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May 04, 2008
Let's protect the animals... and sometimes the humans?
Over the weekend, one of the horses that raced in the Kentucky Derby died. After she broke two of her ankles, the veterinarian-equivalent of Dr. Kevorkian was on the track faster than Bill Clinton would be on Michelle Obama (if Bill had his way).
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is not happy about the horse’s death, which while sad, isn’t exactly the end of the world, especially now that there is a food shortage around the globe.
I love animals almost as much as anyone. (I say “ALMOST AS MUCH AS ANYONE” because my mom and brother have a sixth sense when it comes to animals, ESPECIALLY Mama Fool! One time she walked by a police car that happened to be a canine unit. All the other people who walked by that car almost got their heads bitten off. Mama Fool, on the other hand, smiled, waved, and ended up putting a hypnotic trance over the dog before he could so much as let out a bark.)
Anyway, PETA is all up in arms about this horse’s death and wants the jockey suspended and a bunch of other stuff done to ensure that horses don’t get injured while racing. (This is what is known as an incrementalism approach to getting the “sport” of horse racing outlawed completely, yes?)
So here’s my question. When it comes to abortion, how many members of PETA do you think are stanchly pro-choice? I have a feeling it’s an overwhelming majority, and that just seems odd to me.
Comments
I think there is moderation in everything, including politics. PETA is a little too radical for my taste but I do understand the need to protect animals from unnecessary cruelty.
Posted by: ming the merciless at May 5, 2008 03:04 AM
I did hear on the radio something about how "the horse was euthanized on the track." Very grim.
Posted by: teahouseblossom at May 5, 2008 08:42 AM
you bring up a very good point!! i'm gonna use that one! (when the situation arises!!)
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i cried when i read about eight belles.
Posted by: acaligurl at May 5, 2008 11:16 AM
I'm sorry. I just got back from Fogo de Chao where I ate at least 7 delicious cows. What did I miss?
Posted by: Wiseazzz at May 5, 2008 03:03 PM
PETA is the biggest bunch of hypocrites I have ever read about, they also fund animal extremist groups as well........
however, they should transported the horse somewhere solumn, then euthanized her. I think it was cruel to do it on track there. Thats just my two cents on the issue...........
Posted by: capitolhill at May 6, 2008 11:06 AM
Horses get euthanized on the track from time to time, it isnt that big a deal, especially with the horse is a mare and you cant make a fortune on the stud fees for it.
With that type of injury, if you could move the horse without immense discomfort then you would try to save the horse, but if the horse's legs no longer work, the horse has no chance of leading even a passable existence. There arent horse wheelchairs.
Fool, you bring up an interesting point, but I wonder if PETA is against aborting horse fetuses. If a mare that comes from quality stock gets knocked up out in the field by a stallion with the same bloodline as kim jung il (or any other asian), then it would be hugely detrimental to let that horse carry out the pregnancy.
It was sad what happened last weekend, mostly because it took away from just an incredible run by Big Brown. People should be comparing him to Barbaro, instead they are bashing the sport.
No one wants to see a beautiful animal killed. Especially a beautiful animal that just paid off the place and exacta bet. (At 11-1 8 Belles probably paid off pretty well).
Another issue that arose over the weekend in horse racing was the stunning decline of Pyro, that horse went from triple crown contender to crap in two races (Pyro got destroyed in his most recent race before the derby). At 5-1, I thought I was getting a deal. Early tip on the Breeders Cup, take Sierra Sunset, if you can lock in the odds early and get a huge number, you'll thank me, or be angry I cost you 5 bucks.
Posted by: pretty at May 8, 2008 01:37 PM
