It took less than 24 hours for the nuts to become vocal
 

PETA wants Eight Belles jockey suspended after filly's death

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h...dNWEAD90F41J00

This group attempts
self-destruction every
other week.

When they make claims like this,
anything legitimate cause attached to them
is rendered suspect.

Nut cases. They should be euthanized.

I'm surprised that PETA doesn't have a rapid response team available after major racing events to capitalize on the attention the media gives to breakdowns. After Bramlage gives his interview, a PETA representative can give their version of events.

Rabble Rabble Rabble!!

There. They get some attention.

I'm not PETA and I think the kid needs to learn to lay off the whip. Big difference between being all out and being UNCONTROLLABLY all out because some idiot is wailing on you.

Then again, I wasn't exactly thrilled with Ramon's ride in the Fantasy either.

The fact it was a filly makes it even worse in the eyes of the public.

The fact that this is the one race that non horse racing fans bet and watch all year is why it is so bad. Everyone was watching. The Peta nuts take the stage after the biggest race of the year.

True, but Eight Belles got more than her fair share of attention going into the race because she was a novelty as a filly running against the boys. Even Hillary opined on her chances.

their statement is full of contradictions;

first they say that Eight Belles was "doubtlessly injured before the finish"

then they say well even if the jockey didn't feel anything in advance, then the blame is because they are allowed to whip the horses mercilessly.

these people aren't required to make an sense when they issue a statement.

These people actually were on top
of the horses being shipped to Mexico
and slaughtered with hammers and ice picks
while in stalls. They actually got photographs.

These horses were basically being tortured
by peasants that had no idea what they were
doing. They got horse blood splashed all over them and
some even got injured when horses went down and
kicked out under stalls. (Some slipped through stalls
designed to keep them upright while they were being
slaughtered)

And then this same group goes and does something so incredibly
stupid as mentioned. Its amazing.

Shame on PETA
 

Very unfair of PETA to attack young Mr. Saez after such a tragic event. Fortunately, he was not harmed as Eight Belles became injured. All parties are saddened by this untimely event. It hurts to see any racehorse go down and suffer.

agreed... for every act of true cruelty that they uncover and try to right, they also manage to come up with the most insane and ridiculous claims that just cause trouble and add insult to injury.

I've used this same rant when describing PETA on every occassion when they're brought up. Total Redundancy, but totally worthwhile in explaining how these guys manage to **** up everything they accomplish-

I watch a PETA documentary on how they exposed the many bad, unethical, and unsanitary methods that were used in a slaughter house. It was really good how they exposed this particular slaughter house for all the violations they commited. Their solution?

Do you think it would be "don't buy meat from companies that use this slaughter house"?
Do you think it would be, "write your govt. inspector to get that place shut down"?
Do you think it would be "write the meat companies and stores that use that particular slaughter house for their meat products, and encourage them to quit doing business with the slaughter house"?

All of the above should've been the above responses to the violations committed in that slaughter house. And hopefully, that's what PETA did do. But! They didn't say that's what they did. They just offered 1 solution-

DON'T EAT MEAT.

Are you kidding? That's where they lose people as quick as they reel people in. They did such a great job exposing this slaughter house for it's many violations. That's a great cause too. BUT THEIR SOLUTIONS ARE DOWNRIGHT NUTTY! They lose any shred of credibility anytime they do this too. Idiots.

They were crying for these same animal cruelty messages when Barbaro had his injury too. The night Roy and Gretchen Jackson were on Larry King Live, they had the PETA people on right after... They need a P.R. person to help them focus on the good things they do, like exposing wrong-doings, but they also need a buffer person to tell them "they're nuts" and to "shut up" when they try to cross the line agin and again.

NASCAR, Formula One etc have horrific crashes that many cheer for and many HUMANS die in and then AOL features..

http://sports.aol.com/story/_a/star-...02165709990002

something doesn't seem right here..

I have to say the local paper in San Diego decided it was important to show the filly broken down on the front of the sports page...can't understand why they think showing this is actually newsworthy. There is absolutely no need for these graphic pictures to be included ....very very disturbing...shame on them.

PETA's latest endeavour
 

Why not suspend the Vet, trainer, owner and all the people who bet on her?


http://sports.yahoo.com/rah/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

sorry,

did not realize it was already posted

I remain a PETA member because they alone have the muscle and will-power to speak for the animals world-wide who suffer unbelievable abuse...as Pgardn and others have documented, they do so much good...but the public perception is distorted due to episodes like this! Working in animal rescue, many times I have felt the anger and frustration...so easy to seek blame! This certainly appears to be a tragic event that simply "happened"...blame must take a back seat to sorrow. Do we need to look at whip use in this country? I believe the answer is "yes"...other parts of the world have drastically reduced whip usage without damaging the sport, I think we should also. Surfaces? it's still early but the stats clearly show that while number of injuries remain somewhat constant with poly surfaces (compared to dirt), the number of catastrophic injuries is statistically significantly reduced...we must place horse (and jockey) welfare above handicapping concerns here! So...yes, PETA has valid points here....but attacking this young man is clearly wrong. I agree that PETA is it's own worst enemy many times...but I understand the emotional context from which these actions materialize. There simply is no justification for slaughtering animals in cruel and vicious acts of barbarism, whether it's peasants in Mexico, slaughterhouse employees in Canada, Michael Vick in the US or YUM Brands to produce KFC chicken. Then there is "research" for drug and cosmetic companies...the list of abuses go on seemingly forever. Yes, PETA often behaves badly and I feel "gets it wrong" in regards to racing...but at least they are heard...and someone has to speak up! RIP Eight Belles! My heart goes out to her connections and the brave young man who rode her!

I think many here agree with PETA's message, just not their methods. Do you/can you try and reign in the zealouts who destroy any postive PR you could gain?

PETA is a well-known domestic terrorist organization that has zero interest in helping animals.

Using the donations of those that want to "help animals", PETA primarily funds branches of terrorism that commit arson and murder, specializing in killing civilians and stopping those doing medical research.

I wish it could be...unfortunately the lesson of history is that things never change unless folks raise hell! There are zealots in PETA and, unfortunately, some who lose track of the "big picture" and seek their "15 minutes of fame" at any cost. I wish the message was the focus and not the anger and frustration...but imagine years of seeing unbelievable abuse everywhere while the general public seems completely indifferent. There is an old protest song we sang in the 60's...the lyrics go:
"it isn't nice to block the doorway,
it isn't nice to go to jail,
there are nicer ways to do things,
but the nice ways always fail..."
It's a lesson well learned...often, lines are crossed and it seems more harm is done than good. My faith teaches me, "and ye harm none, do as ye will". I see no benefit in attacking people or generalizing the acts of a few to an entire sport (ie: racing)...but I understand the mindset of those who lash out anytime tragedy strikes. Racing should have had it's greatest day in several decades yesterday as a true star was born and presented to racing's biggest audience...instead, the focus is on the tragic death of Eight Belles. If racing is to survive, those in charge must understand the importance of public perception and find a way to reduce the number of tragic events just as those in charge of PETA would be well advised to temper the emotionality of our message so that the public focuses not on tactics but on the message itself. The huge irony here is that PETA and racing share the problem of negative public perception.

Somer, you might want to google "ALF PETA FBI"

This proves my point! You are entitled to your opinion but wild baseless accusations do little to advance the public discourse...and are an affront to those of us who give of ourselves to try and make a tiny bit of difference. How are you different from PETA at it's worst when you respond like that?

Houston Chronicle decided the same thing. Very disturbing to say the least and not something anyone would enjoy over their morning breakfast. I realize it is news and extremely tragic at that, however, I don't think anyone needs a picture to go with it.

But it's not baseless, nor is it "opinion". It's fact that is there in the public record. You, however, have to read it.

PETA has been around since the early 1980's, when they were formed as the front organization to collect funds from those that want to "help animals", so they could fund the Animal Liberation Front.

Nothing new....again, hate PETA all you want, the best way to make them "go away" is to speak out against animal cruelty everywhere it occurs...that would make PETA irrelevant.
One last time, I'm not posting to defend PETA...the issues they bring up in this case are valid (whipping, surfaces), going after this young man and using a tragic event to degrade people I respect isn't.

i wonder how much of the donations to peta go to legitimate rescue organizations and the like, and how much to fund witch hunts such as this. i think we can all do our part to help animals and raise awareness without funding a bunch of ultra-zealous crackpots. there is no middle ground with groups such as this.

There is always "middle ground" the trick is to find it! Painting with a large brush always colors many folks unfairly, I am not a "ultra-zealous crackpot" and I would love to see a solution that is "nicer"! When name-calling replaces issues, nothing is accomplished.

None at all. PETA is still a 501c (although the IRS is probably going to finally pull that status) thus the records they submit are public.

PETA doesn't do any animal rescue, etc.

I spoke out against the PETA folks who adopted local animals from shelters, then killed them and dumped their bodies in dumpsters.

I spoke out against the PETA folks who gave money to ALF to kill human medical researchers.

PETA has their place in standing up for living mamals. Why can't we get a reason for the breakdown ? The cause of the problem ? Asking for an investigation only makes sense to me and if the jock did wrong he should be suspended.

We are now going in circles...I'm sorry you feel the way you do but I will not change your mind on a message board. I will continue to support PETA while voicing my concerns and speaking out whenever I feel they cross the lines. I have made my case to the best of my limited ability...we are posting about different topics here...you are anti-PETA and I am not. Discussion of the tragic event ending the life of Eight Belles belongs here, discussion of PETA probably belongs in another section of this board so I apologize for engaging this topic here!

I agree that it is important to learn exactly how this tragedy came to be (if that can actually be determined), if there is blame then let it be known...but the important thing now is to respect the grief of those directly involved and try to learn something so hopefully we can prevent further such tragedies in the future. Hopefully, as in the case of Barbaro, something good can come out of this sad event.

you've never struck me as being a crack pot, which is why i'm somewhat amazed that you belong to a group that i would classify as such.

as for an investigation, peta has already decided the outcome, saying the filly was 'obviously' injured before the race was over. as for respecting the grief of those involved, peta seems interested in anything but, demanding a jocks suspension and the purse money revoked. yeah, they're full of respect.

if the facts warrant a suspension or purse return so be it. let's try to determine how this happened, that's the main point. the breeders may escape scrutiny but they should not.

Jumping on a free publicity bandwagon has historically always been a sure quick moneymaker for PETA. They love it when animal tragedy falls into their lap and can be exploited for financial gain.

In this next week, PETA will receive many $25 checks from folks that want to help PETA save the poor abused horsies from the evil horseracing industry.

Hey, I've got it, since the Arabs make such good fall guys, we should blame them. If they hadn't come to our sales with suitcases full of petrodollars and purchased our best bloodstock and moved them overseas, we would have more durable horses seeking our top 3yo prizes.