Shock Value

How far is too far?

I am an animal lover, but I am not a vegan nor do I consider myself an animal right's activist.  However, I do have two cats, and have always been around animals, so I am sympathetic to causes for animal welfare, such as supporting no-kill shelters and promoting things such as sterilizations.  I also eat organically grown animal products and support local farmers for treating animals ethically.  I stopped eating veal years ago because of my own ethical reasons.

Yet, PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, takes the prize for going a little "too" far in getting the attention for their cause. 

This foundation has made it a point to protest at large functions, throw paint on people wearing fur coats, compare World War II atrocities to conditions in animal plants, and show videos of gross conditions in farming communities in the name of "education."  But what I read today was kind of shocking, and I had to laugh a bit. 

Now, PETA has taken it to the next level by combining things to attract a new element: animal rights and pornography.  Known for using attractive women in their campaigns (such as the woman above, in a provocative photo with a rabbit...and rabbits are often used in conjunction with "sex"), PETA has come under assault for using pornographic images and videos to attract a new element.  You know, "education."

"We're hoping to reach a whole new audience of people, some of whom will be shocked by graphic images that maybe they didn't anticipate seeing when they went to the PETA triple-X site," said Lindsay Rajt, PETA's associate director of campaigns.

No one is more of a fan of free speech and freedom of expression than I am.  And if PETA were being sincere about their efforts to promote the wonders of veganism and living an animal-free existence, I'd think maybe this could help.  Let's be fair: it seems they want to promote their website rather than educate the public on healthy eating and lifestyles, which never goes out of style.  

They seem more concerned with generating web clicks and getting horny guys to "look" at the site, but not getting them to say "hey hot chicks, I'm gonna be a vegan!" 

At the end of the day, if there are women (or men) who are willing to pose nude or do things and get paid for them, not under the influence of drugs and they're being paid for it, I can't complain. 

But PETA are the biggest porn performers of them all, exploiting sex in the name of "animal activism" but mostly for their bottom line.  Seriously, has PETA ever done more good than shock?