General Discussion

athena

(4,187 posts)

109. I don't think PETA does as much damage as people here claim.

Fri Nov 8, 2013, 03:44 PM

Nov 2013

Years ago, people were outraged at one of their ads, in which they showed a woman's lower body with fur in place of pubic hair. Feminists were outraged. As a feminist, I wasn't impressed. However, that didn't make me reject the message years later when I watched Vegucated. So, in my case, at least, PETA didn't discourage me from switching to a plant-based diet. (I actually got a very good vegan flan recipe from their web site.)

Here, they explain that they use shock tactics because they would otherwise be ignored by the media. Knowing how powerful the factory farm industry is, I have a hard time disagreeing with this. They claim that their tactics have increased their membership. I believe them. After all, why would they do something if it really hurt the cause?

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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