

It's a dishonest argument. Mariana Nov 2013 #217

PETA is just another form of religious fanaticism. MicaelS Nov 2013 #193

One thing is clear, you have nothing but disdain for those who do not chose as you do. cleanhippie Nov 2013 #231

huzzah, Sheldon!! n/t Scout Nov 2013 #66

Jesus Christ on a Merry-Go-Round Warren DeMontague Nov 2013 #155

What do you think about people who buy from Wal-Mart? cui bono Nov 2013 #238

I think you misunderstood me.... mike_c Nov 2013 #20

+1 nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #185

So when someone bangs on my door to tell me about Jesus and Hell, and I tell them to fuck off Warren DeMontague Nov 2013 #154

I did not knock on your door. I posted a thread. athena Nov 2013 #158

You don't have any idea what I eat, do you? Warren DeMontague Nov 2013 #162

Oh, that's even better! athena Nov 2013 #170

Uh huh. Warren DeMontague Nov 2013 #171

Here is my advice to you. athena Nov 2013 #197

If that many people interpreted your OP that way Warren DeMontague Nov 2013 #212

I think you're taking all this a lot more personally than you should. nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #190

You're right. I'm a little oversensitive, athena Nov 2013 #194

Taking things too personally is always a potential complication of message board use. nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #196

Yes get the red out Nov 2013 #40

Call it 'secular evangelizing' even... we all do that on DU. LanternWaste Nov 2013 #121

And if your life choices do a lot of serious harm? CrawlingChaos Nov 2013 #123

if *you* are directly harmed by my diet then I certainly want to hear about it.... mike_c Nov 2013 #182

+ another one nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #191

Who says they are? n/t cui bono Nov 2013 #242

Just raising the point that dietary choices don't make anyone special or superior... nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #245

Well the way you made the statement sounded like you thought vegetarians/vegans thought they were cui bono Nov 2013 #246

At vegetarians/vegans generally? Not at all. I get along fine with them IRL. nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #247

Of course, so why do you bring that up now? n/t cui bono Nov 2013 #248

To explain my earlier post that you asked about. That's all. nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #249

If you consume factory farmed meat, you are doing direct harm to everyone CrawlingChaos Nov 2013 #206

then I'll just have to tell you the same thing I tell religious fanatics at my front door.... mike_c Nov 2013 #232

You can do that but you'd be making a false and inaccurate comparison. cui bono Nov 2013 #244

Why does this resonate with you as it does? cui bono Nov 2013 #243

I think that would be a good post Bradical79 Nov 2013 #125

Yep. Warren DeMontague Nov 2013 #153

That happens every day on a political board. Why is this wrong? cui bono Nov 2013 #240

i am going to go after anyone that uses racism, sexism and target our children. while doing that, seabeyond Nov 2013 #4

Have you considered a plant-based diet? athena Nov 2013 #18

the decision on what i eat has nothing to do with peta. you give them way too much credit. that is seabeyond Nov 2013 #24

I did read your post. I don't think you read mine, though. athena Nov 2013 #75

peta is not your enemy. hmmm..... seabeyond Nov 2013 #104

Seriously? jeff47 Nov 2013 #112

The suffering of plants? Seriously? athena Nov 2013 #120

Yes, seriously. jeff47 Nov 2013 #142

Vegans are sane OwnedByCats Nov 2013 #225

peta is an enemy of their own cause. aside from that i dont see peta as the enemy La Lioness Priyanka Nov 2013 #7

PETA is a continual embarrassment to animal rights. longship Nov 2013 #8

If one's goal is to get people to stop eating meat, maybe PETA IS the enemy. hughee99 Nov 2013 #9

I agree that most vegans are not interested in promoting a plant-based diet. athena Nov 2013 #28

My point about PETA is that people will be less willing to listen to the facts hughee99 Nov 2013 #39

I'm not convinced that PETA is doing that much damage. athena Nov 2013 #49

you started a thread to defend peta. going down the replies defending peta. you arent convinced they seabeyond Nov 2013 #53

Your post doesn't make sense. athena Nov 2013 #57

If PETA spent as much money on saving animals as they do their insane OwnedByCats Nov 2013 #82

Great post. Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #86

I don't think PETA does as much damage as people here claim. athena Nov 2013 #109

I'm sorry, I just don't agree OwnedByCats Nov 2013 #129

OK. athena Nov 2013 #132

Well when it comes to this subject OwnedByCats Nov 2013 #145

Not being a psychologist, I can't with any credibility state athena Nov 2013 #188

I don't think their supporters are bad OwnedByCats Nov 2013 #203

I can relate to that CrawlingChaos Nov 2013 #235

I understand what you mean OwnedByCats Nov 2013 #250

They certainly have turned me off hollysmom Nov 2013 #131

Most vegans I know (personally) tabbycat31 Nov 2013 #169

That's too bad that your vegan friends are insensitive. athena Nov 2013 #172

Are you vegetarian or vegans tabbycat31 Nov 2013 #198

We are technically not vegan. athena Nov 2013 #199

The online vegan community does not exactly help their cause tabbycat31 Nov 2013 #204

See, that's the thing. athena Nov 2013 #207

I'm a political staffer and on the road for months on end tabbycat31 Nov 2013 #209

Coconut milk isn't so good for you. athena Nov 2013 #210

People who avocate against animal cruelty shouldn't Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2013 #12

I agree. But does that make the issue less important? athena Nov 2013 #29

I'm sure glad early humans didn't swtich to a plant based diet a million years ago- snooper2 Nov 2013 #13

The world we live in today is very different from the one humans lived in a million years ago. athena Nov 2013 #33

"There is no reason to continue to eat meat just because our ancestors did." Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #44

You ignore the message and insult the messenger. athena Nov 2013 #54

I don't eat factory farmed animals, Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #55

Talk about arrogant. Meat eaters just love to flaunt their meat eating in veggie threads. cui bono Nov 2013 #241

Who cares if YOU saw nothing arrogant in the statement I quoted? Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #252

human digestive systems have NOT evolved away from omnivory.... mike_c Nov 2013 #69

I'm sure glad early civilizations were OK with slavery Goblinmonger Nov 2013 #63

That may be the dumbest analogy I've read in at least six months snooper2 Nov 2013 #67

We don't need either now Goblinmonger Nov 2013 #85

Need has nothing to do with it, Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #92

My original response that started this Goblinmonger Nov 2013 #95

I wonder why then, vegans are always on the hunt Sheepshank Nov 2013 #116

Yes Goblinmonger Nov 2013 #117

You really should research before you make such crazy analogies. An animal protein diet stevenleser Nov 2013 #76

You're really going to claim Goblinmonger Nov 2013 #83

Yes. Percentage wise, few people in any of those cultures owned slaves. It wasn't necessary stevenleser Nov 2013 #87

Not arguing biology Goblinmonger Nov 2013 #93

I never considered PETA an enemy sarisataka Nov 2013 #14

I agree about PETA's tactics being of questionable value. athena Nov 2013 #41

To answer your question... sarisataka Nov 2013 #47

PETA is its own worst enemy B2G Nov 2013 #15

I don't think the cult group PeTA is the problem either since I'm an omnivore... Eleanors38 Nov 2013 #19

Peta is not my enemy - they are yours if you're interested in increasing veganism aikoaiko Nov 2013 #22

Pretty much my thoughts on the matter. NuclearDem Nov 2013 #38

I support the Humane Society. athena Nov 2013 #81

If only there were an issue that PETA and Code Pink could work together on... SidDithers Nov 2013 #23

oh shit! dionysus Nov 2013 #152

Certainly it would draw a hell of a lot of attention, if nothing else... nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #200

Yeah they are. Deep13 Nov 2013 #26

That OP is very condescending. Archae Nov 2013 #27

You're reading condescension into it. athena Nov 2013 #52

So what makes you think *anyone* is going to "immediately switch to a plant-based diet"? nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #134

Some people do. I did. But that's not what I said. athena Nov 2013 #151

Reducing unnecessary cruelty would be nice. Also a decreased impact on the environment. nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #157

I have no problem with People Eating Tasty Animals! lastlib Nov 2013 #30

Ugh. NuclearDem Nov 2013 #35

Go on and hand over your money to the factory-farm industry, then. athena Nov 2013 #59

Yeah, they are the enemy. Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #31

I love PETA's message. I actually agree with much of what they have to say. Vashta Nerada Nov 2013 #32

Please stop beating a dead horse (no pun intended) William769 Nov 2013 #34

The messenger fucked up the message Sheepshank Nov 2013 #50

Because it's already tenderized enough! Lizzie Poppet Nov 2013 #56

Really? It's not the message? athena Nov 2013 #58

Now I think I may have targeted the wrong messenger. William769 Nov 2013 #60

When it turns so many people off, yes it is. They are a sideshow. Attention whores. KittyWampus Nov 2013 #36

I eat plant-based and don't like PETA. StrayKat Nov 2013 #37

Your first source is a shill for corporations. Archae Nov 2013 #42

How about. . . StrayKat Nov 2013 #45

Far better. Archae Nov 2013 #51

I notice republicans such as Cavers and freepers hate them-- Kingofalldems Nov 2013 #43

I support PETA on most of their issues, RebelOne Nov 2013 #46

PETA is almost Jamaal510 Nov 2013 #48

I ask this question because alot of people talk about factory farming as a huge reason to stop Arcanetrance Nov 2013 #61

The OP is PETA is not your enemy, Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #62

I got the OP title but reading th poster talks alot about factory farming as a reason to get on Arcanetrance Nov 2013 #64

As far as I'm concerned, factory farming is the problem. athena Nov 2013 #68

Your title is that PETA is not the enemy, Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #72

Is there a humane way to kill? StrayKat Nov 2013 #73

Killing isn't any living thing isn't great but there are less terrible ways to kill the animals Arcanetrance Nov 2013 #97

If everyone did what you do, it would have a huge impact. athena Nov 2013 #102

Conversly, it could also increase the number of people hunting their own food. Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #103

Thanks for pointing out the slaughterhouse problem. athena Nov 2013 #100

PETA kills animals - TBF Nov 2013 #65

Are those strays that had to be put down? SomethingFishy Nov 2013 #71

They really do kill animals that don't need to be put down. StrayKat Nov 2013 #77

How about Huffington Post? TBF Nov 2013 #91

Yes those are much better.. SomethingFishy Nov 2013 #186

It's too bad because the vegan message is a good one - TBF Nov 2013 #222

PETA is a prime example of what happens to your brain with a B12 deficiency. hobbit709 Nov 2013 #70

I'm not sure most PETA people are vegan. athena Nov 2013 #90

no thanks quinnox Nov 2013 #74

I am not trying to convert anyone. athena Nov 2013 #78

If you aren't, why do you sound like one of those street evangelists? Archae Nov 2013 #84

I do not care for PETA or guilt trips about factory farming. Inkfreak Nov 2013 #94

Blaming the messenger is very popular! athena Nov 2013 #98

I certainly don't mean to attack you and apologize after reading my post again. Inkfreak Nov 2013 #107

Thanks for the kind note! athena Nov 2013 #115

Nah, I'm covered in tattoos, lol. Inkfreak Nov 2013 #167

Meat is the most inefficient way to feed a hungry planet CrawlingChaos Nov 2013 #234

OK. Since everyone wants to focus on PETA's tactics athena Nov 2013 #96

sexism. racism. targeting child behind parents back. i do not give a flyin fuck what seabeyond Nov 2013 #124

As Peter Singer might say, athena Nov 2013 #127

so much wrong and sad in your post. have a good weekend. nt seabeyond Nov 2013 #128

I just don't appreciate being accused of sexism, racism, and stupidity, all in the same message. athena Nov 2013 #136

someone was kind enough to provide the racism. justify it. really, do. cause i know you will. seabeyond Nov 2013 #138

They're not promoting racism in that protest. athena Nov 2013 #174

you do not even just ify the racism, just ignore it. welcome to du, a progressive board, where we seabeyond Nov 2013 #176

Sure. athena Nov 2013 #180

seriously? not just offensive. it is fuckin RACIST. i refuse to support racism. period. end of seabeyond Nov 2013 #181

this will be my last post to you. i did not know this about myself. i generally fight the battle seabeyond Nov 2013 #184

You're right that showing nude bodies, in itself, is not sexist. But that's not the issue. nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #147

not to mention the suggestion of milking women like cows and providing the breast milk for icecream. seabeyond Nov 2013 #161

Yeah, some of the stuff they've come up with is just bizarre. nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #163

oh. and women fuckin veggies. ya. that is the ticket. nt seabeyond Nov 2013 #168

Like I said, bizarre, also ridiculous, and not likely to sway anyone. n/t nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #178

bizarre yes. but more importantly to me, misogynist. nt seabeyond Nov 2013 #179

No argument here. It certainly does undermine any progressive aspects of their message. n/t nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #183

PETA is one of the most hypocritical groups out there dlwickham Nov 2013 #99

Thank you for the post, athena AndyA Nov 2013 #105

Thank you! MoonRiver Nov 2013 #106

You do know what your money pays for right? OwnedByCats Nov 2013 #135

Welcome to my IGNORE list. MoonRiver Nov 2013 #137

Gee OwnedByCats Nov 2013 #146

This tabbycat31 Nov 2013 #201

Thanks! :) OwnedByCats Nov 2013 #224

PETA is not your friend. winter is coming Nov 2013 #108

that's your opinion. I think PETA has a point about not torturing animals Pretzel_Warrior Nov 2013 #114

It's not about shame. athena Nov 2013 #118

Well said, Athena! LittleBlue Nov 2013 #119

Thanks! athena Nov 2013 #130

I wish PETA wasn't included in a discussion about meatless diets. Doremus Nov 2013 #126

That is how I feel as well - TBF Nov 2013 #140

Agreed, TBF. Doremus Nov 2013 #175

I will watch these - thank you! nt TBF Nov 2013 #223

Thanks for recommending Forks over Knives solarhydrocan Nov 2013 #236

Meh. Matariki Nov 2013 #141

I hope you remembered to put some nutritional yeast on that popcorn! athena Nov 2013 #173

Why does it have to be all or nothing? Matariki Nov 2013 #187

Every bit helps. athena Nov 2013 #192

Their methods seem counterproductive alarimer Nov 2013 #148

kr Meet PETA's sexiest vegetarian over 50- she's 74 now solarhydrocan Nov 2013 #149

Translation: We know better than you what you should put in your own mouth. Warren DeMontague Nov 2013 #150

epic fail. dionysus Nov 2013 #159

Countries with the highest life expectancy have populations which are not vegetarians. Japan, lostincalifornia Nov 2013 #160

Okinawa diet: Life expectancy among highest in world and primarily plant based solarhydrocan Nov 2013 #164

So the ideal diet for most is probably high in grains and vegetables, low in animal products. nomorenomore08 Nov 2013 #195

If the majority of people switched to such a diet, athena Nov 2013 #202

That's not actually true. athena Nov 2013 #166

Why bring peta into it at all? Matariki Nov 2013 #189

True, People for the Eating of Tasty Animals whistler162 Nov 2013 #165

Funny... The ZERO KILL shelters by me don't euthanize injured or ferrule animals like PETA does. n/t TheBlackAdder Nov 2013 #177

Way to go, Athena. StrayKat Nov 2013 #205

Thanks! athena Nov 2013 #208

Fuck PETA JI7 Nov 2013 #214

Congrats! You wandered into the forum of morons, clueless shitdiots, and may have exited intact. flvegan Nov 2013 #215

I got a buddy of mine on another board who's vegan. TheMightyFavog Nov 2013 #216

Hey. if sonm people want to torture animals and drink blood, who are we to criticize? Zorra Nov 2013 #218

No, PETA is not the enemy...they are the nutjobs. n/t cynatnite Nov 2013 #219

PETA is its own parody. HuckleB Nov 2013 #226

The outfit deserves all the criticism and MORE. They are NOT ASPCA or other animal duffyduff Nov 2013 #227

Yes, it is. It is the enemy of reason and common sense. cleanhippie Nov 2013 #229

PETA's premise is "vegetarians are assholes" jberryhill Nov 2013 #233

this is the only thing that needs to be said about peta rdking647 Nov 2013 #253