Tag: PETA

Categories
general freedom

Something Fishy in Seattle

The organization known as PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — routinely goes so overboard in its pronouncements as to cast their cause in the most goofy light.

Last week, PETA sent a public letter to the American Veterinary Medical Association urging the group to cancel an upcoming event at their Seattle convention. The event would feature the world-​famous fishmongers of Pike Place Market, folks who throw fish.

Not live fish. Dead fish. Fish intended for eating. The practice of throwing seafood began as a way to increase efficiency. It’s fun to watch, and it’s grown into a ritual attraction.

PETA says it’s bad enough that fish are eaten, but throwing them “adds insult to injury.”

The fishmongers say they “love fish.” They “respect fish.” Fish make their business thrive.

But of course, the way a fishmonger respects fish is different from a member of PETA. In a television interview, one PETA spokesperson argued that we wouldn’t throw around dead kittens.

Well, no. But we might if kittens were part of our diets, instead of our homes and families.

There’s a big difference. It’s lost on PETA.

To most of us, demanding the hyper-​respectful concern for the mortal remains of fish by those tasked with preparing those remains for our meals is, well, not a position on the moral high ground. It’s fishy.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.

Categories
Accountability

Expect the Unexpected?

If we expect things to be exactly the opposite of what we expect, would we still be surprised by the unexpected? Or surprised by the expected?

You tell me. 

There exist laws about how employers must treat their employees. Employers are required to offer equal opportunity. To make certain this happens, the federal government has established and funded an agency called the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. So what employer do you think was just found guilty of willfully violating the Fair Labor Standards Act on a nationwide basis?

Yup, it’s the EEOC. The federal agency charged with protecting worker rights has been systematically violating the rights of its own workers.

We often hear calls for tougher regulation, but the problem here is regulators who can’t seem to follow their own regulations.

Here’s another bizarre case of the unexpected. The Virginia branch of PETA — that is, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — just filed a report about their animal shelters. 

My kids have donated to no-​kill shelters because they don’t like the idea of killing stray pets that don’t quickly find homes. 

Well, don’t tell my kids, but PETA reports that under its “ethical treatment” 95 percent of the dogs and cats they “rescued,” were then killed. 

As always, don’t listen to what folks say; watch what they do.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.