[ScottM1968]

Again, if animals have rights and are not property, we must treat all animals as if they have these extra rights.

We cannot therefore kill animals for fun (hunting), food (farming), or safety (protection).

This argument was used somewhat successfully by animal rights activists a decade ago. By agreeing to their basic premise, we screw ourselves for any rational argument made from the flawed premise that animals can have people-like status.

They seem that way to us (and I have had many pets). But we cannot allow it them to be "personified into law".

Or we will be made vegetarians in the not too distant future.

[Americanwolf]

You seem to think that common sense of the people is not very great... I think our politicians and law makers know where to draw the line. You don't give you fellow man much credit.. and after you arguments here I am not willing to afford you much credit either.

[exnavychick]

Well, unlike the PETA dipsticks, most rational people can differentiate between killing an animal for food and killing one for peeing on the floor.

They can live happily in their tin-foil hat universe, while most of us chomp on our nice juicy steaks. On the other hand, anyone who isn't disturbed by the wanton killing of an animal because the person lacks a concience or self-control probably would need to re-evaluate what is important.

No offense intended, but I think that you are just as extreme in your views as the PETA crowd. There is a happy medium, and most people can figure that out.