Animal Cruelty vs. Child Cruelty

It seems that PETA is trying to "educate" the next generation of animal lovers by publishing comic books. PETA (which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is a worldwide organization that, in its efforts to raise awareness to the issues of animal cruelty, often places animal rights above the rights of humans.

According to furisdead.com, an offshoot website of PETA.org, protesters dressed up as cuddly woodland creatures and placed themselves outside of theaters showing The Nutcracker during the holiday season a few years ago. The costumed raccoons and foxes handed out graphic picture books to children, pictured left.

As they proudly stated on their website, this was their plan:

As children arrive to see the "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy," some will be unaware that their mothers are already starring in a real-life horror story! PETA will be there to greet any fur-clad moms and their children with their newest anti-fur leaflet: PETA Comics presents..."Your Mommy Kills Animals!"

Now, I am a big believer in free speech. I am also firmly against hunting and killing defenseless animals only to wear their fur. I, too, get angry when I see a woman wearing a fur coat, because it reminds me of the cruel death that occurred to make that piece of clothing. But isn't this taking things a bit too far? Why must innocent and defenseless children be the victims of your rage?

As it is further described in this article, PETA wanted the children to be deathly afraid of their mothers and to burst out in tears.

Kids will see the bloody truth behind their moms’ pretentious pelts. Accompanied by graphic photographs of skinned carcasses and animals languishing on fur farms, children will read: "Lots of wonderful foxes, raccoons, and other animals are kept by mean farmers who squish them into cages so small that they can hardly move. They never get to play or swim or have fun. All they can do is cry -- just so your greedy mommy can have that fur coat to show off in when she walks the streets."

PETA should hand out information on what parents can do to help these animals, instead of frightening their children and causing them to have nightmares. Show parents how they can educate their children against animal cruelty, instead of berating them in front of their children. Why doesn't PETA have an animal trainer or zookeeper take a raccoon or a fox to a nearby school, and present them with interesting facts about the animal? Let the children get to pet them. Then children will learn to love these animals and care for them, instead of fear them. A positive approach would be much more effective.

Information is powerful, while propaganda is just... well... scary.