Wow, if INGRID had just said, "Hey Michael Moore, we would like to point out that a vegetarian lifestyle leads to better health, and it's preventative medicine!" I bet Moore would have been happy to help out!

But to attack his weight? Shame on you. That's none of your business. Why didn't you just tell him his shoe size was puny? Could you have been more insulting?

If I were Moore I would tell PETA to shove it. Seriously. If I were Ingrid I would retract that statement and say that she just meant that he should go vegetarian. An apology is needed.

Unless PETA plans to keep labelling people as fat and unhealthy. Respectfully, I think you should apologize to him.

Posted by: Maya | June 22, 2007 03:28 PM

ps

On a nicer note, PETA, I'm writing a film script for Script Frenzy, and in honor of you guys I made all the characters vegans. Just thought I'd tell ya.

Posted by: Maya | June 22, 2007 04:38 PM

Maya, you should name one of your characters after Jack! The blog master....

Posted by: Linda | June 22, 2007 05:35 PM

The truth hurts sometimes.

Posted by: Rob | June 22, 2007 05:36 PM

GOOD FOR INGRID!!!! If Michael Moore didn't eat so many dead animals, he'd, no doubt, not be the size of an elephant. Ingrid tells it like it is. As well she should!!!

Posted by: Elaine Sloan | June 22, 2007 05:38 PM

Linda - Ah, Blogmaster Jack. A Johnny Depp pirate rival! Perfect.

Posted by: Maya | June 22, 2007 05:40 PM

As a supporter of PETA, I'd like to write that I think the way that you went about it was a bit much. There was a more tactful approach, much like Maya wrote above.

Posted by: Noelle | June 22, 2007 05:42 PM

I would love to see Michael Moore make a doc that deals with animal ethics and the meat industry -- that would be very powerful.

Posted by: Mike B | June 22, 2007 05:42 PM

I agree with Maya.

Posted by: Luiza | June 22, 2007 05:43 PM

Way to go Ingrid! People always lump animal rights in as being a "liberal" issue, but this sort of thing shows that compassion has nothing to do with what side of the aisle you're on.

Posted by: Coolidge | June 22, 2007 05:50 PM

I find it interesting that liberals get up in arms when we criticize one of our own. I agree that this is harsh, but no harsher than many of the attacks by PETA towards the 'bad guys.' I am a proponent of civility in any discourse, even if the other side is despicable. I would love to see Michael Moore (or Dick Cheney) go veg and get healthy. PETA has never been known for playing nice and that has always been a disappointment for the peaceful vegan warriors out there.

Posted by: Scott Dubya | June 22, 2007 05:52 PM

Phantastic action by PeTA once again. Mike Moore's movies are important, as well as the one by Al Gore, but not sufficient in probably the main cause for illness, aggression, nature destruction and global warming: animal consumption.

Posted by: Stephanie G. | June 22, 2007 05:54 PM

I enjoy PETA and what it stands for. I am an animal lover through and through and usually agree with its high ethics for animals. However, I think the manner in which Ingrid presented her concern to Michael Moore was very insulting, unwarranted, and immature.

Should she have delivered such a letter to me, I would disregard my loyalty to PETA and feel attacked by it, as she is the supreme representative of it. I would remain faithful to the cause, but Ingrid and the organization's reputation would surely take a turn for the worst in my eyes.

Ingrid, please do what's right and retract the unnecessary portion of your letter and apologize to Michael Moore. Enough people hate us vegetarians and animal-lovers already and call us crazy. Actions like this only allow others to think that those notions are valid.

And through all of this, I am still not attacking Ingrid. Simply, what's right is right. Thank you.

Posted by: Chris | June 22, 2007 05:54 PM

You can get more flies with honey than with vinegar!

Posted by: Greer Ashton | June 22, 2007 05:55 PM

Maya, I honestly think Michael Moore can take it. This is just another creative way for PETA to get the mssage out about vegetarianism. The guy has a weight problem, and he's publicly talked about how much he loves to eat meat. There's nothing wrong with putting two and two together here.

Posted by: Jonesy | June 22, 2007 05:59 PM

On the Bill Mahr show Michael Moore admitted that while making this movie he did take a look at himself and realize he needed to take personal responsibility for his own health. He started to eat healthier and walk for exercise. By making these simple changes he started to lose weight. I hope he takes the challenge - for his own health and to lead by example.

Posted by: kk | June 22, 2007 05:59 PM

I saw Michael Moore talking about his new movie on Real Time with Bill Maher not too long ago. He said that he felt it was important to take personal responsibility for his own health (and obesity is a serious health issue) and he said he was eating more vegetables and had lost a lot of weight and was feeling healthier because of it. Here's hoping he goes the whole way and adopts a vegetarian diet.

I'd also like to point out that Ingrid's letter was very respectful. She points out that Mr. Moore is overweight, which is a fact, not an insult. Being overwieght is a serious health issue, and unlike genetic disorders or some other diseases, being overweight is usually caused by lifestyle choices like eating meat. It is one thing to make fun of someone for having small feet (something they can't help) and another to point out accurately that they are overweight (something they can help) and that their health would be improved by going vegetarian. Way to go Ingrid.

Posted by: Allen | June 22, 2007 06:00 PM

If Michael wants everyone to have free health care, why doesn't he spend someof HIS money and pay for a few families medical? Why doesn't everyone who wants FREE medical for everyone pay for a few families medical insurance and show the rest of us that they truely believe in what they are saying. The government is US in case everyone has forgotten. Give up meat and help some families pay for insurance Michael. It's the American way right?

Posted by: Tamie Cruse | June 22, 2007 06:02 PM

Ingrid,

You scared me for a minute. I thought youn were going to say that Micahel abused animals making the film. I think your idea is excellent!!!! Michael is my hero, politically, but wouldn't it be great if he went veg?

Posted by: Jane Lauter-Katoskie | June 22, 2007 06:03 PM

I think Ingrid's comments are out of line. There is definetly a more tactful way of suggesting a vegetarian lifestyle. She is a powerful woman in a powerfull postion. She represents many people and she should act accordingly. I have been a Veg for over 13 years and I am by no means skinny. Adopting a vegetarian lifestyle by no means guarantees complete physical health, although I agree that it is a huge step.
Ingrid is indeed burning bridges. Moore is an amazing filmmaker and is well respected (by most liberals anyway). Why is she personally attacking someone that could be a wonderful aid in spreading the word on animal right issues?

Posted by: Molly | June 22, 2007 06:04 PM

I agree, that the comment was a too harsh. Ingrid should apologize for being rude about her request to Michael Moore. I'm a supporter of PETA, but sometimes PETA gets rude and turns off people... they really need to work on that!

Posted by: Galy | June 22, 2007 06:04 PM

I love Michael Moore and sincerely hope that he first, adopts a healthier lifestyle (it's not just about what tastes good) and second, looks into the meat and dairy industry for his next doc! It would be awesome!

Posted by: Max Girouard | June 22, 2007 06:07 PM

Ingrid....I'm with you....good heath and health care starts AT HOME and taking care of yourself to help prevent ill-health and Michael Moore's personal health home is a mess. Guy needs to take a GOOD LOOK at himself...he surely LOOKS at everything else with a magnifying glass. Sometimes people like Michael Moore can't see what's right in front of them (or choose not to). This guy NOT only TALKS TOO MUCH, HE EATS TOO MUCH...maybe that's why he's got such a BIG MOUTH??? Bravo Ingrid for telling it LIKE IT IS!!! Mike P Ballston Lake, NY

Posted by: Mike Petrozello | June 22, 2007 06:07 PM

piggybacking on the elephant to get publicity are we? standing on the shoulders of giants are we? Well, why not acknowledge the person to whom you speak is indeed a person, a very accomplished person, and should be treated respectfully regardless of your opinion of fat people,-- that means no elementary school name calling, and definitely Michael is owed an apology. Just being vegetarian doesn't make you skinny. Fat is determined by many factors, and so is honesty (you don't have to be a comlete 3rd grade 'jerkface' ingrid to get your point across diplomatically and honestly).
This was one of the first times I've popped into the actual site from the listserve emails, and I think it has killed my taste for delving further. thanks, I will endeavor elsewhere.
And, no, I'm not fat, I'm skinny, which isn't determined by anything except my genetic code and my environmental stress; much as I would guess his weight could be attributed to.

Posted by: Andrea D | June 22, 2007 06:07 PM

Ingrid....I'm with you....good heath and health care starts AT HOME and taking care of yourself to help prevent ill-health and Michael Moore's personal health home is a mess. Guy needs to take a GOOD LOOK at himself...he surely LOOKS at everything else with a magnifying glass. Sometimes people like Michael Moore can't see what's right in front of them (or choose not to). This guy NOT only TALKS TOO MUCH, HE EATS TOO MUCH...maybe that's why he's got such a BIG MOUTH??? Bravo Ingrid for telling it LIKE IT IS!!! Mike P Ballston Lake, NY

Posted by: Mike Petrozello | June 22, 2007 06:07 PM

I agree with Ingrid 100% on the way she wrote to Michael Moore. Folks, when you deal with people that are so self centered and the world revolves around them you have to speak to them on their own level so they can understand.

Posted by: Deedee Casto | June 22, 2007 06:07 PM

A vegetarian lifestyle is certainly a healthier way of life, but it will not cure greed and corruption! Thanks to Michael Moore for shining a big light on this serious issue. I certainly hope he turns his attention to our food industry next time around and expose it's nasty secrets and atrocities!

Posted by: Karla | June 22, 2007 06:09 PM

I don't approve of calling people fat, having been there and heard all those insults. Not all meat eaters are overweight and unhealthy, and not all vegetarians are thin and healthy. Simply pointing out that a vegetarian diet is a good start to a healthier lifestyle, and a better health care system would have been better than name calling.

Posted by: tana nichols | June 22, 2007 06:10 PM

There are such things as FAT VEGETARIANS. Cheese is still consumed by meat-less people, and I have seen many a fat vegetarian. PETA always has a good message, but they always go to far.

Posted by: Anonymous | June 22, 2007 06:11 PM

AMEN

Ingrid has the cajones to say what EVERYONE is thinking!

Posted by: JJ | June 22, 2007 06:12 PM

I don't think Ingrid's remarks were out of bounds. Mr. Moore has doubtless heard many less kind and less well-intentioned remarks about his weight.

People do not become obese by accident, and meat eaters are much more likely to be obese. I work in the health care industry where I see that obese people and their attendant maladies place an enormous strain on local, national, and global resources. People act like obesity is equal to an ethnic classification and should be treated as such, when in fact it is not.

Posted by: Kristi | June 22, 2007 06:13 PM

I agree with Ingrid. Telling Michael Moore in any way but the way the letter stated would be like watching pigs fly. Well he certainly can put it out there for everyone in all kinds of language so now it turns around on him. I am overweight too. I see Ingrid's point. I should take more responsiblity for my own health plus I love animals. Michael Moore needs to put up or shut up.
Diane

Posted by: diane | June 22, 2007 06:13 PM

I love Michael Moore and his views that speak the truth about this nation, but I'm shocked that PETA (who I support dearly) decided to express their views this way. We are always told to contact people using taste and tactfullness, so I'm surprised that this wasn't handled in a better way. Not good.

Posted by: Jeanette | June 22, 2007 06:13 PM

I've got to say Ingrid Newkirk's tactic taken with Michael Moore is in poor taste (no pun) and makes me wonder where she gets off thinking she has the right to attack a bystander. With over 15 years of marketing strategy experience I can assure you, trying to connect and convince people of any stature to do the right thing will always be incredibly difficult if you start by insulting them (of course that's not rocket science, we learn that basic in kindergarten).

This guy is successful at letting the world know the emperor has no clothes -- don't we want him onboard to help PETA and their causes? Why is she trying to make any enemy out of someone with that much positive communicative clout?

Ms. Newkirk - Please be bigger than insults: Get off your high horse and concentrate on the productive stuff. It's not necessary to attack to win the battle.

Cynthia White

Posted by: Cynthia White | June 22, 2007 06:14 PM

If PETA would like Michael Moore to convert to Vegeterianism, insulting his weight is going the wrong way about it - I don't understand why Ingrid followed this approach? I agree with Noelle...this is the sort of guy you'd want on your side who could make a informative doco, exposing the cruelties and exploitations of the meat industries...more tact in the future plz! :o)

Posted by: LeeZee | June 22, 2007 06:14 PM

Yeah, very uncool. We need people like Michael Moore. In the sess pool of corporations and this shoddy Administration which are all set of screwing up the earth, he's one of the good guys. I just recently turned Vegetarian with a goal of going Vegan. I'm kind of tubby myself. So your approach should have been different. You can be vegetarian and have manners too.

Posted by: Lisa W. | June 22, 2007 06:15 PM

Ingrid: you just can't seem to figure out who the enemies are or which fights to fight. By attacking someone that is doing so much good, while we have the evil empire in the Executive Branch you've taken a serious misstep. So much for knowing who to tackle! Clearly, you need to think about it. Wow, what a load of good that does for your efforts!

Posted by: Jason Haynes | June 22, 2007 06:16 PM

They say "YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT" ... well, just look at this guy. He's FAT because he obviously consumes way too much of the WRONG foods. If he's so sincerely concerned with heath care, he needs to take a look at HIMSELF in a MIRROR and get some good heath care going at "home"!!! Thank you Ingrid for telling it like it is. Mike P

Posted by: Mike Petrozello | June 22, 2007 06:16 PM

I agree. It's not nice to blatantly attack someon efor the way they look. More importantly, it seems Ingrid didn't do her homework here. Michael Moore has recently lost at least 30 lbs, and is on his way to being much healthier.

I love PETA, but stuff like this disappoints me and turns off lots of would-be supporters.

Posted by: Keiva McCain | June 22, 2007 06:19 PM

Oh come on, Maya. Michael Moore dishes it out -- it certainly should be able to take it! And heaven knows, he's been no friend to animals all these many years.

Posted by: Jessica | June 22, 2007 06:19 PM

I agree with Maya and think Michael Moore is great and I agree too that we should all go veggie but calling him fat is the wrong approach. I know many of us vegetarians who could even lose a few pounds. Just a healthy overweight with a glow because sweets are so good.

Posted by: Kim | June 22, 2007 06:20 PM

This is the kind of approach that makes smart, thoughtful and balanced people reject and marginalize PETA.
As a member of the Vanguard Society, I am disappointed.

Posted by: Shanti | June 22, 2007 06:20 PM

Have to agree that calling him an 'elephant' when he is only trying to expose the poor health care system was a little much. I am also a PETA supporter and am usually always on the same side and in agreement but not this time. There was and still is a much more tactful way to get him the message. I have seen many overweight Vegetarians as well.
Please consider trying again.

Posted by: Larry | June 22, 2007 06:21 PM

I only wish his next documentary would be on factory farming and all of the animal abuse in this world. In one of his books he makes fun of vegetarians, so I"m not sure if he'll go for it. But you never know. I heard him in an interview saying he was eating lots of fruits and veggies and walking more since filming the documentary. Good for him!! But I would be estatic if he took this challenge. Thanks Ingrid for asking him!!

Posted by: Tanya | June 22, 2007 06:23 PM

I have seen Moore's film, and I think it's an eye-opener. Only wish it had touched on the worthlessness of animal research in finding "cures" for all the health problems out there. Our tax dollars down the proverbial big industry "rat hole," as it were. Maybe that's another movie.

Posted by: cag | June 22, 2007 06:23 PM

There are plenty of overweight vegetarians and vegans. I'm a HUGE supporter of PETA and this letter really turned me off. What a crappy way to get someone to think about a cause or change, by insulting their weight. I am really horrified at Ingrid's attack. I agree with the first poster. Sheesh.

Posted by: Bethany | June 22, 2007 06:24 PM

Thank you Ingrid for putting it to Michael Moore straight. It sounds harsh but the animals he ate have had it harsh as well. I agree with the blog that reads, "Michael Moore can take it". I'm a big fan of his and would LOVE nothing more than to personally help him along in his weight loss journey. Giving up animals in my diet made everything better for me, especially giving up dairy. I LOVE BEING VEGAN!

Posted by: Stephanie | June 22, 2007 06:24 PM

Ingrid,

Believe it or not, obesity can be an inherited physical trait. Some of us are genetically wired to be fat..Even vegetarians are not immune. I have been battling weight issues my entire 52 years on this earth.
I became a vegetarian after reading a Rolling Stone magazine article entitled "Meat Is Murder" in February of 1998. And guess what??? My conscience is clear but I am still very heavy! There are some chunky vegetarians out there , dear!

Posted by: KKC | June 22, 2007 06:25 PM

What a way for people to disregard PETA and it's views.

I am a supporter of PETA but reading that letter by Ingrid to Michael Moore, I shook my head and realized how people shrug off PETA.

PETA is trying to promote good by playing bad. Ingrid, it would have been more effective if you wrote with respect and concern as opposed to stomping your feet and acting quite unprofessionally.

When you push people up against a wall, they either retaliate or completely disregard your issue. Bravo.

Posted by: Tracey | June 22, 2007 06:25 PM

I say that in politics, all is fair. Michael Moore makes some strong statements and really mocks a lot of people, and, well, I think has to accept it in return. Don't feel bad for tweaking him.

Posted by: Brian | June 22, 2007 06:26 PM

I agree with Ingrid's creative spin to the axiom, "choices have consequences". She reminds us to look in the mirror, as real change begins from within. God bless all creatures great and small... including Mr. Moore.

Posted by: lisapizza | June 22, 2007 06:26 PM

WOW! For all you sensitive people I honestly believe Michael Moore can handle Ingrid's letter better than you guys. In all actuality he is quite an obnoxious person, for those of you who do not keep up with his work. I also believe Ingrid's idea is superb, but he would not be able to handle going vegetarian!!! It would be to much for him and his carnivore ways!! I say take the challenge Michael Moore and for all the sensitive people, get a grip!!!!!!

Posted by: Linda | June 22, 2007 06:26 PM

He has said he found these things called fruits and veggies on many shows now!!!

HE even said in order to lead by example and to become less reliant on the government’s shoddy healthcare system.

He's on the right track...so let's support THAT. He's lost at least 30 lbs. now, by the way. Not shown in that pic.

Posted by: Tori Mauricio | June 22, 2007 06:28 PM

Wow! "An elephant in the room, and it's you." Yikes. A bit harsh!

Although I agree with all Ingrid said in her letter, it could have been done with a little more style and grace (considering the issue is a little touchy). He's a powerful person, who I think could do alot for animal rights, and name calling isn't really the way to get him on our side.

A bit dissapointed on this one guys!

Posted by: Bridget Wickler | June 22, 2007 06:29 PM

Yes, he should try a more veg/healthier diet with excercise BUT Ingrid just proved some people's ideas about PETA by personally attacking Michael. i hear quite a bit that PETA is a bunch of crackpots,... Maybe he has a medical issue causing the weight gain? Maybe he is on a medication that causes weight gain. I was for years and 100 pounds later I am finally off the medications, and getting the weight off is not that easy because of other medical issues. Maybe if Ingrid apologized and went with a more sympathetic and understanding approach with Michael things would be more successful.
I agree that some issues need to be hit head on full force but this is not one of those. This is one that you need to sneak in the back door on.
Be positive and sickening sweet and I bet you will get further with him.

Posted by: Leslie | June 22, 2007 06:29 PM

Yes, PETA is known for cutting to the quick; yes, I think Michael Moore can take it. BUT I feel that diplomacy and tact may have gone farther to get the point across and to get Mr. Moore to take the vegetarian challenge.

Posted by: Marsha Buechner | June 22, 2007 06:29 PM

Excuse me but, who does Ingrid think she is??? I would understand her attack on Michael Moore if it had anything to do with abuse to animals, but her attack seems to be strictly personal to me. Attacking his weight? Come on, that's low. I thought PETA was People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals... what does this have to do with anything that Michael Moore has done with his life/career???

Posted by: freedommeanschoice | June 22, 2007 06:31 PM

I tend to agree with Maya. Affecting positive change is easier done with strong leadership and an adroit example.

Posted by: Lucas Heart | June 22, 2007 06:32 PM

I do not think that Ingrid's letter to Michael was necessary. A grown woman calling a grown man an elephant is not acceptable. How are overweight people ever going to be accepted with views and actions like these happening?

Posted by: Megan | June 22, 2007 06:33 PM

I may have missed something, but isn't this the very same Michael Moore whose last documentary depicted a woman savagely beating a poor suffering rabbitt to death in one of the sensationalistic elements of the film? What makes you think he'd have the compassion to make a film that helps PETA?

Posted by: MaryBeth | June 22, 2007 06:33 PM

Okay....Seriously.....how many knee replacements, heart valves, livers, bypass surgeries, angioplasty procedures, breathing problems, diabetes supplies and complications - not to mention all the medications for high blood pressure and cholesterol do you need to pay for before people with unhealthy lifestyles deal with their contributions to the failing and overindulged health care system?

And it is my business.

Posted by: Avery Imara Kennedy | June 22, 2007 06:34 PM

I am a huge fan of PETA and Moore. I am also an overweight Vegan(an illness), In Bill Maher he admits that his weight needed to change and to practice what he preaches, he took the first step by eating more fruits and veggies, I admire Ingrid for pushing him to take a step further. Though I am the same weight; my BP, strength and Cholesteral all have dropped, my doctor is very proud, I am sure the weight will fall soon.

Long Live Veggies!!!

Posted by: maggie | June 22, 2007 06:34 PM

While a vegetarian lifestyle is indeed healthier for people, animals & the planet as a whole it does not guarantee a slim physique.
As a long time supporter of PETA and a vegetarian of 16 years as well as a person who is overweight I think this statement is an unfair one as well as an uninformed one.

Posted by: kamala | June 22, 2007 06:34 PM

I agree with direct Ingrid's letter since hypocrisy cannot hide facts she and many vegetarian have experienced; nevertheless I am interested in Michael Moore's personal response.

Posted by: Ricardo Hill | June 22, 2007 06:35 PM

As a VanGuard Member of PETA, a long-time admirer of Ingrid Newkirk, and a vegetarian, I have to say I am offended and disappointed by the way this was handled. Attacking someone's weight is not the way to get them to go veg. Although Mr. Moore's weight may indeed be affected by his meat eating, it just as may NOT be affected. Not everyone's weight is reduced as a direct result of switching to a vegetarian diet - there are many, many factors that affect someone's weight other than what he or she chooses to eat. Don't get me wrong - OF COURSE I think everyone's health would improve as a result of being a vegetarian; but, that doesn't mean that excess weight automatically falls off when you stop eating meat, nor does it mean that all vegetarians are healthy. Michael Moore would be a strong, outspoken, influential person to have on PETA's side. I only hope that Ingrid's insensitive and unnecessary comments about his weight haven't put him on the defensive and taken focus away from the real issues on both sides: health care, people's accountability for their own health, and the wonderful health benefits of going-veg. It is not always necessary to start-off on such a hostile foot. Better luck next time, PETA.

Posted by: Pam | June 22, 2007 06:35 PM

He was recently featured on Good Morning America explaining that he was trying to lose weight and exercise. Perhaps y'all missed it...?

Posted by: Alex Brown | June 22, 2007 06:36 PM

I think you are a bit hard on Michael. He's done a lot of good for our country. In addition, I've known a few chubby vegans and vegetarians. Attacking someone because of their weight is cruel! We all can't be perfect 100% of the time. We can be socially conscious and try to do our best, but to levy harsh judgement on someone who could be your ally is not fair.

I think you would have been more effective to address him on a personal level rather than to attack him in a public forum. He's a person - not a corporation - at the end of the day. He is powerful, and I think he can be quite reasonable if you address him BY HIMSELF first. This is why I am occasionally upset with PETA - sometimes they act WITHOUT thinking and "running off at the mouth." If problems can be solved on a personal level first-hand, you will get better results!
Oh, and by the way, the elephants are insulted!

Posted by: CH | June 22, 2007 06:38 PM

I think it's a great letter!!! Why would stating the fact that he's overweight be a taboo? It's just like saying you have green eyes. And besides, I was a fat kid and honestly, I believe that if people are overweight it's because there's something they like about it and therefore don't want to change. He's not a victim of food. Ingrid is AMAZING. I truly admire her. People have to open their eyes and face the truth. The truth is heavy! And PETA knows how to show it. Thanks PETA. Vegans rock :)

Posted by: Andree Sophia | June 22, 2007 06:39 PM

I should have read the letter before posting. It is not nearly as bad as I had anticipated. This guy Jack is a jerk.

Posted by: Lucas | June 22, 2007 06:40 PM

I dig PETA, but I also agree with Maya.

Posted by: Dale Masten | June 22, 2007 06:40 PM

While I agree with Ingrid's message, it wasn't very tactful. What about the ethical treatment of people? I don't think Moore needed the redundant comment about his weight issue to be convinced going veggie is a healthier lifestyle. By the way, not all vegheads are skinny anyway!!! So why is that? LOL

Posted by: Beth | June 22, 2007 06:41 PM

Yes, its true personal responsibility! I find the delivery a bit mean spirited though. I am an overweight Vegan!

Posted by: joey | June 22, 2007 06:41 PM

He should feel bad about his weight -- We are too simpathetic to people that are overweight - we have no problem telling smokers they are "bad" -- yet people slowly kill themselves everyday and destroy my planet and health care system waste my tax dollars by eating meat and dairy, and we feel sorry for them -- most people are too weak to do the right thing and by shielding them from the truth is not helping - time for some tough love

Posted by: Johnny | June 22, 2007 06:42 PM

I don't think Michael made any personal attack on PETA or has any agenda against animal welfare. I think it was a bit too much to call him an elephant. I'd like to remind you all that there are fat vegetarians too? Will we get personal with them too. I think it would have been better if Michael would have been contacted politely and asked about the veg pledge. Probably would have worked better. If he had declined then PETA should have gone to war against him.

Posted by: Rohit | June 22, 2007 06:43 PM

Moore also mentioned on Amy Goodman's Democracy Now! that he has looked at himself and changed his eating and exercise. He has taken off weight. And I know many vegs that don't eat healthy, they just don't eat meat.

Posted by: katrina | June 22, 2007 06:46 PM

I agree that attacking Michael Moore's weight was unnecessary, insulting and may do PETA more harm than good. I would also like to say that I am a vegan who struggles with her weight. Going vegetarian or vegan doesn't automatically equal weight loss...I wish it did! This is a myth that needs to be corrected!

Posted by: SarahP | June 22, 2007 06:46 PM

I agree that the murder and slavery of other animals is terrible and should be stopped, but Michael Moore's film has nothing to do with that. It is about the US government's health care system and it should be commended. Michael Moore going veg would have nothing to do with the US health care system and relating his poor dietary choices to his film is not helpful at all because individuals going vegan will not change out terrible system at all. That is a subject for a different film; one which would be great if he made it! I think trying to convince him to go vegan is a good idea, but bringing his new film into it, or suggesting that it would be an alternative to a good health care system was a harmful decision.

Posted by: Taylor | June 22, 2007 06:46 PM

I think that vegetarians and vegans alike experience plenty of aggressive feedback from other people regarding our lifestyle and motivations, we can all agree on that. I believe attacking anybody in any manner will just further that negative vibe many already feel for 'us' and how will that help our cause? If we want compassion for ourselves and our issues we need to always be respectful and positive towards others. People can bring about change in this world without reacting like bullies on a playground.

Posted by: Heather | June 22, 2007 06:46 PM

Oddly enough, it seems to be OK to talk about someone being "too" thin, criticize their weight and speculate about their health, but calling someone fat and unhealthy is frowned upon. Go Ingrid!

Posted by: RB | June 22, 2007 06:48 PM

I thought this letter was harsh. As my beloved Mother used to say....you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Suzie G.

Posted by: Suzie Glaser | June 22, 2007 06:49 PM

While I support PETA, I think that this "letter" for lack of a better word was so uncalled for. Mr. Moore has done so much for people by his exposing documentaries. I think that you are missing the fact that many of the diseases out there such as MS, Parkinson's, etc... are not created by the person who have them. They are the victims and by going veg- will not change the disase. As there have been many vegans and vegetarians diagnosed with these diseases. Often times the diseases are genetic or come from big businesses depleting and destroying our enviornment. Bacteria's not just on meat, but also on the vegetables we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe. By your letter you are giving insurance companies more reason to deny people from treatment- stating that it came from a self-causation. You are giving people against Mr. Moore more ammunition against him. I think the letter was self-serving and was so un-sympathetic to the millions of people out there that suffer from diseases that at the present time do not have cures. The people that have these diseases have to fight insurance companies for much needed medications and treatments. They have to fight to get things they rightfully need. Diseases are expensive and often times the insurance companies and the drug companies make millions off of sick people. An example one needed drug costs $2,000 a month for a sick person, and a denial for the person needing it gets the insurance company a nice cozy bonus. You are more concerned about a vegetable and someome's weight than about people's lives and their daily struggles with chronic diseases. Give me a break. Your letter is minimilizing their struggles. I applaud Mr. Moore for his contributions and advocacy. I think the letter could have been better crafted and not have seemed so self-serving and so outrageously heartless. You should be ashamed of yourself! I completely agree with Maya! Maybe next time have some one read your letters before you send them, so they do not callously dismiss a cause that affects so many people and that needs a voice. I can guarantee by your "letter" you have created a great deal of animosity among people whom have been your supporters. I think you should apologize to Mr. Moore on your callous and heartless letter for the fact that it was meant to make a point and that you honestly did not mean to dismiss such an important cause. That you know about important causes just like PETA's important cause against animal crulety.

Posted by: Dionne Dupuis | June 22, 2007 06:49 PM

I don't think Ingrids' comments were to harsh for Mike. He is obviously a forward thinking comrade and able to take constructive criticism... He has lots of influence and dow(which helps in this meat eating, hostile to animal friendly diets society)and probably open to changing a few habits if it means raising awareness and compassion to the plight of animals which we all are after all

Posted by: george brown | June 22, 2007 06:50 PM

Yeah agree....didn't need to be so harsh, gosh, Ingrid represents a community that wants to be taken serious, not seen as arrogant and know-it-all, but a humble attitude and a love for people. The guy has done some great things, I am sure Ingrid isn't perfect, why pick on his weight. There are far better ways to approach people, and sometimes - a righteous anger is called for. I would like to be considered intelligent. therefor please represent us intelligently. Don'nt loose your passion and dont loose your focus - for all things in your life, including people.

Posted by: Amanda | June 22, 2007 06:51 PM

a many of you said, he needs to look at his own lifestyle and take the necessary steps to improve his health and yes i wish he would do a doc on the suffering of animals all over the world for human consumption and greed.

Posted by: debera | June 22, 2007 06:51 PM

I agree Mr. Moore needs a healthier lifestyle, most American's do. But using insults to prove you're point? Considering we are asking people to treat animals ethically and with respect, shouldn't we also try treating each other with that same respect? Insulting others just to prove you're point is a low blow and just makes us look like hypocrits.I expected better from PETA, especially since they are representing not just their hired employees, but all who have joined PETA.

Posted by: Val | June 22, 2007 06:52 PM

Good for you Ingrid! I think fast foods and unhealthy food choices should be taxed at the cash register - the same as cigarettes! Why should people who make healthy choices subsidize people making insane eating choices who whine about their weight?!

Don't apologize. You're right!!

Posted by: Diane Kirkland | June 22, 2007 06:52 PM

I've got to admit, Ingrid though your time here with us is a gift to all creatures, there is something to be said about delivery of the message. You are a leader, and therefore people will follow your example, and I hope along this formidable path, you do not lose the grace that we have seen you extend to all creatures, human beings included. Whatever his battles with weight are, the vegan diet can be addressed from a health perspective and not by throwing him under the bus.

Respect.

Posted by: Caerdyff8 | June 22, 2007 06:52 PM

MAYA... Michael Moore is fat, probably from stuffing too many cheese burgers and baby back ribs into his pie hole between his lefty in-your-face films. What should she have said? Metabolically challenged?? Yeah right.

Posted by: Dar | June 22, 2007 06:54 PM

I think Maya (the first poster) is right. "There’s an elephant in the room, and it is you" is a fat joke, and we need less of those, especially from public figures.

Posted by: DS | June 22, 2007 06:55 PM

"Taking personal responsibility for ones own health..." That's not a very socialist attitude. The government is here to make all our personal choices so we don't have to.

Posted by: bonzai | June 22, 2007 06:55 PM

Wow! If anyone from PETA were to send a letter to MIchael Moore It should have been to plead with him to please make his next movie about animal abuse and animal rights. He could have been a powerful voice for the animals. Guess that door has closed....

Posted by: Cindy | June 22, 2007 06:56 PM

While I applaud Ingrid for her work, I think attacking Michael Moore's weight as an "elephant in the room" when talking about health care reform is just another "creative way" to talk about becoming vegetarian, but one without tact. While adopting a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle has greatly increased the quality of life for many people, we all know vegans and vegetarians that exist on grilled cheese and salad, which is still not a healthy way to live.
Michael Moore's documentary is made to show the shortcomings of our government's health care system, not ways to lead a healthier and longer life.

Posted by: SR | June 22, 2007 07:00 PM

Well said Maya.

Posted by: freedommeanschoice | June 22, 2007 07:01 PM

mmm....Not very impressed by the letter. Attacking him on his weight is not right, especially the way she called him an elephant. It is true that he should watch out for his own health, but you can tell him without being a jerk about it. I'm sorry but being vegetarian does not guarantee you a slim body. I rarely eat meat and I appreciate people who don't eat meat at all, but to be honest,I've known vegetarians who were pretty fat because they would eat a lot of carbs.

Posted by: J | June 22, 2007 07:01 PM

BRAVO!

I am glad that you had the courage to raise the issue with Michael Moore and hope you continue...I can think of many more LARGER stars who would benefit

Posted by: wd hickman | June 22, 2007 07:02 PM

hmmmmmmmmmmm....i see why verbally attacking many is useful for PETA but this one seems a bit much to me...I think it is the juvenile wording that is offensive.
Afra

Posted by: AFRA | June 22, 2007 07:02 PM

Michael Moore might very well be looking for an answer to his weight problem. A lot of overweight people are. Besides, I'm sure he knows he's overweight and doesn't need to be reminded of it. While there's no reason to be nice to factory farmers and torture lab "scientists", there is plenty of reason to present vegetarianism as a normal, mainstream solution to our eating problems. A do it in a way that's...ah...appetizing.

Posted by: Martin Whitman | June 22, 2007 07:04 PM

I think this is only going to put Michael Moore on the defensive ... and this is someone who could have been a powerful ally to PETA. He's a fairly witty guy, so I think Ingrid had better suit up in some armour herself to shield herself from the personal attacks that are likely going to come her way. On the other hand, I support the beliefs of PETA and usually their methods ... but I can't see this one ending well.

Posted by: Spahrtygirl | June 22, 2007 07:04 PM

I agree with Maya also. The letter sounds harsh. But I would like to see a documentary from Moore exposing animal cruelty in the U.S. It would surely be amazing. But, I too would like to see Moore take on a vegetarian diet. If I xould have two wishes granted it would be fewer wars and more vegetarians.

Posted by: elle | June 22, 2007 07:06 PM

I agree with Maya.
We're all just humans - no one is perfect...why not help each other/not hurt each other. When I hear someone getting called names - it hurts me, too...like kicking him when he's down. He needs a lift up! That's just my opinion...to each their own.

Posted by: Cari | June 22, 2007 07:07 PM

i was trying to ask him to make a film about vivisection and biomedical research. i also told him to start by reading "free The Animals" I hope Ingrid didn't ruin this possibility
lselie

Posted by: leslie | June 22, 2007 07:08 PM

i was trying to ask him to make a film about vivisection and biomedical research. i also told him to start by reading "free The Animals" I hope Ingrid didn't ruin this possibility
lselie

Posted by: leslie | June 22, 2007 07:08 PM

I think what Ingrid said was perfect. Michael Moore isn't sensitive when delivering what he thinks is an important message. He is blunt and to the point. I think Moore can take it. Hopefully he takes it to heart!

Posted by: Arnold Freeman | June 22, 2007 07:08 PM

I too agree with Mayra. I think Ingrid missed the whole point of the documentary. Does everything have to be about becoming a vegetarian or animal mistreatment? This movie is not about either, it is about a government system that has major problems. I am glad PETA is around and am a supporter, but feel that this 'letter' was unnecesary. Let's keep the focus where it was meant to be.

Posted by: Rachel | June 22, 2007 07:08 PM

I feel that Ingrid was 100% justified with her comments. She was not disrespectful, she was truthful. When a person is fat- they know it! Michael Moore doesn't strike me as an overly sensitive individual....and I hope he is wise enough to take PETA's challenge and see how EASY being vegan (or vegetarian) is.

Posted by: Diana J. | June 22, 2007 07:09 PM

I'm a vegetarian, not a vegan. I generally support PETA's efforts, and I personally try to contribute to the welfare of animals. But PETA is just too heavy-handed sometimes. Michael Moore, through his films, has worked very hard to enlighten people and effect social change, and he does it in a very smart way--by entertaining people at the same time. I don't care if he's 500 pounds--he's a hero. It takes a lot of courage to speak out the way he does and to do the risky things that he does to make a point in his films. People should never be personally attacked, especially for things that it might be difficult for them to change or control. Losing weight is very difficult for most people, even after they've switched to a healthy diet. It is unfair to suggest that he is a hypocrite. This is similar to attacking Al Gore becuase he uses a lot of fossil fuels in his personal life. Al Gore's energy footprint could be 1000 times bigger than mine, but his impact on social change is astronomical compared to mine or to that of most people visiting this website. Let him have his lear jet flights--he travels around the world for a good cause. PETA needs to stop attacking people and needs to stop expecting all people to become vegans overnight. Change takes place slowly, and by attacking people and putting high demands on them you only alienate them and fail to effectively produce social change. These kinds of stunts make it very difficult for people to support PETA, and they diminish the respectabilty amd credibility of the organization. The animals deserve better advocacy that that, and that's who we're here for, for the animals.

Posted by: Paula Orlando | June 22, 2007 07:11 PM

Yeah I agree there comes a point. Michael Moore has done a lot to make people listen to what society needs. And yes he did say in several interviews that he is working on weight and looking at his own lifestyles. I am a vegetarian, but how does having my fingers cut off while cutting wood(part in the documentary)and having to choose between which finger to save( cost being 13,000 for one finger and 60,000 for the other. The man had no health insurance and could only afford the one finger that cost 12000) Now if he were Vegan would that had affected how he lost his fingers????? He wasn't killing animals either, he was wood working!!! Talk to Mr. Moore instead of being critical about his weight as we all have faults. Imagine the great documentary he could make about meat eaters, slaughter houses and being vegan healthier. Missed the point of the movie.Not everything is about being vegetarian or vegan! Maybe should have done a little homework b4 that letter.
This coming from someone with out health insurance!! I do not eat meat and I do get a cold here and there and have to pay over 100 dollars out of pocket to see a doctor, thats not including if I need medicine!

Posted by: Amie | June 22, 2007 07:12 PM

Wow. I am a passionate supporter of PETA and I almost always agree with their viewpoints (with the exception of the TNR position) but this made me feel sick. I don't believe you can win people over by insulting them. I too would LOVE to see Mr. Moore take on the issue of factory farming in one of his documentaries, but sadly I don't see that happening by making an enemy of him.

Posted by: Kealey Ruland | June 22, 2007 07:12 PM

I am so glad that he is taking the 30 Day Veg Pleadge! There are 2,000,000,000,000 steaks to not be made!

Posted by: Tessa | June 22, 2007 07:13 PM

From reading the posts, I thought Ingrid's letter was going to be incredibly insulting. I continued on to read it and I'm a bit confused as to why some see it as too harsh. It's not.
Michael Moore is self-depricating, obstinate, and rude to those he doesn't agree with. Capturing his attention with the word "elephant" isn't going to send him crying into his pillow.

Posted by: Patience CS | June 22, 2007 07:16 PM

IF MICHAEL MOORE CAN TELL THE TRUTH, WHY CAN'T PETA! IF HE WANTS TO MAKE MOORE MOVIES HE HAS TO LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO DO IT. SO GO VEGGIE MICHAEL!! YOU BE GLAD YOU DID!

Posted by: KELLY | June 22, 2007 07:17 PM

You lost me at "fat bearded dude". Really lame!

Posted by: Jeff | June 22, 2007 07:18 PM

You just called the man
a 'fat, bearded dude', what kind of school-yard crap is that? Is that what PETA has
degraded to? There are many
medical reasons why some people are large, and his
beard? Who cares if the guy has a beard, it's not Fox fur! This is a man who has dedicated his life to exposing corporate elitism, gun violence, animal cruelty, just to name a few.
He dosen't deserve those comments, or that harsh letter from Ms. Newkirk.

Posted by: andrew pejack | June 22, 2007 07:19 PM

As a staunch PETA supporter, I wish Ingrid would have taken a gentler approach with Mr. Moore and his plus size derriere et al. I'd hate to have people find just one more reason to criticize PETA for what some already perceive as abrasive and offensive behavior. I am constantly defending PETA, championing the organization for all its dedication to those poorest of victims;our earth's animals.
Please retract the insensitive comments to Mr. Moore and use a more tactful approach in wooing him over to the vegan side. Who knows...his next crusade could actually be one that helps PETA.

Posted by: Michele | June 22, 2007 07:20 PM

I am a big supporter of PETA and have been for years, but I think the first paragraph will make him not take the letter seriously. If you want people to listen to you, and consider your points, then insulting them will make all that go right out the window. Something more along the lines of "Michael, we encourage you to be as healthy as you can be, and going vegetarian could help you achieve that."...or something like that, would probably have helped him take the letter more seriously. I bet that now, he'll just be on the defensive, or at least I would, anyway. I just really don't like when PETA does things too harshly or unnecessarily harshly that makes PETA discredit themselves. I can't tell you how many times I've had to defend PETA (but NOT the animal rights movement) to other people.

Posted by: Lacey | June 22, 2007 07:21 PM

while i can see why it was he was challenged to the 30 day veg pledge i agree with maya. that was just plain rude. i'm not ashamed to admit that i have been a vegan for over four years now and i am still waht some would consider overweight. primarily eating unprocessed and organic foods and exercise hasn't really changed the fact. sorry guys, some of us were just meant to be larger! not saying that he's not overweight because he eats meat, he very well may be, but i think it is a gross assumption to make. sorry going veg or vegan will not always make you that much skinnier. healthier? yes. skinnier? not always.

Posted by: holly | June 22, 2007 07:24 PM

I agree with the idea od personal responsibility, however, I can not believe you would use such an insensitive word as "FAT". I believe people have the right snd the ability to choose what they eat. I choose not to eat dead anilmals, I wish everyone would too....but in America we have the freedom to choose....my view, unfornuately may not be theirs...but it is FREEDOM please use softer/kinder wording

Posted by: James Hammitt | June 22, 2007 07:26 PM

This is a good example of why I love PETA! Speak truth to power!

Posted by: KevinSeanO | June 22, 2007 07:32 PM

Since when has Michael Moore ever censored what he says to people, or been politically correct? Why should PETA treat him any differently than he treats others? PETA called him on the truth, something maybe Mr. Moose can respect and consider.

Posted by: Monica | June 22, 2007 07:32 PM

I never liked Mr. Moore's views too much. He's good at editing things to appear one way but he's just way too biased to be taken seriously. His stuff is pretty funny and entertaining, however.

Although calling someone an elephant wouldn't be the most effective way to convince another to use his voice for a good cause, personal responsibility is what the majority of everyone's problems boil down to.

It makes me sick that I'm paying for people to get medical attention (and education, and every other social service) when those people do nothing but kill innocent animals for their own gluttony (and then reproduce carelessly to multiply our problems)... but it's the government's responsibility to baby sit everyone. Right, Mike?

Posted by: Rob | June 22, 2007 07:32 PM

It would be great to see him look healthier. I think his documentaries and intentions are good and he is trying to help people make positive changes. I would love to see him do a documentary about animal issues. I was disappointed that Al Gore didn't even touch the subject in his film. In his interview with Bill Maher, Michael Moore said that he has "discovered these things called fruits and vegetables, which are amazing!" :)

The full interview can be seen on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_QoffvYQpw

Posted by: Amalia | June 22, 2007 07:33 PM

I like what PETA's Ingrid Newkirk was trying to point out; far too many people try to make decisions on issues they do not model themselves. Even when they are dead right, on the issue. PETA is always getting the bad rap for going to far, most of the time that is wrong, in this case PETA's Ingrid Newkirk seemed to more about her; than what is good for PETA. Unless, it is a policy to act in this manner to get PETA attention of under developed and young minds over overall image of PETA and true animal rights. I hate that development in our society (especially to the extreme-The Internet).

I would hate to think that what Scott Dubya brings to the discussion is a true reflection of the cruption of what it could be. That is Mrs. Newkirk used her personal political believes to affect how she termed the letter. Even worse that PETA allows it; however, that is not what I believe was behind the mistake in terming the letter.

kk and others make great points about the letter.

Scott Dubya why bring politics into an non-politic issue-PETA's response to 'Sicko' and Michael Moore's weight issue? I see it as just trying to make political ground on a losing issue for your political party and nothing more. Should have at least been edited out by moderator.

Posted by: Jason 'Great White'-Shark | June 22, 2007 07:34 PM

I was very sorry to see Ingrid's personal attack on the messenger. There is too much of that going on & its perpetuation only serves to chill free speech & intimidate people--who are not "perfect"--from making any constructive criticism at all.

Posted by: Dave | June 22, 2007 07:36 PM

It sucks that Michael Moore doesn’t share the same views as PETA does, but that’s no reason for Ingrid Newkirk to address him so coarsely.

Posted by: Matthew | June 22, 2007 07:36 PM

It's not just eating animal products that can lead to poor health and overload the healthcare system, don't forget about all the sodas, sugar-drenched donuts, deserts and so many processed foods with all those chemicals that require a special dictionary to understand what exactly what one is putting into their body.

When out shopping just take a a minute to glance into the shopping carts of others who have a few extra pounds of weight on them. I'm often amazed at what the carts are loaded down with.

A bit of exercise isn't a bad idea either.

Posted by: Judith Watson | June 22, 2007 07:40 PM

As someone who has to rely on this country's shoddy health care system more than I'd like, I was a bit upset by this article. I realize that Ingrid was just pointing out one thing that could help Micheal Moore, but as a long time vegetarian who still has a host of health problems, I can say that my diet alone hasn't helped me to rely any less on the health care system. I do think that it can and does help a lot of people, but I felt that it was offered up here like a simple cure all that it simply is not.

Posted by: aimee | June 22, 2007 07:41 PM

While I don't like Michael Moore, I don't think that outright calling him an elephant was the best way to open him to the idea of going veg. I totally think he should, but I agree with Maya.

Posted by: Lindsay | June 22, 2007 07:41 PM

Whether or not a vegetarian diet would make individuals in a population more healthy than otherwise is irrelavant. Each and every one of us, no matter how healthy our lifestyle, eventually succumbs to health problems -- expensive ones at that.

Posted by: Mark Peterson | June 22, 2007 07:42 PM

I agree it's a bit harsh...HOWEVER, he deserves it. He deserves it because he has dissed vegetarianism before. He said something like "we need meat" or some other ridiculous comment. So much for being "progressive".

Posted by: Kristina C | June 22, 2007 07:45 PM

Michael Moore is from my hometown, Flint, Michigan. I served on the County Commission for a number of years and M. Moore would appear before us with strange requests; he was, so to speak, the village idiot. M. Moore's first movie was about the plight of the unemployed in Flint and environs, and as a part of that movie he watched as a strange old lady wrung the neck of a rabbit so that she could eat it. No agruments from M. Moore. But he loved filming that terrible event as he could highlight it to sell his stranger than fiction movie. He is a nut who is adored by Hollywood (more nuts) and the best we can do is ignore him. As to Ingrid's letter to M. Moore - GO GIRL!

Posted by: Nancy Trant | June 22, 2007 07:46 PM

Agreed. Michael should eat more salads and prevent his own need of the expensive health system.

Posted by: gr | June 22, 2007 07:48 PM

Oooh my gowd! Please Ingrid, this time I won't agree with you not even in a million years!
Thats an amazing guy, an example for a stupid nation. At least he is doing something for his country and for the ignorance in America!
Hes not a vegan, but he is a great guy and hes fighting againts the most powerful men in the world and is not afraid of doing it even having a family to protect! Let him do his bit...

Leave Michael alone, and support him instead of tryinh to hurt him.

Posted by: Mirella | June 22, 2007 07:48 PM

Michael Moore has done many wonderful things with his documentaries(even though he can been pretty full on with his opinions, statements & tactics). He can't address every issue in the world that needs to be addressed.
Instead of bagging what he hasn't done (going veg) applaud what he has done.

I personally, am vegetarian. I make a lot of people aware of animal testing & have spent a lot of time helping people make the right choices when it comes to non-animal testing products. I am organising a fundrasing event to raise funds to dig bores in Africa(because every 8 seconds a child dies as a result of a water borne disease). I don't push vegetarianism, does that make me a bad person & someone who should be put down?

I'd love the world to become vegetarian, but putting down good people who help the world in many other ways, I believe will not get you far.

I think he will take the insults well, but I wouldn't blame him if he told you where to go.

Insulting someone in the public eye to get what what you want, is just nasty. There are more positive ways to go...

Posted by: Amy Bradley | June 22, 2007 07:49 PM

I have my own issues with M. Moore. So all I have to say is if he can't take the heat he should get out of the kitchen!

Posted by: megan | June 22, 2007 07:50 PM

hate to say it because Ingrid is one of my heroes, but this was handled wrong. moore had the potential to be an ally. imagine if he did a film about meat!
ingrid, it's time to get out of the trees for another look at the forest.

Posted by: karin davies | June 22, 2007 07:50 PM

As a very overweight woman who IS a vegetarian, I feel that I can comment on Ingrid's letter to Michael Moore regarding his weight. She's right on the money! (no need to pardon the pun) So what if she's blunt??? Sometimes you have to be. Has anyone heard Mr. Moore speak? The man invented the word "blunt". Ms. Newkirk's advice is good advice and sometimes overweight people need to be reminded that being overweight ISN'T healthy. Believe it or not, like it or not, the truth of the matter is BEING OVERWEIGHT CAUSES ALL KINDS OF MEDICAL PROBLEMS FOR PEOPLE AND IN ANY COUNTRY, IT *IS* A DRAIN ON THE ECONOMY. For overweight people to be insulted by her comments (I wasn't, by the way), well, it's silly.

Lately, the fashion industry has been coming down hard on super skinny models, but at the same time, they have been very quiet about the overweight models who are being touted as Plus Size models. Give me a break! There's skinny, there's fat and there's healthy. Being skinny is not healthy and neither is being fat.

Mr. Moore should heed her advice and at least give it a try. Who knows? He may actually change his unhealthy ways and learn something in the process. Maybe he'll even make a movie about it.

My advice to Mr. Moore:

Mr. Moore, please try to get healthy. You are a very influential person these days. Use your celebrity to help people get healthy. Many people respect what you are doing. Try to eat a vegetarian or vegan diet. Just try it. You'll feel much better. I do.

Posted by: Anne Marie | June 22, 2007 07:53 PM

Thanks Ingrid, you probably saved his life, and made others aware what the real issues are, and by so doing saved many more lives. Intelligent people will pick up on the challenge, Micheal Moore is a most intelligent induvidual, who's fallen into a bad habit like most of us, a habit that usually goes right back to childhood. I myself have to battle to refrain from eating meat, an aquired taste, and when the smell of it on a barbeque wafts through the air, the brain just cries out, and of course smell is one of the oldest memories. It's as tough and as bad as quiting smoking. Every time I feel like eating meat, I now picture the cruesome factory farms and the suffering of animals. When I quit smoking I remembered my little girl begging me to quit. If it's health of the body and or the soul it's all worth it, I always hoped that MIcheal Moore raise that other side of his conciousness, he certainly has a great social concience and is a gold nugget among pennies. I wish he would come over and make a doc, on that which is killing America, not just the body but it's soul, if we can't do it as an animal loving nation, what hope is there for them in the rest of the world.

Posted by: JasminHorst Seiler | June 22, 2007 07:55 PM

It seems that it is going to take all of us to bring about the change we all want to see.. and much of Michael's work is a potent message which is reaching many people in the overconsumptive mainstream.
And while he himself has been criticized for being too harsh, could it be that those calling for compassion for all beings might serve that cause best by refraining from using unkind or derisive remarks?
There are many ways to say somethng,
and words can obviously hurt as well as heal. Personal attacks often alienate
those who could be joining forces.
The viable challenge is enough in itself
- Perhaps the 'Elephant in the room'
is to see ourselves in others always- letting kindness guide us.. so that we do no harm, and thereby lead by example. Would Gandhi be disappointed?
Love to see Michael follow in Howard Lyman's footsteps, go total veg and get healthy, then take on the meat/ dairy industry beast in his next film!
He did admit to eating fruits and veggies and walking everyday, recently on Democracy Now. Perhaps if Ingrid were now to encourage..

Posted by: rb | June 22, 2007 07:58 PM

I am all for the ethical treatment of animals, and I always will be. I am not only a supporter, I am also an activist, similar to Ingrid, whose opinions I generally respect. However, with that said, it is attempts like this that give organizations like PETA a bad name. Michael Moore is not presenting SICKO to the nation as an attempt to reform the lifestyles and unhealthy habits of Americans, he is simply putting personal stories, statistics, facts, and of course, plenty of propaganda filled comedy together to present a viewpoint of the American health care system. Ingrid's letter is not only irrevelant to this movie, it is insulting. As a comedian and an intelligent human being, Michael Moore will take it lightheartedly, I'm sure, and he may even decide to take on the challenge(good for him), but to point out his obesity to the public (as if no one's done it before) is just no way to promote the ethical treatment of animals. If Michael Moore wanted to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle, he is perfectly capable of doing do himself. Celebrities are just popular people, and to use them as a ploy to make your voice heard is just ridiculous. Informed, not accusatory, letters to legistators is definetely best way to voice your opinion.

Posted by: Britni | June 22, 2007 07:58 PM

We must always be polite and respectful to each other.

Posted by: Nicola Grobe | June 22, 2007 08:01 PM

I think whoever wrote the introduction before Ingrid's letter should please talk respectful. Calling someone fat has never been nice, appropriate or respectful. Please keep PETA's image to a high standard. I just became a member and I don't want to be ashamed of how a good organization is handling itself on its web site. One always does best to do best, don't you think?

Posted by: Suzy | June 22, 2007 08:02 PM

Michael Moore goes to this great length to get America's attention on health care and get picked at for being fat? Man, it must be the children's hour.

Posted by: Colleen | June 22, 2007 08:03 PM

If Michael Moore is receptive to Ingrid's letter, not only will he lose weight...but perhaps he can make a movie about FACTORY FARMS!!

Posted by: Brenda | June 22, 2007 08:03 PM

Apologize to him? He is a slug. He would do good just to give himself a bath a shave and a haircut. He won't take the challenge.

Posted by: Jackie | June 22, 2007 08:03 PM

If Michael Moore is receptive to Ingrid's letter, not only will he lose weight...but perhaps he can make a movie about FACTORY FARMS!!

Posted by: Brenda | June 22, 2007 08:04 PM

I also think that the approach used was a bit over the top. As a fellow vegetarian (who could stand to lose a few pounds), criticizing his weight was not needed. Just ask him to consider changing his eating habits, something he has already started doing. A couple of weeks ago I saw on interview with him where he indicated that he HAS been changing his diet, and looked to have lost a few pounds. He did not say he had gone veggie, but joked about "discovering" fruit and vegetables. The author of the above could also have used "overweight" or "obese" instead of "fat" when describing Moore. He does good work, regardless of what he eats.

Posted by: JPT | June 22, 2007 08:06 PM

I have to agree with some. It is a bit confrontative and if you want someone to play ball with you, there are better approaches.

As well, he could be a great ally in creating a documentary on animal issues. But now he is not likely to.

Ingrid, is right about someone who abuses their health and then points fingers at the healthcare system. A little hyprocracy.

Posted by: bk | June 22, 2007 08:08 PM

I'm not sure attacking the man personally will get your message SENT. It will be HEARD because the public loves trash talk (look at Rosie & Donald...).

Michael wasn't using the movie to talk about HIS health or even how to maintain health. He's admitted he's overweight and will be taking steps to work on it.

Talking about Healthcare is one thing - Talking about Heath try how many diabetics are thin people who eat things corn based, potato-based, meaty beans, pastas, breads, and many soy-based items that are high in carbs - you can weigh 120 and have health issues. THEN you need health care. Do you know how much testers, test strips, insulins (often more than one), and side effect medications are?

If you are attacking health choices you should consider suggesting that people walk more, eat in moderation, etc -This letter would have been better after "Supersize Me"

I think defending my choices in a kind way gets my message through and keeps it there. I agree with Maya, suggesting a change in lifestyle would have been a better approach. I don't think Michael's losing sleep - but you make vegetarian's sound defensive & mean instead of the soul loving people I know most of them to be.

Posted by: Christine | June 22, 2007 08:11 PM

This letter hits that inevitable nail again like it or not. Moore ought to take the advise if he feels strongly about his work!

Posted by: Conner | June 22, 2007 08:11 PM

Dear Ingrid,

As much as I agree with you regarding a healthy and compassionate vegetarian lifestyle, your words to Mr. Moore were completely disrespectful. You would have accomplished much more by leaving your "elephant" comment out. How do you think this will help our cause? Compassionate living and compassionate speaking should be a mutual part of our lifestyle. Yes, we must be forthcoming about our ethics, but there is never an excuse to be so insulting. I think you should write an apology to Mr.Moore as you were completely inappropriate!! It doesn't help our cause and only hurts PETA's reputation to attack one who is a friend of "The People."

Respectfully Yours,
Janelle, A friend of PETA and of Michael Moore!

Posted by: Janelle | June 22, 2007 08:13 PM

At least he's making an effort to bring attention to a big flaw in our health care system. I give him credit for that. What he eats is no one's business but his own. I support most of what PETA is about but not all. I am not a vegetarian but I write my local representatives when you suggest it and do all I can to support you to the limits of my own personal lifestyle and beliefs.

Posted by: Robert W Murphy | June 22, 2007 08:14 PM

At least he's making an effort to bring attention to a big flaw in our health care system. I give him credit for that. What he eats is no one's business but his own. I support most of what PETA is about but not all. I am not a vegetarian but I write my local representatives when you suggest it and do all I can to support you to the limits of my own personal lifestyle and beliefs.

Posted by: Robert W Murphy | June 22, 2007 08:14 PM

We would have long had socialised med.if it was not for that darned fastfood industry that makes everybody obese.Only no-brainers eat that stuff made from cruelties to animals.A second generation Vegan, and old not sick.

Posted by: Anonymous | June 22, 2007 08:18 PM

What in the world does vegetarianism have to do with healthcare? Eating meat does not automatically make you unhealthy, nor does being vegetarian automatically make you healthy. Even if it did, you will still need regular physical exams, will get sick, injured, etc., and will thus still need HEALTHCARE. And enough already with regard to the vegetarian health argument. It is a major waste of time. Let's focus on the REASON we are vegan: the animals.

Posted by: Pam | June 22, 2007 08:19 PM

Honestly, I feel like this criticism is put out in a rude manner. Instead of politely pointing out the health benefits of the vegetarian lifestyle, this became a personal attack that feeds fat-shaming.

I'm not saying we shouldn't burn Michael Moore just because he's a liberal, but, wouldn't it be more appropriate to show this organizations compassion for animals, rather than feed personal attacks?

Posted by: Ashlyn | June 22, 2007 08:19 PM

I think michael moore is a cool dude who tells shows what reallity is? i think that is was a little mean calling him fat. I think she could of told him in a nicer way. Tellign someone they are fat can hurt them alot and make them depressed and make them eat more. Talking to someone about beign healthy is better then telling someone they are fat. If im skiiny does that mean i eat to little or what. Please i love to hear what you think. E-mail me at kris_dude12@hotmail.com

Posted by: Kris | June 22, 2007 08:19 PM

I would like to correct myself. Michael Moore may not consider himself a comedian at all. I, personally, think he's got as great sense of humor, but maybe he wouldn't agree. He has a long list of professions, and perhaps being a comedian is not among them.

Posted by: Britni | June 22, 2007 08:20 PM

I don't think it is nice to insult someone because of their weight. There really is no reason for it and detracts from the message. You can get fat from eating too much of the wrong foods whether they are meat or not.

This is the reason that society will not change dramatically for the better. We are too eager to tear each other down instead of tearing down the society that creates all this hatred and abuse.

Posted by: Jeff | June 22, 2007 08:22 PM

umm....i loved bowling for columbine but doesn't this one seem hypocritical?

Posted by: Brand. | June 22, 2007 08:24 PM

I agree that there was no need to directly address Mr. Moore's weight, and at the same time I agree that he probably won't be affected much by it.

The problem is that both Mr. Moore and PETA, more often than not, use negativity and self-rightousness as a way to get their message across. Personally, I'm tired of having to prove to people that I'm not that "pushy, better-than-though" vegetarian stereotype, and PETA doesn't help. Of course I agree with what PETA stands for, as I agree with what Mr. Moore stands for, however I think there are better ways to deliver the message.

Posted by: Tere | June 22, 2007 08:26 PM

This was just rude. Nothing more to add.

Posted by: Jody | June 22, 2007 08:30 PM

This is perfect coming from Ingrid, with no frills, no PC mollycoddling, makes complete sense, and of course flesh eaters will laugh their fat, diseased butts off.
Personal responsibility is unknown to mankind, and proof is the way the world is heading. Down the crapper.

Posted by: iva kimmelman | June 22, 2007 08:32 PM

Guys, it's great that you're looking out for Michael Moore's feelings, but I'm pretty sure he can take it.

This is a guy who makes his living through stirring up controversy. I think he'll still manage to get to sleep tonight despite the fact that PETA gave him diet advice.

And as far as PETA's concerned, the more people who hear about this will think about vegetarianism as a healthy option. Good for them.

Posted by: Geoff | June 22, 2007 08:32 PM

I would like to weigh in on the side of those who feel that insulting Michael Moore is counterproductive. It takes a lot of guts to do what he does, and I think it would be much more helpful to applaud his efforts and ask him if he would be willing to do a documentary on the meat packing industry. Ingrid Newkirk owes Mr. Moore an apology.

Posted by: Terry Carlin | June 22, 2007 08:33 PM

Yeah, I don't think calling Michael Moore an elephant is going to accomplish much. People - and especially people like Moore - don't like to listen to what you have to say when you start off by personally insulting them. Ingrid might get a lot further in trying to convince Moore of a vegetarian diet if she simply brought up the health benefits of it, and not directly said that he's fat and could use the weight loss.

Posted by: Kelly | June 22, 2007 08:35 PM

My 2 cents; Pissing people off or making them feel bad, is not the way I've learned to be effective. Fatso's(and I was huge before I went vegan) feel bad enough or they would not be sabotaging their own organs and making themselves feel like S_ _ T, which accompanies fatness.
Perhaps giving him the incedible gift of the most beautiful cookbook, Vegan World Fusion, or the new book by Dr. Caldwell Esseltyn Jr, Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease, or Dr. T. Colin Campbell's book, The China Study, or Dr. Neal Barnard's book, Preventing and Reversing Diabetes Through Nutrition, or his book, Braking the Food Seduction. Perhaps a baking book full of wonderful vegan baking recipes and some web sights that explain the connection between diet and disease(even though science and the biomedical industry want everyone to assume disease is genetic so the gene splicers can create organs for sale and have people never change their eating habits.
Who would listen to anyone insulting them? I'd be angry at the lack of compassion.
It's too easy to lash out given the horrors animal rights advovcates see, feel, smell, and refuse to ignore.
If anyone out there is a vegan chef, perhaps offer to cook for him for a month. Make him outrageously delicious food, let him feast with all his senses, loose weight, and become our freind, not our advesary. There are enough of those.

Posted by: Laura Slitt | June 22, 2007 08:37 PM

Thank you, Ingrid! Since I am a very healthy vegetarian who, because of my choice of diet has extra energy, gets regular exercise. I am tired of thinking that, as a responsible person, that my taxes will be sky-high to take care of people who choose the good life of the steak house.

Posted by: Catherine | June 22, 2007 08:37 PM

GO INGRID, GO!! GET BIG MIKE ON HIS KNEES!!

Posted by: charlie | June 22, 2007 08:38 PM

I agreed with Ingrid, sometimes it takes strong statements to wake you up. And Michael Moore sure needs a makeover inside and out otherwise he's going to be a victim of all that bad health care he filmed.

Posted by: Marie A. Hernandes | June 22, 2007 08:39 PM

This is why PETA turns people off. I believe that PETA is trying to do what is animal's best interests, but it is taken too far, and people are offended. This is not the way to educate people. When people are attacked like this, it sets a double standard, that we should respect all animal life, but the same doesn't hold true for humans. This was shameful.

Posted by: P | June 22, 2007 08:57 PM

good luck with that. michael moore couldn't give a shit about going vegan or even vegetarian. go see the film "manufacturing dissent" and you'll have a much better understanding of what motivates him.

Posted by: estrojenn | June 22, 2007 09:01 PM

I like Mr. Moore and I feel, although well meaning, could've message could've been nicer.

Posted by: Paul Thandi | June 22, 2007 09:02 PM

Actually, Michale Moore is an animal abuser. He does not support animal welfare at all. I forgot the article, but, trust me, he is no friend to the animals.

Posted by: Tina Max | June 22, 2007 09:03 PM

Wow. It's amazing how much attention Ingrids opinion has raised. Although I do not agree with her views, she still has every right to speak how she feels. It doesnt mean we have to live by her words nor accept them as our own, they clearly belong to her. However, her shared thoughts of him may arrest any potential idea he may have had of ever converting. It is not always what we say, but how we say it that produces a more productive response. Communication is everything, and so sadly the very thing that alot of us tend to abandon well before execution. We can be so self-powered that we tend to speak "to" one another rather than speak "with" one another. Effective communication

Posted by: zanabay | June 22, 2007 09:04 PM

I have now been meat free for a year, and I still weigh more than 200lbs. To bash someone for their eating habits, okay. To bash someone simply for their weight, not okay.

Posted by: Katie | June 22, 2007 09:05 PM

Wow. It's amazing how much attention Ingrids opinion has raised. Although I do not agree with her views, she still has every right to speak how she feels. It doesnt mean we have to live by her words nor accept them as our own, they clearly belong to her. However, her shared thoughts of him may arrest any potential idea he may have had of ever converting. It is not always what we say, but how we say it that produces a more productive response. Communication is everything, and so sadly the very thing that alot of us tend to abandon well before execution. We can be so self-powered that we tend to speak "to" one another rather than speak "with" one another. Effective communication

Posted by: zanabay | June 22, 2007 09:07 PM

Wow! He probably has an addiction to overeating which is strong enough to rival your addiction to self-righteousness. Everyone is flawed, baby.

Posted by: James | June 22, 2007 09:12 PM

Ingrid, I think your intentions are wonderful but calling Michael an elephant? I thought we cared about animals here and did not use references to animals as an insult.

We want the world to change ways of thinking about animals and stop using phrases like "she's a dog" and "elephant size", 'you behave like a pig' as an insult. It demeans the animals we refer to and it proliferates a false consciousness of the animal world. This promotes the popular belief that animals are a sub-human non-sentient species.

Also referring to Michael Moore as fat is rude, he is unhealthily overweight, obese and that is an inescapable fact but 'fat' is an unhappy distorted state of mind. We only have to look at dangerously thin anorexics who think they are fat to know that.

Moore is obviously over eating and choosing wrong food, and cruel food and I hope he does alter his mind and thoughtless eating habits asap.

I look forward to his reply. I guess he is used to being insulted/abused with words, and elephants can't hear what was said, but we care about the words too.

I supposed Ingrid wanted to shock him with a dose of reality, but Moore is as real as anyone gets as he is.

Posted by: vida | June 22, 2007 09:17 PM

This reminds me of the untimely criticism of Steve Irwin -- as his family was burying him. Then again, it's not nearly as bad as Ingrid's comments during the height of the dog cull in China, when she said, "China may be barking up the right tree." That was just about the most disgusting thing I'd ever heard, both for what she meant and how she said it. Barking, really?

It's so very important that vegans and animal rights activists -- I consider myself to be both -- not to unleash their frustration in an ugly manner and give us all a bad name. At this point, everyone expects an animal rights activist to be a bitch and a nutcase. That is an image that I want to be a part of changing.

I have no problem with PETA's in-your-face public campaigns, which help to bring awareness to the unseen ugliness of animal abuse. But nastiness is really not productive in any way. If anything, it's counter-productive. It may make one feel good to get it off one's chest, but that kind of attitude will never encourage someone else to reexamine their beliefs.

Posted by: Sarah C. | June 22, 2007 09:18 PM

Definitely a great idea. He shoudl do a documentary on animal cruelty too. Good Job PETA!

Posted by: Nicole Leigh | June 22, 2007 09:19 PM

Definitely a great idea. He should do a documentary on animal cruelty too. Good Job PETA!

Posted by: Nicole Leigh | June 22, 2007 09:19 PM

I'm sorry, but I think attacking Michael Moore, of all people, is wrong...and very rude. Sure he's not a vegetarian...but neither are most people! Why not get on people like J.Lo or Britney about wearing furs? All your attack on Micheal Moore is going to do is make him defensive. Personally, I never nag people to become vegetarian...it's a personal choice. But wearing furs is pure vanity, and I think if you're going to attack anyone, it should be people like that...not Michael Moore.

Posted by: Erin | June 22, 2007 09:20 PM

Taking responsibility for one's own health issues is certainly important -- as is health care reform. They are both important, yet separate issues. Why attack someone who is doing such an incredible job at putting our health care crisis in the spot light?

Posted by: Marla | June 22, 2007 09:23 PM

I agree with Ingrid, sometimes it takes strong statements to wake someone up. Michael Moore needs a makeover in and out or sometime in the near future he could very well be the victim of the bad medical practices that he filmed.

Posted by: Marie A. Hernandes | June 22, 2007 09:28 PM

I recently saw Michael Moore discussing his own weight and health, I believe it was the Letterman show. He mentioned that he has put himself on a diet because he felt that he had no right to criticize healthcare while contributing to the problem.
I agree with Maya's statement. There is a right way and a wrong way to tell someone what you think. As a contributor to PETA, and a person who is disabled and has weight problems because of inability to exercise, I object to this harsh criticism of Michael Moore.

Posted by: kdub | June 22, 2007 09:33 PM

I like how you made taking personal responsibility a key part of the message. I haven't seen the film, but for America to truly reform its health care system, personal responsibility (and I think being a veggie is a big part of that) is key. Nice going.

Posted by: Matt | June 22, 2007 09:34 PM

I know a lot of fat vegetarians ... chocolate cake and french fries don't exactly keep you slim. There's no need to insult somebody's weight to make your point. It makes PETA look PETTY.

Posted by: Diane | June 22, 2007 09:34 PM

I know a lot of fat vegetarians ... chocolate cake and french fries don't exactly keep you slim. There's no need to insult somebody's weight to make your point. It makes PETA look PETTY.

Posted by: Diane | June 22, 2007 09:34 PM

I know a lot of fat vegetarians ... chocolate cake and french fries don't exactly keep you slim. There's no need to insult somebody's weight to make your point. It makes PETA look PETTY.

Posted by: Diane | June 22, 2007 09:35 PM

Shame on you Ingrid, Shame on PETA....sometimes words do harm. I am sure Michael Moore can handle the critisicm....but I am bothered by the use of the word ELEPHANT as an insult to a person...I know I doubt that there will be a large outcry from elephants or any other animal....but am I really the only person who finds the use of animal name calling as insults not very PETA-esque......Pig! Dog! Catty! Horse face! Cow! Heifer!Ape!,Toad! Hare- brain!Snake!....etc...etc....ummm are these not the creatures we are standing up for here?...I realize that animals won't be offended but i think it is just another way people show that they think they are superior to all the other animals, gives some people another reason to treat animals as less than human...I am serious about this! It is not a great way to teach people that animals are equals....maybe people should start insulting people by calling them cheeseburger! pork poast! sushi breath!...
I know elephants and Michael Moore is No elephant....Just another overweight American with some great ideas...he is trying to make a difference!...and Ingrid don't be a Chicken at least admit you are being a bit of a Horse's A**!

Posted by: Lucy | June 22, 2007 09:36 PM

There was certainly a much more savvy way to write that letter. Yes Mr. Moore can certainly take the criticism, but we are trying to get him to understand and promote the side of vegetarianism, not annoy him with undue comments on his physicality. This is a very open minded man looking to better America, but if he is like most humans he would respond better to a nice, factual letter. A rude comment in the beginning is going to make anyone tune out from the important information of the letter. Let me write the next one.

Posted by: Ashley | June 22, 2007 09:36 PM

There was certainly a much more savvy way to write that letter. Yes Mr. Moore can certainly take the criticism, but we are trying to get him to understand and promote the side of vegetarianism, not annoy him with undue comments on his physicality. This is a very open minded man looking to better America, but if he is like most humans he would respond better to a nice, factual letter. A rude comment in the beginning is going to make anyone tune out from the important information of the letter. Let me write the next one.

Posted by: Ashley | June 22, 2007 09:36 PM

The diseases that cause most of the illnesses and death in the United States and thus, put the biggest strain on our healthcare system are chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

These diseases are most often due to lifestyle choices, which means they are largely preventable. Moore is choosing an unhealthy lifestyle and thus putting strain on the healthcare system.

I don't think you can consider this a "personal attack". Ingrid is right on to challenge Moore and anyone else who makes irresponsible choices.

Posted by: Word Ster | June 22, 2007 09:36 PM

I honestly don't know who gives the right to Ingrid to be so judgemental. No one is perfect and people who are overweight can't cover up their problems. At least Michael Moore tries to do his part to change things for the better for people. I respect him for that and Ingrid needs to be more accepting of all people, not just an animal lover. Don't spread negative vibes. Thank you.

Posted by: kim | June 22, 2007 09:36 PM

Attacking his weight was uncalled for. It was rude and Mr. Moore's response will probably be just as rude. I believe an apology is greatly called for.

Posted by: Christina | June 22, 2007 09:37 PM

Ouch...

Posted by: Brittany | June 22, 2007 09:38 PM

Ouch...

Posted by: Brittany | June 22, 2007 09:39 PM

I can not help but be appaulled by the blantent audacity of the comments made by Ingrid Newkirk in regard to Michael Moore. Obviously, as a vegan and peta supporter, I do agree that the health benefits of a vegan diet are tremendous, however, I think it is completely rude to tell somebody that they are an elephant and then expect them to listen to your diet advice. Granted, I am not saying that I think Michael Moore's meat-based deathstyle is in any way okay (for health, environment or animal purposes), but it is also wrong to attack somebody like that. Especially when that somebody is a person who tries expose mainstream Americans to some of the extreme injustices that occur in this country (all while managing to make it entertaining!)Furthermore, maybe Michael Mooore has like a compulsive overeater type disorder, in which case he does not have control over what he is eating. If he were an anorexic it woulden't be right to call him like a stickboy, so why is it okay to call him an elephant just because he's fat? And, some people that are vegetarian are fat, (it is possible, I actually know a couple personally, so it is also wrong to assume that just because a person is overweight or even obese, that he/she is a meat eater.

Posted by: Gina | June 22, 2007 09:42 PM

Hi! I'm a chicken and I really wish that PETA would not alienate someone that might someday make a powerful film about my plight!

Will be interesting to see his reply!

Posted by: Susan | June 22, 2007 09:44 PM

There are far better ways to get a point across than to insult someone. Unless there is a public apology I'm removing myself from future PETA mailings. Can we have a little compassion for humans too?

Posted by: Anonymous | June 22, 2007 09:45 PM

I agree with Maya whole heartedly... I think you went too far. I am a nurse and know that eating meat is not the only reason that people are unhealthy. To be very honest, I know alot of unhealthy people who are vegans and vegetarians. I have been a vegetarian for 14 years and struggled with weight issues my first few years of it. I think this was a lame shot. Also, if you kept up on current events you would know that this movie did prompt him to become healthier and he has lost weight. I think the way that you went about this is exactly why PETA gets a bad rap.

Posted by: Laura | June 22, 2007 09:47 PM

Why does everyone have to be so nasty? I'm not surprised that Ingrid wrote what she did......it's just how everyone is now. It's too bad. She would've gone alot farther with alittle compassion. PETA is off my list with this "holier than thou" attitude.

Posted by: Florence | June 22, 2007 09:58 PM

I agree with the first comment. Micheal Moore is not going to take Ingrid's letter seriously if she's insulting him, and his personaly appearance is none of her business. Besides, I know a few overweight vegetarians, so whose to say what his weight issue is caused by. I believe everyone should adopt a vegetarian diet, but preaching and insulting people is not the way to go about it, it's actually counter-productive. A more effective method would have been to simply raise the subject of the link between poor health among the population and meat consumption, and suggest that he tackle this issue as part of his message. People listen to Micheal Moore, he's a smart guy with a lot of sway. However, after being insulted, I doubt he's going to work with PETA directly to approach this important issue. Ingrid's words may be "the painful truth", but her approach was poor, and did more harm than good for the cause. Micheal Moore should be praised for the eye-opening issues that he exposes to the public, rather than attacked for things not said.

Posted by: Andrea | June 22, 2007 10:01 PM

Compulsive overeating is an eating disorder under the same umbrella as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulemia and Exercise Bulemia. I personally have struggled with compulsive overeating issues for about 30 years. Even as a vegetarian it is still possible to eat too many calories for ones activity level. The 12 step program Overeater Anonymous, an AA spin off, addresses these issues. I have found solutions myself there but can tell you there are many vegans and vegetarians who are overweight due to eating disorders. Calling them mean names won't do it. They've already called themselves so many horrible things. The change for many is a spiritual one, very personal and in a persons own time. I'm sure Mr. Moore would like to be slim, who wouldn't, perhaps he has addiction type issues? Let's just hope that a focused and fearless man like this will make a knock out movie on Factory Farming, maybe toss in a section on Puppy Mills and Horse slaughter while he's at it! Go Mikey!

Posted by: Anonymous | June 22, 2007 10:03 PM

i appreciate ingrid's stand, but i do agree with maya. had ingrid taken a kinder, more respectful approach, i'd be certain that moore would consider the vegetarian lifestyle. however, i'm sure this attack will only provoke him to focus on PETA's flaws and "expose" certain wrongdoings of the organization

Posted by: sarah | June 22, 2007 10:11 PM

@Maya: really good points.

I agree that this wasn't the best way to approach the situation. My thoughts are that "eating meat products that are known to cause heart disease, high blood pressure, and strokes, the situation would easier for everyone" should have been the prime focus - rather than a personal attack.

@Geoff and others: I also agree he can take it. But that doesn't mean it was the most effective use of the situation.

No one likes to be put on the defensive. The natural reaction to being confronted is flight/fight - not cooperate.

Perhaps a message that thanked him, and also that outlined opportunities for further changes, e.g. people should be encouraged to increase their plant-based intake for their own good, should have been used.

Posted by: Tim | June 22, 2007 10:12 PM

GO INGRID!!!
I am an R.N. and the thing that annoys me most in the world is when I'm treating a patient who is in for a heart attack because their arties are totally clogged, their cholesterol it through the roof and they tell me they can't wait to get out of the hospital to have a steak!!!! the real healthcare crisis in america is people not being responsible!!!!

Posted by: cara | June 22, 2007 10:14 PM

I think Ingrid is mirroring Michael Moore's "call it like it is" tone. It strikes me as a bit brash and to the point. My fear is that we (PETA) will alienate folks with this extreme position. I am vegetarian but rather than emphasize not eating animals- I emphasize the cruelty of factory farming and urge meat eaters to consider their source... We have to remember we are dealing with the HUMAN animal. Who we all know hates change and foreign ideas (in general)!

Posted by: caramella butterscotch | June 22, 2007 10:15 PM

Ingrid's statement is also saying that all vegetarians or vegans are at a healthy weight, which is untrue, I've been a vegetarian for years and I'm very overweight, and I know many others that are vegetarian or vegan that are overweight. Yes, being vegetarian or vegan is healthier, but it won't make you thinner.

Posted by: Shannon | June 22, 2007 10:15 PM

Wow this is why PeTA gets a bad name! Ingrid, I love PeTA's stance on animal rights, but crossing the line is not always the right choice. Please, Ingrid, for the sake of PeTA's reputation, STOP crossing the line. If you would like to talk about this further, please e-mail me Thank you!

Posted by: Corey | June 22, 2007 10:16 PM

I have no problem with Ingrid's criticism of Moore. I agree that personal responsibility is hugely important. However, I must point out that vegetarianism and veganism do not guarantee any sort of weightloss. There are plenty of unhealthy vegetarians out there. I should know, I'm vegetarian and seriously overweight. I'd also like to point out that PETA is not being consistent. If they are going to be an organization that is concerned about health they need to stop promoting foods that are full of ingredients that have been proven to be WORSE than any animal fats. Hydrogenated oils are horrible and tofutti and other products PETA promotes as healthy alternatives are full of this garbage. There's also corn syrup that is thought to be a major contributor to the obesity epidemic but that isn't stopping PETA from promoting products that use it.

Posted by: Emily | June 22, 2007 10:22 PM

I love how first Ingrid calls him an elephant and still says "with all due respect". Ingrid, if you want to be rude, then be rude; don't parade with a false sense of manners.

Posted by: Lucy | June 22, 2007 10:45 PM

i've been a member of PETA for about 20 years... even though PETA is considered to be quite extreme in it's approach to affect change, i've always thought of myself, personally, as someone who is pretty balanced & i like to consider both sides of every issue. while i realize that activism is often extreme just by it's nature, the best way to get people to sit up & listen is to walk a BIT more softly, while still carrying the big stick. the letter to Mr. Moore is an example of how people get turned off & miss the real message. no matter how the letter wraps up, it begins VERY rudely. i agree with Maya that Mr. Moore is owed an apology.

Posted by: Ginny | June 22, 2007 10:45 PM

I also agree with Maya.

Obesity is not always a result of overeating. Also, there are obese vegans and vegetarians. Attacking someone who has done so much good on so many fronts does not win allies - unless you are trying to woo right-wing vegans and all those nitwit Michael Moore haters and also alienate the people most likely to support PETA.

True organizing requires emotional intelligence.

Posted by: Robin | June 22, 2007 10:47 PM

I just think we it should have been put in better words in order to get him on the side of peta oe animal-friendly organizations. Attacking him will just make him look down upon PETA. If you said it truthfully and to the point but with less Jerry Springer style, maybe he would respect what you had to say. Then maybe get him to get involved with PETA positively. I definitely do not like when people beat around the bush, but to berate him for being fat because he's not a vegetarian and then wanting him to jump on board with peta. I may have said more about his movie but then offered to give him a challenge to show him how healthy he could be so he could say screw you to the healthcare and that way he could still go against healthcare and jump on board with PETA. I would just lose any respect for someone that handled it that way, as if they were making fun of me instead of "tough love" telling it to me like it was for my health. There's a difference; Someone calling me fatty and degrading me, or someone saying you're extremely overweight and you need to do something about it because we don't want to lose you. I wouldn't want to change myself because people made fun of me because that causes insecurities and the only reason you would change is to live up to someone else and feel the need to prove to someone else that you're just as good a person as them as long as you're skinny. I'd rather change because I realize how bad a shape I am in and do it for myself, and that it's ok if someone else is big that they are as just a good person as you are. I would never want to teach someone that you call someone names and make fun of them and make them feel less of a person because they are heavy. I would want to teach them to get in the other person's shoes and show concern an tell them it's not healthy even if you have to show them all the fat clogged around their arteries with a scan! Make them understand and show you are concerned, but with a bit of strong straightforwardness or tough love that is worth listening to. Then I may have more respect and want to take on the challenge.

Posted by: Anonymous | June 22, 2007 10:49 PM

i've been a vegetarian for 21 years and a member of peta for many of those years. most of the time i agree with ingrid's point of view, but her letter to michael moore is not the way to move more people to become vegetarians/vegans or animal protectors.

his personal choices in diet should not be part of a peta campaign and i see no logic in pointing out someone's "flaws" to convince them to alter their eating habits.

this letter is an offense of michael moore's personal right to choose how he lives and you can do better, ms. newkirk... for the animals.

Posted by: kimberly | June 22, 2007 10:52 PM

I love PETA, however, that was not a very tactful way of going about vegetarian outreach, in fact, that may very well back-fire. Also, calling him an elephant does not make sense. Elephants are herbivores.

Posted by: Aaron Ross | June 22, 2007 10:53 PM

After reading the entire letter I found it to be straight forward, honest, and kind. Ingrid was not rude to Michael. She is offering him a way to live a longer, healthier, and more compassionate life.

Posted by: Sheryl G | June 22, 2007 10:53 PM

i think you should leave him alone..I'm vegetarian and guess what....I'm not so skinny! I'm little overweight.you can not push people to be vegetarian,all you can do is educate.

Posted by: Diana | June 22, 2007 10:53 PM

I'm pretty sure Michael Moore knows he's fat and he's a nice guy, but the truth is obvious!!! Ingrid is just pointing out the fact it's healthier to go veg. This country has a huge population of people who are obese with health related conditions mainly caused by their poor eating habits. I think we can't just entirely blame the government for their health care problems. The lack of responsability, all the crap they eat out there and then they expect somebody else to be blamed is ridiculous!!! Haven't you heard "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" That's right!!! Switching your diet is the best alternative. I really do believe that and if I ever need to use my health care benefits someday it will be when I'm 90!!! When I actually need it!!!

Posted by: Regina | June 22, 2007 10:54 PM

Fat IS unhealthy. It IS killing people, and it IS costing Americans dearly in health care costs etc

That is the bottom line.

It most certainly IS everyone's business.

Ingrid was absolutely right.

But since Michael Moore is just a hypocrite who is more interested in getting rich than in any of the "subjects" he covers- I'm sure it's lost on him.

Posted by: kelly | June 22, 2007 10:57 PM

I am a member of Peta, and a BIG fan of Moore's. I would like to point out however that I am stricken on this issue as you CAN be vegan and be quite "plump." I know a few Vegan alcohol drinkers who, I would assume due to the massive empty calories in alcohol, carbohydrate consumption (beer), slowing effect of alcohol on the metabolism, and lack of exercise are bigger than Moore. It is a valid point that many meat eaters are overweight, they frequent fast food establishments more I would imagine, but it can also be said that Vegans should NOT rely on their cruelty free diet alone for weight loss. Nor should that be their motivation for not eating dead carcass. So...take it for what you will...I will still be a member of Peta, and proud, and hope Moore goes Vegan...but weight I would hope would not be his motivation.

Posted by: Joey | June 22, 2007 10:58 PM

That letter is juvenile and abrasive. I am a member of Peta and a long time vegetarian, but I do not agree with the way that letter is written.

Posted by: Philip | June 22, 2007 11:00 PM

i don't think ingrid's letter was disrespectful, but what was written in the blog definitely is.

one expects better from peta.

Posted by: prad | June 22, 2007 11:00 PM

Being vegetarian for 9 years and vegan for the last 2 of that, my wife and I are huge supporters of animal rights and of the environment, but that doesn't mean that--though we admire and support PETA's work--we agree with all PETA does. Come on Ingrid, what if Michael attacked your looks?! He makes great films and champions the underdog. He could have done, or still might do, a great film about animal rights/abuse/factory farming/etc.. Great job saying something so insensitive and unproductive that you just might piss him off enough to now do a film about the "crazies" in the animal rights movement. Ingrid, you were rude and a moron for saying what you did. It's not always smart to seek publicity through shock value alone...sometimes there are much more productive ways. I think you're WAY out of line. Think next time before you speak!

Posted by: Deane | June 22, 2007 11:03 PM

Maya must be fat or in love with people that are unhealthy fat slobs like Michael Moore. Hey, its 'everybody's business' to point out unhealthy fat people and give them advice and guidance offering them help to reduce their weight in order to save them from being a 'huge' burden on the health care system that the hypocrite Moore is making fun of... Face it Myla..Moore is for sure FAT and needs help.

Jim

Posted by: Jim | June 22, 2007 11:06 PM

I think that if we talk about the benefits of being a vegetarian, we could make people think twice but when you insult someone calling them an elephant, you wont get their attention, they will immediately add a barrier and wont listen to a word you are saying.

Either we like it or not, Michael Moore is a controversial guy and has a huge impact on people. We could take advantage of that, make him understand why being vegetarian is a good choice and he could show that on his films.

I really like PETA and I support what they do but not this. Sorry guys, Im dissapointed.

Posted by: Angie | June 22, 2007 11:11 PM

I have to agree with Maya's post. Bad move on Ingrid's part. I can appreciate PETA's quest to promote vegetarianism, but vegetarianism does not guarantee being 'slim'. Vegetarians can be overweight and out of shape, just like anyone else. Ingrid has stepped over a boundary -- it's rather obnoxious.
I'm a PETA supporter -- I prefer to support organizations that don't dish out personal insults.

Posted by: Anonymous | June 22, 2007 11:11 PM

I don't think attacking his weight was the most constructive way to get his attention. Attack his meat eating all you want, but i'm a vegetarian, and i'm fat, (gained a lot of weight due to a medication, but the benefits of the medication are worth it) so vegetarian does not automatically equal thin, nor does fat always mean you are a meat eater. If he's publicly saying how he loves to eat meat, attack that instead, and you will be more likely to change peoples' minds because you won't cause them to have a knee-jerk negative reaction. Tell him how the human body isn't designed to digest meat, tell him about clogged arteries, but leave the weight issue out of it, it doesn't help people to embrace the message you're trying to communicate.

As for documentaries i'd like to see, how about "An Even More Inconvenient Truth" exposing how meat eating is bad for the environment as well as being totally inhumane?

Posted by: Jenn | June 22, 2007 11:12 PM

Michael Moore's name should not be on the cover of the PETA newsletter.

Posted by: Marisa | June 22, 2007 11:13 PM

Way to go Ingrid you are right as usual.

Posted by: Susan Sutton | June 22, 2007 11:19 PM

I have supported PETA for many years and will continue to do so...in spite of Ingrid's idiotic comments to/about Michael Moore.

I am a vegetarian and have been for over 20 years (having stopped eating red meat almost 30 years ago) and am overweight. Yes, it's possible, and I'm not the only one. I also do not purchase anything leather. I am proud of what I do for animals as I love and respect them.

A person's weight should NEVER enter into the equation and I feel very insulted. My first response was to vow never to support PETA again, but as a lover of animals, I will support the work that PETA does for animals in spite of my feelings toward Ingrid. This woman has done a lot of great work, but has now gone too far. And, if you are trying to encourage him (or others) to become vegetarian, you are using the WRONG approach. No one wants to be attacked!

And to attack Michael Moore of all people??? He is out there trying to make the world a better place. Leave the man alone and give him the respect he deserves.

I am an extremely upset an angered (and yes, overweight) vegetarian and I hope that Ingrid reconsiders the letter she wrote to Michael Moore. I hope that he either ignores the letter or has some intelligent response. Yes, for the animals I hope that he as well as all others become vegetarian, but this is NOT the way to accomplish that goal!

Posted by: Sheryl R Smith | June 22, 2007 11:29 PM

Um, I'm totally with Maya. It's one thing to suggest veg*nism to people, but to shove it down their throats with an insult tossed in, that's the kind of stuff that gets veg*ns labeled as eco-terrorist, insane liberals and such. More people might consider changing if prompted in a more tactful manner. Blatant rudeness won't get you anywhere.

Posted by: Sara | June 22, 2007 11:33 PM

i appreciate the cause that ingrid is trying to say but it's really none of her business how michael looks. HOWEVER, as a public figure/celebrity i feel you are more open to criticisms from anyone, be they good or bad. it would be fantastic if everyone went vegetarian (or vegan!) and our health-related problems would definitely decrease. i haven't seen the film yet but i will opening weekend and i imagine there is an element of vegetarianism promoted.

Posted by: Tika Bordelon | June 22, 2007 11:37 PM

I'm sure Michael Moore's skin is thick enough to withstand that letter; the point is that making public comments about a particular individual's health/weight is rude and an ineffective way to try and convince people of the benefits of a vegetarian diet.

I am not overweight, but have friends and family who are, and I know that they would react negatively to someone criticising their weight, particularly if it was being done to try and change their beliefs.

If someone used my appearance to get a point across to me, I would be less than receptive to whatever they had to say. PETA should remember that the method is important, as well the message.

Posted by: Susan | June 22, 2007 11:39 PM

Rude letter; it makes you and people like you out to be pseudo holier-than-thou elitists. Kudos to those who disagree with how the letter was written.

And to Geoff (just because you're the last post I remembered ;))- people will find themselves averse to the message simply because of the negative way it was presented. I am attracted to positive messages. If Ingrid had expressed that sentiment the way Maya and Christine suggested, it would have had a nicer, more welcoming effect.

I am trying to transition to the vegetarian lifestyle, but I do eat meat. Rarely these days, but I still do (and fish)- and I'm trying to break the habit. However, I want to say that I disagree with a lot of PETA's tactics and standpoints- they're aggressive and extremist in an obviously negative way imo. Whenever I hear of PETA's newest antics, I mentally recoil and make note to start visiting other sites (like spana for helping animals abroad).

Anyway. Post over- flame on...

Posted by: Mizka | June 22, 2007 11:44 PM

I personally think what Ingrid wrote was very honest and it is totally true.... she may have been a little harsh.. but Mike is also VERY harsh in talking about other people as well.. I'm not saying that two wrongs make a right.. but maybe the approach she took will acutally open his eyes a little bit.. Due to the type of person that Mike presents himself to be.. I think the right approach was taken.. I personally feel like the elephant comment was mainly said in good fun.. and he would take it that way too.. I truely appreciate what Ingrid said... and if Mike hates the USA so much why does he live there?

Posted by: Brittney | June 22, 2007 11:44 PM

We all have friends we'd like to see thinner and healthier, but despite the best of intentions we rarely see them losing weight at our behest. Michael Moore is a hero of mine, and I'd like to see him stick around for a long time, showing us the many ways our multifaceted society is corrupt and toxic. I hope that his recognition of his less-than-healthy lifestyle and subsequent change in eating habits, plus adding exercise to his routine, as he suggests he's doing, will keep him here on earth as a moral compass for us for years to come. As a "pudge," however, he's quite adorable. I support PETA, but think heavyhanded chiding will not likely be the cause of Moore's embrace of fitness or vegetarianism.

Posted by: Judy Schultz | June 22, 2007 11:44 PM

I read the open letter Ingrid wrote to Michael Moore and I found it to be more tongue in cheek than anything. Its not wildly insulting. Its actually written in a very colloquial fashion.

Michael probobly knows that he needs to shape up his eating habits. Who knows? Maybe he will take some of Ingrid's advice.

Michael, if you are reading along with this blog, I'm a Canadian and we love you up here. You (like Ingrid, who we also love) tell it like it is. Keep up the good work and take care of yourself. Your work is wonderful, insightful and provocative.

I agree with other bloggers here - why not do a documentary on the meat industry?

Cheers.
April

Posted by: april | June 22, 2007 11:44 PM

It's really sad that people let a 2" area on the tongue control[taste-buds]their whole life and body-weight.Instead of "Fat" I'd say one has to much food in them.Heavy people in which I've commented on their weight has just smiled-I gave them something to think about.--I been a vegan since 1988 and constantly pray to GOD for wisdom and to walk in love towards all people. PEACE & LOVE gary sellers

Posted by: gary sellers | June 22, 2007 11:56 PM

You know I have to agree with Maya. Not to protect Mr. Moore's feelings, I know he can handle it- he's used to personal attacks. No, I agree with her because it is just plain consideration. We are asking him to be considerate and to lead by example, yet we are not. I have only been vegetarian for a couple of years, but I have been an activist (of sorts) for many years. I am also a big girl, if someone was to attack me personally- it would rub me the wrong way and would have been more likely to send me right to the meat section just out of spite (not a reaction I would have been proud of mind you). I know several "heavy" veggies. Hormones, diet, health, and lifestyle do not all go hand in hand. For normal healthy people, for people who already have healthcare, and for people who have money to afford healthcare should the need arise it is fine to say that adopting a more healthful diet would make one lose weight and thus be healthier. But, in reality- one's health is not always realated to their diet. Our healthcare system is very broken and for people who have little or no money or who do not work for a company that offers healthcare- their diet means nothing when they are hit by a car or when disaster strikes and they can not be seen in a clean and reliable hospital/clinic. By respectfully asking him to go Veg, you could have seriously made him consider it. But by attacking him on a personal level- I bet the letter will end up where the letters from right wing extremists go- in a box waiting to be recycled.

Posted by: Nicci | June 22, 2007 11:56 PM

I just wanted to point out that Michael Moore is potentially quite the ally- during his British TV series, he WENT to a factory farm that abused chickens and showed how terrible the treatment was. He even had a chicken mascot and visited American legislators.

Michael is a great guy . . . with a touch more diplomacy I bet we could get him 100% on board.

Posted by: Rikki Shaw | June 23, 2007 12:05 AM

I am a supporter of PETA, but sorry, I do not agree with Ingrid's comments about Michael. Like Noelle and Maya, I feel there is no need for personal attack. Also, I've met vegetarians who are overweight!

Posted by: Sue | June 23, 2007 12:12 AM

Um...this is bizarre. I'm a big animal rights supporter and I donate regularly to PETA, but this attack on Michale Moore is totally unwarranted. Sure personal responsibility is important, and Moore has the financial means to "watch" his weight, but the health care system, like every other institution in the US, exists in such a way as to disadvantage poor people. It would be wonderful if everyone embraced a vegetarian diet, but when grocery stores in poor neighborhoods only carry low quality, high fat food, and the alternatives are located in wealthier suburbs, what are people to do? Personal responsibility can only play a role in people's health if the entire system is overhauled and treats people of all income brackets equally. Shame on you PETA for assuming that all people have equal access to diet and nutrition! It's this exact lack of equality that causes obesity and later on, inadequate health care!

Posted by: Sheri | June 23, 2007 12:25 AM

Thank God for Michael Moore! Thank God for anyone who has the courage to take on America's money-driven healthcare system. Our system is obsolete compared to many healthcare systems. Take for instance, Germany or Japan--where mainstream physicians treat patients with healthy foods, herbs and supplements--as well as medications. If Michael is overwieght, perhaps he is a victim of a society where we are hard-pressed to find to find fast food that is made from healthy products such as whole wheat or olive oil. Michael--please don't give up on PETA. They accomplish incredible benefits for the little ones with no voices. Michael--Thank you. God bless you and Keep up the good work.
Debbie S

Posted by: Debbie Sender | June 23, 2007 12:29 AM

MM knows he is overweight. Hey, we all have issues. I'm
glad that he looks into some of the big ones that affect us all!

Posted by: Janet | June 23, 2007 12:47 AM

- We activists are constantly reminded by PETA, that all our letters of opposition in response to animal cruelty and abuse, need to be respectful and polite as they would otherwise greatly hurt the animal causes we are fighting for.

Ingrid regretfully does not follow her own advise. We absolutely need Michael Moore to be on our side and become through his influence, a powerful voice for all animals.

I understand that Ingrid is frustrated. I have been an activist for over 10 years, and I know all about the sense of frustration and despair while fighting for the good and just causes ... but I always force myself to write civil letters.

A letter of apology to Michael Moore, would be the proper friendly gesture to do at this time. Many animal activists are overweight, but the size and compassion of their heart are even greater.

Steven.

Posted by: Steven Book-Lover | June 23, 2007 01:00 AM

I agree 100% with Maya. And Geoff, you are right about Michael being able to handle it because he's all grown up. However, just because someone can handle it, doesn't make it right. Regardless of whether or not a person can "take it" doesn't make it morally acceptable. It's the wrong way to get a message across. When a person or group is attacked, their response is to immediately shut down, no matter how rational the arguement is. It's human nature. If you want to make someone understand, explain it, not attack. It won't accomplish anything other then make all involved more frustrated and sometimes angry.

Posted by: Alissa | June 23, 2007 01:05 AM

There is a much better way to go about this....most likely, this will only advocate and fire the fuel behind the public's stereotype of fanatical and irrational peta members. A certain amount of tact could actually make this work and benefit the situation.

Posted by: sarah | June 23, 2007 01:07 AM

Even though I agree with the statement made, attacking his weight may not be the way. I know some overweight vegans who overindulge on sugar and vegan treats. Thier health is at risk by just being overweight themselves. Yes, adapting a vegetarian diet is a smart start to a healthy lifestyle, and indeed is a preventative measure, I don't think this letter will do anything but leave him angry at Peta.

Posted by: Daniele Valois | June 23, 2007 01:08 AM

This movie that Michael Moore made has absolutely nothing to do with his health. It's about the health of survivors in the attack on 911. This movie is about how corrupt our health-care system is in America, and how it doesn't give a damn about our people. It's all about profit. Why don't you look into the facts before you start preaching about something that has absolutely nothing to do with the subject matter.

Posted by: Courtney | June 23, 2007 01:28 AM

Michael Moore is seriously my hero...Unfortunately, nobody is perfect. I find it really very odd he is not a vegetarian? I think he does need to work on himself a bit. If not to spare the animals, to at least make and keep himself healthy, so he can be around as long as possible.
I did not like how Ingrid talked about Michael...but I do understand how disgusting it is for us vegetarians to contemplate those humans that devour their fellow creatures...It would be so wonderful if Michael crossed over to that spiritual point where he could see the reality of what eating meat really is...Wow! imagine the great films he could make...How cool would it be, if after, say he reformed, he could show himself as he is now in a film chomping down on a big cheese burger and would in the present be a tidy, attractive, physically fit genious, that he is, in a hot body...Michael, that would be the film of the century and Michael would have the last laugh on all those who have insulted him...We do love you Michael! Think about it! Glenda Larsen

Posted by: glenda larsen | June 23, 2007 01:31 AM

Great job, even if Michael Moore doesn't take the challenge this letter is bringing the attention of meat eating obese people to the benefits of vegetarian lifestyle.

Posted by: Tanel | June 23, 2007 01:36 AM

Many commented that Michael Moore's weight isn't our business, well, I disagree!! His weight will prematurely make him a liability to society through disease & disability.

I would also challenge Ingrid Newkirk to adopt a RAW VEGAN diet(if she hasn't already) as all of our genetic relatives do(Gorillas, etc). There are no models in the natural world of other non human primates who destroy the nutritional value of their food by COOKING IT!! Is it any wonder we are a species of SICKO's

Posted by: Chris Turner | June 23, 2007 01:54 AM

I really respect Ingrid Newkirk but what was said was out of line and uncalled for, how can we expect people to take peta seriously with comments like that. I feel those comments have set animal welfare back further. An apology is needed. Taking time to address animal issues is why I joined peta, not people issues and I am an overweight veg. I'm very upset that now because of those commments when I say belong to peta I wont be taken seriously and neither will the cause for animal rights, u must right this wrong. for the sake of the animals. Hopefully u have not offended people who were willing to join the fight.

Posted by: Erica | June 23, 2007 02:35 AM

Ingrid, I'm veg since 2002, and I'm fat. My body gets weight very easy, and the doctors don't understand why.
I'm veg, because I love animals, but say the elephant is you and other things for being fat, I'm totally dissapoint to you.
Of course, since I'm veg, I have lost a lot of weight, in three years I lost 30 kilos.
Diana from Spain.

Posted by: Di | June 23, 2007 02:44 AM

I have supported PETA for many years and will continue to do so...in spite of Ingrid's idiotic comments to/about Michael Moore.

I am a vegetarian and have been for over 20 years (having stopped eating red meat almost 30 years ago) and am overweight. Yes, it's possible, and I'm not the only one. I also do not purchase anything leather. I am proud of what I do for animals as I love and respect them.

A person's weight should NEVER enter into the equation and I feel very insulted. My first response was to vow never to support PETA again, but as a lover of animals, I will support the work that PETA does for animals in spite of my feelings toward Ingrid. This woman has done a lot of great work, but has now gone too far. And, if you are trying to encourage him (or others) to become vegetarian, you are using the WRONG approach. No one wants to be attacked!

And to attack Michael Moore of all people??? He is out there trying to make the world a better place. Leave the man alone and give him the respect he deserves.

I am an extremely upset an angered (and yes, overweight) vegetarian and I hope that Ingrid reconsiders the letter she wrote to Michael Moore. I hope that he either ignores the letter or has some intelligent response. Yes, for the animals I hope that he as well as all others become vegetarian, but this is NOT the way to accomplish that goal!

Posted by: Sheryl R Smith | June 23, 2007 02:54 AM

I think the same thing could have been said a lot nicer. I agree with PETA's mission but not with the personal attacks that are often used to try to get people to "see the light."

Posted by: Norma | June 23, 2007 03:08 AM

As I was reading this I thought that was a rude way of approaching Michael.

Posted by: Lynn S. | June 23, 2007 03:29 AM

Way to go Ingrid! Nothing is more effective than putting some one on the defensive so they never want to consider going Veg, right? Let alone wanting any association to PETA. What incredible shallowness you demonstrated. As a FAT Vegetarian PETA Member, I found your comments about obesity to be incredibly ignorant. The cause of obesity is not limited to simply eating meat. Nor is the solution to just stop eating meat, as much as I love animals and would equally love to discover the miraculous overnight cure to being FAT. The causes and remedies for being obese vary greatly from one person to another. Your comments were also stupidly elitist. Is this a click for skinny people only or a serious animal advocacy organization? PETA is not the only animal advocacy group in America. Other groups are happy to accept financial contributions from FAT people like me who resent supporting an organization that thinks I am inferior because I am not adhering to the 20% thinner than non-vegs policy. I could tell you to stop behaving like a blonde, but I choose to not alienate every blonde person out there by foolishly generalizing. Do all of us animal lovers a gigantic favor and stop projecting the image that all vegs/vegans are myopic loons. No one takes advice from such people, not about eating a vegetarian diet or any other issue that matters.

Posted by: Janet Rico | June 23, 2007 04:00 AM

Indeed Ingrid, prevention is always better than curing illness and an appropriate diet is of great importance. However, speaking as a clinical dietician, your argument is flawed, to suggest a vegetarian diet to people as the solution is deeply disturbing, suggesting that it will cure his weight. While meat can be harmful in excess, vegetables are useless in providing essential nutrients and minerals. Supplementation isn't required if eating red meat and fish, and is just ignorant to suggest a vegetarian/vegan diet to the elderly, pregnant, growing children, athletes and the ill, who require proper sources of nutrients.

Please rethink your approach that a binge vegetarian diet is the only solution, especially without the consultation of other medical professionals

Posted by: Dr Ben | June 23, 2007 04:12 AM

I can't believe Ingrid has issued an attack on Michael Moore's personal physical condition in the interest of encouraging him to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle——not only because the letter was so insulting, but because it echoes conservatives' jeers against Moore. The decision to become a vegetarian is a highly individualistic, ethical choice that involves an elevation of consciousness. One should never be shamed into it. At its most noble, vegetarianism embodies a love and respect for all creatures; attacking someone is not a good way to spread love and respect. Ms. Newkirk is right to encourage Mr. Moore to adopt a healthier diet, the healthiest diet of course being vegetarian, but vegetarianism is also not only about self-serving health needs; scientists do all sorts of awful things to animals in order to develop products that improve human health. It may seem easy to persuade people to become vegetarians in order to become healthier, but PETA's full mission is to raise awareness and protect animals; our mission will fall short if everyone in America goes vegetarian to get healthy but at the same time uses primates and other animals to lab test drugs that prolong life. Vegetarianism is the tip of the iceberg. What we need is a complete paradigm shift away from exploiting animals.

On a final note, Mr. Moore's film mainly deals with horrible accidents and long term health conditions that arise from factors outside a person's control. Attacking Mr. Moore personally only contributes to the noise his politically and economically motivated detractors will make in order to dismiss his urgent message. Conservatives have always jeered at Moore's weight to paint him as a loon or a slob. Although I understand her concerns and agree with them, I am sad that PETA's leader missed an opportunity to offer her support to Moore without shaming him.

Posted by: Kim Soderstrom | June 23, 2007 04:35 AM

Personally, I think Newkirk made a good point. However, I do agree that attacking Moore for being overweight was wrong. I too am a vegetarian (I do not consume dairy, eggs, and fish as well) and overweight. Assuming that switching to a vegetarian lifestyle will make you thin is a grave mistake, and more often than not, leads people to buy into horrific fad diets like Atkins because they believe a meat-free lifestyle failed them. The reason being is because you need to be active as a vegetarian. Personally, I think my reasons for gaining weight can be attributed to no exercise, a lot of computer programming, and having given up smoking. On top of that, I kind of munch on vegetables (like bean sprouts) as one would potato chips and I don't care when I eat, which doesn't help at 2am. The problem here is, Moore should consider vegetarianism, but that doesn't mean him eating meat justifies not fixing the very failed, practically privatized health care bureaucracy that is running most Americans into an early grave. Newkirk, keep at it, but take more time to think before acting. After all, to be truly ethical, one must be patient as well.

Posted by: Tim | June 23, 2007 05:19 AM

I have to agree with the overall sentiment of the comments made. While I see your point it is not really wise to go insulting someone in a bid for them to take up a cause. I support you guys and I have signed every petition that you have ever sent to me but this seems to be a faux pas that makes me quite uncomfortable. I'm sure Moore can take it but he certainly won't be supporting PETA.

Posted by: Keith L. | June 23, 2007 05:29 AM

Mr. Moore is not so much overweight from eating dead animals as from eating grains & cereals, ie anything made from white flour which is known to cause carbohydrate addiction, make the body shoot the fat storing hormone insulin & cause overwieght. ie eliminating bread/cakes/cookies/pasta etal and eating fruit, vegetables, cheese & eggs for those of us who eat dairy products, will cause the most rapid weight loss and feeling of well being. Plus, adding 3 tbsp of virgin coconut oil daily to the diet will insure weight loss. As an MCT it is surely the healthiest oil known to man....interesting no?
Cheers
Isabelle

Posted by: isabelle mikus-klemm | June 23, 2007 05:42 AM

Michael Moore's movie as otheres have said is not about his own health. Also as stated above....many people who have great weight, who might also be vegan or vegetarian may have genetic or rare conditions. These people need thousands of dollars of health care regardless of diet or being vegan. MOst are not getting what they need and a huge percentage of Americans have NO HEALTH INSURANCE whatsoever and this letter just seems petty, immature, mean and stupid to me quite honestly. As a PETA supporter I find this letter really WRONG. Here is someone who may finally be doing something to help all of us who need health care reform. I beleive Michael Moore can take this but I beleive more thought should go into future campaigns based on this.

Posted by: Yvonne | June 23, 2007 05:52 AM

I think Ingrid would better serve all of us if she use her not insignificant clout to persuade Michael Moore to do a movie exposing the horrendous cruelty to animals destined to be butchered. He can investigate the unfettered use of hormones to fatten up animals at the expense of the consumer's health. He can question why the USDA blocked voluntary testing for mad-cow disease. His next movie might be entitled "Animal Gitmo or Why we are all Sickos". We need someone of Moore's stature to bring these shocking truth to the public.

Posted by: Patrick Y. | June 23, 2007 05:54 AM

I've been a long time PETA supporter, but I do believe that this kind of personal attack really doesn't help. It's like saying any weight issue can be solved by going vegan, which is not true.
Sorry for my English, I'm French.

Posted by: Laurent | June 23, 2007 06:00 AM

to tell you guys, there are fat vegetarians,there are some people who are vegetarian and their body is just build to be big, dont make fun of them

Posted by: Anthony | June 23, 2007 06:01 AM

Well done Ingrid. It's time for Michael Moore to recognize that far far worse fates befall animals than humans. And eating meat, poultry and fish are an integral reason why. Moore should do a documentary on the appalling behaviour of humans to animals in abattoirs worldwide. It would mean that he would have to look at himself - can he?

Posted by: steve g | June 23, 2007 06:13 AM

The public relations equivalent of a "NO FAT CHICKS" bumper sticker.

Posted by: munzie | June 23, 2007 06:15 AM

I love PETA, I love being a member of this wonderful organisation and if there is anything in the world , appart from the world it's self that I feel enormous passion for it's animals and their welfare.

I think we assume people are a lot more open and a lot less ignorent by nature than they really are. Even people in this guys postion, a position above most. A position where he is able and willing to question who and what he wants.

PETA as an organistion push this message of vegetarianism on people and most peoples natural reaction is OFFENSE, who are we to tell anyone what they should and shouldnt be? Instead I FEEL, PERSONALLY, that we as an organization should be pushing the message of ETHICAL FARMING,
With the information we can give about the disgusting truth, then next thing playing on their minds, the next thing on their lips without even a whisper from us .......vegetarianism.

Posted by: Annabel | June 23, 2007 07:06 AM

I went vegitarian 6 months ago and I have gained 25 poounds. Yes it is healthier and I feel better but it is not a guarenteed way to lose weight.

Posted by: Mike in Erie PA | June 23, 2007 07:31 AM

I agree with Maya. I think attacking on weight is too much, and not in the style of Peta. Weight problems are not only by people who eats animals.
My vegetarian neighbour is very fat => Too much spaghetti, ice creams and sweets. Should I tell her to became vegan and care not to eat so much? Ok... maybe...;o)

Anyway, I think M.Moore is enough self-ironical and will stand up to this "blow".

Posted by: Patricia | June 23, 2007 07:34 AM

anything goes? i don't know... sending a letter to somebody telling him that he is fat is not very nice ... are there no overweight vegetarians? I think that is possible to be fat and vegetarian .... somany carbohidrates... it depends on your blood group... for 0 blood not eating meat is fattening... that's my case, i've been a vegetarian for 15 years and i'm about 15 pounds overweight...

i'm certainly not going to eat meat to solve that problem but it's a fact... some vegetarians are overweight especially if we don't excercise properly..

but meat i think is addictive, people are extremely dependent on their food habits, we don't need to eat meat or fish
but people do and become addicted... in the end it kills youalthough the real horror story for me is the animal suffering... that's what keeps me vegetarian: STOP THE ANIMAL SUFFERING...

But lets be careful with other peoples feelings, the words we speak must be impecable ... maybe an apology from ingrid would be nice... how does she feel about it? honestly?
with love to all creatures,
noel

Posted by: noel | June 23, 2007 07:42 AM

Wow .....Remember Bolwing for Columbine and 911, these films are the finest example of consious cinema ... Your remarks sadden me and I have to wonder what would prompt you to attack a visionary brother with such a mean spirited tone. He may not be perfect but casting this stone seem to me a unjust wrong.....Let it Be

Posted by: James | June 23, 2007 07:45 AM

I don't think Ingrid should have to apologize, when someone like Moore expresses their opinions so bluntly, as he does, they should expect to have things said to or about them as well. You run your mouth knowing that you are angering 50% of the people in this country, you have to expect to get some negative feedback.

Posted by: Tesla | June 23, 2007 08:20 AM

It is possible to make a statement without being insensitive. Ingrids comments were totally tactless and if i was Mr Moore i would totally ignore her comments as they were inappropriate and sheds a poor light on her cause and pressure group.

Posted by: Laurence | June 23, 2007 08:22 AM

Michael Moore is notorious for "do what i say, not what I do". From every area he has uncovered he has vbought stock where possible.

Posted by: Bruce | June 23, 2007 08:46 AM

Michael Moore always tells it like it is (the truth) - even to the extreme, without worrying about who he might be insulting. Ingird Newkirk is telling it like it is to Michael Moore. She is wisely dealing with him (the truth) towards his own level - and I'm sure a person of his character doesn't have a problem with that - and it will provoke him more into action rather than nicey-nice, which sometimes gives the impression of being too weak in one's stance. In other words, if Michael Moore was nicey-nice, who would listen to him?
If M.M. goes on a 30-day veggie diet, good move Ingrid! It could lead to him being an outspoken person for animal justice.

Posted by: Ariel | June 23, 2007 08:47 AM

Yes, I am sure that Michael Moore can take it, but still...I would like to just point out that people need to be compassionate...YES...but to each OTHER, as well as to the animals! I am going to use myself as an example: I am a large woman...and yes..I AM FAT. If you were all to see me today at 250 pounds...I am sure that Ingrid Newkirk would respond the same to ME as she has with Michael Moore. BUT...the difference is...You don't know my story. And I get a lot of that...snap judgements at first sight. What you don't know is that I have now been a Veggie for 6 years...and a Vegan for about 3 years. I have also lost a total of about 160 pounds!! I changed my diet because of the animals..but I have have benefitted greatly. I am living proof that a Veggie diet..and even MORE so...being VEGAN...will improve your health and help you to lose weight. So my point is...judgement at first sight is NOT GOOD. I have more weight to lose..and I am well aware...but it really hurts to have other Vegans and Vegetarians judge me and think to themselves...(OR OUTLOUD),"YOU are a VEGAN?!?!?!?" Well YES I am...and there is less suffering in the world because of it. And that is what REALLY MATTERS...but please..think twice before you hurt someone else. Being obese is an eating disorder. I doubt that she or other people would be so quick to be cruel if they were talking to someone who is anorexic or bullemic.

I hope he changes his diet...he would be great to work on a piece uncovering the exploitation of animals in the vivisection industry and other industries...

(SIDE COMMENT: FAST FOOD NATION was WONDERFUL!!!)

Love to all...for the animals...GRETCHEN xo

Posted by: Gretchen Littlefield | June 23, 2007 08:49 AM

Ingrid has (probably) been a vegan for so long she naturally talks to a person from a far away perspective in a very sincere far away way.

Here letter is one way for young veggie-folk to begin to understand how to get back to the reality of treating people as human beings, not distant icky things that can't think they're way out of a pond, I did say pond.

Since I gain weight by merely sniffing the aroma of certain baked goods... I would have taken the choice word of 'elephant' to heart. Had Ingrid said something else, I'd feel she was just parroting what other 'skinny' people say, and from a 'snotty' point of view. And, if Michael cares about animals...he'd enjoy the bond offered by a Vegan to an Omnivore as a kind of 'tie that binds us' rather than anything unkind.

Moore, by the way, is an AVID meat eater. I once questioned him, via his site, unfortunately maybe not the best way to actually get a real message back from him, and he wrote, supposedly, right back touting that he was a meat n potatoes man.

Oh, well. Maybe in his world of burning flesh, his senses might have been singed a tad, and it might have taken him a day or two to realize the ceremonial peace wreath offering.
IMO

Posted by: Eric Ekstrom | June 23, 2007 08:50 AM

Remember, you can get more flies with honey (or a vegan substitute such as Agave nectar)!

Posted by: Kat | June 23, 2007 08:51 AM

Hey, take it easy Ingrid!
This is not the way to convince someone to become vegetarian. Stop cruelty against animal is an war but make people vegetarian is not!
Michael Moore has a great carisma worldwide and could be a good partner of PETA so lets build bridges!

Posted by: Rodrigo Santos | June 23, 2007 09:02 AM

I wrote something last night, it is not up yet, it may never be posted.If you do a search of Michael Moore and PETA, he has done several articles about PETA(all being positive). I think he could be a very good friend than foe. As far as thinking he more than likely will not care about this letter. The movie Roger and me started as a small piece on PBS, the way they treated him( blew him off and did not think he had any standing or no one would listen) and he saw how things where done turned into that documentary.He pays attention and maybe a retraction letter being a tad more kind and an apologize on behalf of some members(seems that many of us do not agree with the letter) it makes us feel and look bad. Which PETA got away from in the past.I support PETA but do not want to be attached to this letter.

Posted by: amie | June 23, 2007 09:03 AM

Ingrid could have been MUCH more effective if she'd asked Michael Moore to do a film on the meat industry, factory farming, etc. than to attack his weight personally. Why assume that all overweight people are meat-eaters? I am a vegetarian, have been for almost 20 years and I am overweight. It's a sensitive issue and hard for many of us to overcome. Be careful not to discriminate against your overweight supporters!

Posted by: Lauri | June 23, 2007 09:10 AM

It seems that there's racism, sexism, speciesism AND weightism. The blogger's characterization is insulting and Ingrid's letter is, at best, condescending and not the kind of message that will best help people turn vegetarian. In fact, it's the kind of letter that turns people OFF of the vegan/vegetarian message.
I was very surprised at the tone of that letter from someone who is usually so tactful, thoughtful and kind.

Posted by: Susannah | June 23, 2007 09:14 AM

Dear Ingrid
Thanks for saying it like it is. Just look around you today, many people stumbling through life like sheep believing whatever the feds say is ok. Being nice to people like Moore is a wast of time, keep up the good work.
Thanks Jeff

Posted by: Jeff Schukow | June 23, 2007 09:27 AM

Michael Moore is a self serving lying pig.

Posted by: Mac | June 23, 2007 09:40 AM

Agreed, Michael Moore is calling the kettle black fighting with the health industry. Society has turned to pills for help and not even more than a cursory glance as a plant based diet and nothing animal based as being benefical for health. It goes beyond being called a 'liberal' for. How can one classify something as letting all living creatures carry on with dignity and watching out for an enviornment we all share regardless of political affiliations?

Posted by: Kristin | June 23, 2007 09:41 AM

My only concern is that Ingrid's letter downplays just a wee bit the state of our disastrous healthcare system. While everyone has a personal responsibility to eat as well as possible (and a large part of that means adapting a vegan diet), this in no way takes the responsibility away from corporations to stop their monstrous insurance scams and lack of reliability. The government has a responsibility to take care of its people and I wouldn't want to downplay that fact even though animal activism is of paramount importance too. I wish we could find better ways to work on these issues collaboratively instead of dissecting them and pulling people and importance issues apart. I don't think Ingrid's letter is unforgivable or outrageous, but I do think better tactics are in order. I support universal healthcare coverage and I support animal rights. Let's not pit one against the other.

Posted by: Marisa Hayes | June 23, 2007 09:45 AM

Just in case anyone reading this doesn't know. Ingrid is not calling him 'an elephant'. "An elephant in the room" is an English idiom for an obvious truth that is being ignored.

Posted by: Timothy Nyman | June 23, 2007 09:46 AM

But, I do think Ingrid's letter is in perfect taste and makes complete sense. Not rude at all. It's a bit of an oxymoron having an obese man scream about the health industry.

Posted by: kristin | June 23, 2007 09:50 AM

as a long time vegetarian and activist, i'm sorry to say i disagree with ingrid's actions.

it's a clear example of how too many animal rights activists are completely clueless when it comes to socioeconomic issues (race, class, gender, etc.). for them, animal rights trump every other 'injustice' in the world (in this case, the american health care industry where the poor and non-white continue to feel the brunt of the burden). don't get me wrong, i'm still quite the advocate of animal rights, but it's a shame peta wastes its energy on trying to win campaigns that only give fuel to the detractors that say animal rights activists are just a bunch of self-righteous, privileged (going vegetarian isn't as easy for the poor or disenfranchised, after all) whinos out of touch with reality. i don't believe this but ingrid's actions certainly don't make our fight any easier.

this time, peta, i'm sorry i disagree.

Posted by: alex | June 23, 2007 10:07 AM

I have to agree with Maya. I am constantly defending PETA and the many urban legands surrounding this organization. I would love to see everyone adapt a cruelty free diet but attacking someone is not the way to go about it. I'm sure this recent letter from Ingrid will be the talk of many forums as another reason to blast PETA.
Michael Moore could be an excellent contact for us, a film about factory farms was mentioned - how about a puppy mill expose? We should have made nice...

Posted by: Ruthanne | June 23, 2007 10:16 AM

Michael Moore has stated in several interviews that he felt hypocritical for being overweight and doing this movie. He has already lost weight because of it. I am very disappointed that PETA has attacked him personally.

Posted by: aer | June 23, 2007 10:17 AM

Dear Ingrid,

I did not think the letter you sent to Michael Moore was appropriate, nor the intro to this letter in which Mr. Moore is namecalled.

I think this probably has pushed him away from being a vegetarian if anything. 'Reminds me of how sometimes Christian Evangelicals can be so pushy and turn people off completely. If we want people to become vegetarians, we have to lead by example with respect to others.

I know i didn't become a vegetarian by someone name calling me "fat." This adds to a possible depression issue, and definitely would have made me go and eat an icecream sandwich!!

Please take it down and post an appology promptly.

Grrrrs to you "animal friend!"

Sincerely,

Shannon Holt.

Posted by: Shannon Holt | June 23, 2007 10:23 AM

I disagree with Maya. Sure it may have been hurtful, but it's not like Michael Moore was not hurtful to George Bush in the 9/11 documentary. Besides, if he had just received a letter along the lines of Maya's suggestions, he would have probably have just ignored it. This 'harshness' will, i'm sure, make an impact on Moore.

Posted by: Sarie | June 23, 2007 10:24 AM

Moore is very anti-Peta, and anti-vegetarianism, so I am interested in how this works out.

Posted by: Courtney | June 23, 2007 10:26 AM

ummmm I have been vegetarian since I was 2 years old thanks to my parents, but I am far from being skinny. Just because someone is vegetarian doesn't automatically make them become a stick figure. I definitely agree that everyone should be vegetarian for health and ethical reasons (and come on who wants rotting carcass in their colon....gross) but attacking peoples weight is not the way to do it. There are plenty of happy chubby vegetarians.

Posted by: Victoria | June 23, 2007 10:31 AM

I have to agree with Maya on this one.
The world today is sorely lacking wise, compassionate dialogue. When we attack others, either verbally or physically, we don't allow the space for this to happen, and moreover, people will usually react defensively.
Wisdom and compassion, like 2 wings of a bird. Without them, the bird can't fly.
In Metta,
Thubten Munsel

Posted by: Thubten Munsel | June 23, 2007 10:43 AM

Wow. Ingrid was way off and way out of line. It was totally rude to blatantly call Mr. Moore an elephant and very pretentious to suggest a vegetarian diet. Bad move. And for the record, in an interview about his movie, Mr. Moore discussed his own health issues and declared his hypocrisy-and then explained the new lifestyle he has adopted which contains a healthier way of eating and a workout regiment. Next time, go a little bit easier on a guy, Ingrid.

Posted by: Camryn | June 23, 2007 10:43 AM

I am a fan of Ingrid and I truly admire the work she does with Peta. But this time I think she made a major ''faux pas'' by agressively attacking a guy like Michael Moore (who also tries to fight injustice through his work). A softer and kinder approach could have made him curious about vegetarianism and animal rights. This is the kind of guy who could really open peoples' minds about the way animals are treated in the meat industry if he made a movie about it. Insulting him about his weight and calling him ''fat'' will probably make him think that Peta people are extremist freaks and this will NOT help animals at all. The guy is the hottest documentary film maker in the industry and his movies are seen by millions all around the world.He's the kind of guy you better have as a friend instead of enemy.

***sending him the short film ''meat your meat'' would have been a much better way to reach the guy,for he doesn't seem to be an insensitive person at all.

Posted by: stéphane | June 23, 2007 10:48 AM

Ms Ingrid's comments are not only hurtful and ridiculas, they show a lack of breeding and class! It once again shows that in this country, you could invent a cure for cancer, but if your fat? Nobody would give a damn! All's that would be pointed out once again that you are fat. And therefore, your contributions are meaningless! Much as I love PETA and believe in the cause and all that they have done, there constant fight for vegetarianism is like telling kids to 'just say no' to drugs! People just go "yeah yeah yeah!" The meat industry is never going to stop killing animals, and the world is not going to become vegetarians! Constantly pushing it just does no good at all! BETTER YET, FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF FARM ANIMALS TO HAVE A GOOD, CLEAN LIFE WHILE THEY ARE ALIVE AND TO DIE HUMANELY AND IN AS COMPASSIONATE WAY AS POSSIBLE! The way animals are treated just because they are going to slaughter is just HORRIBLE! PETA should focus on laws to better those poor little souls lives and make them follow these laws or be punished! Cows and pigs should have the sky above them, grass below their feet! They should be humanely slaughtered in a way that causes the least amount of stress possible! IT IS THE VERY LEAST WE CAN DO TO THESE PURE SOULS WHO GIVE SO MUCH TO US ALL!

Posted by: Peggie | June 23, 2007 10:50 AM

Ingrid
I do not think the letter you sent was appropriate. Health care is a real problem here in the United States and attacking someone that is trying to get a message out about the suffering people go through on this issue is irresponsible. I promote a vegetarian/vegan diet but keep focused on the real issue of animal cruelty as opposed to attacking someone who is trying to help people. I think you should apologize.
Sincerely
Sarah

Posted by: Sarah | June 23, 2007 10:59 AM

I do think that this letter was inappropriate and in bad taste to attack Michael Moore's weight. I think the message could be more effective if Ingrid had discussed all the reasons why going vegetarian is beneficial, not only for health but for the environment, and the cruelty to animals. I think that this also would effect Moore's point of view, since he likes to think on a global level.
I hope Ingrid sends a second letter with more facts, if I was Moore and I received the letter I would have thought it was a rude way of saying I need to lose weight. I feel that the most impactful way of proving to a meat eater to change their diet is to show the inhumane and unsanitary ways their meat is coming to them.
I hope this conversation continues, and Moore takes on the meat industry.

Posted by: A | June 23, 2007 11:02 AM

I agree that it is not a good idea to attack Mr. Moore's weight. Just mention the numerous health benefits of vegetarianism. I know Ingrid may have just wanted to give him a wake up call, but there is a Shaolin saying, "Avoid rather than check." If he is too upset to read about the health benefits because he is upset from the personal attack, then what was the point of even writing him?

Posted by: Kristin Bush | June 23, 2007 11:15 AM

Yes it hurts when someone calls you an elephant especially if you don't have high self esteem, but I don't think Michael Moore has low self esteem and if hes working on his weight then he will benifit from conquering his challenges. We all have to do the same. Yes we need to be kind and courteous and treat others the way we want to be treated - and I'm sure Ingrid can take criticism as well. The Peta organization is doing a fabulous job helping the animals in this world and educating all of us to the dangers that we face in our food choices and the environment. Hurrah! to you all for a job well done and also to Michael for his outstanding work to bring the "other" side to everyone's attention.

Posted by: pamela | June 23, 2007 11:22 AM

Michael tells others what they are doing is wrong so I think it is ok to tell him he is killing himself by being so fat and eating entire animals.

Posted by: marina moss | June 23, 2007 11:33 AM

I agree with all of those who say that Ingrid was way out of line attacking Michael Moore for his size. I don't know if it has occurred to Ingrid and her supporters that Moore, like many Americans, may be suffering from more than an over indulgence in meat. (And by the way, I know a lot of FAT vegetarians too! Going meatless does not automatically make you thin any more than eating a modest meat diet automatically makes you fat!) Many maladies - like thyroid disease for one - can contribute to weight gain, and there is increasing evidence that a lot of the artificial additives in the American diet (which have nothing to do with meat) are major factors in all sorts of health problems, so the "getting healthy by being a vegetarian" is really too obviously a ploy.

Essentially we're talking apples and oranges here. Michael Moore may be over weight and perhaps even unhealthy, but unless he decides to change his personal lifestyle to include a lot of exercise and a healthy diet (with or without meat included) taking the "30 Day Veg Pledge" is a silly waste of time. His size and his lifestyle choices are his own business. OUR business should be to protect animals and to promote a kinder and more considerate world. (You really blew your responsibility to that latter ideal on this one Ingrid!) I think you should apologize to Mr. Moore for sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong, and while you're at it you might also include a few words of apology to PETA supporters everywhere for giving the right wing extremists (like Rush Limbaugh - whom I am sure will be having a field day with this one) yet more ammo to use against us all. If we start demanding that everyone eat vegetarian and get thin, they will be right to call us a bunch of eco-nazis!!!

Posted by: Deborah Stephenson | June 23, 2007 11:39 AM

Michael Moore is an arrogant fat man, and he mocks anyone with concerns for animals. He has stated that he finds the notion of "animal rights" idiotic, with chosen offensive words for those that work for them. He also put down the film "Supersize Me" and addressed Morgan Spurlock, the director/star of the documentary, to insult his intelligence for "wasting" time on exposing the fast food industry (likely because his diet must largely be provided by this industry). In the same torrent of vitriol, he also referred to the director's partner, the vegan chef featured in the film, as his "anorexic" girlfriend.
It is within Ms Newkirk's just rights to use tactless language in addessing him, as he mocks her life's work and all animal advocates. Beyond that, any one individual's hypocrisy should always be a fair target.

Posted by: Rafael Fontes | June 23, 2007 11:41 AM

Um wow. I would like to believe that PETA would be one of the cruelty free organizations that could evolve past playground taunting. There is no excuse for calling someone an "elephant". If we want people to be vegan or veggaterian being mean to them is not the way to go about it. Mr. Moore has done many great things for us and our society by exposing the truth. If it wasnt for his movies majority of us wouldnt know the truth about our government and how theyre lying to us about so many things. Yes, most of the intelligent people already knew, but he gave the proof to people who wouldnt have known other wise.

When you want someone to go veggaterian, the way i've found works best is to gently tell the person some small facts. You wouldnt walk up to a man in a mall food court eating a burger and go "Hey fatty! If you stopped stuffing your face with dead animals and ate some tofu instead maybe you wouldnt look so gross. What do ya say Jaba?" It's rude to point out someones weight. Maybe Mr. Moore has a thyroid problem for all we know.

None the less, if we all as PETA members want to change the world for a better place we need use ways that will actually want people to go veggaterian and vegan. Cruelty free means cruelty free, and I think that should apply to fellow humans as well.

Posted by: Thai | June 23, 2007 11:44 AM

I agree with Maya. No need for personal attack. How about enlisting, engaging, attracting, rather than condemming? It's more effective in the long run. I would like to be part of an animal rights culture that is magnetic.

Posted by: Sidny | June 23, 2007 12:32 PM

Realistically, Michael Moore is probably overweight due to eating too many simple carbs & not exercising. You can lose weight on a diet that contains predominantly meat & complex carbs. One should want to become vegetarian to save animals- AND become more healthy.If he's not motivated to become vegetarian for those reasons, I don't think your letter will have much impact. As for criticizing Michael Moore- if he can't take it, he shouldn't dish it out, & he has no problem doing that to others- in a big way.

Posted by: kathy edmonston | June 23, 2007 12:40 PM

I have to agree with Maya on this one. Michael Moore may be many things but he does speak out on controversial issues and people do at least listen. He might not have been a bad guy to have in our corner.

Posted by: Sara Koehn | June 23, 2007 12:42 PM

Are you kidding me???????MM is a genious. a voice for the people who do not have one. Why on earth would you pick on someone who is making the world a better place.......being a vegetarian doesn't make you thin......this world has got to be kinder....PETA is a voice for the treatment of animals and MM is a voice for the people who need one.....PEACE just a little PEACE in this world PLEASE

Posted by: K | June 23, 2007 12:50 PM

I am a supporter of PETA and a vegetarian - in fact I'm vegan - I exercise everyday, and guess what? I'm overweight. Weight issues are, among other things, about portion control, something which I haven't been able to fully master. I think the whole "if you were vegetarian, you'd be skinny" argument is false and foolish and I wish PETA would stop pushing it. I support PETA because PETA is necessary. Animals need protection. But every time you guys throw out the "if you were vegetarian, you'd be skinny" argument, I feel you are insulting me personally, and I don't like it, and it momentarily makes me wonder why I support you. Please stop flogging this foolish argument. Please realize that even though some of us ARE doing the right thing by animals, and doing the right thing by PETA, we also aren't runway thin. Thanks.

Posted by: Suzanne Schmidt | June 23, 2007 01:01 PM

wtf

Posted by: jessica | June 23, 2007 01:05 PM

Wow. As a spokesperson for COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE, you really let us down Ingrid. How can you care so much about animals and treat another human being with so much contempt? I am disappointed with your letter and found it rude and shocking. There was no need to attack,nor is there any need to judge others by looking at their weight. There are deep rooted issues for people struggling with their weight, it's not as simple as "Shame on you, you eat meat so you're fat."
How cold and judgemental.
How about a kind and caring approach and leading by healthy example and the cold hard facts about farm animal conditions. To a man like Mr.Moore, I'm sure the facts would speak much louder than your insults. On behalf of truely compassionate vegetarians, I would like to apologize to Mr. Moore for your misrepresentation.

Posted by: Cathy | June 23, 2007 01:05 PM

How about just putting down the cupcakes? There's a start. I can't take a movie about healthcare seriously from someone that overweight.

Posted by: Amy | June 23, 2007 01:07 PM

Although being skinny and healthier mostly go hand and hand and, although being vegetarian usually goes hand in hand with being skinny thus healthy, this is no necessary golden rule. In any case, Michael Moore is admirable for having the guts to say what not everybody says and definitely, needs to be said. Whatever he chooses as a personal habit, it is really up to him. You can, of course, give him a cordial advice, but nothing more. Attacking a person that is trying, effectively or not (I hope effectively!) to defend your rights, putting in evidences huge failures in the American system, at every level (as also explicated in other films of his), failures that are, ultimately CAUSE of most of ecological disaster, massive killing of natural resources, i.e. animals. Ingrid, you should be grateful for having such an open mind, and not an obedient press reporter that says what the establishment indicates that has to be said. What if he is fat! HELP HIM instead of ATTACK him. GO MICHAEL!!!!

Posted by: Maria Basualdo | June 23, 2007 01:09 PM

okay I'll put it straight: I'm vegan, I'm a diehard animal rights activist, I get involved in every bit of activism that I possibly can. But come on, seriously... this is absolutely ridiculous.
I agree wholeheartedly with Maya, this could have been executed in a much more diplomatic manner, in a way that would actually get the message across! Don't get me wrong, sometimes you NEED to be out there and be radical to make your point heard, but in order to make the general public and mainstream figures like Mr. Moore listen to you, some decency has to be kept into consideration.
Also, he HAS admitted to take steps towards helping himself... whether or not he'll follow up with that promise, who knows, but give the man a chance...
so that being said, Ingrid, this isn't a fight you're going to win if you put your fisticuffs up like this.

Posted by: Rob | June 23, 2007 01:14 PM

Please, stop insulting ELEPHANTS, those magnificent VEGAN animals, comparing them to Michael Moore

Posted by: RICARDO A. HILL | June 23, 2007 01:30 PM

He's murdering and eating my friends, until he stops the madness insult him all you want. He should do an expose' on the cruelty to animals in this country to really get a rise out of politicians etc.

Posted by: Janet Fink | June 23, 2007 01:44 PM

WOW what an idiot! Im assuming he didnt gain the weight from eating dead animals, more likely eating too many carbs and not exercising them away. Many many vegans eat pasta, rice etc and are FAT, sorry but this is A FACT.
Boy is that chicken on the spit gonna taste good for dinner!!! GOD made everything for a purpose its in the bible~read it!!

Posted by: Kathie | June 23, 2007 01:57 PM

Since a huge percentage of Americans have no health coverage at all & a huge percentage of same are oversweight, how mnay of you would agree to raise the local VAT, state tax on products we buy to finance US Health Care?
This is how Germany & France are hoping to get their health care systems out of the red. Germany is on the way while the French are still in discussion stages about raising VAT which is presently 19.6% on everything including food to 21.6% or more. Denmark has the highest VAT between 25 & 27% on everything...other northern countries are not far behind with 23 & 24%.
In the USA VAT is quite low with NY & CA being the highest at around 8.5% or just a bit more.
What do you think? How many of you on this forum have healthcare?? Just curious since that is what Michael Moore aims to point out in SICKO...

Posted by: isabelle mikus-klemm | June 23, 2007 02:00 PM

I sent the following message using my full real name around 6 PM last night, and it was never posted. Please post it because I feel very strongly about this:

I'm a vegetarian, not a vegan. I generally support PETA's efforts, and I personally try to contribute to the welfare of animals. But PETA is just too heavy-handed sometimes. Michael Moore, through his films, has worked very hard to enlighten people and effect social change, and he does it in a very smart way--by entertaining people at the same time. I don't care if he's 500 pounds--he's a hero. It takes a lot of courage to speak out the way he does and to do the risky things that he does to make a point in his films. People should never be personally attacked, especially for things that it might be difficult for them to change or control. Losing weight is very difficult for most people, even after they've switched to a healthy diet. It is unfair to suggest that he is a hypocrite. This is similar to attacking Al Gore becuase he uses a lot of fossil fuels in his personal life. Al Gore's energy footprint could be 1000 times bigger than mine, but his impact on social change is astronomical compared to mine or to that of most people visiting this website. Let him have his lear jet flights--he travels around the world for a good cause. PETA needs to stop attacking people and needs to stop expecting all people to become vegans overnight. Change takes place slowly, and by attacking people and putting high demands on them you only alienate them and fail to effectively produce social change. These kinds of stunts make it very difficult for people to support PETA, and they diminish the respectability and credibility of the organization. The animals deserve better advocacy, and that’s who we’re here for, for the animals.

And I will only add to what I sent yesterday that it is ironic that right below the picture of Michael Moore on the Weekly E-News, you have a photo of a rather Rubenesque woman promoting "savvy summertime tips." A PETA staffer, maybe?
And don't assume that Micahel Moore "can take it." I saw him on Letterman, and he was wearing all black (obviously to look slimmer), and for a celebrity he seemed very self-conscious and uncomfortable in his own body. That's not something to laugh at.

Posted by: Paula Orlando | June 23, 2007 02:02 PM

Well..I do appreciate the few supporters of those of us who ARE Vegan...but still struggle with our weight. I do know that Michael Moore is NOT a Vegetarian, but thanks to some of you for realizing my point. I just wanted to say, too, that read again...as another poster said...Ingrid is NOT calling MM an elephant....she is using a saying...kinda like "the Emperor who wore no clothes"...something like that. And yes..don't be speciesist either!! Elephants are BEAUTIFUL animals...and they are NOT FAT....that is a very old and prejudicial phrase...just like "dirty pig" which PIGS are NOT dirty in a natural environment...and once again...FAT PEOPLE...are not just ignorant slobs....it is a disease and an addiction. And it is, indeed, an epidemic that needs serious consideration. And calling someone FAT and degrading them is NOT going help AT ALL!!! And Michael Moore isn't the first person to discover the state of this country's health care system...so why would you say it's hard to take him seriously because he is FAT?!?!?! LOOK AROUND!!! GEEZ!!!

SO WISE UP...and be compassionate...to ALL...SO MANY narrow minded people!!!

Posted by: Gretchen Littlefield | June 23, 2007 02:19 PM

I think Ingrid should be applauded and her point is well made. I'm sick of people acting like obesity is something that happens to people, like a tree falling on their house, and not something they've chosen to afflict themselves and the rest of society with. Aside from vegetarian issues, I think its shameful that in a world with so many people, and especially children, starving to death that people would consume so much more than their fair share of the food we do have... and, of course, the unecessary consumption of animals added to that makes it even worse. I whole heartedly agree that if Mr. Moore didn't spend so much money at fast food meat joints and otherwise supporting factory farming and so on, he might do even more good than his films on their own...

Posted by: Brad | June 23, 2007 02:38 PM

o..kay! Now that everyone's done shredding Ingrid apart we can try to remember that we are are all HUMAN incl Michal Moore and Ingrid Newkirk. They are not perfect so it would helpful to be encouraging for the both of them to make positive changes in their lives.

Posted by: Melissa | June 23, 2007 02:40 PM

Although veggiefood is a great step to a healthier life it isn´t everything. I can´t say if MM weight is a result of too many Supersized meals or not but I can say that a great deal of diseases and healthproblems are a result of your familys genes.From the comments above it sounds like if you just go vegan /veggie you will live forever and never catch a cold (and get that Barbiebody!)

Posted by: pWCPH | June 23, 2007 04:12 PM

Just to say that I wholeheartedly agree with what most people have said on here, that this could have been done in a much more diplomatic, sensitive way. I am not a vegetarian, but I believe that all animals, whether destined for slaughter or not have the right to be treated well and have a good quality of life while they are alive. Having said that, I must mention something that PETA is advocating that really worries and disturbs me, the conversion of cats to vegetarianism. Like it or not people, cats are designed by nature to be carnivores, and I don't believe that there's anything "ethical" in forcing them to eat a diet which is completely unnatural to them. Sorry to go a bit off topic, but this subject really does disturb me, I think it's really, really wrong.

Posted by: susan | June 23, 2007 04:44 PM

I must say, while I believe that Ingrid does great work, she could have been more tactful. When you do things like insult someone publicly, you tend to alienate more people than you attract. Further more, there are a lot of contributing factors to obesity; being overweight and an unhealthy diet, do not always go hand in hand. I think PETA owes Micheal and a lot of overweight people an appology.

Posted by: priscilla | June 23, 2007 04:57 PM

Ingrid's letter could have been a little more tactful...
Also, blaming obesity on meat-eating is very presumptuous. Certainly, consumption of animal products causes health problems; however, even a vegan can be very overweight. I am proof of this.

Posted by: Sam | June 23, 2007 04:58 PM

I think the letter was very inappropriate. A general message to Michael explaining why diet is a factor would have been much more effective than a personal attack on him. I've often wished Michael Moore would make a documentary about the way animals are abused and mistreated. He is obviously a person with a heart. He is someone Peta should want in their corner. Now you've just pushed him further away. I would retract the statement, apologize, and try to educate him in a friendly way about vegetarian diet and animal welfare.

Posted by: RMdevotion | June 23, 2007 05:03 PM

Michael Moore's film are greats and i don't think he deserves to be personnaly attacked. To suggest him to try a healthy vegediet would be a good advise. Nothing more !

Posted by: Lyne | June 23, 2007 05:17 PM

I have a feeling the only people that think Ingrid's comments were rude are those who are overweight. Being overweight is irresponsible and a major cause of death and sickness. It is not like your eye color or shoe size which you cannot change.

Posted by: Wendy | June 23, 2007 05:21 PM

Ingrid should have been more professional about her approach. If you told me I had no right to talk about health care cause my own health was compromised by obesity, i would have told you to mind your own business. PETA is already seen like an extremist organization with shaky professionalism, in order to change that prospective its members, specially those higher in rank, should be more respectful. Ingrid, I love your work for the animals but this letter was insulting and unprofessional.

Posted by: Nathaly | June 23, 2007 05:51 PM

Like many, I agree that Ingrid's comments on Moore's weight were rude and unnecessary. I would never say to a friend "Hey I don't know if you noticed, but you are really fat...like Elephant fat. Ya know if you went veg you wouldn't be so elephant like." (Note: elephants are the largest land mammals on earth, with a mass equivalent to that of 3 cars, averaging around 10,000lbs during adulthood. That being said, I think this comparison is ridiculous and quite tacky. This letter would much better be received if it left out all the buttered up insults and claims of hypocrisies, and just got the point, talked about the amazing benefits of a vegetarian diet, and asked him nicely to consider. I feel an apology letter should be written. Yes, Michael is a pretty tough guy, but that doesn't mean he wasn't offended. People often don't realize the impact words can have on someone. and attempting to insult or shame someone into making a decision like going veg is absolutely pitiful. The proper, classy thing to do would be to just clear things up, apologize for the tone of the letter, and any offense that may have been taken. And if she wants to she can even try pitching the idea again. After reading her apology he is likely to be more open to what she has to say. She should explain that she didn't intend to come off as rude, but some times her passion for this lifestyle and its benefits get the best of her; and that she is just so sure that this would work for him that she may have got a bit out of hand trying to convince him of it. Sounds good to me.

Oh and PS: I think a lot people are a bit confused as to exactly what this documentary is actually about. Moore is bringing to attention health care systems manipulation and abandonment of those who have been blindly giving up money to the health insurance industry for much of their lives. We are supposed to be such a great world power, but countries like Cuba which we have deemed "third world" have much better health care systems than the U.S: its fast, its excellent care, and its free. And the industry is trying to keep this fact hidden. I mean, this isn't just about diet and exercise. This affects everyone. Everyday people, overweight & skinny, young & old, meat eaters & vegs, have to go through hell and back just to be treated for something as simple as a broken bone, even with health insurance. Leading a healthy lifestyle is a great start, but the problem in no way shape or form ends there. To all who have not yet seen it, check it out. It'll be available in theaters next week.

Posted by: Jacqueline | June 23, 2007 06:01 PM

As a PETA member I can appreciate Ingrid's plea to Michael Moore to take responsiblity for his own health by going veg.

I'm not crazy about the fact that she needed to point out that he was the "elephant in the room" in contrast to the message he makes in his movie.

We have a lot of "elephants" in this country for one reason or another. And the obesity problems continues to get worse.

But no matter who you are or what you weigh you are still a human being who deserves compassion. As much compassion as we have for the animals who we strive to protect.

Now having compassion for someone DOES NOT mean that we accept their behavior and here is where Ingrid is "right on" about personal accountability.

We all have choices, no matter what. And if we don't like a choice we make, we can choose again.

I wish when Ingrid wrote to Michael she would have strongly suggested the subject of his next film - "animal rights and liberation."

Now that is where this powerful "elephant" could really make his mark and strike a blow for our cause.

Posted by: Rob Raucci | June 23, 2007 06:07 PM

why doesn't peta encouarge micheal moore to do a film about the abuses in the meat industry-he'd do a brilliant job. i think it could get him an oscar!go on INgrid tlak to him about a documentary

Posted by: clairecraig1@hotmail.com | June 23, 2007 06:09 PM

This is my second post here--the first one hasn't posted, so this one likely won't either...

I am not overweight by any means--by American standards, I'm almost underweight. The majority of my family has health issues that directly stem from poor dietary choices, and from being overweight. So trust me when I say that I know firsthand that the price of unhealthy eating habits (note that I didn't say being overweight) can be steep.

And I would never, never, EVER use the language that Ingrid used to inform them that I care about their health and want them to change for the better. Would I say what she said if I wanted to be sensationalistic? Yes. Would I say what she said if i didn't care how they responded, and just wanted to get my point across? Yes.

But I would never think for an instant that anyone within their right mind would take kindly to having someone "inform" them of their "weight issues" in the manner that Ingrid used.

And if they would, I would like to ask them...are you really so far above reproach and reality that you have nothing in your life that you need to change? Are you really that perfect? Could you really stand for someone to say the same things to you about those areas, that you often support someone saying to an "other," an "outsider?"

If so, congratulations, for you've reached a level of holistic purity that few have ever experienced.

If not? Use sweet words when speaking, for you never know when you'll have to eat them.

Posted by: Jennifer | June 23, 2007 06:25 PM

That was pretty insensitive to just attack Michael Moore, even though he is so obviously one of the nicest people you'd ever meet. A lot of people have weight issues, and they aren't just going to be solved from going vegetarian. Eating less sugar, less fat, and just eating less in general and regularly excercising leads to weight loss, not just solely a vegetarian diet. I am a vegan, and I am ashamed at you! I praise Michael Moore for standing up for people like me who are not given health care with their jobs.

Posted by: Allison | June 23, 2007 07:01 PM

Wow, how brazen... And we wonder why there is a social stigma against co. like PETA, as if fighting for animal rights isn't hard enough. Ingrid's writer; are you usually that indignant to other members of society or just to the ones who are trying to make a change such as Mr. Moore. Amazingly enough I have friends who are vegan and unhealthy (obese). I'll never forget one of them telling me oreos are vegan. hah, Are you kidding yourself.
Apologize with an action, M

Posted by: Mark | June 23, 2007 07:19 PM

I agree that the tone was too brash, though Ingrid was mirroring Michael Moore's style...Which could get positive attention...On the other hand, I don't see McDonald's taking french fries off of the menu because of "Super Size Me"!
My hope is that he doesn't retaliate and make PETA look the way that, I feel, many people view us already--narrow minded and uber extremist.

Posted by: Staci | June 23, 2007 07:19 PM

I do agree with Maya, hey sure he eats animals, and yeah im fully against that, BUT tellings him that hes the elephant in the room, well thats going a tad bit over the top. other than that silly comment, its a job well done. but not so sure if he's going to listen now...

Posted by: Anonymous | June 23, 2007 07:37 PM

Maya was right about commenting about Michael Moore's weight. No one should do it about anyone else they don't know personally. Even if you do know the person, it is questionable.

I am mostly vegetarian out and mostly vegan at home. I do everything I can to make compassionate choices. But when I was a "complete" vegan, my problem with other vegans was that they are so militant about their choice and disrespectful to others about their's. We need to practice compassion toward all, even meat eaters. When I ate meat, it was not because I wanted to hurt animals. I just didn't know any better. If we (veg's) force the info down meat eaters' throats, we turn them off completely. They will shut down and will not listen to anything.

Let's practice compassion toward all. Isn't our goal to reduce the mistreatment of animals? Let's set a good example by being compassionate toward everyone and everything.

Thank you for listening.

Posted by: Catherine | June 23, 2007 08:33 PM

As a member of PETA, I am ASHAMED to be connected to such a comment to someone!!!! I speak highly of PETA to friends, coworkers, strangers, and now my name is connected to such stupidity! If you want to change how the world feels about the meat industry and cruelty to animals, then don't be CRUEL yourself!!! Your letter to Michael Moore is WAY out of line. Saying that to anyone would be WAY out of line.

Remember that we are all interconnected, humans and animals alike, and we cannot teach if we teach with hatred. Your letter was hateful, and therefore helps no animal or human to a better life. I would even go as far to say that you may be hurting our cause by making such comments, because you will turn people away from this organization that may have otherwise wanted to listen. You discredit yourself and PETA through hatred. For the sake of all animals, learn how to love! You may want to try yoga, it helps release hatred and keeps you in touch with peace and serenity. See, I even said that without being hateful. It's really not that hard, so try it!

Posted by: Theresa East | June 23, 2007 09:36 PM

Wendy,

No, I am not overweight. Thin people can have compassion too. Do you & Ingrid think that overweight animals should be treated rudely as Michael Moore has been treated? If so, I hope all of your pets are thin. You also may want to try some yoga. Peace to you all.

Posted by: Theresa again | June 23, 2007 09:55 PM

Okay, one last comment before I go to sleep. Ingrid calls him an elephant and you call him fat. Would Princess Cuteyface, who probably has better social etiquette, agree to such name-calling? We could learn a lot from our animal friends. Good night, I will go and dream of yoga for you all. Peace again.

Posted by: Theresa once again | June 23, 2007 10:08 PM

I totally agree with everyone who agrees with Ingrid's approach to Michael Moore.
Involvement in animal rights is not ideal for everyone if they find such a trivial comment to be so greatly offensive. Ingrid, not the "Mayas," is the one who has the lengthy and vast knowledgeable experience on how to deal with celebrities and every other types of people with status. Certainly Michael Moore is not the type to be offended by any stretch of the imagination, otherwise he wouldn't choose to remain so blatantly controversial.

Ingrid is also the one who has been perservering towards PETA achieving and accomplishing more than any other animal rights orgs.

Posted by: Ariel | June 23, 2007 10:12 PM

Factory farms and sham animal experiments are the right targets for venom and insults. Michael Moore's weight is not.

Posted by: Martin Whitman | June 23, 2007 10:12 PM

I totally agree with everyone who agrees with Ingrid's approach to Michael Moore.
Involvement in animal rights is not ideal for everyone if they find such a trivial comment to be so greatly offensive. Ingrid, not the "Mayas," is the one who has the lengthy and vast knowledgeable experience on how to deal with celebrities and every other types of people with status. Certainly Michael Moore is not the type to be offended by any stretch of the imagination, otherwise he wouldn't choose to remain so blatantly controversial.

Ingrid is also the one who has been perservering towards PETA achieving and accomplishing more than any other animal rights orgs.

Posted by: Ariel | June 23, 2007 10:12 PM

I think Ingrid, you should use more polite words to the people. Not everyone is veg, and a person with overweight is not an elefant(is a person with feelings, like dogs and cats).
Please, think about it. Sometimes words hurts more than a knife, and you won't get the person to your side.
bye

Posted by: Laura | June 23, 2007 10:16 PM

The post by Timothy Nyman (7-23-07 at 9:46 am)
A breath of fresh air worth repeating to help some people get this story straight.
That's right! Ingrid did not call M.M. an elephant.

As you explained: "An elephant in the room" is an English idiom for an obvious truth that is being ignored.

Now the question remains: would all the Ingrid ridiculers like to retract their statements?

Posted by: Ariel | June 23, 2007 10:38 PM

As many of you, totally agree with Maya.
Yes, we all know the man can handle it, still, insulting people is just LOW. And to read PETA's president making insults by calling someone an "elephant"... oh well.
I admire Ingrid's work but she is not sending the right message. Educating is the answer, not personal attacks.

Posted by: nely | June 23, 2007 11:13 PM

In the documentary film, The Corporation, Michael Moore is interviewed and states he is saddened by our nation's addiction to fast food and our preference to eat fast food over eating healthy meals at home with our family. I could be mistaken, but in his interview he wears a "V" button on his lapel which I took to represent vegan (I own the same button but in green, not red). I assumed from all this, perhaps incorrectly, that that Michael was sympathetic to the plight and abuse of animals in the food industry, and disguisted by the environmental and social havoc caused by fast food corporations. He may not be vegan or vegetarian as I assumed but I suspect he would be open to the cause of animal rights and welfare considering his concern for social justice and the environment. Maybe we should give him a chance to comment before we make assumptions about his lifestyle.

I'm vegan and personally don't stuggle with extra pounds but I have many vegan friends who are quite chubby. It's possible to be vegan and overweight if you're not well-informed about nutrition or simply don't have the discipline to eat healthily. It seems a bit dangerous to assume someone isn't vegan just because they're overweight, don't you think?

Posted by: Malita | June 24, 2007 12:03 AM

I just read the whole letter and I think the letter states clearly that vegetarians weigh ON AVERAGE 20% less than the average person. Well it is widely reported that America has an obesity problem. If MOST Americans ARE obese then on AVERAGE vegetarians are weighing in at 20% less. Umm, that can very well still be considered as being fat (media keeps retouching photos of models. . . what else are to think of ourselves?), but she points out all the other health benefits too. So I think all of you stating that you are overweight vegetarians still need to exercise and have healthy eating habits. If you DON'T have any other health related issues that prevent you from exercising then we should do more to try to live a healthier lifestyles. Stop making excuses. . . being a vegetarian is not the ONLY thing you need to do to be a healthy weight (if you cannot for health reasons then stop beating yourself up, you will be whatever weight you are and no reason to feel guilty!) Also, we have become such a sensitive nation, fat, obese, over-weight, blah blah-hello it all MEANS the same thing! If you are sensitive about your weight you will take offense regardless of what words someone chooses to use. And by the way, "elephant in the room",means something so obvious you cannot ignore it-not "you are so fat you look like an elephant" but I guess most Americans haven't figured that out yet!

Posted by: Anonymous | June 24, 2007 12:09 AM

PETA is just so damn stupid sometimes in their tactics of persuasion. They're not going to persuade anyone with Newkirk's little pseudo-reality world of perfection. Why slam on someone who is out there doing some good? Leave Moore alone and concentrate on Beyonce and all the other lamer celebrities who are way worse and nuttier.

Posted by: JAM | June 24, 2007 12:33 AM

I just saw Sicko and it is an outstanding movie. I find it incredibly easy to make self-righteous comments to overweight people. It seems to be the one area where it's seemingly okay to insult people. I had a sister who was a vegetarian who ate only organically grown fruits, vegetables and grains until her untimely death of breast cancer at the age of 63. But she was thin all her life! Apparently, that's what's important to Ingrid Newkirk. I do my best to follow a vegetarian diet for moral reasons, but don't always succeed. Being a vegetarian does not necessarily equate to being thin -- or healthy. There are no guarantees in this life other, apparently, that people with an agenda, be it religion or diet, are going to be self-righteous and believe they have a God-given right to force their belief system down everyone else's throat as the "only" way to be a good person.

Posted by: Dorian Golub | June 24, 2007 12:37 AM

I love PETA and admire Ingrid for her work. I believe, however, that by attacking Michael Moore, she is more likely to bring about a defensive reaction (if not denial) rather than the result which she intended... Let's hope Michael has enough self-criticism to see the value of Ingrid's “not-so-discrete” input. Also, I would love for him to record a movie about Farm Factories. Not only he but many people would become vegetarian...

Posted by: Lawinia of Poland | June 24, 2007 01:09 AM

Kindness and a suggestion that everyone eat more healthfully is always a good idea. Mr. Moore's film is not about animal cruelty, and he should not be expected to step into that role simply because he's bringing to light flaws in the medical system. Also, as much as it pains me to admit, I put on 20 pounds in about 4 months when I stopped eating meat about a year ago. Having been a meat eater all my life, when I did stop, because of my concern for animals and their welfare, I really craved the taste and texture. I know a lot of you are gasping, but after 45 years of steak and coq au vin, vegetarianism has been a tough switch, and I did a lot of eating trying to fill that desire through non-animal consumption. Trust me. I choose not to eat animals because of my love and respect for them. But I miss it. And I think there are a lot of people out there like me, and I respect them for the difficulty they experience daily. Michael Moore might choose vegetarianism some day, but losing weight takes a lot of work regardless of whether or not you eat meat.

Posted by: Claudine | June 24, 2007 01:27 AM

Ingrid,
You were completely out of line and you owe Michael Moore an apology asap. I support Peta, but it is behavior like yours that gives the organization a bad name. Your comments were disrespectful and rude. In the future I hope you choose your words more carefully.

Posted by: Sherri | June 24, 2007 02:06 AM

we should be hostile to people like BUSH, not michael moore! it's just not the right way to go about it. he's an awesome person, has done great things to make the world a better place, being hostile and calling him fat or whatever is not the way to do things. he's like you're cool friend who's worked for years to make the world a better place - you don't insult him/her putting them on the offensive, you say, "hey, awesome person, i've got some ideas i'd like you to listen to...", and you go from there.

Posted by: marshall | June 24, 2007 02:25 AM

i think targeting his weight is a bit too harsh and yes i do understand that often, the truth hurts. but how can you expect someone to go veg after you critisize them, instead of allowing him to understand the benefits properly your bullying him and chances are he doesnt care but still......no one likes to be pressured especially into a new lifestyle.

Posted by: blank | June 24, 2007 02:27 AM

I totally agree with Ingrid and PETA's approach to this issue. I've had enough of pussyfooting around fat people who stuff themselves with animal products all day and then complain how sick they are feeling or how they can't seem to lose weight. Tell it like it is I reckon. How can people let themselves get to that size anyway? If you have any self respect, as soon as you notice that your clothes are getting a little snug, you do something about it before it gets out of hand!!

Posted by: Liz | June 24, 2007 02:31 AM

That was stupid.This probably wont show because its negative,but PETA is fucking stupid sometimes.

Posted by: madeline | June 24, 2007 03:49 AM

"Yes, America’s health care system needs to be fixed, but personal responsibility is a big part of why people look and feel as ill as they do."

I am 36 and have been a vegetarian for over 7 years, and a raw vegan for 6 months, still suffering from cystic acne. If there's anything that people think exhibits illness, it's bad skin. Cure that for me, please Ingrid?

Posted by: Amy | June 24, 2007 03:51 AM

My first comment has not been posted, so I just want to say again that you really need to be an idiot to try and make a brilliant guy like Michael Moore your enemy.
Ingrid should apologise sincerely and quickly, and for the sake of PETA I hope she does. As a long time supporter of PETA, I certainly do not want to be associated with PETA if Ingrig has not got the guts to admit she is wrong.

Posted by: Ted Rehak, Australia | June 24, 2007 04:03 AM

I'm appalled at the suggestion made by Ingrid that Michael's weight issues in some way discredit his actual message regarding inadequacies within the US health care system. Does a man/woman have to be personally fit and healthy to be eligible to make wise commentary on society’s health care needs? Michael's health situation doesn't seem to degrade his ability to make powerful documentaries - so why don't we leave that issue for another debate? Anyway, people generally aren't in the best mood for taking advice after you've just insulted their vulnerabilities.

And calling him an elephant... WOW! Wrong on so many levels, especially coming from an animal rights activist! I'm glad other PETA supporters are as shocked as I am about that one.

Posted by: Steven | June 24, 2007 04:08 AM

I can't help wondering if Ms. Newkirk was one of those kids who took pleasure in taunting overweight kids at school in her younger years. My own son has a weight problem and often has his feelings hurt by insensitive kids at his elementary school.

It hurts me whenever i hear of these incidents; he is a very sensitive little boy who loves animals and is starting to be uncomfortable with the idea of eating animal flesh himself, yet i daresay that if Ms. Newkirk ever met him, she might have a hard time seeing past the extra weight he carries around, to the goodness within. My ex-wife and I have been trying to help him lose weight, but it is not easy and will probably take a while It may take a while, and Sadly, until he slims down quite a bit, he must endure the cruelty of some of his classmates, which hurts me a lot, since although i wasn't overweight when i was his age, i was nonetheless very sensitive and could be easily wounded by insensitive comments from others.

I realize Mr. Moore is not a six and a half year old as my son is; yet i think the consequences of being unnecessarily mean-spirited towards others in a public forum is very damaging to those so victimized, and i feel that this is a reality which cuts across chronological boundaries.

I have good reason to believe that Mr. Moore is as sensitive as he is intelligent; i'm sure Ms. Newkirk's comments stung. If his weight problem began in his childhood, Ms. Newkirk's comments would have been all the more painful for him to hear, I'm sure, as they would have probably opened up old wounds once again. Although i am a big believer in Freedom of Speech, i am also a big believer in placing yourself in the shoes of another, so tp speak, and had the shoe been on the other foot, i don't think Ms. Newkirk would've enjoyed the public humiliation to which she subjected Mr. Moore.

I think it's particularly mean-spirited of the spokeswoman for PETA to be so cutting in her remarks since apparently Mr. Moore has been making some efforts to change his eating habits lately and wean himself away from a flesh based diet to one more conducive to losing weight while simultaneously respecting the rights of other species.

Also, i think it bespeaks of a certain level of ignorance to imply that all those who look like "elephants" must be hard core carnivores who care little for the welfare of all the other creatures with whom we share this planet.

I myself am a vegetarian, animal lover, and yet for the past number of years have had a weight problem. I have also known dedicated carnivores who are much more slender than I.
So, don't be too quick to judge a book by its cover, Ingrid.

I think Ms. Newkirk needs to be a little more intelligent and circumspect in formulating her comments,particularly those that are intended for public consumption.

I think she would do well to understand that being an advocate of the rights of other species doesn't necessarily preclude the possibility of being a bit more compassionate in her treatment of members of her own. What about the idea of "People for the Ethical Treatment of Other People", Ingrid? How's that for a concept?

Finally, and i almost hate to bring it up, but I think Ms. Newkirk would do well to remember that there was an individual, no longer living, who had many things in common with her: He was not "fat" like Michael Moore, had a Teutonic sounding first name, loved animals and was also a dedicated, strict vegetarian...all in all, someone of whom she would, according to all outward manifestations, seem likely to approve. His name? Adolph...Adolph Hitler.

Posted by: Mark | June 24, 2007 05:02 AM

I must say I was surprised by the attack on Michael Moore considering he did say he was working on his health issues in an early interview about the movie. Frankly so what ? His weight is just another NEOCON hook into not focusing on the real issue. I think the way children and families are treated (or NOT treated) should be more important. This country should be more like Norway...and yes I know about the whales...but they have the highest standard of living in the world. On a broader scale I care more about the overall treatment of all life in general.
People wake up! I saw dogs in first class sections of airplanes during Katrina while people were walking and carted away in the backs of trucks. Hitler was very nice to his dog did that make him a good person? Let's try to remember that.
The affect of GMO foods and factory farms are not being reported which ties in totally with our bad health. Uplift the farm families and make sure even poor people can hear these issues on regular TV.
We have a right to know what is in our food and what they inject into our soldiers. Monsanto, DuPont, Halliburton, the Carlyle Group, etc. is the enemy NOT Michael Moore. They attacked Oprah for talking about how they treat cows and haven't heard a word about it since. We need to see the connections and fight together for free and independent press and ending GMO crops, and factory farms. ANY one that can get past corporate media to push for these things should be encouraged. PETA should realize you have a whole station devoted to the treatment of animals. People can be starved and nobody cares. Grandma is wandering around a slum area and we turn our backs. The organicconsumers.org website is a good place to go for information and freepress.org. We need to do some triage people and work together. Democracy is gasping and going down for the count.

Posted by: Vivian Munene | June 24, 2007 06:23 AM

I'm glad to see that most people agree with me that Ingrid was a bit out of line, but I'm in shock over some of the insensitive responses.

It's a fact that the majority of the population doesn't vote. Michael Moore is a man who continues to bring important political issues to the mainstream and yet PETA feels the need to criticize him? Ingrid, what were you thinking? I imagine Michael would be interested in doing a film on Factory Farming, Puppy Mills, etc. and here's hoping his uncompromising ethics will prevent him from paying too much attention to your letter or the other rude posts on here. I've supported PETA for years, but this seems like nothing more than PETA cashing in on some free press at Michael's expense. Ingrid, you do owe Michael an apology, not because he can't handle it, but because it's the right thing to do.

Now, a little about me. I've been a vegetarian for 10 years, I'm fat (most of us fatties HATE the word obese), I have hypothyroidism (by the way, so do many, many fat people), and I've struggled with bulimia for 22 years and compulsive overeating for 26.

The main reason I'm so fat is because I couldn't stop both the bulimia and the overeating at the same time. It's taken me a few more years to get over the compulsive overeating and add to that a slowing metabolism etc., etc., the weight has piled on. Despite it all, my cholesterol is 186 and blood sugar is 109.

Fat people are not generic meat eating lazy slobs. So, for the people out there who feel that other people's weight is their business, I hope you will remember what I've written and tread carefully. Fat prejudice is the most acceptable form of prejudice in the US and it's also the biggest demotivator. Would you want to go for a walk or to the gym knowing that people are going to laugh, snicker, point, or call you names? If people really want to help, try to support, not criticize. Fat prejudice is the same as other prejudices. The fact that it's accepted by society doesn't make it right.
PEACE

Posted by: Val | June 24, 2007 06:25 AM

Good idea, but i believe that PETA could be a bit more polite. Calling him an elephant is not very friendly. It's his own choice if he wants to eat meat or not. If he choses to take the veg pledge that would be awesome, if he doesn't ... well that's his choice. There are Moore good causes to fight for than only animal right. Let Peta do animal rights and Michale Moore do his own thing.

Posted by: Iggy | June 24, 2007 06:43 AM

Hahahaha. YOU PEOPLE crack me up.

Posted by: KÃ¥re KÃ¥lerabi | June 24, 2007 07:24 AM

Compassion to treat others the way we (people, animals our environment) would like to be treated. Educate the way you would like to be educated. The fat comment was hurtful and by all means disrespectful. I know overweight vegans and unhealthy vegans. Not all health issues are from the food that one eats. Thank goodness I am healthy. It was a bit much and hurtful and just plain rude.

Posted by: Brandi | June 24, 2007 08:41 AM

I applaud the efforts of Ingrid Newkirk to promote personal responsibility for ones own health. Much of our nations excessive health costs and problems can be attributed to obeisity - an issue that can be remedied by a healthy lifestyle of exercise and a diet high in grains, fruits and vegetables.

Posted by: Mike | June 24, 2007 09:41 AM

I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ - some people say Christian but I hesitate because of all the "religious" connotations associated with that descriptor - and a vegetarian, which is a direct expression of my faith in and love for Jesus. I chose to become vegetarian because I love Jesus and His whole creation. I became "Christian" because of Jesus' love for me and all humanity. Now, I'm not a fundamentalist, but I believe in calling a spade a spade. Jesus certainly did. I'm a sinner, we are all sinners, Michael Moore is overweight along with 50% of Americans, the globe is warming, etc. ad infinitum. Yet, Jesus' constant motive was LOVE. He always spoke the truth, even to those who hated and opposed Him, with the motive of loving correction of a Father to the children He loved and would eventually die for. What's needed in Ingrid's letter and mission is what Jesus' whole life and death was about: grace. PETA needs more grace. 1st Corinthians 13 says: Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels but have not love, I have become a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing." PETA, Ingrid, speak the truth, but do it with love, humility, grace and patience, otherwise it means absolutely nothing. We speak of vegetarianism and ending cruelty to animals but in essence PETA is fighting for nothing short of reverence for all the Lord's creation, which includes people! If we're talking about personal responsibility, then the buck needs to stop with us. We can not expect the world to show love, compassion and grace to animals if we do not show the same to the world, starting with people. Michael Moore's skin may be thick but that is hardly the issue. Ingrid, you must lead by example, just as Jesus did. You must call the spade a spade but only in love and compassion, even to, especially to, those who oppose mightily and who are ignorant of what they are doing. Jesus said it best from the cross: "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."
God bless...

Posted by: Leslie | June 24, 2007 10:16 AM

WHEN I SAW MICHAEL MOORE ON NIGHTLINE STATING THAT HE WAS TRYING TO EAT HEALTHY. I E-MAILED HIM THAT PETA HAD A FREE VEGETARIAN KIT. ALSO HE SHOULD TEAM WITH PETA FOR HIS NEXT DOCUMENTARY. EXPOSURES ON COMPANIES THAT USE ANIMALS ETC..

Posted by: ANITA WOLLE | June 24, 2007 10:28 AM

I'm so embarrassed for Ingrid and Peta for pointing out to Michael that he is fat. I can give you a list of my fat/obese friends that are vegans. Maybe thet eat their tofu and bean spouts by the forklift full. You have taken the low road to a man who tries so hard to make this a better world.

Posted by: Jean | June 24, 2007 11:00 AM

Why are some of these readers freaking out? Did you read the letter? What is so harsh about it? She is trying to be help a over weight man. Is that wrong? I work in the healh industry and I know alot of over weight people who would love to have someone with guts to point out that they need help. To show they care. Not like alot of these readers who are afraid to take a chance and make a difference. THANK GOD FOR INGRID!!! THE ANIMALS LOVE YOU!

Posted by: Michele | June 24, 2007 11:39 AM

I am a strong supporter of PETA but I feel that Ingrid has definitely went to far with her personal comments on Michaels personel health. She should keep her comments to herself. In respects to PETA's mission; I feel that this degrades PETA. If she feels Michael needs to loose weight she should advise as a friend personally and not in a public written letter.

Posted by: Elton | June 24, 2007 11:59 AM

I have been paying close attention to PITA for several months to get a good idea of what they really do to help animals and if they are worthy of my financial support as there are many organizations out there that do not do what they say they do with the support they receive. My main interest in people becoming vegan is the respect and protection it gives to the animals.
I am extremely upset by the callus,immature,disrespectful,
and just plain petty way in which Ingrid approached the subject matter in her letter to Michael Moore. There is absolutely no excuse for cruelty of any kind...to animals or humans and her attitude is unacceptable.
I believe that anyone who really cares about the feelings of animals must also care about the feelings of all other creatures, including humans.
Michael Moore seems to be a very rare person who genuinely cares about people and he does not deserve this kind of treatment. Ms.Newkirk and the rest of us would do well to take an example from him.
Ingrid, if you truly are a caring person, you owe this wonderful man a very humble apology.

R.J.Hopkins

Posted by: Rita J. Hopkins | June 24, 2007 12:19 PM

Ingrid, you should ask him to do a documentary on factory farm animals and animal rights issues, that would be a big blow to the meat industry!

Posted by: Bobby Shaidaie | June 24, 2007 12:56 PM

Sorry Ingrid, not everyone can be the naked breast-implanted supermodels that PETA seems to love so much.

Yes, the man has a weight problem. Mocking him, being unnecessarily cruel and holier-than-thou is not likely to bring him around to your cause. You don't seem to understand that there is a big difference between educating someone and attacking them.

Posted by: S. Johnson | June 24, 2007 01:03 PM

Many of the people replying in favor of Ingrid are not addressing the issue brought up by some of the rest of us; that is, the insensitivity of using Mr. Moore's weight in the way it was used against him. I am vegetarian, and I am overweight, and I do not appreciate the name-calling that Ingrid did, or that the comment from Jim displayed. I know I am large, and that this is not healthy, but pointing it out to me is not going to ingratiate you to me. Humans are sensitive to other humans' opinions on their own shortcomings, and bringing them up will only alienate you from your target.
I, personally, am in favor of the idea of Mr. Moore doing a video on factory farming, but if we alienate him, he most assuredly will not do one. I expected better from an organization based around compassion for animals. How about a little bit of compassion towards the human animal?

PS for Jim: One does not need to be fat to feel compassion for fat people. I disagree with everything you said, and I hope you will also take the advice of the comments and shape up the way you speak to others. The level of disrespect you showed was appalling.

Here is the text of Jim's reply:
Maya must be fat or in love with people that are unhealthy fat slobs like Michael Moore. Hey, its 'everybody's business' to point out unhealthy fat people and give them advice and guidance offering them help to reduce their weight in order to save them from being a 'huge' burden on the health care system that the hypocrite Moore is making fun of... Face it Maya... Moore is for sure FAT and needs help.

Posted by: Tessara | June 24, 2007 01:15 PM

Ingrid, you should ask him to do a documentary on factory farm animals and animal rights issues, that would be a big blow to the meat industry!

Posted by: Bobby Shaidaie | June 24, 2007 01:19 PM

While people should certainly take personal responsibility for their health, education is the first step. Many people do not know what is and is not healthy, especially since the meat & dairy industries have so much influence over the "health" education materials we are given in school and at the doctor's office. While vegetarians on average do weigh less than omnivores, we also need to keep in mind that there are PLENTY of overweight and obese vegetarians and vegans out there. Replacing fried chicken with faux fried chicken or butter with vegan margarine will not help someone lose weight. Think fresh fruits and vegetables and whole foods, because an excess of calories leads to obesity, regardless of whether the calories come from animals or plants.

Posted by: carmen | June 24, 2007 02:54 PM

Although I am a vegetarian, it is not just so that I will be healthier than other people, but rather because I care about the animals. It just happens that I get that little extra benefit from a vegetarian diet.

Moore's film SICKO is such an important film because it speaks for the many people who do not have health care. And they are not all "responsible for their own illnesses".

Some have commented that Moore should do a film on factory farms, and I have no doubt that he would be glad to take that issue on. Why should be offend a potential ally.

Let's be more sensitive with our judgment of others!

Posted by: Sandra Wilson | June 24, 2007 03:01 PM

Hmmm....i've already written not one but two rather lengthy and well thought out posts on this subject neither of which has been posted. I am not a professional writer but have been told i'm a very good one by a number of people. So, i was a bit dismayed that neither of my comments on this topic of Ingrid Newkirk's letter to Michael Moore were posted. Although the owner of this site does mention that if a person hasn't left a comment on this site before, he or she may need to be approved before his or her comment will appear. I am a new contributor to this site. However, it also occurred to me that perhaps my comments weren't posted because they may have expressed opinions the site owner simply doesn't agree with. I'm not sure.
I did side with Michael Moore in both my comments and must say that until i read some of the other postings, i was not aware that Michael Moore has apparently not been too kind to the animal rights movement over the years. If i had known that, i might have changed the tone of my comments somewhat. I don't think it is helpful that the site owner, who obviously doesn't think much of Mr. Moore, referring to him as a "fat, bearded dude" did not think it worth his time to talk a little bit about Mr. Moore's history of contemptuous comments regarding the animal rights movement. Some of us are not aware of Mr. Moore's historically adversarial stance in regards to the movement.

I feel as though i have simply wasted my valuable time in writing lengthy and well thought out comments which are apparently never going to be posted. I might have chosen not to waste my time had the site owner chosen to be a bit more literate in his initial characterization of Mr. Moore, and instead of merely echoing the sentiments of Ms. Newkirk in a rather childish manner, chosen instead to educate some of the readers of his blog who, like myself are avid believers of the rights of animals and also happen to feel Mr. Moore has done some very laudable work in some of his whistle-blowing documentaries. The way i feel now, i don't know if i'll ever bother to visit this website again, considering the bad experience i have had thus far.

Posted by: Mark | June 24, 2007 03:07 PM

I wish PITA would realse a documentary film in theaters about what really goes on in meat and fur factories i think that would really help a lot of people go vegitarian.

Posted by: Cynthia Naanouh | June 24, 2007 03:44 PM

A good point, poorly made. As a supporter of PETA, I find this embarassing. Like the sexists vegitarian and other promotions, I find that it promotes superficial values (vegan = sexy!) that are in direct conflict with my own values. As one who is not currently a vegitarian but who abstains from factory farmed meat, I feel aliented by the your either for animals (vegan) or agin' them (a cruel consumer). I was a vegitarian for a while but - due to my own lack of organizational skills and we'll call it addition to dairy, I wound up tired and - yes - fat!!! We are all in various stages of enlightenment and growth - I am not as far along than I would like to be, but it is the people like me - those who can afford to boycott and choose, (many of us are - believe it or not, fighting cruelty and engaging in humane efforts on other fronts) who can help drive the factory farms out of business. The truth about factory farms must be shared and people must be shown that they can make a difference - either by boycotting, legislation - or both. A documentary would be a good way to do this. Telling people that they need to be vegan to be sexy and being sensationalistic and - unfortunately, factually inaccurate (as many writers here have noted -- may feel good to a few, but it really does nothing in practical terms to help suffering animals. Or, I might add, the human beings who are also so abused within the factory farming system. There is a stereotype of PETA as being a group of people who love animals but are unkind to people and/or who are illogical and unreasonable. This stereotype is dispelled by the wonderful posts found here; its unfortunate that the spokesman for the organization chose to promote it. This MAY generate publicity, but it will not help our fellow creatures who are suffering so and reflects poorly on the organization and its members. It makes those who are not so far on their journey, but do care, to feel guilty and it makes the organization look unkind and silly.

Thank you.

Posted by: donna | June 24, 2007 05:18 PM

I am long time PETA member and supporter as well as an admirer of Michael Moore. Newkirk's insult detracted from the rest of her message, which was positive, helpful advice. Yes we all need to take responsibility for our health, but we all, at some time, need acccess to
humane, affordable health care, vegetarian or not. Moore has couageously stuck his neck out once again,this time to expose an appalling health care system in the wealthiest country on the planet. He didn't deserve the nasty remark. I don't like it at all.

Posted by: Linda Lariviere | June 24, 2007 06:03 PM

I think equating body weight with a specific diet is a fallacy. I only eat vegan and I know people who do the same and our body weights couldn't be more extreme. I'm as skinny as they come and they're as chubby as you can get. What if Moore actually came out as a long term vegetarian? How would that make you feel?

It's not how you look that matters, it's how you eat that counts. Assuming people's diet is wrong just by looking at them can backfire. Watch them eat first, then make a - nice - positive suggestion for them to change their ways.

Posted by: Nossie | June 24, 2007 06:34 PM

Well, my first post did not appear so I'm trying this again. I am a supporter of PETA, but I think Ingrid's letter was uncalled for because it glosses over the big picture that Michael Moore is trying to make. There are so many people in this country that are not "overweight" and are vegans and vegetarians and yet they still have diseases like MS, Parkinson's, etc... Being overweight is not a prerequiste to having these diseases and by eating a vegetarian diet will not change their disease. Michael Moore is trying to help put an issue that needs attention. In today's society a patient who needs surgery, life saving medications and treatments get denied by their insurance company not for any other reason than the insurance company getting big cozy kickbacks for saving some money. Weight has nothing to do with the issue Mr. Moore was trying to bring to light. I think by the unsympathetic and callous comments Ingrid has made has ditracted the attention from Mr. Moore's big issue- an issue that affects millions of people- young, old, thin, overweight, etc.. there is no discrimination there. By saying that Mr. Moore is "the elephant in the room" Ingrid has reverted to school yard taunting to try and get her opinion out. As the saying goes- you catch more flies with honey than vingegar. Why would you try and bite the hand that feeds you in a manner of speaking. You (Ingrid) want Mr. Moore on your side, be a voice of change for your cause, take your issues seriously and you were name calling him and making his cause seem trivial to eating meat and being thin.. HELLO millions of people are dying because they cannot afford healthcare or the healthcare they can afford is not covering needed treatments... live a day in a children's cancer wing or with a cancer patient who cannot afford treatment because their insurance denied them. Does that have to deal with being overweight or eating meat.. NO. Ingrid, you are missing the issue and the point completely. You may well be healthy now, but who knows tomorrow you could be sick and your insurance company won't pay for a much needed treatment-- what are you going to call them fat, meat eaters too?? What does that accomplish. I will tell you -- NOTHING. In today's society we equate thin with healthy and overweight with not-- well let me inlighten you. A thin person can get MS, Parkinson's, Cancer, High Blood Pressure, Diabietis, Heart Attack, Clogged Artiers, Thyroid Problems, High Choletserol, etc... A person who is overweight can get them too. A person who is vegeterian, vegan and who is not either can get the same diseases, as well. Oh, wait - did I forget to mention that a vegetarian can be overweight too? Shocking, huh? But true. Mr. Moore has always been a staunch advocate for people from his movies "Roger and Me" to "Farenheight 9-11". Ingrid has no tact or respect for anyone other than that of her own agenda and its sickening. That letter could have been drafted in such a way as to get her points across and not be so insulting. Ingrid, you have missed a great opportunity to have Mr. Moore on your side and him on yours. Ingrid, you owe Mr. Moore and all of PETA's supporters a huge apology. What's next picking on all people because they do not support your view point or look or act just like you. You find find something you can pick on them about and you go for the juglar. Well, that's how the Civil rights Act aka. (Title VII) came about. What's next finding a disbaled person to pick on??? Ingrid, you are nothing more than a school yard bully. And, silly me, I thought that this was a democracy that allowed for various view points and the appreciating of others differences. So what. Mr. Moore may be "an elephant", but he is alright in my book. He is a huge contributor in today's society for the under dog who needs a voice. An "elephant" as you so call him is pretty darn smart and efficient in bringing attention to his causes and the causes of milions of people. And that is why you (Ingrid) wrote him. If he was a regular person on the street you (Ingrid)would not have approached him. You (Ingrid)approached him because of his magnitude. He wasn't so much of an "elephant" to command enough of your(Ingrid) attention to take your time and write him. And instead of giving him the applause and gratitudet that he so rightly deserves- you(Ingrid) insult him. Yea, that's going to make him want to jump right on to PETA's cause. Did you (Ingrid)insult Pamela Anderson too? How about Ben Taylor? Anna Nicole? Alicia Silverstone? Pink? Carrie Underwood? Prince? This is just a few names from a very long list of vegetarian stars. Is insulting them part of the initiation to get them to stand up for PETA's causes? Because if it was I am sure none of them would be supporting PETA. Than why was Mr. Moore singled out? I am so sick of people acting superior than others- when we all are human beings. No matter what disease we may have, no matter what we may look like, act like, no matter what color, no matter what religion,no matter what nationality, no matter what sexual orientation we are-- we are all human and we deserved to be treated as such. If Mr. Moore was an animal would you call him fat? Or would you love him just like he is? If you can give love, caring, empathy, or appreciation to an animal why can't you give that same respect to Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore has done nothing to you to deserve such disregard, rudenees and offensiveness to his cause, to the people affected by his cause, to himself. I still love PETA, but you, Ingrid need a lesson in MANNERS, RESPECT and EMPATHY !

Posted by: Dionne Dupuis | June 24, 2007 07:43 PM

there are many overweight vegies and vegans
M Moore does really good work and there is no need to insult people. I love PETA but Ingrid sometimes I think your WAY to over the top.

Peace

Posted by: ingrid garcia | June 24, 2007 08:12 PM

ps LYNE im a very fit personal trainer and still dont think making fun of people is right

Posted by: ingrid garcia | June 24, 2007 08:17 PM

Forgot one thing. VEGAN Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich has Mr. Moore on his website. Hey why don't you send Mr. Kucinich a letter making fun of his looks or something along those lines,one of his platforms is better food in schools for children for health reason. He supports the documentary.

"Thank you Dennis Kucinich for running for President," says award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore as he endorsed the Conyers/Kucinich universal health insurance bill (HR 676) currently being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives. And, "thank you," Moore continued, for "at each of the debates, bringing up this very important issue and requesting that our fellow Democrats state their specific positions of how we're going to bring health care to all Americans and remove the profit incentive from health care. It has to be removed, and thank you for saying that over and over again."

If you go to the site you can read more, but why educate yourself when you can throw insults!

Posted by: Amie | June 24, 2007 09:35 PM

wow, you can almost smell the hypocracy of Michael Moore.

:P

seriously, what person of that size critisizes health programs?!

but maybe he's just a victim.

Posted by: Woot. | June 24, 2007 09:37 PM

good. he said something of the sort himself on that hbo bill mauhr show... but igrid basically told him like it is. hes fat, prolly from what he eats. if you didnt shovel shit into your face, you wouldnt have to go to cuba to get it fixed. the same with all americans.

Posted by: james | June 24, 2007 09:40 PM

I agree with Maya. Not to mention, the fact that the letter really didn't have much to do with his new movie.

Posted by: chloe | June 24, 2007 10:04 PM

Yay!!! Good job Ingrid! Couldn't of said it better myself.

Posted by: Anonymous | June 24, 2007 10:12 PM

WE ARE ALWAYS TOLD, BY PETA, TO USE NICE WORDS ONLY WHEN WE WRITE TO ANYONE REGARDING OUR CAUSES & BELIEFS!! WE ARE NEVER EVER FOR ANY REASON TO USE ANY TERMS OR PHRASES THAT WOULD GIVE REASON TO LOOK AT PETA IN A BAD LIGHT!! (EVER HEAR OF PRACTICING WHAT YOU PREACH??) LOOK AT PEOPLE IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD!! DOCTORS & NURSES, ETC. WILL LOOK YOU IN THE EYE & TELL YA HOW YOU NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT & IT'S COMING FROM A 200 lb. OVERWEIGHT MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL!!!
** BESIDES, IF ANYONE WOULD CARE TO LOOK & LISTEN, MR. MOORE HAS ALREADY STATED THAT THE MAKING OF THIS FILM HAS CAUSED HIM TO CHANGE ALOT OF HIS EATING HABITS & HE HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO LOSE WEIGHT!!

Posted by: beth a blagg | June 24, 2007 10:34 PM

the truth doesn't have to hurt.

Posted by: nicole Johnston | June 24, 2007 11:01 PM

"meat eaters" vs. "vegans" aside, which has nothing to do with the United States health care system as a whole anyway, be THANKFUL that someone... Micheal Moore (overweight or not) had the courage to make a STAND about OUR countries lack of health care!!!! AND ACTUALLY ADDRESS SERIOUS ISSUES that have been swept under the rug for so long!!!!!

Posted by: R | June 25, 2007 12:07 AM

I am a supporter of PETA but not a supporter of offending people, especially those who work hard to help people. I like the challenge, I dislike the choice of wording.

Posted by: Linda Calbreath | June 25, 2007 12:22 AM

Wow, that letter was a bit insulting. The point they were trying to make is a good one, but it could have been done so much more tactfully.

Posted by: Brett C | June 25, 2007 01:21 AM

With all due respect, I am someone who has been loyal to PETA and the message of fair treatment for animals for a while now. I am also overweight. I know this, as Micheal Moore also knows that he is overweight. It's painful. It's a cycle. I try my best and sometimes I don't do so well. But it's really a slap in the face when an organization that I have come to look up to and fight for resorts to calling someone fat in order to get a point across. I understand the relevance, but sometimes peoples' feelings should be taken into account too. Don't alienate people who are trying.

Posted by: Sara | June 25, 2007 02:02 AM

I feel that it was wrong to attack his weight. Overweight people hear enough of that crap from people every day. People always point your weight out as if you didn't know. Which not only insults your appearance, but your intelligence as well. I know by experience that being vegan doesn't equal thin, nor healthy. Vegans are always being told
that their diet is inadequate and Ms. Newkirk, you just did the same thing to him. If you want people to listen, you can't start off rudely pointing out the obvious and calling him names. People who are overwight are rarely overweight just because they love to eat. There is an underlying emotional issue. When you insult someone's weight, you insult their emotional health, too. Do you make it a habit of insulting people with mental and emotional issues? Probably, not, but you did this time. I have personally known many animal rights activists, who are vegan, who also smoke. Some people drink, smoke, do drugs, or whatever else they can find, to deal with their pain. Some people use food.

Thanks,
Heather

Posted by: Heather | June 25, 2007 03:11 AM

Another thing if you or any of us were to die today , tommorow etc, would you really care about that. First of all society is so messed up because people place empahasis on how things looks, which really doesn't even matter, Michael Moore is doing alot of good work, why did you have to do that? If one of your relatives died and when you are older, gee do you think it matters what you looked like in life? Or is it more imporant how you treated people. Duh? The population is just stupid, dont people even think for themselves, I guess not, or how others might feel? I used to get extreme headaches and depression and suicidal bulimic you name it around superficial people and I am a pretty woman. People gross me out .

Posted by: katrinkka | June 25, 2007 03:46 AM

Alright... Maybe was Ingrid not diplomatic enough... It is true that maybe Michael can give the impression that he goes very often to McDo and co and maybe he likes to eat big bloody burgers... I don't know if he is... Meat eaters... Last week I read something that was written by a students in veterinary medicine... She had to go 6 weeks in a slaughterhouse... I cant tell you that after this every meat eater I saw during the day was not welcome... Maybe Ingrid was in a bad day for a lot a reasons when she wrote about Michael Moore... Not diplomatic... But btw I like Michael but he is not always diplomatic either... And Michael is not always helpful : he did Bowling for Columbine... What changed about the NRA : nothing. He did Fahrenheit 4/11.. What changed : nothing Bush was reelected and still the same situation in Irak... (but it is true that the Congress is now lead by Democrats) So a new documentary from Michael ?
It this value added ?

Posted by: Rudy | June 25, 2007 03:48 AM

two things will win the animal rights battle
1)cash
2)influence
Moore has both so he could be a useful ally - he may appreciate Newkirk's direct approach - we can't be sure.

Posted by: michael | June 25, 2007 05:56 AM

I thought I would point out to all of you, I have to stick up for Michael Moore. While Mr Moore has a weight issue, I recently saw him in an interview promoting his new movie, which I can't wait to see, he has lost quite a few pounds. He mentioned in this interview that how can he point out what is wrong with the healthcare system when he himself is overweight.

I thought all of you ought to know....

Posted by: Kelly | June 25, 2007 09:31 AM

I think that letter was appropriate. I didn't see anything offensive about it. All Michael Moore does is offend people all day. I'm sure that didn't bother him at all! Think about it!!! I love Michael Moore. I think what he does is fabulous and I believe Ingrid did an honorable thing asking him to take his argument one step forward.

Posted by: veronica | June 25, 2007 09:38 AM

Try being nice the next time. It's a much better way to get the point accross. Calling someone "fat", isn't the way to do it! Be NICE!

Posted by: Kim Fabri | June 25, 2007 09:47 AM

But my original point was that he HAS already addressed this issue.

From Ingrid: “Although we think that your film could actually help reform America’s sorely inadequate health care system, there’s an elephant in the room, and it is you. With all due respect, no one can help but notice that a weighty health issue is affecting you personally. We’d like to help you fix that.”

From Michael, via the New Yorker: (available at: http://www.nymag.com/movies/features/33143) "At some point I felt that [I] was being somewhat disingenuous when I wasn’t taking care of my own health... In three months, I lost 30 pounds."

So, since he's already said that he's on the path of doing exactly what people have mentioned, Ingrid's letter is a bit...late?

Perhaps we should all take a moment to gather all the facts before we make statements that make all vegetarians look bad. I for one want to live a better lifestyle, not just an alternative one.

Posted by: Jennifer | June 25, 2007 10:43 AM

Wow. I am so surprised at Ingrid's candor. Although, I really do feel it was not necessary to say it quite that way. Fat or thin, Michael opens our eyes and ears to many issues that need attenion. I am not sure his weight should be an issue for anyone but him. Thanks for letting me share my point of view.

Posted by: Seuuu | June 25, 2007 10:52 AM

Why will you not post the comment asking if Ingrid is going to send another letter? I know we have to wait to b approved but I have written other comments after that and they have been posted?

Posted by: Amie | June 25, 2007 11:20 AM

I think Michael Moore does so much to provoke thought about serious issues that need to be dealt with. I think it's really sad that Ingrid has to superficially attack a person that could really help a cause like PETA. Time would be better spent on helping the animals on fur or factory farms rather that pointing out how large someone is. This letter has personally angered me and it could really put some people off of supporting an otherwise great organization. Please concentrate on the things that really matter. I think a BIG apology is in order!

Posted by: Chantal | June 25, 2007 11:21 AM

Tessara, how funny. I did not notice the note from Jim until you pointed it out. Jim and others have said that only overweight people sympathize with Moore, and since as I have stated I'm only 115 lbs, that I must have some kind of fetish for overweight people. Oh yeah, that must explain it. Hysterical.

Let's put this argument to rest. Ask a real doctor or nutritionist if you can tell by someone's weight if they're a vegetarian. Either do this scientifically or don't bother.

In any event, I have been impressed with the many eloquent comments pointing out why the letter from Ingrid was so very inappropriate. I'd just like to add one more point.

It seems like PETA has wanted to somehow be "cutting edge" by being controversial. But many campaigns, like this one, have simply been childish insults. Not only was this letter not eloquent, it was not even humorous. It was just immature.

If PETA really wants to be controversial I suggest you HIRE someone like Moore or Lewis Black who can be racy and shocking and also FUNNY and INTELLIGENT at the same time. Because PETA can't seem to pull it off.

Either go all the way and hire better writers, or stick to what you know.

You know how to care for animals and you know what they need. I know you know how to speak compassionately. Letters like Ingrid's just make us ALL look like unfunny playground brats.

Posted by: Maya | June 25, 2007 11:33 AM

This is is sent partly in response to Christine's response (that can be found near the top regarding diabeties) as well as for general information that I believe we should consider. In University I took a course titled "Health and Illness in a Cross Cultural Perspective", at one time we watched a documentary film by a Harvard professor (I appologize I forget his name) but the Film was titled "the Shamans Apprentice". During this porfessors studies in a particular place in South America he discovered that few elders could lable and describe the use of every plant, individually and in combinations. So the point was that in this remote place too, biomedicine was becomming more popular than traditional healing knowledge and it was partly his mission to reinstate the knowledge of the elders into the young people, hence "the Shamans Apprentice". While he was there he had seen people cured of diabeties. He brought the remedies back to Harvard to be tested in obvious hopes of bringing a cure of diabeties to North American people. After testing the plants individually it was concluded that the remedy was not a cure, as they refused to look at the holistic properties, they only looked at the individual properties.

Vegeterianism or veganism is fighting the same issues as the North American health care advocates (such as Michael Moore, or the author of the book "Natural Cures: The Things They Don't Want You to Know, or the above Harvard Professor) the POWER of CAPITALISM and PROFIT. Cures are out there just as there, as there are great tasting and healthy soy supplements, it is really a matter of specialized knowledge that has to be released to the mass public. For instance, every single supermarket I have ever been into sells a rediculous ammount of slaughtered animals that are out on display like running shoes. You have to search to find a soy supplement. And while you are searching you are likley to see posters of what you should make for dinner- centering some sort of animal on a plate. In the same notion everyone has a local hospital, everyone knows of insulin or other biomedical chemically engineered "remedies" but how many people know of the natural cures these days or even the documentary I listed above. On the same note I am my only vegan or vegeterian friend, I like to consider myself healthy, physically and morally, but I know that if I was with all of my meat eating friends and family and someone asked 'who is the most unhealthy in the group', no matter how obese or ill anyone else may be, I guarantee all fingers would point at me. Many people believe that a vegan diet or a vegeterian diet is unhealthy. I try to inform people but they will not listen to me because I am not a nutritionist, or PHD of science. When I became a vegeterian my doctor laughed at me and to this day he still asks me if I am and shakes his head. The knowledge is out there and PETA is doing a great job at trying to circulate it but in a sense it is still specialized knowledge. If anything I think the best thing we can do is team up with health care advocates such as Michael Moore, as Ingrid has tried. But the last thing we need to do is criticize poeple for not making the choice on their own. In our society everything has become way too easy and for the majority of families slaughtered animals is easy. It is advertised, it is prepackaged in a way that the average North American does not have to think that it was even once a live being- the only indication is the package lable to inform one of what kind of animal. PETA is doing great at getting behind the scenes and informing people of the injustices and immoralities that are happening and trying to put an end to it. These are the ways to get across to people. I believe that rather than sending a letter calling a person fat and unhealthy because of their meat habits, it would be better to ally- suggest that we share something in common, explain a little and then proceed to send hard core facts of the meat industrys injustices and immoralities and health related issues. The more people learn the more they can make their own independant choices aside form greedy capitalists profits motives. The power of knowledge is all the poeple need and right now there is just not enough of it in comparison to packaged prepared slaughtered animals- and biomedical doctors who think vegeterianism is a sham and unhealthy.

Posted by: Lindsay | June 25, 2007 11:35 AM

I admire Michael Moore. He has the courage to stand up and confront some of the blatant injustices of our society. His personal life is just that---HIS PERSONAL LIFE---and I don't think we should judge him. If he chooses to go vegan or not, that's his choice.

Posted by: Lynne Schulte | June 25, 2007 12:07 PM

Michael Moore is a fat, lazy loud-mouth who would rather sit back and criticize higher-ups to make himself a buck than actually go out and do something to make a REAL difference. He obviously knows he's fat, but does nothing about it- I don't think that calling him out on that is rude, but truthful (isn't that what he's supposedly all about-unearthing problems that face America and bringing them to the surface?) When you make a living attacking others, I believe then that your own code of ethics and morals and way of life are fair game to be scrutinized- and it doesn't take much scrutiny to discover that he leasds an unhealthy livestyle- just look at him! Mikey needs to take a look at the fat hypocrite staring back at him in the mirror before he makes his next dollar attacking the policies of others. Kudos to Ingrid for giving Michael Moore a dose of his own medicine- he prefers loud, rude and in-your-face when dealing with things that he feels are of importance, so he should expect the same in return.

Posted by: Lindsay | June 25, 2007 12:38 PM

I wouldn't be dissing liberal icons because, frankly, liberals are more likely to sympathize for animal rights. Make fun of Bill O'Reily. He scares me.

Posted by: Daniel Mullanaphy | June 25, 2007 12:52 PM

I agree with PETA most of the time but in this instance I did not like the personal attack on Michael Moore. Please refrain from doing this as it helps fuel people even further that are already against PETA.

Posted by: Helen Bish | June 25, 2007 12:58 PM

Perhaps Ingrid could have said, "Compassion heals, don't eat meat."

Posted by: Geneva Perez | June 25, 2007 01:08 PM

I agree with Maya and Christine.

Posted by: M.S. | June 25, 2007 01:08 PM

While I agree that Americans would be a lot healthier if they went vegetarian, and it would be a kinder and more decent world, I thought that it was mean to get on Michael Moore about his weight. He isn't the enemy-really he isn't. He's done some very important work in his documentaries, at the expense of making a lot of enemies in government. I hope he does go vegetarian for his own sake, but it could have been said much more politely. He didn't deserve that. Also, we want him on our side, don't we? Yes, it would be great if his next documentary exposed the animal cruelty that we're all fighting. Let's not alienate him with insults.

Posted by: Teresa Russo | June 25, 2007 01:22 PM

I find it rather disappointing sometimes how Peta addresses issues. There is usually a more positive route that can be taken by Peta to get the point across but it isn't often taken. I don't like how Peta relies on the "shock-factor"...not necessary. The truth is shocking enough and plain facts speak for themselves.

Posted by: Kathleen | June 25, 2007 02:14 PM

When I first read about Ingrid's letter to Michael Moore, I was soooo excited!!! I thought for sure that she would ask him to make the issue of "animal rights" or "animal cruelty" his next project. When her letter was to get ONE man to become a vegitarian and to insult him, I couldn't believe it. Her letter could have served millions of animals all over the world instead of the ones that only Michael Moore will eat. Don't get me wrong, Ingrid is a great person, but so is Michael Moore. Hopefully she did not burn that potentially important bridge.

Posted by: Trevor | June 25, 2007 03:05 PM

Stop sticking up for that piece of garbage..He needs to loose weight, and what better way than to go veggie..and save some animals lives..and since all he can do is complain about this county and its healthcare, he should want to see doctors as little as possible. And since he loves France so much, ill buy him a one way ticket...

Posted by: Anonymous | June 25, 2007 03:12 PM

Good job Ingrid. Only I would use the term pig rather than elephant. Elephants are way too cool..and he is much more of a donkey!

Posted by: millie mertens | June 25, 2007 03:37 PM

Ummm...Not quite the right way to go about things there Ingrid..Maybe that's why PETA has a bad reputation in the eyes of ultra-conservatives..plus I don't know if Michael Moore is the person you should be attacking..you're just throwing daggers at anyone at this point..

Posted by: michelle | June 25, 2007 04:09 PM

Where did Ingrid call him an elephant???? That expression is an idiom for all of you that don't know that. Whew!! Many of you are ignorant of this so your letters made no sense.
IMO, Moore can really attack "the system" by filming what goes on in vivsectors' labs, on factory farms and in slaughterhouses. These labs have lied to the public about its scientific insights to improve human health (all paid by taxpayers) and the government subsidizes the meat and dairy industries and should be held accountable for this ( the cruelty, filth and their promotion of ingesting animals). Eating cadavers has directly resulted in illness and in many cases obesity.
Your contempt for Ingrid's letter is OVER-KILL and you also are being judgemental. Ingrid did Not call him an elephant.

Rafale Fontes and Timothy Nyman---thank you for your words, you are both a breath of fresh air.
I suggest this blog be changed to "Why I love Michale Moore".
Leslie, you have the wrong blog.

Posted by: Ana | June 25, 2007 05:18 PM

Michael is one person to get on his GOOD side.
He is one film producer that can create a disturbing or political film that many will rant or rave over- but the majority will support him.
Asking him in a kinder way would be a better way.
I feel that some people who do not really know what and who PETA are, may be dis-amused and have an immediate HATE towards us- and that is NOT what we want- because we are here to do good to the earth,
WE should ask Michael to watch EARTHLINGS_ and tell him to create something like that. It is a movie that everyone should see- hard to watch- but empowers us PETA and others who just want to do good.

Posted by: Sue | June 25, 2007 05:53 PM

I do think that we should take responsibility for our own health but I don’t think that being vegetarian has nothing to do with his new film. I mean he talks of urgent needs. He shows this one guy who lost his fingertip and the doctor does something horrible to him. So as much as I love Ingrid for doing what she does, she did call him an elephant she admits it when she says “with all due respect" she was disrespectful and that’s that.
I know she meant no harm, but she was impolite!
Anyways I think she's great and god blesses her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And all of you for caring!!

Posted by: Angelica Sanchez | June 25, 2007 05:55 PM

I just wanted to say that I am a supporter of PETA but not a full supporter of Ingrid's comments to Micheal Moore. He is not the problem, and in fact he has helped to open people's eyes to the many injustices this world faces everyday. People have changed their lifestyles and beliefs because of Micheal Moore and I think that throwing a comment at him about his weight in a less than professional matter was more damaging than helpful. You do not know his past or his diet and believe that that should have been left out of the letter. Being angry and hurtful towards Micheal Moore might make you feel better right now but we have to remember that the issues he and others believe in are not the same issues we stand up for, but they are just as important.

Posted by: Amber | June 25, 2007 06:10 PM

This reminds me a bit about Paul MacCartney, who had fired some of his past musicians (years ago) because they were NOT either vegetarians nor vegans.

RESPECT OTHERS' CHOICES AND THEY WILL RESPECT YOUR CHOICES IN LIFE TOO...

As a now 15 years vegan (COMPLETELY that is, no dairies, no animal corpses in anyway, NOTHING!), I do respect the fact that there are STILL and WILL ALWAYS BE some meat eaters and either chubby fat people in this world...

Some of my personal friends will eat meat in front of me, I will certainly NOT like that, but I will NOT back off from the table...

Some of my friends will smoke pit in front of me, and I do not do it, but I will not back away, not necessarely anyway..

If Ingrid KNEW her music, she would notice that Poison's Rikki Rockett, a COMPLETELY VEGAN too, for MANY years also, is - indeed - quite CHUBBY for a vegan, and FAR from being as thin as non-vegatarians nor vegans like Peta's long time enemy (everlasting enemy?) CÉline Dion or (not sure about how Peta feels about them though) , or - for example - Calista Flockhart or Twiggy (remember her?).

I'm always amazed to see that Rockett is a vegan, but then again, chubby...

Maybe Ingrid should get into Poison and look at their most recent pictures...

But then again, I AM ALSO chubby myself, and a 100 % VEGAN too!

Treat others like you want to be treated...

Or else what you say about others might come back at you...

(We all have seen this happened before anyway).

Let's all hope that Ingrid will NEVER be obese...

I repeat... Some vegans ARE obese and chubby...

It is not - in my very wn personal case, what I eat - but I do eat large portions, and I admit it...

100% VEGAN FOR LIFE,

Sylvie from Canada

P.S.: To Ingrid:

Poison is currently on tour this summer, why don't you buy yourself a ticket amd meet Rikki Rockett backstage after the show and get on his case for being "chubby and a vegan"?

Then, let us know what he will have told you...

Thanks!

Sure, Mr. Moore may not be a vegan, but maybe your getting on his case because you love George Bush and he does not?
If this is the case, everyone is allowed to have his or her own political opinions...

Posted by: Sylvie Groleau | June 25, 2007 06:35 PM

Just imagine if MM went veg and he lost 150lbs. that would be great!! I think that would speak for itself, no movie necessary... But, calling him "fat" is kinda mean, even though he "is."
I am sure he is not as pissed about is as 1/2 of these people but whatever!!! THE POINT IS FOR HIM TO GO VEG!!!
and if reminding someone that they are "UNHEALTHY" is what it takes then so be it!

I LOVE HIM ANYWAY, WEATHER HE IS OBESE OR NICOLE RICHIE STYLE BONE CARCUS!!!

xoxo

Posted by: MKF | June 25, 2007 07:34 PM

Many comments here...I didn't see mine posted...In addition to all our concerns about the cruel food industry and human health, A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH ATTENTION IS GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS-GMO'S. This "Frankenstein science" has invaded most everything we eat and drink and some of the scientist who invented this technology have expressed regret and concern for having created a potential health crisis. This issue (GMO) hardly gets mentioned in the USA but is talked about in other parts of the world. I would like to see Michael Moore really bring this issue to the american people. The food and health care industry would REALLY be shaking in their shoes!!

Posted by: Jackie Searle | June 25, 2007 11:00 PM

This site did not post my previous message, as also happened for many others. Hmmm...

Anyway, I'm a vegan and FAT, and I haven't ingested animal products for 15 years. There are SOOOOOO many of us who are vegetarians and vegans who are also FAT!!! And it's not because we just went veg yesterday or sit on our asses all the time!

Please, you all who are fat-phobic and sizeist: GET EDUCATED, and show some compassion for the species of animal that YOU are, along with the other animal species. I'm so sick of the fat-phobia I keep seeing in PETA. We need to focus on the most important issue of vegetarianism and veganism: ANIMAL RIGHTS!!!!!!!!!! The species that we share this earth with are the most important thing!!!!!!!

Posted by: Fat Vegan | June 25, 2007 11:24 PM

I do think he should take better care of himself, but so should a lot of other people. Ingrid should have worded her statement different. Words can be the worst weapon at times. If Michael can laugh that comment off then more power to him. But considering his history of producing movies that influence such a large number of people, Ingrid better hope he doesnt get pissed and make a movie dissing PETA.

Posted by: Chelso | June 25, 2007 11:39 PM

Ive always thought that Michael comes off as the stereo typical "Fat American". Since he is so dedicated about making movies that will "change" American, maybe he should try to stray from the American stereo type. I think he is a slob and he annoys the hell out of me. After reading Ingrid's reponse to the blogs and her reasoning for saying that to Michael, I think it was totally appropriate. He needs to take a good look at himself before he trash talks the beliefs of other people.

Posted by: Chelsea Kendle- PA | June 25, 2007 11:54 PM

This makes me think of how I felt when I had two really good freinds at odds with each other. Michael Moore impresses the hell out of me, but it also baffles me that he has not taken in the meat or dairy industries. I admire the work that PETA does, though I feel that at times PETA's approach can turn off people before they have a chance to get their point across.

Personally, I feel that I need to be careful with how to speak up for my beliefs without offending a person I respect. I am afraid that if I offend them, I lose any chance at "coverting" them. I believe that being a kind and caring person toward people and animals is my best bet at winning people over.

Both Michael Moore and PETA have my respect and attention. However, on a larger scale Michael Moore has a much larger audience. I would think that it would be in PETA's best interest to try to appeal to Michael Moore's sensibilities rather than challenge him. In challanging him, PETA may lose the portion of Michael Moore fans that they could have gained by being more tactfull.

Posted by: Wendy | June 26, 2007 01:31 AM

Michael Moore is a valuable ally for PETA. I am just shaking at the thought that he will turn his lens on the vegetarian/vegan/anti-animal cruelty cause as a result of the letter.
Sure he could lose a few pounds, but that will be something that he will work out on his own. It's one thing to urge someone to do healthy things for the sake of their preservation, but when you callously and flippantly refer to him as a "fat, bearded dude/ elephant", you are inviting him to turn his cameras on you and pull down your cause with a film that degrades and demonizes a well-intentioned organization.
Sure, I am guilty of sending emails or commenting in a "shoot first and ask questions later" and shooting from the hip style...and it has hurt me in the short and long runs. There is still time to send a follow-up to Mr. Moore to put your comments into perspective and keep the olive branch extended WITHOUT losing face.
I respectfully remind Ms. Newkirk to remember that her cause is supported by a wide demographic and there is the potential that some may pull back their support on account of the attacking epistle to Mr. Moore.
I've made a short comment long, but to summarize and restate the core point, Mr. Moore holds a lot of sway and PETA and all the fabulous and righteous efforts made on behalf of the animals could very easily be put into his crosshairs...
Let's keep our efforts positive and focused where we can all make a difference. Let's keep carrying the big stick, but remember that speaking softly is the other important part of the equation.

I remain a friend to the animals, vegan and loyal to PETA and (our)their causes.

Posted by: jonathan | June 26, 2007 01:42 AM

While I agree that Moore needs to lose weight I think it's really tactless of you to use him as a means to push your pro-vegan agenda. Do you really think he doesn't know he is overweight? And is it fair to call him fat for everyone else to hear it? Also, it should be noted that being vegan does not always guarantee that a person will be thin.

Posted by: Jolie | June 26, 2007 02:05 AM

Moore is the problem.
Thanks, Ingrid for stating the obvious and true facts regarding that sub human who most likely consumes a record number of everything and every ONE. Moore could not be MORE hypocritical.
His diet and weight are the cause of most of the health care expense in our Country. Take a look in the mirror, Moore. You just mocked yourself!! How ironic and not real bright--how about a movie about the most serious aspect of health in this Country--all the children who are being brought up to be just like you. Our Country WILL go broke taking care of them later in life and we responsible Americans will pay the price.

Posted by: Jean | June 26, 2007 02:44 AM

I think the letter would have been an okay way to get the message across to him, but was it really necessary to post it for everyone to see? To me, that is what makes the difference between having the letter be a subtle nudge in the right direction and public criticism.

Posted by: Kristi | June 26, 2007 03:52 AM

Just like some others, I'm still wondering where some people read that Ingrid called M.M. an elephant.??????

ONE MORE TIME, AS SOMEONE EXPLAINED: "AN ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM" IS AN ENGLISH AXIOM FOR THE OBVIOUS TRUTH THAT IS BEING IGNORED.

Then the ones who lack reading comprehension and the one who are (NON) self-righteous here are making all kinds of judgemental, ignorant, and sarcastic comments about Ingrid.

Once again, involvement in animal rights is not for everyone if you cannot handle the slightest comment that is not so sweet and nicey-nice!

If some of you can't handle the truth about an axiom (mere words) then how do you handle the truth (the HORRIBLE ACTIONS) about what happens to the abused animals?

As a member of PETA for 10 years, I'm not ashamed of Ingird, her dedication, her approaches, or M.M., but I am disenchanted with fellow animal rights' activists here who misconstrued Ingrid's comments, therefore are not able to see the potential of Ingrid's approach that she is more experienced at than all of us put together!

Posted by: Ariel | June 26, 2007 07:38 AM

Um, I love PETA but I really think you crossed the line with that letter. It just was not a very nice thing to say. The letter you wrote sounds like it came from a pissed off republican, not a nice vegan. You just called a guy fat and bashed him, now you expect him to do what you say? If I were you I would have wrote it like this

"Although we think that your film could actually help reform America’s sorely inadequate health care system, There are many ways to stay healthy! Going vegetarian is one of them! And it is an easy and life-saving step that people of all economic backgrounds can take in order to become less reliant on the government’s shoddy healthcare system, and it’s something that you and all Americans can benefit from personally.”

See you should have said that

Posted by: Ben | June 26, 2007 08:47 AM

Wow, PeTA actually goes after a liberal & everyone gets all huffy-puffy about it. Ingrid makes such a great point. Michael makes a movie about the terrible health care problems of our country, yet he's a big part of the problem. Maybe if we took better care of ourselves, there would be more help available for the people that need it most. But I am glad someone is getting the word out about health care. Good for PeTA for not being one sided (politically). Makes me love PeTA & Ingrid even more.

Posted by: D--Ho | June 26, 2007 11:42 AM

Although alot of the things Ingrid said were very valid, I think she could have been a little more tactful. I know I wouldn't respond well to that letter or at all.I understand that the point was trying to get him to go vegan, but he already is on a weight-loss program. 20 pounds & still dropping.

Posted by: Clinton | June 26, 2007 01:43 PM

Sorry, but I don't support making fun of anyone. While I am a vegetarian, I do not believe in forcing my beliefs onto anyone.

Posted by: Lauren | June 26, 2007 01:54 PM

Okay, I absolutely agree with Ingrid's message: going veg promotes a healthy lifestyle and helps prevent the biggest health crises in America (obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease)....but casually mentioning to Michael Moore in a publically released letter about how great faux fried chicken is? Calling him an "elephant in the room"? That's no way to talk to another person, especially one you don't even know personally. If you want to stop cruelty to animals, maybe we should work on cruelty to people too!

Posted by: Sarah | June 26, 2007 03:38 PM

I think kind words get through to people with detailed information. He obviously doesn't know how to eat well, like most americans, and it's not just about meat. There are a lot of very fat vegetarians eating crappy processed food, too many chips and not enough veggies and whole grains. Teaching people how to eat well, including cutting out meat, is the way to go...

Posted by: anne | June 26, 2007 03:52 PM

There may be an elephant in the room but I happen to like elephants; I do not however, like mean people.

Posted by: Lauren | June 26, 2007 04:43 PM

This is the third time I've tried to post this...

I agree with Maya and most of the posters on here.

It was very inappropriate for Ingrid to call Michael an elephant. Not to mention the judgemental tone of the letter was a very lame attempt to get a filmaker to stand behind PETA's cause.

Not all vegetarians or vegans are skinny. I've been a vegetarian for about 3 years now. Although I've become more healthy and lost some weight, I'm still very curvy. There's nothing wrong with that! Are we less valued in the cause because we don't portray the typical poster children of vegetarianism?

Mr Moore has a lot of courage to confront corruption going on in our system, whether in the government or in the healthcare industry.

"Going vegetarian is an easy and life-saving step that people of all economic backgrounds can take in order to become less reliant on the government’s shoddy healthcare system".
In reality, there are many healthy-eating and vegetarian people who suffer from cancer, diabetes, and/or alzheimer's who still need adequate care. This does not set aside the greed of our healthcare system.

It would have been a more respectful approach for Ingrid to say:
"I am pleased with the fact that you are addressing corruption going on in America's healthcare system. However, it would be an excellent idea and vital for you to point out in another film of yours how the meat and poultry industry is profiting from animal cruelty and the detriment of people's health. Like the tobacco industry, the meat and poultry factories have contributed to American's dependancy on a diet which can lead to obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease as opposed to lung cancer."

Being patronizing and insulting is no way to get someone on your side. I, for the most part, stand beside what PETA does, but they need show compassion for people as well as animals.

Posted by: Kirsten | June 26, 2007 04:48 PM

I'm not a fan of Michael Moore's work or of many of his opinions, but I really think that calling him fat is childish and unprofessional. Honestly, if PETA wants people to take them and their views seriously then try having a little tact. The man could never eat a piece of meatin his life and still be overweight. I am generally am a supporter in all of PETA's efforts to better the world for animals, but this time shame on you!

Posted by: Sunshine | June 26, 2007 04:49 PM

The fact is that a lot of health problems are caused by being overweight, and they're the kind of health problems that either kill people or require long-term treatment. Losing weight may be hard, but living with the kinds of problems excess weight can cause is a lot worse, no matter what kind of medical care is available.

Posted by: A | June 26, 2007 05:34 PM

FINALLY. I must say, I've never to my memory even visited the Peta website before. But I read an article on another site about this letter to M Moore. And I must say as politics so, I tend to lean Libertarian more so and fall conservative on many issues. But I think Peta has shown it's not a biased one-party leaning Org. They're just saying what everyone already thinks. Why can't people just say what's right without being attacked or insulted? If he's advocating health, I'd much rather he stop eating so unhealthy which is the cause of most obesity in the US today to begin with. His message isn't lost on me, but I'd rather he stop the excess first. It's like saying McDonalds is bad, but knowing someone is going to Burger King a few times a week. Let's not be a hypocrite Michael!

I commend PETA and would support anyone who doesn't mind taking flack from both sides of the political spectrum to do what they think is right.

Posted by: Bk | June 26, 2007 05:38 PM

In reading some of the comments I noticed that some here are not linking healthy eating to lower healthcare cost and you are taking Moore's side vs. Ingrid's in saying that the film is not about "that". While I applaud Moore please realize that Ingrid is correct in linking the two, we are a fat fat nation and we need to lose weight. Cuba has done wonders but they have more to work with in that they are probably more proned to eating more produce, fish and chicken (not a member of PETA, sorry), rather than doritos and fruit rollups. HFCS is going to be the death of our country (not terrorists) and it is even in our basic whole wheat bread. We must examine our food. When my son was diagnosed with a food allergy I had never examined food so closely in my life and realized just how much garbage we put into our bodies and how much healthier we are as a family by cooking more of our own food fresh and eating out less and not eating stuff from the "middle" aisles. It really is no secret that eating better (no matter what your organic body type) can help you have less doctor visits thus putting less burden on doctors and hospitals and more money in our pockets. Michael Moore is bold so I am sure he is not afraid of bold being directed at him either. I applaud Ingrid, there is no need to worry about Michael Moore's feelings, he probably doesn't worry about others as a rule and he has a thick skin I am sure. Perhaps you should spend more time worrying about the young American kids eating twinkies and snickers as a snack rather than some homemade cookies made with ingredients you can always pronounce. Further I am sure that cutting out red meat in addition to a No Middle Aisle diet would affect an even healther lifestyle as is Ingrid's greatest point to Michael Moore directly.

Posted by: Lucia | June 26, 2007 05:59 PM

I am Canadian and a member of Peta. The reason why health issues are related to health care is that the "sicker" a society is, the more money it costs to the public health care system. Thus prevention is important. Weight problems and related health problems are directly connected to a public health care system.

However, I do agree with most of the writers that Ingrid went too far with Michael Moore who really tries to help. Apologies from Peta would be welcome.

Rena

Posted by: rena | June 26, 2007 06:04 PM

I think any attack should have been directed at his copious meat consumption, not his weight.

While every person we can turn vegetarian or vegan counts, I don't think having Michael Moore as a vocal supporter is what PETA needs. I disagree with the many who say they'd like to see him make a film about factory farming, as that will only serve to further polarize the debate. It does not benefit animals that PETA is seen as a far left organization. If the cause as a whole is ever going to get anywhere we need to reach across party lines and appeal to people on a moral level, not a political one.

Posted by: Sky Black | June 26, 2007 06:33 PM

I am NOT a PETA supporter. That being said, who knows if this will get published. Regardless, I feel compelled to make a point. Michael Moore has provided for the American people a look into the atrocity that is our health care system. It is about time someone had the guts to confront big business health care. It is sad, truly very sad that Ingrid missed out on the opportunity to help draw attention to an issue that is a major problem in our country. We are the ONLY first world country that doesn't provide healthcare to all of its citizens. Obviously, Ingrid is passionate about her issue. If you can't make comments that will help the cause and you just want to regress to adolescent name calling, then stick to your own issue. And I'm sure if Michael Moore cared about Ingrids oppinion of his health, he would have asked her for it.

Posted by: Melissa | June 27, 2007 11:04 AM

Good for her, Michael Moore is fat! But vegetarianism is going to cure that. Anyone can eat delicious meat (in moderation) and still be very healthy. Most of the vegetarians I know are fat.

Posted by: Dan | June 27, 2007 02:05 PM

ingrid called it the way she seen it, micheal is one of the most blunt in your face people to grace the hollywood stage in years. i dought he'll be offended at the comment or the challange. good for you ingrid and i hope micheal takes the wager!

Posted by: Jessie | June 27, 2007 03:04 PM

I love you Ingrid, but I also don't think attacking his weight is a good way to encourage him to become vegetarian. I was a little upset to read this. I think PETA is better than this.

Posted by: Theresa | June 27, 2007 03:57 PM

I have been vegan for three years now and vegetarian all my life. i am obese (comfortably so, not borderline). Animal rights and eating disorders are separate issues, though related. Taking care of one does not necessarily mean that the other falls in line.

Posted by: bk | June 27, 2007 04:57 PM

Your efforts are best directed towards KFC or some other meat based company, leave Mr. Moore alone. He's bringing to light the shoddy state of American health care. What does this have to do with vegetarianism? Where is the proof that most diseases are related to eating meat? And what does this have to do with your insurance company not paying your bill? True, Mr. Moore is obese but maybe he would be obese as a vegetarian? As a rule vegetarians may live a little longer but they too get sick and have accidents..and are at the mercy of our health care system. They too get denied insurance or are unable to get affordable insurance. I'm sure you realize that vegetarianism and health care are separate issues..no?

Posted by: Stella | June 27, 2007 07:08 PM

I agree with Maya way up there.
I mean, attacking someone for the way they are dressed [fur, etc.] sure.
Attacking them for spouting off when not knowing the issues, certainly.
Attacking someone's personal appearance, however, well, not ALL of us can be as pretty as Ingrid, so.... I say leave the tasteless slams out of the letter.

((and I completely agree with one poster above, weight is not always a 'what you eat' issue.))

You can catch more flies with (vegan) honey.

Posted by: kelli | June 27, 2007 07:17 PM

Wow. I don't like her commentary on his weight one bit. Obesity is BS because not everyone that is obese eats unhealthily. Ingrid should not have stuck her nose in that zone and I do agree with Maya. If someone tried to attack my weight I'd tell PETA to 'shove it'.
She should have tried to convince him on the moral stance of vegetarianism and how it can help cure corruption, and not attack his personal business.

Posted by: Meli | June 27, 2007 07:39 PM

I do respect Michael Moore, but really, I think he can handle being called fat. I think the letter was great, Ingrid is doing what she has to do to open people's eyes to vegetarianism for the animals and their sake.
And, my opinion is that if he does try it and enjoys it, who could be better than Michael Moore to show the world how beneficial it is? Way to go Ingrid!

Posted by: Megan | June 27, 2007 10:08 PM

As many others have said, vegetarianism does not necessarily equal weight loss or even good health. Like many Americans, if he seriously decided to lose weight, I'm afraid he'd try Atkins or the Zone before vegetarianism. If it were me, and I got this careless letter, I'd probably do the opposite. Don't tempt him.

Posted by: Christina | June 27, 2007 10:56 PM

So just because Mike's overweight....Ingrid has to actually get off her ass and write him a letter saying that if he was a vegetarian he would be skinny?

Just for that I think mike should publicly execute a few cows and have himself a couple of fresh burgers. You know just for the hell of it.

Love you too PETA

Posted by: Joe | June 28, 2007 04:07 AM

I agree with nearly everyone who commented on this topic. Yes, the letter is indeed a bit hurtful and rather rude, but, that is the manner which Mr. Moore speaks in. He, like Ingrid is very, um, to the point. However, Ingrid is the face of PETA. For that matter she needs to be respectful and calling a man an elephant is by no means respectful. I am not a vegetarian and if someone wrote me a note like that, heck no I wouldn't try a 30-day veg pleadge. But, if someone wrote me a sincere note about how the ved pleadge might make me change my vews, increase my health without dirrectly calling me fat, I might just give it a try. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that if Ingrid were to approach this in a less evasive manner, she might have been a little more successful in reaching her goal.

Posted by: Mia | June 28, 2007 04:11 AM

This letter to Moore is just another example of how common it has become for anyone to use another person's physical characteristics when trying to make a point. Wouldn't it be more productive to go straight to the issue and not distract your audience by using these tacts? Readers of this letter focused on the "elephant" analogy more than on the real issue...and what was that? who knows, the elephant was silent.

Posted by: sonia reyes | June 28, 2007 11:21 AM

Hi. Though I also applaud Ingrid for promoting better eating habits and promoting animal welfare I am diappointed she did it in such an unpolite manner. You get more flies with honey and all that. And being a vegan may or may not solve the problem; you can still be overweight without touching a single animal product.

Posted by: Bree | June 28, 2007 11:50 AM

Are there no overweight vegans? Or are all of them skinny beanpoles like Ingrid?

Posted by: Jim | June 28, 2007 03:00 PM

Instead of insulting and attacking Mr. Moore, who is a very intelligent man, Ingrid should have, could have but did not bring up the issue of the greenhouse effect and the agricultural industry, which may have interested him in another documentary, adding in factory farming issues, lab animals, and other cruelty matters, puppy mills, etc.

By possibly alienating him, or pissing him off, she did a disservice. She could have been more tactful in her approach with education first.

Posted by: Lori Ugolik | June 28, 2007 04:09 PM

I would love to see Michael Moore make a doc that deals with animal ethics and the meat industry -- that would be very powerful.

Mike B. I couldn't AGREE with you more!!!

Posted by: Nina | June 28, 2007 05:13 PM

Well - what you said is true - but being more tactful would have helped. I have seen many weighty vegetarians! Even vegans! Because they still eat unhealthy - lots of fats and sugars and processed foods! Mentioning that if he argues for what is right and moral on other issues - why is he ignoring the "sick" mass production and mass killing of certain animal species for food and other commodities? THIS IS UNNECESSARY, RUTHLESS, AND A WASTE OF PRECIOUS RESOURCES! Just my two bits!

Posted by: Kathleen | June 28, 2007 08:17 PM

I TAKE IT BACK - PETA was not offensive - after reading what Michael Moore did showing up with animals at PETA's doorstep! And his comment that "we are wasting our lives." In due time he will find out that he has caused himself real health problems. And for those who call vegetarians "squeamish", I'd like to see all these TOUGH animal flesh/fluid eaters WATCH ALL THE VIDEOS available on ANY AND ALL ANIMAL ABUSE. BETTER YET - actually go see it in person as an undercover worker! Let's see how TOUGH you really are! You are the squeamish - because you don't want to know, hear, or SEE the horrendous abuse and torture and insanity behind the mass breeding and killing of animals. WHEW - got that out of me!

Posted by: Kathleen | June 28, 2007 08:43 PM

you people make me sick, a lot more sick than michael moore does, you people are the most selfish people taking in a vegan diet in which a lot of people dont have the luxury of choice in the matter. get a life.

Posted by: adam jenkins | June 28, 2007 09:30 PM

Unless you follow Michael Moore around, you have no idea WHAT he eats and what his diet is about.
Second of all, how about
some respect for his mind and what he's doing with it.

Maybe Newkirk needs to take
the 30-day sensitivity & enlightenment challenge.

Posted by: S. | June 29, 2007 01:12 AM

First I have to say that I respect PETA immensely. That being said, I feel the letter about Michael Moore was uncalled for. His movie has nothing to do with the well- being of animals. To take the low road, no matter if that is his tactic or not seems to go against what I thought PETA stood for. I don't feel that PETA needs to put people down to further their cause, and this subject has nothing to do with their cause. Please stick to your excellence at helping animals.

Posted by: Melissa | June 29, 2007 04:30 AM

i think it is awful to use name calling to get someone to think about going veg...veganism is a non violent lifestyle and calling someone fat is violent and just plain mean! not all vegetarians are thin and for all we know Michael Moore could already be a vegetarian. I do believe that personal health is important, especially since we live in a society without universal health care, but i do not believe that name calling is an appropriate way, especially for vegans, to encourage a veg lifestyle. honestly, i'm truly dissapointed in you Ingrid!!

Posted by: kristi | June 29, 2007 11:10 AM

Everybody has a good point,however Ingrid was only telling the truth and the truth always wins and so many people are afraid of it.It was a brute approach but the truth is what makes people change. the truth about how theese animals are treated is what made us change right? I lost 40 lbs doing vegan and ate as much as I wanted of the right stuff and a part of me changing my lyfestyle was a brutely honest friend telling me how fat i was getting. Honor the truth live by the truth and if the truth makes the mike guy run away and diss us then f*ck him we dont need him!

Posted by: amanda | June 29, 2007 12:40 PM

I agree about adopting a healthy lifestyle, BUT in our healthcare system,lest not forget that well visits, and numerous annual tests WILL also prevent a individual health catastophe. Most of us go without these test {i.e mammogram, pap, colonostopy, etc.} because we can't afford them, or the insurance won't cover them, the deductable is too big, and the excuses go on! Our Healthcare system needs an overhaul BIG TIME! I'm happy that Michael Moore exposed our healthcare system. We sure couldn't get that info on our own. Shame on the USA for allowing this sham.

Posted by: Theresa | June 29, 2007 02:25 PM

As a person who tries to live by the axiom 'do no harm,' I must say that am not impressed by the crass comments of Ingrid Newkirk. I support sustainable practices, responsible living and an organic, vegetarian lifestyle. However, choosing to attack someone else verbally is offensive and does this organization a disservice. Not cool, PeTA.

Posted by: Molly | June 29, 2007 03:39 PM

People are overweight for a variety of reasons, and believe me, they are aware of their weight...they are looked at differently and often treated differently. I have a sister who is extremely overweight, and has struggled with the problem for years. I wonder if Ingrid would use her same tactics on someone who is anorexic? While Ingrid's intentions may have been honorable, pointing out publically someone else's weight problem is not honorable, and does not elevate anyone's life condition.

The globe can be treated much more kindly through vegetarianism and conservation. People should be treated kindly as well.

Posted by: Jane | June 29, 2007 04:14 PM

im 31 live in sydney overweight by 30kgs and am new to vegetarian but since i`ve changed my way of eating i can tell the difference if i can do it so can he

Posted by: patricia | June 30, 2007 01:35 AM

Ingrid Newkirk - I am a VERY big fan of yours, a member of PETA for nearly 2 and a half years, an animal activist and a vegan. But I think - calling this man an "elephant" - i don't care WHO HE IS - is nothing short of rude, and below you. SHAME ON YOU. You owe not only Michael Moore an apology - but all of us in YOUR GROUP - who SUPPORT YOUR CAUSE an apology as well - because it is comments like these that make me think perhaps my money and efforts would be better spent at a DIFFERENT group - maybe that 30 bucks a month I dish out to peta should just go towards a local chapter of animal rights. One not so RUDe.
Shame on you. I am so disappointed.

Posted by: Dan MacDonald | June 30, 2007 10:10 AM

I'm sure that M.M. can 'handle' being called fat and whatever any other comments. But, I personally don't think that is the point. Whether he can handle it or not is not the point imho. I guess I just assume that people that are vegan have compassion. That is why I became veg nearly 20 years ago and veg nearly 2 years ago. For the compassion aspect. I just don't understand.

Posted by: Suzie Glaser | June 30, 2007 03:26 PM

I am so much more than amused by how offended some of the commentators are about this approach, saying that PETA "goes too far sometimes". No one called him names and we are talking, in this scenario, to Michael Moore who steps on just as many toes as anyone. It is a little like, "Oh dang!", but don't we (who are vegetarian partly for the health benefits) say the same things to our friends when trying to express the import of eating vegetarian/organic? I'm sure that Michael Moore doesn't want to be a hypocrite, and letting him know he could have such a huge ally as PETA if he chooses is a good idea to me. Honestly, I'm impressed by the bold move. He has covered some important topics on his list of address worthy issues, why not the meat industry? Other people have, so perhaps he wants to hit what isn't in the lime light as much. I think that the attention he gets for his controversial ways would get more of his fans to look at the PETA causes, which can't hurt in my mind. Who else should call him out? I can't do it like PETA can, so thanks PETA. Thanks Ingrid!

Posted by: Loreen | June 30, 2007 03:48 PM

well, if you read the entertainment weekly article, he said that he was trying to lose weight.

Posted by: Miles | June 30, 2007 09:33 PM

"You 'll go farther with honey...than you will vinegar". I thought being a member of PETA meant I was part of an organization trying to make the world a better place? I dislike Michael Moore, but I do not agree with Ingrid's letter. It makes her sound angry. Be a diplomat for the animals! And since when are sweets and cupcakes derived from animals anyway? I know alot of overweight Vegans!

Posted by: Wendy Hudson | July 1, 2007 07:59 AM

I am an admirer of Michael Moore and we can also add that like many other people---you and I included!----we don't all have compete awareness and consciousness on every issue. Plenty of people agitating for civil rights have been sexist; people advocating for animal rights can be racist; people fighting for workers' rights can be pro-gun, etc.

Obviously animal rights is a topic on which many people have not yet got their eyes opened. We can help. Not by alienating people but by reaching out.

I don't think it has escaped Mr Moore's attention that he has a weight problem. In fact, he discussed just that on Bill Maher when he was talking about how the movie affected him personally. He said that his lifestyle and junk food were part of his own health care hypocrisy.

Change is not easy, as many former meat eaters around here know. Let is show a little compassion. I support Ingrid and don't think she was out of line at all. But I don't like to see Moore attacked because he has a weight problem or because he has made money. His films have raised awareness on important issues---like the plight of workers, and the deceptions of our government---that needed to be raised.

By all means see "Sicko" but also see "Fast Food Nation," which goes a long way towards exposing the cruelty to animals in the food industry.

We also need to call for more health care and medicine that does not emanate from sadistic experiments on animals.

Posted by: joanne g murphy | July 1, 2007 11:48 AM

Michael Moore and PETA both have one thing in common. Both love propaganda and feeding on the naive. PETA is wrong on most issues; Moore is a fat pig. Both facts.

Posted by: Jack | July 1, 2007 06:14 PM

I find myself torn on this issue, but leaning towards siding with the letter.

Michael Moore is an
overweight, sloppy dude. Regardless of the movies he has mad that expose some terrible truths, it seems awfully hypocritical to make a movie about health care when you are obese.

Given that obesity is a 'growing' problem in America, anyone in a position of influence should work to educate people about the truth of the problem.

Obesity is, in about 5% of people, a genetic problem. For the rest, veg or not, it's diet and exercise. So for the people who have posted that they are veg and fat, I would encourage you to think about what diet choices you make and what you could do to be more active, because those are most likely to blame. After all, potato chips, soda and white bread are vegan, but that doesn't make them healthy.

And to the people who jump to the defense of Mike, he knows he's fat, just like all the rest of the obese people in this country, and it shouldn't be such a drastic thing to point it out to them. I think anything that might motivate them to make themselves healthier should be said.

I personally am disgusted by fat people, not because they look gross (which they do) but because I look at them and think of the wasted resources that they represent, and how much of it is preventable.

Posted by: Lacy Syverson | July 1, 2007 07:24 PM

I agree with Maya. Yeah, the truth does hurt but if the first thing you say to him is that he's fat, he's not going to listen to what you have to say.

Posted by: Chasity | July 1, 2007 10:24 PM

Erm, why would PETA want anything to do with Michael Moore? He is low brow, repulsive and hated. The stereotype of him as a 'burger eater' is great, as he is a walking argument against meat consumption. It would be disastrous to have him on side. No offence to my American AR cousins, but Moore is representative of everything that is gross about the USA. You have to remember not to confuse 'progressive politics' with Animal Rights. We have supporters from the far left to far right and everyone in between. AR is NOT a political issue, and having left wing sensationalists like Moore on side would be a major setback.

Posted by: Sean | July 2, 2007 12:09 PM

does it really matter if he eats meat or not? PETA are just being ridiculous, dont eat meat and youll be healthy? thats absolutely ridiculous, anyone with a knowledge in nutriticn will tell you that nutrients that come from meats are essential and that is economically feasble to eat meat over vegetables. The problem PETArds is eating TOO much meat. Dear PETA, Suck a cock. Oh and PETA, seal meat is a very healthy meat low in saturated and trans fats and high in omega 3 fatty acids which studies show help brain, heart and digestive health!

Posted by: Polarized | July 2, 2007 08:25 PM

Amazing. Here we have a United States citizen, probably well over 300 pounds heavy, not well kept at all, and millions run to the cinemas to watch his hypocritical film about health care. Did he produce this film to offer an excuse to humanity why he is so obese? Why other less fortunate humans on this planet cannot find enough food to survive let alone gorge themselves every day? Hardly. He most likely produced this movie to pad his pockets even more to ensure his breakfast, lunch, and dinner plates would forever be full.

This is the same person who just a few years ago traveled overseas to exclaim how screwed up Americans are, and here we have him again producing another classic at the "screwed up Americans" expense. The saddest part of all this, is how many of you turned out to help this sad example of humanity achieve his goal of filling his belly.

Who am I to express such bold comments? A recent U.S. Marine Corps veteran who has lived in less fortunate countries and been blessed with the opportunity of experiencing poverty first hand. Shame on all of you who side with Mr. Moore, for whatever reason.

Posted by: Dave K. | July 3, 2007 01:15 AM

I'm a vegetarian and have been since 1986. I'm also fat. I'm also healthy. My doctor says I have a cholesterol level "a 12-year-old would kill for" and my blood pressure is that of a "30-year-old." I exercise regularly and can outlast skinny folks half my age on an all-day, open-to-closing outing at Disneyland. :)

I take serious issue with the remarks made to and about Michael Moore.

The health care crisis isn't the fault of a bunch of fat people, but due to greedy pharmaceutical companies, the AMA, the insurance industry and even some of the doctors themselves. The diet industry also has some serious things to answer for as well, since 95% of the folks who diet, not only put back all the weight they lose, but add 5-20 pounds each diet cycle until they diet themselves up to the weight at which they finally throw their hands up and say, "ENOUGH!"

Faulty science causes people to be fat bigots. How many know that no matter HOW a fat person dies, their secondary cause of death is noted as obesity? So if I'm hit by a truck, my death certificate will say my secondary cause of death is obesity. Hey, if I'm a bigger target, how come the truck hit me instead of the skinny chick four feet behind me? If a fat guy goes down in a plane crash, doesn't the fact that the engines blew up have more to do with his cause of death than the fact that he needed a seatbelt extender?!?

Many so-called "scientific" studies cull their data from death certificates. So if that data is faulty to begin with, then the results will be too.

Not to mention that folks who go on a continuous cycle of yo-yo dieting are putting tremendous stress on their systems (including the heart), whereas people who maintain a generally steady weight (regardless of what that weight might be) put LESS stress on their system.

It ain't the fat, folks -- it's the stress put on the body, mind and soul trying to conform to the narrow-minded, bigoted, would-rather-be-dead-than-fat mentality that creates a climate in which even the "Normal" sized or slighty chubby consider themselves to be gargantuan.

Shame on you. You're representing an organisation that fights abuse, and yet you spew venom at a person who is attempting to shed light on one of the most serious problems our country faces. All you can do is tell Michael Moore he's fat? Gee... I bet he doesn't own a mirror and doesn't have the slightest idea that he's rotund.

Let's get the facts straight, folks -- and stop the bigotry.

I notice, too, that PETA shirts are available only up to XL -- so you're already cutting off a significant part of folks who are potentially part of your power base.

I know lots of fat vegetarians (and vegans).

You do nothing to encourage them to champion your cause when you're so overtly bigoted against them.

And remember... the word "fat" is not a pejorative, merely a simple modifier.

Posted by: GM Walsh | July 3, 2007 05:25 AM

While I disliked the disrespectful tone of Ingrid's letter to Michael Moore, since it was another case of the generally humourless PETA diatribes that cause more people to cry "crackpot!" than to bring them to a veggie lifestyle, people need to realise that the term "elephant in the room" has nothing to do with size, weight or anything else. It is an idiom that describes the state of an obvious truth/situation being ignored/overlooked (its origins in the fact that an elephant in the room would be impossible to ignore).

Posted by: GM Walsh | July 3, 2007 06:03 AM

No one is immune from poor lifestyle choices, be you Carnivore or Vegan. We all pay into a healthcare system that wouldn't exist if not for poor lifestyle choices. How many of you drink and drive? Risky unprotected sex anyone? How about your weekend recreational drug use? Extreme sports? Don't get me started. I think Ingrid's letter was a little one sided, and didn't take into account that poor choices cut both ways.

Posted by: Karla | July 3, 2007 02:51 PM

I think the letter was petty and vain. In fact the author of this letter probably hurt the vegetarian cause more than helped it.

Dear author,
I hope you learn some tact before you turn more people off to becoming a vegetarian or vegan.
Love Trisha

Posted by: Trisha | July 3, 2007 04:50 PM

I'm usually on the side of PETA in most things, and applaud PETA and Ingrid for the good done for animals.

BUT, attacking Michael Moore's weight is out of line and rude. Just an FYI: Vegetarians can be overweight, too (I'm living proof of that).

Name calling is UGLY.

Mr. Moore, if you read this, *I* apologize for those nasty words, and want to truly thank you for the work you do exposing the lies of the Bush Regime.

Posted by: Michelle | July 3, 2007 05:14 PM

You guys are a bunch of idiots. Micheal Moore is trying to prove a point. American's don't have the right health care that is needed when needed. If you got hit by a car and you went to a american hospital they would say pay up or die, pretty much. In Canada where I live we can get an honouring respect when we walk into a hospital they give up free health care and surgery. I think the american government is louisy and only do it for money. Maybe if some ofyou actually care watch the movie,you would understand. Micheal records people that helped out cleaning up after the 9/11 attack, and these people have lung problems, he takes them to the american government to see what they can do for their health problems, and they close the doors on their faces and say "It's not our problem!" Are you fucking kidding me?! They clean up after your fucking shitty mess of 9/11 and you dont even help them, thats just plain greed!
HOW DARE YOU STAB AT MICHEAL MOORE ABOUT HIS WEIGHT!
GROW UP!
really!
People are born big and some of them stay that way.
I know people that are Vegetarians and are still big, Fucking assholes!

Posted by: Ashley | July 4, 2007 02:17 AM

Meat tastes good. Michael Moore could try to lose weight with the Atkins Diet. It has worked for many.

Posted by: Jeffrey | July 4, 2007 02:47 AM

IF ONLY A VEGAN LIFESTYLE COULD CURE ALL!!!

My son is Type 1 diabetic (not only hereditary , but brought on by an immune crisis). He also has Epilepsy from a Traumatic Brain Injury, Autism, Asthma, and ADHD.

SPEAKING OF ELEPHANTS! I live in a freaking ZOO!!!!! A vegan diet willl not help us, but a better healthcare system will.

Posted by: Rachel | July 4, 2007 03:58 AM

One question for Moore. Dogs pets or meat?

Posted by: Anonymous | July 4, 2007 11:27 AM

I would suggest Ms. Newkirk deliver her lecture to a room full of very hungary lions, tigers, and cows. She could begin by telling them each of them have rights and then go on to tell them how it's bad for one animal to eat another.

Posted by: RLeeSmith | July 4, 2007 11:00 PM

Being overweight is not necessarily something that some of us can help. There are glandular disorders, hormonal imbalances, medications that are necessary for life that cause the body to retain fat. It's a horrible disservice to people who are struggling to maintain healthy lifestyles in spite of the fact that they are medically overweight.

I'm just trying to sway that the sterotype of the fat person who is out of control with no will power is just that---a sterotype. A particularly cruel one, because those of us who are medically overweight didn't ask for this, and we didn't do anything to cause it---our bodies have betrayed us, and our fellow humans put us down for being weak.

I respect the vegetarian point of view, and I don't try to get people to join in on my food preferences, which do include meat. I just wish that vegetarians would be as respectful and accepting. There is room for respectful differences on the planet.

Posted by: Sharon | July 5, 2007 09:11 AM

I have always been in interested in PETA. I have heard the good and the "over-the-top" things they do just like everyone else. And, as very compassionate person towards animals, I am also a subscriber to PETA e-mails to keep up-to-date on some issues I feel important. I agree with what PETA stands for, but admit to know little about the people who actually run it. The general impression I get from PETA though isn't always the greatest at times. Who really cares about Michael Moore? I think he is a deplorable person and a perfect example of the extreme liberal and biased mind. He is self-serving individual hiding behind a mask. PETA...who really cares about Michael Moore? Why spend the time trying to enlist a liberal idiot to further the PETA cause. Its a good cause...but why MICHAEL MOORE? Why not pick someone who is actually a good person...a levelheaded person, someone who is not extreme and out to shock people and make the quick buck? If political is what you are going for, I could name dozens of poeple, both Republican and Democrat, who would actually be worth writing to...

Its always such a shame that PETA comes across as so political, and so liberal. It dosen't neccesarily represent all of your supporters accurately.

Posted by: EK | July 5, 2007 04:16 PM

I have been a vegetarian for years, vegan for the last few months. I agree meat stinks! But some of the foods you advertise. Like on your “I can't believe its Vegan” page are absolute crap! Those foods are just as dangerous as eating conventional meats. They are full of additives, food colorings, carcinogens.. Trans fats. you name it. no one's going to loose weight eating Ritz crackers, bisquits, Duncan Heinz cake mix, starburst (c'mon) i think I even saw a box of Crisco in the picture. Certainly PETA know's these are not real foods and no one will loose weight or have a healthy body consuming garbage like that. How disappointing. Maybe you should not pick on overweight individuals until you learn a little more about nutrition your selves! Offer help in educating individuals on how to make a complete protein by eating legumes and grains. You can’t just “say stop eating meat fatso” and expect them to change there diet and know what to eat overnight.

Posted by: Jennifer Poirier | July 7, 2007 07:45 PM

I personally don't find Ingrid's email offensive. I'm sure Michael Moore will get the message without getting offended. I'm hoping he'll take the 30-day veg pledge! I love his documentaries by the way.

Posted by: Valentina | July 7, 2007 09:55 PM

When I first read the letter, I was quite shocked. More than anything, I thought it was silly of Ingrid to piggy-back off Moore's film and take attention away from its extremely urgent, relevant message. I also thought, "Was Moore ever really THAT pro-meat?" I don't recall him being that way. I think that encouraging public figures to go veg is wonderful, but the way Moore was targeted and the timing of it was poor and kind of backwards.

Why would Ingrid go attacking someone who is clearly concerned about Americans' welfare, veg or not? I understand if this letter was written as a kind of final plea after many other failed attempts at reaching Moore by PETA. But this was the first time I heard PETA reaching out to Moore.

Anyway, I DO hope Mooore goes veg, of course. Who knows, maybe the letter will pique his interest.

Posted by: stacy | July 8, 2007 04:55 PM

Ok, I take back what I just said a second ago about Moore. I read an earlier PETA files just now and learned that PETA has, in fact, attempted to reach out to Moore on many occasions, but that he's showed nothing but disdain, disinterest and mockery, including showing up with a bunch of farm animals outside of pETA's door a while back as some sick joke.

So actually, having now learned that, I am quite disgusted by how he's treated the idea of vegetarianism, and now totally support Ingrid's letter.

She doesn't need to apologize to him. If he is going to claim to be compassionate, he needs to start showing compassion to animals as well as people.

Posted by: stacy | July 8, 2007 05:01 PM

Michael Moore has talked a lot about his weight after doing Sicko, agreeing that it makes him look like a hypocrite.
I went Veg in 1999, because I was one of the "Elephants" at school so to speak, and I had some friends that were vegetarian and in a size zero.
I'm still living the vegetarian life-style, and have been signing every petition out there for their rights.
I would also like to add that I've lost maybe 15lbs since 1999, and I'm still not in that size zero...I still shop at Lane Bryant.
So before you go around judging people for their weight and calling them "Elephants(shame on you for demeaning those brilliant creatures!!)", you should ask yourself WHY they are overweight!! It's not always eating junk or meat. Maybe they have a thyroid problem, maybe it's genes...diabetes.
I still Salute Mr. Moore for helping us see the injustices in the world...maybe he could make one for the animals if people would stop talking about his weight!

Posted by: Jess | July 8, 2007 05:17 PM

I am going to go and eat a steak sandwich, maybe have a roast this evening. Just to shit you, because you are an offensive bitch. This has nothing to do with saving animals.

Posted by: Camilla | July 8, 2007 08:04 PM

Thank you for your comment to Michael Moore. People need to walk the walk if they are going to talk the talk. Now somebody needs to educate Al Gore on the issues of a meat eating diet and how that contributes to Global Warming and our environment. Another fat dude with an opionion that everyone is listening to.

Posted by: Kim Ranson | July 8, 2007 09:11 PM

Thank you for your comment to Michael Moore. People need to walk the walk if they are going to talk the talk. Now somebody needs to educate Al Gore on the issues of a meat eating diet and how that contributes to Global Warming and our environment. Another fat dude with an opionion that everyone is listening to.

Posted by: Kim Ranson | July 8, 2007 09:12 PM

The remarks about Michael Moore are not nice. Ingrid if you cant say something nice dont say anything at all. Compassion and understanding will get you farther then malice and condescension. Calling someone who does positive work for the greater good "a fat bearded dude" and "an elephant in the room" cmon now.

Posted by: Larry Womack | July 12, 2007 01:27 PM

I have always admired PETA. To find the PETA's president actually thinks like a 6 years old girl is a huge disappointment to me. To see other PETA members to support her blindly is also very disappointing. Her approach and mannerism is lack of taste and thoughts; she appears to be overly idealistic and she over simplifies things -- not everyone can afford fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables. She is wasting her ammunition on the wrong target. This is definitely one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen. God help her.

Posted by: Manny | July 12, 2007 07:31 PM

Though it is a good point, don't you think calling him an elephant was a little harsh? Michael Moore never claimed to be the epitome of the perfect human. His goal is to educate the public about major issues going on in our society that people might not be aware of, through creating entertaining films that people want to watch.
I think the idea of a documentary investigating the food and livestock industry's impact on our environment (and on our waistlines) is a great idea. Maybe the letter should have been urging him to do a film on this issue with the help of PETA, instead of ridiculing him for being fat and simply listing the benefits of the diet (which are basically common knowledge). And then, maybe in challenging him to actually do the research and create his own documentary, his priorities would change and he would decide that giving up meat is worth it.

Posted by: Karen | July 13, 2007 02:11 AM

I love PETA but when you get it wrong, you really get it wrong. I have been objecting to PETA's attacking overweight people for years, I always get an apology, then PETA keeps right on doing it. I GAINED WEIGHT WHEN I WENT VEGETARIAN - if weight is all that mattered to me then I'd be eating animals again. HOW a person eats is a valid argument for PETA to make on behalf on animals but HOW MUCH a person weighs is out of line, uncalled for, and a detriment to the animals. No matter how nicely you put it when you call someone fat you are attacking them and that person is no longer going to listen to you. You have alienated the very person you meant to influence. That was your intent was it not? Or were you just indulging in a mean spirited and prejudiced attack on people who don't happen to fit into your sterotype of a vegetarian? PETA comes off badly in this and deserves all the criticism that comes your way as a result. And this comes from one of your long time supports who has your logo tattooed on her fat arm.

Posted by: Phyllis | July 13, 2007 09:29 AM

Never apologize for calling Michael Moore fat. Thats Americas new problem - we dont like to face facts ! He's fat - he can take it - he dishes it out. People quit worring about this (poor)fat guy. He makes movies and contributes nothing to reality - PETA focuses on something so many turn there backs on...animal welfare ! Michael Moore maybe should make a (true) documentary on the abuses of animals. I dont always agree 100% with PETA, but I have to side with the comment - over weight people usually are not healthy and yes they do eat unhealthy ! Enough being said - I love animals , skinny people, and fat people. Lets quit turning our heads and face facts! Lets get along and all live happy lifes. Lets all contribute - for real! - not just talk ! Lets do something kind for animals everyday - even if it is the smallest thing -alittle from everybody will be alot in the end.

Posted by: chip | July 13, 2007 11:35 PM

who cares if he is vegetarian? let him make his own personal, lifestyle choices.

Posted by: Anonymous | July 14, 2007 11:53 AM

I am an obese, chronically ill vegetarian/near vegan (since 1985, including three completely vegan years). In spite of my ailments, I continue to participate in athletics, but I have gained weight steadily since I changed my diet two decades ago.

My husband is a healthy vegetarian who gained a lot of weight when he stopped exercising two years ago without any changes in his diet.

I know A LOT of skinny meat-eaters, some of whom exercise and some who don't, some who are healthy and some who aren't. The message? VEGETARIANISM DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN THIN OR HEALTHY, AND FAT DOES NOT MEAN A PERSON IS "BAD". So lay off!

Posted by: Christine Beard | July 21, 2007 08:16 AM

I think if the guy was cold enough to parade animals in the heat as a way of making his point across that he doesn't really give a hoot about what happens to animals. That is a scary man to me and I think that he should be left alone and don't deal with him anymore. I think that he has little regards for animals and Ingrid should try to find someone else less callous to speak for the animals.

Posted by: Margarita Cisne | August 1, 2007 10:28 PM

YOU CAN CATCH MORE BEARS WITH HONEY, Honey!

I find your approach a bit heavy-handed (pun intended) & that usually just backs peeps into a corner & you don't get your point across ... & don't get what you want.

I personally am quite overweight & very healthy! Normal blood pressure, no diabetes, heart ok etc. Soo, don't u jump to conclusions that every person who is overweight or who eats meat is unhealthy.

I am a longstanding paying member of PETA & hav no plans to go veg. I love & protect animals from abuse & I eat 'organic' veg/meat as often as possible. Lean, free-range, 'organic' fed meat can be just as healthy as being veg.

I can't see how you will get any kind of a positive, if any, reply from the Mike.

barbee
in the Great-White-North

Posted by: barbee | August 8, 2007 04:50 AM

i am a fat vegan. i have been vegan since 1999 and lacto-veg since 1976. i am 5'2' and weight 170 most of the time. i cook healthy food and exercise. any positive and not insulting suggetions?

Posted by: amy | August 9, 2007 01:05 PM

I'm a FAT vegitarian and a lot of the time I support PETA in what they do for animals. However, they take things way too far sometimes. We need a non-judgmental animal activist group. One that will simply inform people of the cruelty to animals. One that won't insult you if you have different beliefs.

Posted by: Shana | August 29, 2007 03:07 PM

I'm vegetarian and overweight! Elephants are vegetarian too!
Sicko is a great film and I think Moore is a brave man.
I love your work, I agree with the message of the letter but I didn't like the letter at all.

Posted by: Elli | September 19, 2007 06:57 AM

Hahaha yeah Michael Moore is a fat idiot. I can't stand him.

Posted by: christine | October 4, 2007 07:46 PM

Ingrid, you obviously missed the point of Micheal Moore's Film, or you would agree with it, American Health care stinks.
Going Vegan or Vegetarian will not solve that problem. I myself am a vegetarian and I get sick just like the carnivores do, sometimes I too need to go to the doctors and you know who has to pay for it, I do.
Being a vegetarian is something I enjoi, but not at the expense of backing a group that has a selfish self-serving agenda. Instead of making ignorant comments about Micheal Moore you might consider emulating his style and making documentaries that actually have a point, not just that of sickening whom ever watches them.
Ingrid you should apologize for your misplaced and irrelevant comments.

Posted by: Max K | November 8, 2007 06:44 PM

hahaha, oh yes, because we all know that only meat can make people fat.

Posted by: Darren | November 26, 2007 07:49 PM

I fully support PeTA and their comments to Michael Moore more of you should you think people are going to quit slaughtering animals by the thousands everyday if we say please? Would you stop eating meat if aomeone asked quietly no when you beileve in something you say it LOUD AND PROUD and if it offends other people well guess what? Sucks to be you!!

Posted by: Becky Witt | April 12, 2008 11:46 AM