PETA: Lies, Abuse, and Death - Part II: Don't People Deserve Ethical Treatment?

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PETA: Lies, Abuse, and Death
by Dave Gibson, Columnist

September 5, 2003

TAP EXCLUSIVE!!

Second of Three Parts

Part II: Don't People Deserve Ethical Treatment?

Dave Gibson PETA employees are subjected to intimidation and brain-washing techniques on a daily basis. One former employee likened the place to a "concentration or re-education camp". It would seem that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals cares very little for the human animal.

Employees are encouraged to join protests and to 'go naked' down city streets (to protest the wearing of fur). If they refuse, they are then ostracized and in the words of one of those who refused to take part: "from then on, you are made to feel like you are somehow unworthy".The pressure to protest and behave outrageously in public which often times risks arrest is applied equally to all PETA employees and volunteers.

PETA employees are required to watch a number of videos every week. These videos always depict animals in very abusive situations. Many of these have been obtained through the use of hidden cameras, they show animals being beaten, caught in traps, being electrocuted, etc. It really makes no sense to show such disturbing images to PETA employees...Aren't they merely preaching to the choir? However, the former employees whom I have interviewed told me that everyone must watch them over and over again. They are trying to whip these people into a frenzy while weeding-out those who are not militant enough for PETA's ranks. There is even a woman whose job it is (among other absurd duties) to walk around and make certain that no one has their eyes closed!

PETA employees must sign an agreement that they will never bring animal products (leather shoes, meat, etc.) into the building. In fact the same woman who makes sure that everyone is getting their brains fully washed during the videos, goes into the employee refrigerator and inspects people's lunches! That's right PETA actually has someone open their workers' sandwiches to check for meat, cheese, even what kind of mayonnaise they use! One former employee said that she was shocked when she entered the lunchroom to find her sandwich laying open on top of the counter and the tongue lashing she received because she had "used cheese which had a dairy derivative". Personally, I only eat 'free range' cheese, I mean come on folks...Don't you feel guilty when you see all of those cheese blocks locked up inside the deli case, awaiting their day with the slicer?

More than one former employee has confessed to going home in tears after a day of PETA's 'training'. PETA keeps an eye on their employees after hour activities as well. If one of them happens to be seen doing something as harmless as say...putting cream in their coffee at a local establishment, they can expect to hear about it the next day. The intimidation, the spying, the invasion of one's privacy are no doubt designed to achieve total control of these people.

PETA also has among its ranks, many people who consider themselves to be 'Straight Edgers'. The Straight Edge movement began during the 1980's. It was started by a punk band called Minor Threat. The leader of this band bragged about the fact that he didn't smoke, drink, have sex, or take illegal drugs. Kids started picking up on this and the movement began. Over the years, Straight Edgers started adding to their list of rules, most namely you must become vegetarian or better yet...vegan.

Straight Edgers in recent years, have become known for their very violent actions. According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, the local Straight Edge group (which police classify as 'domestic terrorists') were responsible for fire-bombing a McDonalds and setting a fire which destroyed a local co-op selling leather and fur goods. They harass and even physically assault people for drinking, smoking, and eating meat. They are notorious for attacking local college students at the University of Utah. One Straight Edger (Andy Maunch) is now in prison for murder. He claims the 15 year old boy he killed had "disrespected" him. PETA's top spokeswoman, Lisa Lange is reported to be a Straight Edger.

PETA has no problem breaking the law or spying on people, but God forbid the tables are ever turned on them! In May of 2001, the Associated Press reported that PETA filed a lawsuit against Ringling Brothers Circus for using investigators to secretly infiltrate their organization, while posing as volunteers. Perhaps, Ms. Newkirk is not familiar with the phrase "What goes around comes around!" In 1997, PETA settled a lawsuit filed by Huntingdon Life Sciences. That suit claimed that a PETA employees had infiltrated their company and stolen hundreds of sensitive documents and video tapes (no doubt to be used at PETA's re-education camp!). Hypocrites!

In my last article, I showed you how little regard PETA has for the lives of people's pets. They may have even less for human lives. Theirs is a hypocritical, leftist, Godless organization and boy does it show! ***

Part I of this Series

Photo of Dave Gibson courtesy of staff files