PETA's spying--ethically wrong?

[Lisa Simpson]

On one of the cat forums I belong to, this article was posted. Now there is disagreement as to PETA's tactics. So the question is: "Is spying like this ethically wrong?"

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--petaspy0530may30,0,3259807.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

[Mycroft]

As much as I hate PETA, no I don't think this is ethically wrong. If there are real abuses to expose, this is how it's done.

[Cleon]

Originally posted by Mycroft
As much as I hate PETA, no I don't think this is ethically wrong. If there are real abuses to expose, this is how it's done.

That sums up my view as well.

[merphie]

Ethic concerns over an organization who advocates violence, double standards, and arson?

[Kerberos]

You know I found this passage somewhat amusing.
"The Somerset County-based company dropped its case in return for PETA promising to not infiltrate it again for at least five years."

[Cleon]

Originally posted by merphie
Ethic concerns over an organization who advocates violence, double standards, and arson?

Oh, they don't openly advocate violence and arson. They just give a wink and a nod--and occasional financial contributions--to those that do. Double standards, well, they're full of those. And they're full of some other things as well.

[RandFan]

Originally posted by Mycroft
As much as I hate PETA, no I don't think this is ethically wrong. If there are real abuses to expose, this is how it's done. Ditto.

"I would rather have a free press and anarchy, than a democracy with no free press." --Thomas Jefferson

Now PETA isn't per se the press but it is this idea of gathering information to expose that which is wrong. I'm on their side as far as spying goes.

[merphie]

Originally posted by RandFan
Ditto.

"I would rather have a free press and anarchy, than a democracy with no free press." --Thomas Jefferson

Now PETA isn't per se the press but it is this idea of gathering information to expose that which is wrong. I'm on their side as far as spying goes.

Yes, but I have to ask. Was the practice she witnessed necessary for the procedure being performed? Exactly what was being done?

I don't think I have ever seen PETA complain about the flu vaccine.

[Jocko]

Originally posted by merphie
Ethic concerns over an organization who advocates violence, double standards, and arson?

Exactly on the money - if PETA conducted more of their business with this kind of aplomb, insight and care, they might not be considered the wingnut wackos they are.

"Investigative reporting" like this is probably the most reasonable thing I've ever seen them do.

[Cleon]

Originally posted by Jocko
Exactly on the money - if PETA conducted more of their business with this kind of aplomb, insight and care, they might not be considered the wingnut wackos they are.

"Investigative reporting" like this is probably the most reasonable thing I've ever seen them do.

Substitute "most" with "only," and I'd agree.

[Jocko]

Originally posted by Cleon
Substitute "most" with "only," and I'd agree.

Obviously you've never been "assailed" by their little "go nude to protest the fur trade" demonstrations. Gotta give credit where credit is due.

[RandFan]

Originally posted by Cleon
Substitute "most" with "only," and I'd agree. OMG, it looks like a consensus might be forming. Is this a sign of the apocalypse.

[merphie]

Originally posted by Jocko
Obviously you've never been "assailed" by their little "go nude to protest the fur trade" demonstrations. Gotta give credit where credit is due.

I enjoyed some of their protest that I have seen in the city. The last one was some woman painted as a tiger. She was completely nude except for the paint.

[merphie]

Originally posted by Jocko
Exactly on the money - if PETA conducted more of their business with this kind of aplomb, insight and care, they might not be considered the wingnut wackos they are.

"Investigative reporting" like this is probably the most reasonable thing I've ever seen them do.

I would say they still haven't gotten it right. We don't know anything about the test being done.

[Lisa Simpson]

Originally posted by merphie
I would say they still haven't gotten it right. We don't know anything about the test being done.

I don't know what they were testing in regards to the chimpanzees. The company that Iams and Petsmart dropped was presumably doing research on pet foods. PETA has not taken down the website http://www.iamscruelty.com nor do they mention that Iams no longer uses that lab.

[Cleon]

Originally posted by Jocko
Obviously you've never been "assailed" by their little "go nude to protest the fur trade" demonstrations. Gotta give credit where credit is due.

Er, yes, I have, and let me tell you it must not have been "cute alterna-chick day" in Peta-land...

[BPSCG]

Originally posted by RandFan
OMG, it looks like a consensus might be forming. Is this a sign of the apocalypse. No, we're safe. PETA did something worthwhile for once. Just remember, even a blind pig finds the trough now and then.

(Of course, he's blind because a pharmaceutical company rubbed cosmetics into his eyes.)

[Jas]

While in college, Leitten had become a vegetarian and found herself increasingly concerned about animal welfare. PETA was a natural fit.

No, PETA is only a 'natural fit' if your concern for animalswelfare coincides with the onset of mental illness.

As far as spying on corporations, I agree with the previous posters that it's one of the more 'normal' things that PETA has done, but I seriously doubt that they show the videos in context. My experience has been that they edit things a la Michael Moore.

[RandFan]

Originally posted by Jas
No, PETA is only a 'natural fit' if your concern for animalswelfare coincides with the onset of mental illness.

As far as spying on corporations, I agree with the previous posters that it's one of the more 'normal' things that PETA has done, but I seriously doubt that they show the videos in context. My experience has been that they edit things a la Michael Moore. Yeah, this is true but somethings can't be "edited". The guys kicking and stomping the chickens was pretty straight forward.

[Jas]

I realize that, and there is some horrific footage, but much of it is highly questionable. An example of this would be their PMU farm footage.