Alec Baldwin writes to Pope over animal cruelty

Sify.com ^ | Wednesday, 17 December , 2003

[nickcarraway]

Los Angeles: Hollywood star Alec Baldwin has appealed to Pope John Paul II asking him to condemn "shocking cruelty" to animals on factory farms that produce food products, activists said Tuesday.

The 45-year-old star of such movies as "Hunt for Red October" (1990) and 1998's "Mercury Rising" wrote to the pontiff on Friday pointing out that Catholic teaching requires people to treat animals kindly.

"In a clear violation of this teaching, modern factory farms greedily produce the greatest possible amount of meat, milk, and eggs while using the least possible amount of space, time, and money," he wrote.

"I am writing to ask that you exercise your moral authority in a clear statement of condemnation of present factory-farming methods," Baldwin said in the letter written on behalf of the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

"Your words would do a world of good for God's animals, who are suffering so horribly on factory farms and in slaughterhouses," he said in the letter released by PETA.

Baldwin, who also sent the pontiff a DVD copy of a film he recently made for PETA asking him to watch it, has joined a list of celebrities who campaign on behalf of the prominent US animal rights group.

"Animals on these intensive-production 'farms' never breathe fresh air or feel the grass beneath their feet or the sun on their faces," he said.

"They are never shown any kindness at all, and any compassionate person can only be appalled at the conditions under which they live and die," the actor wrote.

Baldwin has also starred in hits such as this year's movie "The Cooler," "Pearl Harbor" (2001), "Great Balls of Fire!" (1989) and "Working Girl" (1988) with Melanie Griffith.

[nickcarraway]

ping

[RJL]

Alec is quite a guy, there he is living in France and yet he is still concerned about how we are doing things here in the US.

He's top notch.

/sarcasm

[Adrastus]

I've always been impressed that Baldwin was a stand-up guy. I just wih he'd stand up in France. The frogs need a moral compass of his quality.

[ECM]

"...pointing out that Catholic teaching requires people to treat animals kindly."

I wonder where 'Mr. Catholic' stands on abortion...

[Brad’s Gramma]

BTTT for tomorrow. (snicker....)

[meanie monster]

Alec Baldwin can kiss my white southern arse!

[Mo1]

Oh Good Grief

Baldwin is a Bleeping Loon!

[Rokurota]

Yeah, but those animals never have to read or hear PETA's baloney, which I'm sure makes it all worthwhile.

[Tom Pain]

Wonder what Baldwin thinks about how to treat small human pre-born animals(babies in the womb)?

[FrankR]

Someone needs to compile a list of addresses (and emails) for casting agencies, casting directors, agents, and movie studios so we can contact them, just to let them know we will not be spending any of our entertainment dollars to see these liberal skinks in Follywood in any future movies.

Also, write to people co-starring with them, that the presence of the Baldwins, Glovers, et al, is costing them money, as movies with the libs will not be attended.

I used to love MASH (originally and in re-runs) , but since Mike Ferral started his BS, I won't even watch it anymore. Enough people feel that way, and they have no viewers, then ttheir co-stars like Alda and Swit get no residuals. They'd probably say, "Thanks Mike, but shut the hell up".

I just gave away my "Shawshank" DVD as I couldn't watch it anymore with Tim Robbins in it.

[rvoitier]

Not being a Biblical scholar by any means--doesn't it rate animals on the "Give-a-Shit" scale as zero?

What moral authority is baldwin talking about...especially to the Pope?!

[rvoitier]

test

[MrJingles]

Perhaps we should have told Alec and the other Left-Coasters that Saddam Hussein was slaughtering and torturing and raping tens of thousands of chickens...

[Mr. Mojo]

modern factory farms greedily produce the greatest possible amount of meat, milk, and eggs while using the least possible amount of space, time, and money,"

Yeah, it's called capitalism.

[freebilly]

modern factory farms greedily produce the greatest possible amount of meat, milk, and eggs while using the least possible amount of space, time, and money,"

As my mother used to say-- "Don't like? Then don't eat!"

[Redcloak]

Baldwin is upset about all of those cows on corporate farms being treated like Saddam.

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

Isn't the recent expression of sympathy for Saddam by a Papal official proof that the Vatican is concerned about the rights of animals?

[raynearhood]

Isn't being a Baldwin cruelty to Humans. Someone needs to develop an organization that will stamp out the 'Baldwin Threat' to the ethical treatment of people. Call it DoWBAA: Don't Watch Balwin Movies At All or BABAR: Baldwin is As Bad As Robbins.
(Unfortunately, that last name may scare people away from an old British cartoon about an elephant prince. Oh well.)

[Dudoight]

Yours is the best quip I have read in months. Loved it!