PETA: Why I continue to love animals but hate PETA

Back in September I posted about a ridiculous "Hug a vegetarian" day being promoted by PETA, an organization I hold in great disdain. When I hear "PETA" my automatic reflex is to turn my head and spit on the ground. (Go here for September's post where I listed several " beefs" -- enjoy the pun! -- about PETA.)

Now, PETA is up to its nitwit crappola again. National Public Radio reported that PETA is now attempting to get people to think of fish as "sea kittens" in order to make them less appealing as food and more appealing as ... well ... pets (NPR's original post):

"PETA thought that by renaming fish sea kittens, compassionate people who would never dream of hurting a dog or a cat might extend that sympathy to fish, or sea kittens," PETA campaign coordinator Ashley Byrne says.

Byrne says that rebranding fish as sea kittens was obvious.

"Fish not only have the same ability to feel pain as a dog or a cat, but they also communicate with one another," she says. "They have complex social interactions; they form bonds; they express affection by gently rubbing against one another."

You can go to PETA's website and together with your child create his or her own little cuddly "sea kitten" and read adorable stories about these adorable creatures ... with the aim of "encouraging compassion."

The NPR article continues:

"Most parents would never dream of spending a weekend torturing kittens for fun with their families, but hooking a sea kitten through the mouth and dragging her through the water is the same as hooking a kitten through the mouth and dragging her behind your car," Byrne says.

Eeegads ... start the violins and bring the Kleenex, please! (And bring the barf bag!)

PETA is starting the campaign on a small scale, starting first in North Carolina. But, the organzation plans to go nationwide with it, even as far as the fishing villages in Alaska.

But, Brian Dixon, a management biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service doesn't predict much of an impact on the state's fishing industry. "Well, it may raise some money for PETA, but I don't think it'll change the way we manage the fisheries. I think I may eat some sea kittens tonight."

I love it!!!!! (Lemme see if I have some fish-- oops! "sea kitten" -- filets in the freezer ... I wonder if tartar sauce goes well on kitty kats.)