Nov21
Bill Maher Talks Turkey
Posted at 02:00 PM | Permalink
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Comments (25)
Hey, I had to use that subject line at some point. Cut me some slack here. The reference is to a fantastic piece by Bill Maher that appeared in yesterday’s Huffington Post, asking George Bush to pardon all the turkeys. Here’s an excerpt:
"I ask you to do what I'm going to do and pardon a turkey this Thanksgiving. It's not hard. Just eat something else (ideas here and here). Not someone else, because it doesn't seem fair to spare a turkey and roast a hunk of pig or cow instead. If we can bow our heads in gratitude for our families, our friends and our big screen TVs, and then carve into a creature who lived a miserable life and died a horrible death, then our ethics are about as sensible as Britney's parenting skills."
You can read the full post here, and be sure to leave a comment telling Bill Maher he’s a badass. Or something more eloquent. In making the case for a vegetarian Thanksgiving, Bill’s piece refers to our investigation into a Butterball factory farm that was a central theme of the recent HBO documentary about PETA, as well as a brand-new PETA investigation into a standard American turkey slaughterhouse, which is required viewing for anyone who is still thinking about cooking a turkey for dinner this Thanksgiving:
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Comments
Hey Bill
Denial is powerful thing as long as we keep our heads in the sand like, or out of sight out of mind nothing will done about this huge problem. I was down for eatig turkey this Thanksgiving but after the documentary "No turkey for me" cant do it, wont do it. Being the dominate animal on earth we should be the wisest, but were not. We can learn alot from our furry friends. I think people are finally realizing that their needs to be involvement. These companies count on us turning our heads and doing nothing about it. I became of PETA member and would consider working for them sometime in the future for the reason that I truley believe in their philiosophy. This animal cruelty must stop and we the people have the power to do just that by getting involved and putting out heads in the sand like the ostirich. I urge everyone to put that feeling of " I'm only one I cant make a difference" aside and unite to make a difference in this world for those defenseless animals.
Regards
Joseph Cruz, Los Angeles
Posted by: Joseph Cruz | November 21, 2007 02:43 PM
Ok, Bill Maher is such a cool freakin guy!
Posted by: Jaclyn | November 21, 2007 03:15 PM
Bill IS a badass!!! I am so glad he did that and I too wrote a letter to the Prez asking him to pardon all turkeys this year!!! Thanks to Bill and PETA for ALL you do!!! Erin~
Posted by: Erin | November 21, 2007 03:34 PM
I have always liked and respected Bill Maher. His stand
on animal rights issues has
always been factual and heart-
warming. His article in Huffington Post was a "gift" to the animals, and a motivation to people who are on the fence; about the importance of not eating our animals. I believe his words may have influenced millions of readers in a positive regard. No, he is not a "God", he's just an intelligent, compassionate, and wonderful man.
Posted by: Pamela L. | November 21, 2007 03:37 PM
Yes, when I saw the President giving another opportunity in this life to the turkey, I think why he can not give this opportunity to all the turkeys and end all this cruelty. He is the President, he can do many things to help the animals.
Posted by: liliana | November 21, 2007 04:27 PM
As always when a controversial topic arises, the fanatics crawl out of their holes. No one loves animals more than I do but I certainly appreciate the bounty they provide to my table.
Eating turkey is not the problem here but the treatment they receive is. Think before you protest and go after the real problem - cruelty.
Bill, I watched the tape with your animal rights friend and you jumped right on her band wagon. Research please
Posted by: Nancy Benstead | November 21, 2007 05:14 PM
As always when a controversial topic arises, the fanatics crawl out of their holes. No one loves animals more than I do but I certainly appreciate the bounty they provide to my table.
Eating turkey is not the problem here but the treatment they receive is. Think before you protest and go after the real problem - cruelty.
Bill, I watched the tape with your animal rights friend and you jumped right on her band wagon. Research please
Posted by: Nancy Benstead | November 21, 2007 05:15 PM
Bill Maher < Steve Irwin
Bill Maher < Beyonce
Bill Maher < P. Diddy
Bill Maher = DOUCHEBAG
Just a little math.
Posted by: puckfeta | November 21, 2007 05:22 PM
Bill Maher is my hero:)
Posted by: Dana | November 21, 2007 05:35 PM
You would think such "injustice" would drive Maher to become a fully fledged vegetarian.
Joseph you are absolutely right, the animals must be killed humanely. There is absolutely no reason why death can't be swift and painless.
Posted by: rojo | November 21, 2007 05:49 PM
Bill,
You are truly an inspiration
for many people, myself included.
I really like posting on your board, you always have great things to say, but it's so funny how so many people have no idea what you mean. They just don't get it and niether does Gore.
He's now went Hollywood, so thats pretty much it.
He is going to continue throwing meat in his mouth
He knows too many ranchers,
his father was a rancher.
I am wondering if perhaps by any means that the ranchers are bank rolling him.That sure would not suprise me.
Gore refuses to even speak about the "Meat" thing.
You are wonderful.
I so enjoy being a Vegan.
I love watching animals not eating them, will people ever understand? I just don't know.
I still stay that we must Barbecue Bush and Cheney, only then shall I find a little peace.
Take good care Bill,
Judith
Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals | November 21, 2007 07:08 PM
Bill rocks!
I'm a lifetime vegan, and live here in the Bible belt cattle country, and could not agree with his blog more. I'm shooting a documentary about the direct link between animal rights and global warming.
Keep hitting the nail on the head, Bill!
Happy holidays...
Jack
Posted by: Jack Truman | November 21, 2007 08:39 PM
I am officially in love with Bill Maher after seeing him on the documentary.
What he said at the end...paraphrasing: "Before PETA people didn't think about animals. Now they think about them but they dont care."
But the next step
(hopefully) is that they think about them and do start to care...
Well, anyway I thought it was a great quote and so *him*...and, it's true...
Posted by: Tamara | November 22, 2007 01:19 AM
I just watched the new investigation and it just sickens me to know nothings changed. Bill Maher is exactly right, how about meatless dishes tonight at least you can enjoy each others company without feeling bloated and passing out early. Ukranians do this at Christmas Eve, 12 meatless dishes to trully thank God and spare the animals for at least one day!
Posted by: Carla | November 22, 2007 10:43 AM
thank you, bill, for such a powerful stance on animal rights. i've always appreciated how committed you are to the safety, health and welfare of the beautiful creatures of our planet!!
now..could you please take the same committed stance on breastfeeding? the two subjects go hand in hand, and those of us who have proudly nursed our children would love it if you'd support us rather than make negative remarks about us on your show. i've sent you numerous emails to which i've received no response. i know you're busy so i won't expect one, but i hope you'll read my words and consider what i've said.
i respect you and am grateful we have such a champion for animals rights on our side. i'm only hoping we can count on you to include breastfeeding and nursing in public in your collection of causes.
happy gratitude day to all!!!! :)
Posted by: dani | November 22, 2007 11:43 AM
boy oh boy. i recently watched the hbo special and you guys really are nut jobs... especially if u think bill maher is respectable... by the way, how do you christian peta members follow an organization that is run by an atheist???
Posted by: nowlga | November 22, 2007 07:50 PM
As a PETA member it is heartwarming to know someone as intelligent as Bill Maher is a PETA board member. His comments in the doco were right on the money: there are worse things in this life than crossing the line. Thank God PETA is strong enough and brave enough to do so, for the good of all animals. God Bless the Warriors!!!
Posted by: jude mignacca | November 23, 2007 12:14 AM
Sweet! I will end my Big and Rich Boycott! That coat was BAD!
Posted by: Mike | November 24, 2007 08:18 AM
I deeply respect both Bill Maher and Ingrid Newkirk. What she has done is incredible and has been an inspiration to many people.
Some people say that PETA is too radical. I strongly disagree with that. PETA is the greatest organization to have ever been around.
Posted by: Michael | November 24, 2007 02:36 PM
I love Bill Maher but he's not being consistent. Bill is NOT a vegetarian. He should follow his own advice and stop eating the animals he cares about. PETA also pisses a lot of people off by having him as board member when he clearly doesn't share all of their values and not eating animals is a big one I'd think.
Posted by: Emily | November 25, 2007 07:06 AM
Bill...you rock! I watch your show all the time, and I love how you keep it real when it comes to animal rights. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Erica | November 25, 2007 05:21 PM
Dear Joseph,
Congratulations! I'm glad Peta reached you and that you are a smart and compassionate person. Ingrid was only one and her one voice has reached millions of voices, including yours. Keep up your enthusiasm and never lose sight of this goal, or the animals.
Posted by: Robyn | November 25, 2007 07:23 PM
Me and Bill finally agree on something. Glad it was this.
Posted by: Siobhan | November 25, 2007 09:35 PM
You go Bill!!!!!!!!! If only you could get some back-up like Paul McCartney and appear on a major network show (Anderson Cooper, Oprah) and make another plea (with undercover videos in tow) before the Christmas slaughter. Keep up the good editorial work and all that you do for PETA. God Bless You.
Posted by: PattyL | November 26, 2007 10:52 AM
I'm so glad that well known people in the media can get these messages out to the public. Most people don't even realize the inhumane treatment that happens at slaughterhouses. I stopped buying the LA Times when they printed a front page picture of live bird sales for Thanksgiving slaughter and explained how they killed the birds with an electric knive. I called the writer of the article and told him it was the most disgusting thing I had ever seen in their paper and told the editor I would never buy the paper again. Haven't seen anything like it since so maybe it made a difference.
Posted by: mary | November 26, 2007 11:39 AM