It wasn't my intent. :(

The American Lung Association did use pictures of diseased lungs in posters and pamphlets way back at the beginning of their campaign against smoking, before the internet and high-res desktop printing. I remember them from junior high. They were very effective, with a high "Ewwww" factor.

They stopped short of saying, "I bet you didn't know your daddy doesn't care if his cigarette sets fire to the house and burns you to death." (Second-hand smoke was only a smoldering issue back then.) PETA accuses Mommy of being Cruella DeVil.

Actually, I don't mind the thought of eating real meat, drinking real milk and wearing real fur, as long as the animals are kept in a kind of animal heaven right up to the point when their heads hit the block. PETA, as well as the non-radical SPCAs of the world, make a horrifying case against the cruel warehousing conditions in which "consumable" animals are kept.

We have similar problems with puppy mills in the region where I live. The animals are commodities, and are therefore not treated well, because those owning the businesses have no personal attachment, the ethical infrastructure against cruelty to animals is weak, and law enforcement is not emphasized. The cruelty really does have to stop.

I have serious issues with any organization that attempts to get at young children by undermining their parents through the use of emotionally manipulative, dishonest and intrusive media incidents. Too many Protestant playmates told me that my Catholic parents were part of the Pope's army to overthrow America for me to ignore that kind of thing. PETA's tactics are blood cousins to that kind of insidiousness. You can't fight cruelty with lies and hatred.

It hit a hot button. Sorry.

Happy holidays anyway--
Mary Anne