PETA wants Benetton to shed Australian wool

[Karmadillo]

http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/NewsDetails.asp?News_id=11673

Animal watchdog, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA Europe Ltd.) issued a press release informing that it members wearing blindfolds and carrying signs reading “Benetton: Blind to Animal Suffering”, will gather outside Benetton’s Corso Vittorio Emanuele store in Milan to show potential customers a shocking video, “Australia’s Secret Shame”, on a portable TV and hand out leaflets protesting horrific abuse of lambs and sheep by Australia’s wool industry.

The action, which will coincide with a protest at the Benetton flagship store in New York, kicks off an intense international campaign to convince the retail chain to ban garments made with Australian wool until a gruesome procedure called “mulesing” (live flaying) and live sheep exports are banned.

As per PETA release, ‘Mulesing’ is a crude mutilation whereby Australian farmers carve flesh from lambs’ backsides with a pair of garden shears and without painkillers as a cheap way to try to reduce flystrike – which is when blowfly eggs hatch into maggots and eat away at the sheep – even though more sophisticated, humane blowfly control methods exist.

When their wool is no longer economically viable, millions of sheep are shipped to the Middle East through all weather extremes aboard open-deck, multi-tiered ships. Many sick and injured sheep, treated as mere cargo, are thrown overboard or ground up alive in mincing machines. Many of those who survive the gruelling voyage are fully conscious when their throats are slit, states the release.

more...

[pnutchuck]

1. Thanks to PETA

for increasing public awareness of the terrible cruelties inflicted on defenseless animals. I am a vegetarian and do not buy leather goods. We should also look at the human cruelties these large manufacturers promulgate on workers in 3rd World countries.

[Bono71]

2. Mmmm, burger. Sorry (flame bait), I apologize in advance.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bono71]

29. I'll stop, and I apologize. I can't stand PETA primarily for

it's stance on animal testing for medical purposes. In short, I think it is dumb.

That stated, I will not flame bait on this issue again.

Apologies.

[catgirl]

50. You mean Unnessessary animal testing?

The EPA orders inhumane animal tests that have already been done! They already have concrete results. This is their way of avoiding pissing off chemical companies and other industies.

[AllyCat]

22. Even if you eat meat, there are more ethical/humane options

Looking the other way at animal suffering so people can eat meat is appalling and no better than what these mean people do to these animals.

Please consider naturally raised, organic meats if you do eat it and boycott these inhuman butchers.

[livinginphotographs]

23. Mmm, infantile and uncalled for.

Sorry (flame bait), I apologize in advance.

[ekhunter]

42. I'm with you, tasty!

[JaneDoughnut]

3. This is why I don't eat meat anymore

There's nothing inherently wrong with using animal meat and fur, but to treat them like assembly line products is disgusting.

[The Stranger]

4. I love how the corporate media assassinates PETA with all of the blown up

caricatures of PETA's actions, but largely ignores the facts that are exposed. The right wing has so mastered making a story out of the messenger that the message becomes a warning -- you speak out and see what will happen to you.

But what is really sad is when this dynamic is followed by the inundation of this board by those who nurse on these media lies and bash PETA repeatedly.

Strange days indeed.

[arwalden]

6. Peta Folks Are Freaks... They Are Run By A Band Of Loons.

They have become a caracature of themselves and are rightfully dismissed. Whatever wrongs there may be, if Peta "exposes" it, then they have all but guaranteed that folks will turn away and not pay attention. They do more harm than good.

[The Stranger]

8. I do not think you understand my post.

You are excellently, albeit unknowingly, illustrating my point.

Thanks nevertheless.

[arwalden]

18. Certainly I Understand Your Post.

It's just not the response you wanted to hear. I acknowledged the underlying truths in your statement. But I also expounded on the reasons behind it.

It's the fault PETA's extremist wacko agenda and how they present themselves. This is not the fault of the media, this is the fault of PETA, its leaders and to a large extent, its members.

Do they not know or understand (or care) what their own reputation is? Do they not realize that the suffering animals would fare far better if PETA idiots would just keep their mouths shut and let local SPCA type organizations take care of it.

If the PETA leaders were smarter they would abandon the tactics and policies that have turned their organization into a joke. One would think that after years and years of ridicule and failure, it might dawn on them to try something new or that they would try to improve the public perception that they are 'terrorists' and doped-up vandals. PETA is lunatic fringe at its very worst.

They've done it to themselves. Whatever they touch turns to shit. Whenever PETA gets involved, they stall and set back any advancements that might have been made in the humane treatment of animals. Their extreme views and inflexibility have isolated them and rendered them ineffective as an organization. They have become a joke. A brat... a peevish, immature, angry, child-like arrogant organization that's impotent and unsophisticated. A P-R nightmare.

>> You are excellently, albeit unknowingly, illustrating my point. Thanks nevertheless. <<

LOL! What passive-aggressive horseshit!

[pnutchuck]

21. Sorry, but if it weren't for PETA's "child-like" behavior

many of these issues, albeit characatured by the media, would not come to light. I knew nothing of this Australian wool before this post. If the SPCA were doing it's "job", there would be far less assembly line slaughtering of animals.

[arwalden]

26. And Now That PETA's Name Has Been Associated With It...

... it will be a flash in the pan for one day, then summarily dismissed as being yet another bit of overacted, exaggerated hyperbole from a lunatic group of vandals. Whoopee! What a success!

-- Allen

EVERYONE! Set your pets FREE!! You're being cruel to them by keeping companion animals! Housecats were meant to roam free! Return your hamster and gerbils to the desert plains. Asians who use water buffalo as beasts of burden are CRUEL!! Guide dogs are being tortured and humiliated!! FREE THE ANIMALS!! FREE YOUR POND KOI!! Dump your aquariums!! Release your parakeets!!

PETA = LUNATICS.

[pnutchuck]

31. please check out their site

http://www.peta.org/ they don't advocate no pets. And maybe meat eating repukes dismiss PETA when they get involved with an issue. As for me, I gain increased awareness and sensitivity to their issues.

[arwalden]

32. 7 Things You Didn't Know About PETA

7 Things You Didn't Know About PETA

PETA has stated repeatedly that their goal is "total animal liberation." This means no pets, no meat, no milk, no zoos, no circuses, no fishing, no leather, and no animal testing for lifesaving medicines. 1

PETA has given tens of thousands of dollars to convicted arsonists and other violent criminals. 2

PETA funds the misnamed Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine 3, an animal-rights organization that presents itself as an unbiased source for nutritional information and has links to a violent animal-rights group called SHAC. 4

PETA has used their contributors’ tax-exempt donations to fund the North American Earth Liberation front, an FBI-certified “domestic terrorist” group responsible for fire bombs and death threats. 5

PETA regularly targets kids as early as elementary school with anti-meat and anti-milk propaganda. 6

PETA spends less than one percent of its $13 million budget actually caring for animals. 7

PETA has repeatedly attacked groups like the March of Dimes, the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and the American Cancer Society, for conducting animal testing to find cures for birth defects and life-threatening diseases. 8


Footnotes
__________________________

Ingrid Newkirk, "Animal Rights 2002" convention keynote speech.

Analysis of PETA's publicly available annual tax returns.

Analysis of PETA's publicly available annual tax returns.

Letter to Japan Nippon Kayaku Corporation dated 9/20/2001, co-signed by PCRM president Neal Barnard and SHAC leader Kevin Jonas.

PETA's publicly available annual tax return, fiscal year ending 7/31/2001.

PETA web site.

Analysis of PETA's publicly available annual tax returns

PETA web site, click here for source


from - http://www.consumerfreedom.com/headline_detail.cfm?HEADLINE_ID=1730

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[arwalden]

35. Pnutchuck... That's Not Nice.

Why do so many of the PETA apologists resort to personal attacks like that. I'd suggest that you familiarize yourself with the DU rules... this isn't a public newsgroup where you can just hurl insults and heap personal scorn on those who disagree with you.

I see you'd rather make idiotic accusations and juvenile innuendos. Nice. --- People who do such things instead of arguing the message often lack maturity. Hmmm.

Perhaps my earlier comments about PETA were accurate after all.

[JackieO]

36. Take a good look at "consumer freedom"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_Consumer_Freedom

[arwalden]

37. Take A Good Look At Lunatic Ingrid Newkirk

That is a picture of Ingrid Newkirk, the head of PETA; nothing more than an extremist. Don't fall for her BS image of "saving the animals."

This is the same woman who urged Yasser Arafat to spare animals in suicide bombings, but could care less about the humans that were being killed. To show just how much of a crackpot this woman is, click the following link to see her afterlife requests:

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_medical/story.jsp?story=398523

[JackieO]

38. I love Ingrid Newkirk

Thanks for the pic

[arwalden]

43. Isn't She A Piece Of Work? And PETA Has Nothing To Be Proud Of

"Even if animal tests produced a cure for AIDS, we’d be against it."

— PETA president and co-founder Ingrid Newkirk, in the September 1989 issue of Vogue


"Our nonviolent tactics are not as effective. We ask nicely for years and get nothing. Someone makes a threat, and it works."

— Ingrid Newkirk, in the April 8, 2002 issue of US News & World Report


"We are complete press sluts."

— Ingrid Newkirk, in The New Yorker, April 14, 2003


"Because everything we do is based at adults."

— Ingrid Newkirk, March 2002 Ingrid Newkirk went on CCN's Crossfire and claimed that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals never targets children after CNN Crossfire host Tucker Carlson accused PETA activists of harassing his kids at a circus. Newkirk said the event could not possibly have happened as Carlson depicted,

BUT IN CONTRAST...

"Our campaigns are always geared towards children and they always will be"

— PETA vice president Dan Matthews, on the Fox News Network (December 19, 2003)


From both a moral and a legal standpoint, there are far too many objectionable things about PETA to list here in detail. But the following “top ten list” is a good start:

PETA is not an animal welfare organization. PETA spends less than one percent of its multi-million dollar budget actually helping animals. The group euthanized (killed) more than 1,300 cats and dogs in 1999 alone, preferring to spend its money on cheap publicity stunts and criminal defense, rather than finding the animals suitable homes.

PETA assaults common decency. PETA’s leadership has compared animal farmers to serial killer (and cannibal) Jeffrey Dahmer. They proclaimed in a 2003 exhibit that chickens are as valuable as Jewish Holocaust victims. They announced with a 2001 billboard that a shark attack on a little boy was “revenge” against humans who had it coming anyway. They have branded parents who feed their kids meat and milk “child abusers.” In 2002 PETA organized a campaign to sabotage a popular Thanksgiving hotline, which provides free advice about cooking turkeys. The group has even contemplated (literally) dancing on the grave of Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Colonel Sanders.

PETA receives rock-bottom ratings from charity watchdogs. Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest nonpartisan evaluator of non-profit organizations, gives PETA a rating of one-star ( “poor”). It says PETA “fails to meet industry standards and performs well below most charities in its cause.” PETA’s “ Foundation to Support Animal Protection” -- now doing business as “The PETA Foundation” -- was one of just 23 organizations nationwide to receive zero stars (“exceptionally poor").

PETA peddles its “animal liberation” food agenda through a medical front group that pretends to offer objective nutritional advice. A group misleadingly named the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) has duped the press into believing that it is an association of conscientious doctors promoting good nutrition. In fact, it is a PETA front group. PCRM and PETA share money, offices, and staff. The American Medical Association calls PCRM a “pseudo-physicians group,” has demanded that PCRM stop its “inappropriate and unethical tactics used to manipulate public opinion,” and argues that PCRM has been “ blatantly misleading Americans” and “concealing its true purpose as an animal ‘rights’ organization.” Taking a page out of PETA’s press book, PCRM has labeled U.S. school lunches “weapons of mass destruction” because they include meat and milk. PCRM’s president, a psychiatrist named Neal Barnard, recently duped Newsweek into covering his “study” (of seven people) supposedly demonstrating that a vegan diet helped prevent type-2 diabetes. In 2002, PCRM was cited in major newspapers more than 550 times. It was identified as an animal-rights organization in only a handful of those cases.

PETA exploits sick people. PETA famously suggested that drinking milk causes cancer, in an advertisement mocking then-NYC Mayor Rudy Guliani with the words “Got Prostate Cancer?” PETA has also erected a billboard reading: “Got Sick Kids? Drinking milk contributes to colic, ear infections, allergies, diabetes, obesity, and many other illnesses.” In 2003 the group held a demonstration in front of a Toronto-area hospital that was under a SARS-related quarantine, spuriously alleging that animal husbandry has something to do with the epidemic’s spread. Upon hearing that Charlton Heston had fallen ill with Alzheimer’s Disease, Ingrid Newkirk suggested that PETA would “toy with the idea that both Alzheimer’s and CJD are related to meat consumption.” According to a profile in The New Yorker, she considered “renting billboards that would display a large picture of a gaunt Charlton Heston foaming at the mouth.”

PETA propagandizes children. PETA’s website for kids puts a skull and crossbones next to the logo of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and tells the horror story of a fast food restaurant employee who “had taken a patty into the potty with her, then returned and said she had peed on it.” It hands out trading cards to kids that allege drinking milk will make them fat, pimply, flatulent, and phlegm-ridden. PETA also has a child-themed website, and a kiddie-oriented magazine, called GRRR! Kids Bite Back. The name is significant, as it is intended to prep children to identify with the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), which has long-used the phrase “bite back” in its promotional materials. In fact, as early as 1991, convicted ALF arsonist and PETA grantee Rodney Coronado was calling his own crime spree “Operation Bite Back.” PETA also sends “humane education lecturer” Gary Yourofsky into high schools -- and even middle schools -- to promote the “animal liberation” agenda. Yourofsky is a convicted ALF criminal who has said he would support burning down medical research labs even if humans were trapped in the flames.

PETA distorts religious teachings. Not only does PETA oppose the age-old Jewish tradition of Kosher slaughter, but the group’s leaders maintain that Jews have misinterpreted their own sacred texts on the subject. They also claim, ignoring mountains of scripture to the contrary, that Jesus was a vegetarian. PETA celebrated Easter in 2003 with a billboard depicting a pig, reading “he died for your sins.”

PETA also insists (again, selectively ignoring contradictory evidence) that Muhammad “was not a meat-eater.” In his speeches to adolescents, Gary Yourofsky regularly compares himself to Gandhi and Jesus Christ. PETA’s in-school presentations include the application of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” to birds and turtles -- not people.

PETA opposes life-saving medical research. PETA has repeatedly attacked groups like the March of Dimes, the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and the American Cancer Society, for conducting animal testing to find cures for birth defects and life-threatening diseases. When asked if she would oppose an experiment on five thousand rats if it would result in a cure for AIDS, Newkirk responded: “Would you be opposed to experiments on your daughter if you knew it would save fifty million people?” In addition to opposing any and all medical research that uses animals, PETA also insults medical professionals by arguing, with a straight face, that animal testing is a counterproductive means of finding cures for human diseases.

PETA devalues human life. PETA’s efforts to treasure every mosquito and cockroach invariably lead them to hate human beings for using bug spray and RAID. Ingrid Newkirk argues that as human beings, “we’re the biggest blight on the face of the earth.” For more on how PETA devalues human life, click on “Motivation.”

PETA openly supports violence and terrorist activity. PETA has long-standing ties to militant groups like the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), and the Earth Liberation Front (ELF). The FBI calls these criminal groups a “serious terrorist threat.”

[JackieO]

48. Yeah, I'm fully aware of the smear campaign

Gotta link for that cut and paste?

[flvegan]

69. Probably Consumer Freedom...or the NAIA. Both complete jokes

that "someone" has bought into.

[arwalden]

44. If You Loved That... You'll Just Be Orgasmic Over This One

She's mentally ill.

http://www.peta.org/feat/newkirk/will.html

[Catchawave]

39. Ahhh those Consumer Freedom "fighters".....

I remember when they went against the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) calling them "Soccer moms by day, terrorists by night".

CCF also fights very hard against raising the minimum wage a few cents, much less make it a livable wage.

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[arwalden]

47. Jilln... They Are Wacko Vandals And Terrorists

Funny how PETA defenders on this forum have difficult in resisting the temptation to hurl insults and making personal comments about the critics.

>> Even if you don't agree, remember what a difference of opinion is? Used to be acceptable. As a democrat, maybe you understand the concept. <<

LOL!

[catgirl]

52. You're eyes are closed

Animals should not have to live tortorous lives just so you can eat them

[arwalden]

58. No...You're Imagining Things That I Have Not Said. I Love Animals And...

... I believe that they should be treated humanely. I do not think that we should treat animals with cruelty.

What I've said is that PETA is a corrupt organization that is doing more HARM than good when it comes to advocating for animals. They devalue human life and they engage in and encourage illegal activities. Even when the abuse is real, if PETA gets involved, then folks turn a blind eye because PETA has such a reputation as being kooks and sensationalist liars. They are vandals and terrorists. Their leadership is morally bankrupt.

If anyone's eyes are close, Catgirl, it's yours.

[China_cat]

66. Sorry, but they do advocate no pets

and have made the statement that the only way we should 'enjoy' cats and dogs is in the wild.

A blind friend of mine asked them about their stand on guide dogs. She has a letter from Newkirk herself saying that if Terry can't find some other way to get around than using a dog, she should stay at home.

And this 'mulesing' hoohaw might be right but PETA's original stand against wool was because sheep got 'embarassed' by being sheared.

[pnutchuck]

33. snip from their site

"The decision to get a puppy or kitten should be made by all the family members who will be living with and caring for the new addition. They are the ones who must decide if they have the time, money, commitment, and genuine desire to care for an animal. If so, it’s best to wait until the tinsel and lights are taken down—then adopt one from an animal shelter. A faithful friend is anxiously awaiting a loving, post-holiday-hustle home. "

They are not against pets, they are against irresponsible owners. They do not want to see more animals on death row because little Jimmy wanted a puppy and Mom didn't want to take care of it.

[catgirl]

51. The SPCA types?

Like they're fixing all the problems! The bad rap Peta acquired was due to a few radical members, out of millions, doing idiotic stunts. Peta does a hell of a lot of good.

[arwalden]

61. LOL... A "Few Radical Members" ... LMAO!

Good one! :eyes:

Ingrid's own words are evidence enough that they are radical lunatics with little regard for the law or the rights of private citizens. Vandalism and terrorism are not protected speech. They are kooks.

[flvegan]

67. Let's see...750,000 member/supporters

If they were all "radical lunatics" then you'd have a point. Please, please, please, I beg of you, show me the terrorism (and if you post that lame-ass excuse for a terrorist link to Coronado, I'm gonna hurl).

[arwalden]

70. The Organization Is Run By Lunatics On The Fringe...

... feel free to be dismissive of the facts. No skin off of my nose. There is little that anyone can say that will convince the most hard core followers and apologists of what a corrupt organization PETA is.

I apologize if anything I said would make you think that I believe every single PETA member is a raging lunatic. I think many of them are merely blind, or self deluded, or simply fooled. Their hearts are in the right place... they are simply too naive and too trusting. Gullible.

It's their gullibility that funds the maniacal and idiotic campaigns and which turn regular people AWAY from the causes that could actually do good for suffering animals. PETA makes people NOT care. They are self-fulfilling their own worst predictions. What arrogance!

[Forkboy]

5. Countdown to flamefest in 3...2...1....

Go PETA!

[RebelOne]

7. Please do not bash PETA on this subject.

At least someone is exposing the atrocities inflicted upon these poor animals.

[SOS]

9. Here it comes....

the weekly DU PETA-bashing thread.
Allow me to save everyone alot of time and aggravation....

Post 1: Animals should be treated humanely and with respect.
Post 2: YUM! Kill the tasty animals.

Repeat 150 times

The End.

[VegasWolf]

28. LOL. Too damn funny! n/t

[MisterCompletly]

10. I support painkillers for sheep...even more so for humans

I'd like to see peta help the suffering humans that can't get adequate pain relief for their ailing. Pain kills more humans than a reasonable dose of proper medication ever will.

Sadly, both dems and thugs refuse to tell the DEA to back off of legit pain sufferers and their doctors of empathy.

[The Stranger]

12. In your mind, does PETA OPPOSE pain management for humans?

Did you get this from the article?

I mean, this is truly fascinating.

[Liberal Veteran]

16. Only if they test it on defenseless animals before approving the analgesic

:)

[MisterCompletly]

56. Many humans are defensless animals being exposed to pain without relief

And it is wrong for morons like the DEA and those that appoint them to deny us the relief we need to lead a normal life. Eff them.

[livinginphotographs]

24. Should Amnesty international

be lobbying for better schools in Lincoln, NE?

Should the Human Rights Campaign be lobbying for marijuana legalization?

Should the Death Penalty Information Center be lobbying for an end to the Iraq occupation?

PETA is an animal rights group. Period. They are concerned with animal rights. And the accusation that they should be helping with something other than animal rights is an incredibly lame one, and not very original.

[catgirl]

54. Thank you for your great answer

uncommpassionate people love to question other peoples personal principles. Why are they so threatened and what are they doing to make the world better?

[donheld]

11. I will NOT bash PETA on this

I have no problem with wool but there is no need to abuse the sheep to get wool. I applaud PETA for bringing this to light.

[knitter4democracy]

13. Why do you think I'm trying to find responsible yarn mills?

I am trying to open up my own yarn shop next fall, and I'm really trying to find responsible yarns (environmentally friendly and as cruelty-free as possible). It's hard. There are some American-made yarns that fit the bill nicely, as wool from mistreated sheep is crap, but not enough to keep my doors open. I've found that Australian wool tends not to be as nice as New Zealand or American wools, but it really depends on the farmer and the mill. I feel so bad for those poor animals--there is no reason at all to treat a sheep so badly.

[northzax]

15. I applaud your initiative

and if I was in the market for wool, I would buy from you. But why not ask PETA? I'm sure they have a list of sustainable, environmetally friendly ranchers and wool sources. Go ahead, say "I want to buy wool, where should I buy it from? and see if you get a straight answer. I'd be interested.

[knitter4democracy]

63. A lot don't sell to shops but just sell online

That's my biggest problem, actually. I keep finding these great yarns, and then they tell me that they don't sell commercially, just through their website or whatever. So, my other idea is to get with local sheep farmers and have them sell their wool in my shop on consignment. We have a lot of spinners in the area, and not everyone has a ready access to wool but instead waits for the Michigan Fiber Festival or something like that. That's on my to-do list . . .

[Vanje]

17. I can give you some contacts for humanely/naturally produced wool

Email me at [e-mail]

[northzax]

14. well gee

it turns out that being a source of wool and meat, the only reason for the existance of these sheep in the first place, is not always pleasant. I actually have spent some time on an Australian Sheep Ranch and observed none of these practices. But since a couple of them obviously do it, I guess we should tar them all. And yes, when they no longer produce wool, sheep are turned into food. And yes, they are alive when they are killed (kinda makes sense, huh?) In fact, in order to be halal, they have to be killed in this manner (the throat slit while concious) Kosher butchers do the same thing. You cannot, in the 21st centruy, outsift yourself in clothing, without participating somehow in a factory farming situation (or at least exposing yourself to that risk) Simply not wearing lether is not acceptable, you cannot wear wool, either (yes, that includes cashmere) Also, please take cotton of your list (cotton farming is one of hte single most environmentally destructive farming practices, along with sugar cane, so get rid of that as well) What are you left with? silk? (think of all the silkworms and the poverty-driven exploitative silk industry) Rayon? (nope, petroleum) I guess perhaps you could wear recylcled polar fleece (Patagonia uses recycled soda and milk bottles for most of it's Synchilla Polar Fleece)

Why doesn't PETA spend time working with the farmers and ranchers who engage in sustainable, humane practices, to encourage them and make their brands more valuable? Why not work to create an industry where the bad actors are encourage to adopt more modern, humane practices, since their products would be more valuable then? Why not work with the government of Australia to track down and punish those who abuse animals? oh, because PETA doesn't believe in sustainable ranching, they don't believe that humans should take wool from Sheep in any manner (at least they have never shown any willingness to engage with those that do not use the practices they label as barbaric)

Instead of telling Benneton, in a loud splashy way, not to buy Australian wool, why not work with the company to identify the best producers and buy wool only from them? would it not be something to have PETA standing shoulder to shoulder with Benneton and annouce that, from today, Benneton will only purchase wool from producers who are certified to use only modern, human methods of ranching? Oh, but that wouldn't be as much fun, would it?

In fact, I challenge anyone on this board who is a member of PETA, or a sympathetic supporter, to find me one single producer of an animal product that PETA would find acceptable. How about one single scientific laboratory that uses animals for testing? One single one. You won't find it. PETA doesn't care about the difference between humane, environmentally sustainable producers of animal products, and those that are the most barbaric, medieval producers. in PETA's eyes, they are equal, from everything I have seen and read) But instead of being striaght with people and saying "all wool is bad) they take the worst of the lot and paint the entire industry with the same brush, with the intention of shocking and inspiring disgust amongts the public towards the entire industry. Be straight with people, don't use the aberrations to paint everyone.

[AllyCat]

25. Sometimes, PETA is over the top. This is not one of those times

I have no qualms whatsoever about what they are doing to raise public consciousness about this issue. Whenever we use animals to make our life easier, it is our responsibility to make sure their treatment is as ethical and humane as possible. This example is certainly one of the more barbaric things I've heard, made even more horrible when there are alternatives to doing this.

By putting the onus on Australian sheep farmers in general, they might police themselves with this kind of pressure from market forces. That's why one boycotts a group of people (in this case, Australian sheep farmers) and it ends up getting some that aren't doing it.

No one is going to work with the animal rights supporters or change their practices if there is no economic pressure to do so.

[northzax]

30. no problem

simply call PETA and say "I'd like to buy wool, who can I buy it from so I know it is humane?"

they won't give you an answer. I know, I just tried it. They have no ethical sources of wool. not a single one. So how do I keep warm? they won't tell me how I can ensure that my sweater is made from 'ethical' wool.

try it, it's fun.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

40. They actually do work towards things like this.

Perhaps you should take a cruise of their website.

They worked with McDonalds, NOT to eliminate burgers, but to make the methods of slaughter more effective. There. You have "how to get ethical hamburgers"

They are CURRENTLY working to get KFC to find more humane means of slaughtering their chickens. There. You have "how to eat ethical chicken".


Here's a clip from the Los Angeles Times:

“People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, challenged McDonald’s. Not so much for serving meat but for being party to a system of cruelty. In August 2000, McDonald’s capitulated and agreed to only buy meat from suppliers that could ensure minimum humane treatment of livestock. On June 28, PETA secured even grander promises from Burger King … I say bravo. PETA is not just the most raucous of the big humane groups, but it deserves the trophy right now for doing the most for the largest number of animals—those that feed us.
—Los Angeles Times columnist John Balzar, Jul. 13, 2001

And here's a great way to keep warm:
http://www.polartec.com/fabrics/index.php

Cruelty Free, water resistant and it's what those who charge up mt. everest use. It lasts longer than wool too.

[knitter4democracy]

64. I don't know about Polartec

Yeah, I know you can get Polartec made from recycled plastic, but give me a good wool sweater anyday. We have thousands of handmade wool items going back hundreds of years and a few going back at least a couple of thousand years and more. Wool lasts if the yarn is spun well (which also means it came from happy sheep), and the items last if taken care of well and knitted or crocheted well. It's much warmer than anything made of petroleum when wet too.

If you want something more cruelty-free, buy good yarns (like from Green Mountain Fibers or Marr Haven Farm) and knit good items for yourself and your family (I'll teach ya!). If you want warmer than wool and still humane, go for quiviut--the warmest natural fiber, extremely soft, and gathered from the field or combed off the musk ox--never sheared or cut. That stuff is great!

[jmowreader]

53. Rayon contains no petroleum

This webpage will tell you how wood fiber is converted to rayon. No petrochemicals are used.

Rayon and lyocell are two of the three synthetic fibers I know of--fiberglass is the third--that aren't petroleum-based. Remember the old fiberglass curtains?

[Cocoa]

20. J. Crew and Abercrombie and Fitch

are changing their practices due to PETA's action, according to this story:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11693488%255E30417,00.html

Go PETA!

[Catchawave]

41. The Campaign and video

United Cruelty of Benetton
http://www.unitedcrueltyofbenetton.com/index.ASPX

[Baclava]

46. Every time I see another PETA story it makes me want to go eat some steak.

Until we get HUMAN RIGHTS taken care of, I can hardly justify bitching and moaning about the rights of the furry little critters.

If meat is murder, lock me up... I plead guilty. But be damn sure that my last meal is going to be a slab of prime rib.

[catgirl]

55. Why are you so threatened?

And if you hate seeing stories on Peta, why are you in this thread? And FYI, animal rights activists are usually human rights activists also.

[Baclava]

59. Fuck PETA

Me?
Hate?
Threatened?

Not likely.

I'm all for killing everything on this planet so we can swarm throughout the rest of the galaxy.

[arwalden]

65. Oh Brother!

>> And if you hate seeing stories on Peta, why are you in this thread? <<

Perhaps Baclava didn't realize that this thread was ONLY for those who were in agreement with you. He must have missed the memo or the "Peta Defenders Only" sign that you erected... you know... the one warning all dissenters to stay away. :eyes:

[njdemocrat106]

49. Those PETA folks are a little TOO nutty for me

And besides, didn't Benetton go out of style in the 80s?

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

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[Baclava]

60. Tender toes?

Humans will die off soon enough.

But, now's our chance to rule...

Kill or be killed, eat or be eaten.

Thus is the story of Life on Earth.

[Name removed]

68. Deleted message

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[arwalden]

62. Catgirl...

... I can see you're relatively new here, but that's no excuse for hurling personal insults and calling names. Or is that something that all PETA defenders do?

[Name removed]

71. Deleted message

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[Moderator]

72. Locking

hoping for a cool-down

[Name removed]

73. Deleted message

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