Dog Lovers Bite Back — What’s Your Mission?
July 29th, 2007Last night my wife and I got into it about this Michael Vick thing and boy was it heated…but in the end, I won (at least until she see this post)!
The argument she had was “Why in the hell are all these people so outraged over a dog when little boys and girls are being raped, abducted, and molested.” “I know it’s wrong and I’m not condoning what he did, and yes he should be punished, however, these PETA people are staging these boycotts, getting big corporations nervous, and mobilizing an entire nation of people to speak out!”
I reviewed many of the posts here, and many address the same questions (and anger) my wife had.
How did I win the “war” last night? With these few words…
But first, let’s learn about PETA, which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - They are an animal rights activist group based here in the United States and they’re considered to be the largest animal rights group in the world (they also have offices in Canada, France, Taiwan, UK, India, etc…).
PETA’s slogan is “Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on , or use for entertainment.”
In support of their MISSION… PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time:
1) on factory farms
2) in laboratories
3) in the clothing trade
4) and in the entertainment industry
They also work on a variety of other issues, including the cruel killing of beavers, birds and other “pests,” and the abuse of backyard dogs (cock fighting, bull fighting, etc…).
The organization has been criticized for some of its campaigns, for the actions of some of its employees regarding their treatment of animals, and for the number of animals it euthanizes. It was also criticized by Senator James M. Inhofe for having acted as a “spokesgroup” for the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front, after activists associated with those groups had committed what Inhofe called “acts of terrorism.”
Now…with all that said, PETA has a mission, does their mission, and continues to do their mission.
When Michael Vick was indicted of those charges (a situation he put himself in), PETA was simply doing their mission!
PETA’s mission isn’t speaking out on little boys and little girls getting raped or abducted; PETA’s mission isn’t boycotting the War; PETA’s mission isn’t to help protect women from abusive relationships; and lastly, but certainly not least… PETA’s mission isn’t going after pedophiles!
They’re an animal rights activist group…Period!
Michael Vick isn’t being singled out. PETA has gone after everybody, primarily large corporations, such as KFC, McDonalds, Wendy’s, Burger King, PETCO, Procter & Gamble and many, many more. And Michael Vick, the football player is a corporation, whether you’d like to admit it or not. His corporation (the football player ) is worth $130+ million dollars (and not to mention the other millions in sponsorship contracts his corporation earns).
While PETA’s actions (or rather, the actions of some of their employees) are a little extreme (and dangerous), they’re simply an organization who is doing their mission!
Now… My question to you is the following…
“What’s Your Mission?”
Many of you are here whining about how important other issues are such as protecting our children from pedophiles, closing up the border, protesting the war, women’s rights, etc…
But what are you doing about it? You seem passionate about those topics when you post it here, but are you out fulfilling YOUR Mission? There are organizations out there that mobilizes their group when something does happen to children or battered women…Are you a part of these organizations.
PETA is simply doing their MISSION! They’re doing what they’re suppose to do…they mobilized their team of people and got their supporters together and they converged on these corporations supporting Michael Vick.
What are you so angry about? More importantly, what are you doing about the issues you keep bringing up?
When it was all said and done, my wife couldn’t say anything!
Why?
Because she wasn’t doing anything about those complaints she was whining about. When a little girl was abducted or rape, she didn’t go anywhere or do anything about it. When a woman was abused by a man, she didn’t speak out or do anything about it. She’s also upset about the war, but she never went to a rally or did anything about it.
When I confronted her with those facts, she had to sit back and think for a moment.
PETA has gotten everybody riled up and angry, PETA has gone after the corporations supporting Michael Vick. PETA is doing their MISSION!
What About You?
After our dispute last night, my wife decided to get online to find an organization she could become a part of…will she do it? We’ll see (I’ll keep you posted)…
What about you? Will you get out and fight for your cause? Or, will you come here and post messages about what you think “us animal lovers” should be doing to support your cause. A cause you yourself, won’t get out and support?
PETA was started by 2 people with a passion…We’re talking about 2 people here folks. If you feel so passionately about what you think “us animal lovers should be doing”, get out and start your mission!
Back in 1980, two people by the name of Alex Pacheco and Ingrid Newkirk did the very same thing I’m proposing to you now.
And I leave you with the following…
Have You Done Your Mission Lately?
Sincerely,
C. Ross
