I guess I need to think about her comments. She does consider herself a "tree hugger", I suppose and she believes in preventing animal cruelty. That said, she and her organization do foster
"real animal concerns, like stopping poaching, getting stronger legislation against true animal abuse, and getting more people to adopt animals in shelters, and to leave alone average citizens who like steak and fish and then give the leftovers to their spoiled family dog".
My first comment is, "Here, here!" Finally someone who is making sense regarding the conservation of the resource!
Labels come in all forms, and perception is reality to the perceiver. My interface with the "tree hugging" crowd leaves me with the perceptions that they are (1) all anti-sportsman, and (2)all left wing liberals. Remember, this is my perception.
I think it is important to realize here that people have a right to believe anything they choose. They have a right to not hunt or fish or own a pet. But their right to NOT participate should not infringe upon another's right to participate. I think I lumped all the tree huggers in a category that perhaps PETA alone should occupy.
It is good to hear from rational people - people concerned about the environment and our natural resources. Stacey may not hunt, or fish, or own a pet; and she may be a politcal liberal. But, she does see the light, and she does make sense regarding the conservation of the resource and true animal welfare!
It is interesting to see that five years ago, an article I wrote regarding PETA antics drew heavy criticism and tons of e-mail from PETA activists. Today, I get only a few responses - not because they have given up their cause - my readership is up tenfold over five years ago. Quite the contrary, they are more involved today than they were five years ago.
Actor Alec Baldwin is to be awarded PETA's Linda McCartney Memorial Award in September for a video he made for them regarding Burger King and their meat processing affiliates. According to PETA, the Baldwin video indicates that Americans should adopt a vegetarian diet and push for legislation to stop animal abuse. (The Hunt for Red October will never be the same fro me!)
You can see that PETA is now taking the high road, choosing to get backing from high profile media and political sources.
For my part, I will embrace any conservation group that makes common sense out of protecting and conserving the resource. Wouldn't it be great if PETA would do the same - use common sense that is...
