PETA proposes robotic groundhog for Pa. festival

[JonLP24]

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. - An animal rights group wants organizers of Pennsylvania's Groundhog Day festival to replace Punxsutawney Phil with a robotic stand-in.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says it's unfair to keep the animal in captivity and subject him to the huge crowds and bright lights that accompany tens of thousands of revelers each Feb. 2 in Punxsutawney, a tiny borough about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. PETA is suggesting the use of an animatronic model.

But William Deeley, president of the Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, says the animal is "being treated better than the average child in Pennsylvania." The groundhog is kept in a climate-controlled environment and is inspected annually by the state Department of Agriculture.

Deeley says PETA isn't interested in Phil from Feb. 2 on, and is looking for publicity.

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/2010/01/27/20100127peta-robotic-groundhog.html

[madinmaryland]

1. That's funny.

My family is originally from the county that Punxsutawney is in. I still have a few relatives that live in that area. Let's just say the folks from that part of the country will not welcome peta to their community!

[Orrex]

9. I suspect that Phil has a higher standard of living than most humans in Punxsutawney

We should all be so exploited.

[guitar man]

2. Cool

That would be a great gig for this guy, he hasn't worked much lately :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFGpgt4EC3I

[surrealAmerican]

3. A person in a suit, marionette, or even a hand puppet ...

... would be better than a robo-groundhog.

Also, is William Deeley trying to suggest that children in PA are inspected on a less than annual basis?

[MilesColtrane]

4. PETA is confusing it's Bill Murray movies.

Groundhog Day, NOT Caddyshack!

[kentauros]

10. I watched a Biography episode on the making of Caddyshack

They had a lot of fun making that movie! :D
Plus, the animatronics-puppet for the gopher was a last-minute addition.

[KamaAina]

5. KamaAina proposes robotic replacement for PETA

"No jumped-the-shark-twenty-years-ago looney-tunes were harmed in the making of this post." :eyes:

[nolabear]

6. Sure. It can be made translucent so it won't throw a shadow and guarantee us a false Spring.

Jezus, PETA. I suppose you want Phil set free to live a short,solitary life and die a swift and natural death in the wilds of Pennsylvania? Because he isn't exactly primed for the country life after having been born and raised in captivity, not that it matters to you. He's just a symbol you can use to further your cause, just like he is now.

[tigereye]

7. I suspect Phil has it easier than some of the groundhogs who run through my

yard...

[Orsino]

8. Orsino proposes robot press agent for PETA.

Wind him up and he stupids.

[old mark]

11. I think they have one like that now.......nt

[NightWatcher]

12. PETA has jumped the robotic shark

PETA has officially lost their damn minds. They also wanted Univ of GA to get a robot UGA
that dog lives better then most people.

[TZ]

13. How about replacing him with a "sea kitten" or two...

:rofl: