PETA vs. the rest of us

I cannot stand PETA. The followers and organizer drive me nuts. Probably almost as much as they feel about fur, and animals, I feel about them...

Don't get me wrong, the cliche, "I love animals, I have friends who are animals." ;) No, I really do: I have fostered homeless dogs and taken care of all varieties of homeless pets through out my life. My own dog is a resuce, BTW: she chose me. I have picked my belief/ one of my interests: help these little guys out, dont buy a pet if you can adopt the one you want. I dont think because you love dogs or cats that you shouldnt be able to eat meat or wear fur or leather. Wearing fur doesn't make me a bad person....I just don't think any extreme of belief is healthy, especially when you obligate those around you to follow your doctrine. If any religion did this forcibly, they would be attacked openly. But, because it is a cute kittie or dog, and they aren't hurting anyone.. yeah right. I agree, animals shouldn't be used for testing or torture. In fact, I fully agree with science and criminology, that those who torture or mistreat animals, mistreat humans, and can eventually lead to even more dangerous behavior if not caught in time.

My issue with this group: the lady who runs it is crazy as a loon. She posts horrible videos that sell her position, but I have heard she has gone overboard to get these videos, displaying one version of the truth. (as we all do when defending something we feel passionate about). Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA has no boundaries. It's almost like Scientology, which I also despise, have lost friends to that organization, aka: cult. (another post, seriously). If you make allegations of PETA, I'm sure they would sue you, but they do it to others all the time. As i write this, I see on the web various articles of people who agree, and others that show just how crazy this organization is. My dislike of this group begins with a classic fashion staple: fur. I LOVE fur, LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT! I think it is so beautiful and I appreciate every one I own. My mother wore them, my grandmother wore them... I have very fond memories of them. They smell wonderful (yea, that may be a unique thing to me, but hey, it is what it is!), feel great, are very warm and comfi. and I thank the animals that they came from. I take very good care of the ones I own, and NO I am not ok with "at least I didn't buy a new one, this vintage one was already made" crap. I don't discriminate against fur, I wear old, new, vintage.. how ever it is, I like, I get it.

I have one story I always retell:
I was out one night, wearing a beautiful fox coat, tan and white. (fox tails). It's awesome, and I get girls coming up to me every time I wear any of my coats, but this one in particular. I was waiting for my car at a valet stand and this drunk guy walks up to me, after all these girls walked by asking to touch it and telling me how much they loved it, to say: " You're wearing *hick up* fur *hick up* ". My response: "Oh really?, Well you're wearing leather shoes."

I retell this interaction to anyone I have a conversation about fur with. It shocks me that so many people can think they feel passionately about something like fur or eating meat, but then are complete hypocrites. I think most people follow like sheep, 'if someone else they know feels this way, maybe I should to', without another thought. This guy came up 2 more times, each time, my response made him confused and walking away. This leads me to my topic of PETA, Why must I comply with their beliefs, or why should anyone have to comply? It is not a choice with them, they obligate anyone in their path to their beliefs. Example: Throwing paint/ blood on women wearing fur. Why should these women be afraid to wear fur in public? Fur and leather has been worn by humans since the beginning of our existence. While the need isn't quite the same now as it was then, it is still something that should be an option, not a forced abstention.

I feel much more comfortable wearing fur overseas. Many parts of Europe, it gets so cold that fur is almost required, as it is warmer and most women own them from their mothers or grandmothers, as I do. It is simply more widely accepted in general. In the states, I still wear them, but the city I live in is quite environmentally conscious and am thankful that a lot of compliments come my way, I have yet to really have an issue here. I just am so irritated that I 'have' to feel uncomfortable or afraid that some crazy person who wont have to pay for their crime, will 'attack' me thinking they are standing up for the beliefs. Well, what about mine? I believe I should kick your A**! lol.... haven't had to, but that's what I think would happen if it did.

So, there it is, my open, posted opinion about a topic that is 'sensitive'. My message: Leave us fur wearing girls alone. We look good and feel good in them, go be crazy somewhere else.