As I was walking to class the other day, I noticed an interesting flyer on one of many kiosks on campus. The flyer was from the eco-terrorist/animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The mere fact that this organization is promoting itself on campus infuriated me. Now, do not get me wrong, I am all for free speech in every possible form, however, knowing that there is a Columbus chapter of this organization, and that Ohio State students are probably very active in the group, made me question the intelligence of my university contemporaries. 

Listen up; PETA is quite possibly one of the most worthless and unknowledgeable activist groups in the country. Their mission is to establish and protect the rights of all animals. Their main principle is that animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for our entertainment. Sorry PETA, but I got a little problem with your mission, animals do not have rights nor should they. I am not advocating torturing animals here, but anytime the rights of an animal interfere with its use for humans, there is something illogical going on. Animals are here for our benefit and for our utility, plain and simple. If we gave animals all the rights that PETA thought they should have, we would more or less lose our position on top of the food chain, and be living like vegetarian, unclothed, cavemen.

The first principle of PETA is that animals are not ours to eat. Well, I am pretty sure they are. In the wild animals kill and eat other animals, it is a natural law of nature. What is so unnatural and wrong with humans eating a steak or pork chops? Last time I checked the cow, chicken and the pig are only around because we domesticated for food. However, PETA believes we are infringing upon the rights of the animals by eating them, but again their sole purpose for being alive is to be eaten. If we do not eat them there will be no more cow, chicken, and pig, these species will cease to exist, because there will be no point in having them in farms across America. I do not know about you, but I cannot remember the last time I saw wild chickens in the streets of Columbus.  

The second principle of PETA is that animals are not ours to wear. If we had always followed this principle, there would not have been clothes since, oh say the late 1700’s because of the invention of the cotton gin and then synthetic fabric. For thousands of years humans would have been walking around wearing nothing at all. No wool pants, no animal skin togas, nothing, everybody in their birthday suits. Granted I would be all for women walking around naked today, but it might get a tidbit nipply for them in the winter.

Perhaps the finest example of absurdity PETA tries to shove down our throats is that we do not have the right to test on animals. The president of PETA, Ingrid Newkirk, said even if animals tests provided a cure for AIDS, we would be against it. Yes we should not find cures for diseases because we might hurt animals.

Give me a break; animals need to be tested on, sometimes a live subject is just plain necessary. Is it not better to test on an animal then on a human being? According to PETA, no it is not; they would rather see 1000 dead cancer patients then a couple of dead monkeys.

Lastly, animals are not here for our entertainment. That means no more zoos, no circuses, no horseback riding, heck no pets at all. Again, where would the dog or the cat be without their use as pets? Out in the wild? Eaten by a predator? If we follow PETA?s agenda though it is better for your pet cat Mittens to be killed by a pack of wolves than have its rights trampled on by being forced to live in a house. 

Okay Alex, I see how PETA may have some poorly thought out views but they are no terrorists. Sorry reader, but think again. PETA has made countless financial donations to groups on the FBI?s domestic terrorists list. PETA has published a pamphlet that offers advice on how to burn down a laboratory building. Also, a high-ranking PETA member, Bruce Friedrich, has publicly said blowing up stuff and smashing windows is a great way to bring about animal liberation. Are these the views and actions of a harmless activist and awareness group, or are these the views of a dangerous and irrational terrorist sect, that will use any and all means to achieve their goals.

Alex Stechschulte is a junior in sociology and criminology. Hate mail can be sent to [email protected].