Thread: PETA wants to advertise vegan message on border fence

PETA wants to advertise vegan message on border fence
By JAMES PINKERTON Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Aug. 11, 2008, 5:46PM
53Comments 1Recommend While many view the contentious border fence as a government fiasco, an animal rights group sees a rare opportunity.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals plans Tuesday to announce an an unusual marketing pitch to the U.S. government: Rent us space on the fence for billboards warning illegal border crossers there is more to fear than the Border Patrol.

The billboards, in English and Spanish, would offer the following caution: ''If the Border Patrol Doesn't Get You, the Chicken and Burgers Will — Go Vegan."

''We think that Mexicans and other immigrants should be warned if they cross into the U.S. they are putting their health at risk by leaving behind a healthier, staple diet of corn tortillas, beans, rice, fruits and vegetables," said Lindsay Rajt, assistant manager of PETA's vegan campaigns.

The Department of Homeland Security is working to meet a deadline to complete 670 miles of fencing and other barriers on the Southwest border by Dec. 31. The fencing operation has run into stiff opposition by landowners fighting government efforts to obtain their land through condemnation.

PETA says its billboards would picture ''fit and trim" Mexicans in their own country, where their diet is more in line with the group's mission. Another image on the sign would portray obese American children and adults ''gorging on meaty, fat- and cholesterol-packed American food."

PETA'S offer to the feds is expected to arrive in a letter to Border Patrol officials Tuesday.

But a government spokesman in Washington D.C. said the request will be rejected because it would limit visibility through the fence. And Border Patrol does not allow advertising on its property or installations, the officials added.

''The fencing being put in place is, in many cases, mesh fencing to allow our officers to see what's happening on the other side and to better secure the border," said Michael Friel, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which oversee's Border Patrol operations.

One property owner on the Texas-Mexico border laughed at PETA's proposal.

''I think it's ridiculous," said Noel Benavides, who is contesting the construction of a fence dividing his family's 145-acre ranch in Roma on the Rio Grande. ''I can't see the point of something like that."

But Rajt said the rent money they'd pay would help offset the huge costs of the fencing — and the advertising message ''might even be frightening enough to deter people from crossing into the U.S."

PETA has often been criticized for its aggressive animal rights crusades. It's used billboards to push many of its controversial positions such as "Buck Cruelty: Say NO to horse-drawn carriage rides" or "Feeding Kids Meat Is Child Abuse."

james.pinkerton@chron.com

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5937293.html

PETA, darlings: these illegal criminal aliens will roast a goat in the front yard for you.

Even lettuce screams for help.

Google Penn and Teller on YouTube for their rant on Peta. It's funny and very revealing about the hypocrites and the wackos in that group. Language is a little rough. They have a program on Showtime called "Bullshit!

Here is an idea lets put tolls on the fence at least that way we could be re-paid part of what the illegals drain from our economy.

Lets send the PETA folks to Mexico to spread the word. Wonder if they wear tin hats. After walking for days in the desert with little food and water a illegal alien wannabee stops at the fence reads (if he/she can read) a sign warning them don't eat meat in the USA. And after a lifetime
of third world hygiene and seeing animals butchered in the front yard
and chickens sold live to be taken home to have neck twisted and hung by the feet till the blood runs out.I am sure they will just turn around and return to the desert and go home.

PETA and Greenpeace have taken their protest way overboard. Greenpeace, years ago was protesting the rape of our oceans, so they sank a few ships--which makes sense only to a warped mind, because just think of the fuels and oils and cargo sinking ships leave in the oceans they are trying to save.
But slathering the fence with ads makes great sense, economy-wise. We sell ad space on both sides to cover the cost of building the thing in the first place. That way everyone knows where they are along the fence. "I was just down at the GEICO sector and..., I just hopped over the Taco Bambina part, which is realy easy as it's only 10-ft. tall, and there is a great sale on 12-ft. ladders at Pablo's Hardware in Juarez."

Why not PETA? As long as other non-profits and organizations can do the same, pro-lifers for example.