PETA, Sharpton, Simmons condem dogfighting

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Orlando Sentinel

PETA, Sharpton, Simmons condem dogfighting
DAILY PRESS
12:56 PM EDT, July 18, 2007

The unlikely trio of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and activist Al Sharpton sent a letter today to the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons, Nike and other organizations affiliated with Michael Vick.

The letter reads, in part: "The recent media spotlight on dogfighting reminds us of society's callous disregard for the suffering of animals and disrespect for sentient beings. We hope that Mr. Vick is not a product of this insensitivity that runs through our society. It does us little good to prosecute just those who are famous and allow people across the country to continue to commit these hideous crimes. We are hopeful that authorities will take the appropriate action against anyone found guilty of an atrocity as serious as dogfighting. Today, we sound a clarion call to all people: Stand up for what is right, and speak out against what is wrong. Dogfighting is unacceptable. Hurting animals for human pleasure or gain is despicable. Cruelty is just plain wrong."

PETA president Ingrid Newkirk added: "Anyone capable of forcing dogs to fight to the death should be kept away from all vulnerable forms of life, particularly children and animals. Dogfighting is an illegal act that deserves harsh punishment, no matter how famous the alleged perpetrators are."
(snip/)



Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/dp-now-petaletter.jl18,0,3125134.story

[qanda]

1. After reading that indictment

I honestly think Vick should be suspended from his job as QB. Those allegations are barbaric. I'm grieving the loss of a dog this week and I cannot believe anyone would do such horrible things to a living creature.

[CountAllVotes]

2. Thanks PETA!

"Anyone capable of forcing dogs to fight to the death should be kept away from all vulnerable forms of life, particularly children and animals. Dogfighting is an illegal act that deserves harsh punishment, no matter how famous the alleged perpetrators are." -- no joke!

I'm glad to see that this is getting more attention!

It shows what happens when sick minds are at work!

:kick:

[zonmoy]

3. perhaps people who force animals to fight

should be given a knife and forced to fight another person while being treated the same way that they treated the animals they abused.

[flvegan]

4. Not so strange bedfellows

Sharpton has worked with PETA before (taking on KFC) and Simmons, a vegan, has worked with them on a few things. I wish them success in this endeavor.

Nike has already suspended releasing Vick's new shoe model because of pressure from the masses (drummed up largely by HSUS).

[Judi Lynn]

5. Wonderful news about Nike! Thanks for the info. on Sharpton & Simmons, as well.

Hope they will throw some serious weight into the process, cause some people to rethink their actions in this life. Everything actually has meaning. Actions live on in the world, long after the person has lost the chance to make amends for tragic mistakes.

[Laughing Mirror]

6. Whoever wrote up this thing did not bother to check the facts

That or it sounded to their ears like a snappy lede. Either way, somebody's bias is showing.

[flvegan]

7. Excuse me?

[ariesgem]

10. self delete

...sorry

[Laughing Mirror]

11. The "unlikely trio" in the opening sentence

That turns out, thanks to your research, not to be an unlikely trio at all. They had worked together before on other issues.

Sorry I responded in haste and was not clear about that.

[flvegan]

14. Ah

Well it's an odd trio, but not unlikely. I'm sure that the reporter/writer doesn't have the almost idiotic memory bank of PETA/animal rights info that I have in the ole noggin. On it's face it does sound odd, but in fact, it's not so much.

But then...reporting these days...some great, some not so great.

[bicentennial_baby]

9. Quoi?

[Laughing Mirror]

12. Why would the writer assume that Simmons, Sharpton & Peta were an unlikely trio?

On what basis would any newspaper writer make such an assumption?

Voilà pourquoi.

[brentspeak]

13. Maybe if Nike would stop employing slave labor to make their sneakers...

[flvegan]

15. One reason to love Adbusters

hell, it's been a decade-plus since I've owned anything with that f'ing swoosh on it. My New Balance are USA/union made.

[brentspeak]

16. Excellent!

"My New Balance are USA/union made."

:thumbsup: :applause:

[LeftyMom]

18. They're better shoes, and they don't cost any more (less than a lot of Nikes)

I'm due for a new pair pretty soon. Won't even look at another brand.

[iverglas]

8. so ... what's a "Michael Vick" ...

Ah, I see. A piece of shit. And a football player.

Democrats weigh in:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/20/vick.dogfighting/
-- Robert Byrd, and:

Senate criticism increased Friday as Sen. John Kerry said he had sent a letter to the NFL commissioner calling for Vick's immediate suspension.

"Dogfighting is one of society's most barbaric and inhumane activities," Kerry wrote to Commissioner Roger Goodell.

"As the most popular team sport in America, professional football has a responsibility to showcase the highest levels of behavior and sportsmanship," Kerry's letter said.

The 2004 Democratic presidential nominee also said he planned to introduce anti-dogfighting legislation.

Kerry's proposal would make it illegal to transmit images of dogfighting, to run Web sites that cater to dogfighting, and to won or train dogs for the purpose of fighting, according to his office.

Good for them.

Words fail to describe a human being who engages in activities like this.

[slampoet]

17. So Union Buster Russell Simmons decides dog fighting is Not Okay but paying poets like dogs is ok.

Or does no one recall that when the Def Poetry Jam performers wanted to earn minimum wage for actors he just fired them and got new suckers?

[rocktivity]

19. What they SHOULD have condemned is the blaming of dogfighting

on "hiphop culture."

:mad:
rocknation