Obnoxious Vegans 101 September 22, 2009

Posted by Rachel-O at September 22, 2009 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack

As vegans, we obviously care about animals and want to let everyone who we come across know that we have an ethical objection to eating animals, wearing them, and funding any sort of exploitation of them—like buying tickets to the circus or zoo, or by buying products that were once rubbed into a bunny's eyes or onto a mouse's skin. However, we have just as much of an obligation to animals to come off as sane, happy, motivated and dedicated people—not irrational, angry and overly picky vegans. Why? Because being picky, angry and rude only hurts animals.

Thanks to quarrygirl.com, you can get a crash course on the kind of attitude that turns people off, in a funny and lighthearted way, of course! You can now download a vegan soundboard iPod application for free! As someone who had quite the problem being an effective advocate for animals when first going vegan, I can now listen to these clips and laugh—because I definitely remember asking a restaurant if they "had a separate fryer for their french fries" or being a bit extra whiny over a rather lacking vegan menu at a local hangout.

What's so funny? The point is, being a vegan isn't always the easiest choice, but we know it's the best one. We need to smile, think of the animals—and the best way to help them—and remember to keep a positive attitude in nearly every situation. The last thing you want to do is come off pretentious, holier than thou, or just plain bitchy to friends (or strangers) who may have been interested in your message otherwise.

If this soundboard sounds like a day out of your own life, check out our effective advocacy guide—this definitely helped me save more animals just with my attitude. Let us know what you think!

Andy Dick Shocks McCruelty Customers in Chicago! (Video) June 19, 2009

Posted by Ryan at June 19, 2009 2:52 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 13 ) | TrackBack

There are some days that I simply cannot express how sweet my job is. Yesterday was one of those days.

You see, I had the unique honor of helping to organize a protest outside of a McDonald's location in downtown Chicago—alongside shock comedian Andy Dick!

Dressed as an evil "Ronald McDonald", Andy reminded potential customers and passersby that chickens killed for McDonald's have their throats slit while fully conscious, and many are even scalded alive in defeathering tanks. Of course, you already knew that. :)

Here are some pictures and a raw video from the event for your viewing pleasure!

New Animated Sitcom About Vegans on ABC! May 28, 2009

Posted by Marta at May 28, 2009 2:05 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 10 ) | TrackBack

Who caught The Goode Family on ABC last night? For those who didn't see it, The Goode Family is the new animated sitcom from Mike Judge (the genius behind King of the Hill, Beavis and Butt-head, and Office Space). The show centers around a vegan family, and I have to say, I thought it was pretty funny.

The show is about a family (mainly the parents) trying to live an obsessively politically-correct lifestyle. My favorite parts of last night's episode:

• At one point, the mom declares, "I only shop at stores with a mission statement." Hah!
• A "Meat is Murder" tee made an appearance.
• The awkward conversation about race between the Goodes and their neighbor.
• The death stares Helen got from fellow shoppers for not using a reusable bag.

Some activists might be offended by some of the humor, but the show is bringing veganism into the mainstream. And sometimes you just have to learn to laugh at yourself, right? What did you guys think of the show?



P.S. I hear next week's episode is called "Pleatherheads." Can't wait!

The (Funny) Shame of the North Atlantic May 28, 2009

Posted by Ryan at May 28, 2009 8:54 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

We at peta2 know the value of using humor to get a serious message across. That's why we can appreciate this digital animation project created by students at the College of the North Atlantic (the Fightin' Atlantics!) It will probably change the way people view seal clubbing forever.

I present to you: "The Shame of the North Atlantic"!

The Onion Slams KFC, Makes peta2's Day May 27, 2009

Posted by Ryan at May 27, 2009 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

As a long-time reader of The Onion (America's premiere satirical/joke newspaper), I could barely contain my excitement when I woke up this morning and read their front page story, titled "KFC No Longer Permitted To Use Word 'Eat' In Advertisements".

Just to give you a taste of the full—and hilarious—article:

WASHINGTON—Issuing a condemnation of Kentucky Fried Chicken's recent Boneless Variety Bucket commercials, the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday fined the fast food giant $600,000 and ordered it to discontinue all broadcasts containing "false and misleading suggestions" that its heated chicken products are intended for consumption.

...

KFC advertisers are reportedly still in negotiations with authorities over whether the word "consumables"—a term that can encompass any product that must be replaced periodically, such as brake pads or swimming pool chlorine—is an allowable substitution for "food."

Haha, oh, KFC, you just got owned. Of course, this isn't the first time (see here, and here, and here). Seriously, just give up already.


Make your own KFC sign at peta2.com

Meat in an Ice Cream Cone? April 29, 2009

Posted by Ryan at April 29, 2009 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 15 ) | TrackBack

We regularly receive fabulous art submissions from you lucky folks out there blessed with talent, skills, and other things I lack. Many of them are then posted on our wonderful DeviantArt page. Some pieces are just so gosh darned creative though that we have to share them with you to keep from bursting with excitement!

Take, for example, this submission from Nevada Buckley—a student at the Herron School of Art and Design. Nevada, who has been vegetarian for six years, aimed to design a concept piece that would show situations where meat looks out of place. She hopes to show people that when we look at meat from any other angle besides in flashy fast food commercials and advertisements created by people who profit from the abuse of animals, we realize how gross and unappealing it truly is.

Cool concept, eh?

What do you think of Nevada's piece? Will it help people look at meat differently? Leave your thoughts below!

Ditch the Pot (Roast), Michael Phelps! February 3, 2009

Posted by Ryan at February 3, 2009 1:16 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 13 ) | TrackBack

As you may have heard, world-famous Olympian Michael Phelps was recently busted using marijuana for what could only be described as a non-medical purpose (he was partying at the University of South Carolina).

Reading from the standard celebrity script, Phelps acknowledged "regrettable behavior" and said that he "demonstrated bad judgment", as if he tripped and fell onto a bong or something. He has, however, previously denied using any performance-enhancing drugs (though anyone with a stoner friend knows that "performance-enhancing" probably doesn't apply in this situation).

Of course, we're peta2, not the DEA, so what we're more concerned about is what kind of "munchies" this superstar athlete is chowing down on after his "regrettable" behavior. That's why we thought it'd be a good idea to place this tongue-in-cheek billboard around the USC campus, you know, as a public service announcement to all of the little Phelpses (Phelpsi?) out there...

Nugget's New Video! January 26, 2009

Posted by Ashleigh at January 26, 2009 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 8 ) | TrackBack

Welcome to the third installment of our soon to be infamous "This is peta2" video series! Not sure if you can tell (because of my first class acting skills) but this video marked my first time on camera for peta2. (Unfortunately Milk Gone Wild, Part 2: At The Carwash was before my time.)

Without further ado, the best video ever:

Comment and let me know what you think of my peta2 acting debut! (And be gentle, I wasn't a theater major!)

The Office's Michael Scott in Fur?!? December 5, 2008

Posted by Lara Sanders at December 5, 2008 3:23 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

On of my favorite TV shows is The Office, and last night's episode was one of the best ever! Did anyone see it? At the end of the show, Michael, clad in his new man-fur, shared this valuable bit of advice, "You should know that some people think it's cool to throw buckets of fake blood on you as you are walking out of Burlington Coat Factory." So hilarious. Bit of fashion advice for you folks—don't wear something that Michael Scott would!

Photo Credit: Credit: tvgasm / CC
We found out that the fur they used in the episode was indeed faux. However, if Michael Scott were a real person, he very well could have gotten a real fur coat at Burlington Coat Factory, because they are tacky enough to sell them. Second bit of fashion advice: Don't buy clothes from a place with the word "factory" in the name.



P.S. Remember when the funniest man alive and creator of the o.g. Office, Ricky Gervais, spoke out against fur when he teamed up with PETA Europe in the worldwide fight to stop Canadian bears from getting slaughtered for silly hats? Brilliant!

Win Limited-Edition "Too Much Poop" Toilet Paper Rolls! October 30, 2008

Posted by Ryan at October 30, 2008 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 15 ) | TrackBack In the world of cool and unique prizes to win, this one has to top the list. You may have seen our popular "Too Much Poop" flyers, which aim to highlight the absurdly large amount of...well... poop that animals on factory farms produce, and how horrible the industry is for the planet (as well as animals). But we thought, why stop at just flyers? Why not tie it all together by producing some custom-made materials that you can use to raise awareness at school or around the house?

Then, it hit us...peta2 toilet paper rolls! The results are nothing less than amazing!

Check 'em out below, and then enter to be 1 of 75 lucky winners!





Fun, right? Of course, you can't win a roll if you don't enter below, so what are you waiting for?!

This offer is no longer available. Sorry!

By filling out this form, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

Heads up: By signing up here and giving us your details, you are acknowledging that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.

The contest ends, and winners will be notified, on 11/26, so get to it!

- Ryan!