This HBO documentary takes a look at the organization known as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). To say the least, this is a controversial group, sanctified by some, and reviled by many. At the center of PETA is Ingrid Newkirk, a person who is on many peoples ‘hit list’. The courtroom argument always goes ‘there are two sides to every story’, and indeed that is a true statement. At the very center of this argument is the subject of ethics, and how we, as the dominant force on the planet apply our version of ethics to the treatment of animals. Do we have any right to have pets, use them for research projects, use animal skins, or eat them? That is the question that PETA asks.
We get to glimpse inside the world of PETA, both the leadership of the organization by Ingrid Newkirk, her personal beliefs and techniques, and the fanaticism shown by some of the more active members. And while I am not sure that I agree with all of their goals, I have to agree with them that the mistreatment of animals is a deplorable thing. The stark images used, and the verbal descriptions of life in the slaughterhouse are probably not what you want to listen and watch just before you eat!
I Am An Animal is not for the feint of heart, there is footage that will shock even the most seasoned veteran of war and gore. It took me two tries to get past the first 10 minutes of this program, the effort though was worth it. I certainly know much more about PETA as a result.
It really does not matter if you love them or hate them, this is a very interesting peek inside this organization, and one that supporters and detractors alike can gain some valuable information from.
I Am An Animal premieres Monday November, 19th, on HBO at 8pm. You can sample a couple of clips (Quicktime format), Trailer, Trailer, before the actual show. My advice is that if you do decide to watch the actual program make sure that you are not sitting at the dinner table while you do so!
Simon Barrett
21 users commented in " TV Review: I Am An Animal "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThank you Simon for your article on the upcoming film Nov. 19 on HBO
at 8:pm. There will be a video out in Jan, for those who do not have HBO.
Because of the unknown (in many cases) extreme suffering that our animals
suffer everyday I believe that is is often necessary to act extreme so
people will notice. As you look back in history people looked the other
way over and over again. I have found that when people learn the extent of suffering animals go through for a fur,for example, they will never buy
fur again. Even the laws that are in place right now don’t protect animals rights from inhumane treatment. Perhaps it is just too painful to look at the inhumanity of it all. I personally have overcome “looking away” because I feel the animals suffer a great deal more than my being “uncomfortable”. Sincerely, Janet Nilsen
I feel this is a valiant effort to wake people up to the sad plight of animals. So many want to close their eyes to it for their personal desires.Peta has resorted to a shock value that some detest because it is an inconvinence for themselves. This tells a truth that most cannot take so they hate and demean it. They feel guilt and repulsion for their own partisapation which resultts in name calling and bashing.
PeTA has every right to say what it chooses. However, that right ends when they support ALF’s efforts to injure others.
7 Things You Didn’t Know About PETA:
1) PETA president and co-founder Ingrid Newkirk has described her group’s overall goal as “total animal liberation.” This means no meat, no milk, no zoos, no circuses, no wool, no leather, no hunting, no fishing, and no pets (not even seeing-eye dogs). PETA is also against all medical research that requires the use of animals. And yet upper level management still benefit from the findings of animal research.
2) Despite its constant moralizing about the “unethical” treatment of animals by restaurant owners, grocers, farmers, scientists, anglers, and countless other Americans, PETA has killed over 14,400 dogs and cats at its Norfolk, Virginia headquarters. During 2005, PETA put to death over 90 percent of the animals it collected from members of the public.
3) PETA has given tens of thousands of dollars to convicted arsonists and other violent criminals. This includes a 2001 donation of $1,500 to the North American Earth Liberation Front (ELF), an FBI-certified “domestic terrorist” group responsible for dozens of firebombs and death threats. During the 1990s, PETA paid $70,200 to an Animal Liberation Front (ALF) activist convicted of burning down a Michigan State University research laboratory. In his sentencing recommendation, a federal prosecutor implicated PETA president Ingrid Newkirk in that crime. And PETA vegetarian campaign coordinator Bruce Friedrich told an animal rights convention in 2001 that “blowing stuff up and smashing windows” is “a great way to bring about animal liberation.”
4) PETA activists regularly target children as young as six years old with anti-meat and anti-milk propaganda, often waiting outside their schools to intercept them as they walk to and from class-without notifying parents. One piece of kid-targeted PETA literature tells small children: “Your Mommy Kills Animals!” PETA brags that its messages reach over 2 million children every year, including thousands reached by e-mail without the permission of their parents. One PETA vice president told the Fox News Channel’s audience: “Our campaigns are always geared towards children, and they always will be.”
5) PETA has used a related organization, the PETA Foundation, to fund the misnamed Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a deceptive animal rights group that promotes itself as an unbiased source of medical and nutritional information. PCRM’s president also serves as president of the PETA Foundation.
6) PETA runs campaigns seemingly calculated to offend religious believers. One entire PETA website is devoted to the claim-despite ample evidence to the contrary-that Jesus Christ was a vegetarian. PETA holds protests at houses of worship, even suing one church that tried to protect its members from Sunday-morning harassment. Its billboards taunt Christians with the message that hogs “died for their sins.” PETA insists, contrary to centuries of rabbinical teaching, that the Jewish ritual of kosher slaughter shouldn’t be allowed. And its infamous “Holocaust on Your Plate” campaign crassly compares the Jewish victims of Nazi genocide with farm animals.
7) PETA has repeatedly attacked research foundations like the March of Dimes, the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and the American Cancer Society, because they support animal-based research that might uncover cures for birth defects and life-threatening diseases. PETA president Ingrid Newkirk has said that “even if animal research resulted in a cure for AIDS, we would be against it.”
Check out http://www.petakillsanimals.com/ incase you would like to hear more than a onesided argument.
One thing PETA detractors like Vonne never discuss is animal cruelty. They discuss everything but. This is because they probably support it themselves through activities like meat eating.
PETA’s signature issue is vivisection, which has been going on since the 1800’s, and has increased exponentially since the end of WWII. In all this time there have been precious few cures because animals and humans are so biologically different. I can remember March of Dimes appeals from the 1950’s when I was a kid; it has been around more than 50 years and still no cures or any in sight. Also, 90% of drugs that pass animal tests fail initial human tests. Vivisection is an abject failure and PETA is right to target MOD, the AIDS Foundation, and the ACS for supporting it.
“One thing PETA detractors like Vonne never discuss is animal cruelty.”
Animal Cruelty in relation to animal research. I have many friends who work in research, and and assure you that it is not as rampant as you may think. Have you read the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals”? The Animal Welfare Act”? “The Public Health Service Policy”? Have you heard of AAALAC? AALAS? or IACUC? These are just the rules, regulations, and organizations off the top of my head that ensure the most humane care possible for all animals in research. After you read up on each one of these things we will be able to have a conversation about the role animal cruelty plays in research.
Oh, and one of my favorite parts of these regulations: If a viable alternative is available, the researcher must use it. Yet, PeTA has NEVER provided ANY alternatives. EVER.
“This is because they probably support it themselves through activities like meat eating.”
Assumptions Assumptions Assumptions. I was a vegitarian for many years. The only reason why I eat meat now is because of a health condition. If I could be a healthly vegitarian, I would be.
“PETA’s signature issue is vivisection, which has been going on since the 1800’s, and has increased exponentially since the end of WWII.”
It’s been going on much longer than that. Probably since human existance.
“In all this time there have been precious few cures because animals and humans are so biologically different.”
Where did you get this information? I happen to have a degree in Biology and can attest to the fact that biologically, we are much more similar than we are different. For proof of this read the cell structure section of any high school biology textbook.
“I can remember March of Dimes appeals from the 1950’s when I was a kid; it has been around more than 50 years and still no cures or any in sight.”
Animal Research does more than look for cures, it also looks for treatments and preventives. I may not have been around in the 1950’s, but even in my lifetime there have been tons of new or improved medications; vaccines; and other treatments. Just look at the past decade. Your chances of dieing from cancer; stroke; heart attack; and AIDS have all decreased significatly. This is common knowledge and is written about in almost every newspaper nationwide if you would like more information.
“Also, 90% of drugs that pass animal tests fail initial human tests.”
Another fact without a citation and a complaint without a solution. Typical animal rights play. Say that your fact is correct (I don’t have time to confirm it right now). What do you mean be “fail human tests?” “In Phase I trials, researchers test an experimental drug or treatment in a small group of people (20-80) for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.” Right from the NIH website: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/info/understand#types.
What part of this fails? Usually, if safety fails, you would hear about it in the news. The last one I recall was in England about two years ago. If it was the safe dosage range, they would just adjust the numbers until they got it right. So my guess is that the participants don’t want to deal with the side effects. Human choice cannot be tested in animals.
“Vivisection is an abject failure and PETA is right to target MOD, the AIDS Foundation, and the ACS for supporting it.”
What I oppose are PeTA’s tactics.
– I do not think it is ok to hurt people – EVER. PeTA disagrees:
After an underground group called The Justice Department mailed 87 razor-blade laced threats to medical researchers studying news drugs on primates, Newkirk said: “Perhaps the mere idea of receiving a nasty missive will allow animal researchers to empathize with their victims for the first time in their lousy careers.I find it small wonder that the laboratories aren’t all burning to ground. If I had a more guts, I’d light a match.”
– I don’t think that is ok or forgivable to bully childern as young as 5 years old.
– And I think that organiztions like PeTA are incredibly hipocritacal. For example:
“Animal liberationists do not separate out the human animal, so there is no rational basis for saying that a human being has special rights. A rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. They are all mammals,” said Ingrid Newkirk. Even if animal research were to produce a cure for AIDS, “We’d be against it.”
And yet upper level management still benefits from animal research, specifically Ingrid Newkirk’s admission that she was on pain killers for her broken arm – pain killers that were tested on animals.
Tricia – Animal research does not just look for cures, it also looks for treatments. So I certianly hope that you have never been vaccinated; taken pain meds (including asprin); taken antibiotics; had surgery; or even taken vitamins. I wouldn’t want you to fall into the “hippocrite” catagory.
(Quotes from: http://www.fbresearch.org/AnimalActivism/Quotes.htm)
I know that Ingrid has a heart that is bigger and cares more deeply then most of us. It really isn’t complicated. She puts the suffering of another living animals before her own comfort. I personally don’t see how you can NOT get involved and change your behavior at some level helping animals after watching a film like that. Here is a thought: Everyone take a stand to protect every animal,to give them the love and respect they deserve by NOT buying fur and leather and skins of for starters…..eating a diet without meat ….buy only products that do not test on animals…just for starters….If everyone were on the same (moral) page there would be no more suffering for animals and please tell me what could be possibly wrong with that.
I second that completely! Exactly what I would have written! There are tons of great alternative products to buy that are not tested on animals and contain no leather. I’ve been a vegetarian for 16 years and am very healthy, actually healthier than when I was a meat eater. Plus, I feel better knowing that I’m not contributing in that way to the suffering of other living beings.
Vonne, Vivisection. So, with the ‘strict guidelines in place, I take it that there is no suffering going on for the lab animals? Or are you saying that because people who inflict tests on animals get a free pass because of a law that they are following? Maybe it’s not so bad? How about you volunteer to be tested on? Might be one of the less intrusive tests such as having your eyes stitched open and having household cleaning products poured it them. Or maybe something not so pleasant?
Beyond that subject is the fact that we kill animals for selfish reasons alone. There is absoultely no need in the 21st century for us to kill and eat the flesh of another living being. The industrys involved in this, do their best to present a sanitized version of your food. Out of sight, out of mind. What goes on behind the scenes is truly barbaric.
Rules are there to be broken. Without standing up for the wrongs of the world, they will never be put right. Just because eating meat, and using animals is acceptable, does not mean it should be, or is morally the right thing for us to do.
You only need to look back in history. At one point, it was perfectly acceptable to ‘own’ people, kill your wife if she did not obey you, use children for sex, sacrifice people for religion. I could go on. I suspect that most of those actions would not bode well with people in our modern society, but would have been quite normal at various points in our past. We move on, and hopefully progress. One day maybe using animals against their will may become a thing of the past.
Society needs to start carefully considering who and what these persons who test on animals really are. One thing stands out that seems to always be forgotten is the most vicious of society’s predators started out by torturing and killing animals. But the most unforgiveable thing is the taking of life, while proclaiming to be saving it. Our bodies are not the same so no magical cure is going to come out of torturing and killing. These so called researchers need to be prosecuted under the full extent of the law for breaking every moral and ethical code, and also the law itself. People like this make me ashamed to be part of the human race. Thank God for people like Ingrid Newkirk who don’t compromise their integrity for the almighty dollar. So become part of the solution instead of the problem. Buy from companies you know don’t support this industry. You may have to give up some things but there’s always an alternative, and it might even be better.
I feel I have now found my purpose in life and have never felt so much rage as I watched helpless animals being skinned alive for their fur. I am an ordinary stay at home Mom and wish that I had been raised a Vegan. I am Vegan now and will urge others till my dying day. I will do all I can to help animals because they feel pain and fear like we do and I believe we should protect them not harm them . I am very proud to turn down the meat industries cruel packaged murdered animals. Most people think the animals they eat are killed humanely. I urge everyone to watch this film. I knew of the horrors of slaughter houses from reading books wheb I was in my twenties, but found it difficult to keep from eating animals when so many people thought nothing of it. Now I can’t keep from thinking that this piece of meat was born, raised in an over crowded cage in filth and no fresh air or sunshine and endured this day after day until it was abusively thrown into a cage onto a hot or cold truck frustrated and very frightened and probably already hurt, to be slaughtered by a barbarian just to end up on my plate. I DON’T THINK SO!!!!! Thank you Ingrid and HBO
I have always been a supporter of animal rights, and the right to life should not be limited to humans. As humans, we through evolution, became the dominate species, but that does not give us the right for the unimaginable cruelty that some inflict. As humans we also developed a sense of right and wrong. And just to mention undeniably our bodies were never designed to eat meat, we were herbivores. I was not raise as a Vegan, and I have fought with myself with this for years, but not anymore. My husband who didn’t even see the documentary has readily agreed that he too could no longer eat meat. I have struggled with the comprehension of the consciousness of those who exploit animals for what they think is a “greater good”, or torture them for their sick demented pleasure. How does ripping the skin off a living creature and let them die in a inconceivable death, standing on their heads, cutting body parts off as they scream helplessly, inflict pain for research of a better drug explain “the greater good?” The greater good would be to stop killing our Natural Resources (i.e. – the forests, our oceans, etc..) because we have no idea of what other possibilities for cures are there if we continue to seek only one avenue of research testing. I’ve read some of the detractor’s statements, and they use the extremity of tactics out of desperation to give cause for you to turn your head and give them reason for the continuation of what can only be described as The Bottom Dollar. Yes, I find Ingrid Newkirk’s methods extreme, as many may seem to think that, but that is apparently how to continue getting the message through. Other animal rights organizations having best intentions will only get so far because they allow the limitations governments and businesses set forth or push, to keep them at bay, again The Bottom Dollar. If it wasn’t something that shocks us, we would never take notice for more than a minute, because our “precious” lives are too important. I’m sooo glad we humans hold ourselves in such high standards, but then again, we humans are the ones who set the standard, right?
If those of us who would use our voices to speak out, then the fight for animals rights can not be ignored and will never be silenced.
I think VONNE is just lying!! how could you have been a vegetarian and now be so against animal rigths??? don’t listen to him or her or whatever.
If you were an unhealthy vegetarian then it is just your problem for not trying to be well- informed about what you were supposed to eat.I ‘ve been a vegetarian since I was 12 and now I’m 24, muy sister is vegetarian since she was 6 years old and WE ARE HEALTHY LIKE MANY OTHER VEGETARIANS who know how to eat properly.
And It is a good thing that PETA make children realize what their parents are doing or supporting, they are supporting unnecessary cruelty!!murder!! and children have the rigth to know about it and make their own choices , have their own opinions not just being brain -washed by their parents without even notice it and think exactly like their parents want them to think!! many children feel natural compassion towards animals but their parents brain washed them as they grow up and then they just don’t care any more.
I really would have liked to be given these adverts when I was a child so I would have become a vegetarian earlier!!
How exactly does PETA get away with Christian-based propoganda saying Jesus was a vegitarian. Even if he didn’t eat meat (which he did, evidence is the five loaves and two fishes) what about all, and I mean ALL the slaughtering of animals in the Old Testament? Read it, and you’ll notice how many sacrifices were required, and how often the Isrealites were forbidden from assimilating a conquered nation’s livestock, instead instructed by God to KILL every last one of them.
PETA is like a rabid religious movement. I don’t condone cruelty, but how can PETA say they are helping the situation by killing or threatening humans. Do they also threaten the lion when it eats a zebra? Do they stop a cat from killing a mouse? If a rat is a dog is a boy, why does everyone but us get to enjoy a good piece of meat?
The Humane Society has my vote. There are other organizations to help with prevent the cruelty to animals out there, organizations that aren’t violently and rabidly bidding for publicity, but are making a difference, none the less.
I couldn’t watch the whole movie. I already know the horrors that go on behind closed doors. It’s not right. It’s too difficult to watch such things.
Anyone who has a concience should just stop eating meat and help any animal in need.
sad said “…i couldn’t watch the whole movie.”
Watch the last 90 seconds!
My question is does Newkirk think this documentary make her look good? She should try to treat the humans that work for her with compassion and respect. She berates her employees and shuts them down if they don’t agree with her opinion. I also think it is cruel to have one of her employees who believes in animal rights work in a slaughter house. Did she not see what it did to him? She only cared about him getting her the documentation when he couldn’t she had no use for him.
Vonne has wasted a lot of space here with some agenda filled rants. Perhaps Vonne should volunteer to take the place of an animal in a “regulated” vivisection environment, since it is so darn humane, it would be no problem. Vonne, pay attention here. Like many who would rather not see the whole picture, you seem to be unaware of the repeated torture of tests on animals like: gee what would happen if we shoved acid in their eyes, draino down their mouths, swapped two cats heads…and you know what? We learn nothing from all that torture, except that scientists and techs get to make a live animal squirm and they like the thrill. Thanks to mentalities like yours, the very important “research” continues. Animals, and all of nature, can live just fine without humans. Humans cannot exist without nature. Who is the guest here?
eat or get eaten….=P
I understand the rage but do stick to the facts-Vonne has a right to voice his thoughts, objections and proof of PETA problems. I have also seen evidence supporting several of his contentions, such as the senseless slaughter of companion animals by PETA in order to raise the “numbers” they supply to those gullable enough to provide financial support. A great majority of those people are unaware of the hidden and/or often overlooked portion of the agenda-TO REMOVE ALL COMPANION ANIMALS FROM OUR LOVING ARMS. Now-and here is where it gets most interesting-why would I be deprived of my favorite companions, who devotedly adore me and their lifestyle, because other people abuse their animals? Shall we then go into everyone’s home to decide whose children should be confiscated because some children are killed by their parent? Shall we outlaw remarriage for women with kids because the stepfather is often the killer? Get real. I assure you that anyone attempting to remove my personal companion animals will experience a level of violent cruelty unimaginable in it’s ferocity-and I will fight literally to the death in order to retain my rights to keep my family of animals. And then, perhaps, fill up my freezer with a few nice vegans, for good measure. Animals are better than people-me, you, anyone-so why decline to dine? Leave my pets alone-or be prepared to face a fury none of you are equiped to deal with. insane? no. crazy? not at all. totally determined and fixated on the goal? you betcha.
I am all for ‘Vonne’ volunteering to spend 12 months as a test subject – I’m sure we can learn loads from locking her in a lab and subjecting her/him to the tests we do on primates, dogs, cats, rodents.
I look forward to the results. Of course its so ethical and harmless that Vonne should be really happy to get involved for the forwarding of our understanding of biology, cosmetics and nutrition.
Send me you details. I’ll set it up for you.
I believe Newkirk does what she has to do with her employees because wasted time means more animals suffering. The problem with companion animals is the senseless number of unwanted pets left alone to fend for themselves and reproduce, or put to death. It should be law that no one can breed any kind of animal, while there are shelters full of them! As for animal testing, that’s pure hell and should be outlawed also. Factory farming? Are humans so gluttonous they can’t wait to kill humanely before they chop up a cow? SICK!!! I only wish I knew of all this as a child. I hope someday soon this torture will all end. I hope there is a special hell for people who wear fur.
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