ELF and PETA dont represent me.... even though I am pro environment and against hurting animals without reason...

For the record, I don't assume PETA represents ANYONE who has ever posted here. In fact, I have never met a liberal who completely agreed with them, which makes me wonder why anyone pays attention to them at all. I consider the more mainstream groups to be more of a political threat.

I don't hunt, but don't care if other people do. I don't hurt animals unnecessarily...I have spent hard cash to take hurt wild animals to a local center that specializes in such.* I will carry a spider outside unless I'm in a bad mood, or too lazy, and the kids aren't watching.

On the other hand, I feed live crickets to pet frogs and mantises.

I eat meat, and I like it. You know, the cow will never be an endangered species because it's good to eat. I don't give vegetarians any crap, and expect them to return the favor.

I approve of animals in medical research. Nobody who knows anything about biology would tell you you can "simulate" such tests in test tubes or computers. However, I approve of finding alternatives when possible for less-serious testing like lotions or dish liquids.

Finally, if it would save the life of one of my kids, I would take the last, fuzzy, roly-poly panda bear on the face of the Earth and rip its heart out with my bare hands.

Of course, the panda would do the same thing to the last human on Earth, too, if necessary. So would any other animal. It just wouldn't think about it first.

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*an injured squirrel died en route once, and my van has had an extremely annoying chittering noise behind the dashboard ever since. Cripes, I'm haunted by a squirrel.