Save The Whales...PETA Goes Too Far...Again
By twoey68
@twoey68 (13627)
United States
August 22, 2009 7:47am CST
Recently my Hubby came across an article that he forwarded to me. I asked him to b/c I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. The article, from PETA, targets overweight women. The article is about a new billboard they just put up in Florida showing a bikini clad overweight white woman with the caption “Save the Whales…Lose the Blubber…Go Vegetarian”. I have to say that this is the most offensive thing I’ve seen in a long time. Here’s a link to the article http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/step-by-step/2009/08/19/petas-whale-ad-pokes-fun-at-obesity-misinforms/
I’ve never really known much about PETA except that they used to they used to throw paint or animal blood on women wearing furs but in the last year I’ve seen a lot more about them. There was the Superbowl commercial of theirs that never made it to the air, with practically naked women doing things with fruits and veggies (the station insisted they tone it down or pull it, they pulled it) (here’s the link to it…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQiEvDknaJ0&feature=PlayList&p=BACA605ABB7EEDFB&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=3 If it doesn’t work, simply go to YouTube.com and type PETA Superbowl ad into the search bar and it will bring up several video’s). Then there was the 0bama killing a fly and PETA went nuts over that…and now this ad aimed at overweight women.
As the article points out also, it’s not true that simply not eating meat will make you thin…there are a lot of very fatty foods that don’t contain any meat.
So, do you think the billboard is offensive? Do you think PETA is off their nut? Would an ad like this make you go vegetarian? What did you think of the Superbowl ad, too racy or ok?
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
20 people like this
38 responses
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
22 Aug 09
When at all possible, I ignore PETA. I think they are worse than religious zealots and cults. If you want to adhere to PETA's beliefs that's your choice, but when you start throwing insults of any kind at people that makes you petty. They don't know what made that overweight woman fat. 
Hormones and genes play a part in the obesity of many people and to use obesity in a PETA campaign to "save the Whales" is obsurd. While you probably are what you eat, I doubt that woman ate whales. 
Hormones and genes play a part in the obesity of many people and to use obesity in a PETA campaign to "save the Whales" is obsurd. While you probably are what you eat, I doubt that woman ate whales. 4 people like this
@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
23 Aug 09
Oh, and I placed some footage of live animal slaughter on my blog; later today I will post an article. But look at it, genuinely look at it. And think about what would offend you more? Seeing the cartoon of a fat woman, or seeing the debeaking and electrocution and trampling of chickens.
http://www.ladybugmagic.blogspot.com
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
25 Aug 09
Insulting people is far worse than pretending to love animals by insulting others. I don't agree with cruelty to animals but I am a meat eater. Do you realize if we didn't eat meat the world would be over run by animals. People wouldn't be able to exist. Do you understand that nature has a balance? Cruelty is unacceptable. People shouldn't kill people or torture others, but they do and your billboards promote the "uncaring" behavior and attitudes. I hope the person that sues them wins.
They've been going overboard on everything for way too long. 
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
23 Aug 09
Maybe they didn't eat enough beans and legumes.of course that could make them a little noisy.
..but then again either end it comes out..
...not worth waiting around to hear.
..but then again either end it comes out.....not worth waiting around to hear.2 people like this
@pweety_princess (2012)
• Australia
24 Aug 09
That's really funny! It actually kind of makes sense in a way!
Meat does give you brains cause it has the protein and nutrients, and cause they are so against it, they have lost there mind!
I guess we need to respect that some people are dumb. 
(No offence to any vegetarians, I actually support them!)
(No offence to any vegetarians, I actually support them!)2 people like this
@ErrollLeVant (4353)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I saw a story a few days ago about PETA and a campaign against Happy Meals showing Ronald McDonald with jagged teeth & a bloody knife. In my book those people are far more offensive than the practices they are trying to stop!
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
23 Aug 09
I am all for treating animals kindly and ethically. I am also all for treating humans kindly and ethically. PETA does neither. They gain lots of attention, mostly negative, by their hilarious offbeat ethics and principles. If the goal is to get people thinking, though, they have achieved it.People are thinking they are nuts.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
22 Aug 09
PETA has a good basic idea--save the animals, humane treatment of animals, etc. But they take it to insane heights and come off as a bunch of crazies. Who are they to criticize peoples' weight? A lot of overweight people get that way because they like junk foods which have little to do with animals! Others are fat because bad foods are the cheapest like boxed macaroni and cheese. PETA sure has a bunch of heartless crazies--I bet they'd choose the life of a cockroach over that of a human child.
3 people like this
@moondancer (7431)
• United States
22 Aug 09
yes, dragon and others still yet gain weight from being on a new medicine and just don't know it until it's too late. All of the above and more cause excess weight.
2 people like this
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
22 Aug 09
It's about the money folks. Every time they make an outrageous statements the news media picks it up and gives them free publicity, and the donations roll in. they know how to milk the news media.
PETA
PETA3 people like this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I completely agree with you mariposaman! That's exactly what I thought from the beginning. The nastier they get the better the publicity and free air time.
2 people like this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I prefer a certain amount of modesty in public. Similarly, I think that people should be circumspect in their public opinions. It is good to, as you say stay strong in your beliefs, but that implies a respect for other people's beliefs as well. Throwing something at another person who appears to be wearing something "inappropriate" is a childish reaction for several reasons:
1) The fur may have been synthetic; how do they know? What are they going to say if they find out it wasn't really a fur? "Oh, I'm sorry?" That doesn't work.
2) The wearer of the fur has the right to disagree. How would they like it if she poured something nasty on their vegetarian entree at lunch? Hey, plants have feelings, too.
3) It is an assault.
But the worst thing is that it is gang mentality and arrogant, traits the perpetrators would find despicable in others, but they think it is ok if they do it. Rights for animals is a good idea, but what about rights for people. We still have a long ways to go on that one.
2 people like this
@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
23 Aug 09
I agree that without human equality, we can never achieve animal equality. Which is why I was hell bent against prop 8, here in California, in which a certain group of people had their inalienable rights voted away just like that.
Peta researches where they plan their protests, and target only known offenders, not people wearing synthetic furs. They praise those who use ethical materials.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Esp. since I know just as many obese vegetarians and vegans as I do Omnivores.
3 people like this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I find it very offensive for overweight people in my opinion.
I think it's horrible of them to do this and the sign should definitely come down for sure and an apology sign put up in its place.
What a bunch of lunatics they've turned out to be and I certainly would not want to be part of that organization if that's how they need to get recruits.
Obviously, it's free air time and publicity, and obviously someday, it will be to their own detriment. So sad to see this happen. It also shows you where the world is going today, no one gives a crap about anyone's feelings....just gimme the money and who cares about anything else.
@jdyrj777 (6528)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Thats crazy. When i became vegetarian i was already overweight. I eat healthy things. I have actually gained weight since. So that claim is just ludichrist. Our local news had said something also about if you want to lose weight become vegetarian. Hummm. I have known some vegetarians that are overweight. As well as myself. When i went to my doctor hes telling my the colesterol is high. Then he goes into about what kind of things to not eat. Mentioning packaged foods, etc. I do not eat packaged food?!?! My stomach doesnt tolerater it. I make things from scratch.
Yeah that bill boad is as nuts as the people who put it up there.
2 people like this
@jdyrj777 (6528)
• United States
23 Aug 09
At first i was completely veggan. Then i actually read somewhere that if you go completely veggan that it raises your chances of cancer. Omega3 is a very essential thing that we need in fighting cancer. Also fish oil is very good for the brain and heart. Omega3 is found in fish, especially salt water fish. Jesus fed fish to his followers so i figure it cant be a bad thing. I do consume some dairy. Mainly because i do not know where else to get my calicum. Which is another important thing we need for strong bones. Especially for women. Suppliments i do not do. You may as well just eat it. In a sense you are eating it anyway by taking the suppliment. I do not know what certian vitamins or proteins that you are saying is only found only in meat. From my understanding whatever is in the meat is found in beans. Anyway my reason for becoming vegetarian was not to loose weight but it was for spiritual reasons. Which is a whole other topic.
So for what ever reasons i didnt loose weight just from cutting out meat from my diet. I dont eat sweets, packaged foods, junk, etc. It may be from lack of exercise or including dairy. Like i said loosing weight was not the goal.
2 people like this
@Barbietre (1438)
• United States
23 Aug 09
I have CLOSE friend who was not only vegan, but macroboitic vegan.He rode a bike to work and did all the "healthy stuff". Guess what his cholesterol readings were? OVER 600, and he ate NO MEATS. He was ordered by his doctor to eat more meats and fish as he also had other health issues from lack of certain vitamins and proteins available only in meats.
2 people like this
@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
23 Aug 09
There are vegan supplements he can take to get what he is missing from meats, and some problems are genetic and environmental. Not all is related to food and intake, most is, but not all.
Also - how is that apes twelve times our size and strength survive solely of bananas and apples? And cows, 10 times our size off of grains?
Our species is indeed able to survive without meats. Some people become anemic, and can take vegan iron supplements. No big.
They are taken care of, and so is an animal.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
23 Aug 09
I've ALWAYS found PETA to be on the fringe of the extreme. Due to this, I've never donated a dime to them. I give my money to the local Humane Societies.
2 people like this
@marcosdamata (83)
• Brazil
24 Aug 09
OMG, I'm really dissapointed with PETA. I used to be a vegan, and I used to follow Peta's campaigns, but I never saw anyting that much ofensive. It's disgusting. I think maybe Peta are run by a bunch of frat boys who have no idea about the line that divides a joke from an offense. I'm terribly upset by this campaign. And the one with the ladies are also so LOW. Be a vegan is not something you chose to do based on clear psychological manipulation. Vegan= hot girls in underwear? Gimme a break...
2 people like this
@Daisygirl07 (1)
• United States
22 Aug 09
yep, PETA is a kind of fanatical organization. They have been going way to far for years now, but this add takes it to a whole new level. Well more of an all time low.
3 people like this
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
22 Aug 09
That is just awful. I am surprized I haven't noticed these signs yet since I go to Jacksonville Florida a lot. There is no way I can go without eating some kind of meat with a meal myself. Eating meat has nothing to do with being overweight.
2 people like this
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
23 Aug 09
PETA has always been controversial, but this truly does go way too far! I am not obese (I don't think 20 lbs. counts, but my ideal body weight is around 120, so maybe it is?), but there are some people who just cannot lose the weight, no matter what. I've known extremely obese women, and during the time that I spent with them, I never noticed them over eating, or eating fatty foods--my best friend only had to give up her gym membership (that was beginning to make a difference only because she and her husband lost their jobs), and she eats WAY better than me!
PETA just likes to be up there in your face, in hopes that someone will get offended enough to help an animal. You know what? ANIMALS ARE NOT BETTER THAN PEOPLE! They should be thinking of ways to help those people that are hungry, not worrying about animals!
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
24 Aug 09
I prefer to NOT see images of horror or torture, whether it's of an animal or of a person. But I do NOT equate animals with people...they don't belong in my bed nor should they get the health care or the food before my child (or me)! If that's how you (and other PETA members) view the argument, I feel bad for you. If there's a horrific accident in which you and Fluffy are in, who are the rescuers supposed to focus on saving first? The only time that it becomes an option is if you substitute Fluffy for your child (if you're normal).
As for redirecting the grains that are used to feed animals, look at my last sentence--They should be thinking of ways to help those people that are hungry, not worrying about animals! I stand by that statement--if the animals are not being fed by people, are they reverting back to their feral selves? Does that mean that we're going to endanger people?
There are things that horrify me: the Philadelphia Eagles signing Michael Vick (dog fighter); people that abuse or torture animals....but on the other hand, are we going to take away someone's ability to keep warm in Alaska by taking away their ability to wear fur? Or a hunter's ability to provide for his family that doesn't have a super market down the street?
There's no talking to someone who absolutely cannot think about both sides of the issue...take a lesson! Just try to look at both sides objectively. I'd prefer to be rescued by a non-PETA person because their focus will be on saving ME, not the hamster my room mate's kid has!
@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
23 Aug 09
All the grains that go into raising and fattening our livestock could actually be used to feed the humans worldwide, if we can stop industrialized slaughter of animals.
PEOPLE ARE NOT BETTER THAN ANIMALS. WE ARE EQUAL. We are all earthlings, are we not?
I don't know if you read through my other comments, but you should read a few of them, I include links to movies by physicians, and to actual footage in slaughterhouses.
See the abuse and torture, then imagine yourself to be in the position of that animal and then see how you feel. Educate yourself on this; you will be happy you did.
@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
25 Aug 09
You are equally as jaded as I am, but in the polar extremity. I will address only a couple things that you said, We could feed the hungry with all the grains that go into fattening the animals today.
Those animals, if freed, would likely be sent to a protective sanctuary, where their environment would be self-sustaining.
I pity those who don't view all life as equal. They are either in denial or somewhat hateful.
People who go out of their way to save Fluffy would be twice as likely as saving you than the person who is going to only save himself.
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
25 Aug 09
wow..that's totally uncalled for by them.
they just seem to be collecting friends,don't they?
they already lost any sympathy from me after the dumpster incident,so..
but to use an image in that way is just plain cold.
they already lost any sympathy from me after the dumpster incident,so..
but to use an image in that way is just plain cold.@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
1 Sep 09
yea,our local one does (an incinerator).
i had a friend who worked there briefly and had to quit because she was in tears after work every day.
@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
27 Aug 09
I did a quick search about the infamous "dumpster" incident. I have found that was done by two independant workers, providing a painless method of euthanasia when it found that animal shelters were shooting the unwanted animals to kill them.
Some shelters even have an incinerator. It is unfortunate, but PETA can not place every animal; not every one of them can get a foster family. Too many people buy from stores or breeders, and not enough are getting their animals spayed and nuetered.
http://www.thepatrioticgentleman.com/PETA/PETA-2.html
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
24 Aug 09
That might be true.....but making fun of someone that is overweight seems to be the whole jist of this discussion...not wether eating meat or not puts on weight....if they would have said it differently and not used an overweight person they would have been taken more seriously....
1 person likes this
@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
23 Aug 09
Have you read through all the comments before posting? I have placed some very good links to resources showing how eating animal and animal products helps to pack on and keep on weight.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
23 Aug 09
True but it's not about smoking..it's about a sign that says "save the whales" referring to an overweight woman. If eating meat were the only thing that contributed to being overweight..fine..point taken but that's not the case. We could put up a billboard with a scrawny girl on it and say "Meat please" if that were the case.
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
26 Aug 09
I have stated my love for animals. I have also stated that PETA's cause is a just one. I will start by saying here that I would want my daughter to see neither nor and as far as you feeling the way you do..you have that right. As far as shielding children from anything..there is no way to do that. Talking about things is the only way to deal with things they are exposed too. I do however feel like there should be certain degree of decency and respect when dealing with children or anyone else for that matter. I don't think PETA has demonstrated this to my child or with the sign either. As I have said that you have the right to feel as you do, I have the right as well.
@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
25 Aug 09
If you don't think it is acceptable to view, then it certainly should not be acceptable to happen.
I don't know what an appropriate age would be to give a flyer to, but I do believe everyone has the right to know what happens when they are eating something. I know your daughter did not deserve such a morbid reality check, but those animals didn't deserve to be on that flyer, and my empathy goes to them more than your daughter.
Should we shield our children from the fact there are starving and HIV-ridden children in Africa, because it is not a nice view? Should we really make up a fairy-tale for them? Or would prefer they learn the harsh reality?
They will learn it sometime; I would have used that opportunity to talk to your daughter about animal abuse.
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
23 Aug 09
Wow, okay I looked around a bit on them and all I'm seeing is a new age of marketing for them. You don't SHOCK marketing is a way of getting people into supporting you. Period. This kind of campaigne is wrong, even more so than some of thier other clips that I've seen.
They have always taken the very worst cases and tried to make that the standard of how animals are treated, but this, this is a new low.
I agree that they are targeting overweight, white women here. I wonder if they're in with those people that are trying to say obeses people are the cause of global warming?
That or they got money invested in diet plans. Wrong is wrong but this sinks them down to a new low. Booooooo!
1 person likes this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
23 Aug 09
I hear what you are saying, but I'm still saying that just because one facility runs like that doesn't mean they all do. This might be a regional thing too. I'm surrounded by cattle farms, dairy and chicken farms and none of this kind of thing is tollerated. This might very well be the difference between standard market and what we deem organic product too. There is a huge difference in the treatment of the livestock because of the stiff regulations.
There isn't anything romantic about the process when it comes to creating food for the population, but not all animals are treated badly because they are in confinement.
2 people like this
@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
23 Aug 09
The fact of the matter is, the standard is a really bad scenario; they have not been able to get enough underground footage on a worst case scenario. Six years AFTER PETA made a plea to Kentucky Fried Chicken to treat the chickens better, they have footage of employees jumping on them, throwing them on walls, debeaking them (which is the human equivalent of having a finger chopped off), hanging them by their ankles after they inhaled the immonia fumes of their own doodies for two years of their life, crated in with other chickens, many of whom are infected from poorly done debeaking, where they can not even turn around. They are then shocked, but not with enough frequency to render their nerves damaged enough, so they actually feel every minute of the slaughter.
The have their ankles shackled as they are hung upside down, they have their throats slit, and while still alive, are scalded and defeathered.
Mind you, this is Six Years AFTER Yum Brands/KFC said they would change their ways. Peta does not have access to all houses and chambers, and if they did, we would see much worse.
I remember hearing on the news about a mother who took her four year old son's hands and burnt them on the stove as punishment, and would hang him from the cieling and beat him while suspended. Now, should I have just dismissed that as a worst case scenario? Or, should I have paid attention to this, and gone to support local charities to help prevent child abuse?
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
23 Aug 09
I think what the comparison is here and yet you're missing the point again, is there is a big difference between mass production and what organic 'farmers' do. You can call it whatever you want, but I've seen, lived and worked it. All I see is respect for the animals and creating a better end product for people. Healthier that is the key. And a healthier end product is not abusing and not filling these creatures full of chemicals.
1 person likes this
