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October 19, 2001

PETA disgraceful
after terrorist attacks

By Stewart Truelsen

Only one activist organization would step over the bodies of the World Trade Center and Pentagon dead to further its own cause—PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Most environmental and public policy organizations pulled back on their own agendas to offer sympathy to the nation, but not PETA.

On the front page of its web site, PETA equated the terrorist attacks with eating meat. "As we struggle to understand the violence that has been thrust upon us, we have an opportunity to seize control of some equally real violence and stop it." And then PETA asks, "Have our hearts and minds been closed to the unspeakable violence toward other innocents that takes place in our slaughterhouses, and do we not look violence in the eye three times a day—at breakfast, lunch and dinner?"

There are words to describe this diatribe that we won't print here. Suffice it to say if any of us thought giving up eating hamburgers would stop world terrorism, we would do it in a minute. Terrorism may have a number of root causes, but eating meat is not one of them.

But what would you expect from a radical animal rights organization that draws people in by professing to care about animals and then spews hatred? Its most recent campaign is a vicious attack on Wendy's hamburger chain. PETA's web site depicts Wendy, the corporate symbol, wielding a bloody butcher knife. Someone at PETA should have had the decency to remove that caricature in light of the knife-wielding airline terrorists.

Instead of using the terrorist attacks to further its agenda, PETA should have immediately expressed sympathy for the people and animals affected by the horrible events of September 11. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that 800 pets were killed, orphaned or displaced in New York City. The loss of pets can't be compared to the loss of human lives, but it is still a loss worth grieving.

PETA also could have highlighted the heroic efforts of a guide dog that led a blind man to safety at the World Trade Center.

PETA later removed some of the offending statements and replaced them with more sensitive material. The original message, however, suggested that meat eating leads to violence and terrorism. PETA attacked farmers by claiming that employees on a typical hog farm regularly beat and kill young pigs.

Nothing could be further from the truth. No farmer can make a living by mistreating animals. Any employees found doing this would be terminated. The welfare of animals is a top priority for livestock producers.

The attacks on farmers and the attacks on corporate America are typical of PETA. The organization is known for its outrageous behavior, distortions and fanaticism. Dietary decisions should be based on personal preference and nutrition and health information. PETA has a right to promote a vegetarian diet, but for PETA to suggest that meat eating equates with terrorism or fosters terrorism: that is a step way over the line of reason and decency.

It is truly disgraceful.

Stewart Truelsen is the director of broadcast services for the American Farm Bureau Federation.