Nancy, I think the reason that many peta supporters don't announce it every time peta does something they don't personally agree with is is probably very similar in reason to why many non peta supporters refuse to acknowlege all the good that peta has done and continues to do. I am not lumping you in that group at all- I think there are a few members who have made a point to educate themselves on the issues and decided that peta isn't for them and based on conversations you and I have had, I definitely count you in that informed group. I've posted several time that I don't always agree with every single move peta makes but even if it's something I wouldn't personally choose to do, 9 times out of 10 I understand why they are doing it and all of the amazing things they have done and continue to do for animals means much more to me than the few times I don't agree. They have done more for animals across the world than any other organization IMO so that means a lot to me. I understand and respect your views on this based on past conversations and I'm not trying to change your mind or start a debate. Just wanted to adress your post.:)

I think it's funny you are comparing this to humans because if a peta supporter uses humans in an analogy they are immediately labeled crazy, fanatical and out of touch with reality since (the argument goes) you can't compare the treatment of humans to animals. I understand your point but it is a bit ironic.

On the part I bolded I agree with you 100%.:thumbup:

Ann as you know, I could quote every single post you've made on this topic and just say :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:. You are the master of putting into words what I'm thinking- but in a nice way.:D

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

That first thing you said? Wow.

I totally agree with this point. We are all prone to put information in the best light for our side of the argument.

I agree that it isn't the best analogy, mainly because human breeding is VERY different than canine breeding. But I think it shows how I feel about the way they are attacking the show instead of the individuals responsible for what they are fighting against. I can't help but feel that I want my dogs to be treated with the same respect owed to a human, because they are my little furry people! :p

THIS is the way these threads are SUPPOSED to go! Lots of love and open discussion of different ideas! Great thread ladies!

It first made me think of the supreme court case in the 20th century about mandatory sterilization of humans. I think it is TOTALLY different than spay/neuter laws, etc, but it is disheartening when an organization has the right to decide which are good and bad genetic traits. I think SOMEONE ELSE is supposed to be in charge of natural selection, not us...

And I know this relates to humans more than dogs, but it still makes me feel the same way.

Can you tell I'm trying to get to 2000 posts today? :D

It's like a posting-bomb. :p

Post-pooper. :D

GO, GO ,GO!!!! One more post!!!!!!

I got there! I used the whoever posts last wins thread to get there, too. LOL

OK, BACK ON TOPIC, sorry!

You've given me something to think about, and you are right, I don't acknowledge all their good, I use to be a big supporter of them, and don't really respond to the "positive" PETA threads anymore. I just believe the pendulum has swung the other way, and they could get accomplish more by different methods.

As an analogy, in the early days of woman's rights, militant bra burners were necessary to get the message out. Some people listened, the message got out there, and the militants were no longer the ones that were most useful in educating others. A softer approach was necessary, because militant woman scare men, and men needed to be part of the evolution. It bothers me today when I read of young woman making fun of those old militant feminists or even saying that they aren't feminists. They have so many choices at wonderful careers; nobody is bashing them for working if they have children, and I don't think they realized how much has changed in the last 30 years, when going on a job interview always included questions pertaining to your plans for marriage, and children.

The pendulum moves back and forth in many areas, and I think many people are open to listening to such things as animal rights, but I just don't think the militant animal activists do the most good any more, and can even do much harm, and in areas that concern me most, I believe they are doing harm to animals.

I agree that militant activism is a thing of the past. It doesn't seem to get the results in a civil manner. I can only hope that we can move on to a new era of involved activism where everyone on both sides of the fence are working together peacefully for a common ground.

LIKE IN THIS THREAD!

Wyllie's mom you know we all love you! I dont support PETA and you know how I feel about it. In my opinion, all the good things they do for animals just overwhelming the bad things they do. On the other note I just wish that PETA would have more rational people like you. ;)

VERY interesting. :)

I think PETA thinks there is still a great need for (in some cases) shock value - for "shocking" many folks out of their numb stance toward taking action in the betterment of animal's lives. I sometimes think PETA's agenda in many shock campaigns is *just* to get people talking. Unfortunately, many find it all SUCH a turn off - that you have to wonder - even IF people are talking, is the real message really getting through? Or, does that not perhaps matter to PETA, as long as folks are talking? I don't know.

I do know that a bajillion people couldn't care less about what happens to a chicken during its lifetime. And now, despite PETA's alienating methods, a chicken's life *is* talked about and wondered about - and we wonder if that chicken could live less cruelly. Almost all of that is bc of PETA.

I don't know if (enough) people would give 2 hoots about a chicken if it hadn't been rather thrown in their face, so they almost had to discuss it. I wish Dateline/Oprah/Primetime/etc. would do more factual stories about subjects such as this, so that maybe people could talk about it, without also having to be distracted by the delivery of the story/issue.

I don't know what the answer is, at all. I *do* think that as long as we're still euthanizing 3 Million animals a year and animal cruelty is still an issue and people still rip the fur off of living dogs, PETA still has a big role in the animal welfare community. BUT, there are many other animal welfare organizations to support if PETA is not for you. Even for me, PETA represents about 5% of what I donate annually to animals. Still, I think they play an important role in keeping animal welfare in the forefront, that it has a trickle down effect to other agencies, and they keep us talking, don't they? :rolleyes:

Believe me, I SO wish we could all spend *more* time actually talking about how to move forward w/ animal welfare...and less time discussing PETA itself, you know? But PETA causes exactly this kind of controversy - and it truly can be so distracting from the issue of animal welfare itself. Ironic, isn't it? :D

I know they are such a frustrating entity for so many, I absolutely understand the frustration - and respect your opinion.

And I share the *love*! :D :D :D

2005 posts as of right now. Go girl- you're on fire!:)

Nancy there is an animal activist group who's actions I do not agree with at all. I am not comfortable personally with the way they conduct their organization or really even what it's founded on even though I know they do a lot of good. They feel too "militant" for my comfort and I think they do a lot of harm unintentionally. There are probably many but this is a fairly large one and it's the one I know about (not peta or HSUS big but big enough). I wouldn't post anything bad about them but I do not support them so I think I really do understand where you're coming from.

There are also many things I discuss with my family and friends that I wouldn't post because things get taken out of context on a forum. Also there are people who like to argue for the sake of argument which isn't something I like to do and so I try not to open myself up to it. There are pros and cons to everything and it really does make for fun conversation in the right place.:thumbup: