Is this the mature, educated and understanding advocacy that Bruce was discussing? Hmmmm. Just seems like a lazy and ineffective campaign.

Posted by: Maya, CVT | May 6, 2008 12:46 PM

If we hid all truths, this world would be even more horrific than it already is.

Good for you, Peta! :)

Posted by: HannaBanana | May 6, 2008 12:58 PM

Hmm.
Well yes it is distressing but it is the truth. Children see vulgar advertising on television all of the time. Axe spray anyone?Beer advertisments?Huge gory movie posters?Commercials are filled with highly suggestive material and half naked women undulating for the delight of men. This is no worse than sexually charged commercials or violent movie trailers played during all hours. I rarely see people complaining about those.Except for the important fact that this poster is meant to inspire compassionate change. If people can not truthfully tell their children where their food came from, or are disgusted by the image above they should not be meat eaters. People should be comfortable with what they are eating.

Posted by: Annalena | May 6, 2008 01:12 PM

I agree with you though Maya. I think classy campaigns would do a world of good. However showing the realities of heinous animal treatment is very expository for many people. Shock is in its own way effective in startling people out of complacency.I think this is much more relevant and purposeful than hiring celebrities to strike sexy poses.

Posted by: Annalena | May 6, 2008 01:46 PM

It's true, we need to expose the corruption and the cruelty - Boycott KFC Ireland!!!!!

Posted by: John Carmody | May 6, 2008 02:25 PM

Anna,

I could not have said it any better - you read my thoughts exactly !

Posted by: Joan | May 6, 2008 02:36 PM

Maya,

When we are speaking with individuals or giving presentations or doing other grassroots work, it is the time to be, as Bruce says, mature, educated, and understanding.

But the purpose of this campaign is to get media attention, because it is necessary to reach large numbers of people, and media attention is the only way to do so with PETA's limited budget.

There is no other way to reach enough people to pressure these companies to make changes. And even when being controversial, PETA does its best to handle every media campaign in a way that is mature, educated, and understanding.

Tactics like these are why PETA is the most successful animal rights organization in the world.

______________________

Everyone Else,

Incidentally, because PETA's budget is so limited (30,000,000 is not a lot when the goal is total animal liberation), we should all give monthly donations to ensure that PETA has consistent support.

You can give just 5 or 10 dollars a month! Less than most people spend on coffee!

The link to the monthly donation page is on my name. Please:

Posted by: Mark Devries | May 6, 2008 05:51 PM

Thank you Peta UK for having the nads to tell it like it is. The message is straightforward and honest, unlike the poultry ads that show hens all too happy to be someone's meal. How about truth in advertising?
As for inducing fear-please- like Ingrid said, only if you're the chicken.

Posted by: lynda downie | May 7, 2008 01:50 AM

Hi Mark -

I became a vegetarian when I was 15 and PETA changed my life. I lived in the back woods of New Hampshire and was laughed at by most people - so I am eternally grateful to PETA for being my only support system at the time.

But later on, as a shelter worker and vet nurse, people would straight up tell me that PETA gave them the impression that animal caregivers were hostile and violent. It hurt us big time.

On this blog I've seen a pedophile praised, horse manure dumped outside of a restaurant and people being assaulted with food. It's rude, immature and violent.

PETA should be controversial. You guys are clever enough to do that without violence, sexism or praising a child pornographer.

That said, I love you guys and I'm not trying to be a pain in the neck. Peace.

Posted by: Maya, CVT | May 7, 2008 12:10 PM

Hi Annalena -

I agree completely. I think that PETA's videos do a good job of showing that, in fact I'm always shocked even though I think I've seen it all.

It's just that campaigns and quick slogans leave so much room for misinterpretation - of course you and I get it, but the average person may look at it as in-your-face hostility. That drives people away.

Videos leave no room for misinterpretation. The animals don't make this stuff up. Proof is proof.

Peace, sister. I appreciate your respectful comment! ;)

Posted by: Maya, CVT | May 7, 2008 12:14 PM

I support this 100%.Children need to see what the world really is.They cant live in a fantasy world for the rest of their lives.Trust me reality will come in handy.

Posted by: Sydney | May 7, 2008 12:15 PM

Hello Maya

I think the ad is necessary to convey the horrors, fear and violent deaths that chickens endure daily. I would also ask that you try to be a lot more positive in your outlook when it comes to conveying this message to a largley ignorant and apathetic public. I am surprized sometimes that you continue to write on this blog when most of the times you write your antipathy for PETA and the work they do. Certainly PETA has done some serious blunders and there are things they do and say that I do not agree with but I make the effort to focus on the positive. Maybe you should consider doing the same.
Peace!

Posted by: Ana | May 7, 2008 02:51 PM

This picture very simply, tells it like it is.
And thats that!

Peace, For All Animals!

Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals | May 7, 2008 03:01 PM

Hi Ana!

Well, I would argue that the best leaders in American history made it a point of surrounding themselves by people who disagree with them.

I'm not saying I'm anyone important, not at all. I'm just a shmoe (spelling?) who leaves comments here.

However, they are just that: comments. This is the comment section. If Jack thinks I'm out of line, he is MORE than welcome to not post my comments. I'm serious about that.

Until then, I'm going to tell it like I see it. I am most certainly not with antipathy about PETA.

They are one of the few groups who stand up for my favorite creatures like lobsters, crabs, fish and reptiles who are so horribly tortured in this world.

But I will not support violence or sexism and will speak out against it every time until I'm silenced.

;)

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | May 8, 2008 08:01 PM

Hi Maya

I have no problem with your perceptions but your constant negativity has really gotten old. The people in history who made their mark were people with a positive vision and made positive affirmations. Maybe you can consider that as well.
Jack allows even the most offensive comments to be posted so is that where you compare yourself and feel justified? You find it very easy to sweet talk hunters and other animal abusers why not take a turn and give positive comments on this blog occasionally. Those types of comments invite goodness.

Peace! (that's positive and good also)

Posted by: Ana | May 9, 2008 05:36 PM

Maya, C.V.T. wrote:

"They are one of the few groups who stand up for my favorite creatures like lobsters, crabs, fish and reptiles who are so horribly tortured in this world."

Good point there. The more different they are from us, the easier it is to abuse them, and the more they need us to stand up for them.

Posted by: Mark Devries | May 10, 2008 09:00 AM

Ana,

You make me laugh. You speak out against animal abuse. Does that make your comments "negative"?

Of course not - and my comments against sexism and violence are not "negative" either.

And you blatantly disregarded the hundreds of times that I've praised PETA, with no negative comments involved, for their efforts.

I'm glad you're a teacher because that means you're intelligent enough to know exactly what I'm talking about. And don't hide behind your "Peace" comment when you're obviously trying to censor me.

You know as well as I do that my restrained comments don't come anywhere near the racist, misogynous and disgusting obscenities that are often on this blog.

Posted by: Maya, CVT | May 12, 2008 10:42 AM

Ana,

You make me laugh. You speak out against animal abuse. Does that make your comments "negative"?

Of course not - and my comments against sexism and violence are not "negative" either.

And you blatantly disregarded the hundreds of times that I've praised PETA, with no negative comments involved, for their efforts.

Anyway, you're welcome to continue trying to censor me, if that's your goal.

Posted by: Maya, CVT | May 12, 2008 10:43 AM

Thank you, Mark. I don't know of any other animal group on Earth who protects those villified creatures. I'm glad I'm not alone in this! ;)

Posted by: Maya, CVT | May 12, 2008 10:45 AM

Anyone who has any question about PETA's tactics should consider joining the Augustus Club and/or the Vanguard Society (and attend one of the members-only conferences in May or October), or somehow attending one of their weekend Helping Animals conferences.

I just came from a 3-day conference at their Norfolk headquarters, and it was the most uplifting, AMAZING experience! These people are working tirelessly to help all animals, who experience ALL forms of exploitation/cruelty, and they continue to do so with a very positive outlook. They have what is a VERY small budget (KFC alone spends more on advertising in one year than PETA has in its entire budget) and they use what they can to get free or inexpensive publicity (newspaper articles, Op-Ed pieces, letters to the editor, etc, etc, etc). They always have a huge spike in their website traffic whenever they are mentioned regarding one of these "controversial" ads or stories. They have just reached the 2 MILLION member mark too! (yay!) (oh, and if everyone actually took the time to really know what the PETA folks are like, they would know that PETA staffers and volunteers/interns are anything but lazy when it comes to any of their campaigns [or any of their work for that matter])

Posted by: Michele | May 13, 2008 01:29 PM

Michelle,

Hey there. I appreciate your comments. I should mention that I am not objecting to the featured KFC ad, mostly the other things I mentioned.

The sad thing for me is that I DO know how great PETA staffers are and I think that just a few over the top PETA stunts overshadow all of their efforts. The general public won't all attend the conferences, and shouldn't have to - it should be made clear through the way PETA conducts their campaigns that they have integrity and are thoughtful towards others.

I should also mention that I really did love Bruce's interview and totally agreed with it, I was just shocked that some of PETA's most far reaching campaigns contradict those very words.

Using the words "child abuse" and using a pedophile as a role model is just so inflammatory, I think it hurts the cause. Just my opinion, though.

Posted by: Maya, CVT | May 13, 2008 02:12 PM

I commend PETA for showing the truth. Too many people have the expectation that the truth should be sugar-coated to make it more palatable. Unfortunately, the animals who suffer can't turn away from the horrors perpetrated by humans, why should humans be allowed to do so?

Posted by: Antigone1000 | May 14, 2008 07:48 PM

What a perceptive and thoughtful thing to say, Antigone!

Posted by: lynda downie | May 15, 2008 10:46 PM

When i became a vegetarian at the age of seven it was because i imagined the meat on my plate before it had been killed. A pretty little lamb running around a field.

If i had known the true horrors of factory farming such as those used by KFC i would have been truely horrified, yes.
But the truth is, it is happening. And what gives anyone the right to create some humane ideology in childrens minds when this simply is not where meat comes from in todays society.

Everyone has the right to the truth and i find attempts toward hiding and dismissing ads that portray it, show the guilt of the trade.

Animal cruelty cannot be hidden when so many will work to exploit it and in turn help aid the improvement of animal welfare.

Posted by: Ellie Gahan | December 31, 2008 07:03 AM