Posted on 11/28/2002 6:15:36 PM PST by Dallas
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) -
The nation's largest animal rights group is under fire for a television campaign featuring a "turkey terrorist" taking hostages in a supermarket, which is appearing on only one station.
The commercial by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals depicts a store manager being bound and gagged and shoppers taken hostage, while an unseen terrorist threatens to beat, scald and dismember anyone who resists.
The terrorist is revealed to be a turkey puppet, which urges people to stop eating meat.
"I think it is always inappropriate to promote propaganda that puts fear in anyone's mind," said Sherrie Rosenblatt, spokeswoman for the National Turkey Federation.
Norfolk-based PETA did not apologize for the commercial, despite a pledge following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that it would play down its incendiary messages.
"A fake supermarket takeover has zip to do with the events of Sept. 11," spokeswoman Lisa Lange said. "You'd really have to be a big grump not to see the humor in all of this."
Lange said only one television station, in Minnesota, had accepted the commercial.
Yes, and Lisa, you have to be a big IDIOT not to see that this ad would be counterproductive to your misguided cause.
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