I'm currently [slowly] reading a book called "100 people who are screwing up America" by Bernard Goldberg. It's a countdown of people who in Bernie Goldberg's opinion are totally screwing up America (as if the title didn't give it away). So far, I find the book rather amusing. Some people I've never heard of, and there are some I've heard off. There are some I sort of agree with him about and some not really.
The book is a tad outdated like for example, Michael Jackson is on it, as # 90. For his reason as to why he has MJ on the list, he wrote "If I have to explain it to you, you shouldn't be reading this book!"
Aside from MJ, he also has Anna Nichole Smith on there (#53) ... so, yea, the book is a tad outdated. COnsidering both MJ and ANS are 6-feet-under (atleast the latter is), the outdated part is kinda obvious. Heck, there may even be other dead people. I'm only on # 49... which actually brings me to the purpose of this post.
#49 is Ingrid Newkirk, who is a PETA activist. I've always known that PETA people were extreme, but I always fail to fully see insanity until it smacks me right in the face.
Ingrid Newkirk is a real dumba$$,and I fully agree with Bernie as to why she's on this list. He dedicated 3 pages on why she, and people like her, are screwing up America. While he gave many examples, all of which were more than enough to convince me of her rightful place on this list, it wasn't until the following quote, that I really truly comprehended how totally screwed up these dumba$$es are. Here is the quote:
"Six million Jews died in concentration camps, but six billion broiler chickens will die this year in slaughterhouses." - Ingrid Newkirk, Washington Post 11/13/83
Honestly, I have a feeling the South Park episode in which they make fun of PETA is accurate. These morons probably do sleep with animals.
Ingrid is the same person who wrote a letter to Arafat after a suicide bombing in Israel, condemning him "because a donkey was used in the bombing." I've heard about that letter, but I never focused on the name of the person, or really ever looked into it.
I will enjoy eating meat even more now that I know exactly the type of people I'm ticking off in the process.
Eating meat is a mitzvah. It irritates people such as Ingrid Newkirk. During the 9 days, when we abstain from meat, we will be miserable, not only because we'll be mourning the terrible destruction of the temple, but because the 9 days of no meat, will prevent us from taking pleasure in spiting a particular PETA member.
14 comments:
MMMmmm. I like steak. It tastes yummy. All those in favor say "YUM"
YUM
:)
Yes, the tactics and and methodology PETA uses have their fair share of intellectual dishonesty. An argument could be made that PETA does a disservice to us vegetarians as a whole for the same reason someone like say, JP does a disservice to Orthodox Judaism as a whole.
However, the fact that certain people engage in radical or dishonest methodology, in no way invalidates the position they hold of.
Just like the fact that Jewish Philosopher's radical methodology and intellectually dishonest tactics in no way invalidate Orthodox Judaism, the intellectually dishonest methodology of PETA in no way invalidates the contentions, positions, and conclusions vegetarians hold of.
So I am somewhat perplexed by your post "Eat meat!".
If you feel the vegetarian position does not have a leg to stand on, is invalid, or is fallacious for whatever reason, then fine. I just expected something more substantial than the typical PETA bashing most critics of vegetarianism engage in.
I had heard about that donkey letter before, but I had never seen it attributed to a source until now.
I am normally not a big meat eater (I have done vegetarian shabbos, and my family always has a few dairy meals when its a long yom tov), but thinking about PETA is the perfect thing to whet my appetite for a nice steak.
Agree with much of what YA says, although I wouldn't have said anything about JP. At least some parts of the meat/poultry industry involve cruelty, and if PETA wants to prevent that, I'd support them.
Ichabod Chrain
YA- please point out where I was judging vegetarians according to PETA? Actually, I was condemning people like Ingrid Newkirk, and said we should eat meat to piss off people like her. I didn't say "vegetarians generally"
It's hard for me to care less if people do or do not eat meat. As long as vegetarians aren't violently shoving their views down my throat, I really don't care.
People like Ingrid Newkirk, give carnivores, like myself, an extra thrill to eating meat. That's all.
Why mention JP? His philosophy invalidates only the idiot "rabbi" that "converted" him.
F&R- I looooove meat. But I don't eat it to often either. Mostly stick to poultry. Not as heavy, and is healthier.
We have a "tradition" of milchig shabbos around birthday's. Its a ton of fun. Pizza, fettuccini alfredo, and cheesecake (usually). :)
Sometimes, because its so hot in the summer, we have sushi for Friday night. :). Its great. :)
By no means do I condone anything PETA has done, ever, but saying that eating meat is a mitzva? In Maimonides Hilchos Deos he says that meat should be eaten in moderation and only if your heart desires to eat it. While eating meat is definitely permitted, it is hardly a commandment to eat it.
Jessica- I didn't mean mitzvah as a commandment, but as like brownie points.
you know, like if you volunteer to help your friend out, it isn't a commandment to help, but you're getting a mitzvah.
with meat, I just meant if you say a bracha and you find a way to truly enjoy the food (you know you're ticking off ppl like Ingrid), then its like a real brownie pts, cuz you're supposed to enjoy hashems nurishment.
but generally, I know its not exactly a mitzvah to do an action to spite someone, and I can't speak for Gd, but in my lala land, ingrid newkirk deserves to be tortured, along with the terrorists she condemns for using donkeys.and so, due to my conclusions, eating meat with the cherry on top (ticking Ingrid off) has gotta be something that looks good on judgment day.
lol, I hear ya.
You know, if you get a paperback version, it is actually 110 people; I got them both out of the library for comparison.
As for meat, my policy is "don't be kinder than G-d." If He said it is OK to eat meat as long as you follow His rules, I have absolutely no problem with it. Plus, our bodies do need a varied diet, including animal food, to stay in optimum health.
Carnivores unite!
YA, PETA has killed a lot of strays because according to them it's more humane to kill them now then to look for a home for them.
March 15th is the EATAPETA day. Started by Meryl Yourish (yourish.com). It's been going on for at least 4 years. :) Mark your calendars!
Git er done!
Now can you come back and post a reminder next year.
"YA, PETA has killed a lot of strays because according to them it's more humane to kill them now then to look for a home for them."
Yes, I am aware. Just for the record: I do not consider myself a supporter of PETA.
Obviously I support some of the ideas they have(vegetarianism), but not their whole package, nor their methodology of promoting such a package.
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