It is unfortunate, but true, that some people, by
their very nature, are so socially inept, displeasing to be around, and
infuriatingly self-righteous that no one will befriend them except for
friendly animals who don’t know any better. These people grow up to be PETA
members.
In Israel and throughout the Middle East, pita is usually
filled with falafel, shawarma, or other assorted delicacies. The other kind
of PETA, though, is full of something else. The latest target of their
whining is AgriProcessors, a kosher slaughtering facility that PETA claims
violates humane slaughter laws. This is a classic case of a mom-and-pop
business being attacked by Big Animal Rights (whoever started AgriProcessors
was probably somebody’s pop – or, though it’s unlikely, mom).
Slaughter laws state that an animal has to be
anesthetized before being made delicious, but Jews, the “Chosen Meat Packers,”
are exempted through a Talmudic loophole known as “Kosher Law.” Under this
“law,” the fully conscious animal must be killed through the simultaneous
cutting of the carotid arteries by the sharpest possible knife, then the homes
of the animal’s family must be bulldozed.
PETA is accusing AgriProcessors of adhering neither to
humane slaughter laws or the Kosher ritual of killing the animal, known as “shechitah.”
PETA, though, does not understand that the letter of the law – “the animal
must be killed painlessly” – is different than the spirit of the law – “let’s
eat.” “Shechitah” is performed by the “shochet,” a pious man whose hand is
not steady enough to be a mohel.
PETA’s website implores, “Maybe after seeing the fear and
pain on the faces of the animals we captured on videotape, you will go
vegetarian and persuade family and friends to join you.” Hey PETA, maybe
after seeing the fear and pain on the face my Uncle Heshy when he can’t get
his brisket, you will understand the plight of the Jewish people and then
persuade your imaginary family and friends to join you. AgriProcessors is a
victim in this – a faceless, corporate, water-polluting, EPA-investigated
victim.
Regardless of how unethical the Angels of Death at
AgriProcessors are, at least they can say, “we’re not out of our minds,”
unlike the folks at PETA. The latter are the same people who sent a stern
letter to Arafat decrying the death of a donkey in a bombing in Israel. First
of all, PETA is now denying the rights of donkeys to take part in Jihad.
Second of all, I guess I can understand PETA’s concern, as they tend to
identify with fellow asses.
These are also the same people who launched an ad
campaign comparing the treatment of chickens to the Nazis’ treatment of
Holocaust victims. A ploy to gain attention to their extremism, PETA revels
in horrifying Holocaust survivors and the families of those who did not
survive.
PETA, though crazy, occasionally has a useful purpose in
keeping checks on the corporations in the food production industry. But for
an animal-rights organization to so often be at odds with Jewish groups is
highly suspect and there is more than enough reason to believe that they use
their limited platform as a way to convey their views on the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If PETA members want to take a break from their
bestial pleasures and weigh in on issues in the Middle East, that is fine, but
don’t hide behind animal-rights just to outrage the Jewish community.