PETA vs. Punxsutawney

Susan Harmon
Senior Staff Writer

   While People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals compare meat eaters to terrorists and sociopaths, its more recent jaw-dropper involves the treatment of Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog of the annually celebrated Groundhog Day Feb.2.

   According to USA Today,  PETA Animals in Entertainment Specialist Gemma Vaughn sent a letter to organizers of Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pa. The letter said the large, screaming crowd can cause stress for the groundhog.

   PETA’s solution? A robotic groundhog!

   An animal becoming so-called “stressed” one day of the year doesn’t deserve the label of abuse or cruelty. Just think of his fellow groundhogs. I imagine those animals just about freeze to death in the winter while Punxsutawney Phil’s burrow is probably equipped with a little blanket and fluffy pillow.

   I don’t personally see the point of Groundhog Day, but it’s apparently important to the people of Punxsutawney. According to Groundhog.org, the official site of the Punxsutawney Fan Club, the celebration begins Jan. 30 with “Breakfast with Phil.” They even have a Groundhog Day art show! So, imagine this small town of almost 6,000 people gathering one cold morning only to see a groundhog robot with glued-on hair and googly eyes come whirring out of its burrow! 

   Don’t get me wrong, PETA does great things to prevent animal abuse, but they go too far in some instances. For example, I think sending President Obama a humane bug catcher because he swatted a fly in a CNBC interview is just a little too much. I want to believe this organization really cares, but it looks like their antics are merely publicity stunts. How can anyone take PETA seriously when they propose changing the name of Peace Bridge in Buffalo, NY to “Peace on Your Plate Bridge”?

   Well, there is peace on my plate. A big, juicy PIECE of steak!

Have a comment? Please e-mail us.

©The Voice 2010