PETA's Ingrid Newkirk on Ringling Brothers' Circus: The Saddest Show on Earth

[Karmadillo]

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/07/24-4

Published on Friday, July 24, 2009 by CommonDreams.org
The Saddest Show on Earth
by Ingrid E. Newkirk

Elephants have the largest brains of any mammal on the face of the Earth. They are creative, altruistic and kind. They use tools to sweep paths and even to draw pictures in the dirt and scratch themselves in inaccessible places, and they communicate subsonically at frequencies so low that humans cannot detect them without sophisticated equipment. Imagine, then, what it must be like for them to be told what to do, courtesy of a bullhook—a rod resembling a fireplace poker with a sharp metal hook on the end—at every moment of their lives. Yet this is what life is like for elephants used in circuses, who are constantly beaten and kept chained, sometimes for days at a time.

It takes a lot to get circusgoers to see beyond the headdresses and glitter to that metal-tipped bullhook sinking into an elephant's soft flesh behind her ears and knees. But I hope that PETA's new undercover investigation of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will help open some eyes.

PETA's investigator caught Ringling employees digging sharp metal bullhooks into the sensitive skin behind elephants' knees and under their trunks. Eight employees—including an animal superintendent and a head elephant trainer—used bullhooks and other objects to strike elephants on the head, ears and trunk. Employees whipped elephants and a tiger, including on or near the face. One elephant, Tonka, repeatedly exhibited signs of severe psychological stress but was nevertheless forced to perform night after night. The footage can be seen at www.PETA.org.

All of this was going on while Ringling was already on trial in a federal court in Washington, D.C., answering charges that its elephant-handling practices violate the federal Endangered Species Act.

more...

[Obama2012]

1. People just need to boycott circuses where they exploit animals

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. They also need to boycott PETA

[Obama2012]

7. I'm not a fan of Peta, but one of the good things they do is go undercover and expose abuse

Hate on PETA, but why would anybody have problems with undercover investigations revealing abuse of animals?

[Maru Kitteh]

10. For some, a rational consideration of the suffering of others is simply not possible.

They prefer to stew in hate and ignorance.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. Their behaviors past and present discredit anything they do.

They really have no credibility and its their own fault.

[Obama2012]

14. So they do a good thing and you still shit on them for doing the good thing?

Can't you just let this stand on it's own, instead of letting your hate take over?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

24. No hate here...

There is a cliche that even a blind pig now and then finds an ear of corn. Much the same with PETA. They are so discredited that no one should take anything they say as accurate unless substantiated independently. That is not anti animal, pro animal abuse or hate.

[Karmadillo]

25. Then PETA is the blind pig that found the corn crib. Here's a list of PETA victories over the years.

Happy reading.

http://www.peta.org/about/victories.asp

[damntexdem]

3. PETA is the saddest show on earth; and we should not be amused by their idiotic circus.

More power to Ringling Brothers and other circuses!

[Obama2012]

8. More power to Animal Abuse!

YAY!

That's exactly what your post says.

[flvegan]

12. I'm amazed that the encouragement of animal abuse is allowed on DU.

Absolutely amazed.

[Obama2012]

15. I'm surprised

Even conservatives I know don't agree with animal abuse.

[flvegan]

19. Yup, me too.

I don't think I personally know a conservative that would cheer on animal abuse.

[Obama2012]

20. I don't personally know ANYBODY who would cheer on animal abuse

[QC]

22. That's just one small part of a larger lurch to the right that has happened here.

Gee, run off most of the progressives and we end up with a right wing site--who could ever have anticipated that one?

[Obama2012]

28. Oh, I've already seen racism in the Gates threads and homophobia in the GLBT forum

[QC]

29. Amazing, isn't it?

But if you complain about it, you will be accused of hating the president or still being mad about the primary or the like--anything to avoid discussing what has happened to our community here.

[litlady]

23. Your post stuns me!

Just because you don't agree with the methods or even ideas behind an organization doesn't mean you should condone a negative act. That is like saying you don't like the police department so you cheer the rapists and murderers because they are the "enemies" of the police.

I don't need to see a PETA video to know that circuses mistreat animals and that entertainment is not a sufficient excuse for not treating all creatures humanely. It is shocking that on a progressive board anyone could cheer cruelty.

[YOY]

4. One two three four! I see the making of a FLAME WAR!!!

n/t

[Javaman]

5. Want some?

:popcorn:

[YOY]

6. Why thank you JM...

n/t

[MineralMan]

9. Do you have enough of that popcorn? If not...

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

here's some more... :bounce:

[Maru Kitteh]

11. There's probably not enough popcorn in the world.

[PVnRT]

16. MEDICAL ALERT: Knee-jerks can lead to joint injuries

I see this is too late for a couple of people here, but it is my sincere hope that others might heed this warning.

[MajorChode]

17. Pot/Kettle

[MajorChode]

18. Dupe self delete

[Blue_Tires]

21. k+r

[yewberry]

26. Agree--circuses exploiting animal should be banned.

We'd still have Blue Man, Mummenshantz, Cirque du Soleil and and plenty more...no animal abuse or exploitation needed.

Seeing animals in a circus freezes my blood, and people who profit from their suffering should be shunned. I can't understand how this could be acceptable to anyone.

[Karmadillo]

27. Good point. It's not like one needs animal abuse to have a circus.

nt

[Umbral]

30. Yeah, PETA is sad - I much prefer activism that's all talk, no action

and never accomplishes anything.