PETA Urges Hamburg, N.Y., to Change Name

**sbp** · 04-23-2003, 06:13 PM

http://www.wset.com/showstory.hrb?f=n&s=84453&f1=odd

Hamburg, N.Y. (AP) - A national animal rights group has offered Hamburg officials $15,000 to change the town's name to Veggieburg.

"The town's name conjures up visions of unhealthy patties of ground-up dead cows," said Joe Haptas, spokesman of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, in a letter faxed Monday to Hamburg Supervisor Patrick Hoak.

PETA offered to supply area schools with $15,000 worth of non-meat patties for the name change.

"Our offer is serious as a heart attack," Haptas said.

Hoak immediately declined.

"With all due respect, I think it's a delicacy in our community," he said about hamburgers. "We're proud of our name and proud of our heritage."

The Buffalo suburb, named Hamburg since 1812, claims to be the birth place of the American culinary staple. Hamburg commemorates the birth of hamburgers at the annual Burgerfest.

In 1996, PETA proposed that the Hudson Valley town of Fishkill change its centuries-old name to Fishsave, since the group believed the name conjured up violent imagery of dead fish.

The town was named by Dutch settlers in the early 1600s. "Kill" is the Dutch word for "stream."

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**~~Cantacuzene~~** · 04-23-2003, 06:23 PM

PETA are trying to be thought police.

**xsiled2** · 04-23-2003, 06:30 PM

i saw this on PTI it was pretty funny...

**dbax791** · 04-23-2003, 06:54 PM

LOL - don't get me wrong, I am a huge pet fan...but dang!

'dem PETAs are whackos!

**Jenny** · 04-23-2003, 07:01 PM

hahahaha That's great.

**nickel** · 04-23-2003, 07:02 PM

PETA Urges Hamburg, N.Y., to Change Name

**faither** · 04-23-2003, 07:37 PM

For sh1ts and giggles, they should change their name to Eatacowburg.

**bachviet** · 04-23-2003, 09:02 PM

PETA is goin' wild...

**Momma Kitty** · 04-23-2003, 09:24 PM

Doing things like that only make me take groups like that less seriously. They just take things too far!

**zenbooty** · 04-24-2003, 06:21 AM

I'm gaining more and more respect for PETA. The first step in getting people to agree with your views is to get your views heard. And I can't think of any advocacy group that get's more press and more reaction and attention than PETA. Call they're methods what you will, the fact is they always seem able to get themselves into the conversation, and that's what's most important for them right now. Wonder what the long term will hold for their movement...

**xsiled2** · 04-24-2003, 06:53 AM

**Peachhead** · 04-24-2003, 08:17 AM

I have NO respect for peta.
As a matter of fact it's pretty damn depressing not only that groups like that exist, but that they have the membership and GET THE SUPPORT that they do. To think that so much of the American public is that stupid...is just plain scary. And disgusting.

Sheesh.

**whitak24** · 04-24-2003, 08:44 AM

Originally posted by zenbooty
I'm gaining more and more respect for PETA. The first step in getting people to agree with your views is to get your views heard. And I can't think of any advocacy group that get's more press and more reaction and attention than PETA. Call they're methods what you will, the fact is they always seem able to get themselves into the conversation, and that's what's most important for them right now. Wonder what the long term will hold for their movement...

while i agree that PETA has been extremely effective in getting people to notice them, i would argue that it's "all the wrong kind" of attention.

quite frankly, sophomoric stunts like asking towns to change their name or absolutely assinine statements that donkey bombs are bad because they hurt donkeys only serves to turn the group into a joke to most thinking people. and as a result, many will not take what PETA says seriously, even when they are saying something that may have merit.

so i think in the long run, although PETA's actions may gain them a good deal of attention and may attract some people to their group, i think they are harming their long-term credibility and respect given to the message they are promoting.

**zenbooty** · 04-24-2003, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by Peachhead
I have NO respect for peta.

Why? What have they done that's so wrong? Is having a platform or viewpoint different from yours enough for you to lose respect for them? I think that's kinda sad if its true. Its not like they've hurt anybody.

As a matter of fact it's pretty damn depressing not only that groups like that exist, but that they have the membership and GET THE SUPPORT that they do. To think that so much of the American public is that stupid...is just plain scary. And disgusting.

Sheesh.

Again, I just don't understand how anyone can be so angry about this. They've hurt nobody and nothing. And maybe the fact that they get support should clue you into the idea that maybe, just maybe, they aren't as stupid as you think.

From reactions, you'd think these guys were a threat to our health or something

**zenbooty** · 04-24-2003, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by xsiled2

You don't even understand my point, do you? Children should be seen and not heard.

**topane** · 04-24-2003, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by Peachhead
I have NO respect for peta.
As a matter of fact it's pretty damn depressing not only that groups like that exist, but that they have the membership and GET THE SUPPORT that they do. To think that so much of the American public is that stupid...is just plain scary.

That's just the tip of the iceberg. The American public is pretty stupid about a lot of things.

**zenbooty** · 04-24-2003, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by whitak24
while i agree that PETA has been extremely effective in getting people to notice them, i would argue that it's "all the wrong kind" of attention.

No such thing. All attention is good in the long run. Every major movement in this country started off small, by people who were labeled "Whack-jobs" or worse.

quite frankly, sophomoric stunts like asking towns to change their name or absolutely assinine statements that donkey bombs are bad because they hurt donkeys only serves to turn the group into a joke to most thinking people. and as a result, many will not take what PETA says seriously, even when they are saying something that may have merit.

Maybe in the short term. But the longer they stick around, the more support they receive. The more support, the more they will be able to accomplish, and the less they will need to rely on "shock" tactics. The more people will take them seriously. That's just the nature of things.

so i think in the long run, although PETA's actions may gain them a good deal of attention and may attract some people to their group, i think they are harming their long-term credibility and respect given to the message they are promoting.

I disagree wholeheartedly. Their actions may repulse many in the short term, but as long as it wins some supporters, in the long run it will allow them to evolve beyond their current practices.

And before people start flaming me any more, please note that in none of my arguments have I stated that I am a member or PETA, or agree with their platform. I eat more meat than most of you, I reckon. I'm just discussing their viability and strength as an organization. Please keep your arguments within that realm, or you risk betraying your own lack of understanding.

**whitak24** · 04-24-2003, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by zenbooty
I disagree wholeheartedly. Their actions may repulse many in the short term, but as long as it wins some supporters, in the long run it will allow them to evolve beyond their current practices.

i think the scenario you describe is possible

but i think it is also possible that PETA will get to the point where a vast majority of the country will never listen to them because of the extreme and foolish stands that they have taken over the years.

**zenbooty** · 04-24-2003, 09:22 AM

Originally posted by whitak24

i think the scenario you describe is possible

but i think it is also possible that PETA will get to the point where a vast majority of the country will never listen to them because of the extreme and foolish stands that they have taken over the years.

Eh, I think history has shown that people, and Americans specifically, have short memories as well as short attention spans.

**whitak24** · 04-24-2003, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by zenbooty
Eh, I think history has shown that people, and Americans specifically, have short memories as well as short attention spans.

i can't argue with that

**mojo** · 04-24-2003, 10:10 AM

as far as movements go, with peta looking like they do now, i'd be more inclined to actually listen to other animal rights groups than to peta. this is just on principle.

now, i'm not about to stop eating beef or anything. but i might actually think about where i buy the stuff (as far as humane treatment in breeding) thanks to non-peta groups.

**Grimm** · 04-24-2003, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by zenbooty

Why? What have they done that's so wrong? Is having a platform or viewpoint different from yours enough for you to lose respect for them? I think that's kinda sad if its true. Its not like they've hurt anybody.

I don't know about you but I consider bald face lying wrong. When they support their views with disinformation, untrue or at best questionable propaganda, and actively misrepresent facts I lose respect for people very quickly. This does harm people. It convinces them to partake in a diet that ruins their health after about 7 years. It also harms people and businesses economicaly. Farmers can't afford the kind of crap they have to put up with because of PETA. I think it's pretty calous for you to accept a radical political point of view that does cause great amounts of harm.

Originally posted by zenbooty

Again, I just don't understand how anyone can be so angry about this. They've hurt nobody and nothing. And maybe the fact that they get support should clue you into the idea that maybe, just maybe, they aren't as stupid as you think.

From reactions, you'd think these guys were a threat to our health or something

These statements are untrue. They might be because you are not aware of the issues. The support PETA receives is from whackjobs like themselves and by extorting businesses with threats of boycotts and pickets.

**Grimm** · 04-24-2003, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by zenbooty
...And before people start flaming me any more, please note that in none of my arguments have I stated that I am a member or PETA, or agree with their platform. I eat more meat than most of you, I reckon. I'm just discussing their viability and strength as an organization. Please keep your arguments within that realm, or you risk betraying your own lack of understanding.

The only flaming that I have seen in this thread so far is you flaming others. A "Hippie Smilie" does not constitute a flame by any reasonable definition. If you consider being called a Hippie an insult, then you owe an appology to a lot of people.

Your feeble attempt to control our discusion will be ignored. You can't tell us how to think Zen. I don't see how you can jump into a thread, stir up trouble, flame people, and insult anyone who might disagree with you and still assume some intelectual and moral authority. Then again you support lying and intentional deceit as a reputable way to do business.

**zenbooty** · 04-24-2003, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by Grimm
I don't know about you but I consider bald face lying wrong. When they support their views with disinformation, untrue or at best questionable propaganda, and actively misrepresent facts I lose respect for people very quickly. This does harm people. It convinces them to partake in a diet that ruins their health after about 7 years.

Where have they lied? What is unhealthy about a vegan diet? I think there is a lot of conflicting research and studies as far as diet goes, with new statements and contractdictions being released all the time. I have a hard time calling any conclusions based on this research as either undeniable fact or a bald-face lie.

It also harms people and businesses economicaly. Farmers can't afford the kind of crap they have to put up with because of PETA. I think it's pretty calous for you to accept a radical political point of view that does cause great amounts of harm.

What kind of crap must farmers put up with? Any type of social evolution or technological progress ends up putting the old guard out of business. But is that any reason not to progress? I don't buy this argument. PETA hasn't burned any farms or prevented anyone from accessing the meat markets. They merely spread the word, and people are free to make their own decisions. Should the VCs who pulled the plug on the .com bonanza be punished because of all the lost jobs, even though the .coms were not profitable? Should Henry Ford have been shunned or punished because of all the horse and carriage drivers and builders he put out of work? Should Lincoln be attacked for hurting Southern farmers by abolishing slavery?

extorting businesses with threats of boycotts and pickets.

Boycotts and pickets are not extortion. They are merely the expression of the will of the people. If people want to boycott, that's their choice. Now if PETA started blocking off access to stores, that would be extortion. But they're not.

**zenbooty** · 04-24-2003, 11:01 AM

Originally posted by Grimm
The only flaming that I have seen in this thread so far is you flaming others. A "Hippie Smilie" does not constitute a flame by any reasonable definition. If you consider being called a Hippie an insult, then you owe an appology to a lot of people.

Your feeble attempt to control our discusion will be ignored. You can't tell us how to think Zen. I don't see how you can jump into a thread, stir up trouble, flame people, and insult anyone who might disagree with you and still assume some intelectual and moral authority. Then again you support lying and intentional deceit as a reputable way to do business.

I'm sorry, who's flaming and stirring up trouble here?

**mcs328** · 04-24-2003, 11:11 AM

Originally posted by zenbooty
Where have they lied? What is unhealthy about a vegan diet? I think there is a lot of conflicting research and studies as far as diet goes, with new statements and contractdictions being released all the time. I have a hard time calling any conclusions based on this research as either undeniable fact or a bald-face lie.

What kind of crap must farmers put up with? Any type of social evolution or technological progress ends up putting the old guard out of business. But is that any reason not to progress? I don't buy this argument. PETA hasn't burned any farms or prevented anyone from accessing the meat markets. They merely spread the word, and people are free to make their own decisions. Should the VCs who pulled the plug on the .com bonanza be punished because of all the lost jobs, even though the .coms were not profitable? Should Henry Ford have been shunned or punished because of all the horse and carriage drivers and builders he put out of work? Should Lincoln be attacked for hurting Southern farmers by abolishing slavery?

Boycotts and pickets are not extortion. They are merely the expression of the will of the people. If people want to boycott, that's their choice. Now if PETA started blocking off access to stores, that would be extortion. But they're not.

I strongly disagree on the last part where they do not block access. They in fact do and I have been on the receiving end on that "tactic". They do block traffic from my experience.

Other than that agree with Zen that they stir up publicity and grow in membership. However I don't know what demographic they attract. Maybe younger folks I thinks. Also I don't think they advance their cause with the publicity. They grow in membership maybe but they shrink on public perception which to me in turn makes their organization suspicious. What long term goal are they trying to achieve by using "shock and awe" tactics that undermine the their true/original purpose which I can respect.

I don't see what long term down the road purpose will validate them as an organziation. To me these silly name changing town stunts and whatever else villify (sp?) them more than it helps.

**zenbooty** · 04-24-2003, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by mcs328
I strongly disagree on the last part where they do not block access. They in fact do and I have been on the receiving end on that "tactic". They do block traffic from my experience.

I'm very curious about this. Please tell me more about what happened!

**Grimm** · 04-24-2003, 11:19 AM

Originally posted by zenbooty
I'm sorry, who's flaming and stirring up trouble here?

You are. Any more questions? Well don't bother asking them, I don't see any point in arguing against someone who ignores the evidence anyway. How could you miss the news about PETA putting up the billboard that Jesus was a vegitarian? This is one example, there are inumerable more, you just have to look at just about any PETA propaganda, research it, and find it is based on a lie.

When you agree to avoid a protest in exchange for a cash contribution, it's extortion.

Welcome to my ignore list Zen, I don't think I really care to read any more of the twisted opinions you spout.

**zenbooty** · 04-24-2003, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by Grimm
You are. Any more questions? Well don't bother asking them, I don't see any point in arguing against someone who ignores the evidence anyway. How could you miss the news about PETA putting up the billboard that Jesus was a vegitarian? This is one example, there are inumerable more, you just have to look at just about any PETA propaganda, research it, and find it is based on a lie.

When you agree to avoid a protest in exchange for a cash contribution, it's extortion.

Welcome to my ignore list Zen, I don't think I really care to read any more of the twisted opinions you spout.

Good move! I'm sure this will spare everyone a lot of annoyance at your whiny pissing and mewling. My only wonder is what took you so long?

**hang10wannabe** · 04-24-2003, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by Peachhead
I have NO respect for peta.
As a matter of fact it's pretty damn depressing not only that groups like that exist, but that they have the membership and GET THE SUPPORT that they do. To think that so much of the American public is that stupid...is just plain scary. And disgusting.

Sheesh.