Just thought you would like to read this. It has just been posted on AN.
Amber Waves: PETA leader hopes hoof-and-mouth disease comes to U.S.
Ingrid Newkirk's statement concerning hoof-and-mouth disease coming to the United States struck a nerve across the United States.
E-mails and mail from microbiologists, zoo operators, surgeons, dog breeders, public health veterinarians, people who did not indicate their affiliation and even a local animal rights activist came in, decrying Newkirk's statements.
"While I admire Ingrid Newkirk, I disagree with her very extreme statement that she hopes foot and mouth disease hits this country," Dorothy LaBorde of Amarillo wrote in a letter.
Newkirk, co-founder and president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, stated in a Reuters wire story for the Environmental News Network in early April that she "openly hopes" the hoof-and-mouth disease crosses the Atlantic to the United States.
LaBorde further stated, "I don't eat meat, and would like to see those who raise it put out of business - but neither do I want to see the slaughter of all of the animals in our country, such as those in private herds, zoos, animal sanctuaries, various pets, etc. Wholesale panic in our government would doom them all.
"That is not what I am fighting for in the animal welfare movement," LaBorde said. "I wish Ms. Newkirk would re-think and re-state her remarks."
Newkirk was quoted as saying, "I openly hope that it comes here. It will bring economic harm only for those who profit from giving people heart attacks and giving animals a concentration camp-like existence. It would be good for animals, good for human health and good for the environment."
Most of the letters and e-mail didn't share any admiration for Newkirk or the PETA organization. The following are some of their comments:
"While they espouse raising social consciousness regarding animals, they seem flawed in their assessment of the value of human beings. In a recent article by the Washington Times, a PETA spokesperson equates the slaughter of billions of chickens to the slaughter of millions of Jews during WWII. Unfortunately this organization attracts many new individuals who do not check beyond a sensational headline." - Katie G. Kight, Director of Marketing & Communications, Jacksonville Zoo.
"Another aspect of Ingrid Newkirk's irresponsibility on this issue is the potential impact on wildlife. At least 30 species of wildlife worldwide are known to be susceptible. Wild deer, goats and sheep are only three of the many species of cloven-hoofed wildlife in North America which could easily become infected. Does Ms. Newkirk hope for this as well and believe that suffering in these individuals and populations is worth it to achieve her desired meatless society?" - David H. Sesline, D.V.M., Public Health Veterinarian.
"Your article exposes them for who and what they really are. Arrogant and short-sighted small human beings. Only the truly small-minded could hope and wish for a plague such as this to come to our shores." - Gregg Pruitt, sales rep/RCS Communications Group.
Of course, there was one defender of Newkirk who said the Amber Waves article chose to twist Newkirk's words. No twist to the words, they were reprinted exactly as she was quoted by Reuters and on the ENN Website.
Sarah Whitman of Woodbury, Conn. said, "What I believe Ms. Newkirk means, and what seems to make sense, is that if 'that hideousness' meaning animal disease, comes to the U.S., it may wipe out many animal slave-owning businesses, thus creating a possible solution to the massive problem of animal exploitation and animal murder."
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