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PETA2 Daily Blog

Do You Practice Your ABCs? November 30, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

Growing up, I was used to seeing tons of cats wandering the streets all the time and dogs running loose in my neighborhood—and sadly, I never really thought a whole lot about it. These animals were in dire need of homes, and my heart always went out to them, but it just kind of struck me as the way things had to be. That's not true though. People just need to learn to practice their ABCs—Animal Birth Control.

Sixteen percent of the approximately 90 million cats with homes in the U.S., and 30 percent of the approximately 73 million dogs with homes, remain unsterilized—and that's not even counting those homeless animals like I saw growing up! Think about it: Each time a cat or dog gets pregnant, they have many kittens and puppies—and how many people do you know that keep an entire litter? Hardly anybody at all. That adds up to lots and lots of animals that need homes.

There are already millions of animals in shelters that need good homes, and we need to do all we can not to contribute to that number. The fact that people breed animals for profit—when there are so many wonderful animals our there in need of a loving family to adopt them—absolutely breaks my heart. Every animal bred and born—on purpose or by accident—and every animal purchased from a breeder or pet store occupies a home that could have taken in a dog or cat dying for a home at an animal shelter.

What better way to spread the importance of practicing your ABCs then with some edgy new videos? Check 'em out below, and then send them to everyone you know!




Amazing, right? I can't get enough of them!

Please, please, practice your ABCs and encourage your friends and family to get their animals spayed and neutered and never to buy an animal from a breeder. You really will be saving lives.

Marta


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Facebook, Anyone? November 29, 2007

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 15 ) | TrackBack

With Facebook more popular than ever, we wanted to get you all excited about promoting animal rights on this cool site. Don't worry, we still love MySpace as much as the next person, but we're all about sharing the love as far and wide as possible! Since there are new fan pages and whatnot, the time is now to keep animal rights issues front and center of all your friends' News Feeds!

So here's what we'd love you to do:

1) Log in to Facebook and then add our peta2 fan page!

2) Post a comment on our page's wall about how much you love being vegetarian, hate KFC and its cruel ways, or talk about your favorite peta2 celebrity or band. Whatever floats your boat.

3) Once you're all set with that, there's one more really great way to raise awareness and that is through the power of videos! You can check out videos to download from peta2 TV and then go here to upload them. Whether it's your favorite band interview or the Meet Your Meat footage, the more people who watch the footage, the better. So get to typing and downloading and all that other good stuff that you do on Facebook.

And of course you'll get something out of it. Sign up for the Street Team and submit a report about how you love to use Facebook and we'll give you a bunch of points. Actually, you know what? I'm in a good mood and am feeling pretty giving considering it's the holiday season. I have some copies of the DVD Something To Stand For featuring Emery, Strike Anywhere, Lifetime, Anti-Flag, Darkest Hour, and more which I would like to send to clear off my desk! How about I send a free copy to the first ten people who report that they do this Facebook mission? I'll keep the offer open until December 31 and will notify winners by January 1 (although I guarantee the DVDs will be gone within a matter of days)!

So get to it, you crazy kids.

-Pulin

PS - Our lawyers want you to know that by entering to win a copy of the DVD, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy and you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.


Posted by Pulin Pulin

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Who Is Princess Superstar And Why Is She Naked? November 28, 2007

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

So Princess Superstar isn't a punk rock, emo, or metal artist. But she's a talented electro artist, compassionate individual, and frankly I think she's pretty hot. When she expressed some interest in working with peta2 and our international affiliates, I jumped at the chance. And when we came out with this provocative ad featuring Princess Superstar (on a pleather couch and faux fur rug), I knew it would definitely turn some heads!


Here's a quick interview we did with Princess Superstar, too! What do you think? I think she's gonna be one of my favorite new musicians!

peta2- How long have you been vegan?
Princess Supertar- I've been vegetarian for 4 years, but vegan for about 4 months!

peta2- Why? Was there something specific that made you take this step?
Princess Superstar- I recently got certified as a Jivamukti yoga teacher—and it was impressed upon me how horrible the factory farming system is and how it is our duty to be kind and compassionate to all beings—humans AND animals. Also, factory farming is pretty much the number one contributor to global warming, so we all should consider how important our actions are to saving this planet.

peta2- What are your favorite foods?
Princess Superstar- Blueberries, almonds, coconut water, sauteed spinach, and soy cheese pizza from Viva Herbal Pizzaria in NYC.

peta2- Do you find it hard to find non-leather apparel?
Princess Superstar- No, I live around the corner from "Moo Shoes" and am pretty spoiled here in the East Village with all the vegan friendly shops.

peta2- Who are your favorite musicians?
Princess Superstar- David Bowie, Missy Elliot, The Beatles, Vitalic, The Clash, Can, Stevie Wonder, Tomboy, Justice, Outkast, The Cure, Salt N Pepa

peta2- Does being a strong ("explicit") woman in the music biz make you an "outcast" already? I suppose becoming vegan didn't make this much better...
Princess Superstar- I've always done whatever I've wanted to do. Actually I don't really have a choice. I follow my heart even if I am considered strange. It makes me happy and I think people should step out of their comfort zone and be brave in this life

peta2- What inspires you? Musically, ethically...
Princess Superstar- All the music I mentioned before inspires me. Ethically I am inspired by Gandhi, Patanjali, Albert Einstein, Julia Butterfly, Sharon Gannon and David Life- and then all the members of PETA of course!

peta2- What are the next steps in your carreer?
Princess Superstar- I am working on a new album, and I am very excited about it—it's all very hush hush though at this point!

peta2- Do you have a message to the peta2 audience?
Princess Superstar- Total respect to all people who have an interest in animal rights—it has always been the duty of the strong to speak for those who don't have a voice!

See, isn't Princess Superstar so cool? Like I said, she's talented, compassionate, and attractive. I like the quirky ad, too. It's fun, and I'm all about having fun while doing some activism!


-Pulin


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Chicken Fat on the Highway? November 27, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

How sick is this:

According to The Virginian Pilot, "A Perdue truck spilled chicken fat along a 20-mile stretch of U.S. 13 this morning causing several crashes and a big, smelly mess."

Just imagining what a stench like that must be like makes me want to gag.

Apparently the driver didn't properly secure his load and leaked on the highway for 20 miles. The article states:

"One car hit a utility pole and the driver had to be taken to a hospital, Bunting said. At least three other vehicles crashed, but no one involved suffered life-threatening injuries. Other drivers probably skidded or went spinning on the slippery fat, then went on their way, he added."

So basically now not only is the chicken industry bad for chickens, bad for the environment, and bad for your health, it can be dangerous to your morning commute.

Ugh. I just had vegan chicken salad for lunch and am so much more glad it wasn’t the real thing, or I think my co-workers would have had to deal with some real gags from me.

Who is as happy as I am that they don't eat chickens?

Marta


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Taste of Chaos and Silverstein UK Tours November 27, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

Here's a special guest blog from Martin with peta2 UK!

I'm out on the road at the moment and I thought I would drop by and let you guys know how it's going tabling against Burberry. We are getting a great response at all the shows and I would like to say hi to all the people I have met over the past few days and a big thank you to all the Street Teamers who have helped me so far.




I got to try vegan haggis, neeps and tatties (to all you non-Scottish people, that's haggis, turnips and potatoes) in Glasgow and I have to say that I am completely sold on it. Yeah I know it sounds nasty, but if you ever get the chance, make sure you try it.


If any of you are out for any of the coming UK Silverstein dates make sure you pop by the stall and say hey.

Peace

Martin

PS - Oh one more thing: Make sure you check out this mission—The Anti-KFC Bulletin Bonanza.


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R.I.P. Casey Calvert - Our Friend and Friend to Animals November 26, 2007

Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 32 ) | TrackBack

As many of you have probably already heard, our good friend Casey Calvert of Hawthorne Heights passed away over the weekend. He will be missed by all...

Casey.JPG

I have been on many tours with Casey over the last couple of years. Casey was one of the nicest people I have met in all my years on the road. I used to give him a hard time about leaving a venue before he needed to be on stage to go watch 'A Nightmare before Christmas' or some other similar type movie. He was always so nice to everyone he met, and willing to take the time to say hello to his fans. He also cared about animals and was always willing to be a voice for them. I really do not know what to say, but Casey will be deeply missed. My heart goes out to his family and band mates. -Jason Bayless

I met Casey on Warped Tour this past summer. Although he generally steered clear of the spotlight, he was always willing work with peta2 to be a voice for animals. Every encounter I had with Casey, he would always tell me that he was willing to do whatever for the animals, and to let him know about any upcoming projects with peta2. He will truly be missed. -Lara Sanders

If I would have randomly met Casey on the street, I would have had no idea that he was a professional rock star. He was so shy and sweet. I remember one time running into him at the local mall when Hawthorne Heights was in town. He was all by himself, and we asked him what he was up to. He said that he had just finished playing, and he had dashed out right away to make it in time to see the brand new Harry Potter movie- and to this day, I don't think I have ever seen anyone more excited to watch a Harry Potter film. Casey was a sweetheart and will be remembered forever. -Mylie Thompson

Casey was always interested in updates to peta2 campaigns over the years, tried to make it a point to stop by our booth at festivals and tours just to say hello, and was one of the most consistent supporters of all that we do to help animals. He's inspired many Street Teamers to get more active for animals and has helped to educate thousands of music fans about cruelty to animals for campaigns such as the one we have against KFC. -Pulin Modi

I remember Casey coming to our table at Warped Tour signing the petition, asking about the shirts, and looking at the stickers and leaflets. He actually stopped by the table a couple of times during Hawthorne Heights' time on Warped Tour and said hello and what not. Really one of the nicest band members that I have spoken with. -Cody Ammerman

At Bamboozle, I gave Casey a vegan chocolate chip cookie bar made by the lovely people at Trustkill Records. Casey got the biggest grin on his face I've ever seen. It was absolutely adorable! -Nicole Nuss

Casey would email me out of the blue with all these ideas about things that he could do with us to help animals. He was always thinking about new ways that he could get involved to help animals. -Dan Shannon

Casey was one of the sweetest people I've ever worked with at peta2- so down to earth and friendly. He was a true friend of the animals, and will be missed by many. -Violet Owens


Do you have a memory of Casey you'd like to share? Or maybe you'd like to express your condolences to his family and friends? Please do so by commenting below

We'll miss you, Casey.

-Lara


Posted by Lara Lara

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Meet Darla the Turkey November 21, 2007

Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 12 ) | TrackBack

In the summer of 2002, I worked at a farmed animal sanctuary near my hometown in Western Pennsylvania. My day consisted of feeding the animals in the morning, and working on a larger project in the afternoon such as painting the barn a new coat of red, or mending a broken fence.

During my lunch break, one of my own decided duties was to hang out with the rescued turkeys. There was one turkey in particular with whom I took a special liking to. Her name was Darla. Darla had come to the sanctuary after falling off a truck bound for the slaughterhouse. She was quite the lucky turkey indeed.turkey.jpg

Darla loved to bask in the sun, search for bugs, investigate what the rabbits were doing in the next enclosure, and eat her favorite treat—grapes. She also loved to be pet. Every time I stroked under her beak, she would fall asleep—sometimes even standing up!

Throughout the summer, I noticed Darla starting to change. She would wheeze when she breathed, and would spend more of her days lying down in the barn.

Darla got worse as the weeks wore on. She was becoming crippled under the weight of her genetically manipulated and drugged body. She was not intended to have lived beyond her date with the slaughterhouse. Her legs were giving out, and her lungs were being crushed by her ever-growing body.

One morning, I came into work and heard that Darla had to be euthanized the night before. I wasn't surprised at the news, because I saw the amount of pain that she was in, and knew her time had come. I was still sad though, and remember her especially during this time of year.

Even if you haven't had the great opportunity to be-friend a turkey, it is clear that they are smart, gentle, and feeling beings that deserve not to be used as a holiday dinner!

So for Darla and all turkeys, go cold turkey this Thanksgiving, and opt for some Tofurky instead!

xoxo-Lara


Posted by Lara Lara

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Rob Zombie's Holiday Recording and Giveaway November 21, 2007

Posted by Patricia | Permalink | Comments ( 17 ) | TrackBack
umusic/Creative Commons
Rob_Zombie.jpg
Rob Zombie's a cool dude. I've always been into his music, and being the horror-movie fanatic that I am, I dig his films, too. Although I have to say horror movies never scare me, not even a little, and not even when I watch them alone in the middle of the night. With the exception of the original Halloween, which still gets me, and I'm sure it's that damn music.

So when I found out Zombie was doing a remake of Halloween I was thrilled. But I was even more excited when he agreed to speak up for turkeys and record peta2's Thanksgiving hotline message.

Zombie actually stopped eating meat when in high school after seeing a documentary about slaughterhouses. "It freaked me out, and I found it so disgusting that I stopped eating meat," he says.

People stop eating animals for various reasons, and like Mr. Zombie, it was animal footage that got to me. I had already stopped eating pigs and cows, then saw footage of chickens being raised for food and I immediately went vegan because I was just horrified by what I was seeing.

What was it that made you go veg or get involved in animal rights? Leave me a comment below by November 26 and one of you will win a shirt signed by the master of the macabre himself. If you're the winner, we'll notify you by November 30.

xox

Patricia

P.S. Just so you know...by commenting here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.

P.P.S. Also by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.
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Metal, Pirates, and Ringling! November 21, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

We have been on tour with The Agonist and let me tell you, if you like metal and haven't seen these guys (and gal) play live, you really need to check them out. The black-hearted singer, Alissa, is not only vegan, she speaks out for animals every chance she can get. She asked peta2 to come out on tour with her to get people to sign our petition to help improve the conditions for chickens in slaughterhouses.


The Agonist's video "Business Suits and Combat Boots" has also been nominated for the best music video of 2007 on Head Bangers Ball. Make sure you help them out and vote for them.

While on tour we stopped by Chicago and met up with Jason and Loyd who have been following Ringling Bros. Circus, letting people know how they beat their animals to make them perform stupid tricks.


Most of you don't know this, but I'm pretty much obsessed with pirates and while in Portland, OR, we came across the best place I've ever seen by far.


Pirate's Tavern is an all-vegan pirate tavern. They have everything from fake fish sandwiches to vegan chili cheese fries.




So, make sure you check out The Agonist and if you can, please come out to a show and say Ahoy!

-Paul


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Help Animals By Shopping! November 20, 2007

Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

Black Friday (a.k.a. the busiest shopping day of the year) is fast approaching. If you are like me and get shivers just thinking about going into a mall during the holiday season, then you are in luck!

This year, peta2 is making it easy for you to give the perfect gift from the safety of your home (away from the crowds, lines, and screaming children)! What is the perfect gift you say? The gift that helps animals of course!

Give a special gift to peta2 in the name of the person of your choice, to help peta2 get more oh-so-cute stickers into more people's hands! When you buy this gift, you get a peta2 holiday card (pictured below) to present to the lucky giftee, along with a peta2 sticker sheet to show them what their gift really is.



Even though it is fun to give, we also know that sometimes it is just fun to get too! So ask your family and friends to give a gift in you honor too!

There are several gifts to choose from including:

The "Go Vegetarian Gift", the "Peace for Animals Gift", the "Happy Dog or Happy Cat Gift", and the "Fur-Free Gift".



Happy shopping!

xoxo-Lara



Posted by Lara Lara

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Silverstein's UK Visit! November 20, 2007

Posted by Nicole | Permalink | Comments ( 31 ) | TrackBack

For all you crazy Brits out there, I have some exciting, exciting news! Now is the time to throw on your winter coat and break out the dancin' shoes because 21st November marks the start of Silverstein's 13 date UK tour. Check it out because the guys are coming to a town near you!

21st Nov 2007 - Portsmouth, U.K. @ Wedgewood Rooms
22nd Nov 2007 - Oxford, U.K. @ Carling Academy
23rd Nov 2007 - Yeovil, U.K. @ The Orange Box
24th Nov 2007 - London, U.K. @ Islington Academy
26th Nov 2007 - Manchester, U.K. @ Academy 3
27th Nov 2007 - Wrexham, U.K. @ Central Station
28th Nov 2007 - Glasgow, U.K. @ King Tuts
29th Nov 2007 - Sheffield, U.K. @ Leadmill
1st Dec 2007 - Leeds, U.K. @ Cockpit
3rd Dec 2007 - Stoke, U.K. @ Sugarmill
4th Dec 2007 - Leicester, U.K. @ Charlotte
5th Dec 2007 - Birmingham, U.K. @ Academy 2
6th Dec 2007 - Nottingham, U.K. @ Rock City

In celebration of Silverstein returning to UK shores, our dear friends at Victory Records have donated three Silverstein goodie bags for you guys to win. Inside these wonderful little bags of goodness, you'll find a Silverstein t-shirt, a signed copy of their latest album, Arrivals & Departures, and an etched 7-inch of the single 'If You Could See Into My Soul.' Just leave a comment below for a chance to win. The contest ends December 4th, and the three winners will be notified by December 10th.

And just so you know, by commenting below, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.

Also by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

Oh and I have one last, very important thing to mention. Martin will be out on the last half of the tour, so if you're heading out to any of those shows, make sure you stop by and say hi!

Hope all is lovely.
nicole



Posted by Nicole Nicole

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Who Watched "I Am an Animal" Last Night? November 20, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 9 ) | TrackBack

I certainly did! I'd been looking forward to watching HBO's I Am an Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA since I first saw cameras around the office back when I was interning. Lara had a viewing party at her apartment, so a bunch of us got together with snacks and drinks in hand to tune in. You can imagine that there were certainly a lot of "Hey, there's Jason!" types of comments floating around.

Anyway, the documentary did not disappoint. Anyone who watched was able to catch a glimpse of what it's like to be Ingrid and what she goes through on a daily basis. I don't want to give anything away for those of you who haven't seen it yet, but the movie definitely gave me an extra dose of inspiration—I hope it caused those of you who saw it to feel the same way. We've already heard from many of you, and the resounding response is that your respect has only increased for Ingrid and PETA, and we're really happy to hear that!

One of the parts of the film I found to be really heart-wrenching was our undercover investigation into a Butterball Turkey Plant. I'd seen the investigation footage before, but it's always horrifying to watch and hear about what's happening to these animals. Not only that, I could never imagine having the courage and strength it takes to be an undercover investigator. People who conduct our undercover investigations have to mask any empathy they have for animals in order to get footage to show people what is really happening to animals. In honor of the 50,000 birds killed daily at the turkey plant investigated and the brave folks who went undercover to expose the cruelty, please watch our Butterball investigation and pass it along to your family and friends before Thanksgiving.


If you watched the documentary, what did you think of it? And if not, are you planning on checking it out? Hint: The correct answer is yes.

Marta


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Happy Birthday, Davey Havok, You Sexy Vegan, You November 20, 2007

Posted by Patricia | Permalink | Comments ( 14 ) | TrackBack
Evan Agostini,Getty Images/Creative Commons
Davey_Havok_2.jpg
Today is a very important day in history. In case you didn't know, 32 years ago today Davey Havok, Mr. World's Sexiest Vegetarian for 2007, graced the world with his presence. If you ask me, he's the sexiest vegetarian in the universe every year, no contest.

Those big brown eyes, his cool sense of style, all that ink, the makeup—I blame Duran Duran for my undying attraction to boys in makeup, especially eyeliner. Roxy Music and Bowie started it really...oh, those UK boys...

And on this auspicious occasion I'd like to extend very warm birthday wishes to you, Davey, in case you're reading the peta2 blog. If I could I'd sing a very sexy, breathy Marilyn Monroe-esque version of "Happy Birthday" to you but alas, you'll have to settle for this blog since I don't have your number.

Of course you could always call me so I could sing it to you but that would be kind of sad really, you having to call me so I could sing "Happy Birthday" to you...I would though.

xox

Patricia
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KFC Is Not Going To Like This At All November 19, 2007

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 5 ) | TrackBack

Check it out! This is awesome! We just unveiled our brand-new headquarters for the international Kentucky Fried Cruelty campaign on Saturday in Louisville—directly across the street from a noted KFC flagship or "vision" store. For those of you who don't know, KFC is actually based in Louisville, Kentucky, and our Senior Campaigner, Lindsay moved there to take the campaign to the corporation's doorstep!


Photo by PJ Chmiel


Photo by PJ Chmiel

Attendees at the grand opening of our new office received free samples of delicious faux fried chicken served by bikini-clad beauties who also lead a protest at the KFC across the street afterward. The 78-square-foot storefront window of the new headquarters features a graphic banner decrying KFC's abuses as well as an around-the-clock loop of factory-farming and slaughterhouse video footage taken inside KFC's suppliers. Also on display will be samples of the many celebrity letters and advertisements in support of PETA's campaign and photos of protests against KFC's abusive farming and slaughter practices from around the world.


Photo by PJ Chmiel

I love this quote from Lindsay. "They say, 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.' KFC's blatant disregard for animal welfare is a stain on Louisville's reputation, and there's no better place to try to change that than in KFC's own back yard."

Make sure you join the peta2 Street Team for updates on how you can help with this exciting campaign and many others around the world!

-Pulin


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New peta2 Stickers! November 19, 2007

Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 20 ) | TrackBack

Yay! We finally got some new peta2 bumper stickers! As soon as they came in, I immediately put one on my car. I think it makes my VW Bug look even cuter (if that is even possible). What do you think?

peta2_rainbow_car.jpg

My co-worker Dan also shared the same sticker excitement...

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So I know it is a tough decision, but which one do you like better?

peta2_rainbow_sticker.jpg

Or

peta2.com_sticker.jpg

Let me know by commenting below!

xoxo-Lara

P.S. Order your very own stickers here!

P.P.S. Make sure you watch PETA on HBO tonight!


Posted by Lara Lara

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Ruff Ryders: Not So Tuff November 16, 2007

Posted by Cassandra | Permalink | Comments ( 12 ) | TrackBack

OK, y'all it's time for a little game I like to call "Get the Picture."

This is DMX:

muthafucka.JPG
Photo Credit: rafe baron/Creative Commons

He's the Ruff Ryder who's been under investigation since police raided his house and reportedly found 12 starving and severely neglected pit bulls, along with the bodies of 3 others who allegedly had injuries consistent with dogfighting. He portrays himself as a tough guy and raps lyrics like these:

"Place your bets
You can imagine what the bloodline is like
Since I love mine to fight...
All my pups is crazy, cause off the leash
They can eat, stand a match for 3 hours at least"

Typically, dogfighters "toughen up" pit bulls by beating them, taunting them, and leaving them outside in extreme heat and cold, alone at the end of a heavy chain. This abuse begins when they are just puppies, like this little guy:

pit%20bull%20puppy_MS.jpg
Photo Credit: sparktography/Creative Commons

Now, rather than avoid the appearance of being ruthlessly cruel to little animals, the rest of the Ruff Ryder crew has made the brilliant move to release a line of fugly-ass fur coats. This means they're charging suckers a couple grand to sport the skins of animals like these:

fox.jpg
Photo Credit: oboole/Creative Commons

Chinchilla.jpg
Photo Credit: Ph!L!s/Creative Commons

rabbit_MS.jpg
Photo Credit: Madeline/Creative Commons

Seriously, as if fake beef for marketing purposes wasn't wimpy enough, now rappers gotta get mixed up with fur farmers to confine tiny critters in crusty cages and then skin them alive so that they can pimp coats that make people look like a Sasquatch with shaved legs.

Barbie%20Fur.jpg
Photo Credit: Aaron Edwards/Creative Commons

Get the picture?

fuck%20fur%20copy%202.jpg
Photo Credit: jrive

Be a real badass and stand up for something. Pledge to be fur free and don't grow old disgracefully like fake gangsters and fur hags.

old%20fur%20hags.JPG
Photo Credit: benidormone/Creative Commons


Peace!
Cassandra


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Vegan Turkey Winners! November 16, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

Last week, I told you about our Garden Protein Vegan Turkey Essay Contest. We asked people to enter by writing an essay, letting their friends and family know why they won't be eating turkeys for Thanksgiving. We managed to narrow things down to five lucky winners, and as I'm typing this, some vegan turkey is making its way to each and every one of them. Want to know why they won? Check out what they had to say for yourself:

Tess Derusha, 15
Gainesville, GA

This Thanksgiving, I will be keeping turkey off my plate. It took me a long time to decide what I would say, I thought I'd go in detail about how they die but now understand it doesn't really matter how the turkeys are killed because no matter which way they're killed, they're always going to end up on someone's plate. Why is it that every time we think of Thanksgiving we think of turkey? Since when is Thanksgiving only about food? Isn't it about being thankful for what we have? Maybe for once the turkeys would like to feel thankful for what they have too, because in the sheds that they live in, they have nothing: No family, no love, no real home, no peace—they live in fear until they are killed. Once they die, they end up on someone's plate. We look at our pets and we feel thankful for them; they feel thankful for us. You would never eat your pet for Thanksgiving, so why eat a turkey? They are just like your pet; they feel emotions too. When you have a baby you're thankful for that, you love the baby, but the mother turkeys don't even get to see their babies. The turkeys grow up with no family whatsoever. You wouldn't eat a helpless baby, so why eat someone else's baby? This year if you really want to feel thankful, leave meat off your plate and out of your house, because if everyone could see how much animals are like us they wouldn't eat them...This Thanksgiving make the turkeys thankful—get fake meat instead. Thank you, from me and the turkeys.

Tara Jeffries, 21
Greensboro, NC

I choose not to consume animal products because I do not believe in taking something that does not belong to me. Because animals do not have the ability to communicate their consent to us, as humans, it is wrong of us to use their bodies or their eggs or their milk or their fur or anything else for our own use. Around Thanksgiving especially, hundreds of thousands of turkeys are slaughtered. They've lived a miserable life in cages that may or may not even allow them to turn around in a complete circle. Their muscles haven't developed, their morale is lower than low, and they've never even seen the outside. Even free range turkeys are still killed off before they've been able to live a long and happy life. I would not kill and eat any of my human friends; I won't eat any of my animal friends either.

Anthony Lyons, 22
Lakewood, OH

I have now been vegetarian for 9 years, since I realized the sad but true process of producing meat. Not only is the process extremely cruel, it is also damaging to our bodies and our environment. And right now is a huge time to realize how much this is adversely affecting out planet. With this is mind I have decided to adhere more to a vegan diet. I have always preferred eating more dairy/egg free meals for the satisfaction and compassion of the animals that would need to produce my food. Me and my friends always make Tofurkys for the holidays and also encourage others to join. Holidays are a big time to show others that you care for our future on this planet as well as the animals that might have died for your meal. When your friends and family see that you have omitted the normal turkey fare from your plate for a much healthier, and caring meal it will have its impact. This year I plan on making a few Tofurkys as they are wonderful and everyone is always eager to taste!

Katie Mogul, 17
Toms River, NJ

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to give up meat. I would try to "sacrifice" it for Lent, but my mom wouldn't allow it. This past summer, I decided that I was old enough to make my own choices, and I've been a vegetarian. Now, back in my meat-eating days, Thanksgiving used to be my favorite holiday. I figured it wouldn't be as attractive this year without being able to eat the main course. But as I researched, I discovered tons of yummy-looking alternatives. I am now in the process of designing my own menu. Hopefully, I'll also be able to show my family and friends that there are different ways to enjoy this dinner without eating meat. I hope to inspire the people at dinner. My parents always try to find a problem with my vegetarianism, but maybe they'll see how mature I can be (when it comes to eating) and the issue will be taken more seriously in my family. I know I'll be more comfortable knowing that nothing I consume on Thanksgiving will be tainted with dead animal meat. That's something to be thankful for.

Suzanne Waggoner, 16
Tomah, WI

Thanksgiving is known to me as a day of mass murder because of the way the turkeys and other birds are treated. It is nothing more than a way for corporations to make money. They don't care about how these innocent creatures are treated. They are only concerned about what kind of profit they will make from their deaths. At this time of year, turkeys are loaded with extra amounts of growth hormones because heavier turkeys will rake in larger amounts of money than a normal sized turkey would. These animals suffer from infection, broken legs, and other painful injuries. As Marilyn Manson states in "The Fight Song," "The death of one is a tragedy, the death of a million is just a statistic." These words apply to the animals that are killed each year for Thanksgiving and other holidays. When just a single, innocent animal is killed, people feel sorry for that one animal, but when millions are killed in genocide, it will only become a mere statistic in the growing rate of sales that holiday season. Because there are too many deaths to count, people don't stop to think of the number that are killed and just continue to buy these so called "food" items. It's sickening to think that a lifeless being is lying on my plate. That blood, bones and muscle is what I would be consuming for a meal. I choose to eat cruelty-free on Thanksgiving not only for the health benefits, but out of respect for animals!

Wishing for some vegan turkey for yourself? You're in luck! Garden Protein Veggie Turkey Breasts are available at your local Whole Foods, and there's always the classic tummy-pleasing Tofurky, which you can find at pretty much every major grocery store across the country, so be sure to get yourself to the store to buy one soon!

And if you're looking for some Thanksgiving recipes, here are a few suggestions:

Creamy Chive Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes
Best-Ever Green Bean Bake
Roasted Garlic Gravy
Pumpkin Patch 'Cheesecake'

Thanksgiving is a time to be, well, thankful, and I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who help save animals by not eating them. You're an inspiration to all of us at peta2. I'm not gonna lie, sometimes it brings a tear to my eyes to see the difference you're all making in the way animals are treated. I love being able to help you all help animals. That's what I'll be thankful for on Thanksgiving. That and my full (animal-free) stomach, of course.

What will you be thankful for?

Marta


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Pamela Anderson Feeds the Homeless November 15, 2007

Posted by Patricia | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

Pamela Anderson has a heart as big as...Texas. (You thought I was going to say something else, didn't you?) Every time you turn around the blond bombshell is doing yet another good deed for animals. She's consistently reliable, our Pammy, and this time she's not only helping animals, she's helping people too.

Yesterday afternoon, Pam and some of her PETA pals served up an early Thanksgiving feast to homeless families at the Family Promise Soup Kitchen in Las Vegas. Can you imagine having Pamela Anderson serve you Thanksgiving dinner?! That must have been wild.

Pam, who actually went veg when she was a teenager, was inspired to host the vegetarian turkey dinner after watching footage from PETA's recent undercover investigation at a turkey slaughterhouse in North America.

"The holiday season can be especially hard for those who find themselves homeless," says Anderson. "And it's murder on turkeys. With so many healthy and delicious options nowadays, it's easy to have a holiday meal that gives even turkeys something to be thankful for."

The families were treated to an amazing faux turkey breast with wild rice and cranberry stuffing, which was generously donated by the fabulous folks at Garden Protein. We had them for Thanksgiving last year and they are sooo good. Yes, that's so with three o's because they're just that good. Head out to your local Whole Foods to snatch them up.

Check out some pix from yesterday's feast.

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Photos courtesy of: Mike Stotts/Las Vegas


xox

Patricia

P.S. What's your favorite vegetarian Thanksgiving dish? I'm going with Garden Protein's faux turkey and mashed potatoes.


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peta2 UK On the Road With Taste of Chaos November 15, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 16 ) | TrackBack

Here's a special guest blog from Martin with peta2 UK!

Well it's that time again where I pack my bags and get out there and spread the word of animal rights. This time I am out on the Taste of Chaos tour. Yeah that's right—I get to see The Used, Rise Against and Aiden every night. I love getting out there on the road tabling and meeting all you guys and more importantly getting to talk to the people who I haven't met in the past. That for me is the buzz where you get to talk to a person who has never been exposed to the cruelty that is in their diet.

Check out the dates below and if you are coming out make sure you come to the peta2 stand and say hi.

19th November - Portsmouth, Guildhall
21st November - Birmingham Academy
22nd November - Newport Centre
23rd November - Newcastle Academy
24th November - Glasgow Academy
25th November - Leeds University
27th November - Manchester Apollo
28th November - London, Brixton Academy



See you there.

Martin


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Animal Rights Comics November 14, 2007

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

Our buddy Doug and his Pop Culture Shock Therapy comics have some good ones for you, and this time around they focus on KFC and it's all around callousness.


It's good to know that the artist is vegetarian and trying to get his stuff into college newspapers for students to see. I mean, how many of those played out comics mocking Hillary Clinton or George Bush can you really take before you decide it's time for something more witty and refreshing like what Pop Culture Shock Therapy is doing?

-Pulin


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bebe Stops Buying Fur but Keeps Selling It November 13, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 71 ) | TrackBack

We're happy to announce that after more than a year of education and negotiation with PETA (and e-mails from many of you), bebe has stopped buying fur! It's definitely a step in the right direction, since no more animals will be killed for their fur for bebe's clothing, but by continuing to sell items made of fur, bebe is sending its shoppers the message that it's okay to wear an animal's fur. Rabbits killed for their fur sometimes have their necks broken or have their skulls smashed before being strung up by their legs to slit their throats. Gruesome, isn't it?

Clothing retailers J.Crew, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Wet Seal (who also happen to be some of bebe's top competitors) all pulled fur from their shelves upon pledging to go fur-free, but bebe is still selling fur.

Please don't shop at bebe this holiday season. Let's send the company a message that while it's great that they've pledged to go fur-free, we will only spend our hard-earned dollars at companies that are completely fur-free.

Itchin' to help more animals killed for their fur? Write the CEO of Burberry, Angela Ahrendts, urging her to remove fur from Burberry's collections permanently.

Oh, and if you haven't yet, be sure to order your "I'm an asshole; I wear fur stickers." 'Nuff said.

Thanks so much for sticking up for those without a voice—we appreciate it a lot, but the animals appreciate it even more.

Marta


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A Tale Of Two Vegans November 12, 2007

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

Marta and I went to Philadelphia for a journalism conference and met so many amazing middle school and high school students!

Do you write for your school newspaper? It would be absolutely positively freakin' brilliant if you can get some stories in there about animal rights issues. Seriously, I'll even give you a free t-shirt if you do before the end of this year. Let me know if you need help. Drop us an email to peta2@peta2.com.

Here is a photo of Marta (holding a limited edition KFC "Bucket of Blood") sandwiched in between Michigan based Street Teamers Ashley (holding an anti-fur leaflet) and Nichole (holding an anti-dissection leaflet). We're thrilled to have met them. If you ever see a peta2 staffer at a show, conference, protests, or walking down the street please say hello.

But of course, no trip is complete without amazing vegan food.

For instance, here is Marta eating a vegan Philly cheese steak.

And here's my vegan chicken cheese steak.

Which do you think looks better? Yea, I couldn't decide either, so I had both! Ha!


-Pulin


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I Shed No Tears November 9, 2007

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 8 ) | TrackBack

I've protested against the KFC's cruel ways for years. I've gotten thousands of people and bands to sign the petition, too. You know, I've even walked into dozens of KFC restaurants to speak with managers about the company's all around lack of compassion for birds who suffer from broken wings, deformed limbs, and sometimes even being scalded alive. It's definitely a lot of work, but I know animals have been saved from a lifetime of misery as a result.

And since many of you have also taken up the fight to get KFC to be kinder to animals, I thought you'd giggle at these photos. One might see this as foreshadowing of what may come if the company does not change its ways! As the Boycott KFC campaign continues to grow, it's only a matter of time before this shady ass company either listens to consumer pressure or closes up shop.

Geez, what I wouldn't give to have been working de-construction that day. Haha!

-Pulin

P.S.- Did you read the story about how eating dog and cat food could be healthier than eating that nasty KFC stuff? Seriously, check the story out here.


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Win Delicious Veggie Turkey for Thanksgiving! November 8, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

By now I'm sure you've learned that those of us here at peta2 love the following things:

-Helping animals
-Helping others to help animals
-Giving away free stuff
-Anything related to vegan food

And when we can do everything in one easy step, well that just makes us unbelievably happy. Thanksgiving is just two short weeks away, and we're giving you the chance to win some delicious veggie turkey breasts to share with your family. All you have to do is fill out this form letting your friends and family members know why you're choosing to leave the bird corpse off your plate this Thanksgiving. What better way to help animals than not eat them? There will be five lucky winners, and the deadline to enter is this Sunday, November 11, so get to it!


Now that Thanksgiving is on your brain, I want to share a tasty treat I stumbled across on the peta2 message boards around Thanksgiving last year that I made for my roommates. Everyone loved them, so give 'em a try!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

15 oz. cooked pumpkin (I used canned)
1/3 cup apple sauce
1 cup brown sugar
2 1/4 cups flour
4 TBL baking powder
2 tsp water
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup vegan chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375. Mix everything, then scoop onto greased cookie sheet (I used vegetable oil) and bake for 13-15 minutes.


And who else is stoked to eat TONS of mashed potatoes and vegan gravy on Thanksgiving? It's not just me, right?!

Marta


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Natalie Portman - Leather-free Beauty November 7, 2007

Posted by Patricia | Permalink | Comments ( 18 ) | TrackBack

Natalie_Portman_2.jpgOh, that Natalie Portman. To say she's got a lot going for her is an understatement. She's smart, she's a talented actor, and a budding director now too. She's a muse for leading designers, donates her time to various charities, and oh, yeah, she's gorgeous. It definitely doesn't suck to be her.

I like to think that another reason she's so successful is her compassion for animals. She's never kept her love of animals or her vegetarianism a secret and I like that about her. I like that she talks about why she doesn't eat animals (and it's not because she's worried about her figure...as if she'd ever need to). I also like her sense of style—girl can dress. And she's always wearing the cutest shoes, which just so happen to be animal free!

Natalie recently told reporters that she has special outfits made for her to wear when filming because she won't wear leather. "I'm an animal lover and I've been a vegetarian for 17 years," says Portman. "I won't wear leather in my own life and I won't wear it for a movie either. They have to make me clothes from fake leather."

Brains, talent, compassion, and beauty all wrapped into one glorious little package. If I didn't love her so much I would have to hate her.

XOX

Patricia

P.S. What's your fave Natalie Portman flick? Let me know by posting a comment below.


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Win Vegan Twinkies, Cupcakes, Cookies, and More! November 6, 2007

Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 84 ) | TrackBack

Vegan_Twinkie.JPGA few weeks ago, I had a life changing moment—I happened upon an online vegan bakery that sells Twinkies. You heard me right...vegan Twinkies! Finding the veganized version of my favorite childhood treat is almost as great a discovery as Howard Carter finding King Tut's tomb (in my humble opinion).

The magical place that I found these creamed filled yellow cakes of vegan goodness is called Vegan Honey. Not only does Vegan Honey sell Fauxstess Twinkies, they also have Cinnamon Sticky Bombs, Cherry Cheese Danishes, Giant Peanut Butter Cups, and much more! Check out everything they have to offer here.

Here is what Vegan Honey owner, Kymberlie, has to say about her delicious creations:

"Raised on a small animal sanctuary, I became an animal activist and vegan at a super young age. I have always had a sweet tooth, and my cravings for yummy baked goods like Twinkies and Cinnabons was out of control! Finally, I took some flour, a bit of sugar and began to bake all the things I wanted to eat!"

So if you have a sweet tooth like me, I highly recommend that you take part in our contest to win a $40 gift certificate to Vegan Honey!

All you have to do for a chance to win is comment below naming your favorite vegan treat.

Simple right? The contest ends November 27th, and the winner will be chosen by November 30th.

xoxo-Lara

P.S. Just so you know...by commenting here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.

P.P.S. Also by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.


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Attention Treehuggers! November 6, 2007

Posted by Ryan | Permalink | Comments ( 5 ) | TrackBack

It's cool. There's no shame in being an environmentalist these days. In fact, this past weekend was the largest student environmentalist conference in history, called Power Shift! Of course, as Mother Earth will tell you, it doesn't make a lick of sense to be a meat-eater and claim to care about the planet, since the meat industry is the #1 cause of global warming.

That's why peta2 was there! To remind people that by eating meat, they might as well be driving a big yellow Hummer around town 3 times a day. And nobody likes Hummers.

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Of course, what kind of party would it be if our "I Am Not a Nugget" chick wasn't there?

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So all in all, it was a great time. Thousands of people learned why they should go veg, and I'm sure at least a couple planets were saved. Al Gore would be so proud.

-Ryan


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Russell Simmons Ain't Duckin' Around with Chicago November 5, 2007

Posted by Cassandra | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

Everybody knows Russell Simmons is forward-thinking. The vegan founder of Def Jam signed all the classic cats: Run DMC, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy (the list goes on). He knew they'd hit it big back when most people thought rapping had something to do with birthday presents. Now, the good-natured godfather of hip hop is using the power of the pen to school the Windy City on staying ahead of the game.

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Photo credit: Salon/Creative Commons.

See, last year the Chicago City Council banned foie gras - a nasty dip that's made by shoving sick amounts of grain down ducks throats with a pipe until they become painfully ill and their livers fail from being bloated and diseased. After killing the ducks, they take out the engorged liver, toss it in a blender, put it on a cracker, and charge rich people a shit-load of money to eat it. I know—it's just the meanest, stupidest, grossest thing ever. French nobility came up with this "delicacy" during the dark ages, and that's where it should have stayed.

Now that it's the 21st century, foie gras production is banned in 15 countries plus, the state of California. But Chicago did even better than that by banning the sale of the sadistic substance citywide. But just one year later, industry groups are fighting hard to get rid of the ban.

Russell, being the ever-mindful mogul, found out about it and sent the city council a letter saying foie gras is "wretched" and "abusive." He's disappointed in The Chi for thinking about backing down on a landmark move, and he's urging them not to give in to a handful of high-end restaurant owners and chefs who think they can do whatever they want.

Way to go Russell for keeping hip hop in the heart and the Chitown City Council in check!

You wanna force foie gras to flex? If you live in Chicago, holler at your alderman. If you live somewhere else, and run into foie gras at a restaurant or grocery store, holler at the manager.

Peace, y'all -
Cassandra

P.S. - For the rest of you humane hip hoppers, check out RapHappy.com and see if you can come up with compassionate lyrics like these:

I don't eat no meat, no dairy, no sweets
Only ripe vegetables, fresh fruit and whole wheat...

Life brings life, it's valuable, so I eat what comes
From the ground, it's natural
Let your food be your medicine
(From Dead Prez's "Be Healthy")

-or-

In the slaughterhouse full of germs and flies
Off with the head, they pack it, drain it, and cart it
And there it is, in your local supermarket
Red and bloody, a corpse, neatly packed
And you wonder about heart attacks?
(From KRS-One's "Beef")

-or-

Over a billion served
What they never deserved
So as they drove away they swerved into the curb
With their heads on the steering wheel
Kids blacked out in the back with a fucking Happy Meal
What a crappy deal...

The parking lot is now a burial plot
Where you can park and rot if you can find a spot
(From Mr. Lif's "The Fries")

-or-

Even if the meat wasn't genetically processed
It's all a bloody mess...

I'm a human being
Who doesn't kill to get his protein
(From LMNO's "No Eyes, No Mouth")


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Words from the Road, peta2 Style...part deux November 4, 2007

Posted by Nicole | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

More delicious dishes and complete pandemonium from Silverstein's "I Am Not A Nugget" tour is comin' your way! Silverstein and peta2's outreach staff are out and about informing anyone and everyone about the fact that chickens are not currently included in the Humane Slaughter Act. Because of this fact, pretty much anything can be done to chickens raised for food and no one's protecting them. We're encouraging people that are outraged by this to sign our petition that is asking the government to include chickens in the Act. This would offer the birds just a tad bit more protection than what they're currently getting. It's a step in the right direction and a little's better than nothin', ya know what I'm saying. Anyway, here's a break from the action. Take it away my dear and delightful, Cody...

Hello from the ever so beautiful Vermont! Folks, let me introduce you to some amazing food that we have been able to embark upon.

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First we celebrated Susan's day of getting old in Coopersburg, PA. What is that glowing in her face you ask? Well, what's glowing are a couple of incredible cakes from my favorite bakery called Vegan Treats! I'll let you decide which dessert looks better.

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On Halloween we got to "chill" in Rochester, NY, and eat trash! Not literally, but we did enjoy a plate named "the trash plate" at a place called Dogtown. The plate consisted of two veggie dogs, chili, and fries! Whoa doggie! I need to grow up...

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That night we showed the town that Halloween is every day for chickens and it's hell for them. Think about it, chickens have their throats slit and are sometimes scalded to death in feather removal tanks. That's on top of having to suffer with broken wings and legs. I haven't seen that in any horror film, have you?

Alright folks, time to cruise and we'll see ya'll at the Saints and Sinners Fest!

--Cody "The Hammer"



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Mary, Mary, Why So Hairy? November 2, 2007

Posted by Cassandra | Permalink | Comments ( 8 ) | TrackBack

Have you heard Mary J's new joint, "Just Fine?" Positive, uplifting, soulful. I was listening to it through my headphones at work today, shoulders jumpin', I couldn't wait to get my weekend on! But then I checked out the video and it broke my heart - fur everywhere!!! That coat at the beginning is so big and hairy, I thought she'd been attacked by a coyote. I'm sitting there going "No Mary, behind you! Look out!" Sadly though, it's the animals who need to look out for Mary.


Photo credit: Flickr/Creative Commons.

Here's what I don't get: As a former victim of abuse, a big part of Mary's message focuses on standing up for what's right. Why would she turn around and participate in the cruelest, most abusive industry on the planet? I'm surprised she hasn't made the connection that, whether the victim is a woman, a child, or a chinchilla, it's abusive to make someone suffer just because you're more powerful than they are. I think once she gets that, THEN she'll be "just fine." Until then, I'll save my cash til Erykah Badu's new jank drops November 9th. She's fur free AND vegetarian. Vote with your dollar, y'all!

If you want to be a compassionate fashionista, take the Fur Free Pledge, and let people know that nobody's gotta die just so you can look fly.

Peace, y'all-
Cassandra


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Hayden Panettiere, My Hero November 2, 2007

Posted by Patricia | Permalink | Comments ( 14 ) | TrackBack

Hayden.jpgYou may remember a few months back I told y'all about Hayden Panettiere's passionate crusade to save the whales. Well, the Heroes star is taking on the Japanese fishermen once again, only this time it's to save dolphins, and it's in person. Man, I love her.

Hayden and five other surfers tried to disrupt the annual Japanese dolphin slaughter, in which more than 22,000 of the gentle animals are killed yearly. The brave six paddled out on their boards to try to reach a pod of dolphins before they were forced into a cove to be killed but were blocked by the fishermen who even tried to whack them with a boathook.

After heading back to the beach, the surfers gave a brief interview before quickly heading to the Osaka airport. "It was really frightening," Hayden told reporters. "Some of us were hit by the boathook. But in the end all we really worried about was the dolphins."

"It was so incredibly sad. We were so close to them and they were sky hopping, jumping out of the water to see us." It gets worse. At this point she tried to hold back the tears and added, "One little baby dolphin stuck his head out and kinda looked at me and the thought that it's no longer with us is really hard to take." How could you kill a dolphin???!!! Let alone a baby dolphin...they are heartless monsters if you ask me.

Most of the time you're lucky if you can find someone who'll take five seconds to sign a petition, but Hayden flew across the world, paddled out into the sea, and took on a mob of angry fishermen...she's awesome. This hero is the real deal. Check her out in action.

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xox

Patricia


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Urge bebe To Pull Fur From Its Shelves! November 1, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 10 ) | TrackBack

With Halloween officially over, we're headed into the winter holiday season, and that means it's time to start fighting off unruly crowds at the mall. Yikes! I personally plan on avoiding the mall as much as humanly possible (which I do anyway), but when I do make my way out to purchase some gifts for my family and friends, there's one store I can guarantee will not get my hard-earned money—bebe.

Not only will bebe continue to buy rabbit fur for months after its supposed announcement of going "fur-free" the company also has no plans to drop any fur from its inventory for this fall and winter. This is totally inexcusable. Animals don't deserve to suffer and die all to become just a bit of trim on a jacket. How vain is that?

Like other animals farmed for their fur, rabbits are kept in tiny, filthy cages, surrounded by their own waste. To kill the rabbits, fur farmers break the animals' necks or smash their skulls before stringing them up by their legs to slit their throats.

Check out Ryan's adorable bunny-friend, Bambi, below (AKA peta2's official "spokesbunny."). Can you imagine looking into a bunny's eyes and telling her that she has to die so you can use her fur on your coat? No way, right? Paying someone else to do that is just as bad—actually, it's worse in my opinion. Don't pay someone else to do something you can't even watch. bebe must actually believe that people want to wear bunnies. Ridiculous!


Please contact bebe founder Manny Mashouf and let him know that you will not be shopping at bebe until the company follows the lead of its top competitors, including J.Crew and Wet Seal, who have not only pledged to stop using fur but also pulled it from their shelves. Politely ask the company to make the compassionate decision to go completely fur-free.



Let's save the bunnies!

Marta


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Shadows Fall Frontman says, "I Am A Vegetarian" November 1, 2007

Posted by Nicole | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Shadows Fall frontman, Brian Fair, is my absolute favorite dreadlock wielding, vegetarian, main man of metal. One might erroneously think it's the hair that wins me over, but oh no, kiddies, oh no. It's statements like this from Brian that make me smile: "I became a vegetarian many years ago after listening to The Smiths' 'Meat Is Murder.' It opened my eyes to the painful lives of animals raised for food and I knew I wanted no part of that." See, now doesn't that make you smile so big your freakin' face hurts?!

Our dear friend, Brian, was more than eager to participate in our series of vegetarian ads and his is so special you can find it gracing the pages of December's issue of Decibel magazine, which hits stands today. Be sure to go out and pick up a copy and also be sure to stay tuned to peta2.com. In the next couple of weeks, we'll be giving away an autographed copy of a certain video game that will keep your fingers plucking and your head banging. Interests peaked? Well, like I said, be sure to check back to peta2.com every day to see just what the hell I'm talking about.

Cheers, m'dears.
nicole


Posted by Nicole Nicole

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