Update of PETA protest at Gibson ranch, one protester shows up!

The Billings Gazette ^ | February 25, 2004 | Linda Halstead-Acharya

[yukonjacko]

PETA targets actor's ranch

Even dressed as Jesus, Bob Chorush knew he was taking on a challenging task. Chorush, a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), flew from Seattle Tuesday to spend an hour protesting at Mel Gibson's Beartooth Ranch south of Columbus. What he got for his efforts were a few "middle-finger salutes," one thumbs-up and a visit from a sheriff's deputy.

The protest was one of several PETA protests taking place around the country targeting Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ," which opens today. "Mel Gibson has the 'Passion of the Christ,' " Chorush said. "We're just trying to lead him to the compassion of Christ. The religious connection is the basic Christian message of compassion. We just feel that should be extended straight across the board."

In PETA terms, that means animals, too. "We're here to let people know that eating meat causes cruelty and suffering," he said. As Chorush explains PETA's opposition to branding, dehorning and castrating cattle without pain relief, he acknowledged that "this might be the wrong part of the country to say that."

For the most part, traffic sped by so fast that Chorush's messages - including one poster stating: "For Christ's sake go vegetarian" - would be reduced to a blur in the rear view mirror. One SUV with Gallatin County plates pulled to a stop, took a photo and pulled away. When Chorush received his second "middle-finger salute," he took it with a sense of humor. "If three more people go by, I'll have the whole hand waving at me," he said.

Playing Jesus was a first for Chorush. But taking on cow country was not. Several weeks ago, he dressed up as a cow and demonstrated in Mabton, Wash., the site where the nation's first "mad cow" case was found. The local folks there responded by setting up a free burger bar right next to Chorush and other PETA supporters.

In Montana, however, Chorush was on his own. When asked how many members of PETA live in Montana, he couldn't say. "I know there are 800,000 worldwide," he said. "In Montana, I'm not sure." Chorush has been a member of PETA for a year and a half, but he's been a vegetarian for over 40, he said. According to a poll taken several years ago, that means he's one of the 6 percent of Americans that never eat red meat.

Down at the headquarters of Beartooth Ranch, the employees weren't saying much, just that they'd heard someone was coming to protest. But they had no idea that the protester was dressed as Jesus. Then, just as Chorush's designated hour came to a close, Stillwater County Sheriff's Sgt. Woody Claunch pulled in, responding to a complaint.

After checking Chorush's identification and warning him that he constituted a potential public safety hazard, Claunch said he was glad to learn the protester was leaving voluntarily. "Believe me, I do not want to be here at all," he told Chorush. "I'm really glad I didn't have to make an arrest on this situation. I wouldn't want to be the cop that arrests 'Jesus'."

[anniegetyourgun]

Only one word for these kinks - bizarro.

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

Perhaps we should hook up these PETA folks with that German cannibal? Personally, I'm against cannibalism, but in this case....

[texasflower]

These people make me sick. To dress as Jesus to protest something is horrible.

[SpaceBar]

The only way to fight these people is on their own turf by showing up at their rallies dressed as a big foam rubber bacon-double cheeseburger and medium fries.

[cripplecreek]

I allways picture a severely sunburnt anemia case when i think of PETA.

[anonymous_user]

For Christ's sake go vegetarian

Publicly taunting Christians on Ash Wednesday and beef producers in Montana. That ain't exactly a formula for longevity either.

[RightthinkinAmerican]

Many of these 6 percent who "never eat meat" sometimes eat meat. My father in law had a tag-a-long "vegetarian" with him on a recent four hour drive. He stopped at McDonald's, and the man said, "I'm a vegetarian". My father in law said, "I'm not, and ordered a Big Mac. The "vegetarian" said "That looks good" and ordered one for himself. When his friends weren't around to see, this hypocrite ate what was convenient. I bet most of these losers do the same from time to time.

The guy was also very anti-logging. That is, until he found out what the trees on his property were worth cut down. They didn't stand long after that. They don't want you or I to profit from logging, but if it'll go in their wallet, it's OK. They mostly like to make noise, but seldom are true to their cause if these's money in it for them.

[FreedomFarmer]

... "I know there are 800,000 worldwide," he said. "

Like I needed a reason to reload more shells.

Rock salt has crap ballastic properties.

[weegee]

How is it that vegans can control their hunger/instincts when it comes to eating meat, dairy, etc. but they cannot control themselves when it comes to their sexual appetites for members of the same sex?

Why is it that abortion is okay on the extreme left but eating eggs is prohibited?

[Joe 6-pack]

[weegee]

"I'm really glad I didn't have to make an arrest on this situation. I wouldn't want to be the cop that arrests 'Jesus'."

Religious people get arrested at abortion protests all the time.

By the way, that's not "Jesus". It's a man masquerading as Him. The AntiChrist will look like Him too.

[weegee]

This isn't the first time that PETA wackos have mocked Christians...

PETA Billboard Depicts Virgin Mary Cradling Chicken Carcass

[RightthinkinAmerican]

Anything goes for them, but don't YOU do anything THEY don't believe in.

[AmishDude]

Ahem,

Hitler was a committed, militant vegetarian.

There.

[Rollee]

My brother converted a vegetarian with his barbeque. He was cooking and had to go somewhere for a few minutes, so asked his landlady (who lived upstairs) to watch the grill. When he came back, he saw that she had eaten some of the ribs but wouldn't confess to it. Later, he caught her sneaking more ribs and some other meat from the table at his backyard party. She has fully returned from the dark side.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[N. Theknow]

Story goes that PETA showed up at a Montana Sheep Rancher's association meeting several years ago to offer a solution to the coyote problem the sheep ranchers were having.

Seems PETA suggested that they would tranquilize the coyotes and then while they were unconscious they would castrate the males and return them to the wild. Reason was that in this way the coyote population would decrease and the problem would be solved.

One puzzled sheep rancher stood up and said the idea didn't make much sense to him.

When asked why the idea didn't sound like a good solution to the coyote problem the rancher answered,

"Well sir, the coyotes is eating our sheep. They ain't screwing 'em."

[bobo1]

What irritates me in all this nonsense is that PETA is being played up as being a powerful interest group by the press. These bozo's could only provide one protester, what a powerful statement for their cause.

If it wasn't for the press making a mountain out of an ant hill no one would know anything about PETA. Nothing more than a small insignificant group of leftist kooks that has been propped up and manipulated by the leftist press.

Whatever they have to say is not important enough to make national news, belongs in the National Enquirer or some rag like that where the headlines proclaim gramma having an alien baby.

Blessings, bobo

[sneakers]

"In PETA terms, that means animals, too. "We're here to let people know that eating meat causes cruelty and suffering," he said."

On the contrary, it gives me great pleasure to eat meat - especially a really, really medium rare sirloin steak. *I* don't suffer at all! No. Not in the least! :-))