PETA Takes On President Obama
The Current Crisis
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is at is again. A few months ago PETA attacked the Vice President for purchasing a puppy from a breeder and not getting a dog from a shelter. For weeks, the news media reported the story. Wolf Blitzer hosted panels on the subject. For weeks, stories about the economy and war were drained out in favor of B roll of Pamela Anderson in a bikini. Right Wing commentators had a field day blasting liberals and associating groups like PETA with President Obama. In short, PETA provided a distraction from the issues that matter.
For those of you who have not heard, President Barack Obama has committed the most grave act of any President in the history of the United States. While conducting an interview with CNBC, President Obama had the audacity to swat away a fly. (wait for gasp) PETA is outraged and is sending the President a letter stating their outrage and bringing attention to this real issue. The economy, the wars and the threat of Iran and North Korea will just have to wait.
Obama Kill Fly Like Ninja
The Swat Heard Around The World
The President was being interviewed on CNBC when a fly began swarming around the President's head. At first the President jokingly told the fly to "get out of here." But the fly was persistent. In a move not seen since The Karate Kid, Obama then swatted at the fly with his bare hand and killed it. Afterwards, Obama looked at the interviewer and calmly said, "Now, where were we." Obama then stated, "That was pretty impressive, wasn't it? I got the sucker." After the interview the President pulled out a tissue and picked up the fly carcass and carried it away.
PETA Takes A Stand
PETA immediately put out a statement and has taken a stand against Obama. Despite PETA's pleasure at Obama's voting record as a Senator when it comes to animal rights, PETA now has made President Obama enemy number one.
In a statement, PETA spokesman Bruce Freidrich states, "We support compassion even for the most curious, smallest and least sympathetic animals. We believe that people, where they can be compassionate, should be, for all animals." Friedrich concluded that ""swatting a fly on TV indicates he's not perfect and we're happy to say that we wish he hadn't." (Associated Press)
Bad PETA, Bad PETA
The country faces real challenges. North Korea is threatening to use nuclear weapons without provocation and without warning. North Korea currently holds two human beings, Euna Lee and Laura Ling hostage and has sentenced them to twelve years hard labor for having the audacity to report about Korean refugees and being somewhere near North Korea's borders. Iran is currently in the midst of a revolution. Brave American soldiers are in danger in Afghanistan and Iraq. Oh, and the economy is still in a shambles although showing some signs of improvement.
Could liberal groups like PETA please shut up. Constantly, liberal groups like PETA come up with these non-issues that take up time on the news and keep the American people learning about real issues. Nobody condones animal abuse, but this was a fly. Nobody likes them, everyone swats them away. And yet now the White House will have to spend man hours dealing with the public outrage of the President acting like any American at a picnic.
Conservative commentators like Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reily are licking their chops. They don't have to report on signs that the economy is improving in terms of the new home construction and consumer confidence. They don't have to report on the new regulatory bill. They don't have to comment on healthcare. Now they get to spend a couple days talking about PETA and other liberal groups and how ridiculous they are. They get to talk about non-issues. And because they are talking about it, Wolf Blitzer will have to talk about in the situation room. There will be a five person panel discussing whether a fly should have the same rights as dogs and cats.
Knock it off. See that while you may have good intentions, you are hurting the very person who actually will do something positive for your issues. He killed a fly. Let it be.
Related Articles
- Sixty Votes
When Barack Obama was elected President in November 2008, the American people also elected democratic majorities in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. The reason for... - Consequences And Credibility
During the administration of former President George W. Bush, the United States was led into a war in Afghanistan. The war was a direct result of the September 11 attack on the United States by Al Queda. ... - Barack Obama And The Spirit of Hope
President-Elect Obama gets sworn in on January 20, 2009. For many, this is a momentous occasion. For others, it is a symbol of defeat of a hard fought campaign. For me, Obama's swearing in ends a dark... - PETA, Is This Really A Crisis?
In this time of economic turmoil, pirates holding Americans hostage and the other pressing issues of the day, I appreciate that PETA has focused attention on what is truly important: Vice President Joe Biden...
Comments
AUTHORlol, well put Valerie.
Thanks for reading.
"I don't know why, I swallowed that fly, but I know a man who swallowed a horse; he's dead of course." How silly can you get? As for preferring nudity over fur, I think Pamela Anderson just looks for reasons to take her clothes off. Who gives a damn about a fly?? You are correct; any American would swat a fly at a picnic. This president is being attacked over nothing, and this isn't the first petty thing he's been attacked over. Modern day politicians can't even make a joke or act like the rest of us do all the time. Those people are nuts, and frankly, in spite of my love for animals, I'd rather wear fur on a cold day than go naked. P. Anderson doesn't have enough sense to stand for anything; she needs to just stick with taking her clothes off, and not look for excuses to do it. LOL. (: v
- AUTHOR
Good point. Thanks for reading
I could not beleive they made such a scandal about a freakin fly....
Point is...flies are flies and they are disgusting and crap on everything they land on. They are dirty and whenever I see one I swat it...and NO one better tell me its inhumane. The people at PETA are all lames with no life making scandals about miniscule ridiculous issues. They should be focusing their efforts elsewhere.
- AUTHOR
Good Points. Thanks for reading.
Peta would be better off supporting the agencies already in place to protect animals. They should put their energies to work raising funds for these organizations so they can atleast have the appearance of being legitament. This is another example of a liberal position gone too far and now they look goofy. Go out and do the hard work to ensue humane treatment of animals volunteer to assist the agencies already in place. Move to the center and moderate your position you'll get more support from the people who really count. Taking the radical position only makes you look like lunatics ensuring your support will come from your fellow lunatics. Peace.
- AUTHOR
exactly
Yea HA! HA! I forgot about those fleas! We gotta protect them for our dogs and cats!
- AUTHOR
Thanks for the comment. Good questions.
My thoughts. PETA is doing to give itself some exposure. The Right Wing pundits use it to blast liberals and tie it to the President.
I would say that someone (opposing factions, the media, etc.) is fanning the flames over this silly fly thing on purpose. Everybody sees it and knows it. What is the goal of whomever is keeping this stupidity alive? In fact, why bring it up at all? It's a non-issue. Someone, or a group of someones, is giving this legs. The only question is . . . Why?
- AUTHOR
Very good point MM, thanks for the comment.
Where is the People for the Ethical Treatment of PEOPLE? Seriously, it makes me crazy that on one end of the spectrum we have a group like PETA throwing public hissies over swatting a fly, and on the other end we have the equally misguided Pro-Lifers who murder doctors for performing perfectly legal abortions? Good to know that if you happen to be a fly or a fetus in this country, there's an advocacy group just for you.
But who's looking out for the rest of us? And I don't "just" mean the homeless, the disenfranchised, the poor, the elderly, the mentally ill, the uninsured children. I mean us, AMERICAN CITIZENS. It's time to claim that huge area in between the fringe!
- AUTHOR
Save the trees, save those fleas. I don't mind PETA trying to protect animals, but getting media attention through dumb issues doesn't help the liberal cause. Leave it to Republicans to raise non-issues .
As always, thanks for the comment Mr. Watkins
Great Hub! It is ridiculous to defend flies. I mean, flies are incredibly nasty creatures. Everywhere they land, on food, they throw up on it. Their feet are filthy. I suppose next up is the defense of the lowly cockroach—that's palmetto bug to us Floridians.
- AUTHOR
lol, I am glad you didn't elaborate. Tommy Lee gets too much media attention as it is.
Thanks for reading
PETA: I have four pounds of chili, five pounds of chicken, one pound of fish, three pounds of steak, two-and-a-half pounds of pork, half of a half-gallon of milk, four ounces of sour cream, twenty-two eggs, one green bell pepper, and eight green onions in the fridge. In my closet, I have four leather coats. In case you haven't noticed from the example of your vapid spokesmodel Pamela Anderson, animal protein is essential to human brain development. Oh wait, she does get some, from what I hear.......
- AUTHOR
Thanks for the comment
Obama destroyed my listening device. >:(
The whole PETA thing seems ridiculous to me. They claim to care about all animals, yet they're constantly picking the wrong battles. They'll attack the president over a fly swatting, but when thousands of Maine lobsters are boiled alive for our dinners, I never hear a murmur. And yeah, they don't care about plants, just animals. I think it has less to do with a desire to preserve life, and more to do with giving people an unnecessary guilt trip.
I'm all in favor of treating animals fairly, but at the very least can we keep it within the phylum Cordata? I'm not about to start shedding tears over disease-carrying insects or parasitic worms. Those simple life forms outnumber us 20 times over; we can stand to kill a couple. And don't shed a tear for causing them 'pain' either. Their nervous systems are barely advanced enough to experience it.
- AUTHOR
Funny.
Thanks for reading
bgpapa,
so you do agree that one day animals are gonna take over our world (thanks to PETA)?
But it can go both ways you know; either they will take over the world ... or animals'd be tried for even the minor-est of felonies! *wonders if the melon cat will be an offense to anyone*
- AUTHOR
A bit far but I get your point and it is valid. How far does this go?
Thanks for reading and the comment.
If we don't kill animals to eat , they will start growing in number and you never know ; they might take over the world - alright, that was way too paranoid but that's how the 'food chain's' suppose to work ... we being at the top and eating stuff that we like.
And you never know, this PETA Paranoid guys may go more paranoid and next thing you know they'd be caging animals for eating smaller animals - or plants for that matter! Imagine a cat being paroled for eating a mouse! *shrieks*
- AUTHOR
You guys are great. Great comments.
While PETA is on the fringe, they are considered a liberal group, at least to Hannity and Beck. And yes, I am a liberal attacking another because they are feeding the Republican Spin Machine. It comes off as weak and unattached. When people are hurting as they are today, let Obama do what he needs to do and stop the nonsense.
Love the comments. As usual, better than the original post.
When did they move flies from the insect list and declare it an animal? I must have stayed home from school that day.
On another note, I have studied catching flies in mid-air in the context of east coast flies vs. midwestern flies, and I have found it is much easier to "grab" a fly out of mid-air in the east than it is in the Midwest. This is true. I don't know if the flies in the east are more sluggish due to living conditions and air pollution or what, but I could catch flies nearly every try, while in the Midwest I was lucky if I could get one. The point is, Obama is no "ninja" fly catcher until he does it in the Midwest, where the flies are faster.
I don't think of PETA as liberal. They are a fringe (as in lunatic fringe) group. Their special interest is animal rights. To me, to be a liberal is to be concerned about the rights of people. Given that, to label PETA liberal is to smear the term liberal. They're kinda like the animal version of the ACLU...
But here's what I wonder: What is PETA's stance when a horse or, God forbid, one of their precious elephants swats at a fly? Hmmmm. I bet Pamela Anderson can answer that one!
Hey guys for all we know that fly could have been a spy , or a terrorist ! Don,t these people at PETA factor this Into the equation ?
I love it, liberals attacking liberals. What a show! I am just sitting back and watching. It is better than TV. And all over a lousy fly! LOL
Keep on Hubbing!
- AUTHOR
Thanks for the message thinking.
I have nothing against their cause, noble and important. Just not as important as humans suffering they way they are today. And part of my complaint is against the media, who will show this debate, treat it as real, and show B roll of Baywatch. The leadership at PETA needs to learn to pick their battles and understand that their tactics are hurting their cause, and the party that will help them if they don't get in the way.
That's exactly what my sweetie says--He says, Pam, you must be doing something right if you make somebody mad enough that all they can do is call you names!
Great minds think alike! :)
i think the entire petaleadership should be forced to hold their meetings and strategy sessions in a cage with lions and tigers and bears. OH MY. If they knew the fly was carrying some kind of disease, would they still be against swatting it away? Just another case of a few loudmouth lunatics taking a good idea and turning it into a fantasy island project. Peta, It's what"s for dinner.
- AUTHOR
pgrundy, I agree, political debate is dead. Its talking heads from here on end. But if they call you idiot, you are doing something right. I write political stuff on here sometimes, and for the most part the debates are good. But there are those that having nothing to say, so they call me names. Wear them as a badge of honor.
I try to welcome everyone. Vigorous debate is a good thing, right or left, democrat or republican. I am a liberal, imagine how many bad things have been said about me. O well, if I am making them mad I am doing something right. But liberal groups that take away from real issues are making me mad as well.
Tom and Pgrundy, thanks for the comment and thanks for reading.
Flys are people too! Cool hub bgpapa. :)
It almost makes you wonder if someone on the right or some news channel on either side doesn't put them up to it.
I'm so sick of the World Federation Wrestling match that passes for political discourse these days. The economy is in meltdown and all we get from the news is a nonstop clown show on both sides. Most issues are more complicated that liberal versus conservative or republicans versus democrats. Whenever I write anything political here at HP someone shows up and calls me names and tells me I'm an idiot, and it's so encouraging you know--like, oh thank you much, that helps a lot. It's all solved now. I'm an idiot. No wonder we're doomed. Thanks for writing about it.
- AUTHOR
Great points. And I agree that PETA could go after corporate farming. But my main point is that PETA and other liberal groups raise these non issues that make them look ridiculous. Then the media ties the whole democratic party to them. Just don't need this right now.
I saw that PETA thing on the news and couldn't believe it. At first I thought it was a parody because it was so stupid and 'out there' but apparently it's real.
What I never understand and no one ever responds to is why it's bad to kill and animal but killing a plant is fine. Aren't they both alive? I personally think everything eats everything, but if people dont' want to kill animals they don't have to. I mean, just don't kill 'em or eat 'em. But I don't think it's entirely rational. And I'll bet PETA members kill flies all the time.
I think a better case can be made against corporate farming methods, both meat and veggie, but that's just me. You're right--we have a few more serious problems right now than the slaughter of innocent flies by major politicians. What next? Posters of fly carcasses?
35