# PETA to sue Sea World for slavery **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 28, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027 "2011-10-28T00:43:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/41 "2011-10-28T17:19:14Z")
> [@Hogfather65](#): > > or in the wild if they kill a seal is that murder - they say we are murderers for eating meat - same as any other meat eating animal… There’s the solution! First, find that Seaworld is indeed keeping the Orcas as slaves, and order them released immediately. Then, arrest the Orcas, and put them on trial for murdering innocent baby seals. Sentence them to life in prison. Prison sentence to be served at… SeaWorld! ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/42 "2011-10-28T17:29:54Z")
Do you know who the Orcas were? They were elves ones, tortured and mutilated beyond recognition, and now…perfected. My fighting Shamuk-hai! ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/43 "2011-10-28T17:30:20Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > There’s the solution! First, find that Seaworld is indeed keeping the Orcas as slaves, and order them released immediately. > > Then, arrest the Orcas, and put them on trial for murdering innocent baby seals. Sentence them to life in prison. > > Prison sentence to be served at… SeaWorld! This seriously cracked me up. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/44 "2011-10-28T19:17:16Z")
If I were a financial contributor to PETA and learned that they had paid 5 lawyers for 18 months to work on this suit, I’m pretty sure I’d want my money back. I’d also note that the 19th amendment only mentions that you must be a citizen to vote, not a human. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/45 "2011-10-28T19:31:05Z")
From a purely legal perspective, this is silly. But as a practical matter, Sea World has ALREADY found out the hard way that it can be dangerous to keep killer whales in capitivity. There have been several incidents of killer whales attacking (and even killing) their trainers in recent years, which is one reason you no longer see the kinds of elaborate tricks and stunts you used to see at Sea World. It may just be a very bad idea to take a huge, highly intelligent animal that’s used to having the entire ocean at its disposal and try to keep it in a relatively small tank. Even a “nice” orca is liable to get cabin fever and go a little crazy at some point. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/46 "2011-10-28T19:37:06Z")
All play and no space make Shamu something something. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/47 "2011-10-28T19:59:50Z")
One can only hope that SeaWorld’s counter-suit bankrupts PETA and runs their worthless asses out of business. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/48 "2011-10-28T20:12:09Z")
Did they think to incorporate the whales first? That way, since they are corporations, they will be regarded as people by the Courts. ---
**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:** [October 28, 2011, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/49 "2011-10-28T21:01:54Z")
PETA is crazy…like a fox. While many animal friendly non-profits struggle to bring in money PETA gets it hand over fist and they do it almost solely by these crazy media grabbing stunts ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/50 "2011-10-28T21:07:57Z")
I’m with Stephen Colbert on this; if there is no restriction of the prohibition of slavery to only humans, then there is also no clause stating that animals can’t be slaves ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/51 "2011-10-28T21:25:23Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > You’d be hard pressed to find a bigger bleeding heart liberal animal lover than me and even I think PETA is nucking futs. They have been for a long time (perhaps always). > > Their modus operandi has been and is over-the-top and merely absurd stunts aimed to grab headlines. This is another in a long line of such tactics. I seriously doubt they can claim to be effective in their stated goal as few take them seriously at all. Indeed they probably do more damage to their cause than help. They exist merely to exist and provide some paychecks and keep their founder in the limelight. > > They are the Westboro Baptist Church version of animal rights groups. > > I wish they weren’t (vaguely) on my side. This. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/52 "2011-10-29T02:05:38Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > For some reason, this brings to mind a science-fiction story I read long, long ago. A group of humans were picked up by aliens, whisked away and placed in their alien zoo, where they proved a popular attraction. There was some sort of mouselike creature I think it was that would run in and out of the humans’ enclosure, and the humans finally captured some and fashioned little cages for them out of boredom. That’s when the aliens stepped in and freed the humans, apologizing profusely for thinking them ordinary animals, because as everyone in the galaxy knows, only intelligent beings enslave other creatures. Close but no cigar. _It was because as everyone in the galaxy knows, only intelligent beings keep other creatures as_ **PETS.** Many creatures keep others as slaves (ants, e.g.). AFAIK, only humans keep _pets._ ---
**Author:** ![Naxos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@Naxos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naxos)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/53 "2011-10-29T02:09:58Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > For debate: is this tactic in any way, shape, manner, or form helpful to PETA’s cause? There are about half a dozen presumptions in your question. Animals are enslaved to humans, nobody doubts that. The question is whether they should be or not. PETA is asking and answering that question, but I don’t see anyone else admitting to their willingness or indifference in enslaving animals. ---
**Author:** ![jonesj2205](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jonesj2205](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonesj2205)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/54 "2011-10-29T02:23:13Z")
> [@Naxos](#): > > Animals are enslaved to humans, nobody doubts that. Sign me up as nobody then. Animals are captured, domesticated, trained, held as pets, but in my book they’re not enslaved. And while the physical characters may be similar to enslavement to me describing keeping animals in captivity as slavery dilutes the impact of the fundamental evilness of enslaving fellow humans. ---
**Author:** ![Naxos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@Naxos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naxos)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/55 "2011-10-29T02:30:32Z")
> [@jonesj2205](#): > > Sign me up as nobody then. Animals are captured, domesticated, trained, held as pets, but in my book they’re not enslaved. > > And while the physical characters may be similar to enslavement to me describing keeping animals in captivity as slavery dilutes the impact of the fundamental evilness of enslaving fellow humans. I didn’t say enslavement of animals is the same thing as enslavement of humans. I said animals are enslaved to humans and there’s no doubt about that. What is a macaw parrot living in a 1’x1’ cage for all of its life? Enslaved or not? You can’t say that it isn’t. Enslavement of humans is a horrible action, mostly blessed and supported and encouraged by religion, but that’s another issue, a social problem among humans. Animals have always been enslaved to humans and that much is common knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/56 "2011-10-29T03:14:31Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Close but no cigar. _It was because as everyone in the galaxy knows, only intelligent beings keep other creatures as_ **PETS.** > > Many creatures keep others as slaves (ants, e.g.). AFAIK, only humans keep _pets._ Yeah, that’s the one. Thanks. It’s been awhile since I read that. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/57 "2011-10-29T04:12:02Z")
> [@Naxos](#): > > Animals have always been enslaved to humans and that much is common knowledge. You apparently have little experience with cats. ---
**Author:** ![Naxos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@Naxos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naxos)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/58 "2011-10-29T04:31:51Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > You apparently have little experience with cats. Your attempt to make a joke is acknowledged. What I said is still true… Humans have been enslaving animals for as long as recorded history. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/59 "2011-10-29T04:36:28Z")
Yup. It’s true. My two dogs spend most of their time bemoaning their fate and singing spirituals. Oh wait…they get fed, have the run of the house, and spend most of their time sleeping or licking their balls. Poor mistreated animals. I’m such a cruel oppressor. I think I’ll go cut myself. Or maybe not. ---
**Author:** ![Naxos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@Naxos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naxos)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027/60 "2011-10-29T04:39:24Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Yup. It’s true. My two dogs … Your two dogs are abused. They don’t live in a natural environment that would support their existence. They live to satisfy your ego gratification. That’s why they are objects. You’re not alone. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peta-to-sue-sea-world-for-slavery/601027.md?page=4)