Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / December 2003
American Idol guy & Cats
|
|
Thread rating:  |
PawsForThought - 18 Nov 2003 17:59 GMT I don't know if this is true or not, but I got this from another board:
http://www.peta.org/feat/triumph/
"PETA: Triumph the Insult Comic Dog Dumps on Clay Aiken in New PETA Pro-Neutering Ad The article says: "Triumph chose to make Clay Aiken the target of his humor in the ad, and PETA didn’t object because Aiken recently told Rolling Stone, “I think cats are Satan. There’s nothing worse to me than a house cat. When I was about 16, I had a kitten and ran over it.” PETA deals with dozens of cases of cruelty to cats every week and knows firsthand how damaging statements like this can be—impressionable kids often mimic what their “idols” do. Aiken never responded when PETA wrote to him." ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm
Cat Protector - 18 Nov 2003 18:04 GMT I saw an interview where Aiken said that. He seemed to not feel so bad about hurting that kitten when he was interviewed. It disgusted me. Aiken may be talented but a great human being he isn't.
> I don't know if this is true or not, but I got this from another board: > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > didn't object because Aiken recently told Rolling Stone, "I think cats are > Satan. There's nothing worse to me than a house cat. When I was about 16, I
> had a kitten and ran over it." PETA deals with dozens of cases of cruelty to
> cats every week and knows firsthand how damaging statements like this can > be-impressionable kids often mimic what their "idols" do. Aiken never [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html > Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm -L. - 18 Nov 2003 23:44 GMT > I saw an interview where Aiken said that. He seemed to not feel so bad about > hurting that kitten when he was interviewed. It disgusted me. Aiken may be > talented but a great human being he isn't. No, he's a pussy, and I don't mean Pussy Cat.
-L.
Judy F - 18 Nov 2003 20:37 GMT I just found his web site and posted a pretty mean message! I know it probably won't mean a thing, but it makes me feel better! Judy F
> I don't know if this is true or not, but I got this from another board: > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > didn't object because Aiken recently told Rolling Stone, "I think cats are > Satan. There's nothing worse to me than a house cat. When I was about 16, I
> had a kitten and ran over it." PETA deals with dozens of cases of cruelty to
> cats every week and knows firsthand how damaging statements like this can > be-impressionable kids often mimic what their "idols" do. Aiken never [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html > Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm Cat Protector - 19 Nov 2003 03:54 GMT Well it does mean something when you do. I know because of his anti-cat statements his music won't get airplay on Cat Galaxy. For those who have yet to see what it is all about, go to www.catgalaxymedia.com.
> I just found his web site and posted a pretty mean message! I know it > probably won't mean a thing, but it makes me feel better! [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html > > Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm KellyH - 18 Nov 2003 22:06 GMT > I don't know if this is true or not, but I got this from another board: > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > didn't object because Aiken recently told Rolling Stone, "I think cats are > Satan. There's nothing worse to me than a house cat. When I was about 16, I
> had a kitten and ran over it." PETA deals with dozens of cases of cruelty to
> cats every week and knows firsthand how damaging statements like this can > be-impressionable kids often mimic what their "idols" do. Aiken never > responded when PETA wrote to him." > ________ What an a.shole.
 Signature -Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net Check out www.snittens.com
Rona Yuthasastrakosol - 18 Nov 2003 23:34 GMT > I don't know if this is true or not, but I got this from another board: > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > didn't object because Aiken recently told Rolling Stone, "I think cats are > Satan. There's nothing worse to me than a house cat. When I was about 16, I
> had a kitten and ran over it." PETA deals with dozens of cases of cruelty to
> cats every week and knows firsthand how damaging statements like this can > be-impressionable kids often mimic what their "idols" do. Aiken never [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html > Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm I remember watching another different interview where he also mentions his fear of cats. IIRC, he did not intentionally run over his kitten--it was an accident. He would not get another cat after that event.
That being said, I would not consider a short quotation taken out of context as absolute truth nor would I make rash judgments about someone for the same.
rona (not a necessarily a fan of Clay Aiken, but definitely a fan of knowing the whole truth)
Karen - 19 Nov 2003 01:08 GMT >> I don't know if this is true or not, but I got this from another board: >> [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > rona (not a necessarily a fan of Clay Aiken, but definitely a fan of knowing > the whole truth) I'm with you Rona in that, to go out of his way to be mean seems vastly different than the rest of his life choices. I wonder what the truth is.
Karen
Cat Protector - 19 Nov 2003 03:57 GMT No, he did in fact says cats were Satan and he did mention his dislike of cats. I saw an interview with him when he said that.
"Karen" <kchuplis@alltelPOP.netGOAWAY> wrote in message news:BBE01DD1.B375%
> I'm with you Rona in that, to go out of his way to be mean seems vastly > different than the rest of his life choices. I wonder what the truth is. > > Karen Karen - 19 Nov 2003 04:48 GMT > No, he did in fact says cats were Satan and he did mention his dislike of > cats. I saw an interview with him when he said that. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >> >> Karen Well *saying* cats are Satan and purposely running over a kitten are two different things.
Karen
Cat Protector - 19 Nov 2003 04:50 GMT Well the Aiken the cat hater will have one less radio station playing his music. Never upset the felines especially when they are management at a station geared towards cats.
"Karen" <kchuplis@alltelPOP.netGOAWAY> wrote in message news:BBE05185.B45B%
> Well *saying* cats are Satan and purposely running over a kitten are two > different things. > > Karen Rona Yuthasastrakosol - 19 Nov 2003 05:05 GMT <piggy-backing>
> > No, he did in fact says cats were Satan and he did mention his dislike of > > cats. I saw an interview with him when he said that. I never said he didn't say cats were Satan or that he didn't dislike cats. I specifically referred to the comment about running over his kitten. What was originally posted (the PETA quip) implied that he did so intentionally and as I recall from the interview I saw, this was not true. From what I remember, he was quite traumatized by the incident and that is one of the reasons he never owned another cat.
> Well *saying* cats are Satan and purposely running over a kitten are two > different things. > > Karen Very different, but not everyone can see that. Sometimes I say my cat is a "fatso catso," but that doesn't mean I hate her and would run her over because she's full-figured.
And not liking cats does not equal being a bad person--a weird person, maybe, but certainly not bad.
rona
 Signature ***For e-mail, replace .com with .ca Sorry for the inconvenience!***
Mary - 19 Nov 2003 14:52 GMT "Rona Yuthasastrakosol" <prasantrin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> And not liking cats does not equal being a bad person--a weird person, > maybe, but certainly not bad. You are very generous, and possibly right. However, I will never trust anyone who doesn't like cats.
> rona Cat Protector - 20 Nov 2003 06:41 GMT Actually calling cats names period is wrong. I believe cats have feelings. My cat Jade is a little plump and she sure shows that she doesn't like being reminded of it so I am careful in wording around her. I love her anyway. I am sure that if the felines of the world saw what Aiken said there'd be a lot of upset cats. Both of mine sure don't like what Aiken said.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
> Very different, but not everyone can see that. Sometimes I say my cat is a > "fatso catso," but that doesn't mean I hate her and would run her over [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > rona Diane L. Schirf - 20 Nov 2003 12:33 GMT > Actually calling cats names period is wrong. I believe cats have feelings. Perhaps, but my cat doesn't speak human or English, so when I call him Gertrude or Smudgepot, he gives me the same look as when I call him Hodge, Yo Boy, or Sweetie. (Trust me, he goes by Gertrude more often than not.)
I think we truly do animals and their natures a disservice when we anthropomorphize them.
 Signature http://www.mindspring.com/~slywy/ http://slywy.diaryland.com/
Cat Protector - 20 Nov 2003 14:29 GMT Why do some humans consider it such a crime when we think of cats as more than just a cat? It seems some have a real problem when cats are anthropomorphized. I think it would be insensitive to not see cats have feelings.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Diane L. Schirf" <donotspamme@thisaddress.com> wrote in message news:Ew2vb.11493
> I think we truly do animals and their natures a disservice when we > anthropomorphize them. Rona Yuthasastrakosol - 20 Nov 2003 15:15 GMT > Perhaps, but my cat doesn't speak human or English, so when I call him > Gertrude or Smudgepot, he gives me the same look as when I call him > Hodge, Yo Boy, or Sweetie. (Trust me, he goes by Gertrude more often > than not.) I call my cat "fatso catso" when I groom her but she still purrs and rubs her nose up against my hand. If she has feelings about being called names, they certainly aren't bad ones!
> I think we truly do animals and their natures a disservice when we > anthropomorphize them. I agree. And I wonder why only some animals are worthy of anthropomorphizing but not others? Cats have feelings but the cow that was killed for your dinner doesn't? Or that fly you just squished?
rona
 Signature ***For e-mail, replace .com with .ca Sorry for the inconvenience!***
Mary - 20 Nov 2003 18:34 GMT > > Actually calling cats names period is wrong. I believe cats have feelings. > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > I think we truly do animals and their natures a disservice when we > anthropomorphize them. A big "Me Too" to that! Although, they do understand the universal message of laughter and always assume that it is at them and not with them. Then you get the cold shoulder! LOL!
Mary - 19 Nov 2003 14:50 GMT > > No, he did in fact says cats were Satan and he did mention his dislike of > > cats. I saw an interview with him when he said that. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Karen I am in NC and I cannot stand that little wussy-faced twit. Especially now.
Cat Protector - 19 Nov 2003 17:25 GMT I guess Aiken is disliked even in his own home state.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
> I am in NC and I cannot stand that little wussy-faced twit. Especially > now. Ted Thompson - 27 Nov 2003 23:59 GMT He`s a marginal talent jerk. I`m from NC and make a living playing music. He should be run over like the cat he did the same thing to.
> I guess Aiken is disliked even in his own home state. > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > I am in NC and I cannot stand that little wussy-faced twit. Especially > > now. Elizabeth M. - 20 Nov 2003 04:41 GMT http://www.curlio.com/new_showarticle.php?id=5536&page=last#
2003-11-19 22:08:18 Yahoo News
PETA Blackmails Clay Aiken
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), who have long ago lost sight of "the line," have dropped to a new low. Now they are blackmailing American Idols runner-up Clay Aiken.
"People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has delayed a new ad campaign with the slogan "Get Neutered, It Didn't Hurt Clay Aiken," while it waits to see if Aiken will apologize for negative comments he made about cats," PETA officials said Tuesday.
PETA vice president Dan Mathews said that Clay needs to learn to take a joke if he wants to be famous.
So what are the oh-so-offensive comments that Clay made about cats?
"There's nothing worse to me than a house cat. When I was about sixteen, I had a kitten and ran over it. Seeing that cat die, I actually think that its spirit has haunted me. I wasn't afraid of cats before. But now they scare me to death," Aiken told Rolling Stone.
PETA has also said that they will call off the advertisement if Clays posts a message on his website urging owners to spay or neuter and give an interview to PETA.
So basically, because Clay had a bad experience with a cat, and now doesn't like them, he's suddenly a bad person? He's not allowed to voice his personal preference? What, will Calvin Klein start to run derogatory advertisements against Ricky Martin if he suddenly announces that he prefers Hanes instead? What's next? You can't announce that you like a certain shampoo? That's just fricking nonsense. Personally, I'm not a big Clay Aiken fan, but I'll darn well stand up and support him should he choose to stand against PETA for this stupid and moronic choice of theirs. Clay, and all of his fans, should go support a worthy animal cause, such as the ASPCA, the Humane Society, or the World Wildlife Fund. I'm sure any one of those organizations would do wonderful things with your donations, not take time out to bash celebrities for their personal choice.
============================================================= http://www.triumphtheinsultcomicdog.com/
TRIUMPH ON THE PETA AD "Recently I agreed to do an ad for PETA. Why? I'm not into animal rights. The only animal right I want is the right to hump Ashanti's leg. Look at your average animal lovers, like Moby and Bill Maher. Sure, Bill Maher love animals... that's because humans hate him! Moby? Nice guy, but not the best looking man. I hear Moby had sex with a poodle once, and the poodle was arrested for bestiality. Vegetarianism? Count me out. I ain't giving up cow, or bird, or pig. So why the hell should you? Hell, we'd eat you if someone dropped a slice on the floor. Oh, yes. We'll have the deep fried Moby with a side of glazed Mary Tyler Moore, please. Dessert? I'm torn between the Pam Anderson flambe and the flourless Alec Baldwin cake. Bottom line: animals are a.sholes. Delicious a.sholes.
Which brings me back to this PETA ad. Why would I endorse neutering? After all, I rip into another animal-hugging nut job, Bob Barker, on the CD. The guy can't stop telling people to cut their pets' nuts off. So Jack Black and I have at him: "Bob Barker got a bone to pick/gonna make a chew toy outta your dick/these teeth are sharp and the price is right/gonna neuter your a.s with one nut crackin' bite." There can be only one reason I would then turn around and advocate ball chopping: free publicity. Timed right with the release of the CD. Did I mention animals are a.sholes?
That should be the end of the story. But hold the phone - we're dealing with PETA. Bong - cuckoo! As you see, I made a typically poopy quip in the ad: "Get Neutered - It Didn't Hurt Clay Aiken." It actually wasn't my first choice. I really wanted "Chop 'Em Off - They Didn't Taste That Great Anyway." But PETA was jonesing for the Clay joke. Whatever. Just give me my pub and go back to your spray painting. Turns out PETA had an ax to grind with Clay. They released the ad and a press release, quoting Clay talking trash about cats, like "Cats are Satan." Never mind that Clay keeds. They quoted Clay saying "I ran over a kitten when I was 16." Never mind that they left out the part where Clay said it was an accident that haunts him to this day. (click here to read his quote) Well played, PETA. And I thought I was the pub whore.
So here I am -- caught in the middle of crappy tunes and looney tunes... when all I wanted was to whore myself. Of course, I have to stand with Clay, even if they hadn't twisted his quotes. This is about a basic human and animal right that must be preserved... the right to poop, to joke, to keed. Look, I sing "Cats Are C***s" on the CD, but I keed. I don't hate cats. I've even banged a few in my day. Just never let a cat give you a hand job."
Cat Protector - 20 Nov 2003 05:06 GMT I think it goes beyond that. He made a very disgusting comment towards cats and he needs to take responsibility for that. He may have had a bad experience when he was 16 when he ran over that cat (which was probably accidental) but you don't say how cats are evil and that there is nothing worse than a housecat. It's as if he blames the kitten for what happened. I don't normally agree with PETA but I think this message sends a clear warning to Aiken to stand up and apologize. He may not like cats but he certainly sends a message to his fans that cats are bad and if you run over one it is ok. When you are a roll model you have the responsibility to lead by example.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com "Elizabeth M." <lagunagal2001@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> So basically, because Clay had a bad experience with a cat, and now doesn't > like them, he's suddenly a bad person? He's not allowed to voice his [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] > Look, I sing "Cats Are C***s" on the CD, but I keed. I don't hate cats. I've > even banged a few in my day. Just never let a cat give you a hand job." Diane L. Schirf - 20 Nov 2003 12:40 GMT > I > don't normally agree with PETA but I think this message sends a clear > warning to Aiken to stand up and apologize. Or PETA will break his kneecaps?
Why doesn't PETA do something to actually help animals?
 Signature http://www.mindspring.com/~slywy/ http://slywy.diaryland.com/
Judy F - 20 Nov 2003 14:45 GMT PETA does something every day to help animals. Protesting abuses and making them public is a very important step in protecting animals who can't protect themselves. Clay Aiken is entitled to his opinions, but expressing inflammatory opinions like "cats are Satan" and "nothing is worse than a housecat" gives a message to his fans (who don't seem too bright- I've been to the website) that they can abuse cats and it's no big deal. Celebrities have a certain responsiblity as role models. Judy F
> > I > > don't normally agree with PETA but I think this message sends a clear [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Why doesn't PETA do something to actually help animals? PawsForThought - 20 Nov 2003 18:09 GMT >From: "Judy F" xphile01@catlover.com
>Clay Aiken is entitled to his opinions, but expressing >inflammatory opinions like "cats are Satan" and "nothing is worse than a >housecat" gives a message to his fans (who don't seem too bright- I've been >to the website) that they can abuse cats and it's no big deal. Celebrities >have a certain responsiblity as role models. >Judy F I just checked out his site. Geez, I can't believe people are defending this twit. ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm
Cat Protector - 20 Nov 2003 18:13 GMT Well, because of his remarks about cats his music will not see airplay right now on our station.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
> PETA does something every day to help animals. Protesting abuses and making > them public is a very important step in protecting animals who can't protect [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > > > Why doesn't PETA do something to actually help animals? Judy F - 20 Nov 2003 20:51 GMT Cool! wish other radio stations would follow your lead! Judy F
> Well, because of his remarks about cats his music will not see airplay right > now on our station. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > > > > > Why doesn't PETA do something to actually help animals? Cat Protector - 20 Nov 2003 23:45 GMT Well we are a station for cats so it was not a real surprise I am sure to most.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
> Cool! wish other radio stations would follow your lead! > Judy F [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > > > > > > > > Why doesn't PETA do something to actually help animals? MacCandace - 22 Nov 2003 02:33 GMT << PETA does something every day to help animals. Protesting abuses and making them public is a very important step in protecting animals who can't protect themselves. >>
I absolutely agree with this post. PETA is primarily an educational organizatio, not a shelter or rescue group. They do, however, rescue some animals and give them forever homes. PETA is largely responsible for my vegetarianism and that is helping animals. I don't want to start that debate up again but, obviously, if you're not eating 'em, you're helping them. But PETA goes much further than that...exposing circuses, animal acts, labs, universities, pet stores, all sorts of places for their cruelty to animals. They can be radical but it takes radicalism to accomplish things. And they can also be hypocritical but what group/person isn't at times. I was a member of PETA for many years and will probably be again at some point. The only reason I'm not now is because I belong to too many groups and just can't afford to belong to all of them. I say, keep it up, PETA.
Candace (take the litter out before replying by e-mail)
See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace
"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human." (Loren Eisely)
Cat Protector - 22 Nov 2003 03:41 GMT Hi Candace.
What do you think of their recent Clay Aiken thing? They are taking a lot of heat right now.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com "MacCandace" <maccandace@aol.comlitter> wrote in message news:20031121213316.28460.00000682@mb-
> I absolutely agree with this post. PETA is primarily an educational > organizatio, not a shelter or rescue group. They do, however, rescue some [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > "One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other > than human." (Loren Eisely) MacCandace - 23 Nov 2003 18:33 GMT << Hi Candace.
What do you think of their recent Clay Aiken thing? They are taking a lot of heat right now. >>
The only info I have on it is from this newgroup. I don't follow American Idol, I don't know what Clay Aiken looks like or sounds like and don't care, and I currently am not a PETA member so I don't get any of their mailings/newsletters right now. However, I generally support PETA, even when I think they're being silly. I like their radicalism.
Candace (take the litter out before replying by e-mail)
See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace
"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human." (Loren Eisely)
Cat Protector - 23 Nov 2003 19:02 GMT Yeah PETA is pretty radical. I have never been a big fan of them but I admire the fight they are doing right now for cats. Yes, Clay Aiken fans and his lawyers got PETA to drop the ad (at least that is guessed since they pulled it from the Web Site) but in my opinion they also did what they thought they had to do to say that calling cats "Satan" as well as the other anti-cat quotes were not right. I think if Clay had said he didn't like cats and left it at that, not too many people would have cared. I know I could certainly handle it. But when in the same breath you say how cats our evil by equating them to Satan or say "there is nothing worse than a house cat" then that is where I have to draw the line. I have to wonder what the CFA has to say about all of this? They are one of the biggest cat organizations in this country and probably the world.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
"MacCandace" <maccandace@aol.comlitter> wrote in message news:20031123133345.01810.00000625@mb-
> What do you think of their recent Clay Aiken thing? They are taking a lot of > heat right now. >> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > "One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other > than human." (Loren Eisely) Rona Yuthasastrakosol - 19 Nov 2003 05:36 GMT > I don't know if this is true or not, but I got this from another board: > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > didn't object because Aiken recently told Rolling Stone, "I think cats are > Satan. There's nothing worse to me than a house cat. When I was about 16, I
> had a kitten and ran over it." PETA deals with dozens of cases of cruelty to
> cats every week and knows firsthand how damaging statements like this can > be-impressionable kids often mimic what their "idols" do. Aiken never [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html > Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm I'm taking this on to Lauren's post, just because it was the beginning of this thread, not because I think any of what I have to say applies to her.
Here's the full article from Rolling Stone re: Clay Aiken and PETA. The asterisks in the second paragraph were added by me, to draw attention to the context of the comment made by Clay Aiken.
from http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=18973&cf=2046795
---begin paste--- In a landmark display of canine-feline solidarity, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog has lashed out at professed kitty-hater Clay Aiken in a new ad campaign for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The print ad shows Triumph with a band-aid over his recently neutered doggy-bits and a post-surgery collar, and reads, "Get Neutered: It didn't hurt Clay Aiken." Though the barb was Triumph's own, PETA went along thanks in part to comments that Aiken made in a recent Rolling Stone article. "I think cats are Satan," Aiken said. "There's nothing worse to me than a house cat. When I was about sixteen, I had a kitten and ran over it. *****Seeing that cat die, I actually think that its spirit has haunted me. I wasn't afraid of cats before. But now they scare me to death.*****"
"It's a stupid statement," says PETA Vice President Dan Matthews. "We get calls every week from people who throw kittens on barbecues because it's funny. Or people who light cats on fire, or people who drag cats from cars. It's so irresponsible that we wrote him after that interview came out and he never got back to us. So we thought, you know, fair game, let's go for it."
According to PETA, with animal shelters overflowing, neutering and spaying cats and dogs saves shelter-workers from having to put animals to death when suitable homes cannot be found. Because Triumph's new album, Come Poop With Me, is full of jokes about losing his private parts, he seemed a perfect spokes-puppet.
"There's already been a huge response," says Matthews, whose office has been bombarded by calls from angry Clay-mates. "When we explain why, they understand it a bit better. In the end it's just funny. If you look at the awful thing Clay said about cats, our ad in response is a pretty lighthearted way to even up the score."
A spokesman for Clay Aiken had not comment on the ad.
DAVID SWANSON
---end paste---
At the risk of being flamed, I think people who thought "Clay called cats "satan" so he must be a bad person and we should hate him and try to ruin his reputation" are not that far off *in spirit* from those who might think, "Clay called cats "satan" so cats must be bad and we should do evil things to them." Two sides of the same coin, in my opinion.
rona (donning flame-retardant clothing)
 Signature ***For e-mail, replace .com with .ca Sorry for the inconvenience!***
Cat Protector - 19 Nov 2003 06:03 GMT I am not a big supporter of PETA but I have to agree with them on this one. I am not sure if it'll ruin Aiken's rep or not but he certainly is not commenting on the ad either. I think Aiken is going to have to live with what he said. He said he hates cats and called them Satan and as a cat lover I was disgusted. I rooted for Aiken during American Idol but I think as I re-read his comments it makes me regret doing so. Like I said before I saw an interview where he said he ran over his cat but he also didn't seem to be too bent out of shape about it either. The camera never lies. If you say something negative then you have to learn to deal with it. I found the PETA ad to be somewhat light compared to their more fierce campaigns. BTW, if any of you have seen Triumph on shows like Conan O'Brien his skits are pretty funny. Nobody takes that fake dog seriously. Aiken will have to live with the fallout. There are two sides to being famous and you have to learn to live with both sides.
> I'm taking this on to Lauren's post, just because it was the beginning of > this thread, not because I think any of what I have to say applies to her. [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > > rona (donning flame-retardant clothing) PawsForThought - 19 Nov 2003 13:09 GMT >From: "Rona Yuthasastrakosol" prasantrin@yahoo.com
>> I don't know if this is true or not, but I got this from another board: >> [quoted text clipped - 72 lines] > >rona (donning flame-retardant clothing) Thanks for posting this, Rona. As I said in my post, I had just gotten it from another board and didn't know if it was true or not. But the comment about cats being Satan, well is strange for sure. I think most of us aren't haunted by cat spirits as Satan. I think most of us who are *haunted* by such a thing would be inspired to do good, make life right for another cat, in the spirit of love, not Satan.
Lauren
________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm
Mary - 19 Nov 2003 14:59 GMT "PawsForThought" <darnit7@aol.comnolitter> wrote in message
> But the comment about > cats being Satan, well is strange for sure. I think most of us aren't haunted > by cat spirits as Satan. I think most of us who are *haunted* by such a thing > would be inspired to do good, make life right for another cat, in the spirit of > love, not Satan. Precisely. His response should have been to adopt another cat and make sure he lavished it with love. He's still a mincing little Queen in my book. But then I don't like his music anyway.
> Lauren > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html > Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm Cat Protector - 19 Nov 2003 17:29 GMT Well we don't know if Aiken is gay really. He has never really stated whether or not he was. I do know that the Aiken fans don't appreciate those cat people who have posted on his Web Site against him. What Aiken said in that interview was stupid and obnoxious. I guess he feels fame gives him the write to speak out against cats. I don't always agree with PETA but I do agree with them on this one. They have every right to post that ad.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
> Precisely. His response should have been to adopt another cat and make > sure he lavished it with love. He's still a mincing little Queen in my [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html > > Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm Yngver - 19 Nov 2003 19:02 GMT >What Aiken said in >that interview was stupid and obnoxious. I guess he feels fame gives him the >write to speak out against cats. I don't always agree with PETA but I do >agree with them on this one. They have every right to post that ad. Just because a person is famous does not mean he immediately becomes articulate and well-spoken. Aiken is certainly not the first famous person who didn't think about the impact of what he was saying before saying it.
Cat Protector - 19 Nov 2003 19:13 GMT I have read and re-read a lot of posts and even contacted PETA for a response. I have no doubt that Aiken knows what he said because he has stated it more than once. If you make a mistake a couple of times saying something publically that is fine. But when you say it countless times then that is disturbing. Clay did state the following:
"I think cats are Satan. There's nothing worse to me than a house cat. When I was about sixteen, I had a kitten and ran over it."
It may have been accidental but he did add insult to injury when he said there is nothing worse than a house cat. As a cat lover I was disgusted by Aiken's words.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
> Just because a person is famous does not mean he immediately becomes articulate > and well-spoken. Aiken is certainly not the first famous person who didn't > think about the impact of what he was saying before saying it. MacCandace - 22 Nov 2003 02:41 GMT << Just because a person is famous does not mean he immediately becomes articulate and well-spoken. Aiken is certainly not the first famous person who didn't think about the impact of what he was saying before saying it. >>
Is this guy really "famous"? I don't even know what he looks like and I've never seen him "perform." Please, these dopes on these reality shows are not famous. I doubt if their fame will stand the test of time. A few more months and he'll just be a memory or less.
Candace (take the litter out before replying by e-mail)
See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace
"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human." (Loren Eisely)
Mary - 19 Nov 2003 22:15 GMT > Well we don't know if Aiken is gay really. He has never really stated > whether or not he was. Whoah! I am not anti-gay! I am anti-wussy-faced Queens who say hateful things about cats! :-) There is a difference!
>I do know that the Aiken fans don't appreciate those > cat people who have posted on his Web Site against him. What Aiken said in > that interview was stupid and obnoxious. I guess he feels fame gives him the > write to speak out against cats. I don't always agree with PETA but I do > agree with them on this one. They have every right to post that ad. If the measure of a society lies in how it treats its dependants--meaning the elderly, indigent, children and so-called "dumb animals" we had better keep speaking out. On the whole humanity's track record in this regard is rather sucky.
> > Precisely. His response should have been to adopt another cat and make > > sure he lavished it with love. He's still a mincing little Queen in my [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > > http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html > > > Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm Cat Protector - 20 Nov 2003 00:11 GMT Well Aiken's remarks have caused us to ban the airplay of his music for the time being. I am hoping that Aiken will apologize for comments though against cats. Other than his comments he has remained rather silent. I think he is talented and it is a shame to ban his music but as an owner of a radio station for cats, I can't dismiss his rather public dislike for cats. Cats are beautiful and intelligent creatures and not the evil beings Aiken has made them out to be. As a cat lover I am disgusted by his remarks. BTW, the Cat Galaxy Forum is having a discussion about this issue. You can check it out at http://groups.msn.com/CatGalaxy . All cats and cat lovers are welcome to post their views.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
> > Well we don't know if Aiken is gay really. He has never really > stated [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > > > > http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html > > > > Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm MacCandace - 22 Nov 2003 02:39 GMT << Precisely. His response should have been to adopt another cat and make sure he lavished it with love. He's still a mincing little Queen in my book. But then I don't like his music anyway. >>
I've never actually watched this show but don't these boneheads just sing, for the most part? I've seen that one girl, Kelly, or whatever her name is from the first series of shows and all she does is sing other people's songs. Big deal, I don't consider that being a "musician." Can they read music, play an instrument, write a song? They're boneheads, why does everyone get so wrapped up in them.
Candace (take the litter out before replying by e-mail)
See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace
"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human." (Loren Eisely)
Mary - 22 Nov 2003 05:10 GMT > << Precisely. His response should have been to adopt another cat and make > sure he lavished it with love. He's still a mincing little Queen in my [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Candace They are boneheads with pretty faces, I guess. I have no idea. I have never seen Clay or any of them play instruments. It is really disgusting, hordes of women have descended on Raleigh tonight to CAMP OUT overnight because he will appear here tomorrow. they call themselves "Claymates." Barf! And some have come from as far as NJ and FL and Colorado!! Scary.
Rona Yuthasastrakosol - 19 Nov 2003 16:45 GMT > Thanks for posting this, Rona. As I said in my post, I had just gotten it from > another board and didn't know if it was true or not. That's why I added the little thing at the top of my post--my comments weren't directed to you at all.
>But the comment about > cats being Satan, well is strange for sure. I think most of us aren't haunted > by cat spirits as Satan. I think most of us who are *haunted* by such a thing > would be inspired to do good, make life right for another cat, in the spirit of > love, not Satan. Agreed. He certainly could have used better words to describe his fears. I think, however, that the use of the word Satan from a southern American Christian (likely fundamentalist), describing something s/he doesn't like or is afraid of, is probably pretty frequent. I would say this is especially true of a person who seems to be rather over-dramatic.
rona (stereotyping can be fun!)
 Signature ***For e-mail, replace .com with .ca Sorry for the inconvenience!***
Judy F - 19 Nov 2003 20:13 GMT Whether he likes it or not, Clay Aiken has become a role model for many people (please don't include me in that bunch, I think he's a weird little twirp) so he should learn not to say things that his stupid fans could emulate. There are enough cat haters out there without confirmation from a celebrity (still can't understand that)...
> > Thanks for posting this, Rona. As I said in my post, I had just gotten it > from [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > rona (stereotyping can be fun!) Cat Protector - 20 Nov 2003 00:13 GMT I think he is talented but his anti-cat statements is one of the reasons that right now his music will not see airplay on Cat Galaxy. I think the statements he made will really hurt him.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
> Whether he likes it or not, Clay Aiken has become a role model for many > people (please don't include me in that bunch, I think he's a weird little [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > > > rona (stereotyping can be fun!) Elizabeth M. - 20 Nov 2003 06:16 GMT http://www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article1364.art&page=1
PETA Delays Clay Ad, Wants to Use Him for More Publicity by David Bloomberg -- 11/19/2003
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) apparently doesn't extend that ethical treatment to humans. They have delayed official publication of the ad saying Clay was "neutered," but want to force him to give them additional publicity or they'll run it anyway. Read on for details.
Clay Aiken fans have apparently succeeded where so many others have failed they managed to put a dent in the dogma machine that is People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
As readers no doubt recall, PETA recently announced a new ad campaign targeting Clay Aiken and calling him "neutered." Although they had not formally started the campaign, the announcements and their website had the ad already available, so it basically served as free advertising for them.
Perhaps that advertising was enough, or maybe they started to get worried about the legality of calling somebody "neutered." Or maybe all of the calls and e-mails from Clay's fans, as well as people announcing that they would not give further money to PETA, had some impact after all. PETA has announced that they are delaying the campaign
for now.
PETA claims they are delaying the ad to see if Clay will apologize for making his negative comments about cats. In fact, the vice president of the group said, "If Clay Aiken intends on staying famous, he has to learn to take a joke." A joke? Well, yes, PETA could be construed as a joke when they act like this. In fact, to many the group has become one sick joke after another.
The problem is that PETA took what Clay said about cats out of context he was talking about how he had accidentally run over his kitten (as explained by his mother in our previous article on this issue). PETA took it as some attack on animals, which is ridiculous.
But PETA doesn't just want Clay to apologize for them taking his words out of context they want him to post a message on his website urging people to spay or neuter their pets and give an interview for PETA's website.
To be completely honest, I hope Clay deviates from his usual character and tells PETA to go f*** themselves. That may sound harsh, I know, but the group is essentially trying to blackmail him: "Do this and that or we'll run this ad." First they insult him, then they oh-so-graciously say they will delay the ad, and they won't run it if he gives them even more publicity but they will run it if he doesn't. Mind you, this is the same group that compared Holocaust victims to animals.
PETA did admit that Clay's attorney contacted them, so maybe that had something to do with it. I say this because PETA certainly never backed down in their Holocaust advertising, even though they offended far more people with that one than the Clay ad.
The organization has certainly learned how to get the most bang for their buck. By previewing the ad on their website and announcing that they would start running it, the media informed many people about the ad, thus getting their "message" out without ever having to spend a dime on advertising. Now when Clay fans, his attorney, and others have fired back, PETA makes more publicity by saying they are putting a hold on the ad. Then, if they decide to not run the ad, they can try to win back Clay fans by saying, "See, we didn't run it." Hopefully, fans won't be so forgiving. If they decide to run the ad after all, it can work almost as an after-thought, because so many people have seen them already. And if they can get Clay to give them an interview, they will have scored a major publicity coup another reason I, personally, hope he tells them to shove off.
I have heard from many people who support animal rights and, in theory, agree with PETA's mission. However, the dogmatic position PETA has taken, coupled with the way they will go to any lengths to get publicity, no matter who they hurt, has turned off many, many people. The organization needs to take a serious look at how they promote their message. Unfortunately, because of all the free advertising they receive from these sorts of occurrences, I doubt that will happen anytime soon.
David Bloomberg is the Editor of Foxes On Idol, and can be reached at RNO@pobox.com.
Cat Protector - 20 Nov 2003 06:36 GMT I have been in contact with PETA. This was their response.
"We deal with dozens of cases of cruelty to cats every week, and we know, firsthand, how damaging statements like this can be when impressionable kids mimic what their "idols" do. Clay never responded when we wrote to him politely about this, and he needs to make amends for those remarks."
Apparently PETA did attempt to get the full story from Aiken about the remarks but he chose not to respond. Aiken apparently is not doing anything to set the record straight. I am not a fan of PETA but have to agree that Aiken needs to apologize to those cat lovers he offended. He may not like them but he owes it to his fans to lead by example and say it is not ok to abuse an animal nor is it nice to make such statements that could give permission to do so. I have a feeling that if Aiken steps forward and addresses this to his fans that he might very well pave the road to peace.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
http://www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article1364.art&page=1
> PETA Delays Clay Ad, Wants to Use Him for More Publicity > by David Bloomberg -- 11/19/2003 [quoted text clipped - 78 lines] > David Bloomberg is the Editor of Foxes On Idol, and can be reached at > RNO@pobox.com. Diane L. Schirf - 20 Nov 2003 12:35 GMT > Clay never responded when we wrote to him > politely about this, and he needs to make amends for those remarks." If he's an American in the United States, he doesn't have to do anything. This is still a democracy.
 Signature http://www.mindspring.com/~slywy/ http://slywy.diaryland.com/
Laura R. - 23 Nov 2003 18:22 GMT circa Thu, 20 Nov 2003 12:35:32 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Diane L. Schirf (donotspamme@thisaddress.com) said,
> > Clay never responded when we wrote to him > > politely about this, and he needs to make amends for those remarks." > > If he's an American in the United States, he doesn't have to do > anything. This is still a democracy. Not in CP's world. There are fanatics on both sides of the fence.
Laura
 Signature Nothing is as terrible to see as ignorance in action. -Goethe
Cat Protector - 23 Nov 2003 18:46 GMT Laura,
I think you have a problem with people who stand up for the rights of cats. Amazing how you are using this thread to attack me? I guess because I am the most vocal. It is so sad that you say in one breath how you don't like Clay Aiken but will also seemingly defend his fans as well. I am a cat lover who believes in defending the feline position. If you don't like it you can just killfile me. I know you are going into my killfile since you simply are not even worth bothering with.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com "Laura R." <usefirstinitialandlastname@technologist.com> wrote in message
> Not in CP's world. There are fanatics on both sides of the fence. > > Laura Cathy Friedmann - 23 Nov 2003 18:51 GMT > Laura, > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > killfile me. I know you are going into my killfile since you simply are not > even worth bothering with. I think you (CP, not Laura) have a problem reading others' posts for actual content. You put your own spin on whatever others say & then refuse to budge from that position, no matter how clearly points are made in order to get you to see what was actually being said.
Cathy
-- "Staccato signals of constant information..." ("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
Cat Protector - 23 Nov 2003 19:11 GMT How can someone put a spin on quotes someone else actually said. How can you possibly blow what Aiken said about cats out of context? I made my point and found that there are others who agree with me here. My position may not always be popular but at least I can go away knowing I fight for what I think is right.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
> I think you (CP, not Laura) have a problem reading others' posts for actual > content. You put your own spin on whatever others say & then refuse to [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > "Staccato signals of constant information..." > ("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon Laura R. - 23 Nov 2003 19:22 GMT circa Sun, 23 Nov 2003 12:11:09 -0700, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Cat Protector (catprotector@cox.net) said,
> How can someone put a spin on quotes someone else actually said. How can you > possibly blow what Aiken said about cats out of context? I made my point and > found that there are others who agree with me here. My position may not > always be popular but at least I can go away knowing I fight for what I > think is right. Oh, for god's sake. You've "made [your] point", so why not shut up and quit posting the same nonsense over and over and over and distracting rational discussion?
Laura
 Signature I am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated.
Sherry - 24 Nov 2003 04:25 GMT >My position may not >always be popular but at least I can go away knowing I fight for what I >think is right. Oh, Lord. This sounds eerily familiar. It's the strangest usenet phenomenon. This is the second person I've run across who considers flaming on on usenet "fighting for what is right." When push comes to shove, and "fighting for what is right" actually involves spending money, getting your hands dirty and bringing a stray cat into your home and figuring out how to separate it from your cats and exactly what you're gonna do with it, suddenly it's not such a hot idea. Pffft.
Sherry
Laura R. - 23 Nov 2003 19:21 GMT circa Sun, 23 Nov 2003 11:46:59 -0700, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Cat Protector (catprotector@cox.net) said,
> Laura, > > I think you have a problem with people who stand up for the rights of cats. Not in the least. I have a problem with the fact that you invariably go so far off into your fantasy world that you dilute rational discourse.
> Amazing how you are using this thread to attack me? Then shut up or get help for your obvious problems.
> I guess because I am the > most vocal. No, just because you're nuts and don't know when to shut up before you make every cat lover sound like a nutcase by your ridiculous rants.
> It is so sad that you say in one breath how you don't like Clay > Aiken but will also seemingly defend his fans as well. You are a liar or stupid. Maybe both.
> I am a cat lover who > believes in defending the feline position. If you don't like it you can just > killfile me. I know you are going into my killfile since you simply are not > even worth bothering with. Speak for yourself, wingnut. You're a few bubbles left of center, and I'm sick of your inane rhetoric that makes people reading this thread think that there are a bunch of nutcases posting because you're so damned prolific with your hysteria that people don't notice that the only person behaving irrationally is you.
Laura
 Signature He knows nothing and thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career. --George Bernard Shaw
Yngver - 20 Nov 2003 16:22 GMT >I think he is talented but his anti-cat statements is one of the reasons >that right now his music will not see airplay on Cat Galaxy. I bet he will be really broken up about that.
Cat Protector - 20 Nov 2003 18:14 GMT I am sure he won't care much but at least as cat lovers we are making a stand.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
> I bet he will be really broken up about that. Laura R. - 23 Nov 2003 18:23 GMT circa Thu, 20 Nov 2003 11:14:26 -0700, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Cat Protector (catprotector@cox.net) said,
> I am sure he won't care much but at least as cat lovers we are making a > stand. "We" who? You and your two cats? Please quit professing your behavior and opinions as speaking for all, wingnut.
Laura
 Signature I am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated.
Cat Protector - 23 Nov 2003 18:50 GMT Let me see, I am not the only cat lover who didn't like what Aiken said. If it seemed that I was speaking for all I apologize oh great Laura. I however, will not just bury my head in the sand like you seem to do.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com "Laura R." <usefirstinitialandlastname@technologist.com> wrote in message
> "We" who? You and your two cats? Please quit professing your behavior > and opinions as speaking for all, wingnut. > > Laura Laura R. - 23 Nov 2003 19:23 GMT circa Sun, 23 Nov 2003 11:50:03 -0700, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Cat Protector (catprotector@cox.net) said,
> Let me see, I am not the only cat lover who didn't like what Aiken said. If > it seemed that I was speaking for all I apologize oh great Laura. I however, > will not just bury my head in the sand like you seem to do. You are a sick man, Neil. Get help.
Laura
 Signature Neurosis is the inability to tolerate ambiguity. -Sigmund Freud
Sherry - 23 Nov 2003 22:30 GMT >> I am sure he won't care much but at least as cat lovers we are making a >> stand. Making a stand to prove how much you love cats would also have involved hands-on helping the declawed stray cat, dumped outdoors in your apartment complex living on hot dogs you spoke of briefly a week ago. Then mysteriously shut up about it. You mumbled something about not having the money to take in another cat, but had made a few phone calls, and left us with the impression the cat was still homeless. I hope the convictions you claim to have came to good use there.
Sherry
Laura R. - 23 Nov 2003 22:45 GMT circa 23 Nov 2003 22:30:08 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Sherry (sriddles@aol.comkitty) said,
> >> I am sure he won't care much but at least as cat lovers we are making a > >> stand. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > the cat was still homeless. I hope the convictions you claim to have came to > good use there. Is this in response to CP?
Laura
 Signature I am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated.
Sherry - 23 Nov 2003 23:17 GMT >> Making a stand to prove how much you love cats would also have involved >> hands-on helping the declawed stray cat, dumped outdoors in your apartment [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > >Laura Yes, Laura. Sorry if my reply wasn't attributed right. See the thread around 11-14-03 titled Cat Lost or Abandoned. CP described a cat seemingly in dire straits, declawed, abandoned, and lost at his apartment complex. He was urged to take the cat in temporarily until permanent lodging could be found. He mumbled something about not having the money and he hadn't actually seen the cat, then mysteriously dropped the subject. Sherry
Laura R. - 23 Nov 2003 23:58 GMT circa 23 Nov 2003 23:17:36 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Sherry (sriddles@aol.comkitty) said,
> >> another cat, but had made a few phone calls, and left us with the > >impression [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >Laura > Yes, Laura. Sorry if my reply wasn't attributed right. No worries, just checking.
> See the thread around > 11-14-03 titled Cat Lost or Abandoned. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > money and he hadn't actually seen the cat, then mysteriously dropped the > subject. Ah, yes, I found it. I would like to know what happened to the cat, as well.
Laura
 Signature I am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated.
Cheryl - 24 Nov 2003 00:43 GMT > Yes, Laura. Sorry if my reply wasn't attributed right. DAGGON AOL!! (I keed) :)
See the
> thread around 11-14-03 titled Cat Lost or Abandoned. > CP described a cat seemingly in dire straits, declawed, abandoned, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > the cat, then mysteriously dropped the subject. > Sherry I, too, wonder what the ending of that story is. :(
Cat Protector - 24 Nov 2003 08:16 GMT Despite what Sherry says, I went searching for that cat and have not yet come across the feline. It is hard to take a cat in temporarily when you are only allowed two. We have pretty terrible management here. Sherry, acts pretty smug but she seems to post as if she is the greatest person in the world. I have arranged for the cat to find refuge but the areas where he was last reported in I did not find him.
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
> I, too, wonder what the ending of that story is. :( Sherry - 24 Nov 2003 21:22 GMT >Despite what Sherry says, I went searching for that cat and have not yet >come across the feline. It is hard to take a cat in temporarily when you are >only allowed two. We have pretty terrible management here. So your excuse is "It is hard to take in a cat temporarily when you are only allowed two." Then why did you post: "The management told me about this today and asked if I wanted to take him in (I am only allowed 2 cats in this place but apparently they approved my having a third if I took him."
So now what's your excuse?
Sherry
Laura R. - 25 Nov 2003 01:18 GMT circa Mon, 24 Nov 2003 01:16:40 -0700, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Cat Protector (catprotector@cox.net) said,
> Despite what Sherry says, I went searching for that cat and have not yet > come across the feline. It is hard to take a cat in temporarily when you are > only allowed two. Oh, my lord, do you not even notice how blatantly you lie? *Your apartment complex*, according to *you*, asked you to take the cat in and *agreed to waive the two cat limit*. Can't you even keep your bullshit in separate piles?
> We have pretty terrible management here. Yuh-huh. Sure. That's the ticket.
> Sherry, acts > pretty smug but she seems to post as if she is the greatest person in the > world. Gee, how many times have you said this about somebody?
> I have arranged for the cat to find refuge but the areas where he was > last reported in I did not find him. Right, like when he was being fed hot dogs by your neighbor. Oh, that wily cat, hiding in plain sight like that.
Laura
 Signature Let us be thankful for fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed. -Mark Twain
Cat Protector - 26 Nov 2003 07:07 GMT Can anyone believe this one?
http://claymatemansion.com/clayvention.htm
As if the Clay Aiken fans weren't fanatical enough now they have their own convention honoring Clay. Barf!
 Signature Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com
Sherry - 26 Nov 2003 12:42 GMT >Can anyone believe this one? > >http://claymatemansion.com/clayvention.htm > >As if the Clay Aiken fans weren't fanatical enough now they have their own >convention honoring Clay. Barf! You know, this fanatical obsession you have with Clay Aiken really isn't healthy.
Sherry
PerryTurtle - 28 Nov 2003 08:07 GMT >Subject: Re: American Idol guy & Cats >From: "Cat Protector" catprotector@cox.net [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >As if the Clay Aiken fans weren't fanatical enough now they have their own >convention honoring Clay. Barf! You're a bit fanatical, it appears, about Clay Aiken. You've posted a TON about him and you're obviously frequenting Web sites dedicated for him.
I definitely think you're a closet Claymate!!!
Elizabeth M. - 20 Nov 2003 04:46 GMT PREPOSTEROUS PETA
http://www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/11/14/3fb4fbaf5066c?in_archive=1
Travis Willse Rivalless wit November 14, 2003
I still remember that cool summer day in July 1988. I was just a few weeks shy of my sixth birthday. My mom carted my younger brother, Tyler, and me to the Humane Society outlet at the south end of Hillsboro. There, I picked out and adopted a kitten I named "Friskie," a tabby American shorthair that still lives at my parents' house. Travis Willse Rivalless wit I like Friskie, and I've grown attached to her over the last 15 years, but I would give her up if it meant finding a cure for malaria or AIDS. I'd let her go, too, if it meant finding a cure for cystinosis (which affects only 600 people nationwide) or fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (125 people) or even a disease that afflicts only one person. Why? Because a human life, by virtue of human consciousness, is more valuable than the life of a lower animal.
But not everyone sees it that way.
"Even if animal tests produced a cure for AIDS, we'd be against it (sic)," Ingrid Newkirk hysterically explained in the Sept. 1, 1989, issue of Vogue.
Newkirk co-founded and is currently the president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. And the absurdity of her comment is lamentably representative of the group's largely fanatical philosophy and reflects the irrational agenda of many extreme animal rights activists. This column will explore less PETA's core values, though, and delve more into its history of grossly irresponsible, offensive rhetoric and opportunistic, radical methods they use that often (somewhat ironically) violate both human decency and intellectual integrity.
(A brief aside is necessary here: I accept a so-called "animal welfare theory," wherein the use of animals for food, clothing or experimentation is acceptable as long as that use has a functional motive and is reasonable. Experimenting on rhesus monkeys to find an AIDS vaccine is wholly acceptable; senseless torture of backyard dogs is not. Furthermore, I condemn PETA's methods and those of many radical animal rights activists, as well as many of their philosophies, but I do not denounce vegetarianism, veganism or any of many other rational practices and ideologies sometimes associated with the animal welfare movement.)
Animal testing of medical procedures that benefit humans is often, simply put, essential.
"Most, if not all of the medical advances over the last 50 years have depended, either directly or indirectly, on research done on animals," psychology Professor Emerita Barbara Gordon-Lickey explained. "Certainly all new methods, regardless of how they're developed, have to be tested on animals."
But some radical animal rights activists -- evidently unsatisfied with merely verbalizing their displeasure with animal testing -- voice their ill-reasoned grievances by resorting to indefensible violence. On Oct. 26, 1986, at least one activist broke into, ransacked and defaced Gordon-Lickey's lab ("Vandals ransack science labs, threaten to strike again soon;" ODE; Oct. 27, 1986), inflicting $36,000 in damages. (Ironically, the vandal destroyed $2,000 of audio tutorial materials used for training technicians and scientists to care for and handle lab animals properly.)
In a statement the Animal Liberation Front delivered to the Associated Press about the incident, the group decried the lab's "torture chambers" and asserted: "This is just the beginning of our efforts to liberate those oppressed in research concentration camps in Oregon. We will not allow this slaughter to continue without resistance. You will hear again from us soon." Just to clarify, ALF is a criminal organization that FBI spokesman Ross Rice said is responsible for more than 600 acts of vandalism.
Sharon Nettles, former coordinator of Eugene's PETA chapter, told the Emerald for the 1986 story that PETA does not condone illegal actions.
However, about the break-in, Nettles gloated, "I'm glad someone did it."
Activist Roger Troen, who was eventually convicted of the break-in, is a member of ALF. PETA came to Troen's undeserved rescue, paying from its tax-exempt war chest his $27,000 of legal fees and $34,900 fine. PETA's connections with ALF are numerous -- its major grantees include longtime ALF ringleader and former Earth First! Journal Editor Rodney Coronado, who was sentenced in 1995 to 57 months in federal prison for the 1992 arson of a Michigan State University laboratory. Since his release, Coronado has openly admitted to at least six other arsons.
PETA's annals are filled not only with granting funds to terrorists but with rhetoric that ranges from offensive to nonsensical.
On July 6, 2001, a shark attacked and chomped off the right arm of then-8-year-old Jessie Arbogast on the Florida coast. In what Time Magazine dubbed on its cover "Summer of the Shark," mass media tapped into the collective unconscious, talking sharks for months (lost in this brouhaha was the fact that shark attacks actually declined by 13 incidents from the year before). PETA followed suit, unveiling a promotional billboard that asked, "Would you give your right arm to know why sharks attack? Could it be revenge?"
According to PETA, "The recent injuries suffered by shark attack victims offer us a glimpse into the terrifying experience these fish endure when they are hauled out of their environment only to be pitch-forked back into the water after their fins have been sliced off."
Maybe so, by some particularly imaginative and macabre stretch of the mind. But offering a bizarrely non sequitur "revenge" theory only chillingly and opportunistically abuses a human tragedy and unfairly takes advantage of the gullible, further polluting dialogue about important issues with irrationality.
Regrettably, this blatant opportunism and deviation from reason is more PETA's rule and less its exception.
In summer 2000, a few months after doctors diagnosed New York City then-mayor Rudy Guiliani with prostate cancer, PETA ran a billboard campaign with ads showing Guiliani sporting a milk mustache. The message? The ad read, "Got Prostate Cancer? Drinking milk contributes to prostate cancer." The group dropped the campaign after Guiliani threatened to sue the group.
But even worse than its disregard for a single person's suffering is its apparent disregard for and wholesale devaluation of human life.
In its Nov. 13, 1983, issue, the Washington Post quoted Newkirk lamenting, "Six million people died in concentration camps, but six billion broiler chickens will die this year in slaughterhouses" (emphasis added).
Twenty years later, PETA pushed the ideological pedal to the rhetorical metal, launching a "Holocaust on Your Plate" campaign to promote a "nonviolent, vegan diet." In the campaign, PETA paraded a massive graphic display wherein images of chickens, pigs and calves were juxtaposed with pictures of near-dead Holocaust victims and piles of human corpses.
"Just as the Nazis tried to 'dehumanize' Jews by forcing them to live in filthy, crowded conditions," read PETA's press release detailing the campaign, "animals on today's factory farms are stripped of all that is enjoyable and natural to them and treated as nothing more than meat-, egg-, and milk-making 'machines.'"
The Holocaust, one of the worst abominations in human history (numerically and morally), reflects humanity's capacity for cruelty. PETA seems to lack the appreciation for human life or decency to see that, out of respect for those who survived the concentration camps -- and moreover, for those who did not -- comparisons to the tragedy should be restricted to, well, legitimately comparable tragedies. Asserting that the death of a chicken is morally equivalent to the wholesale, grotesque slaughter of sentient, conscious beings is an appalling affront to every Jew, Gypsy, homosexual, person with a disability and other Nazi-labeled "misfit" who resisted de facto murder in the camps for months or years.
On its frequently asked questions page, PETA's Web site quotes the celebrated humanitarian Albert Schweitzer: "Aware of the problems and responsibilities an expanded ethic brings with it, said we each must 'live daily from judgment to judgment, deciding each case as it arises, as wisely and mercifully as we can.'"
But, as its conduct has illustrated time and time again, PETA lacks the wisdom to participate in a fair and rational discussion of its grievances, and eschews mercy by supporting terrorists and taking unfair advantage of human tragedies whenever it suits its bizarre, misguided agenda.
According to nonprofit tax forms filed with the Internal Revenue Service, PETA spent only $6,100 of its $10.9 million budget on animal shelters in fiscal year 1996. It seems, then, that T |
|