# A big 'ol "Fuck YOU!" to the PETA jackass at the circus **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 25, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945 "2009-01-25T19:54:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/141 "2009-01-26T18:40:34Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Your group’s complaint includes the basic claim that, under the law, elephants cannot be captured or used in circus performances of any kind. > > Call me crazy, but on this claim, I do not believe they will prevail. You may be right, YAAL, IANAL. We’ll see how it plays out. ---
**Author:** ![Jettboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@Jettboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jettboy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/142 "2009-01-26T18:42:36Z")
> [@Billy\_Baroo](#): > > Mr.Chicken, Mr. Cow and Ms. Circus Elephant are Earthlings, and they were not put here to be used by humans. That’s where we disagree; I believe that animals _WERE_ put here to be used by humans. Using your dipshit logic, barley and hops are ‘Earthlings’ as well, but that doesn’t mean my beer has a soul. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/143 "2009-01-26T18:49:47Z")
> [@Billy\_Baroo](#): > > Mr.Chicken, Mr. Cow and Ms. Circus Elephant are Earthlings, and they were not put here to be used by humans. > > I’m grateful for PETA. Something needs to be done. Billions of livestock slaughtered each year, rivers of pig shit, zoos, pet breeders, vivisection – it’s pretty awful if you lift the veil. > > We did not weave the Web of Life. > [@Jettboy](#): > > That’s where we disagree; I believe that animals _WERE_ put here to be used by humans. Using your dipshit logic, barley and hops are ‘Earthlings’ as well, but that doesn’t mean my beer has a soul. I disagree with both of you. Humans evolved using animals. Animals were not put anywhere and only an ignorant person would think they were. What the hell do you even mean by Web of Life? Humans are omnivores. ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Baroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@Billy\_Baroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Baroo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/144 "2009-01-26T18:58:05Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I disagree with both of you. > > Humans evolved using animals. Animals were not put anywhere and only an ignorant person would think they were. What the hell do you even mean by Web of Life? Humans are omnivores. Web of Life from Chief Seattle’s speech. Omnivores perhaps, but our close cousin the chimp eats a 1% meat diet. Our gut is not designed for a meat centered diet. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/145 "2009-01-26T18:59:19Z")
> [@Billy\_Baroo](#): > > Mr.Chicken, Mr. Cow and Ms. Circus Elephant are Earthlings, and they were not put here to be used by humans. The first two do, we created them, just like we did Mr. Pig and the bitchy Ms. Dog. ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Baroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@Billy\_Baroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Baroo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/146 "2009-01-26T19:04:02Z")
> [@Jettboy](#): > > That’s where we disagree; I believe that animals _WERE_ put here to be used by humans. Using your dipshit logic, barley and hops are ‘Earthlings’ as well, but that doesn’t mean my beer has a soul. Have a drink on me, then. From experience, I know booze helps to suppress the revulsion of gorging on a week-old factory farmed carcass. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/147 "2009-01-26T19:10:35Z")
> [@Billy\_Baroo](#): > > Omnivores perhaps, but our close cousin the chimp eats a 1% meat diet. So it’s cool to eat your neighbor’s kids just because chimpanzees do it? And then we can go raping our sisters… ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/148 "2009-01-26T19:11:29Z")
> [@Billy\_Baroo](#): > > Omnivores perhaps, but our close cousin the chimp eats a 1% meat diet. Our gut is not designed for a meat centered diet. “Humans are classic examples of omnivores in all relevant anatomical traits. There is no basis in anatomy or physiology for the assumption that humans are pre-adapted to the vegetarian diet. For that reason, the best arguments in support of a meat-free diet remain ecological, ethical, and health concerns.” - [The Vegetarian Resource Group](http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/omni.htm), Adapted from a talk by John McArdle, Ph.D. ---
**Author:** ![Jettboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@Jettboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jettboy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/149 "2009-01-26T19:11:50Z")
> [@Billy\_Baroo](#): > > …I know booze helps to suppress the revulsion of gorging on a week-old factory farmed carcass. It just adds to the flavor, baby. ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Baroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@Billy\_Baroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Baroo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/150 "2009-01-26T19:18:11Z")
> [@kidchameleon](#): > > The first two do, we created them, just like we did Mr. Pig and the bitchy Ms. Dog. Mr. Chicken’s Prayer My Creator, thy will be done, not mine. You are my shepherd who supplies my need. Thank you for sending your son, the PETA hippie, to do for me what I cannot do for myself. Please, in your infinite mercy, don’t dangle me by my feet, boil me alive, and mechanically separate me today. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/151 "2009-01-26T19:20:32Z")
> [@Billy\_Baroo](#): > > Mr. Chicken’s Prayer > > My Creator, thy will be done, not mine. You are my shepherd who supplies my need. Thank you for sending your son, the PETA hippie, to do for me what I cannot do for myself. Please, in your infinite mercy, don’t dangle me by my feet, boil me alive, and mechanically separate me today. Amen, pass the baby and BBQ sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/152 "2009-01-26T19:21:06Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > FYI, Barnum and Bailey will be in court on Feb. 3 aginst Born Free USA, the ASPCA, the Animal Welfare Institute, and the Fund for Animals in a lawsuit alleging charges of mistreatment of their elephants. > > [Details](http://www.bornfreeusa.org/a1a6_ringling.php) The court documents, paticularly the disclosure of vet correspondence and the employee affidavits, make for vey interesting reading. Thanks for the link. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/153 "2009-01-26T19:21:06Z")
> [@Billy\_Baroo](#): > > Web of Life from Chief Seattle’s speech. > > Omnivores perhaps, but our close cousin the chimp eats a 1% meat diet. Our gut is not designed for a meat centered diet. Wow you are a whole lot of ignorant. We are fairly far evolved from out closest relatives. We are designed well to eat a wide variety of foods and Westerners have adapted to dairy rich diets. A very specific and relatively recent adaptation in fact. Our ‘gut’ is also not designed for a vegetarian diet. Maybe we should stop people from being vegetarians. ---
**Author:** ![Jettboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@Jettboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jettboy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/154 "2009-01-26T19:25:37Z")
> [@Billy\_Baroo](#): > > Mr. Chicken’s Prayer > > My Creator, thy will be done, not mine. You are my shepherd who supplies my need. Thank you for sending your son, the PETA hippie, to do for me what I cannot do for myself. Please, in your infinite mercy, don’t dangle me by my feet, boil me alive, and mechanically separate me today. Mr. Chicken’s Prayer?! Seriously?! I think it goes more like, “…cluck, cluck, cluck, eat, poop, eat, poop, eat, cluck, cluck, eat…” Give me a break from the infantile anthropomorphic fantasies, kiddo. Have you ever raised chickens? I have. These live feather dusters are just a few steps up the evolutionary ladder from cockroaches. If you’ve never been around 'em, take my word for it; chickens are stupid, mean, filthy creatures who will eat their own shit because they’re too dumb to realize it’s not food. They don’t even have the benefit of being cute enough to feel pity for. The greatest boon we can grant chickenkind is to eat 'em; at least then they serve a purpose, since their only redeeming quality is the fact that they are quite tasty. ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Baroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@Billy\_Baroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Baroo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/155 "2009-01-26T19:28:21Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > “Humans are classic examples of omnivores in all relevant anatomical traits. There is no basis in anatomy or physiology for the assumption that humans are pre-adapted to the vegetarian diet. For that reason, the best arguments in support of a meat-free diet remain ecological, ethical, and health concerns.” - [The Vegetarian Resource Group](http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/omni.htm), Adapted from a talk by John McArdle, Ph.D. Thanks for the research, **Lute**. Nevertheless, omnivore != meat-centered. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/156 "2009-01-26T19:35:40Z")
> [@Hostile\_Dialect](#): > > Er…what? What, exactly, do you think PETA’s supporters ask/pay them to do? Most likely the jerk at the circus was a volunteer. However, simply because PETA has taken on what you view to be a job doesn’t mean it is their responsibility or in many ways their right to do. Nor are they qualified for the job. > [@](#): > > Actually, that’s pretty much a defining aspect of the circus. Or do you have a cite to match the two that have been offered against your position? It’s kind of difficult to provide a cite that disproves your belief that simply because an animal is in a circus it must be mistreated, since it sounds like your definition of the word is much different than mine or the officials who are actually charged with looking into those things. > [@](#): > > You’re right. That’s probably why nobody ever trained elephants before the advent of modern psychology. That’s what they use to train elephants, right? I’m asking you because you seem to be the expert. Don’t be an idiot. Think size of elephant compared to size of human, then add pain to elephant. What do _you_ think would happen? My belief is obedience would not be high on the list. > [@](#): > > Yes…because they…hate animals? 😕 Probably, given their actions, but I personally don’t know why PETA wants such a wide separation between animals and humans. > [@](#): > > Anyway, how long have you suffered from this delusion? How, exactly, do you think a major political organization like PETA could secretly communicate its anti-animal agenda to all of its members while hiding it completely from the outside world? Do you have the slightest inkling of how a liberal political advocacy organization works? Snort. Have you bothered to look into PETA at all? Try googling for Ingrid Newkirk quotes for a start. Or PETA-shelter pets-dumpsters. Or the connection between PETA and ALF. Or see if you can find even one shelter that PETA funds or any health research. Then note how they twist their agenda to rid us of contact with animals into “humans are all cruel to animals no matter what they do”, which winds up all those folks that think they have fur children for pets. Note how PETA has managed to get animals “rights” to be the same thing as animal welfare in the minds of the public. Need anything more? > [@](#): > > I don’t, but if you have non-loony cites, I might not write it off as the ravings of a lunatic. You aren’t saying much for your own non-loony status by continuing to defend PETA without looking into any of the things said about them. I’m sorry if you really feel that they have the best interests of animals at heart, but it has been proven over and over that they don’t. > [@](#): > > The text of the law is publically available if you doubt me. I live in California, and I personally have lived on a chicken farm as well as having raised chickens myself. The text of the law is forcing farmers to treat chickens like humans, which is ridiculous. > [@](#): > > As for biased information, it’s important to look at the motives and biases of the people you get your information from, and not just accept the first thing you see as the gospel truth. I noticed that you assigned a lot of importance to which three websites came first in your search. Read the post again - I merely listed the first three that came up in the search. > [@](#): > > More often than not, when contentious issues and/or monied interests are at play, the websites that come first are the ones with Search Engine Optimization, a euphemistically named set of technical hacks that the owners of that information paid someone to implement for them; and/or the owners of that information just paid someone to put their links first. I know - I do that myself. > [@](#): > > The people who want you to believe outlandish things about activist organizations and charities–because making people believe these things is good for their bottom line–often have more money to spend, and will gladly spend it on fooling you. That’s how Prop 8 got passed, you know. (Except for the bottom-line part; the proposition wasn’t really good for anyone financially. But you get the gist.) Did you look at the links at all, or just decide you needed to tear the messengers apart? For someone that says he agrees with my opinion of PETA, you are spending an awful lot of energy here trying to dispute what I say about them. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/157 "2009-01-26T19:37:55Z")
> [@Billy\_Baroo](#): > > Thanks for the research, **Lute**. Nevertheless, omnivore != meat-centered. Thus the cheeseburger and fries. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/158 "2009-01-26T19:39:12Z")
Here is a video of an elephant being “trained” for the circus: > **[Circuses | PETA](https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/circuses/)** > > In contrast to the glitter associated with circuses, performing animals' lives are pretty miserable. Because animals do not naturally ride bicycles, stand on their heads, or jump through rings of fire, whips, electric prods, and other tools are often... It is very disturbing, especially when the elephant screams and IMO constitutes abuse. I’m no fan of PETA either, but they are right to stand up against the suffering of these animals. And the abuse suffered during “training” is just the tip of the iceburg. They are also crammed into boxcars for transportation when the circus is on the road. The boxcar does not allow them to move at all. I can’t believe anyone in this day and age still supports the circus.☹ From the site: "Behind the scenes, elephant trainer Tim Frisco instructs would-be trainers how to dominate elephants and make them perform circus tricks. “Sink that hook into ’em. When you hear that screaming, then you know you got their attention.” An elephant trumpets in agony as Frisco’s bullhook, with its sharp metal hook and spiked end, tears through her sensitive skin. Frisco, a Carson & Barnes elephant trainer, learned the trade from his father, a former trainer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Click here to watch the video. The fact is, animals do not naturally ride bicycles, stand on their heads, balance on balls, or jump through rings of fire. To force them to perform these confusing and physically uncomfortable tricks, trainers use whips, tight collars, muzzles, electric prods, bullhooks, and other painful tools of the trade." ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/159 "2009-01-26T19:44:17Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > The statement above speaks for itself. :rolleyes: If you admit you don’t know anything about the cite, and found it on a random google, how the fuck can you tell if it’s reliable or not? Because it says the same things as the sites you consider non-biased. > [@](#): > > [Here’s a better one](http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3848) That site says zero about whether or not the HSUS is actually an advocate for animals (other than posting their mission statement) and the fact that it has radical organizations listed with legit ones at the bottom of the page makes the whole page questionable. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945/160 "2009-01-26T19:45:01Z")
> [@Billy\_Baroo](#): > > Web of Life from Chief Seattle’s speech. > > Omnivores perhaps, but our close cousin the chimp eats a 1% meat diet. Our gut is not designed for a meat centered diet. It’s a great speech. But it wasn’t given by Chief Seattle. [Ted Perry](http://www.snopes.com/quotes/seattle.asp) wrote it in 1972. You’re not helping your cause here. As an omnivore, I understand the reasons some people pick vegetarianism. And I don’t need meat at every meal. But not because I want to be more like a chimp. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-ol-fuck-you-to-the-peta-jackass-at-the-circus/482945.md?page=9)