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Media Response

Radio icon missed some of the story

by David White

The co-founder and leader of the radical animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Ingrid Newkirk, has released a copy of her will. Like almost anything else Newkirk does, it contains elements that make it somewhat unbelievable while at the same time hinting of possibly something significant to come.

While the final decision as to the use of my body remains with PETA, I make the following suggested directions:

  • That the meat of my body be used for a human barbeque, to remind the world that the meat of a corpse is all flesh, regardless of whether it comes from a human being or another animal and that fleshfoods are not needed;
  • That my skin be removed and made into leather products to remind the world that human skin and the skin of other animals is the same and that neither is "fabric" or needed;
  • That my feet be removed and umbrella stands or other ornamentation be made from them, as a reminder of the depravity of killing innocent animals…in order that we might use their body parts for household items and decorations…

I first heard about Newkirk’s "will" while listening to my favorite radio personality, Paul Harvey. I thought it was just another outrageous publicity stunt. Upon the completion of the "reading" of the will, I anticipated Harvey invoking a dose of his famous wisdom regarding this bit of news. To my astonishment, his commentary was anything but that. Paul Harvey praised Ingrid Newkirk.

Yes, Paul Harvey, one of the most respected broadcast journalists of all-time and former spokesperson for American agriculture, praised Ingrid Newkirk "for her dedication and commitment towards making planet earth a better place for animals." He praised the individual who absolutely believes that animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on or use for entertainment He praised the very person who two years ago said that she hopes that foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) comes to America. He praised the very person who might be best described as public enemy number one to animal agriculture.

I couldn’t believe what I heard. Throughout his career, Harvey has earned the utmost respect. He is caring, conscientious and sensitive – characteristics that are quite rare today in most forms of the media.

Harvey has a deep, personal concern for the plight of animals, particularly pets, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Animals are vital to human existence and therefore deserve our protection and compassion.

Harvey is entitled to his opinion and has the right to share it with others. I still have a lot of respect for Harvey. And I’ll have a lot more respect for him when he realizes he committed a politically incorrect faux pas when he heaped praise on Newkirk. I hope he will roll up his sleeves and gain a better understanding and insight of what PETA and Newkirk are really all about. There’s no doubt in my mind that such efforts would help him see the rest of the story and hopefully result in an apology to America’s family livestock, dairy and poultry farmers. After that, I’ll start listening to him again. What about you?

David White is executive director of the Ohio Livestock Coalition and director of commodity relations for OFBF.

 
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