Leona Helmsley leaves her one dog $12 million. It's great that she cared for her pooch, but that amounts of money could have saved countless animals in shelters around the country.
Helmsley Leaves Dog $12 Million in Will
AP
Posted: 2007-08-29 10:03:46

NEW YORK (Aug. 29) - Leona Helmsley's dog will continue to live an opulent life, and then be buried alongside her in a mausoleum. But two of Helmsley's grandchildren got nothing from the late luxury hotelier and real estate billionaire's estate.

Posted by: susan | August 29, 2007 11:58 AM

I think that this is the best time to make everyone aware of the vegetarian lifestyle helping go green. Between the Vick situation and the Gore picture we need to voice our concerns, preferences and proof that meat also kills... including the environment, not only on the web sites but in our communities. Get over this passive way of stating our convictions. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets greased.

Posted by: Stan | August 29, 2007 12:59 PM

I think it's pretty unfair and downright wrong to say "there just isn't such a thing as a meat-eating environmentalist." Do a little research please. There are many people who choose to eat meat and also shun factory farming. My biggest "beef" with PETA is the idea that going veg is somehow better for the environment. Unless you're eating all local and/or organic produce and processed foods (pretty sure Taco Bell doesn't fit that category) then it's self-serving to claim that vegans are more environmentally friendly. All the pesticides running off your conventional produce and the by-products from your synthetic leather aren't doing much to clean up Mother Earth. I won't even go into the harm done to rural agriculture and economies in third-world countries growing soybeans for the fake meat products you promote.

I support many of the endeavors PETA takes on to stop animal cruelty. I'm just saying please, PLEASE stick to animal welfare and don't "go there" with environmentalism. It's just too hypocritical.

Posted by: Kar_kar | August 29, 2007 01:58 PM

So when it all boils down to it Al Gore is just another political figure "pointing out the problem" but doing everything possible to not be part of the solution.

Posted by: Dana | August 29, 2007 02:47 PM

Cute bulletin board. I may not love everything you do, PETA, but I sure love the fact that you're harassing Gore. I can't stand the way he parades around everywhere like he's some sort of hero to the planet when he's really just a environmentalist when it's convenient.

Posted by: Canaduck | August 29, 2007 02:58 PM

susan

leona also gave millions and millions to charites. who those charites are, we don't know. possibly she did donate to animal shelters.

kar kar
you're the one who needs to do the research. the more you're into animal rights, the more you learn. factory farms have manure run off that goes into the waterways. polluting the water.
animal activists are not self serving!! why do you think we voice ourselves about the factory farm run offs into water and the risks of eating meat??? just 'cuz we like to hear ourselves talk??
it's your own ignorance that give you hypocritical views about peta!!!!

Posted by: observer | August 29, 2007 03:23 PM

I agree...don't go there...

When Alicia Sliverstone was on the view a couple of months ago she said it was ok as long as you do what you can to help animals.(go check the video -you had it on this blog)

For example: I may not be a veggie butI don't wear leather or fur.

Doesn't that count??

Nowhere in your Gore "rant" do you mention the suffering of animals.

Don't get into the environment...stay focused on the animals. Please. They need our help.

Posted by: Tamara | August 29, 2007 03:48 PM

Al Gore is not a serious environmentalist - he is a business man and he understands his business!

Posted by: Lord of the Apes | August 29, 2007 03:57 PM

Kar_kar,

The chemicals used to prevent animals' flesh from rotting after it is turned into clothing are highly toxic and carcinogenic. Besides, there are natural alternatives to synthetic clothing that don't require harming animals bamboo, cotton, hemp, linen, etc.

Huge amounts of soy are grown to feed cattle, not humans. One example (found on the internet):

Most of the soy (80-90%) imports into Europe are used to feed animals. Meat production is a very inefficient way to produce protein and food in general.

This behaviour has consequences; the production of a kilo of meat costs 15 sq. m. of rain forest.

You did read the U. N. report I take it?

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | August 29, 2007 04:12 PM

I would like to point out that most of the soy production,at least in Brazil,is destined for animal consumption in Europe. Many of these plantations exist on what was once part of the Amazon forest. In the world as a whole vegetarian soy products are insignificant compared to the amount used to feed livestock.
Al Gore is well intentioned but he is cherry picking the issues.

Posted by: Maureen | August 29, 2007 05:53 PM

you're barking up the wrong tree here, peta, and you're doing so using incorrect claims. the claim that meat is the #1 cause of global warming (as shown on your banner ad) is patently false. greenhouse gas emissions from global power production significantly outpace all agricultural emissions combined (even when you include non-meat products). though there may be some double-counting involved, industrial processes and buildings are also greater contributors.

your point is well-taken that we need to be clear about the relative contributors to climate change (and the importance of agriculture in that mix), but is your goal to derail public interest in addressing climate change by castigating the most popular spokesman on the issue? i didn't think so.

these are very serious issues and they deserve a serious public outcry, but there is room for you to augment the public debate on climate change by speaking to your area of expertise, rather than confusing the issue by making sweeping, indefensible claims.

Posted by: j | August 29, 2007 06:25 PM

Gore doesn't realy care about anything except his political ambition. He is using environmentalism because it is a safe issue. No one supports global warming, so Gore thinks he can use the issue to hype himself. But he is not willing to sacrifice anything for the cause. He just wants to exploit it.

Posted by: Bill | August 29, 2007 06:28 PM

hate to spoil your day but meat is not the number one cause of global warming, that medal goes to fossil fuel burning for electricity generation.

Posted by: rojo | August 29, 2007 06:32 PM

Kar Kar, have you read the UN link? Meat = Climate Change.

Jack, Great post!

Posted by: Aran | August 29, 2007 06:52 PM

To Mr. Matt Prescott: I just read the NY Times article, and while I think you are on the right track, your rhetoric may do more to hinder than help your goals. PETA would do much better to draw a distinction between confinement-feedlot-factory meat production and sustainable, pasture-based livestock production on sustainable farms. I fully agree that factory livestock farming is a major contributor to global climate change, water pollution, animal cruelty, and our country's obesity crisis. Cheap meat carries expensive 'externalized' costs to human, animal, and environmental health. But there is an alternative: a plant based diet, supplemented with modest amounts of pasture-raised meat, eggs, and milk. Yes, these foods cost more up front. But when eaten in moderation, they are a healthy addtion to plant-based diets. Animals rasied on pasture get to express what they were born to do: chickens peck for bugs, cows eat grasss, all have room to roam in the outdoors. Additionally, they turn othewise inedible matter (grass and bugs) into a high quality, healthy food product. I lead a physically active life-I am an organic farmer-and meat is something I feel I need and enjoy. What meat and milk I choose not to raise on my farm, I purchase from local farmers who raise pasture-based, local livestock. Increased awarness of this alternative will increase demand for this kind of production, which will increase the number of farmers who farm this way, and greatly reduce the harmful effects on climate(mostly related to intensive grain feeding of livestock) and the animal cruelty endemic to factory farms.

Posted by: Paul Bucciaglia | August 29, 2007 07:18 PM

I would leave my dogs $6 million each, but I'd certainly leave PETA $6 million as well....I mean, the dog does not need the whole $12 million.....

Posted by: Nadine Saunders | August 29, 2007 07:59 PM

Gore is a great guy.
But remember the Gore family raised cattle at one time.
So what I am thinking is, does Al gore have Cattle Ranchers backing him?
Look's like we need to use our search engine.....
He could do so much for the greater good.

Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter | August 29, 2007 08:27 PM

I am an avid supporter of PETA and what PETA stands for, but I don't agree with that portrayal of Al Gore as "too chicken". When I wrote to Al Gore on the subject of meat-eating being part of the global warming problem, I got a very thoughtful answer from the Gore people about how that is being put on their agenda. I think trying to get Gore and his people on OUR side in this is much more important than alienating him by making our point at his expense. He could do SO much for ending, say, factory farming, just by being more public about it. He has the platform and the mainstream credentials to make a huge difference.
No one wants to see the factory farms AND their pollution gone more than I do, but let's not jump on Al Gore, who has, after all, put his whole political career on the line in order to try to help global warming. Maybe in light of the new UN evidence, he WILL consider vegetarianism, so please, let's not alienate him now.

Posted by: Susannah Sulzman | August 29, 2007 08:37 PM

Not only is the animal holocaust the number one cause of global warming, and so much other polution, like to the waters from enormous amounts of excrement, but it is also the a time bomb for the next GLOBAL PLAGUE, especially from the chicken.

But for the environment, Gore and others could at least urge people to replace some meals each week with vegetarian alternatives, and do so themselves. They are not even willing to make any step. They refuse the issue completely.

The animal holocaust is one of the greatest dangers and disasters on the planet, and all the reasons against it should be supplied together, not separately.

We could wake up one day to a global plague, especially from the chicken.

And Al Gore apparently isn't too caring about the millions of chickens boiled alive either, and he should be called on that, too.

All the presidential candidates are having this same failing. Edwards just said sacrifice the SUVs. I think he needs a letter from Peta.

Posted by: stoptorture | August 29, 2007 09:57 PM

where is your proof saying going vegan is better for the earth? i don't see it on your website. i for one don't belive any of the crap you are saying. it sounds like a bunch of crap forcing people to see your point. if i want to own a cat or eat at kfc iam going to do it. so you can clam you have 1.6 million members. big deal. peta is a lost cause.

Posted by: peta hater | August 30, 2007 01:41 AM

"PLEASE stick to animal welfare"

PETA is an animal RIGHTS organisation; please do a little research.

Did you even read the UN report?

Posted by: DailyVegEditor | August 30, 2007 02:11 AM

Susan you miss the point, it takes alot more water, food and land to raise animals for food. Nearly all land cleared for aricultural is done to raise animals.
The large number of animals also produce large amounts of greenhouse gases.

So I suggest you take your own advice and do some research and you'll see.

Posted by: Nathan | August 30, 2007 02:48 AM

Kar_kar,
I respectfully disagree. The greenhouse gases emitted by animals trapped on factory farms have a much, much more detrimental effect on the environment than pesticides on vegetables (which meat-eaters consume too!), and synthetic leather is free from heavy metals like chromium that go into tanning skins to prevent them from decomposing, which is what DEAD SKIN is supposed to do.

Also, if you do your research, I believe you will find that the VAST majority of soybeans grown in third-world countries goes into feeding LIVESTOCK, not into my organic veggie burgers!

Posted by: Soli | August 30, 2007 09:03 AM

My comments aren't getting posted anymore for some reason; are you getting them?

Posted by: Susannah Sulzman | August 30, 2007 09:22 AM

Just in case you didn't get my first post:
Let's not be too hard on Al Gore. When I wrote to him about the fact that eating meat is a primary factor in global warming, his people wrote back to me that they had been studying this and planned on including it in their 'platform'. Think what a persuasive advocate Al Gore could be in swaying world opinion towards not eating meat. Now that the UN has filed its report, maybe Mr. Gore can be persuaded to go veg, but I doubt that he will be persuaded by this kind of criticism. Let's give credit where credit is due; Al Gore put his entire career on the line for the cause of global warming. I think we at PETA can give him a moment to catch up when it comes to eating meat.

Posted by: Susannah Sulzman | August 30, 2007 09:27 AM

Kar-Kar, I think even if you do shun factory farming - take a look at what ''free-range'' actually means. Legally it stipulates a need for 'bigger cages' - doesn't stipulate how big, as well as access to sunlight - doesn't say how often. It is simply not really a solution. Free-range is a pretty sounding gimmick, imho preventing people who would otherwise make ethical choices to go all the way.

Most importantly - think about it this way: If as it is, with our meat produced in factory farms the cattle industry takes up a third of the landmass... what will happen if you do give cows more space? we simply do not have enough planet left, my friend.

In fact my only gripe with the above article is: If Al Gore really wants to save the planet - He should be persuaded to go Vegan, as the dairy industry for example is just as hurtful to both the animals and the planet.

Posted by: Anastasya | August 30, 2007 10:40 AM

I know very little about Al Gore. If he has pointed out a problem, the Thing To Do is not to criticise him for not being the solution, but to be the solution ourselves. That's what he's asking us to do with the film he has given us, "An Inconvenient Truth". Calling him a hypocrite is getting the wrong end of the stick. If I get angry, does that mean that I should never advise anyone to avoid anger? The point is not Al Gore; the point is what he has said about Global Warming.

With apologies to Christians, I might point out that Yeshua, whom you call Jesus, was never trying to have people follow him; he was trying to wake people up, to make them aware, to be more than they were being. To prate endlessly about how godlike a man he was, without paying attention to his teachings, is a mistake. Similarly, to talk about Al Gore, when he is trying to get us talking about Global Warming, is a mistake. Forget the teacher; embrace the teachings.

Posted by: Siddharth Mehrotra | August 30, 2007 11:57 AM

Please give an e-mail address where Al Gore can be reached.

Posted by: Michele | August 30, 2007 12:00 PM

Kar_kar:

I understand what you're saying. However, when you look at the information, I see that it is a lot more harmful to the enviro to eat animal products then it is to eat vegetables.

There is going to be some amount of harm done, simply because I exist (I do excrete waste right). I rather my harm come from eating rice and beans and veggies, then from the all the crap and harm that comes out of raising animals.

And when you compare the harm done by making leather shoes vs pleather shoes... I think I'll stick to the pleather thanks.

Thanks.

Posted by: Jaclyn | August 30, 2007 12:09 PM

well, here in Brazil I'm pretty sure that the soybeans (some planted in the amazon) aren't destined to the production of fake meat. They are destined to produce REAL meat, as most of it turns into European cow food.

Posted by: gil | August 30, 2007 12:51 PM

I like Al Gore alot but one "crucial" piece of Info from his Documentry left out is that is that the meat industry contributes more CO2 gasses than ALL the cars on the globe! now how could he leave THAT out?! On purpose, perhaps? He should do "An Inconvenient Truth" Part 2 and include it!

Posted by: Kathy | August 30, 2007 01:00 PM

why can't you drive a prius to protest. hummers are just bad in every way- conspicous consumption, poor use of resources, etc. i am all for going veg, but let's all work together as environmentalists-- we do not need to give any fuel to the conservative fire on this issue. the worst thing that could happen would be for people to say, see, its okay to drive a hummer. its not okay to drive a hummer or to eat factory farmed meat.

Posted by: melissa | August 30, 2007 01:29 PM

Kar_kar I feel you are wrong. I think you are the one in need of research because if there werent any meat-eaters, we would have no reason to be against factory farming.

Posted by: Paul Thandi | August 30, 2007 01:31 PM

Stan

Yes, eating meat is worse for the environment. You talk about pesticides on vegetables...well, what do you think meat producers feed their cows? Plants! By eating meat, since so much food energy is lost in the production of meat, you are actually eating MORE plant matter (and thus pesticides) when you eat meat. Don't think the foods they give cattle are organic...that would cost too much. So YES, eating meat is a huge waist of energy, uses up more pesticides and is definitely more detrimental to the environment.

Posted by: Kristina | August 30, 2007 01:41 PM

You don't see the proof, peta hater? How about actually reading the fucking blog instead of spouting off on something you have no idea about? There's a link to a U.N. report that says exactly that. The U.N., in case you haven't got that far in your 8th grade remedial history course yet, is a fairly well-known and respected international organization, and, yes, a reliable source. Sorry if all this is going over your head.

Posted by: Geoff | August 30, 2007 01:47 PM

well, here in Brazil I'm pretty sure that the soybeans (some planted in the amazon) aren't destined to the production of fake meat. They are destined to produce REAL meat, as most of it turns into European cow food.
[2]

This is true. A great part of soybean's production is used to feed animals not humans.

Posted by: Daiane Silva | August 30, 2007 02:22 PM

meat is not the number one cause of global warming as the Gore banner suggests. It is minor compared to the amount of emmissions produced creating electricity. Enteric fermentation will not cease simply by refusing to eat meat, unless we wipe out ruminant animals to "save the planet".
With the price of energy going up some farms are harnessing the gas from animal waste, capturing methane and using it to power other processes like heating.

Posted by: rojo | August 30, 2007 02:40 PM

It is really about time we heard a lot more about the meat industry and it's contribution to the global warming crisis.
I read a great article by Paul Watson published in The Animals Voice Magazine May-June 2007 (Captain Paul Watson is founder and president of the Sea Shepherd
Conservation Society, co-founder of the Greenpeace
Foundation, co-founder of Greenpeace International,
and a former director of the Sierra Club USA, The Farley
Mowat Institute, and www.HarpSeals.org. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society)
- well worth a read. I often use this quote from it which tends to blow people away. "A vegetarian driving a Hummer produces less greenhouse gas than a meat eater on a bicycle"
(not that I am suggesting we 'vegies' rush out to buy Hummers!!!)It's high time a lot of prominent conservationists put their arguements where their mouths are.

Posted by: Roz Paterson | August 30, 2007 03:10 PM

to uneducated peta hater:
and here it is again -

earth save report - how environmentalists are overlooking vegetarianism as the most effective tool against climate change:

'by far the most important non-co2 greenhouse gas is methane, and the number one source of methane worldwide is animal agriculture. methane is responsible for nearly as much global warming as all other non co2 greenhouse gases put together. methane is 21 times more powerful a greenhouse gas than co2. animal agriculture produces more than 100 million tons of methane a year.'

so - peta hater - i hope you got it!

Posted by: peta lover | August 30, 2007 03:11 PM

kristina, it is important to note that beef and lamb production primarily involves grazing. Cattle may be fed grain as nutritional supplements, or in the case of feedlotting for a few months to fatten them up. Not all land is suitable for growing grains, fruits and vegetables. Grazing animals for meat and wool production is a means to harvest the energy from these solar powered pastures.

Posted by: rojo | August 30, 2007 04:08 PM

This whole post is irrelevant, Global Warming is a hoax! Stick to the facts, Global warming is not a fact! Al Gore is a politician (Fact) Al Gore uses more electricity in one month then I do all year. (Fact) That Live Global Warming benefit concert held all over the word did more harm then good to the environment. This Global Warming hoax is only taking your attention away from fact proven problems in this world. Try fixing Global pollution, Global hunger, Global reliance on oil, Global corrupt politicians and Dictators, and Global stupidity. Now that’s real issue. (and no Global Pollution and Global warming are not the same thing)

Posted by: Chicken Little | August 30, 2007 04:20 PM

Paul Bucciaglia, why not learn a new trade and get out of the livestock industry?

It's not only screwing up the environment- it's messing with your mind.

Posted by: kelly | August 30, 2007 05:11 PM

I think it's sad what measurement Gore is being held to. I didn't become vegan overnight. Nor did I began to make changes to-benefit-the-envir a part of my life instantly. Life is change, growth/progression. Many have "evolved" environmentally, nutritionally etc, yet still fail the most basic respect of caring and loving unconditionally their fellow man: allowing each to grow as growth happens-- progressively. This "do it all now" soap box mentality turns alot of people off from the movement. That's just what I feel.

Today I am a dietary vegan. If I would have received a bunch of facts waved in my face with tones of Pharisiacal preaching, I may not have wanted anything to do with this lifestyle. ACCEPT PEOPLE FOR WHERE THEY ARE, APPRECIATE WHERE THEY'VE COME FROM AND SUPPORT THEM AS THEY MOVE ON.

I agree with Judith, Freedom Fighter's post.

Just send the man some info oulining how to transition to veg, with the benefits presented.

Posted by: (S)He Who Is Without Sin Cast the First Stone | August 30, 2007 05:18 PM

The world's lust for meat CANNOT be satisfied with local organic farming. Sorry to burst a few bubbles here. It's a nice thought but currently only works because organic farming is the minority, provided mainly to the wealthy.

Factory farms exist BECAUSE people want to eat so much meat. You turn every farm into an organic farm and produce the same amount and you're back in the same boat.

It's nice for people to want to treat animals better and still consume meat, but it just doesn't work that way.

Posted by: Frances | August 30, 2007 06:38 PM

A couple of posters have stated that meat is not the #1 cause of global warming (but maybe global constipation).

"Livestock are responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse-gas emissions as measured in carbon dioxide equivalents, reports the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This includes 9 percent of all CO2 emissions, 37 percent of methane, and 65 percent of nitrous oxide. Altogether, that's more than the aggregate emissions caused by worldwide transportation."

Since methane is 23 times worse than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, could that in fact make meat #1 (in carbon dioxide equivalents)?

Just asking.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | August 30, 2007 07:19 PM

To Peta Hater it sounds like you have too much time on your hands. Why would you log into a web site you hate maybe you should spend your time doing more research on the issue and get your facts straight. Oh yeah and don't visit our web site again.

Posted by: Dee Dee | August 30, 2007 09:12 PM

"Forget the teacher; embrace the teachings"? And "Jesus was never trying to have people follow him; he was trying to wake people up, to make them aware, to be more than they were being"? You, obviously, have NEVER, in your ENTIRE life, read the Bible. Jesus WAS His teachings - He was the Word in human form!! And he always said to "Follow me" (where do you think the 12 disciples came into the picture? And YES, HE DID mean follow HIM; to fashion one's life after HIM and His teachings being they were and are one and the same). PLEASE stick to what you know, or find out more about what you DON'T know before making such incorrect, 100% false statements. The need to apologize should be directed to those you might be misleading with your inaccuracies.

Posted by: payton | August 31, 2007 03:35 AM

Blah Blah Blah. I hate factory farming too, and know it's horrible for the environment, duh...from the feed to the lot to the plate it's messed up no matter how you look at it. What I was saying is that it's wrong to say that meat-eating environmentalists don't exist and that going vegan is more environment friendly. I'm not arguing greenhouse gasses, I give you that, but global warming is a fraction of what environmentalism is about. Stick to the animals, not environmentalism!

Posted by: Kar_Kar | August 31, 2007 07:25 AM

To Siddarth Mehrotra:
Please don't lecture to Christians about Jesus (how did Jesus come into this discussion anyway?)
To J: don't lecture to PETA members about what their cause should be. Animals rights IS PETA's cause, and the UN coming out and actually saying that meat production is the primary source of global warming IS something to be celebrated on a PETA blog.
Trying to change the eating habits of a world used to using and exploiting animals will be a long, difficult battle. Maybe Al Gore can help. And maybe that's not his particlar interest. Maybe he's going to stick to reducing the use of fossil fuels, a lofty goal in itself. If that turns out to be the case, though, then those of us for whom this issue IS primary will be the ones to pursue it. We can't bring everyone over to our point of view, but the goal of persuading the world to be vegan is every bit as legitimate as trying to persuade the world to give up fossil fuels. They are all part of the same cause, after all,i.e., stopping global warming, and all of these issues are an important part of the whole problem. The necessary changes CAN be made, and, in time, they will be made because there will be no other choices. I would simply like to see us humans CHOOSE to do the right thing, for once, instead of having the choice forced on us by our own short-sightedness. GoVeg!

Posted by: Susannah S | August 31, 2007 09:20 AM

Dear PETA,
by being holier than thou, we will never stop the cruelty towards animals as most humans can't deal with the blow to their egos. i agree with all of peta's "radical" ideas...not eating meat, cruelty free products, not attending animal circuses, etc...BUT you have to present these in a humble manner, like the faces of the abused animals. the way this letter was written seems to want to instigate a fight or argument rather than start a real, civil conversation about the contribution of meat production to the destruction of the environment (which is indisputably true). to represent your supporters and members more fairly, stop being so damn condescending!

~~Rachna

Posted by: rachna | August 31, 2007 10:14 AM

You shouldn't jump on Al about this. He has done more than anyone to increase global warming awareness, he includes modifying our diets in his book as a way to help, and has probably cut back on his meat eating, like most of us need to do. This kind of change won't happen overnight. Nor will everyone give up leather couches, shoes, handbags, etc. right away or stop feeding their pet canned food. Where does that come from? Our pets are carnivores, whether we like it or not.

You're distancing your allies and splitting the front by finding fault with Al. That's just what the opposition wants. And cooling mother nature is delayed as a result.

Posted by: Susan | August 31, 2007 11:37 AM

I very much agree with Siddharth. In order to effect the most change, you have to be able to communicate with the masses in a way that they will believe and understand. Gore is doing more as a man that mainstream America can relate to than he ever could as what most would consider a radical. For the record, I very much agree with the idea of going vegan and respecting the world and creatures around us, but we're talking about convincing people here, and that's not always the same as getting on the biggest soapbox possible, or trying to look/be perfect. It's all about moderation.

And Kathy, it's unfortunate that you believe meat production has been excluded from Gore's message. While it may not have been stated in the movie, it has most definitely been featured (fairly prominently) in the SOS campaign and sites associated with it. I had the good fortune of attending the New Jersey SOS concert and I can testify to the fact that there were several portions of the program which explicitly called out the impact of meat farming on our environment. There was even a PETA-esque "shockmercial" which almost exclusively featured a close-up view of a multitude of cow's rectums in the process of defecation, sporting captions of information on the amount of gases released by cows and how everyone could help our environment by cutting down on, or eliminating, the need for such quantities of these animals.

Though i've always believed in "if gold should rust, would should iron do?" I also believe that if we want to make a change, we need the best person for the job. In the case of environmentalism, Gore is near the top of the list. I sincerely hope that no one here will give his (or anyone else's!) words on the topic of the environment less weight if they are not vegan. If this world is going to change, we need all the help we can get. Hopefully there will soon be someone out there that can do as much for animal rights as has started being done for the environment. A person or a group that can create and propagate a message that the world can relate to and learn from. Until then, let's work together to accomplish what we can! Maybe fate will smile on us and in the process of becoming more environmentally aware, the world will become more globally aware, and the question of how humans should exist among their animal cousins will seem like a no-brainer.

Posted by: Christian | August 31, 2007 12:22 PM

rachna

The faces of abused animals are on the PETA website!! These faces change those that see their pain and agony and that really hear the message and resort to change.

Animal Liberation!

Posted by: Ana | August 31, 2007 01:01 PM

As a PETA member, I would advise PETA to leave Al Gore alone! As someone in another post said, it will hinder our message. I feel that this tactic is petty and ridiculous! Is PETA that desperate for attention? I suggest taking down the banner. I thought this organization was supposed to be focused on the treatment of animals. Whether Gore is just playing politics or is for real is not PETA's business and it will bring bad publicity. We get enough of that already with all the lies that the CCF tell about us. Stop writng letters to Karl Rove and the Bush twins. It falls on deaf ears. Start finding the breeders who give animals to testing labs. Go protest them. Protest animal testing labs,fur farms, and anywhere else there is animal cruelty. Start taking more action. Besides, you think you are going to force someone to be veg? He didn't listen. So leave him alone. We have bigger and better things to do with our time than to bother a politician.

Posted by: Tina | August 31, 2007 02:17 PM

Do have any idea that attacking Gore the way you are is counter-productive?

Why is it that Al Gore is every Tom, Dick and Harry's whipping boy?

I am sympathetic to yous cause. Although I eat a mixture of veg/nonveg, I may at some point in the future turn vegetarian.

But, by piling on Gore, who already has enough venom being spewed at by rightwing nutcases, and the whole global warming denialist industry, you are neither helping global warming cause, nor will you help you own cause.

Try to make your case and persuade people across the board. If Gore were to turn vegetarian, that isn't automatically going to turns other vegetarian. In other words, make your campaign complementary to Gore's not adversarial.

Your organization is completely losing credibility with me as a result of these attacks on Gore, even though I am sympathetic to your cause itself.

Please stop this ridiculous approach which will prove to be ultimately self-destructive and hurt the global warming itself as well.

Thank you.

Posted by: veggielover | August 31, 2007 03:01 PM

i can definitely say i've done the research and seen the facts from both sides, and it's undeniable that animal farming is one of, if not the, biggest causes of global warming. please, look it up before you argue. don't just think your logic [or lack thereof] will make sense on this issue, because it obviously hasn't.

and peta, like others have said, alienating gore will not solve the problem. whether he goes vegetarian or not, he's doing so much for global warming, and maybe with increased concern from the public more people will realize the effects their diet has on the issue.

oh, and for those of you who said stay out of it: animals have a right to live somewhere, do they not? so if we're fighting for animal rights, shouldn't we work towards preserving their homes?

Posted by: brittany | August 31, 2007 05:49 PM

payton: what do you mean with your sermon here - this is not a chapel! you should not sermonize peta-people but the animal torturers - but you brave church-folk never could make a difference between a god fearing person who respects his creation and a foolish animal killing high or low life freak! so i neither take you serious nor do i trust you! i love and trust those people who love also my friends - the animals and nature and not those who are going out to tell us that we have just to read the bible, to pray and to eat our daily meat but our daily bread! don't get me wrong: i'm a very good christian but i don't run behind heartless people who are just preaching the letter and have no idea about the real meaning of the gospel: to love all the creation of god - not more and not less!

Posted by: Little Drummer Boy | August 31, 2007 08:08 PM

Is anyone thinking about those poor fruits and vegetables who have to endure the slaughter undergone by all the people of the world? I am outraged at mankind's destruction on the plants and animals of the world (not to mention fish!). How dare people attempt to eat things just because they provide so-called "nutrients" for their bodies. There are so many alternatives to these crimes against mother nature: 1)We must stop eating at once. It is unthinkable that we should value our lives over those of other living things. 2)We must name a king of the world (preferably a zebra or hippo) to rule us and tell us how to live properly. Zebra's and hippo's are just wonderful animals and would do such a good job running conservation and other environmental programs. When the hippo's and the zebra's begin their reign, there will be prosperity everywhere. This wonderful new beginning will only happen when horrible creatures, called humans make the choice to stop eating (or drinking for that matter). Don't get me started on the attrocities committed against water... How could one do such a thing as drink a sacred liquid known as H2O?

Posted by: ted williams | August 31, 2007 08:42 PM

I turned vegetarian about a year ago. The light finally came on, even though I was always pet lover such as dogs and cats, I have killed my share of lambs, chickens and fish etc...My reason to quit eating dead animals is quit simple. If men is capable to rationalize the death of animals, then he is capable rationalizing the death humans. No wonder we still have wars, no wonder we still have death penalty. We consider ourselves modern, civilized and advanced yet we still can prey on helpless creature who have just as much rights to live as any human being. My point for writing my comment is simply to express my disagreement with those who feel self-righteous about the vegetarian lifestyle . We don't need to criticize Al Gore or anyone else, although I think it would help and would save the environment if he decides to quit eating dead animals, but we need to extend our message beyond criticizing anyone. The message is really clear if you are ok killing animals you should be ok killing humans. I don't know if Peta or any vegetarian has expressed their views in that contest, if they have I applaud them but they have not they need to start at the core of the problem. Attacking a Hollywood star for wearing a leather jacket won't solve the problem. Most folks who are wearing leather coats are simply victims or products of the marketing machine of the corporate world. We need to raise awareness that violence is violence because it is violence. You kill an animal because you want to eat or kill it because it did not fight good enough to win you bets, it is all the same. At the end of the day the animal is killed and violence was performed.

Posted by: Mustapha Says | August 31, 2007 09:12 PM

Amen, Susan.

And the word that you've hired a "Hummer" (NY Times) to advertise this sickens me (and puts you at much at fault as any meat-eater). Gas-guzzling IS still an important issue.

And disenfranchising your broader (or potential) base doesn't work.

Drop the holier-than-thou for a moment and use your heads. Most cultures eat some form of meat. It will take some time to change the world. Gas-guzzling LIKE YOUR ADVERTISING HUMMER is comething that can be changed immediately.

I used to be a member of PETA.

I will again if you get your act together.

Posted by: Linda Mosca | August 31, 2007 10:20 PM

the fact that despite the UN report there are people ( environmentalists !!) who are reluctant to change their food habits shows the lack of personal discipline on part of most of these intellectuals.
if this be the case of educated
responsible environmentalists, then god help us all.
veganism is a lost cause not because of lack of ethics in personal life among the majority

Posted by: quantumdolphin | August 31, 2007 10:31 PM

Just thought I'd pass on this link:
http://goveg.com/environment.asp

Posted by: Jason Levy | September 1, 2007 12:24 AM

Let's face it. There is no humane way to kill animals. Or people, either.

Posted by: dinosaurbob | September 1, 2007 03:45 AM

PETA! DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU JUST DID?!

Let's say "John Smith" is an advocate for world peace and has accomplished many things to help the cause. Below would be an example in comparison to your rally against Gore.

John Smith: I am trying my best to help world peace.

Peta: John, isn't it true that you argue with your wife on occasion?

John Smith: Yes, we have disagreements from time to time as many marriages do.

Peta: Well! There you go! How can you expect to achieve world peace when you can't achieve peace at home! We are beginning an official rally against you until you learn never to disagree with your wife again!!! You are no longer allowed to contribute to world peace!!

As logical as this witchhunt is for you, I can assure you it is not. Your beliefs are commendable. However, such as the religious issues our world is facing today, you are crucifying someone for not following everything you believe. Just like evryone that denies Global Warming. What's the point. Al Gore is helping the situation as best he can. He's not a saint and neither are any of you.

When you begin alienating supporters of good causes just because they may not support all of your beliefs, you contribute to creating a world divided.

I'm Catholic and therefore believe in God. If an atheist approaches me about helping to rebuild a church that has been burned, why would I turn him away? He doesn't believe what I believe but he just wants to do good and contribute. Should I ridicule him for it?

Posted by: Jennyboricuataz | September 1, 2007 04:07 AM

Mike Q, when they say carbon equivalents etc that means the extra warming effect of methane(21-23 times CO2, depending on where you look) has been taken into account.

Interestingly in the US more methane is emitted from landfill than animal production.

Posted by: rojo | September 1, 2007 08:12 AM

Mike Q, While large amounts of soy are used to feed livestock it is really the soymeal left over after the oil is extracted. Feeding the meal to animals provides a use for this by-product.

Posted by: rojo | September 1, 2007 10:13 AM

If Al doesn't want to go vegetarian, he shouldn't have to. You don't have to be a vegetarian to help the environment. Stop pushing your beliefs unto others. If you don't want to eat meat. Don't. If you don't want to wear products from animals. Don't. If you don't want to watch entertaining animals. Don't. Just stop pushing it on others. Meat is delicious. Are you going to start telling carnivore animals like wolves to stop eating meat? They're exactly like us. We kill and eat animals just like they do. And don't you dare say that it's because they're animals. We are animals too. You PETA people forget that. The only meat I won't eat is Veal. That's sick, I agree with you on that.
Now I have another issue with PETA. How dare you insult Steve Irwin? He's twice the conservationist you PETAs will ever be. And especially right after his death. Even ignoring who you were slandering, have you no respect for the dead?
By the way stop killing the animals you rescue. Have a nice day :).

Posted by: Sponge | September 1, 2007 10:37 AM

Personally I feel that if we were still in teh cave men days that eating meat would be the right thing to do. But now, in this day and age we have abused this priveledge for too long. The ways the animals that we eat are raised is completely unnatural and unenviromental and the reason I am a vegetarian is not for the animals but for the planet. Anyone who cares about the planet in the slightest should be wise enough to see the undeniable connection between meat and global warming.

Posted by: Yolande | September 1, 2007 12:15 PM

People will never become vegs on a whole. It is ingrained into human culture in most of the world. I don't see people becoming real Hindus anytime soon since most of its philosophy is considered inferior and tribal compared to the great things Western or white culture has brought to the world. Plus, the whole religious and cultural push around the world will not allow the first religion of the world to spread its view beyond the subcontinent. Thus, the farms will continue to overrun land that could be used for better things. On another note, I think HUMAN breeding needs to be curbed forcefully. That would reduce resource wasting indeed, but nobody will ever talk about that because of our egos.

Posted by: Darsh | September 1, 2007 12:40 PM

Personally I don't believe in Global warming and if you are down to the point of saying no meat well im sure unless everyone has solar panels
to write this is harming the
enviorment.

Posted by: Samantha | September 1, 2007 04:17 PM

I understand the passion of your cause but I feel that you are being completely irresponsible to the environment by villifying the one man who has done more for it that anyone or any group. Truthfully if we're not polluting our enviornment because of cattle ranches, we'd be polluting it because of produce farms since that also requires lots of land, water, pesticides and fertiflizer. I think the bigger issue here would be over population, an issue which Al Gore emphatically addresses. Less people, less everything. So, please don't undermine an issue that is not only important for people but also endanered animals. Furthermore it is crucial for people to rely less on oil dependency and to find alternate sources of enery, which means giving up their Hummers and SUVs. So please do not undermine this extremely important cause and don't undermine Al Gore who has always been an environmentalist even before HE made popular.

Posted by: Carolyn Feldman | September 1, 2007 05:02 PM

Gore can do what he wants to do, you guys choose to pray to animals, let him eat his chicken in peace

Posted by: Anonymous | September 1, 2007 09:05 PM

Kar-Kar,

You make me sad.

Animals are individuals with willpower and awareness just like ours. You've looked into their eyes. Can't you see it? You've felt their hearts beat. Can't you feel the gravity of their desires equal to any of your own?

There is nothing self-serving about true ethics. There can only be one true ethic, and that is "concern for maximising happinesss and minimising suffering in others ahead of yourself".

To truly achieve this requires the enlightenment of a Buddha or a Saint.

However, when a person who physically enjoys a meat diet decides so as not to create more demand in the marketplace for the suffering of others, of animals, by going vegan: that is the opposite of "self-serving" I would have thought.

I understand however that if you are not prepared to take that step because you are still allowing yourself to be enslaved by your visceral base desires, then it will be uncomfortable for you to accept the ramifications of your choices, and you will find need to deny the truth of the consequences.

I am sad to see that someone so obviously as nice as you is still clutching at feeble arguments to justify your unethical choices as now it turns out that not only is meat consumption brutally inhumane to animals, but it is also according to too many mainstream authorities (even the UN) a leading contributer to greenhouse gases.

The truth will not go away. It will gnaw at you because you surely recognise what must be done. If you take that step, I promise you this: it won't all be sacrifice, because in your heart you will feel more at one with your planet and its other inhabitants.

Posted by: sean | September 1, 2007 10:53 PM

No, this is just horrid, I will not allow a group I support attack other people who are doing just as much, if not more to save this planet. No, this is rediculious and horrible and I think PETA needs to rethink this, all of a sudden mission acomplished with Vick and we have to go after the poster boy for enviromental issues? You're driving around in a hummer dressed up like a chicken? How chilidish is that, it's going to set all of us back very far. What is with this, we're telling him he's not an enviromentalist just because he eats meat? No, no, that's not right and I will not stand by and let PETA do this, stick to animal rights.

Posted by: Alexa | September 2, 2007 12:56 AM

to sponge and alexa:

you miss the point: we don't attack gore but if he doesn't include factory farming in his issue - all his doing is useless - because factory farming is by far the GREATEST POLLUTER ON EARTH!! do you understand the point? this is not about meat-eating or not! go to study the facts!!!

Posted by: little big woman | September 2, 2007 02:13 PM

What is this outpouring of love for Al Gore about??? What real changes has he accomplished??? Yes, PETA, should ask Gore why he is not vegetarian yet; I think it is counter-productive of ALL environmentalists to decry pollution and then sit down to eat a steak in leather pants.

Sponge and Yolande
Too bad your sensibilities are not evolved enough to feel compassion for animals that don't see sunlight, are not allowed to behave or grow natuarlly, live in overcrowded, filthy conditions, have their young stolen from them, then have a truck come and throw them all inside only to reach the slaughterhouse where they have a bolt shot into their brain (if they're lucky), and while fully aware have their legs cut off and skin torn off. This is agony. Too bad you haven't the tender feeling of empathy for these billions of animals.

Jenny
I am Catholic too but you lost me in your argument especially since an atheist would NOT partake in rebuilding ANY church.

Gore hasn't really changed anything. Just a lot of blah blah blah. Until he addresses the horrors of the slaughterhouse and the impact it has on animals and the environment then he is just taking the "soft" maintream approach. I do agree that overpopulation is a serious issue but that has been written about for decades but people continue selfishly about their business.

Sean

I agree!!! Especially the part of "meat consumption brutally inhumane to animals...contributer to greenhouse gases". Nothing about eating meat is sane or acceptable. I am sure the same people eating animals would like cannibals to change their eating choices. I, for one, am glad PETA is pointing out the extreme cruelty eating animals is and how violent eating choices affect the environment. People, that is what an ANIMAL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION is supposed to do!!!!

Posted by: Anaa | September 2, 2007 02:19 PM

Love the billboard. And this comes from an Al Gore fan! It's okay to support Al Gores work and still hold him to the facts. The UN has spoken. Meat eating is going to kill us all. I hope you meat eating block heads feel happy about the fact that we're all dead because of you and your lack of compassion for animals. So keep stuffing your fat faces with animals tortured bodies. See you in the upcoming sweltering greenhouse effect.

Posted by: vegan4animals | September 2, 2007 06:30 PM

Hey guys..
Honestly in this world we pick our battles and someone like Gore chose one and is really doing a good thing for our world. I am a member of peta but I am not a vegetarian. I have found it offensive on many occasions where people have something to say about the fact I eat meat. I am an organic and free range meat eater. I really feel sad that Peta is putting out the slamming Gore article. You are not perfect and shouldn't act like it.

Posted by: Rachel | September 2, 2007 08:19 PM

I've recently been accused of not being enough of an enviromentalist because I still drive quite a bit, buy non-organic foods often packaged in plastic, and don't compost my waste. I've been a vegetarian for 37 years and it's finally nice to hear I've been helping more than I ever knew. The first time I heard about cows causing global warming was from George Bush. Maybe we should get him to go vegetarian. Yeah, right. Thanks for your info.

Posted by: Michael | September 2, 2007 08:43 PM

Vegetarians unite in the quest to make the world green and fed. Then when every one is only eating veg we can kill off all them cows, chickens, pigs and fish. To stop global warming. Kill them all because really if we are not eating them, we don't need them.

If you don't post this, then PETA is simply a new and odd form of NAZIS. Free Speech free thought. Post it, and then tell me what the plan is to do with all the walking living meat. Can't put them in Zoos, or the circus. Can't keep them as pets. I guess we can just let them roam free. But can you imagine hitting a cow with your car? How many will starve? Or is Peta the kind of group that demands results without thinking of what will occur? Truly I don't think you are that stupid! But maybe you are!

Posted by: James Fry | September 2, 2007 08:57 PM

sean, this is about animal rights. what exactly do u think vegetarianism is? second of all, if people did not eat meat. millions upon millions of animals would not have to suffer and global warming would not be the issue rthat it was. vegetarians r enlightened people. u make the connection.

Posted by: mani | September 3, 2007 09:47 AM

sean, this is about animal rights. what exactly do u think vegetarianism is? second of all, if people did not eat meat millions upon millions of animals would not have to suffer and global warming would not be the issue that it is. vegetarians r enlightened people. u make the connection.

Posted by: mani | September 3, 2007 09:48 AM

The argument of using non-factory farm raised cattle is ridiculous. The amount of pollution, water use, soil erosion etc. that comes from even small "family farms" is extremely destructive to local sites. Such operations routinely result in fish kills of adjacent waterways as well as direct and indirect displacement/loss of native flora and fauna. Additionally, if factory farms were obsolete, the demand on "free range" sites would be overwhelming, creating the same problem, on a larger scale. Instead of arguing how best to farm animals, try to make a selfless decision to go vegan. This is more than ethics, environment or health, it is common sense. Times have changed, and it is a positive step in human social evolution.

Posted by: scott | September 3, 2007 10:41 AM

Hmmm, based on many of the comments on this blog, it just goes to show you that PETA supporters are damned if they do, damned if they don't. When animal lovers were making their voices heard about Mike Vick, they were told "why don't you focus on HUMANS?". Now when there is an issue that is intended to help the environment (and the HUMANS living here) while at the same time saving animals, we are told to "stick to animal rights".

I think there are people who will never try to listen to PETA's messages, no matter what they are. These people will spend so much time coming up with anti-PETA "facts", instead of taking the time to really see what humans are doing to the earth, and to ALL of its inhabitants.

Posted by: Michele | September 3, 2007 12:15 PM

While it would no doubt be a good thing for Al Gore to become a vegetarian both personally and publicly its more useful to the movement if he does not, at least publicly.

Here's why: being attacked by the far lefties in PETA helps his image and enhances his environmentalist message with the casual and uninformed voter (which the majority of Americans are) by creating sympathy for him among the mainstream and the right wing. His message of climate change will resonate more in these quarters and we'll all be better off. So go ahead PETA knock yourself out!

Posted by: Frank - An American Patriot | September 3, 2007 12:32 PM

to Darsh:
i'm glad to find a fellow-hindu on this blog and i want to give you courage: now, as we are actually living in the kali-yuga and all the precious values are falling down i'm nevertheless convinced that one day the real 'sanatana dharma' shall revive and the beauty and majesty of the highest philosophy and religion in this universe - the sublime teachings of Sri Krishna himself shall again spread on this planet because now we are living in complete darkness and everybody doing something - even good - is just incomplete!

English colonisation of India or as we call her 'Mother Bharata' was a catastrophe also for the Indian people and many holy souls fell down on a primitive level of meat-eating, gambling and so on! But be sure: i'm a Swiss but here in Europe are many European Hindus living the principles of the eternal 'sanatana dharma' in full respect of the 'shastras' in avoiding the killing of animals and meat-eating and practicing the principles of non-violence towards all creatures! All praises to Lord Sri Krishna in his eternal abode, the eternal protector of mother cow - she gives us 'pancagavia' the five gifts and for this we have to be thankful to her and refuse every kind of factory farming and exploitation, aswell as bullfighting because the bull is the earth-ploughing father and the one who kills him shall - according to our teachings - suffer in as many lives as he has hair on his back!!!

Posted by: animalfriend | September 3, 2007 12:54 PM

ted williams:
you sound a bit ironical but i have to tell you that on the most of your points you are right: even a zebra as an emperor would be a great thing! as far as i'm concerned i can tell you that during more than 30 years my daily guide was a horse: i learned so much from him, indeed:

1. he saved my life twice - once refusing to continue his way before a thunderstorm and once refusing to continue his way when they cut trees in the forest and i ignored it! i listened to him and turned back!

2. he showed me how to avoid marshland!

3. he always avoided to pollute the streets! in fact he stopped, and went into the grass and i was clever enough to listen!

4. he made me to go up at five o'clock in the morning for to clean the stable before i went to work - so i remained really fit and in good health!

5. because of him i learned to be responsible!

6. because of him i had good friends!

7. because of him i started to study the history of the industrial revolution and the horse abuse of last centuries!

8. because of him i studied the history of international wars and cavalry!

9. because of him i know about the 'black jack' - do you know who is this? - it's not the blogowner but another important personality!

10. because of him i learned about native american culture and their relation with the horse and the buffalo!

11. because of him i didn't go to night clubs because i had to clean and ride!

12. because of him i learned about chivalry and minstrel culture in middle age!

13. because of him i went to endland for to see the royal horses - so i saw the tower of london!

14. because of him i lived the loving care of my parents who helped me with time and money!

15. because of him i could go on and on here but last and not least i can tell you this: i learned from him to be humble and honest - two qualities which until nowadays i didn't find in any human being and certainly not in a human president or king!

Posted by: animalfriend | September 3, 2007 01:38 PM

I do not think that the real issue is if meet is the number one or number four or number twenty main factor for Global Warming..that misses the POINT;
Meet IS an important factor for GW an everybody agrees on that. Also meat(specifically factory farming) is a wester IMPOSITION to the world ..to make matters worst. We all should start to take steps to become vegetarians then vegans since we all OUGHT to care for this world and do WHATEVER needed to protect it.

For the Kar-Kar...honey, you need to do some serious research and in addition ...watch your language...I have never seen "Meet" being race for consumption...where you saw that? I have seen INDIVIDUAL non human animals with their own history, families, relations, feelings, intelligence, feelings, physical and emotional capacity for suffering, soul, complex lives, etc..being feed on concentration camps ..getting ready for being killed by humans.......organic rethoric is just bias Bullshit talk.
SO I encourage you, dear Kar-Kar, to include ETHICS on your research list..

Posted by: Gerardo Tristan | September 3, 2007 01:51 PM

I am not a specialist, but think of what alternatives to meat eating will cost.

I do realize that almost all soy production is used to livestock feeding, and I also realize raising livestock does have a large effect on the environment, but what would happen if most people stopped eating animals to become vegans, what consequences would we see if we stopped raising cows and started cultivating more soy (now for people feeding), for example? Those would be numbers and projections I would like to know.

Posted by: Bruno | September 3, 2007 08:58 PM

Ingrid Newkirk was on the Bill Mahr show last week, sharing the information about the tonnage of greenhouse gases that are created by the 'meat industry'. I was shocked to learn just how huge a contributor to global warming that meat is. I searched the Internet and found that she was exactly right. Check out The Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org and click on 'Carbon Calculator'. (Methane and other gases are included as the equivalent in carbon dioxide) You can find out how much greenhouse gases you and your family are responsible for, and what kinds of things you can do right now to mitigate the damage. There are plenty of things we can all do right now - we are not helpless as individuals. Changing our eating habits is one quick and easy way we can all help to save the Earth for our grandchildren and their children. Meat is a huge producer of greenhouse gas. If you need help to stop eating meat, go to www.petatv.com and click on the video 'If This Is Kosher' by Jonathan Safran Foer. You won't want to eat animals anymore after watching www.petatv.com I've been a meat-eater for my entire life, 54 years so far, and global warming convinces me that we all need to stop, think and act now. Help save the planet for future generations. Together we can change the world. Drop by drop, water breaks rock.

Posted by: PeaceSurge | September 3, 2007 09:52 PM

Like it or not animal rights and environmentalism are both linked together. A healthy environment is necessary not just for people but for the well being of animals too and it is not hypocritical in the slightest to encourage Al Gore to change his diet to better fit with his views on the environment.

Posted by: Pushkin | September 4, 2007 12:31 AM

Peta should stick to animal rights issues..

Think about all that extra methane that vegetarians and vegans fart out vs. meat eaters - remember methane is 25 more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. All those beans and ruffage..

Sound ridiculous?.. so is attacking Al Gore of all people for eating meat.

Posted by: raja | September 4, 2007 01:10 AM

I'm a PETA member but I'm not perfect...just trying. Al's not perfect either but he's clearly trying...albeit with some "sins of the flesh". There are a lot bigger targets with much bigger issues. Let's not take such big shots at our allies.

Posted by: Bryant | September 4, 2007 02:48 AM

Al Gore does actually mentions that eating less meat lowers greenhouse emissions in his 'inconvenient truth' book and suggests it should be eaten in moderation. I agree with PETA on most things but I don't think Al Gore should receive this kind of reputation. Its hard enough to get people to believe global warming is real without publicly suggesting that he is 'cherry picking' facts or using the crisis for political ambition. I think the single most important thing he can do is educate people on this matter.
Im sure if he told everyone that they had to give up meat to save the environment then a lot less people would take him seriously.
After reading 'an inconvenient truth' I slowly started becoming a vegetarian because of what he had said about eating meat in his book. (then i saw a rise against video that showed slaughter houses and stuff and became an instant vegetarian)

Posted by: Ben | September 4, 2007 03:06 AM

I used to be a member of PETA and am considering re-joining. However, I am a bit turned off by PETA/most supporter's attitude that unless you "do it all" (go completely veg, for example) then it isn't "good enough". Al Gore is getting the word out regarding Global Warming, which to me is a great thing! Awareness is key. But I guess it isn't to PETA, as they feel the need to attack Gore because his efforts aren't "good enough" for PETA (by Gore not being veg). Is no-one "good enough" unless they are veg? Not everyone would be willing to go completely vegetarian... but I think if encouraged enough, more people would be apt to at least cut down their meat consumption, which in the end would be just as beneficial as one person going vegetarian. But apparently according to PETA that wouldn't be good enough, so why should anyone bother even reducing their meat consumption when faced with such an attitude? Is it truly 'go vegetarian or go home'? I really believe a better approach would be to encourage a reduction in meat consumption... I believe this would be more viable for the majority rather than just a select few that are willing to make a big jump into vegetarianism.

Posted by: Tania | September 4, 2007 10:16 AM

I agree, Al Gore should go vegan, for nothing else but to lose some weight. If he is eating chicken, he should choose lean, skinless chicken, not the fried stuff. And he should cut out other fatty meats like ribs, pork, and fatty cuts of beef. I mean, it's really hard to be the face of environmentalism, when that face is puffy, and the gut is hanging over the belt buckle. I can just tell by looking at him that he consumes at least twice as much as an average human being - and that is just food alone! I don't want to think about how much electricity he consumes trying to cool down that massive frame... all of his rooms in his mansion have to kept at about 65 degrees to prevent him from sweating. And it gets hot and sticky in Tennessee, folks. Peta should lobby Al Gore to lose at least 50 lbs immediately - and to stop wearing makeup, and to stop flying private jets, and to sell his mansion, and to stop using limousines...etc. Go PETA!!!!

Posted by: Jerry Seinfeld | September 4, 2007 01:47 PM

Define how the U.N report shows that meat is the number one generater of green house gases. Just curious?

Posted by: mike | September 4, 2007 03:40 PM

This has to be the most insane thing i have every heard. Where are the facts to back this up that animals on feed farms are causing global warming? Also what about the climate change being caused by the natural effects of the earth? I think the whole global warming thing is bogus. Plus how much money did Al Gore's concert raise for any type of reasearch? That's right NOTHING. But yet how much polution to he create that day with all the jets and limo's, and trucks coming to his event? Maybe we should just stop breathing since you put out CO2 every time you take a breath. PETA has to be the biggest joke ever next to Al Gore...

Posted by: duane | September 4, 2007 03:49 PM

well, duane -
if peta and al gore are two jokes so you are the third joke - because you are one of those right now here again who cannot read what was written before him! raise your watermelon and stare at the upper lines you limited edition of a horny frog!

Posted by: rintintin | September 4, 2007 05:46 PM

Shame on PETA. Al Gore has done more for the environment than most of your members will do in a lifetime. I am tired of such gratuitous, insulting attacks on someone who is working VERY hard to try to change the world for the better. He has picked his battle, and he's fighting it. He does not deserve to be caricatured like this. He is the one human being who could be in a position to listen to PETA and effect change. This nasty banner harms your efforts. But if being outrageous is where the thrills come from, and not doing strategic, leveraged work with your eye on the outcome and not on the name-calling, then I guess the stupid banner works for you.

Posted by: Pooka | September 4, 2007 06:44 PM

A poster above said that "all the presidential candidates have the same failing" (not speaking out about the dangers/immorality of meat-eating). That's not true, though. Dennis Kucinich, a Democratic candidate for president, is a vegetarian and outspoken about it.

Posted by: James | September 4, 2007 07:40 PM

omg some one please make a bumper sticker with that add!!!!!! My car is covered with PETA stickers everywhere! i want that one :)

Posted by: anne-marie | September 4, 2007 09:21 PM

i also want to join pet@ haha

Posted by: keiirn | September 4, 2007 09:49 PM

After reading this, i just understood how peta is another self-opinionated dictator and extremist. I mean you may live on veggies, but most people wouldn't be seen dead doing that. Don't try to conform people, conformity is boring and stupid; we don't want society to become a bunch of veggie-eating linen-wearing robotic hippies. Don't be too idealistic as the fortunately, the world is not an idealistic place at all. I am interested in some things you hold for, but meat tastes good and leather rocks!

Posted by: aidan997 | September 7, 2007 06:48 AM

I think that bashing Gore of all people is ridiculous! Why does it seem like nothing is ever good enough for Peta and the majority of its members? Take Vick for example Peta helped him get what he deserved. He lost a 20 million dollar contract, all of his endorsements and he is suspended indefinitely. Not to mention hes looking at jail time. What more do you want? Move on...Back to Mr. Gore; what if he did become vegan? The next issue would prob be what types of veggies he chose to eat. Stick to the issue! Blaming and calling out one person does no good.

Posted by: Nick | September 7, 2007 12:59 PM

To all of you who quote the U.N. report,

I am concerned about your ability to think critically. None of you quote sources other than the U.N. domecument stating that meat production is the top cause of global warming. Are you questioning the information you read, or are you simply accepting them so long as they fit with your ideals?

I understand PETA is an organization and most of its supporters speak out for animal rights. I see that you have chosen to be vegetarians because you care and want the best for them. I believe in animal rights too, but what I really believe in is that people should do research and provide evidence (from more than ONE source) in support of their arguments--especially when trying to convince others to do as they do!

Posted by: Concerned | September 8, 2007 11:21 PM

Read your Gore article. You may want to learn the meaning of the word "pun." Illiteracy does not help the cause.

Posted by: Paul | September 9, 2007 09:58 PM

Thanks Peta for giving the rightwing nut jobs some ammo. They've always hated you. Now they're exploiting you to go after Gore themselves. You'll never see another penny from me. I'm totally disgusted in your exploitation of people who risk a lot in order to make the world a better place. Maybe you cou;d have handled this differently. Nope. You abuse people the same way they abuse you.

From a "Katrina" animal rescue worker, pet sitter, mother of 5 cats and 2 dogs (all rescued by me) and supporter of both Michael Moore and Al Gore (especially), Lynn

Posted by: Lynn | September 9, 2007 10:53 PM

peta, are you serious!!!? i can't think of a better way for you to prove what idiots you all are. why are you going after someone that helps the environmental cause? who's next, michael moore?

you're embarassing to the rest of us who aren't stuck in our microcosm.

Posted by: christie rhode | September 10, 2007 12:32 PM

This is an extraordinarily bad decision by PETA. Gore is one of the few genuine environmental leaders in the country and you are playing right into the right-wing's hands.

Reducing meat consumption absolutely is a good idea. But this action is simple-minded opportunism which weakens the movement as a whole.

(cross posted after posting in wrong location)

Posted by: Rafael | September 13, 2007 05:56 PM

This is why I love the show South Park. It is a forced opinionated reflexology if you will on what you are against. It will piss you off at one point. I remember the episode where Stan goes Vegetarian because of veal, and at the end they all cheer when the parents say let's go get some burgers. Why do we passionately yell about something, but when somebody gives us a simple solution, we just shrug and say but we believe this or that...

Mr. Gore, really. It's that easy. I did it in 30 days. After eating nothing but fast food pretty much about two times a day, due to working conditions. I quit making excuses and I am still standing. In fact, I am in better shape and happier...Dude, just do it! Credibility is recieved, but respect is earned...

Posted by: Nick | September 16, 2007 01:08 AM

ted williams:
WTF are you saying? If we had ANY animals like zebras, hippos, or bush as leaders, WHAT WOULD THEY DO?! Animals like that CANNOT reason! NO animal can except us! They can't lead a country(or the world) because they can't do what we can, and that is TO REASON. Animals can only rely on instinct. We adapt. Adapt over instinct. Just look at the Master Chief: smarter than any animal, and frankly, everyone here!He'll know the answer!

Posted by: halo snipe | September 17, 2007 10:47 PM

Brilliant campaign. Well done!

Posted by: Emily | September 18, 2007 05:50 AM

i love you PETA i think that the organisation that you are running is absolutely fantastic and the more you can do the better.

Posted by: sarah | November 8, 2007 06:47 PM

I don't think cattle grazing or any livestock grazing should stop because of someone's theory that it's all because of livestock grazing considering....what about smokers, truck, trains, cars, farmer, and etc.??

Posted by: Someone Special | November 14, 2007 01:04 PM

PETA is making enemies out of their most devoted & valuable supporters by choosing to focus their efforts on those who are doing the most good for our planet.

Eventually PETA will look back on this moment in history and regret not waging more meaningful battles.

Why insist on being your own worst enemy when there are much bigger fights and campaigns to wage? I mean first Steve Irwin, now Al Gore!

I won't even mention the people that are doing the real harm which you choose to ignore... it's absurd, annoying, and counterproductive to say the least.

Posted by: Patrick McGovern | November 29, 2007 09:15 PM