Winn-Dixie Helps Farmed Animals!

While I am not a Vegan or Vegitarian and sorry never will be I do have to agree with some of Ryan's sentiments. I fail to see why it should take so long to implement such changes. But at the same time you have to realize that these changes are coming from people who at least prior to the changes simply do not believe they are doing anything wrong! I like meat I wil not be giving up my steaks until a comparable synthetic version is developed. That said however I do my best to buy my meat from either Kosher or nonfactory farm suppliers. I find it sadly ironic that most people show SO much concern for prisoners on Death Row and that they should be so "humanely" executed but those same people think nothing of going to the store and buying factory farm food. The criminals are being executed for having demonstrated their lack of care for other humans the animals are being cruely slaughtered for having done nothing but exist. If THAT isn't wrong I don't know what is. I think it would be interesting for PETA to poll and interview some of the people advocating the "humane" death penalty methods and see what kinds of foods they buy and their opinion of animal suffering. With fake furs and stuff looking and feeling like ther real thing there is NO excuse for anyone to EVER want or need the real thing. But lastly regarding PETA's applauding of every concession they DO need to do that because every concession is a step closer to ending animal suffering from people who just do not see that what they are doing is wrong.

"yes we spend buckets if money to get other people to go vegan" Sorry PETA the only person that will decide he'll go vegan is the person himself. Well anyway I'm not going to be on the Internet anymore or on the the computer at all anymore. I'm selling it. Bye.

While modesty prevents me from thinking the second paragraph was entirely influenced by my recent prolific spate of comments I have certainly been critical as of late. Please indulge me one somewhat more lengthy comment here and I will try to keep them brief and pithy in the future. My critique of PETA's "victories" on this blog and elsewhere has always been predicated on one simple notion it is morally and strategically incoherent to advocate animal rights while celebrating awarding and congratulating people who violate those rights. I oppose the perpetual conflation of "vegetarianism" and "veganism" not etymologically but because it congratulates people for adopting an animal exploiting lifestyle. I oppose giving awards to e.g. Wolfgang Puck for his choice of veal not because I would rather he torture animals more but because it celebrates an animal exploiter for continuing to exploit animals. I oppose ending boycotts in response to welfare improvements not out of opposition to improving animal lives but because it gives the impression of a fresh PETA "seal of approval" to carry on consuming the products so boycotted. If the Myanmar junta started giving its political prisoners beds rather than concrete floors I wouldn't expect Amnesty International to issue a press release congratulating them and giving them a "most improved dictatorship" award. I merely expect the same sort of consistency from PETA and any other group that claims to be in favor of actual rights for animals. This is not to imply that welfare improvements don't mean something to animals. It is not to imply that vegetarians aren't doing better than omnivores at avoiding the infliction of harm. It is rather a matter of overarching policy and vision. I expect PETA to get endorsements from vegan celebrities for what they're worth. I expect PETA to celebrate when an exploitative practice is actually ended such as a circus ending animal use or a clothing company halting the use of fur. These are consistent with advocacy for animal rights. They are real solid meaningful victoriesnot PR victories for companies who can now sell "humane" death to people whose consciences have been cleared by PETA's congratulations. The world will not stop seeing animals as property to be used and abused overnight or likely even in our lifetimes we agree on that much. That's why it is all the more important for caring people with a platformPETA and its bloggers for exampleto encourage people to genuinely opt out of that use and abuse and to do so transparently calling a spade a spade calling a vegan a vegan. It means that when our side wins a welfare improvement we ALWAYS follow it up with the statement that it is nowhere near enough and that we NEVER give awards to those who continue to do the things we oppose. It's simple honest consistency I ask for nothing more. I enjoy the PETA Files. I'll keep reading and I'll keep commenting. Always on topic always constructive. We're on the same team here and we can stand side by side and fight the good fight while continuing to challenge each other when we have differences. Thanks.

Wellwritten 2nd paragraph. One still has to wonder why these things take so longat least it's progress.