The "Animal Rights" Movement's Cruelty to Humans

Capitalism Magazine ^ | August 15, 2005 | Alex Epstein

[Smile-n-Win]

The "animal rights" movement has pulled off a deadly deception: promote a vicious, anti-human policy, while feigning benevolent, compassionate motives. The deception takes the form of opposing life-saving medical research--in the name of opposing cruelty to animals.

[...]

The founder of PETA, Ingrid Newkirk, has declared unequivocally that animal research is "immoral even if it's essential" and that "Even painless research is fascism, supremacism." When questioned what her movement's stance would be if animal tests produced a cure for AIDS, Newkirk responded: "We'd be against it." Chris DeRose, founder of the group Last Chance for Animals, writes: "If the death of one rat cured all diseases, it wouldn't make any difference to me."

[Northern Alliance]

PETA is no more representative of the animal rights movement (better called the anti-cruelty to animal movement) than Pat Robertson is representative of the conservative movement.

In both cases it's the media that unduly focuses on extremists to raise the temperature of their consumers. That is what sells newspapers and attracts viewers.

[Smile-n-Win]

PETA is no more representative of the animal rights movement (better called the anti-cruelty to animal movement)

So can you name a couple of organizations that are truly representative of what you call the animal rights movement? What are their goals and principles?

[mtbopfuyn]

Was at a picnic two days ago with a PETA dimwit who informed me I shouldn't be living in the country because that's where animals live. Of course, he wanted to argue his new home was ok because it was built inside the city limits. Idiot.

[Smile-n-Win]

Of course, he wanted to argue his new home was ok because it was built inside the city limits

LOL!

That means he contributed to ... gasp ... URBAN SPRAWL! Arrest the criminal!!!

[xcamel]

Funny, IIRC.. Ingrid is a rabid supporter of abortion too....two legs bad, four legs good....

[auntyfemenist]

I couldn't name them all, and animal care, rather than animal RIGHTS is their main goal. There are hundreds of small organizations out there that rescue and foster animals of all kinds. I have been a member of a Rottweiler rescue group for six years.

There are just a huge networks of such folks. They all hate PETA and none of them get mentioned in the news for the wonderful work they do. Actually, I doubt any of the PETA folks ever pick up dog after dog, or any other animal, take it home, pay for food and medical care and find good homes for them. (I have had six dogs at once in my care.)

PETA makes a lot of noise, but they are more about being destructive to animals if you look at their record.

[crail]

So can you name a couple of organizations that are truly representative of what you call the animal rights movement?

How about the humane society and the hoards of related pet/animal save operations? They're in every city, and they rescue abused and neglected animals from cruelty... but they don't break into labs and steal animals. Then there's lots of places that work to protect wild animals from human encroachment or hunting, or both, by getting nature areas designated. You may not agree with the anti-hunting bit, but again they're not spray painting old ladies in fur coats. There's all kinds of orgs which protect animals from illegal poaching in Africa which is often far, far more cruel than hunting. And again, they're working against the ivory trade, not picketing your favorite steak-house. Take a pick of your animal cruelty related cause and there is a non-PETA organization that supports it.

[Northern Alliance]

SPCA - the name states the goal pretty well. However, I don't think a movement like that is defined by organizations, but by the people that feel a particular way on an issue.

[atomicpossum]

I guess veterinary medicine is 'immoral' to PETA, too?

[AmericanChef]

-"If the death of one rat cured all diseases, it wouldn't make any difference to me."-

Ah, the sounds of insanity! It's so childish, you have to wonder what made these kind of people the whack jobs they are today.

[sauropod]

It may have been impolitic for Robertson to say what he said, but he was correct about Chavez.

Newkirk OTOH has been a wingnut for a very long time. 'Pod.

[Spanishguy]

I agree but somehow radicals get closer to politics, maybe because of their pressence in the media.

As an example the EU congress studied a purpose for a guideline on how to transport animals... it was doing well until someone realised that under those lines animals would be given more resting time than the human driving the track... Isn't that funny?

[MarkL]

The founder of PETA, Ingrid Newkirk, has declared unequivocally that animal research is "immoral even if it's essential" and that "Even painless research is fascism, supremacism." When questioned what her movement's stance would be if animal tests produced a cure for AIDS, Newkirk responded: "We'd be against it." Chris DeRose, founder of the group Last Chance for Animals, writes: "If the death of one rat cured all diseases, it wouldn't make any difference to me."

At the same time, there's a board member of PETA who's a diabetic, and takes insulun that comes from horses. Penn and Tell's cable TV show, "Bulls**t" confronted that board member, whos response was that she does so much good for animals, that it's a small sacrifice. You know, one must sacrifice for the many sort of spiel...

Mark

[varyouga]

Aren't people technically animals too? So why do most PETA supporters think it's OK to kill unborn babies for no reason? Abortion sounds like fascism to me too.

[Jeff Blogworthy]

Chris DeRose, founder of the group Last Chance for Animals, writes: "If the death of one rat cured all diseases, it wouldn't make any difference to me."

But we need government funded embryonic stem cell research now!