Well, it worked. Bruce from PETA has promised to stop sending me PETA updates. But instead of answering my question, he has gone on the offensive and suggested that I am anti-animal.
I did answer your email: Why are you opposed to kindness toward animals?
I ran the largest soup kitchen in Washington, D.C., for more than 6 years and I still volunteer with homeless children. I also give 20 percent of my (meager) income away to nonprofits.
Everyone who cares about animals also cares about human beings.
Why do you oppose kindness to animals?
Sincerely,
Bruce
Kol hakavod to Bruce for being a stand-up guy. No, really. I won’t belittle his volunteer work. But I have a one-word response to Bruce’s contention that ‘Everyone who cares about animals also cares about human beings”: Hitler.
After sending another email to Bruce requesting that he answer my original question about the letter to Arafat (as well as the “Holocaust on your Plate”campaign), he sent me the following email:
Thanks for your email, David,
I’m sorry that we can’t agree on every issue, but as long as you support kindness to animals, that’s really all we’re asking, regardless of whether or not you support PETA.
We regret that the media and the public tend to ignore anyone who is not shouting or doing something controversial, but we’re willing to do things that make us uncomfortable in order to get the animals’ voices heard.
Please know that there’s no one here who is not deeply committed to human rights, as well as animal rights. None of us cares more about animals than humans–we are all humans, for goodness sake.
And please know that we wish that we could just talk about the issue and everyone would pay attention. Sadly, that’s not how the world works, as I’m sure you appreciate.
Thank you for not just fuming; that is, thank you for asking. I’m sorry that you don’t support our sometimes controversial tactics, but I appreciate your commitment to kindness.
Sincerely,
Bruce
Hey, I am not asking that you acknowledge that I support kindness to animals, Bruce! Just answer my question for goodness sake! What is your view on the Arafat letter and use of holocaust imagery?
After sending yet another email requesting an answer, Bruce did respond. But instead of decrying these deeply disturbing and offensive tactics, Bruce justifies them.
Regarding the letter to Arafat, Bruce claims that it was an ingenious ploy to save animals and humans, since it increased the likelihood of action on the part of Arafat, who cared more about donkeys than the ‘sons of monkeys and pigs’ (Jews). Besides, everyone knows that suicide donkeys cause more fatalities than suicide bombers.
Thanks David,
Our mission, as an animal rights group, is to speak up for animals. I thought that the letter made it clear that a lot of people do very horrid things to animals in the midst of wartime. As you surely must understand, raising other issues would simply find the letter tossed into the trash. It was probably tossed there anyway, but by not bringing up other issues, ones where we know his stance, perhaps we could effectively discuss the issue of bringing animals into a conflict not of their making. The practical effect, I think you’ll agree, is fewer Israeli deaths, as well, since using donkeys will be easier for them than using human beings. It seems to me that the letter will help decrease the level of terror somewhat, if it’s taken seriously, and that an outright attack on him would only decrease any likelihood of success.
Hmm, why didn’t I think of that? Oh, I know..because it is ‘EFFIN RIDICULOUS!
Regarding the Holocaust project, Bruce is just as defiant.
Re: the Holocaust project, I know you won’t agree with us on that either, but please know that the comparison was not ours, but Isaac Bashevis Singer’s, and that many Holocaust survivors and family members of survivors agree that “never again” must transcend the species barrier.
Sincerely and with respect,
Bruce
I assume Bruce is referring to this, which, no doubt, all PETA activists are reminded to mention when accused of mocking the Holocaust. It is a variation of the renowned response of anti-Semites: “But some of my best friends are Jewish.” Here, what he is saying is “This is not offensive to Jews since we know some Jews who believe in this analogy.” However, I can assure Bruce that most Jews do find this offensive.
So there you have it. Now I am left wondering what exactly Bruce means when he states PETA’s motivation is “to get the animals’ voices heard.” Does this mean that these people are actually hearing animal voices in their head? That would make them bark raving mad.
Ruff ruff.
