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

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by pgardn

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.

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.

[pmayjr]

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.

[GBBob]

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..

[geeker2]

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.

[cowgirlintexas]

Originally Posted by geeker2

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.

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.

[somerfrost]

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!

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

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?

[Riot]

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.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Mumtaz

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.

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?

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by GBBob

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?

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.

[Riot]

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.

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

[pmayjr]

Originally Posted by GBBob

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?

Somer,

I've read a lot of what you've said, and you seem kinda like an even-keeled guy that could throw realistic solutions out there for the problems PETA exposes. Raising hell is actually ok, if the message behind is somewhat realisitic and makes sense... even you must've rolled your eyes when they started pointing fingers at Saez...

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by pmayjr

Somer,

I've read a lot of what you've said, and you seem kinda like an even-keeled guy that could throw realistic solutions out there for the problems PETA exposes. Raising hell is actually ok, if the message behind is somewhat realisitic and makes sense... even you must've rolled your eyes when they started pointing fingers at Saez...

I did...that's why I sent them a letter expressing my frustration with their response to this tragedy!

[knickslions2]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

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!

PETA is useless waste of life.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by knickslions2

PETA is useless waste of life.

Why bother to quote my post when you don't address any of the points I mentioned? You could simply make you point of view known without the quote, seems like wated effort...

[somerfrost]

I was listening to Jim Rome on radio earlier...since he gotten into the sport he's been a big supporter of racing. Rome is an opinionated guy but I like him (even when I strongly disagree with him) because he speaks with conviction. He took a call from a wacko (yes, I call him that) who is a PETA member, the guy went through the mindless talking points of "animals are people too" and Rome was patient with him. Afterwards admidst the slew of angry phone calls and e-mails Rome noted that while he disagreed with the guy's presentation, he did raise some valid points. This is what I've been saying...we DO need to look at what happened and how it could possibly be avoided in the future...whip usage, track condition, training procedures...these are all valid concerns. IF there is fault then let it fall where it may. Rome believes that horses do enjoy racing (I agree), he doesn't think the injury happened earlier in the race (I don't either) and he can't believe the jock would risk the horse's life as well as his own (there were 18 horses rumbling along behind him afterall) to keep pushing her knowing she was injured. I agree! The accusations of PETA members against the jock, trainer and owners are ill-timed and just plain wrong in my opinion (I mailed a letter to PETA this morning expressing my anger over such irresponsible rhetoric) but I agree with Rome that this must be examined...not to place blame but to learn why and how perhaps we can prevent another wonderful animal's death in the future. He is having a woman from TVG on his TV show today to talk about it...should be worth watching!

[knickslions2]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

Why bother to quote my post when you don't address any of the points I mentioned? You could simply make you point of view known without the quote, seems like wated effort...

I work in drug development. PETA has no clue what is going on. I can't believe anyone half way intelligent would state they support them.