I did some research on People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and came across some pretty interesting stuff. I wanted to see what kinds of things this organization has done.  I knew they are an advocate for animals that have “been done wrong."  But when I looked up the history of PETA’s victories, I was a little overwhelmed.  If you go to /peta.org/ they provide an extensive list of their triumphs over those that they feel mistreat animals.  

Now, most of the victories listed were ones you would expect.  Things like the ending of the use of animals for testing, stopping the use of dogs in fighting matches in which people make bets as to which one will kill the other. Roosters are rescued from this fate too.  They have stopping the captivity of wild animals for use in commercials and even circuses.  PETA is widely known for protesting the use of animal fur in clothing.  

As I kept scrolling through the different victories they had listed, I started noticing some of them were a little bizarre.  PETA, of course is responsible for shutting down countless puppy mills across America.  They was instrumental in stopping a few bars from having contests where patrons swallow a live goldfish within a shot of alcohol.  PETA went up against a college for putting the students of one class up to taking live goldfish home, putting them in a bowl, pouring Monster Energy Drink into the bowl daily and recording the results for class discussion.  They are the champion of the goldfish, okay I could go for that.  After all, I wouldn’t even drink the stuff, let alone give it to a poor fish!

However, I do kind of wonder what would happen …..

I read many good things that PETA has accomplished, I did come across a few that made me scratch my head. Did you ever have the opportunity to experience the excitement of entering a frog in a frog race as a child?   If PETA catches you, you are in big trouble.  It’s stressful to the frogs.  Who hasn’t watched a greased pig chase? One of the funniest things you’ll ever watch.  Better not let PETA hear about it!  It’s degrading for the pigs involved.  Donkey basketball!  I’ve never seen it, but heard it’s great fun to see.  Shhhhhhhhh ..... if PETA finds out, you are in big trouble. 

One of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in a wedding is the releasing of doves at the end of the vows. Not supposed to do that either.  It confuses the doves and they don’t know where to go. PETA suggests flying dove shaped kites instead. Somehow I don’t think this would have the same effect.  In addition, I began to sense that a top priority on their agenda is to convert as many people as possible to vegetarianism and to view animals as if they were humans, with similar rights and protections.  To me, the vegetarianism is almost like a type of guilt borne from human's pecking order in the food chain. 

Rather than simply protest the senseless or careless abuse of animals they seem to go much farther.  The fact is animals are NOT human.  They are were available to us to use in a variety of ways.  After all, there probably isn't one PETA member who would not say they use vegetables and plants in similar fashion.

As I studied this group, it occurred to me that something about them bothered me.  This is a group of people who have their own views and opinions and seek to command them on the rest of us.  In their minds, their wishes are the only ones that matter.  As a result, they grant themselves a special power to not only control your life but also convince you that YOU are wrong to mock them.  So they can accuse, try and convict you with no other due process.

PETA has tried to link autism to drinking cow’s milk.  They have compared the ways in which our beef, chicken, pork and other meats are prepared to the holocaust.  Last year, they launched a bold attack our President Obama. The Prez was being interviewed by CNBC when a pesky fly kept buzzing around his head.  It landed on his arm and he quite impressively slapped his arm with the other hand, killed the fly and went on with the interview.  The people at PETA was nuts and sent President Obama a device that traps the fly so that you can take it outside and gently let it go.  So it can go and pester someone else.

Are they seriously telling us not to kill a fly?   Who ARE these people! !  Many are celebrities and the so-called "pretty people."  Those members are very wealthy and/or have celebrity status who can use their clout to promote this cause and force their wills upon us without passing a single law or obtaining a vote.  Well, they are wealthy enough to have the time to worry about how to rule over their lives.  Only problem is . . . who elected them and how would THEY feel if a group came up and demanded that no one had a house over a certain square footage, or a car that costs over a certain amount, or insisted that NO ONE consumed alcohol or other drugs.   Maybe they should clean up their own house before looking into ours.

While PETA does have a job to stop the senseless mistreatment of animals, I do think it is taken a bit too far sometimes.  After all, when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, when the fig leaves just were not enough, didn’t God make clothes for them of animal skins?  He did.  Look it up!

Okay, let's get back to the topic of Groundhog Day.  I am not one that looks forward to this day every year. Often, I realize it has passed after the fact.  But there are many that look forward to this event.  It’s part of American tradition.  Punxsutawney Phil a.k.a / Ground Hog Day is just about as well known as President's Day, Flag Day, Labor Day or Columbus Day!

Realize that of the twelve months, only August has no major holiday or event.  February (the shortest month) has Valentine's Day, Groundhog's Day and President's Day.  All less celebrated than some of the other holidays but put them all together and they make February memorable. Groundhog Day is important to the month.  February 2nd comes at a time every year when Americans have just about had enough of winter’s freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, and are willing to grab onto any shred of hope, even if it’s from a dumb groundhog, that spring is around the corner.  

Why?  Groundhog Day is just as important to the children of the DeSoto School District where I live as Valentine’s Day!  Although we do not yet have a parade dedicated to the furry little guy.  It could be in the near future though. You never know.  As for replacing Punxsutawney Phil with a robot, I say definitely NOT!  What happens if a wire gets crossed and causes Phil to turn into Killer Punxsutawney Phil (a.k.a. KPP).  The machine goes wild and maims people in the crowd and smashes all the lights to smithereens?

What would the children think then?  PETA would have a heck of a lot of explaining to do!  What if we had to put KPP down to protect the people.  Of course, it would be okay to PETA because their mission only involves placing animals over humans.  It wouldn’t be animal cruelty since Phil was a robot. Right?

In conclusion, the Bible says that one of Man's purposes was / is to watch over all animals in his kingdom.  I believe that we must have respect for animals and safeguard them TO AN EXTENT.  However, in the scheme of things maybe the folks over at PETA fail to realize is that animals are not humans.  Also, I doubt that the Bible is really much of a basis for much of what PETA does.